Palace within a Palace

To continue my post in reference to my travels around India. Agra Fort is a “palace within a palace”, because this red brick fort are divided into different structures. Some of the notable structures:

The Jahangiri Mahal. Built by Emperor Akbar for his son Jehangir, the palace was built for women belonging to the royal household.

Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience). The place where the Emperor hold public audience for the masses

The Khas Mahal, called the White Marble Palace. An example of “painting on marble”

Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of the Private Audience), the hall was used to received kings and dignitaries.

Anguri Bagh (The Grape Garden) an 85 square garden arranged geometrically.

My Dream Destinations

I have read many blog posts about their own Bucketlists of Dream Destination. As an aspiring world traveler myself, I also have my own  so called Dream Destination. I think some of these places are too far fetch but who knows maybe someday I can really set my feet on these places.

Here are my random list of my dream places:

Turkey – My reason to visit: Experience the Antiquity and Elegance Istanbul has to offer.

Morocco – Experience the Night Market of Marrakech and feel the Magic of Lawrence of Arabia

 

Israel – The Bible Land

Italy –  The feeling of being Romantic. Picturesque Landscape, Beautiful colors Sunrise and Sunset, Vineyards, etc.

Spain – I want to emerged myself to its Magnificent Architectural Designs, as if I am walking to a Life Size Museum.

Egypt – Ancient Realm of the ancient times

Greece – My reason to visit? Because I am fascinated with Greek Mythology

 Brazil – They said no one knows how to party quite like the Brazilians!

Prague – This country contains one of the world’s most pristine and varied collections of architecture.

Tanzania –  Outback Adventure to the Great Savanna Dessert

Japan (√) - The land of the Rising Sun. My second home, Lived and traveled September 2007 to June 2009

India (√) – The Land of Wonders – Made my visit March 2012 and I was in awe with its Majestic Beauty and I am so looking forward to go back!

Vietnam – The Land of Blue Dragon. My reason to visit: Halong Bay and its floating village

South Africa – The Land of Beauty and Contrast. My ultimate dream is to ride the Luxurious Blue Train and linger the Beauty of Nature!

East Timor – Virgin Beaches that can compete with the famous Bali Beach and I want to keep a promise to a dear friend to visit her at her new home.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

On Street of Binondo in Holga

A quick visit to the Oldest Chinatown in the world.

From my Frame: Life at Sea

 Voyage upon life’s sea, to yourself be true and whatever your lot may be, Paddle your own canoe – Sarah Bolton

 Photos taken at Botolan,  Zambales, Philippines

Fishermen getting ready for a day trip off to sea

Taho (Sweetened Soy Bean Curd) Vendor

A contrast of modernicity

Into the Walls of Agra Fort

When we arrived at Agra Cantt Station, our only goal was to have a quick visit to the Taj Mahal and then catch a train to Delhi our last stop for our 7 day India Trip. But since we have a few more hours left before our 8pm train to Delhi, our auto rickshaw driver have told us that he will bring us to Agra Fort instead since we have more than enough time to stay in Agra and so off we go with our rickshaw.

Our driver told us that tickets are sold at the entrance and if we are not interested to go inside we can take pictures on the walls and then go back to where he parked the auto rickshaw. Before we stepped out of the auto rickshaw, our driver reminded us not to talk to any person who will haggle and introduce themselves as “tour guides”, since we ourselves can manage to look around the fort and that there are labels and inscriptions where we can read and no tour guides are needed and that these people will overly charged us for the services they offer.

At the entrance, the 3 of us decided to go inside and see for ourselves what this red walled fortress has to offer. In the end, it was all worth it, thanks to our ever persistent rickshaw driver/tour guide.

