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Category: Travel, travels

A Korean Trip Designed For Kids

Filed under: Asian Holidays, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

November 26, 2013

There’s a kid in each one of us! And families traveling to Korea with kids would typically include trips to Everland Theme Park or Lotte World, as well as visits to cute-sy museums like the Teddy Bear and Trick Eye Museums. We crafted one that includes many of these typical visits and threw in a few more activities for the young travelers.

Everland Theme Park , Korea’s very own “Disneyland”.

The Everland parade is definitely world-class.

Rides, parades, much like one expects to enjoy in Disneyland. But this ….. with an asian flavor. And for the life of me, I am sooo intrigued over the korean fascination with teddy bears. We visited one, but the kids in our family have clearly outgrown them teddy bears. Just the same, trust the Koreans to excel in their branding and marketing skills. Plus they sure have the knack for cute-sy stuff : K-pop, Gangnam, K-Fashion, Gwiyomi, etc. Interestingly, many of these tourist sites were “created” or made popular by popular korean television dramas and movies. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Koreans start marketing their popular brands of cars, appliances and songs via entertainment medium like television and films. That is, if they haven’t yet.

Petite France is like a French village where a number of korean TV drama series were filmed. It is now used as a youth training facility.

One of MANY , yes many, Teddy Bear Museums in Korea.

But there’s a couple more that the kids in our group enjoyed. The visit to the Wind Village where we fed sheep and made ice cream manually comes to mind. It helped that the one teaching us how to manually make ice cream using only ice, some flavor powders and milk was so funny and full of energy. Under different circumstances, perhaps even with different company, that afternoon activity couldn’t have been as much fun.

The resident sheep in Wind Village.

Obviously, my grandson is “ill-attired” for this activity. Not politically correct 🙂

Same with the trip to the Ice Gallery where the activity involved ice-sculpting, perhaps to make us realize how much skill and effort went into every ice carving on display there. It took a lot for these amateurs to sculpt a drinking glass —- which is nothing compared to the temple, bar, slide, kitchen showcase, etc found in the ice gallery. The visit took a half hour of ice-sculpting lessons and another half hour viewing the ice sculptures. Bet no one can stay longer than that inside without freezing. 🙂

Who will win in this ice-sculpting contest? (Ice Gallery. Seoul)

Ice sculptures on display in Seoul’s Ice Gallery.

Ice Gallery. Seoul, Korea.

As if setting the tone, we even let the kids learn some Korean craft while waiting for our return flight. Incheon Airport rocks! There’s no way to get bored in this airport. Hello Kitty and Charlie Brown coffee shops? Plus, they even have parades right inside the airport premises. For sure, this has been one enjoyable and educational trip for my elves. 🙂

Learn Korean Paper Craft right inside Incheon Airport.

Hello Kitty not too far from Charlie Brown Coffee Shop. How can you resist it?

Be sure to go early so you can explore Incheon Airport.

What a pleasant surprise! A mini-parade right within Incheon Airport premises.

Tags: Everland, Ice gallery, Ice sculpting, Korea, Korea for kids, petite France, sheep feeding, teddy bear museum, Wind village

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Mt. Seorak: A Palette Of Autumn Hues

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November 25, 2013

It’s a rather long drive from Seoul to Seoraksan National Park , like 3 hours or so on a good day. Slept through the ride — but despite the distance, this was certainly worth the trip. We had worthy pitstops along the way — Petite France early in the morning and Nami Island after lunch — so you can say we were kind of bug-eyed and feeling wrung-out wasted by the time we reached the mountain park. When we checked in at Seoraksan Hotel inside the Park, it was way too dark to appreciate the autumn foliage and jagged peaks.

Mt. Seorak. My apologies for saying this : Awesome!

View from our hotel room’s balcony.

Well rested and bursting with energy after a good night’s sleep, we stepped out the next morning and viewed nature’s Autumn surprise from the balcony of our hotel room. This is truly the LAND OF THE MORNING CALM. And for good reason. Korea is blessed with many mountains that seem to frame every photo with lovely landscapes. Burning crimsons, verdant greens fading into deep browns or vibrant yellows streaking across a forest teeming with trees that withstood time and seasons. The paths were already teeming with hikers this chilly morning. We should have been walking with this hiking crowd since no buses run through the Park, but thankfully, our hotel is located inside the heritage site. Besides, we’re definitely not serious hikers eager to conquer some hiking trails. 🙂

One Family Picture for posterity!

How about another one?

The line for the cable car ride was “3 hours long”. We decided to hike up to the Shinheungsa Temple instead and forego the chance to tread on stony paths where one enjoys unobstructed views of the mountainscape from rocky cliffs. The long line was a spoiler. But before long, we were already feeling uber-alert in an adrenaline-fueled overdrive. The giant bronze Buddha statue can’t be missed if one walks straight on from the park entrance. It is said that this statue expresses the wish of koreans for reunification. Interestingly, our own guide echoes this wish that one day, there would be just one Korea. Well-said.

