Cats Of Reykjavik

Wherever I visit, cats seem to roam the streets or just appear from nowhere.  Here are some photos of the cats we met in Reykjavik:

What a day!

"Go away!," says the black cat with piercing eyes.

This is my house.

Purr...let me sleep.

What's that?

Sshhh...quiet.

Here's one aloof cat we met. He just gave us that mean look saying, "What do you want?"

This cat loves to sleep at our guest house's living room couch. I later found out that he was featured in a book about interesting facts in Reykjavik. If I remember it right, his name is Borgata. I could be wrong, but he's a sweet cat and I did took a photo of him with his book, but then, I really don't post my face here on my blog.

What was amazing was these cats were so furry, heavy and large. I think that they do need a larger body and lots of fur to keep them warm throughout the year. Most of all, these Icelandic cats were beautiful and super soft.

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

When I think of Iceland, I think of glaciers and volcanoes; that's exactly what I saw when we visited Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is one of Iceland's most spectacular sights, located about 60 km east of Skaftafell National Park and almost 400 km from Reykjavik. Jokulsarlon borders south and east part Iceland, at the roots of Europe's largest glacier Vatnajokull.  Breidamerkurjokull, an outlet glacier of the great glacier Vatnajokull, crumbles down the steep mountainside of the glacier and big icebergs break off into the lagoon where they float around before melting. This is a very popular sightseeing attraction, widely regarded as the most picturesque scenery in all of south Iceland. (Source here.)

Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four Hollywood movies -- A View to a Kill, Die Another Day, Tomb Raider and Batman Begins -- in addition to the reality-TV series Amazing Race.

 For me, this is absolutely one of Iceland's most spectacular sights and a must see for any traveler.

We took a tour boat to have a closer look at the floating icebergs and gaze at the Vatnajökull ice cap.

It's quite hypnotic watching the icebergs float and the scenery is constantly changing because the icebergs are constantly moving.

Even in a country well known for its astounding natural beauty, Jökulsárlón stands out. The combination of majestic floating icebergs, the giant icy blue lagoon, the contrasting black of the sandy shore and the soaring dome of the nearby Vatnajökull ice cap is so breathtaking, it hardly seems real.

It’s no wonder this amazing lagoon is one of Iceland's most popular natural wonders. Jökulsárlón's hypnotic beauty draws tourists, photographers and film crews alike to its shores. It has been featured in advertisements, movies, and even on a postage stamp – not to mention, of course, countless computer wallpapers across the world.
(Yohani Kamarudin)

The black dirt on the icebergs were known to be from a volcanic eruption thousand of years ago. An iceberg is a history book - every single ash and every single trapped insect is a page waiting to be read.

My troubles ceased as I gazed at this staggering beauty. This is most definitely one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

Our boat guide clutching a piece of ice that chipped from on of the icebergs. We tasted a piece of that ice and it tasted sweet. A perfect way to cool off as we were already freezing in negative temperatures. If I remember it right it was -15 degrees when we were there.

Out of this world scenery.

Nature at its best.

Skógafoss Waterfall, Iceland

The flight from Dulles to Keflavik was about five hours. This is the second time we've taken Iceland Air, and I am still not impressed with their in-flight services.  For an international flight, there's no meal given except for drinks.  If you're hungry, meal is available for purchase. Since we'd rather spend our money on "proper" food when we landed in Iceland, we spent the duration of our flight watching movies; they did have a good selection of movies and TV shows including "The Descendants," which I'd love to see again.  Quite a moving and powerful movie I'd say.

When we got to Keflavik, we took the FlyBus to Reykjavik (1800 ISK per person).  I slept the entirety of the bus ride, as I sat beside a German tourist who kept nudging me with his elbow because he couldn't stop yapping and taking photos inside the bus. I was too tired and sleepy to protest so I let him be. I think he was just too excited to be in Iceland. I was too, but at that point in time, sleep is more important.

