by : Bacardi Gold
27/Nov/2020
Travel – International Doll House, Bislig, Surigao del Sur, Philippines
Travel – Bonbon beach, Romblon, Philippines
by : Bacardi Gold
27/Nov/2020
This is a sandbar in Bonbon, Romblon. During high tide this part of the sandbar is submerged in water. The island is connected to Bang-og island thru this sandbar which you can walk up to its beach front. Spend an hour on its shore and be on the alert as you would be caught by the high tide on your return walk to Bonbon beach. Tiamban beach and Nunok beach are just next to each other for a continuous calm and refreshing swimming activity.
Disappearing photos on my posts…
26/Nov/2020
This is to inform my readers that several of my posts have missing photos. Please bear with me as I’m recollecting my faculties on how this came to be. I am looking for solutions to restore those missing photos. For the meantime, please enjoy reading other future posts of mine while I’m retrieving the missing photos in my gallery. Likewise, I will be posting entries on a regular basis. Thank you for your continued patronage.
————bacardi gold
Quiet Repose
by : Bacardi Gold
25/Nov/2020
Sleepless night
Befriending me
Talking in my mind
Moving like the wind
Whispering in my ears
Building stories for my heart
Darkness with scorching sun
The eyes of dawn closed
To fantasize the realities
Until the light’s curtain drops in quiet repose…
Travel – Seoul World Cup Stadium, and Park, Seoul, SK
by : Bacardi Gold
24/Nov/2020
Photography # 51 – White Flowers
by : Bacardi Gold
23/Nov/2020
Photography # 50 – Red Flower
by : Bacardi Gold
23/Nov/2020
Photography # 49 – Graveyard Beauties
by : Bacardi Gold
21/Nov/2020
Last Nov. 5, 2020, I went to my family’s graveyard and saw these intriguing beautiful flowers giving life to the greens carpeting the land where my members of the family are laid to rest. Prayers were said on their graves and being alone who visited their tombs made a short walk inside the area. Small flowers have grown independently among the bushes.
Photography #48- Geese
by : Bacardi Gold
16/Nov/2020
——
Photography #47 – Leaves
by ; Bacardi Gold
15/Nov/2020
———-
Bluer than Blue
by : Bacardi Gold
14/Nov/2020
green is to be young
the dawn of a new season
then you came into my life
when we were still not man and wife
greener days like the life of a tree
when time begins to move and flowing free
gentle whispers blown by different winds
green hearts of ours echoed the footprints
as we lived our lives and gambled our youth
we found ourselves hiding the ultimate truth
unforseen drama of different shades and hue
the promise of Spring turned to lonely blue
now the leaves of the once greener young tree
crumbled to the ground without a trace of glee
the love that we shared was left for another
bluer than blue, the green leaves of Summer
___
image from : Pinterest
Straws of the Wind…
by : Bacardi Gold
13/Nov/2020
i feel the earth moved deep in my heart
so heavy it breaks me apart
i want to rest and find relief
clean-up my way and rectify false belief
to carry the heaviest of weight
my mind will fight, my thoughts could defeat
and once the stiffest trials get light
i can carry the burden with utmost pride
strong honeyed calls of temptation to sin
could defy man’s resistance to give-in
prayers in mind will thwart the roaring tempest wind
could resist the strongest perfumed baits of sins
so stand up and carry the fight
against the darkness that rules the mystery of the night
evils will be brought to a bright daylight
to surrender the power of their might
now i can breath with total sweetness
from the bitter taste of the ruinous kisses
with the Lord, my heart will no longer be pinned
to carry the world even the toughest straws of the wind…
Travel – Seoul, South Korea …Bibimbap
by : Bacardi Gold
12/Nov/2020
During our trip to Seoul, South Korea, our itinerary included a local Korean restaurant for lunch. Bibimbap was on the menu. We were excited to taste the Korean food to be served on a very low table, maybe a foot in height. First to be served was the portable butane stove. Next was the ingredients for the Bibimbap. Then the waitress left and stood a few feet from us and waited for our additional orders. We looked at each other and whispered , “What are we going to do with that?” The waitress sensed that we were tourists in the city and observed us for a minute. Ha, ha,ha ! Nothing has been done with the bacon-thinned pork and the veggies. So, I called her to please help us do the cooking. She started with a smile and did the explanation in Korean which we never understood a single word she uttered. Only her body language helped us to understand her show. When all was finished and devoured the delicious food, our tour guide who left us earlier to eat her own meal in another room showed up. “Did you enjoy your Korean meal? … “Of course, we love it”
image credit : additional Pinterest blown-up Bibimbap photo
Classic Bibimbap Recipe – (pronounced: BEE – beem – bap)
There is a reason this dish is one of the most popular dishes served in Korean restaurants all over the world…it’s amazing!