The vibrant hues of an Autumn foliage in Seoraksan National Park.

This giant bronze statue is called “Reunification Buddha”. Seoraksan Park.

Just as the Autumn foliage floored us, we were awed by the colors of the temple structures inside the park. Not too far from the big Reunification Buddha, one finds a number of colorful structures comprising the Shinheungsa Temple. We crossed the gate guarded by 4 fierce looking “guards” and found many “prayer rooms”. Monks in gray here, in contrast to the many Buddhist monks I’ve met clad in thin orange or deep red outfits. The gray seems more “in tune” with the “Korean morning calm”, I dare say.

The temple structures’ vibrant colors are a perfect match to this season’s palette of autumn hues.

One of many prayer rooms.

For those visiting Korea, it is tempting to simply go for the wonderland-themed park or cute-sy locations for many films and Korean television drama series. Korea may offer the Asian equivalent of Disneyland, Universal or MGM Studios, not to mention the shopping opportunities, but this is also one country blessed by Nature. It’s a no-brainer that many Koreans love to hike. About 2/3 of the country is made up of mountains. Autumn and Spring should be lovely times to visit. Winter? Not for me. Just imagine walking on icy grounds in the snowy mountains of Seoraksan. Lovely in the movies, yes. But sheer torture for my back and knees. 😦

The stoney paths and jagged peaks of Seoraksan.

Stone bridge inside the Park.

To do justice to this lovely place, one has to do a leisurely stroll. No hikes!

Tags: Autumn in Korea, Korea, Mt. Seorak, Seoraksan National Park

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Romance Is In The Air In Korea’s Nami Island

Filed under: Asian Holidays, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

November 24, 2013

Nami Island is a relatively “new” tourist attraction just outside of Seoul, Korea. Many tourists “drop by” this half-moon shaped island which can be reached via an hour’s drive from the capital and a short 5 minute ferry ride across the Han River. A day or half a day spent here may be enough soaking in the beauty of this island which showcases nature in all its splendor. I hear they turn off all lights in the evening to allow guests to “commune with nature” while in this tiny island spanning only 4 kilometers in diameter. Must be quite an experience especially during Autumn when one hears fallen leaves “crunch” while squirrels run over them in the dead of night.

One of the ferries crossing Han River towards Nami Island.

“Winter Sonata” made this island even more famous!

A Republic Within A Republic

I sensed the question coming as soon as we lined up for the ferry ride. The arch bearing the name NAMINARA REPUBLIC caught the eye of one of my elves. Confused that there’s a republic within the Republic of Korea, I was caught off-guard. I didn’t know! So I shoo-shooed my little man to ask our Tour Guide. Naturally, I was all ears listening to the guide’s spiel as it was obviously not the first time the question was raised.

Choose your Season. Winter or Spring? We came in Autumn and look what we found!

Vibrant hues of Autumn.

Once a desolate piece of land, one man’s love for art, nature and music and his dream to share such partnership of Nature and Culture with the world gave birth to the Nami Island we enjoy today. The former Governor of the Bank of Korea bought the island back in 1965 as he prepared for a life of leisure with Nature in his retirement. Not just a banker, Mr. Minn also founded the very first symphony orchestra in Korea. The highly-cultivated island (recreated under the helm of a very cultured visionary) hosted many cultural events nearly every weekend and attracted moviedom’s producers as location for some popular movie and television series drama. NAMINARA Republic declared its CULTURAL independence in 2006 and adopted, rather “invented”, its own anthem, flag, currency, passport and “certificate of citizenship.” Truly, one can’t help admire Mr. Minn’s vision and determination.

The island is teeming with flowers and trees. Nature at its best!

Thrilling to walk between two rows of these lovely trees. Very romantic!

Tags: Family Travel, Korea, Nami island, NAMINARA Republic, Seoul

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Le Petite Prince in Petite France

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November 14, 2013

One Family Photo!

“One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”

That is a line from one of the most read and most translated books “The Little Prince” written by Antoine de St. Exupéry. Not your ordinary children’s book, this one. It is both imaginative and philosophical, hitting mainly on the “strangeness” of human nature. Petit Prince’s very simple plot of a golden-haired Prince from some asteroid meeting a pilot whose plane crashed in the Sahara Desert sucks your attention by its very simplicity. Their conversations let you imagine the brilliance and depth of the characters such that you can almost imagine the prince’s affable laughter as the scarf around his French neck tightens with every laugh. I’ve read this book as a child, a teen, an adult in mid-life crisis and as an adult in the beginning of her autumn years.

You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Petite France — official residence of The Little Prince in Korea?

