My kodak moments

From lonely planet: Granada has an edge over other Andalucian cities. Many visitors don’t get past the allure of the Alhambra, with its woods and the Sierra Nevada as magnificent backdrops, and the mystery of the winding streets of the Albayzín. But what you’ll find if you stick around is Andalucía’s hippest, youthful city, with a free-tapas culture, innovative bars, tiny flamenco holes and thumping clubs. Here, the Islamic past feels recent as a growing North African population has filled the Albayzín with kebab and cake shops and slipper and tea nooks and even a newly-constructed mosque.

Toledo’s charms can be dampened somewhat if the streets are choked up with tour groups. Try and stay until dusk, if you can, when the city returns to the locals and the streets take on a moody, other-worldly air.

Quiet little town with great food and music.

There is no mystery behind the origin of the Brussels sprout. Named after the capital of Belgium (and now, the capital of Europe), this mythical nightmare of young veggiephiliacs comes, quite obviously, from near Brussels. A minor character in the cabbage-cauliflower-broccoli family, the Brussels Sprout and the Belgian Endive comprise Belgium's most hearty claims to vegetable fame.

Its name is derived from Amstellerdam, indicative of the city's origin: a dam in the river Amstel. Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. During that time, the city was the leading centre for finance and diamonds. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded, and many new neighborhoods and suburbs were formed.
The Hague is the seat of government, but not the capital of the Netherlands, a role set aside by the Dutch constitution for Amsterdam.
The Hague is the home of the States-General of the Netherlands. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands lives and works in The Hague. All foreign embassies and government ministries are located in the city, as well as the Hoge Raad der Nederlanden (Supreme Court), the Raad van State (Council of State) and many lobbying organisations.
The Hague (needs to be written with capital T!!) is also the de facto judicial capital of the United Nations, being the location of its primary judicial institutions.

Rome, the Eternal City, is the capital of Italy and of the Lazio (Latium) region. It's the famed city of the Seven Hills, La Dolce Vita, the Vatican City and Three Coins in the Fountain.

From Wikipedia: Venice is a city in northern Italy, the capital of the region Veneto. The city historically was the capital of an independent nation. Venice has been known as the La Dominante, Serenissima, Queen of the Adriatic, City of Water, City of Bridges, City of Canals and The City of Light. Luigi Barzini, writing in The New York Times, described it as undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man. Venice has also been described by the Times Online as being one of Europe's most romantic cities.

Comparing this city from where I come from, parts of Venice for me is like Quiapo or Baclaran in the Philippines with the difference that it is presented with glitter and gold. Instead of seeing a small tiangge, you would find Versace store. Instead of riding a pajak, you would ride a gondola or the Vaporetto.

More stories and stuff can be found here:

• Moving into another world
• A stranger in a strange city in a strange contintent
• My first day of work in Praha
• Val visits me in Prague from Germany
• Taking random pictures of Czechs
• Similarities and differences in this strange new world
• My Czech crossroad

My first Christmas outside Philippines and also my first time without my immediate family.. It was interesting. New people, new traditions, new culture, and new faces. We spent it at Mike's mom's place. Attendees were Tine, Michael, Tita Vange - Michael's mom, Gaby (Tine's cousin / Tita Rica's daughter. Tita Rica is Tita Gina's sister), Vince and Mark who are Michael's second and third brother, then last but not the least, me.

Other stories can be found here:

1. Zurich International Airport
2. My First Swiss Christmas
3. Christmas Eve
4. Christmas Day

Well informed, eloquent and oh-so-romantic, the City of Light is a philosopher, a poet, a crooner. As it always has been, Paris is a million different things to a million different people. Paris has all but exhausted the superlatives that can reasonably be applied to any city. Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower – at sunrise, at sunset, at night – have been described countless times, as have the Seine and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between the Left and Right Banks. But what writers have been unable to capture is the grandness and even the magic.

Yet another zoo??

Flashback: when I was in early primary school, I missed seeing Manila Zoo because I had fever and therefore cannot go on our field trip. This frustrated me as a child since field trips are one of those rare occasions when you actually feel like going to school. Secondly, I've always wanted to see (and maybe touch)...

This is a collection of random shots in macro mode.

It's not so difficult to take pictures of them because they usually don't move.

Different pictures of animals, insects, plants, flowers, and fruits.