Little known facts about Agra Fort

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Agra, India. Is about 2km from Taj Majal. In fact you can view the Taj Mahal from the entrance and in the windows of the fortress. According to the UNESCO World Heritage Organization, Agra Fort and Taj Mahal is an exceptional representation to a civilization of Mogul Emperors which has already disappeared. The fortress was built in 1565 by Emperor Akbar on the right side of the river banks of Yamuna. The 2.5km long enclosed fortress has a large number of “fairy tale” like palaces. Emperor Shah Jahan, was imprisoned by his son at this fort by which he had the view of Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal as seen from the entrance way of Agra Fort

 Intricate designs of doors/gates leading inside the fort

 On our way to the walled city

Labor Day Thoughts

Sometimes it’s important to work for that pot of gold.  But other times it’s essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow.  ~Douglas Pagels, These Are the Gifts I’d Like to Give to You

Cebu, B??!

Photos from a recent trip to Cebu..

Scenes from the Famous Dried Fish Market:

The Heat is ON!!

 Hot and humid air, temperature shooting up as high as 33 degrees Celsius, Manila is already embracing the Summer Heat!

And when you talk about summer in the Philippines, is equal to blue pristine waters, beach, bodies tanned and fun. I am not much of a beach bum because I do not like the idea of swimming to salty waters and the paranoia of what is below me.

But believe me, I have my fair share of beach hopping, the likes of the famous Boracay Islands. Of course who can’t joined the rest of the country taking the plunge, scooping the sands and enjoying everything the Island has to offer when you have at least 4 day holiday during the Holy Week? and the chance to meet local celebrities? Guimaras Island is much nearer to where I used to live and with cheap accommodations to offer with stunning view of its beach too and delicious ripe mango to top. Mactan, Cebu Island. My recent visit though brief, a friend gave us the opportunity to visit one of the best hotel chain in the country and see its blue waters. These are few of famous worth to mention but my country has more than the usual beaches to offer for all.

Nonetheless, I still do enjoy going to the beach because it is an opportunity for me to snap a good photo of the place and if lucky enough get a stunning sunrise or sunset view in the horizon.

Taken at Mactan Shangrila Hotel, Cebu

For the Love of BANGLES!

Bangles or Churi are traditional ornaments wore by most women especially in India and whenever I watched Bollywood movies I find it fascinating and unique that these women wore different kinds of adornment in different sizes, styles, designs and colors plus the unique jingling sound it produces.

When I got the chance to come and visit India, we made sure to stop by to one of these stores. If I remember correctly a friend and I were at the mall asking for directions to a store manager where we can visit a store/market for bangles so we can brought some back home for friends. The man scribbles the address for us and gave an instruction to take the auto rickshaw straight to the given address.

We arrived at the market, we manage to go through and look in at the stalls then we came to stop by a small store where they sell most of jewelries. And asks the store manager for cheap bangles. We were given different colors and sizes to choose from, at first we were given an entire set of 24 pieces bangles in one color. Then we ask them if it is possible to mixed and match the pieces and they gladly do so. We got around and have our bangles boxed. Prices though varies depends on the sizes, kinds, and ornaments.

Bangles are circular in shape and non-flexible unlike bracelets. It may be made of copper, silver, gold, platinum, bronze and even ivory. Designs varies from simple, plain or with glitters to precious and semi-precious stones in it.

 Different display of Bangles for sale.

Bangles with semi precious stones. The Red and White Bangles are made in Ivory wore by a bride during wedding ceremony.

Bangles owned by my good friend Dahlia.

Beyond the Streets of Pink City

Looking down at my seat window as the plane descends the city of Jaipur I see vast area of mocha colored land. Then I understand that the city is located in a semi dessert lands of Rajasthan.

A City painted in Terracotta Pink with beautiful palaces and forts with more than 280 years of history dating back 1700s. Remnants of how the city was built and fortified thru wars..

Hawa Mahal maybe the most striking  edifice in Jaipur. A five story, honey combed like monument. The windows are designed to provide enough ventilation and for the women in the palace to use as viewing point for any activities on the street such as processions.

Jal Mahal a romantic lodge for the royal family that can only be viewed from the banks of the lake. It was said the this will soon be a hotel.

Street Scene in Jaipur: