3 Insects I Took Photos of around the World

To redeem myself for those bad photos of animals in Bohol, Philippines, here are GOOD photos of insects and an insect-like creature called the SPIDER. Sorting through more than 60,000 160,000+ photos in my collection, or more aptly: PHOTO DUMP*, look what I’ve seen flitting or crawling about!

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1. Ladybugs

The lure of gazing idly at a cute ladybug, they’re seen as harmless and OH SO CUTE. Typically red and black, there have been spottings (PUN ALERT! :D) of real ladybugs sporting different colours such as yellow, green, blue, purple, and even pink! Run a search through the web and see for yourself, if they’re real or not 😉

Of all the insects there are, perhaps the most popular and cutest one is the LADYBUG!! I realized all these ladybug photos I’ve found are all taken in Germany, though I’m sure I have some more lying around. The immediate photo from Instagram below was sadly seen at our home in Berlin, and to whom I’ve written an inverted haiku for. Yes, sorry, I made a mistake that time. Correct haiku format by syllables: 5-7-5.

Sleep well little ladybug.

Just fly away now,

with your frozen wings. Fly. Bye.

Sleep well little #ladybug Just fly away now, with your frozen wings. Fly. Bye.

A photo posted by @i.wish.i.have.wings on Aug 11, 2015 at 2:49am PDT

 

Ladybug at Timmendorfer Strand, Germany. Flew away freely.

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Ladybug at Timmendorfer Strand, Germany. Flew away freely.

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On a public trash can, Berlin.

On our wall, Berlin. We freed the little one through our window.

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In our hotel room in Cologne. Happy to say the ladybug was liberated as well.

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Another angle of the ladybug in Cologne, before we safely freed him / her.

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Seen at Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin, another fading and weak ladybug. Originally posted to my Instagram account here.

 

2. Spiders

They come in all sizes but I have an absence of extreme fear from spiders. Possibly, I have not seen really disgusting / scary ones in real life, or blind to the possibility that some of them could actually kill me. When I was younger, someone told me not to kill spiders in the house because it’s bad luck, so I’ve gotten used to not killing spiders at all! Do you believe in that superstition?

By they way, spiders are not insects. But they are within the same family as insects, under “arthropods”. Please excuse me if I have mislead you with the blog post title.

Anyway, the first photo below is from our building’s fire and emergency alarm station. I took the photo last August 2015 and to this day, it’s still there. Hopefully no one would ever have to wake the zombie spider up.

FIIIIIIIRRREE! Fire in the building!!! Press the #firealarm ! Shit… A #SPIDER !!! ….. RUUUUN!!!!! AaAAahHHHh!! {Fyi: I’m not *that* afraid of spiders. Flying cockroaches are another thing}   A photo posted by @i.wish.i.have.wings on Aug 12, 2015 at 12:42am PDT

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Coming down from Borobudur Temple which I posted about here, I saw this spider early in the day.

They had to kill this spider with a broom as it was in our hotel room in Phuket, Thailand 😦

Huuuge and amazing spider web from this teeny one in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

A closer look at this hungry spider. Siem Reap, Cambodia.

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3. Tropical Swallowtail Moth

I got on the bandwagon taking photos of the tropical swallowtail moth’s mysterious Singapore “invasion” in 2014. Also known as “Lyssa zampa“, I was wondering why I kept seeing this flying insect. No one can explain why they had a heavy presence in Singapore last 2014, but I was happy to have seen them around. Here is an article from The Straits Times on the elegant-looking moth. Don’t you think so?

Also shocked when I saw a cat who suddenly decided to… “play” with one, ran away after I came nearer, and left the remains of the pretty moth on the street.

Were you in Singapore when the influx happened? Or perhaps you saw a tropical swallowtail moth in another place?

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I saw a cat tear up this moth 😦

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Spiders, ladybugs, and moths are some of the crawly creatures or insects I can stand to take photos of.

I hate mosquitoes.

I couldn’t care more for cockroaches, and those disgusting bugs they have people eat in those stunt/dare reality shows.

I love Andrew Zimmern but when he eats REALLY DISGUSTING insects and other wrigglies, I can’t bear to look.

Fly fly, bye bye,

*When I started writing this post, I thought I had about 60,000 files in my photo folder (which includes videos, screenshots, mobile takes, scans, etc.) when I decided to run the actual count of files. Went past 60,000 then 85,000, now at 105,000 files… closed at almost 170,000 files. One hundred and seventy thousand files. This is why it will take me FOREVER to completely organize my files. Probably never! But.. more photos to share with you then 🙂

3 Places in California I Visited during the Holiday Season

3 years ago, I spent Christmas holidays in Los Angeles, California, USA. Some of the things I saw back in 2012 were a space shuttle, flowered floats, and of course, Disneyland.

A carousel in Disneyland, California.

 

#1 California Science Center

Address: 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037, United States

The California Science Center opened its doors to present the space shuttle Endeavour the end of October 2012, after being driven in the streets of Los Angeles to its permanent resting place. The exhibit showed a video footage of that day, which I was able to take a photo of. Imagine, a space shuttle going through your neighbourhood!

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I wasn’t super excited to go to the exhibit as compared to the other ongoing Cleopatra one, and I figured out it was because I didn’t know what to expect.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js Our 2-in-1 California Science Center ticket for the Cleopatra and Endeavour exhibits.

As usual, as I knew more about the Endeavour, the space shuttle launches timeline, as well as reading more of space shuttle launches, I appreciated the exhibit more, once I absorbed that in front of me was an actual space shuttle that was IN OUTER SPACE.

After 3 decades, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has ended the space shuttle program due to rising costs and risks (as in to human life). This Kickstarter campaign wanted to show all 134 launches simultaneously in 1 video.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js The video compilation of actual space shuttle launches, “Grand Finale” by McLean Fahnestock.

The video from McLean Fahnestock’s Vimeo account. I get goosebumps watching it, do you? On the 2nd Row, Column 10, you could see the sad explosion of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986. Read more at the History Channel’s website.

Grand Finale 2010-11 from McLean Fahnestock on Vimeo.

 

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js Endeavour’s main engine.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js Where they get food: The “galley” which is like their kitchen! Comes with water dispenser and oven.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js And where they go to the bathroom! There’s a very strong vacuum there..

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js The space shuttle’s heat shield silica fiber tiles.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js Another film viewing screenshot of the Endeavour on a shuttle carrier aircraft.

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For more facts, visit the Discover Los Angeles website. For the rest of my photos of the Endeavour, head on to my Flickr album.

 

#2 Rose Parade

Address: 2925 E Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107, United States

I was able to catch the showcase of 2013 Rose Parade floats on the 2nd of January 2013 in Pasadena. It was the 124th Tournament! The weather was still cool at that time, yet very sunny. Very proper to be looking at the floats which must be decorated with natural materials, from plants – living or dead. It doesn’t do the floats justice as looking at them in real life, but I hope you’ll get an idea!

Also know as the Tournament of Roses, the list of winners can be seen here. There’s no entrance fee, just drive down to Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena.

We saw some food stalls and got some American fair food. I looove Kettle Corn!

Freshly made Kettle Corn!

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I think this was Cherry Pie and fried dough, the Funnel Cake.

Trader Joe’s Kitchen-themed Float, one of my favourites!

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Hey, it’s the Cat in the Hat!

The City of Burbank’s float.

Can you believe these are decorated with seeds, and other natural matter?!

Global landmarks from Brazil to Singapore!

Indonesia’s float featured the Borobudur Temple stupas, which I featured here.

For more awesome photos and commentaries on the floats, visit Mary’s blog at The World is a Book!

 

#3 Disneyland

Address: 313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802, United States

Of course, USA means Disneyland! It’s been years since I last went and I wished I could’ve visited another theme park at that time but it was fun going with my siblings! Disneyland still gives off a magical feeling, and feels nostalgic to see familiar and classic faces (I’m talking about Beauty and the Beast, Mickey, Minnie, Darth Vader, etc. LOL).

The rest of the photos can be seen here at Flickr.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js Creepy Disneyland store deco? Is that Mary Poppins?

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js Guess who!

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js The Disney cast on a ship!

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js AAAHH!! A dragon!! This is during the Fantasmic! show 🙂

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js The whale from an old classic Disney cartoon movie, Pinocchio.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js C-3PO at the Star Tours Ride.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js Cutie droid R2-D2 at the Star Tours Ride.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js Darth Vader and a little Padawan!

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So 3 years ago, in 2012, I celebrated the holiday season in California, USA.
This year, by the Northern shores of Germany; let’s see what that brings! I’ll be sure to share photos.

Where will you spend your holidays?

Merry Christmas everyone! 🙂

3 Animals I Took Pathetic Photos of in Bohol, Philippines

Now that Winter has come to Germany, let’s think of warmer days..

Beautiful Bohol in the Philippines. I went there in 2008. I love animals so I was so game to join the people who planned to go dolphin watching and go look at tarsiers. Sorry, I don’t remember the exact places we went to.