Learn how to cook this delicious Korean dish. Seasoned veggies, Korean beef (bulgogi), egg, Korean sauce, all on top of perfectly steamed rice. It’s so easy. Make all the toppings first, then the rice…and serve with the homemade sauce. So good.
This can give you the following Vitamins and Minerals for the body. Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 1738mg | Potassium: 1014mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 8327IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 5mg
All the vegetables, mushrooms, and steak can be prepared up to 1 day ahead of time. You need to re-heat each component in the wok, or skillet, before serving. Gochujang can be found in the Asian section of most well-stocked supermarkets, or at Asian food markets, or online. Long-grain rice, or Jasmine rice are good substitutes for the traditional short-grain rice. Just follow the cooking time according to package directions.
Ingredients
THE TOPPINGS
- ▢1 lb prepared bulgoli or cooked, seasoned ribeye, sirloin, or skirt, thinly sliced
- ▢Stir-fry oil or vegetable oil…for stir-frying all the ingredients as you go.
- ▢4 garlic cloves minced
- ▢2 cups bean sprouts
- ▢4 tbsp soy sauce divided
- ▢2 tbsp sesame oil divided
- ▢1 cup julienne carrot or shredded
- ▢1 zucchini seeded, cut into 1-inch sticks
- ▢12 oz spinach fresh
- ▢8 oz shiitake mushrooms sliced
- ▢4 eggs
- ▢2 tbsp sesame seeds toasted
THE RICE
- ▢2 cups short-grain white rice
- ▢2 cups water
- ▢2 tsp rice vinegar
- ▢1 tsp salt
THE KOREAN SAUCE
- ▢2 tbsp gochujang
- ▢1 tbsp sesame oil
- ▢1 tsp sugar
- ▢1 tbsp water
- ▢1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ▢1 tsp garlic minced
Instructions
MAKE THE TOPPINGS
- Prepare the bulgogi, or stir-fry beef with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp each soy sauce and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Cook the bean sprouts in boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain, Place in a separate bowl and add 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 tablespoon each of soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix. Set aside.
- Stir-fry the carrots in a little oil for about 4 minutes. Set aside. Lightly salt.
- Stir-fry the zucchini in a little oil for about 4 minutes. Set aside. Lightly salt.
- Stir-fry the spinach with a teaspoon of water until wilted and water has evaporated, about 4 minutes. Place in a separate bowl. Add 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 tablespoon each soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix. Set aside.
- Stir-fry the mushrooms with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, until reduced and lightly browned, about 6 – 8 minutes.
- Cook 4 eggs, sunnyside up, add salt and pepper, set aside.
PREPARE THE RICE
- Bring rice, water, vinegar, and salt to boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
- Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until liquid has been absorbed, 7 – 9 minutes.
- Remove rice from heat and let sit, covered, until tender, about 15 minutes.
- (Cook time will be longer, approx. 25 minutes, if using long grain rice).
PREPARE THE KOREAN SAUCE
- Mix all the ingredients together and set aside.
ASSEMBLE THE DISH
- Portion out rice into 4 bowls.
- Arrange toppings in a circular fashion.
- Top each with egg and then toasted sesame seeds.
- Garnish with sauce.
happy cooking everyone…!
Travel, Photography #46 – Sirao Gardens, ( Little Amsterdam ) Cebu city, Philippines
by : Bacardi Gold
10/Nov/2020
Visited by local and foreign tourists, this charming and lovely garden in Barangay Sirao, Cebu started with four gardeners which ballooned to thirty industrious care takers. From a small number of local visitors, it now caters to a thousand to two thousand visitors at peak months of the year which include Asians, Americans, Europeans and other nationalities.
A number of other gardens have also opened in the mountainous areas of Cebu which posed competition and challenged this original field of floras. The owner built interesting structures to support and enhance its charm to the fore. She took the lead in growing additional kinds and species of flowers coming from abroad but one never gave a chance of growing in the local soil. Tulips. It failed the owner of making a locally grown European beauty. It needed a negative temperature to emulate the icy condition of Europe. Instead, vegetables were grown , such as, giant peas, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, and taro.
