Las Vegas Low Light Part I

In about a month, springtime will be upon us here in the US  Expect to start feeling some warmth again after about 3 months of frigid temperatures.  And some people like yours truly will start receiving email offers from Vegas hotels as April is the start of peak season leading all the way to summer. Though I don't really gamble, Vegas has been my favorite spot when it comes to shooting low light scenes.  This desert city has some of the most spectacular night time views in the world.

So here are some of my favorite night time shots:

The View from the Mix Lounge @ 61st floor of TheHotel@Mandalay Bay.  It is reportedly Dana White's favorite hang out in Las Vegas.  And I just by looking at the photo below you would know why.

The View from the Eiffel tower replica of Paris Las Vegas Hotel. To access the elevator leading to the top, you  need to buy a ticket ranging from US$11.50 to  $16.50.  Tickets are more expensive after the sun has set.

Mirage Volcano: One of the more famous free attractions on the Las Vegas Strip.  I mean it's totally free since you just watch from the sidewalk facing the Mirage hotel and casino.

Caeasar's Palace: one of the original venues for big name boxing fights during the 1980's

It has been  recently renovated so expect really nice rooms and suites.

Boracay Dec 2012

In two months, the Philippines will be experiencing another sizzling summer. And what better way than to experience it at the country's most famous beach destination - Boracay!

So to encourage you further, here are some photos from my trip last December.

So start making your plans and book your hotel and plane reservations before the peak season!

3 Photos for those 3 Words

Just posting something different but relevant for the 14th of February. Hey I can argue that these photos are not completely OT since they were all taken during my travels.

Happy Valentine's day!

Torrey Pines State Reserve

These photos were taken four years ago.  Those who are my longtime Facebook friends may have already seen these photos.  Nevertheless, the photos here are among my all time favorites.

Torrey Pines is located a couple of  miles north of La Jolla near San Diego, Southern California.  It was named after the "Torrey Pines" tree, which only grows in that particular area.

The beach at Torrey Pines can be accessed through more than one downhill trail,

but the one between the glof course and the gliderport can be dangerous.

The ocean views here are spectacular,

but this state reserve is not advisable for those with fear of heights.

This path which is a few hundred yards south of the warning sign above is 

 not as dangerous, though it is still a  risky and taxing trail.

Note that this 'easier' trail can be quite dangerous when it's raining as

it can get really muddy and slippery.

Finally, we reach the beach after an almost 30 minute trek downhill!

If out-of-this world rock formations are your thing,

this is the place for you.

 

 

 

 

 

The nice thing about this area is that it is not that crowded

and feels so far from the urban areas.

This is probably due to the significant effort required to complete the trek to the beach.

Feeling Nat Geo wildlife photographer.  8D

 

 

 

But once you exit the park, you immediately get an awesome view of the massive freeway infratructure of Southern California.

 

 

 

 

Mga Litrato ng Maynila

Translated, this photo blog post's Tagalog title means "Images of Manila".  These photos were taken July 2012 using a combination of my Nikon D90 DSLR, Canon P&S, and a cheap prepaid cellphone I bought in Manila.

Intramuros
This is where I first learned  my photography in 2003. Though DSLRs were already available back then, they were very expensive, so most photographers were still using the now archaic medium known as "film."

Casa Manila courtyard

Baluarte San Diego Gardens

View from the Intramuros wall

Bayleaf hotel, Intramuros

Bayleaf 9 Spoon Bar and Restaurant
*the retaurant has two levels; this is the rooftop open air level

Leche flan with Macapuno. Pinipig, and Mango slice!

Mayfair Tower. UN Avenue

South view (CCP Complex, Pasay)

North view (Parts of Luneta, DOT building and the National Museum)

These Mayfair images were taken using a cellphone cam, so the pixels are highly extrapolated.  Zoomed in, the image actually looks like a painting.

Paco Park

The Entrance

The original tomb of Jose P Rizal

*Note the jumbled RPJ initials inscribed on the base of the cross

Roxas Boulevard
Of course, we can't have images of Manila without including the sunset view of Manila Bay.

Las Vegas Hotel Suites/Rooms

Here are some photos of hotel rooms of the top hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada. These are the few hotels classified as Five Diamond, the highest hotel rating.  Note that only photos of the rooms are provided here as the prices and hotel promo offers often fluctuate.  This post is just to give an idea to prospective Vegas visitors seeking posh and luxurious hotels.

Venetian/Palazzo
Venetian and Palazzo hotels are one of the few Five-Diamond hotels in the world.  These two are located at the northern end of the Las Vegas strip in Nevada, USA.  Though these photos were taken 2 years ago, I am not aware of any major renovation that has taken place recently.

Venetian and Palazzo only offer suites that are quite spacious even by Vegas standards.  There is a separate living area with a sofa and its own flatscreen TV.

There is even a small table with chairs near the window.  This is quite convenient for hotel guests who often bring or have food delivered to their hotel room.

Wynn/Encore
Wynn is another prestigious Five Diamond Las Vegas hotel located right beside Venetian/Palazzo.

Cosmopolitan

One of the newer hotels, Cosmopolitan opened just 3 years ago and is located at the middle portion of the Vegas strip near the Caesars, Bellagio  and Paris area.

This  hotel caters more to a younger party crowd as evidenced by one of its offerrings shown on the TV monitor, which also serves as the controls for the room amenities.

My hotel room was lucky enough to be rewarded an awesome night time view of the Las Vegas strip.  Here we have the famous Fountains of Bellagio show.

Cosmopoilitan guests also have access to several connectivity options for their various devices (cellphones, laptops, etc)  in case they want to work while staying at the Cosmopolitan.  I seriously doubt that Vegas visitors would rather work than have fun.