Mount Arayat, one of Philippines' mystical mountains

PAMPANGA, Philippines - On our way back from a vacation in Mabini, Pangasinan going to Manila, we stop by at a gasoline station in Pampanga. The gasoline stations at the expressway are usually big and have various selections of restaurants that are catered for commuters and travelers who want to take a rest and eat some food. From the gasoline station, a nice looking mountain caught my attention and took a photo of it.



Mount Ayarat, Pampanga, Philippines
(Photo was taken through Iphone)

Based on wikipedia.org, these are some interesting facts about Mount Arayat and the geographical vicinity.

1. It is an extinct stratovolcano on Luzon Island, Philippines, rising to a height of 1,026 metres (3,366 ft).

2. There is no recorded eruption of the volcano, and its last activity probably dates to the Holocene era.

3. The volcano is located in a flat agricultural region. The southern half of the mountain lies within the municipality of Arayat, Pampanga while the north half and the mountain summit lies within Magalang, Pampanga.

4. Ten miles to the west of Mount Arayat is Angeles City and the former Clark Air Base. Mount Pinatubo is located a further 16 km (10 mi) west.

5. It is considered a mystical mountain, the legendary home of Aung/Aring Sinukuan/Sinkuan/Suku or the Fairy known as diwata Mariang Sinukuan depending on which version of the story the readers or listeners prefer, but in ancient Kapampangan folklore as well as the research known to have been gathered by Kapampangan students of Henry Otley Beyer, it was and is the abode of Apung Aring Sinukuan, rival of Namalyari of Mount Pinatubo, who is in varying versions, the son of Cargon-Cargon who was mortally wounded in a fight with a giant from the Zambales Mountain Range which is said to be the home of Apu Namalyari.

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Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge

Sydney Central Business District
Photo taken by Iphone

SYDNEY, Australia - My assignment in Melbourne was supposed to end on March 23, 2012. Due to additional procedures, it was extended for another week.

When I checked my travel agent, she advised me that all the flights from Melbourne to Singapore on March 23 up to April 7 were full because of Easter holiday. I tried to find alternate routes in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. I waited for some days and fortunately, there's one more seat from Sydney to Singapore. This alternate route was more expensive but I need to extend anyway, so we took it. 

The Harbour Bridge - Sydney, Australia
Photo was taken via Iphone

I book a Qantas (www.qantas.com.au) domestic flight from Melbourne to Singapore and tried to have longer waiting time at the airport so I can still go out and visit the Opera House and Harbour Bridge which are very famous  worldwide.

I left Melbourne at 8:00 am and arrived in Sydney at 9:30 am. My next flight was at 4:00 pm  so I have enough time to go out. I quickly look for a shop where I can store my luggage and went to  the city via the double deck train. The fee to store a luggage was quite expensive in Australia. But who cares, this was the only chance I have at that moment to see these works of arts in real life.

Sydney Opera House
Photo was taken via Iphone

The Harbour Bridge was the first structure I noticed after I came out of the Metro Train Station. It was fascinating. I then walk further and followed the sign going to the Opera House. I was feeling excited while walking but was concerned on how to approach people to take me photos and have evidence that I went there. But once I arrived, it was natural to ask people around as most of them are also taking pictures. I met one local guy who talked to me for a while.  I then went back to the airport, had lunch and checked-in again. 

The extension of my assignment and the unavailability of the flights back to Singapore came out to be a blessing. I was able to visit another important city in Australia and see great structures.

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Truly Asia

 

Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - It was a sunny Saturday on July 17, 2011, when my colleagues and I decided to go around some famous places in Kuala Lumpur. One of the places we first visited (taking the taxi we meet the day before) was Istana Negara.

Wikipedia.com describes Istana Negara as the official residence of the King of Malaysia. It stands on a 13 acre (50,000 m²) site, located at a commanding position on the slope of a hill of Bukit Petaling overlooking the Klang River, along Jalan Syed Putra.  The palace is surrounded by a lush of green trees and grasses.



Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur Tower

We then went to a place not-so far away from Istana Negara and were able to see two of Kuala Lumpur's iconic buildings, the Petronas Twin Towers (www.petronastwintowers.com.my)  and Kuala Lumpur Tower (www.kltower.com.my). 

Still, as per wikipedia.com, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat cosidered Petronas twin towers the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004 until surpassed by Taipei 101. Kuala Lumpur Tower on the other hand, is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 metres (1,381 feet). The roof of the pod is at 335 metres (1,099 feet). The rest of the tower below has a stairwell and an elevator to reach the upper area, which also contains a revolving restaurant, providing diners with a panoramic view of the city.



One of the government offices

We also went to some government offices with very nice ancient architectures. These were the results of British influence who colonized the country until they got their independence in 1957.

Why is Malaysia truly Asia? I don't exactly know the answer but I guess its because the country has all the 3 major races in Asia, Malay, Chinese and Indians, comfortably living together in the country.

Keep on following my travel blogs. Also, for all your travel needs (airfare, hotel, cruise package, holiday packages, car rental and more), please visit wow amazing holiday website.