Sunflowers (seeds from Canada, Amsterdam, and the United States), dahlias, China stars, chrysanthemum, salvia, and begonias are abundant in this area. Along with those varieties, the area also features Cape Plumbago, Catharantus Roseus, pink queens, millions, birds of paradise, gadiolas, and orchids.
Image credit : the last two photos courtesy of , siraogarden.com
Travel Photography # 45 – Sta. Cruz, Zambales, Philippines
by : Bacardi Gold
08/Nov/2020
Figaro
by : Bacardi Gold
07/Nov/2020
LET’S HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE , friends !
Strangers in the night
by : Bacardi Gold
06/Nov/2020
lone wide bed sleeping in a rectangular room
ages of summers crossed its wicked door’s perfume
glories unaccounted to the mind revisited
awakened from the slumber it once was buried
nights’ drifters floated with the candle-whipped wind
invisible yet could be felt more than it was imagined
melodious smoke loitered along the tunes of ravaged graves
un-ordained priests said masses for the creeping slaves
churches’ bells screamed as the night grew old
entered at every square unmindful of the eerie cold
shook every hand it meets though not seen
never answered when asked where have you been
faces of the living in frightened moments of pale white
hugging the ghostly love as Strangers in the Night…
Photography # 44 —- Post – Halloween photo, “Lighted candle”
by : Bacardi Gold
06/Nov/2020
Photography # 43 – Maya
by : Bacardi Gold
05/Nov/2020
Presenting to you, our pet doggie, Maya, our security guard !
Travel Photography # 42 – Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar Masbate,Masbate, Philippines
Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar is an ideal place for swimming, snorkeling, bird watching, sunset/sunrise watching, scuba diving, and for family picnics. It has a 250-hectare white sandbar and is located in the sea waters off Barangays Nursery and Tugbo, Masbate.
It is a long stretch of white sandbar surrounded with turquoise crystal clear waters and teeming with different kinds of marine life and vibrant corals.
Travel, Photography # 41 – Romblon flower
by : Bacardi Gold
03/Nov/2020
This is the first time I saw this kind of flower ( ? ). I don’t know either if this is really a flower or a fruit ? Whatever.
I shot this in Romblon island, the marble capital of the Philippines.
Full Moon
by : Bacardi Gold
03/Nov/2020
far-out silhouette of life
moving from place to place
backdrop of the silent moon
reflects the joys of a gala night
roar of day suppressed to quietness
as the deep of darkness advances
the moon proving to be in power
increased its brightness to full
littered with magic at the horizon
as time begins to show its direction
earth has displayed all its edges
space has swallowed all its dreams
dark portraits gazing at the moon
as the tree stood as a watchtower
sights of life that are clinging on
reveal how one another survives
image credit : Pinterest
Photography # 40 – Shrimps
by : Bacardi Gold
02/Nov/2020
Philippines
As defined by Merriam-Webster : any small and marine decapod crustaceans which have a slender elongated body, a compressed abdomen and a long rostrum, commercially important as food.
It is low in calories and does not contain carbohydrates. It has only 84 calories in a 3 ounce serving.
Adult egg-bearing females are caught in coastal waters and transferred to ponds with brackish water where they are cultivated.
Larger in size shrimps are called prawns.
Thank You !
by : Bacardi Gold
01/Nov/2020
please carry me
to wherever i want to go
though i know i have a hefty weight
please carry me my little saint
sometimes you break
so i have to carry you
you have to be repaired
so you can carry me again
you don’t speak ill of me
even if i step on you
you don’t even shed a tear
even the cold and the dark you don’t fear
thank you so much for protecting my feet
you are the savior of my sole
thanks for the care when i’m on the street
my SLIPPERS, thanks for your role…
Happy Halloween to all !
by ; Bacardi Gold
01/Nov/2020
Eve of All Saints’ Day
White Dove
by : Bacardi Gold
01/Nov/2020
Have you ever dream about a white dove? If you do, you’re lucky. A white dove is a representation of love between you and your bride/groom to-be or simply your future partner in life. He/She maybe the one you’re looking for, your future Romeo or your Juliet.
In real life, releasing a white dove during your wedding ceremony is a great sign to bring promises of lifelong happiness, fidelity, and prosperity.
Do you believe it? If you do, it’s a great way of starting and grooming a family full of love and joy. It’s a simple encouragement of doing good in your wedded life.
If you don’t, be it as it may. Just let the symbolism stand what it represents in your life and use it as your guiding light in treading a wholesome happy married life.
