Paradise

El Nido Palawan

Nestled in one of the islands of the Philippines, El Nido Palawan boast mother nature's best creation. 

A plane ride from either Manila or Cebu, this pocket of nature's splendor is about 238 kilometres (148 mi) northeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital. One would need to hire a van in advance from the airport to reach this place.

A word of caution to those who suffer from motion sickness is to make sure to drink meclizine (Bonamine) or you'll end up like me having side stops to deposit some fertilizers a.k.a your morning breakfast. 

But the trip which is roughly 6 hours is all worth it, especially when you arrive and witness a breathtaking sunset that you wouldn't be able to see anywhere else.

- Photo Owned -

El Nido is spectacular in itself, but what made this trip special was when I shared a memory with a friend. I went here with one of the closest people in my life who have been with me through my ups and downs; and who knows me inside out. This is one of those moments that will be forever embedded in my heart. Friends come and go but when you have those people who never let go and you know will be with you through hell and back, that ends a friendship and starts a family. A sister from another mother and a loyal partner in crime that you will only get to have once in your lifetime.

Treasure your friends...

         Treasure your family....

- Leah's Photo -

So when you visit this place, share it with people who are dear to you. Enjoy a one of a kind island hopping experience at one of the best destination Philippines has to offer.

Mr. Perfect

Sometimes in life we dream of meeting Mr. Perfect. He’s that one guy in our lives who sweeps us off our feet. His smile makes everything disappear, and anything he says just managed to capture our hearts. We have to be honest with ourselves that we’ve always dream of marrying him. Ever since we’re little girls he always was the man in our fantasy. 

Our Prince Charming, our Jason Fielding, our Brad Pitt.

So what happens when this dream guy steps into our lives?

What happens if one day, he shows up?

What will you do if one fateful day, he would decide to love you?

Wouldn't you say that you’re dreams came true?

However meeting the perfect guy and having him say those magic words could seem like a dream, and yes in the dream it would be so magical. Yet, when the time came when the clock strikes 12 or when you decide to wake up from your sleep; you would soon realize that Mr. Perfect is not Mr. Right.

He isn’t the right guy who would hold your hand when things go wrong, or would be the one who would stand by your side when you have to fight your own demons. 

Mr. Right might not know the words to say to sweep you off your feet and he might not even know the words to say to make you have dopey eyes. Even when his romance is a scale of 2 out of 10, remember that he is that one person that will grow old with you. He would be that one person who will still say you’re beautiful as the wrinkles of time become evident. He is that one guy that would do almost everything and anything to make you live happily ever after.

Yes, Mr. Perfect may not always be the guy for you; and it is really okay…

‘Coz the man you’re with now

The one seated on the couch drinking a beer and waving at you,

 Even with all his imperfections is the one…

 Whose Right

Rescued or Caged? : Tiger Temple Thailand

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Probably, the most controversial temple in all of Southeast Asia is the Tiger Temple or the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua located in the Saiyok district of Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province.

There have been many reports that the tigers living in the monastery are not rescued but caged as a major tourist attraction. Instead of being released to the wild, these tigers have been drugged and sedated as well as being hit from time to time. Reports of abuse and maltreatment have been circulating in the internet. 
In August 2013, blogger and animal rights activist Turner Barr went "undercover" at Tiger Temple as a volunteer for 30 days. He chronicled his time there on a YouTube video that shows what he considered to be molestation, maltreatment and malnutrition of the tigers. He summarized his findings on his blog, Around the World in 80 Jobs, and distilled these down to 7 essential reasons to think twice before visiting Tiger Temple. ( Credits : Wikipedia )

These are heavy allegations on a monastery whose original intention was to be a sanctuary for abandoned tigers since 1999. 

We all have mixed feelings when it comes to the conservation of animals. Just like our reservations when it comes to animals being caged in zoos than to be free in the wild. 

However, before any conclusions will be made, has one seen the devastation man has brought upon the tiger's homes?  If these gentle giants are to go out and be free, will they even survive in the world of industrialization? In a world where people are more worried on WiFi hot spots, new gadgets or new cars than planting trees for our own oxygen consumption. 

Yes, the tiger temple is really controversial. However, aren't all zoos whose caging animals are? 

I have visited the temple last May 2013. I even have a photo with the tigers. Don't get me wrong, fear is forever present; yet, the excitement and amazement overpowers any fears. I even had the opportunity to bottle feed baby cubs. An unbelievable memory that you would cherish for years to come. This is what one would want to experience when they visit the place. An opportunity to be up close and be able touch these giants that we only get to see on National Geographic. Then once we've experience that, we can realize that aside from the humans that roam around the earth; we share it with these animals. We share the planet with the most wonderful of creatures; and maybe just maybe that realization becomes us and we soon create a ripple of change. More than poverty, the conservation of our planet is what's at stake.

I saw no maltreatment or any form of abuse in the temple; but I did see the care of the volunteers have towards these animals. I saw the monks and how they treat the tigers like family.

Polarities from two different perspective regarding the temple will always be there. You just have to see it for yourself to draw up your own conclusion. 

http://tigertemple.org/tigertemple_new/main.php

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