Pleonasmic Signs in El Nido

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The word inn and its synonyms namely, hostel, pension, and rooms

Sometimes extra words were added unconciously so as to be absolutely clear, though some readers may find it unnecessary, at times funny, but oftentimes an effective way to reduce the probability of misinterpretation.

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Then the use of 'lodge' in another El Nido Inn sign

One example is the multiple signs of El Nido Inn where its redundancy gives one a  very clear message that it is indeed an accommodation, a very cheap one.

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Cottages in this one

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Cheap accommodation for global visitors

Other examples are a couple of dive shop signages wanting to emphasize diving in the water just in case you have different sort of diving in mind. Finally, a life vest to make you safe.

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Safety life vest

Corong Corong Sundown

Cute Despite its Macho Function

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Takaoka

Only in Japan where an object that hides the sewer, or keeps you from falling into the hole, can be so cute despite its macho function.

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Osaka

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Kyoto

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Kyoto

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Hida-Takayama

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Shirakawa-go

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Ainokura in Gokayama Region

Rice Breakfast over Continental Anytime

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It was an early morning weekday rush hour where street food vendors abound. And where locals hurriedly buy either packed breakfast or packed lunch to bring to work.

From the lady with huge pot in front her; I got packed rice meal that was a cross in taste between chicken biryani and Ilonggo’s valenciana. I wished I had more breakfast mornings in Bangkok – it was that good.

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Early morning street food

Back at the hostel where travelers of different nationalities were having breakfast too in the “mess hall”, I was very delighted of my rice meal packed in brown paper than the Continental breakfast set some just ordered in there for 65 baht, which looked good by the way. But Continental breakfast is so dull and the last thing I would have. However, the-last-thing-I-would-have-for-breakfast is eternally present in almost every breakfast menus.

Sound of Silence in Lake Caliraya

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Meanwhile, Lake Caliraya provides every little thing that is needed for a quiet break, devoid of man-made sounds and all those unnecessary things one can do away to thrive on earth. Someplace that is somewhere close-by Metro Manila.

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Still waters - perfect for kayaking and spotting birds from one shore to the next while doing so

Some tools for better living are intangible things such as contentment, peaceful inner self, uncomplicated existence in the midst of other human beings, and indifference to money. Other than those, natural surroundings are something tangible that contribute to better living if one spends a great deal of time (in one’s lifetime) on it – wherever that may be, and it can be as near as Lake Caliraya.

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It's not often where one can see the end of the rainbow

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This lakeshore property has no right of way, hence the presence of that barge. I kind of like it this way though

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Resident dog named Bingo, and one of the many birds in the lake

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A place to sleep and read can be something as comfortable as this camper yet none of those unnecessary things in life. Again, I like it this way

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More campers for like-minded individuals who often come here

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Dock for small boats with unintentional greenery on its thatched roof

Dual Priced Coconut Ice Cream

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This vendor was selling coconut ice cream served in half coconut shell with its coconut meat, then poured with condensed milk for a 30 baht refreshment. Moments later, one may find out that it was just 20 baht for locals but still consistently priced as 30 baht for foreigners. This realization came as I hung out just across the ice cream guy while quietly eating my delicious foreigner-priced ice cream.

Ikura at Nishiki Market

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Salmon roe locally known as ikura are those orange spheres and usually sold like this – without its sac. Tastes quite similar to lato in the Philippines with its burst of subtle saltiness that initially I thought it’s a kind of seaweed.

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Nishiki market where I took snapshot of the ikura. Pretty crowded as this was New Year’s rush

Inu-Yarai, a Singularity of Kyoto

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Whereas the curved split bamboo gutter cover (inu-yarai) design of Kyoto traditional wooden houses came to be for various purposes in the old days such as protection of the wall from dog pee, or horse dung, or rain falling on its roof, and or from eavesdroppers.