As a whole, a white dove is a perfect sign of peace, kindness and forgiveness. New beginnings of love, faithfulness and prosperity are predictions and clues that they may bring in your life.
Travel – Rowilda’s Hand Loom Weaving, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
by : Bacardi Gold
31/Oct/2020
Philippines
Photography # 39 – Decorative Squash
| by : Bacardi Gold
30/Oct/2020
I bought these from our local SM City Mall
SM City Fairview, Novaliches
Philippines
Photography #38 – National Folk Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
Seoul, South Korea
Photography #37 – Instant Canton Noodles with Fried Tofu & Blanced Pechay
by : Bacardi Gold
29/Oct/2020
There were times when I felt so hungry and I needed something to eat. Thanks for the instant foods that our stomach demands right away, particularly noodles. Here’s my take for this popular Asian instant food. Hmmmm, yummmmy !
Daydream…
in the calmness of the mind
when time is not innocent to know
where your movement is dependent
on what you want to enact and do
the time frame could be definite
of achieving a fruitful mark
to be or not to be
let your ambition to be your want
daydream, if you may
it’s free and no one will criticize
it is sufficient what you want to be
in the shortest time ever…
Photography # 37/ Poetry, “I Will Be Tough” – Baler, Aurora, Philippines
by : Bacardi Gold
27/Oct/2020
I feel the hurt
Deep inside me
I feel the burn
My heart is going crazy
I have no choice
To be free but lonely
Then your heart rejoiced
Forgetting me, your one and only
Free as the colors of rainbows
See how it vanished in the sky
Leaving me with all the sorrows
When you finally said goodbye
Tiny and bigger rocks
Littered on the sandy shore
Just like lives here on earth
You stepped on them then you ignored
Gone for another love
In the arms of someone else
My love you’ve felt was not enough
Losing me, I will be tough…
————–
Wings of Time…
by : Bacardi Gold
26/Oct/2020
let me stay on your wings
cradle me to safety
lift me up from the floods of time
from the evils of crime, wrap me
let me sleep on your comfort
and dream the impossible
nurture my futile thoughts
on your wings, we’ll make it real
with you we can make it happen
together we’ll leave the fantasy
we will make a way out
’cause I’m riding on the wings of time
let me share your wings
let us soar the sky
together we’ll make our own time
let me wish, let me hope for the wings of time
it’s not magic
i’ll strive for it
to let it grow
my own pair of wings…
Photography # 36 – Dragons and the Rats
by : Bacardi Gold
25/Oct/2020
Talavera, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Night Owl …
by : Bacardi Gold
24/Oct/2020
night of life
after the days of glory
it comes unexpectedly
dark times defame
honor and prestige
once they were strengths
if tainted with negatives
they drown in the drains
hold high your self esteem
treat it with high regard
for no one will hold it dear
the value of respect to your character
night owl dressed in white
you are awake during the night
while everyone go asleep
the dark respects your moment to keep …
image : Pinterest
Photography # 35 – Yellow flower
by : Bacardi Gold
24/Oct/2020
Travel Photography # 34 – A big bowl of Purple Flowers, Seoul, South Korea
Travel – Biggest Catholic Church Bell in Asia
by : Bacardi Gold
22/Oct/2020
Pan-ay, Capiz :
Old churches in the Philippines have grand and impressive structures made of stones built by the Spaniards. Many has been rebuilt numerous times over the centuries because of wars and natural disasters. They stand as the muted witnesses of the places’ culture and history. Majority of them have been declared as national treasures as they represent the Philippines as the only Catholic nation in Asia.
Along with these old churches, bells have been instruments for spiritual purposes. They were rang to call the faithful to worship, to highlight the climax of a particular stage of a church service, to remind them of God’s presence in their daily lives. Church bells were also used for practical purposes of alerting the faithful of important events and emergencies, such as, fire, end of war, disseminating information over far distances.
During the People Power Revolution of 1986, church bells were rang when President Marcos escaped and departed from the Palace.
The biggest bell in the Philippines measures 7 feet in diameter, 5 feet in height and weighs 10,400 kilos… It is housed at the belfry of Sta. Monica Parish church in Pan-ay, Roxas, Capiz together with the other olden church bells. It is considered as the “Biggest Catholic Church Bell in Asia”.
Through its powerful sound and simplicity in communication, they have become one of the most important influential percussion instruments in the world.