Coming to this slice of France in Korea brings with it some degree of excitement. Made more famous now among Filipinos as a location venue for a popular Korea-novella we never watched, we got off our van one cold morning, bug-eyed and nearly wasted after a midnight flight and early morning arrival in Seoul. An hour’s drive from Incheon International Airport provided the chance to recoup all lost energy. By the time we walked through its gate, we were all prepped up for Petite France to meet the Le Petit Prince.

“All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Many k-dramas were filmed here — Secret Garden, Running Man and Beethoven’s Virus to name a few.

Now used as youth training facility, this “French cultural village” is on the same train line going to Nami Island.

“I shall look at you out of the corner of my eye, and you will say nothing. Words are the source of misunderstandings.” -from the Fox-”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince.

Our guide took us for K-Drama fans and kept harping on such and such spots used in “Beethoven’s Virus”, “Secret Garden” or “Running man” — and almost “lost” us. We were here for the Little Prince, his asteroid, the characters in the book like the fox, the King, the pilot, his “tamed” rose that he kept missing. The kids with us and “in us” made us remember. We certainly enjoyed the ride coming here. The lake which looked like it’s “steaming” from sheer coldness ……. The 17 or so French structures inspired by Provence, the arts gallery and the closetful of puppets. There was no puppet show in the amphitheater when we visited. I suppose they have it on weekends. But we’re only too happy to have visited on a weekday sans the crowds. For 8,000 Krw (adults) and 5,000 Krw (kids), this French cultural village now functioning as a youth training facility is worth the trip and the admission price.

Some 17 Provence-inspired structures including Aunt Stella’s coffee kiosk, an arts gallery and a mini museum of puppets can be found here.

Spot Pinnochio!

“You see, one loves the sunset when one is so sad.” —— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

If you have kids with you, or if you happen to be K-Drama fans, an avid reader of “Little Prince”, or if you simply wish to be awed by a “French Village” nestled amidst lovely mountains and an enchanting lake, visit Petite France. Heck, if you’re out of Seoul to visit the famous Nami Island, drop by here on your way or after the island tour. It’s not very far and it’s along the same (train) way. A taxi ride won’t cost you any more than 20,000 Krw. C’est magnifique , Oui?

It’s a small place — really just a slice of France — but packed with many photo opps. Think “selfie”?

No shows on weekdays?

The Land of “Cute-Ness” indeed!

You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.” —- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince<

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Tags: Family Trip, Gapyeong, Korea, little Prince, Nami island, petite France, Seoul, Travel, travels

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Life as a Movie (Part 2)

Video

Filed under: Asian Holidays, Food Trip, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

November 13, 2013

http://youtu.be/tkQeboZozSY

Here’s a quickie post. More like a vid-blog or whatever it’s called 🙂

http://instagram.com/p/gpAwYiA5UD/

Tags: Asian holiday, Autumn in Korea, cats cafe, Everland, Family Trip, Food Trip, Gyeongbuk, hanbok, hello kitty, Hwaseong fortress, Korea, MBC Dramia, Nami island, petite France, Seoraksan, Seoul, suwon, Wind village

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Cool Breeze And All That Space In Alicia Farms (Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental)

Filed under: Philippine Travels, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

November 6, 2013

Just 42 kilometers and an hour’s drive from Bacolod City is Negros’ very own “Little Baguio” with its cool breeze, mountain vistas and all that space. Don Salvador Benedicto used to be a little-known municipality named to honor a fellow Negrense who was once Vice Governor of the province of Negros Occidental. At 2,495 feet above sea level, this municipality boasts of a lovely mountain range marked by occasional waterfalls. Such unspoilt beauty found in the hinterlands comprising the province’s Northern Territory.

: Don Salvador Benedicto. DSB for short. The Summer Capital of. Negros Occidental. In my book, much more than a “Little Baguio”.

: Malatan-Og Falls viewed from the Lantawan Viewing Deck in DSB.

Malatan-Og Falls in DSB deserves a closer look. Handicapped with kids in tow, we contented ourselves with a distant view of this natural beauty. Thin as a cigarette from afar, DSB has erected a viewing deck —- appropriately called “Lantawan” which literally means “to see or view” —- for visitors eager to see the Falls. I wouldn’t be surprised to find this same area developed as picnic grounds in the future. Come to think of it though, the entire DSB area may well be your own picnic and camping grounds!

: Before long, this Lantawan View Deck will likely transform itself into a picnic ground for visitors.

: ALICIA FARMS. A jewel of a place in DSB.

Nestled in the bosom of Don Salavador Benedicto (DSB) is a leisure place called ALICIA FARMS. Play with the resident horse called George, run around with the friendly children of farm hands and their dogs, pick some flowers, set up a hammock between trees, meditate while viewing Mt. Kanlaon and the rest of the mountain range, or set up your tents while lunch or dinner is cooking.

