Day 26 - A photo of your favorite weekend
Bali, Indonesia, May 30, 2009
I had the pleasure of visiting Bali for three nights and four days but I wasn’t able to sightsee at my own pace and on my own terms. I just tagged along to wherever the group decided to go so, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to tour the place on foot nor experience public commute, which I think are essential aspects in getting the feel of a place.
One of the highlights of my short stay was exploring Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park and the Uluwatu Hill (as photographed). The limestone cliffs of Uluwatu overlooking the Indian Ocean were a sight to behold at sunset. There are no words to describe how gorgeous the scenery was. I remember staring out into the ocean and taking it all in because I knew that a week later I would be back in graduate school attending two classes I’d fearfully put off for three semesters.
After taking this picture, we made our way to the Uluwatu Temple where we were treated to a live performance of The Kecak Dance, which is based on the Ramayana. It was an incredible show and I was so relieved that I was not chosen to take part in the performance hahaha! You see, the cast members (during various acts) would pull out audience members from their seats to dance along with them!
Overall, it was definitely a weekend well-spent. I was not exactly in good spirits during this particular Indonesian sojourn but this weekend in Bali was the nice little distraction that I needed. I’m definitely coming back.
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This entry a part of the 30 Day Picture Challenge
Posted by Aldo on 4 July 2011 @ 12:00pm
This entry a part of the 30 Day Song Challenge
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Voices
Dario G. Feat. Vanessa Quiñones
OST- The Beach
(Released February 2000)
I don’t know about “falling asleep” to this song but it’s definitely one that relaxes. Actually, this chillout track seems like the perfect choice for Day 10. For one, it really is a relaxing song. I love Dario G’s work and this song is probably my second favorite of his creations. Second, I love the soundtrack. (I didn’t have the money in college so I bought a bootleg copy at University Mall along Taft Avenue!) Actually, there are two versions of this song; the one featured above is the original, longer release with the fervid tribal chant. And let me just say, I’m bound to LOVE any music with chanting (e.g., Julia Fordham’s Happy Ever After, Enigma’s Return to Innocence, Deep Forest’s Forest Hymn). The second version of the song is stripped down to just Vanessa Quiñones’s moody vocals and acoustic instrumentation. Both versions of the song were originally released in Dario. G’s album Sunmachine but it was only the former that was featured on The Beach soundtrack, even though the two songs were played in the movie. Let me also share with you the acoustic version:
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Posted by Aldo on 10 May 2011 @ 2:21pm
This one’s still on the topic of travel, following Minor Detail #1 and #2. (I have a feeling the first set of entries will be travel-related.)
I’m fascinated by geography.
Okay fine, geography is too technical a term when what I’m really into is places. As in continents, regions, countries, states, provinces, cities, streets, you name it. I had a poster of world flags when I was kid. My dad would often quiz me on world capitals; this motivated me to brush up on my geography by reading the atlas. And reading the atlas spawned my interest in maps and actually following them, especially when I venture into unfamiliar parts of Metro Manila. I find that I still get lost but I guess that’s part of the fun!
Now I’m not exactly well-traveled but I have a thing about falling in love with a place. Of course every site, whether a street or a city, has its own character that I can appreciate. It may not be to my taste/liking but its uniqueness definitely counts for something. And I also think there’s a difference between “loving” a place and “being in love” with it. (Good lord, this is so cheesy.) You can say that you love City X, which could either mean that you approve of it or that you are fond of it. But when you fall in love with City X, there’s sort of a romance there, as though your affection for the place is reciprocated because you know that it loves you back.
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Posted by Aldo on 21 January 2011 @ 12:31am
