Motoring: Pit stop at the heart of Mindanao

nature, photography, Tourist destinations, Travel 2 Responses »
Feb 032012

Motoring across the heart of Mindanao from Cagayan de Oro City to Davao City basically involves crossing over one big province – the Province of Bukidnon.

Thanks to modern satellite technology and the internet, the straight line distance between Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City has been computed at about 186 kilometers. The actual road distance, however,  is anywhere between 240 to 320 kilometers. And that takes about 4 hours driving by private car or 5 -6 hours by bus.

Though Bukidnon is oftentimes described as an extensive plateau, the southern and eastern boundaries are mountainous areas. You are driving through areas with an average elevation of 915 meters above sea level.

Halfway through the road trip, about 160 km from Cagayan de Oro (140 km more to go to reach Davao City), is the traveler’s pit stop -  the Ver Overview Nature & Culture Park located at an elevated point at Kipolot, Brgy Palaopao of the Municipality of Quezon, Bukidnon.

The Ver Overview Nature & Culture Park has a viewing deck which provides travelers with an elevated, panoramic view of Bukidnon’s beautiful rolling hills and mountains.

It’s a great stop over for motorists needing to stretch out while taking in the vast and scenic surroundings.

Here are a couple of shots taken one late afternoon…

[source: wikipedia, google earth]

Posted by gerryruiz at 2:15 PM Tagged with: , , , , , ,

More fun in the Philippines!

birds, nature, photography, sports-adventure, Tourist destinations, Travel 2 Responses »
Jan 092012

It’s definitely MORE fun in the Philippines!

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. has been quoted as saying, ”What differentiates the Philippines from every other place in the world… is the Filipino. It’s his special gift for transforming what is already a beautiful place into an unforgettable special place.”

“You take two identical islands, put FILIPINOS in one, and it’s going to be more fun in there where they are!”

High five to that.

Well, here are my initial takes to the new DOT tourism slogan which has triggered an avalanche of memes in the internet…

Communing with nature at Hagimit Falls, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Davao del Norte

Taking care of Lola at the airport, Tacloban City, Leyte

Fishing at the rock formations, Biri Islands, Northern Samar

Power napping at San Pedro Island, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

Tacloban Port Area, Tacloban City, Leyte

Tacloban City, Leyte

Kalanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte

Birdwatching at Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), Paranas, Samar

Zip Southern Leyte – the longest (1km) zipline ride over the tallest bridge in the country today, Agas-Agas Bridge in Sogod, Southern Leyte

Stargazing at Kalanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte

Calle Mena Crisologo in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur – dubbed as the Heritage Lane

Tubing at Ulot Rapids Torpedo Boat Adventure, Ulot River, Paranas, Samar

Bitukang Manok, Atimonan Natural Forest Park, Atimonan, Quezon

The music scene at 6500, Tacloban City

Calayucay, Sto. Domingo, Albay

 

 

Posted by gerryruiz at 12:20 PM Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

gerryruiz images: Best of 2011

Anniversaries-Reunions, baby photography, Beauty Contests, Bird watching, birds, Birthdays & Debuts, Christmas, Churches, Fiestas, nature, photography, Prenuptials, resorts, Sinulog Festival, Special Events, sports-adventure, Tourist destinations, Travel, Weddings 6 Responses »
Jan 052012

Year 2011 was no doubt a year for photo enthusiasts. With an unprecedented growth in sales of DSLR’s and mobile phones, tablets and computers with digital cameras, I doubt if there ever was any other time in mankind’s history when there were just as many people snapping away photos all the time.

Looking back at the year just passed, still nursing a hangover of the holidays, I was struck with the number of subjects I was able to cover – from birding to weddings and beauty tilts to travel destinations; from the time I had a glaucoma attack and subsequent laser procedure down to baby pictures and awesome adventure rides and treks in far-flung areas.

Thus I decided to compile my favorites and share them with you for a brief replay of gerryruiz images of 2011.

I hope you like it. Cheers!

Posted by gerryruiz at 11:54 AM Tagged with: , ,

Hornbill presents herself as Christmas gift :)

birds, Christmas, nature, photography, Tourist destinations, Travel 1 Response »
Dec 262011

I’ve been to the Agas-Agas Bridge in Sogod, Southern Leyte on several occasions.

Currently holding the record of having the highest elevation of all bridges in the Philippines with a height of 292 feet above the ground, it is also the site where the longest zipline (almost a kilometer long) is located.

At this elevation, and when the weather feels like it, low-flying clouds would suddenly envelop the area giving it a scene not unlike being in another temperate country; certainly some place else other than in the Philippines.

And, no, in those times I was in the area, I’ve never had the chance to take some bird shots… until last Thursday, December 22, 2011… when a hornbill, locally known as Talusi, (three of them, actually) suddenly flew into view and perched herself high up in a tree close by where I was just taking snapshots of the general scene.

It was my first bird shot at Agas-agas. And a seldom-seen-in-the-wild Samar Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides samarensis) at that!

Whew! Certainly a great Christmas gift for me!

Merry Christmas, everybody!!!

Posted by gerryruiz at 10:11 AM Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,
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