The first thing that I did in the morning:  Working out. The thing that most people find it weird and silly if they find you addicted to it.  Why?  I have no idea!   They may sometimes ask you about the sense of being passionate about it, which I would response about them being passionate at smoking or drinking… If they couldn’t understand me, I would respond back the same.  Nuff said.

Report from wordpress below:

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 8,800 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Qatara Beach

It’s Christmas day and there’s nothing to do but yet to discover Doha once again; and so it happened.  It was a good thing that one of my colleagues who is likewise celebrating holidays alone hook me up for a quick ride.  First location we went is Katara.  A combination of enjoying the the beauty of sealine and at the same time its architeture.  I am not that sure though if those were originally arabic; however, the place is undeniably awesome for an amateur photographer like me.  Only bad thing about the place is there’s not much food option as there are a little variety of restaurants.  You may do a tea party if you like for there are tea stalls around the area.  The resort?  Oh I’m not sure a s I didn’t bother much to go into it.

Part of Doha from the top

The Pearl; Who will never knew how and why it get the name until you see it from the top. You may ask Mr Google about it or yeah take a quick look at the snap I got from the plane once.  Haha!  I never thought it is ”The Pearl” at the time I took it. 

The Pearl at night

I should say that the I like it better at night time if I’m taking photos because there’s too much light.  I could play with long exposure shots.  The place is also perfect if you’re running (not sure how long it’s circumference though).  So, there,  that’s where I celebrated my Chirstmas; had dinner at Noodle house (I think there’s a limited option too at the area so we went for the more oriental one) walk more after that until we call it a day. 

Something to expect at the country's sea line

After a couple of visits to Villagio, City Center Doha, Souqs, The Pearl and some places in Doha, I have thought of doing something better.  At least try other parts of the state of Qatar; their Desert Safari. For 250 Riyals (Appox 3000 Php) per person, Our gang had managed to book a trip down south of Qatar to appreciate its desert. It ‘was a long drive from Doha going to the boarder of Saudi Arabia, probably 50Km (take or give).

SUVs were all gathered at first and then convoyed for safety purposes and then drove through the desert.  Hah, it was a little humid at that time for Ramadan has just ended, anyway, it was not really that bas though…  We passed a couple of sand dunes,  high stteped ones! It was exhilarating !  How can I describe?  Well, say, between a roller coaster and a caterpillar maybe.    We were cathing our breath (hope I’m not exaggerating) and even my friends screamed at the top of their lungs (I swear it wasn’t me!).

The camp where we stayed at. Play volleyball, sandboard, ride a camel, swim at the beach or simply relax.

After that  somewhat topsy turvy ride, we went at a camp that is situated along the shore.  You can have a swim, sandboard, play volleyball, ride a camel or just simply rest and relax.  Refreshments are on the house and good thing we’ve brought some snacks before dinner is served.   We call it a day at the after 9PM which is just in time to leave.  Others who decided to stay overnight slpet on an airconditioned tent.

Photos of the adventure:

Glad to have experienced this one. Catch a video of my camel ride as well

Singlet and Race Bib

 At last, I was able to join a running event here in Kuwait.  A couple of weeks back,  A running clinic named We Run Kuwait (Nike Sponsored) was held by AYMSTRONG (an event management enterprises dedicated to delivering events and activities in the fields of health, fitness, and empowerment).  Today, a 5K race materialized and attended by running enthusiasts (and that includes me!).

Team CB Shirt after the race

I decided to have a 2.5K warm up to loosen up. In my own opinion, it was cold, maybe less than 10 degreess Celcius, making it my first race to join in  a cold climate.   Race started at 8:30 AM, at the gunshot, I tried my best on making a good pace and I hit 4:36 min/km.  Unfortunately, that good start faded away as I started to breathe hard,  I was puffing, and tried to run still until I told myself I need to stop and my throat started to sore.  Run and walk until I finish the race.

Below are my laps.

Lap 1  4:36 min

Lap 2 5:56 min (10:32)

Lap 3 6:12 min (16:45)

Lap 4 6:21 min (23:06)

Lap 5  5:55 min (29:00)

Lap 6 1:10 min – extra 230m (30:05)

Attendees (Grabbed from AYMSTRONG site)

Still hit a sub 30 though a 5K but I think I still lack something.  it’s obvious as well that my extra baggage of weight added to my burden of not hitting at least a sub 25 min mark.  Anyway, that’s still a good opportunity giving me a window that I should strive for more.

Dont talk about my rank ok?!

