Mount Pinatubo 04: Beholding the beauty of the Crater Lake

From the jumpoff point all the way to the top, endurance was the name of the game. The 5-hour trek meant nothing anymore when I learned that I was already a few feet away from the crater lake. It was around two in the afternoon when I first laid my eyes on the lake. It was sensory overload.

I’ve seen so many photos of the crater lake prior to this, but seeing it for real and experiencing it was way indescribable. The lake was shimmering because of the sun. The vegetation around the crater was lush green. There was a subtle wind blowing from the east swaying the grasses as if they were dancing with glee. I took a moment before I started taking photos, exhausting all possible angles.

From the top west side with the leafless branch and the crater wall framing the shot

From the top east going down the long stairs to the lake shore

From the south-western part

From the hiker's area (from the back of our tent, to be specfic)

From a hole that I accidentally spotted while looking for various angles

late afternoon with crater wall almost fading from the scene

late morning with the clouds reflecting on the water

The mossy crater wall

From the lake shore

Another look

I am almost plunging into the cold water

It's blue. No it's green. No it's cyan. It's turquoise!

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Crim, Etch and I watched the Pacquiao-Hatton boxing fight at the MegaMall yesterday. Crim and I both went from LB and we just met with Etch at the Cinema 10 way passed 8 AM. The undercard bouts were boring us to death so much so that Crim and I took the pleasure of superficially bashing the boxers. Some superficial nonesense such as how Gaudet would win solid to Soto if it was a beauty contest they were bouting for or how Matthew Hatton must have been "too energized" against his nemesis from Mexico, Ernesto Zepeda. Anyway, I decided that a swig of two shots of cappucino would perk my senses. It did.

During the main bout, it was just two rounds and the fight was over. After five minutes and some seconds, Ricky Hatton was knocked out! Jeezus. Crim and Etch almost lost their voices screaming inside the cinema. I was still in awe. "The fight was over? That's it?!"

Maha Viharn Temple and one fine, busy Sunday

One thing that you will never run out of when you’re in Thailand is the myriad of temples. There are at least 430 temples in this country, in Bangkok area alone there are less than 50. Now if you enjoy “wat trips” like me, visiting Thailand should be a breeze. Not only does it make me slobber gloating over these shimmering architecture, admiring wat (temple) also provides me with some photographic moments.

On our way to Bangkok from Nakhon Ratchasima Province we passed by this new temple, Maha Viharn which one of our Thai companions suggested that we visit before going back to our hotel. The area is huge and some portions are still under construction (but relatively, the area is nearly finish). This is more of a sanctuary that offers both the luxury of a park while admiring the wat amidst its beautiful, vast landscape. There are restaurants and souvenirs stores too.

This is the recieving area where visitors can get the information about the place (mostly in Thai). Inside are little versions of Buddha (reclining, sitting, praying) in gold, silver and wood.

The east side temple which was on top of a hill. Before getting there, you'll pass by a series of wishing bells.

This is the main pagoda or temple with the moat in front. Inside the main hall is a huge statue of Maha Viharn, a highly revered monk.

View from the main temple.

A variety of flowers which I spotted as I was making my exit going to the west side to visit another temple.

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[Postscript]

Friend: What's one of your guilty pleasures aside from listening to Air Supply?

(An embarrased) Rayts: Watching Manny Pacquiao fights! (*smirk with rolling eyes*)

Last Sunday, as early as 6 am, I met my friend Crim in LB to watch the most anticipated Paquiao-de la Hoya fight at SM Megamall. Thirty minutes before 8AM, we made our way into the mall without a hassle. I don’t usually patronize going to the malls just to watch a Pacquiao bout but realizing it was with dela Hoya and chances are I will be getting what I paid for and that I will be watching a history in the making, I insisted of going. I asked Crim to come along (even though she could have just watch the live feed at the comfort of their television set). She's the nicest. Always there to lend a hand for a low-life like me. :-D

Overall, the experience of watching a boxing bout on a big screen was fun. It was fun watching a fight with fellow boxing enthusiasts. But it was never a breeze. Aside from the fact that we weren’t able to purchase the best seats , there was this old man beside us who could not contain himself from his seat that he had to belt his hearts out screaming while watching the game: “Wala pang 12 rounds bagsak na yan si dela Hoya. Bugbog sarado yan kay Manny! Wala, wala yang sinabi!” (Manny will knock out dela Hoya in less than 12 rounds. He’s nothing!) He kept saying it like, there’s no one beside him. I pity the guys who were beside and in front of him. Their ears probably got busted because of his megaphone-like voice. Another thing, since Megamall subscribed to Solar Sports live, the feed was ironically delayed and the picture was not clear (as I have expected it). But I guess it’s a lot better than watching it on Channel 7.

Horde of people coming out of the cinema after the Pacquiao-dela Hoya fight.

After watching the fight, we decided to see Catherine Hardwicke's movie adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. We headed for the bookstores for some new titles. Afterwhich, we went to our final destination at a nearest coffeeshop for another swig of coffee (that's after having two cups already, before and during the Pacquiao fight). Now that's one hell of a Sunday!