Category Archives: Photographic Pursuits

Around Yale University

20 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by in Food, Photographic Pursuits, Travel

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Where have I been these past few months? Or better yet, where have I been this past year (or two)? Around. Pretty much around. My life has been very busy recently hence the infrequent journal entries.

Moving on… I just came back from the United States. It was my first time to step on American soil and I had a great time. One of the primary reasons of my visit was to attend my brother’s graduation from the Master of Laws program of Yale University. Yale Law School, by the way, is regarded as the number one law school in the world.

Yale Law School Commencement. This was after the university rites held at the Yale Old Campus.

We spent quite some time appreciating the campus of Yale University. The buildings were grand, charming, and full of history. Walking around the area was surreal, almost like being in a movie. It had a vibrant, old-world charm to it that I loved. Continue reading →

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Hotel: The Four Seasons Bangkok Experience

09 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Hotel, Photographic Pursuits, Travel, Work

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Update: The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok is now managed Anantara.

For eight days and seven nights, the Four Seasons Hotel and Resort Bangkok served as my home. Located along Rajadamri Road, the hotel is considered as one of the best in the bustling Thai capital.

It’s not difficult to see why people are all praises for this oasis in the middle of the city. Continue reading →

Exploring the Thai Capital

09 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Food, Photographic Pursuits, Shopping, Thoughts, Travel, Work

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Much has been said about Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand, which is considered as the world’s best city by Travel + Leisure magazine. Whether you’re into shopping, partying, or sightseeing, the Thai capital has got you covered. Bangkok’s a great example of modernity mixed with traditional culture.

Cruising along the Chao Praya River, the birthplace of Bangkok.

Exploring Bangkok involves a lot of walking, train rides, and river cruises. It’s easy to get around the city since their modes of transport are well-integrated with each other. Also, the sidewalks of Bangkok are usually wide which is great for exploring the city on foot. In the shopping districts, such as Ratchaprasong, there are skywalks similar to Ayala Center’s. Continue reading →

The Grand Palace and Chatuchak Weekend Market

09 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Photographic Pursuits, Shopping, Travel, Work

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Sunday was technically the only ‘free‘ day that I had in Bangkok. But since I had to review for the training, I only gave myself until 3 in the afternoon to go around.

(By the way, if you’re wondering why I was too serious in my pre-work review, it was because we were told that a test would be given prior to the start of the training. People who’d fail the test would be kicked off from the training. Imagine my frustration when no test was given at all.)

Since I didn’t have much time to go around, I had to limit my destinations. I chose to visit the Grand Palace and Chatuchak (or Jatujak) Weekend Market.

Going around Bangkok’s pretty easy. At the Ratchadamri BTS station, I bought an all-day BTS pass for 150 Thai Baht. The pass is good for both Sukhumvit and Silom lines of the BTS.

This pass is great for tourists. My 150 Thai Baht brought me places.

Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain reminds me of LRT 2, only better. How I wish all of our light rails are as good as the BTS.

My first destination was the Grand Palace. To reach the place, one has to go to the Saphan Taksin BTS station then ride a Chao Praya Express Boat from the Sathorn Pier to the Maharaj Pier where the Grand Palace is nearby. Again, the pier is just below the BTS station. Very convenient! Continue reading →

First Night in Bangkok

09 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Photographic Pursuits, Thoughts, Travel, Work

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On my first night in Bangkok, I was very eager to sample some authentic Thai cuisine. I walked to CentralWorld, a mall near Four Seasons Hotel and Resort Bangkok, hoping to have dinner in a Thai restaurant. Walking around the mall, I saw many Japanese, Korean, and Italian restaurants but no Thai. After an hour of searching, I gave up and headed straight to McDonald’s.

Big Mac, something that I always try when on foreign shores.

McDonald’s in Bangkok is pretty expensive. The Big Mac meal with medium fries and drink costs 147 Thai Baht, roughly in 196 in Philippine Pesos. To be fair though, their Big Mac had very juicy patties. Continue reading →

Sawatdee, Krung Thep!

03 Sunday Jun 2012

Posted by in Photographic Pursuits, Travel, Work

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Hello, Bangkok!

So here I am, back in the country where everything is said to be more fun. I spent a week in Bangkok for a training on one of our company’s latest acquisitions — Netezza. It was my first time in the Thai capital and it was just a-ma-zing.

Since our company only allows us to book the lowest logical airfare, I flew to Bangkok via Thai Airways. I was pleasantly surprised since Philippine Airlines usually comes out more inexpensive than the rest. It would be my first time to try a foreign carrier.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1

With the exception of All Nippon Airways, all foreign carriers dock at Terminal 1. It was my first time there. At last, I saw what the negative buzz around the Manila International Airport T1 is all about. Continue reading →

Walking Around BGC

01 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Personal, Photographic Pursuits, Random

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Walking around cities has become an activity that I enjoy doing. There’s a certain joy that exploring places on foot brings. I usually have my trusty point-and-shoot with me to photograph random city scenes.

Towering skyscrapers, pocket parks, and upscale shops.

BGC as seen from the flyover leading to Kalayaan. This photo was taken last year.

Those are just some of the things one would see in Bonifacio Global City, or BGC. What used to be a camp of the Philippine Army is now a bustling business district that’s continuously evolving. Continue reading →