Race Result and Hightlight can be seen HERE

Kuwait’s Pride

November 11, 2011.  11-11-11.  Al-Hamra tower, the highest skyscraper in Kuwait at 412.6 m (1,354 ft) is innagurated by having a light show itself.  Choreographed lights like as if they are dancing.  Too bad my skill in long-exposure shot is still in progress and for most of my shot I feel unacceptable.  Ok, so much for fishing sourgraping.

Aside for being the highest in the country, Al Hamra will also be the tallest sculpted tower in the world. Why?  This is because the construction of it turned out to be assymetrical having fin-like structure in the front and not just one but two!  My bad again for not capturing this (because it’s night time when I get there and we stood at the back to see the lights). Oh well, I’ll try again next time…

Another try in different White Balance

City Buildings on the other side

Last night I thought of going out to get some good ambiance since winter here in Middle East is already in the air.  I grabbed my tripod and my good old but ever reliable Nikon D40 DSLR, called a friend to accompany me, (told her I’ll teach her something new) and had dinner in a Filipino Restaurant (Eat-all-you-can-food-fest) and then off to Corniche.

Cascading man-made fountain with the city backgorund

As we were walking along the sea-side, I’ve noticed some people having a good walk while others are running.   I felt a little pang of envy to them that night.  Oh well, I really intend to take photos anyway. We took couple of shots; check what’s good and what’s not and what could be improved on ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed and White balance.   We called it a day at 10.  Hah! Great weather, Arabian nights are now enjoying! 

Ooops!  I notice some dirt on my sensor lens!  Hush, I need to have it edited to remove it now.  Anyway, good thing I still salvage some photos that I can share.  Time to clean the cam.

Maybe, I am claustrophobic (photo by Cyril Conrad)

It has been almost two months since I arrived Kuwait.  As I previously mentioned on one of my posts,  I quickly searched for something to look forward to on the country.  Oh boy!  There’s definitely has a lot of stuff to do.  Who’s getting homesick eh?

Ok,  I just don’t want to stay home. All my weekends are now jam-packed with activities here.  May it just be going to a mall or joining a photo-walk, it doesn’t matter, as long as I make my stay in an environment I am trying to call home a better place to to live in.  Maybe, just maybe,  it would workout, again it’s all about choice and what attitude you’ll have each day!  Yeah!

Oh btw, I still run.  I just don’t have someone to take a photo of me while running for I run only on treadmills at a local hardcore Arab Gym with a name that’s not so Arab (Swiss Gym).  

Going to Sagada

In the heart of Mountain Province,  lies one of the best places in the country I think I’ve ever been.  Sagada; 275Km North of Manila and 140 Km from Baguio; the town famous for their tradition of burying people by putting thier coffins on the mointain walls, tagging it as the hanging coffin. 

We have been here two years ago.   Hush, it was really a long trip from Baguio to Sagada.  I bet it took us not more than six hours because it was like going to the mountain top; however, every view of the place is scenic and worth watching.  the cold weather gave additional zest (Better bring your jacket)!  The food is not that expensive either.  We have been to the eco-valley and the cave connection of Sumaguing and Lumian caves, the rice terraces, saw the hangging coffins, look in depth about their culture at Ganduyan Museum.  We have missed some areas due to some time constraints but it’s giving us more reason to go back. 

I am looking forward to go back to this place.  Did I mentioned how awesome the food in The Yogurt House?

Failaka Island Location (source: Wikipedia)

Failaka, an island part of Kuwait located east of the country in the Persian Gulf.  I have been excited upon learning from the Pindot Group that we will be going to the island.  Great! It would be another chance for me to add more on my photo stash.

Salmiya Port

Three dinars is all it took for us to have a two way journey to and from this island which is 20KM from the port of Salmiya.  Some us brought cars (they pay more for that),  for us to maximize the trip as the bus may just take you to designated areas only not to mention we can manage our own time and the places to visit.

Ruins

There’s really not much on the place, everything is history in there.  From the ruins of the past Iraq-Kuwait wars where bullet marks are all visible, to empty canisters all lying on the ground,  standing light posts though I suspect they are not operating at night,  to tank relics, etc…  There’s not really much to see if you’re not really into these kinds of things, but I guess for me, these are all candies for my camera to feed.

We have not worked on going all over the place as we do not have much time.  They’ve mentioned that there’s more to see on the place,  they have a hotel where you could stay overnight and a restaurant which I didn’t see either, hehe!

Have a look on all the photos I took.