After a 45-minute bus ride, we finally arrived at our guesthouse, which was a small house smack in the middle of Reykjavik.  The house was cozy and warm; it was more than we needed as we crept to the living room's sofa to sleep some more.  Our host, Bedda, was so welcoming and friendly.  We slept mostly on our first day in Iceland.  We managed to walk around Reykjavik that night, since it doesn't really get dark until 1 AM.  I will talk about Reykjavik in a different post but today, I want to show you Skógafoss Waterfall.

Skógafoss Waterfall is about an hour and a half drive from Reykjavik. This waterfall is 60 meters high and counted among the most beautiful of the country; I think Gulfoss is prettier.  There are at least 20 more waterfalls that cascade down the mountain slopes above the Skogafoss and it is easy to walk along the river to see them; there are paths and steps available for hikers in the area as well.

My interpretation of Skógafoss Waterfall.

A rainbow appeared as we walked around the area. Here's two tourist taking a photo with the rainbow.

Spectacular landscape.

Trying to find the rainbow's end.

At the other side of this river is a sheep farm.

It would be awesome to sit there and listen to the powerful voice of nature.

And while the Skógafoss Waterfall roars from a few steps, sheep graze and nap on the green, quiet grass.

Blog In A Book

When Philip White e-mailed me inquiring about my photographs from my trip to Potsdam, Germany posted here (Potsdam's Cecilienhof Palace), the idea of having my photograph included in a book was exciting especially that it's a historical one. After all, I was a History major in college.

The book was published a couple of months ago, but it's only now that I found the time to post about it.

This will be included in my summer reading list.

"Kayni's Corner Cafe" made it on page 1.

As Summer Approaches

How ironic that spring with all its color and splendor brought me sadness and gloom.

Losing my cousin and brother is extremely painful.  There is no superlative to describe or even express how painful it is to lose a love one.  I lack and am completely unequipped to describe this pain in words.

I've always known that life is too short, but the death of my cousin at 33 proved this statement truer in every sense.  We really should try to be more patient, understanding and loving to the people around us.  Most of all, to make sure that we tell them how much we love them every chance we can.  As my uncle have stated during my cousin's interment, "life is bigger than death" and that we should all keep moving forward and live.

Here, it's late spring and summer is just around the corner.  So many things happened since I took a hiatus from blogging:

1. I got all As for my Spring semester classes.  I struggled to finish my final papers because of my cousin's death, but I'm glad I was still able to pull through and finish them on time. Next semester, I'll be tackling: Gandhi's India and Global Bioethics. I think these two subjects sound a little bit too serious. Too bad the class I wanted is already full.
2. I made my 46th sale at my Etsy Shop.  Please visit if you have the time. I have added more items, and I have to say that I'm enjoying the work in keeping my shop open.
3. My sixth month follow-up appointment at NIH for my Aplastic Anemia showed that my blood counts are improving.  My platelets are still lagging though.
4. Iceland vacation was wonderful and would love to go back again. I can't wait to share some photos soon.
5. I've started planning for our two-week vacation in December.
6. The backyard vegetable garden is ready.  We planted Eggplants, Okras, Tomatoes and Green Beans. On the side, I also potted a Cilantro.  The front garden is planted with Marigolds and Lantana. I wanted the Lantana because it reminds me of Baguio.

This is all my update for today. I've missed you all, I've missed visiting your blogs, and I've missed your visits. I hope to get this blog back on track during the summer.

To Bannon

On May 4th, I lost my dear cousin, friend and brother, Bannon, to a motorcycle collision.  Bannon and I were childhood friends and playmates.  We even went to school together, ate lunches together, went to church together and even joined singing contests as a duet.  Although my family moved to the US and we're physically apart for years, our friendship and closeness never dissipated.  When I went home a few years ago, we immediately picked up where we left off and just like old times, talked, laughed and cried. Truly, true friendship cannot accommodate distance and space.

I will truly miss you. Growing up with you was one of the best gifts you've given me. Thank you for everything, and I will love you always. Be at peace and I know you are at HOME now. I'll just have to learn to let you go at some point. Until we meet again and trust that I carry you in my heart.

