The Magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda

After 11-days, 5 overnight bus rides, 1 train ride, 1 pick-up truck, 2 horse carts, countless motorbike rides and thousands of words scribbled in my notebook, I finished my journey around Myanmar. I can say it was one of my fulfilling travels in a while in line with my travels in Laos and China. It was one of those journeys where Traveling and Photography is all about being in the moment, being part of the scene, melding, and being invisible. I love the interaction I get with the locals and just being in there. It’s the travel and the photography where the only person I’m shooting for is myself. I can’t wait to write it for the next few months. Here’s is Shwedagon Pagoda, a gold studded landmark which symbolizes the country. It was the major sight I visited the first time I got in the country and also the last before I left. Myanmar is a wonderful country that I won’t hesitate to go back again.

Shwezigon Siblings (Olympus E-PL1, 45mm, f2, 1/400s)

I’m nearing the end of my Myanmar Journey with only a few days of stay here. I had a bit of snag in Inle Lake which was supposed to be some sort of a highlight for my trip but things got complicated when there was a festival on the nearby town. One things for sure I tell you, avoid the local festivals if you can. While it might be interesting, prices double and accommodations are non-existent. But still it was an experience. Good thing I met a very helpful lady in Aung Mingalar Hotel who accommodated me on my very brief stay in Nyaungshwe when I was already loosing hope of finding a place or even going back to Mandalay. Anyways more details of the story when I write them. In the meantime here’s a fun young sibling I met in Shwezigon in Bagan. That thanaka on their faces just gives the poeple of Myanmar a distinct character.

View of the Old Bagan during sunrise

I’m currently halfway through my journey in Myanmar and I can say it’s more than I expected it to be. I’m currently in Pyin U Lwin at the north of Mandalay. 3445 ft above sea level, taking the slow train immediately coming from Bagan. The cool clime is a refreshing change from the warm and dusty environs of Bagan. One thing I can say that the country is changing fast, any latest information from 1 year ago or even a few months ago has changed. Anyways I’ll leave you guys with one of the sunrise shots in Bagan which I thought was really a fabulous place.

SMUG Metro Manila group hug last night

It was an exciting night for us co-leaders, Tracey Heppner and Me. It started with an idea of bringing the exciting SMUGs community here in the Philippines which is really popular in the Europe and USA. And finally officially launching it here was a really exciting endeavor. It was really an informal night of getting to know each other during the launch but it was the groundwork that would lead to other exciting activities for the coming months.

Tracey and the participants at the SMUG Meet at AIM

We thank the 18 guests who joined us that night. I thought it was a pretty good turn-out of participants. We would also like to thank Juned of Blog and Soul who helped us secure the venue at AIM. SMUGs Metro Manila is here and we’re the first in South East Asia. Expect exciting things to happen so join us if would like to learn more about this new Photography Community.

You can like our Facebook SMUG Metro Manila and join our MeetUp Site for those real time alerts!

Dinner Kwentuhan after the meet

UST WVT Maru and Judy victory hug

I never thought Beach Volleyball can be so emotional, it is really a different atmosphere from indoor Volleyball. But I guess on every game when the championship is at stake, every player can feel the pressure and only having a pair on a team, it really shows on every winning point. I was able to watch the finals game match for UAAP Season 74 beach volleyball in UE Caloocan. For the Women’s it’s UST with main players Maru Banaticla and Judy Caballejo playing against Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez and Bea Tan. Game 2 was a win from Ateneo forcing a deciding 3rd match. I was really surprised on how each player would react to each points they got and they sure show a lot of passion for the game.On Game 3, Maru had an injury but she showed how a trooper she was and continued playing despite the pain. In two sets, UST was able to get  their first Beach Volleyball championship and it was a well deserved win. Lots of victory hugs here.

Maru going up against Alyssa

On the other side, the Men’s volleyball have always been about speed and power and FEU certainly showed they are the tougher team sweeping the competition until the finals game against UST. Main players for FEU was Karl de la Calzada and Arvin Avila going up against UST’s Jason Ramos and Mark Alfafara.

Maru signaling her play

Sharing here some photos I got during the games. I do hope I could get a press pass next time so I could move around easily and shoot closer. You can check out the SmugMug Gallery for more images. All images were shot with an Olympus PEN E-PL1 and 40-150mm M. Zuiko

The young and talened Alyssa Valdez from Ateneo Team

FEU's Arvin Avila going up agains Mark Alfafara

Jason Ramos powerful attack avoiding de la Calzada's block

A detailed shot, part of the Art Installation at Imprints at Cubao X

Last night was Dispatch Media’s first  Travel X Thursday featuring IMPRINTS: Soul on Sole. it’s a travel art installation by Pilipinas Street Plan featuring 30 extraordinary nomads and know the tales behind their favorite travel footwear! It was a blast getting to meet fellow travelers for a while all in one place. The Art installation was really interesting, especially the part where the photos merge with the real life installation. It was also a pleasure to finally meet local author Caloy Libosada of the “26 Days Around the Philippines” fame, that book was a big influence when I started traveling.  Sharing a few photos from that evening.

Art Installation Exhibit by the Street Plan

2D merging with 4-D very nice

Computerized Sound System for the night

My worn out Sanuk

Check out more images from the even here from my Smugmug Gallery

Star Cruises Superstar Virgo seen from the cable car from Sentosa

Last weekend, I was invited by AirPhil Express to experience their  new AdvenTour Package offering they had call “Fly and Sail”. In partnership with Star Cruises, the Fly and Sail is a four-day Adventure Tour Package where once can Fly to Singapore and go for a cruise to Malaysia for only P24,888 per person. It’s my first time to actually try a cruise and it was pretty fun. I’ll be writing about the experience starting next week in ironwulf.net En Route. In the meantime if you would like to know more of the details, read on.

AirPhil Express Fly & Sail Package

Selling Date: August 10 to September 20, 2011
Travel Date: August 23, 2011 to March 13, 2012

For as low as Php 24,888.00 per person (based on Quad Sharing Room)

Inclusions:

• Rountrip Airfare (Manila-Singapore-Manila)
• Transfers (Airport-Hotel-Port-Airport)
• Overnight Hotel Accommodation (Hotel Fragrance Oasis or Rose)
• 3 Days/2 Nights accommodation on-board Super Star Virgo with full board meals
• All access to Super Star Virgo’s facilities and live Entertainment
• Fuel Surcharges, Cruise Surcharges, PH & SG tax & Ticket Service Charge

You can check out more details on the Pricing options and itinerary on this AdvenTour Package PDF