time stood still

Where have you been that has made time stand still for you?

Was inspired to recall these memories. Because being out there in the water is a big part of my life here are my top ten unforgettable moments when my heart seemed to skip a beat or two.

1. Swimming with the dolphins in the wild in the waters of Cawili island in the Sulu sea

2. Diving in Tubbataha at the north atoll's shark airport. A black tip shark turned its head towards me and I remembered I had my monthly period that time

3. Witnessing an ancient green turtle lay 140+ eggs in Taganak island Tawi tawi

4. Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia with a school of squids

5. Touching a dugong in the wild while trying to help it to be free from the fish pens in Hinatuan Bay

6. Interact with whalesharks in Donsol 19 times in one morning

7. Being surrounded with a school of jack fish in Apo Island-- it felt like a moving white wall

8. Entering the small underwater cave passage to get to the Secret beach of El Nido-- in the middle of a red tide

9. Diving off season in Tubbataha and 9 eagle rays swim by in perfect formation

10. In Bohol, on a two man single out rigger boat, while in the middle of paddling through the waves and trying to take photo our small boat over turned when I opened my eyes I was a few inches away from the coral reef.

Sigh

Mt Pinatubo - Part 6 Crater Lake

Mt Pinatubo - Part 5 Hike into the Forest

Mt Pinatubo -Part 4 Start Trek

Mt Pinatubo - Part 3 Jump Off and Skyway

Mt Pinatubo - Part 2 Mga Katutubo

Mt Pinatubo - Part 1 The Approach via 4 x4

Chinese New Year 2011

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Its the year of the rabbit =)

Dinner at President's Tea House along Salazar St in Manila's China Town

Smores

open fire grilled marshmallow on a branch and chocolate in between graham crackers =smores

Panther Creek Summer of 2010

Ihaw ihaw sa Panther Creek

grilled tofu and turkey lurkey sausage for the flexitarians

our designated camp site at Panther Creek

Inihaw na liempo

birthday cheese cake

Blueberry cheese cake the birthday cake of Lex

Macarons at your door

I ordered a dozen premium macarons from George Rochas for my special day a couple of months ago. These fine goodies were delivered at my door step. Pure indulgence.

my curiosity for macarons was spurred by stories of Market Manila's trip to France and their journey to find and sample the best.

Shalimar of wanderlust is inspiring me to take better food portraits :)

simple joys indeed!

Para sa Pamilya Danao

Isang despedida para sa pamilya Danao. Isang gabi bago mag semana santa kumain kami sa Ninyo. Kakaibang fish and chips ang nahain sa amin. The fish were coated with nori and the chips were actually thinly shred and flavored with cheese and wasabi.

Laking gulat namin ng makita namin si Louis noong gabi na yon! Thank you to Esmyra for driving the two families to Ninyo.


baked oysters with fish roe


The two kids bonded and sampled the pasta which is just OK. We cook mean pasta at the house :) and then some.

We will miss you Nins, Lui and Toni. We hope to visit you while you are there :)