breaking the monotony

The Magayon Mayon Volcano

The first time I visited Legaspi, Albay, I wasn't able to get a glimpse of the majestic Mayon Volcano. Story has it that it if at first it doesn't allow its presence to be seen, that means you have to come back and pay her another visit. 

True enough, the second time I went backpacking to Bicol with my travel buddies, I got the surprise of my life, when at the first light of morning, from the window of the bus I was on, was the enchanting Mayon volcano in all its great splendour.

Almost in panic that any minute it may be shrouded by the clouds, I immediately grabbed my camera and shoot away. 

Satisfied because of the ample shots I took during the first day, I wasn't worried even if it didn't show up the following day. But it did otherwise.

The Color Purple

Purple is royalty. A mysterious color, purple is associated with both nobility and spirituality. 

Purple has a special, almost sacred place in nature: lavender, orchid, lilac, and violet flowers are often delicate and considered precious. Because purple is derived from the mixing of a strong warm and strong cool color it has both warm and cool properties. A purple room can boost a child's imagination or an artist's creativity. Too much purple, like blue, could result in moodiness.

The color of mourning for widows in Thailand, purple was the favorite color of Egypt's Cleopatra. It has been traditionally associated with royalty in many cultures. Purple robes were worn by royalty and people of authority or high rank. The Purple Heart is a U.S. Military decoration given to soldiers wounded in battle.

Source: http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/colorselection/p/purple.htm

Ascending

The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.-Jonathan Edwards

A Religious Reflection

The Notre Dame Cathedral - a famous landmark in the historical city of Saigon.

Green is the color of my energy

Culturally, green has broad and sometimes contradictory meanings. In some cultures, green symbolizes hope and growth, while in others, it is associated with death, sickness, envy, or the devil. The most common associations, however, are found in its ties to nature. For example, Islam venerates the color, as it expects paradise to be full of lush greenery. Green is also associated with regeneration, fertility and rebirth for its connections to nature. Recent political groups have taken on the color as symbol of environmental protection and social justice, and consider themselves part of the Green movement, some naming themselves Green parties. This has led to similar campaigns in advertising, as companies have sold green, or environmentally friendly, products.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green

Trees

...till the last leaf fall.

Long and limber.