Haiku # 15 – Ghostly Kisses
by : Bacardi Gold
20/Oct/2020
Ghostly kisses for
Loving a corpse-like lady
Pale, vampiric love
In response to :
Photography # 33 – String beans
by : Bacardi Gold
19/Oct/2020
I was in a supermarket when I took this photo. I like the way it was displayed just like small snakes curling several times and tied with scotch tape.
To make this post more rewarding than just looking at it at face value, let me touch some interesting information about this veggies.
String beans are good for the heart. They are great sources of antioxidants which eliminate free radicals in our body which can cause illnesses and can damage our body tissues. They are also rich in fiber which are good for constipation, hemorrhoids, ulcers and acid reflux diseases.
Thank you, followers !
by : Bacardi Gold
19/Oct/2020
Thank you so much, readers, for giving me the opportunity to reach this number of followers in a span of three and a half months since I resume writing again. Please allow me to continue this achievement in attaining this huge chance of returning in my pastime that I love. You are my inspiration my followers. You motivate me to continue my writing as far as my health permits me to. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You Very Much !
Photography # 32 – Yellow and Orange flower –
Talisay city, Negros Occidental
Travel Photography – Maasin city, Southern Leyte, Philippines
by : Bacardi Gold
16/Oct/2020
Photography # 31 – White flower
by: Bacardi Gold
15/Oct/2020
Travel – Wat Intharawihan Temple, Bangkok, Thailand
by : Bacardi Gold
15/Oct/2020
This is the lone standing Buddha in Bangkok which rises at 32 meters high and 10 meters wide. The Buddha itself is known as Luang Pho To or Phrasiariyametri which was built in the Ayutthaya period, is adorned with 24-carat gold and glass mosaics. Its location in the Nakhon District of the city, near the Rama VIII bridge over the Chao Phraya river, makes it accessible to several restaurants for visitors to dine in after visiting this place.
Someone, It’s me…
by : Bacardi Gold
14/Oct/2020
There were lots of people
As I entered the wimpy scene
All in mask costumes, no one to converse
Images borrowed from the looks of others
This is not an alchemy of illusion
How the crowd changed their looks
One to the other, a transformation
Lost in the galaxy of people
In one extent of my breadth of view
A familiar look greeted my eyes
Someone as tall as me
My features I saw, in silhouette, it’s me
Wonder of all wonders
As he unmasked to face the crowd of patrons
The mob faced me in confusion
Puzzled, which is the true me in person
As I sat alone on a rickety chair
Morning has caught me in despair
Haven’t drafted more for this ordeal
As my imagination ran free and wild
As this stretch of fancy is somehow excessive
My mind’s eye began to ebb
The intriguing tide of free flowing scenes
Began to close and retreated as I retired…
The Fix
by : Bacardi Gold
13/Oct/2020
when you’re down
you always look up
but when you’re up
you feel all has no end
when you’re down
healing must come in
it takes considerable time
to get through the struggle
it maybe a slow or speedy process
in fixing one’s ruined self
no matter how strong or rich you are
you’ll pass through a painful and drained state
the power to eagerly overcome it
is measured by your conviction
the struggles willfully become your twin
trials will be beaten by your resolute strength
challenges are embedded in life
but they will ultimately pass away
if regaining one’s self will be a long process
there’s always an end and triumph will give you peace of mind…
Photography # 30 – Municipality of Banay-banay, Davao Oriental, Philippines
by : Bacardi Gold
12/Oct/2020
“I saw the plane that crashed into the restaurant” – ( Tour of Davao City, Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines )
With the pandemic still going on, I really miss travelling again. But I can’t do it at this time of the year. I think it is still unsafe to wander in other places , be it abroad or locally. If I may, I’ll reblog my work from a different site. I hope you’ll like it.
Ha
The first time I saw this, I insisted to drop by. I was really curious about the airplane crashing into the roof of the establishment. Visitors passing will surely take a glimpse of this “come on” publicity stunt of this watering hole in Davao city, south of the Philippines.
I just came from a tour with a rented car and a driver in the province of Davao Oriental, specifically the city of Mati. They have fine white sand beaches there comparable with the known ones today. It was a tiring but a very pleasant and enjoyable travel I had. Beautiful and green sceneries along the way were awesomely inviting. Spending a short time in every locale that I visited was a temporary option as some need a little longer time to stay. And as such, we will be returning to Davao in the later hours of the afternoon. All…
View original post 280 more words
Photography # 29 – Lone coconut tree, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
by : Bacardi Gold
11/Oct/2020