Oh, and I need your help to see what exactly Animal #2 is …

Also, for something new and different, these PHOTOS SUCK. This is a post on not feeling proud, and accepting there was a time I took really bad photos. I don’t blame my point and shoot Canon SD550 digital camera, which I had good memories with BUT!! The subjects are awesome so use your imagination and I hope you even for a little bit, feel as if you were with me at that time 😉

1. Dolphins

Yay, dolphin watching! Okay, we’re in a boat, with waves! (moving, swaying)

I THINK I SEE SOME! CAMERA SWITCHED ON! (whooa, the waves)

Click. Click. Click.

Photo not level but who cares, I got some dolphin fins with my limited zoom!

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Not just a dolphin’s fin now, more of a dolphin’s body!

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2. Eagle or Hawk

Honestly, I don’t know what this is and I don’t want to assume anything. Eagle or Hawk. I tried searching the Internet but the search results are reliable.

It could be a “Philippine Hawk Eagle“, can you believe it? 2 in 1!

I’m sure it’s not a Philippine Eagle as that has more brown feathers.

PLEASE if you know what exactly this is, I would appreciate to know 🙂 drop me a note at the end of this post or here.

Wooow, cool, an eagle! or a Hawk! Damn, blurry. Let’s get closer…

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Okay, I’m closer now but nowhere close to getting a good photo.

Let’s try portrait instead of landscape orientation! Uh, NOPE.

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3. Tarsier

A small primate with eyeballs almost the same size of their brain!!

Ooohh how cute! Make sure I use no flash.

A closer look! What’s wrong with my focus?

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Okay, there’s 2 of them! This will be a better shot, I just know it. UM, NOPE.

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Despite the almost totally pathetic photos, I still had fun looking at the animals when I was in Bohol.

I promise to share more better-taken photos next time. But don’t be surprised if there are still bad ones here and there 🙂

Be up to date with my animal photos here (or amateur photography if you’re into that LOL).

Cheerio,

3 Other Awesome Things You Can Do in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Yesterday, 9 November, was Cambodia’s Independence Day. In 1953, Cambodia was freed from France after almost 90 years, with a brief occupation from the Japanese. To celebrate with them, here are 3 other activities you can do in Siem Reap besides pure temple hopping.

 

1. Eat

Honestly and generally, I wasn’t drawn to Cambodian food yet one of the nicest restaurants I’ve eaten at is Little Italy by Pub Street. Pub Street is that area where tourists can go to eat, drink, shop, get massages, and usually fall into tourist traps 🙂 We went anyway, because you can find everything there. Oh, and I don’t think it’s a big deal when you experience great foreign food in a country you’re visiting. Don’t get me wrong, I still pigged out on local fare during the trip! Some of the food dishes we tried are below.

Pub Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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A drink prepared early in the morning, which we saw when we left Angkor Wat, maybe around 8am. I forgot what this was, if you know what it is, would love to hear from you!

What is it? Refresh my memory! Can’t seem to find on the internet.

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Khmer Idea Restaurant by Pub Street

Lunch during a tour

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Spring Roll at Angkoriana Hotel, where we stayed.

Ostrich Dish at Angkoriana Hotel

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Little Italy Restaurant at Pub Street

Cheese Platter at Little Italy

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Little Italy Table Setting

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2. Relax

Getting massages is always a treat. We called to reserve at Bodia Spa. It’s also by Pub Street, where we had dinner. It’s at least USD$30 for a body massage. Compared to Singapore, where I was based at that time, it was cheaper and much worth it.

A blurry photo in the waiting room, due to the dimmed relaxing lighting.

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The massage room at Bodia.

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3. Ride

I’ve read articles on temple fatigue during my Siem Reap 2012 trip research and planned how to beat it. Temple fatigue, which I’ve experienced during some trips to Thailand and Japan, sometimes makes you feel unappreciative and just as the term states, tired of seeing more of the “same” thing (which isn’t really, maybe similar 🙂 ). Apparently, it happens with cathedrals and castles / palaces too!

Anyway, I found people can also rent an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) and go through Siem Reap. I reserved with Quad Adventure and chose an afternoon 4-hour ride (for us, better than 7am!). The confirmation email said to wear long pants and solid shoes, and also includes a complimentary pick  up from our hotel! I vaguely remember if they included bringing us back though, but I think they should have 😛

Pick up ride!