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Today, I suppose inu-yarai is used as concealment for unsightly gutter, pipes, and faucet from the street point of view – something neat and attractive yet something functional. Inu-yarai is therefore a noteworthy fragment of Kyoto’s identity.

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Off Duty Scarecrows

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Shirakawa-go, Gifu Prefecture

Meanwhile, it’s off duty for these scarecrows in the winter. So they’re out of the rice paddies and hibernating in the farmhouse.

Of Chicken Noodle Soup

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In this noodle stall
Soy or white chicken she asked
White please Thai lady

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Perhaps, it would be tough to catalogue all kinds chicken noodle soup in Asia, with its infinite combinations (of ingredients) and recipe permutations. To simplify life, just have one in every town, and then savor its originality.

Greenery Gone Wild

Pakchong Cat

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Healthy black cat at Pakchong van station (shared taxi system)

At first he ignored me. Moments later he was at my feet, keeping me company for a bit as I waited for the van bound for Bangkok.

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Living Fence

Lumpini Park

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Coming out from the Silom metro subway station, you’ll see this statue by the entrance gate of Lumpini Park

It was inevitable that I found myself in a metropolis on a Sunday. But then, there was the Lumpini Park where lovers eat side-by-side on a bench by the lagoon, turtles lifting their heads in the water, kids throwing round multicolored breakfast-like cereals intended for fish feeding in the lagoon, photographer capturing paddleboat shots, group aerobic exercise near the park entrance, runners and walkers doing their rounds in a very much runnable park, expats, locals, and tourists, squatting on a rented mat while enjoying the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra concert– including myself.

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Paddleboats much like those in Baguio’s Burnham Park

With beautiful music, greenery, and contemplative atmosphere, that Sunday afternoon in Bangkok turned out lovely ultimately.

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See those runners?

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Plenty of expats in this free concert at the park by Bangkok Symphony Orchestra

Siam Vehicle Ornamentation

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There is always that faith based ornamentation

If the Philippines has its vehicle abubots that are typically hung in the ceiling (or rearview mirror), or placed on the dashboard, then Thailand has those too. Plus the not so typical one like the gear shifter cover.

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Palm frond grasshopper

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Palm frond dragonfly

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Beautification of the gear stick

Laswa

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A meal over lovingly prepared laswa sounds intimate

There are several variations in the ingredients of a Visayan soup known as laswa in Western Visayas and utan bisaya in Eastern Visayas. In a nutshell, laswa is simply boiled local lowland vegetables with a bit of fresh, dried or salted seafood (normally) for its stock. I grew up eating this soup and I still regularly prepare one in varying soup base. Apart from its regional variations, the vegetable set may not be exactly the same from one household to the next.
Here’s one recipe using fresh clams instead of my usual shrimp fry or dried fish for the soup flavoring.

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Ingredients: Onion, tomato, clams, saluyot, squash, and okra

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To begin cooking, bring to boil the chopped onion and tomato

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Then add the kalabasa (squash) and okra, let it boil for a minute. Lastly, add the clams and saluyot, then let it simmer for less than a minute. All in all it will take just about 5 minutes or less of cooking time

A Particular Dustpan in Bangkok

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Dustpan for outdoor use with galvanized iron base, and natural materials for the rest of its parts, from its wall to its handle, is one design that’s probably particular to Bangkok only. As for public street cleaning, looks like it’s practical to attach a carry handle apart from its sweeping handle.

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Dustpan with carry handle

Red Post Boxes in Bangkok

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Red post boxes in Bangkok are in pentagon shape or shaped like a house. The left slot says “BANGKOK” while on the right “OTHER PLACES”. Very straightforward.

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Airport Greenery

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Lots of orchids inside Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand

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More orchids

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Butterfly garden inside Terminal 3 of Changi Airport in Singapore

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Just rub your fingers on sliced pineapple then put it gently on the mouth part of the butterfly to achieve this kind of nearness

Parallelism between M16 and Watermelon Seeds