 This is how I'll remember you - a brother with a great smile and a big heart.

Mother's Day Special

MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL! 

Nothing says "I LOVE YOU, MOM!" better than a Kayni's Kreations shop gift. 

Use coupon code LUVMOM and get 15% off on any item at my shop.

My shop offers handmade jewelry (earrings, bracelets and necklaces) and paper goodies (bookmarks, gift tags and cards).

Thank you. Have a wonderful day!

My shop is here.

Tulip Season Is Beautiful Season

Okay, I'm not supposed to be blogging since I'm in the midst of wrapping up my spring semester (I have a presentation tomorrow and three semester papers to write), but I want to share these Tulip photos with all of you. I've been looking forward to their blooming, and I can't help but fall-in-love with their beauty each year.

I hope these beautiful flowers will bring some smile and color to your day - no matter where you are.

Pink Bleeding Heart (Oops, not a Tulip, but it's one of my favorite flowers.)

White Daffodils mixed with Pink Tulips.

Vibrant orange Tulips.

There were rows and rows of all types of Tulips.

Magnificent yellows.

Mixed red  and oranges.

Our weekend was spent visiting the Tulips of Pennsylvania.

I am behind my travel posts, but hopefully, I'll be able to catch up and share my photos with you when I hit summer vacation.

Why can't summer come sooner?

Save The Baguio Trees

I just have to take a break from my mini blogging hiatus because I am outraged with the leaders of Baguio City.  Elected officials should be serving the people and not bowing to the will of greedy corporations specifically SM Baguio.

A few years ago, a classmate and I were walking from UP Baguio to Session Road when my classmate pointed out that SM is coming to the city soon. I wasn't too thrilled about it. I love how Baguio was. After all, I enjoy my shopping escapades at Tiongsan or filling up my grocery supplies at Sunshine Supermarket back then. Being in Baguio, you don't need much, I'd be content with the mountain air cool enough to rejuvenate even the most restless of souls.

My instincts were right. With a gigantic mall like SM, the balance is broken. Look at what's going on now.

Source here.

SM doesn't care about the trees or the environment of Baguio, clearly all it cares about is making more money and expanding their greed nest. I am outraged at SM Baguio for earth-balling the trees just to expand their already gigantic mall. I don't fully comprehend their imbecilic plan to transplant already rooted trees instead of leaving it alone to thrive and do their purpose. Wouldn't it be more beneficial to leave those trees alone and let them do their job of absorbing the already polluted Baguio air? Think about it.

What do you do with a mall if the city that surrounds it is polluted? How much mall do you need to make more money from Baguio people that clearly you don't care about?

I think that trees are more important than malls. What is a mall if the land it stands on is barren, eroded and polluted?

SAVE THE BAGUIO TREES! SAVE THE 43 FULLY GROWN ALNUS JAPONICA TREES AND THE UPROOTING OF 97 GROWING PINE TREES (PINUS KESIYA) AND 42 SAPLINGS. 

 SM Bagiuo defies court order and continues earth-balling trees. Photo source here.

SM BAGUIO, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

Cherry Blossoms

Seeing the Cherry Blossoms is an annual tradition.

When I wasn't engaged yet, I used to stop by the Tidal Basin after work and spend the evening just walking underneath the beautiful blooms. It's a great thing that Kepi is also into the Cherry Blossoms, so when we finally got the time last weekend, we made the trek to DC with mom.

I think that I'll never cease being amazed at how beautiful these blooms are.  The word "beautiful" is not even close to describing these flowers, but perhaps heavenly is a more appropriate word. When you walk underneath the fully bloomed trees and the sky is covered with white and soft pink blooms, it's an out of this world experience.

Walk with me underneath the Cherry Blossoms.

I see balance and perfection on this tree.

A painting come to life.

Blooms.

Walking on pink ground.

Flowers from the Cherry tree's trunk.