Cat chilling by the ATV Quad Tour Reception

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js //embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsFor first-time ATV riders, they make you sign a document and require a guide to be with you. Then they make you try out the ATV in their parking lot. I remember feeling nervous and later thought it’s a good idea to have a guide present to help me along. Before heading out, our guides requested we wear plastic bags over our shoes. We wore trekking shoes and said it’s okay but they explained it will really get dirty later. Good thing we cared less for fashion sense than being practical because it rained and our pants were damp and muddy after.

Tip: try to wear water resistant pants during the ATV Quad Tour, or get a longer rain coat. I had cotton pants and it wasn’t good when rain and wind mixed.

Don’t care what to wear.

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsOff we go, still giggling and a bit excitable (a synonym of nervous lol) and suddenly, it drizzled. Oh no! Will this end our ride? Do we have to go back? Nope. Disposable plastic rain coats to the rescue, tucked inside the ATV compartment. The rain put an appropriate pause to my photo-taking. which was a good excuse as I thought it’s a hassle to pull out and keep my camera in my pocket every time I want to take a photo. Our guides were patient but riding continuously and not stopping every other minute to take a picture made me appreciate the ride more, and taking time to just take in nature and the surroundings.

We saw animals such as cows, water buffaloes, geese, etc. We saw fields, greens, land, earth, green, green, green. And we were on ATVs! It was definitely fun.

 

Moooo.

Moo. Mooo. Moooo.

Honk! Quack! Waddle. Waddle.

Splish splosh. Water buffaloes cooling it down.

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At one point, we stopped by a little store (similar to a Filipino sari-sari store) and our guides asked if we could buy candy. They explained we were going through a small village and there will be children. We sort of questioned this privately and went through the village pathway with our vehicles. A LOT of kids came running to us, asking us for candy! I wished we bought more. With the ATV Quad, we went to the Rolous Group of Temples. Photos here:

Cow at a Rolous Temple Ruins

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You get a certificate as a souvenir. Here comes the cliché: of course, the best souvenir was the experience.

See more photos of Siem Reap here.

What else did you do at Siem Reap instead of visiting temples?

Happy Independence Day, Cambodia!

3 Memories I Have from Prague, Czech Republic

Overlooking the lovely city of Prague, Czech Republic

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsTomorrow, 28 October, celebrates the Czechoslovak Independence Day in 1918, when Czechoslovakia was founded. 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, to become independent states from each other. Also known as the Velvet Divorce, as it went as smooth as it can be. To this day though, 28 October is still celebrated in Czech Republic.

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2013 brought me to Prague and a very suitable word to describe the capital is, “pretty“. It’s also one of the first cities I’ve visited in Europe. Lack of research has provided us with some mishaps though, so don’t forget:

• Currency: Czech Republic still uses the Crown instead of Euro
• Directions from your point of arrival to your hotel (Mamaison Hotel Riverside Prague is amazing: interior and location!)
• As I mentioned here, stay hydrated! This is where I got sick because I didn’t drink enough. We went during the summer and REALLY WARM (duh).

Here are some photos from my quick trip to Prague, the ones that I fondly remember.  

1. Albert Einstein

He lived in Prague for almost a year and a half when he was in his early 30’s, with his family. Our hotel’s street was behind his flat at Lesnická Street, which displays a full-size bust of his head.

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2. Swans

Mamaison Hotel, where we stayed, is by the Vltava River. It’s the longest river in the country. Curious to see swans up close, I went down to the riverbank to look at them for a while. If you want to see some photos of the hotel next time, subscribe here for weekly updates!

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3. Old Town Square

A trip to the capital must include a visit to the Old Town Square. Cafés, churches, architecture, galleries, shops: there’s something for everyone. It’s also where I saw an Alphonse Mucha exhibit ♥ In Prague’s Old Town Square, you can see 2 of the city’s highlights:

• The Church of Our Lady before Týn – the oldest organ (more than 340 years old, from 1673) in Czech Republic is inside.
•  The Astronomical Clock Tower (also known as Orloj)- it’s still working after 605 years this year! Google made the clock its doodle last 9th October. Read how it works here.

View of the Old Town Square from the Astronomical Clock, Prague, Czech Republic

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//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsChurch of Our Lady before Týn in Prague, Czech Republic

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsThe Prague Astronomical Clock Tower

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsA closer look at the Prague Astronomical Clock Tower

Have you been to other towns in Czech Republic? Maybe you can recommend some places worth going to or suggest an easy itinerary!

Lastly, the historic centre of Prague is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

I hope you have it in your list of must-visit places.

See you,