Old Faithful Hot Show

Yellowstone National Park
Wyoming

Steam was rising. Then we heard a gurgling sound underneath and the steady mounting of scalding water from the vent. Within seconds a waterspout inexorably shot a hundred feet vertically up. Our gaze followed as we fought the bitter cold. Two minutes just whizzed by as we were lost in the moment. Then everybody cheered in unison! The wonder and excitement we felt was palpable. You could almost touch it.
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Giants

Avenue of the Giants
Redwoods National Park

The road darkened as huge trees covered the sun but shafts of sunlight pierced through The Avenue Of The Giants. We took a dip by a bend of the Eel River. With our loud splashes wild ducks flew then things grew quiet. We came out of the water and watched eagles gliding peacefully in the vast open space. The river murmured. The wind gently blew, plucking out leaves on trees. I stepped on a twig and it exploded like a bomb! In such a calm environment, even the gentlest stir is loud.
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Bright Lights

Las Vegas
From Space

I slept in the plane from Salt Lake City in Utah on the way to Burbank in Los Angeles. Halfway through, I awoke to a magnificent sight: a colony of super bright lights emanating from the center and stretching outward to the dark arid emptiness of Nevada. I was looking directly down on Las Vegas! Like a priceless tiara, it is the beckoning, bedazzling, enchanting, jewel of the desert.
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Sanctuary Reef

Lanuza, Surigao

Philippines

Our planned dive to General Island was cancelled. Instead, we were diving at the Sanctuary Reef. As fate would have it, the waves were uncharacteristically huge in these parts, owing to gale-force winds prevailing at the time. Mike was just a few feet from where I was standing, but we have to shout at each other to make conversation. I said, Any chance we can dive Mike? It sounded like, "?ekiM evid nac ew ecnahc ynA", as the words were blown back down my throat. Mike said, "!nuJ ecnahc a toN."
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Pull It!

Yeoncheon

South Korea

I thought this prank was exclusively Filipino. I was wrong.

In the morning, Korean Seoyoung was busy preparing breakfast on the floor, on a portable burner. British Luke rolled over and peeked out from his sleeping bag. He reached out for Seoyoung who stared at him perplexed. Luke might be dreaming. He wiggled his finger. Could he be in pain? Ah finger cramps maybe, she thought. But he obviously wanted Seoyoung to pull it. So she pulled the finger. Then Luke let it out - a supersonic boom from the ass!
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Pull It

Yeoncheon

South KoreaIn the morning, Korean Seoyoung was busy preparing breakfast on the floor, on a portable burner. British Luke rolled over and peeked out from his sleeping bag. He reached out for Seoyoung who stared at him perplexed. Luke might be dreaming. He wiggled his finger. Could he be in pain? Ah finger cramps maybe, she thought. But he obviously wanted Seoyoung to pull it. So she pulled the finger. Then Luke let it out - a supersonic boom from the ass!http://www.zazzle.com/pull_my_finger_greeting_card-137720145122684563

Beer Shots

Monterey

It’s a bar and restaurant, and also a brewery. We ordered six different beers from Ale to Dark Lager served in shot glasses all lined up in an elongated wooden plate. They ranged in color from light yellow, yellow, orange, to dark brown. After downing the shots, I ordered one mug-full of my favorite brew that has just the right amount of malt and hops for my taste – Pale Ale! Yeah!
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Sweet Coincidence

Bantayan Island

Cebu

I pulled out a Reader’s Digest back-issue from a heap on the coffee table. Then I ordered kalamansi juice. I started reading an article about honey being used in place of sugar in the old times. After a while, the juice came but no sugar. Instead, a vial of yellowish viscous liquid was placed beside it – honey.
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Being Portuguese

Paris

One day, four Portuguese came by the flat and stayed for 3 days. I said I have always wanted to visit Portugal because my Grandpa had a Portuguese lineage. In fact, he was 6’3’’ tall.  They said matter-of-factly, “But Portuguese people are not tall. Look at us, shorties!” I would have wanted to argue that his Portuguese blood made grandpa tall, but decided against it.
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The Galleon

Talima

Mactan, Cebu

This dive site is now called The Galleon. A wooden-hulled boat was sunk here, brought so close to the wall, the surge pushed it to the edge, breaking it in two. Now what is left is the bow, perched on the reef front, rigged by steel wires to rocks. And since most of the wooden planking already decayed, what remains is the skeletal framework shaped like a ribcage. With the rigging, it looked like cuffed limbs outstretched to the heavens. It is only a matter of time before the steel wires pull the bow apart.
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Satellite Navigation

Buy this gizmo then rig it to your car’s electronic circuitry. Name it Monica or Cherry and keep in touch using the keypad. Type in destination and Monica will do the rest. There are route choices but I always pick the shortest. You will here advices like: In 500 meters, turn right, or At the next intersection turn left. When you miss a turn, Cherry will recalculate, and plots the shortest route. You have arrived at your destination! When I first heard this, it felt like I hit the jackpot. Thanks Hillary!
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Natural Wave Breakers

Mangrove Sanctuaries

Olango Island

On the edges are coconut islets, protected from strong waves by a wall of mangroves, which are important spawning grounds of various fish species. Juveniles stay here until they mature and venture out to coral reefs and the open sea. Unfortunately these natural wave breakers and sanctuaries are threatened by illegal cuttings, as their trunks and branches make for sturdy skeletal house framework, fences and even kitchen fuel. Having without alternatives coupled with crippling poverty, some locals become active participants of this environmental carnage, while others silently tolerated the destruction. Unbeknownst to them, the peril is also their own.
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Rain Surf

La Union

Despite the gloomy weather, we were out surfing in the rain. As we sit on the surfboard, raindrops exploded into little droplets bouncing off the surface causing white mist. It enveloped the sea, which, at the time, was as warm as morning piss. It was a pleasant contrast to the cold rain. Then a set came. We paddled. And rode in the haze.
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