: Meet GEORGE, the resident horse.

: Your kind of place? Just viewing this photo calms my nerves.

Amidst the empty space stands a hut hemmed in by rows of flowers in vibrant hues. I can only imagine how this place would look like once carpeted with many blooms guarded by trees offering shade. Pitch your tents here, fellas. And savor the silence, stillness, freshness of beauty around you. Soothing to your nerves impaired by the chaos of city living . . . . Definitely good for the soul.

: Pitch a tent. Hang your hammocks. Or just put up your legs, read a book or meditate.

: Local flowers carpet the grounds around the hut.

Once you’ve fed your soul …….then it’s time to feed your bellies. All that running around with George and the resident dog (what’s his name?) revs up one’s appetite. Next time I visit, I’d bring a bike and ride out those slopes! or maybe not. The flowers are enough to keep me busy. KARI NA SA ALICIA FARMS. 😉

: Lunch is served here!

: And that’s the barbecue pit. Think CHICKEN INASAL! ! !

: Back to smelling the flowers……

Tags: Alicia Farms, Bacolod, Bacolod City, Don Salvador Benedicto, DSB, Negros, Negros Occidental

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MY BUCKET LIST AS I TURN 60

Filed under: Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — 12 Comments

October 9, 2013

I earlier planned to throw a big party but at the last minute decided against it. I’m NOT really into parties, anyway. Perhaps I should do that when I turn 65 instead. I would have more wrinkles then, and my double chin and jowl may be more pronounced. Or the big party can wait till I turn a full 70. Then, I’d give a really LONG speech. By that time, not too many would be willing to listen to an old hag so i’d make them suffer! All in good humor, folks. Honestly? I’m thankful — and proud — to turn 60. Forever 60 you say? Well, why not?

At my age, I’m allowing more spontaneity, more randomness, more “irresponsibility” into my life. Like when we went on a roadtrip with kids with no hotel reservations. Or when I hopped on the next train in Atocha Station in Madrid just to go somewhere out of the capital. Or riding a horse, trekking 800 steps to an isolated Bhutanese monastery in 9 degrees celsius, or spelunking in Sagada with a guide who would have carried me if he could, rather than wait every time I stopped for oxygen breaks. Heck, I’m having fun!

Yet I can’t help working on a travel bucket list. There are plenty of new places I long to visit, and just as many to revisit. And the list keeps getting longer. Maybe I need another lifetime to do all. Hopefully more trips with family and friends. Now, let’s hope those walking legs would hold 😉

My Bucket List

Macchu Picchu + Iguassu
Santiago de Compostela+San Sebastian
Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana
Uganda (mountain gorillas?)
Finland (Aurora Borealis)
New Zealand

Myanmar
India
Luang Prabang, Laos
Hanoi and HaLong Bay

Budapest+Slovenia+Dubronik, Croatia
New York+Niagara
Tibet. Guilin. 3Gorges.
Canada
Galapagos
Iceland
Greenland

Tags: Bucket List, Destinations, Musings and Ramblings, Travel Plans, Travel, travels

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IN AND OUT OF SYDNEY

Filed under: Australia, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

September 24, 2013

It’s rare that I travel without any plan. But that’s what I just did. As soon as I heard my eldest sister needed surgery, I flew to Sydney as fast as I could. The first 2 weeks involved pre-surgery medical procedures. The 3rd week meant life in St. George Private Hospital in Kogarah where my sister had her surgery and subsequent recovery. Thereafter, we waited nearly 2 weeks for the pathology results. It was quite an ordeal but by the 5th week, we were celebrating! All throughout, the family stayed tight and kept faith. We celebrated “being family” as we made excursions to heritage towns and beach spots, visited Abbeys and churches, watched movies, packed picnic baskets, walked through some parks, dined out and in my last week before going home to Manila, partied like crazy. In the midst of adversity, we managed many family outings. This is our story.

DAY TRIPS OUT OF SYDNEY

Kiama and The Blowhole

The Benedictine Abbey in Jamberoo

Wollongong

A Sunny Break In Watsons Bay

Kangaroo Valley

Blue Mountains and Echo Point

Jenolan Caves

A Rizal Park In A Sydney Suburb?

Berrima

A Ferry Ride To Manly Beach

Goulburn’s BEST Bakery

Off To CANBERRA’s Cockington Gardens

IN AND AROUND THE CITY (SYDNEY)

Darling Harbour

Hyde Park, St. Mary’s Cathedral, The Domain, Bondi & Coogee Beaches, Circular Quay, Etc

Mt. Annan Botanic Garden

We’re FAMILY!

FINALLY, SOME MUSINGS & RAMBLINGS

Tags: Australia, Day Trips Out of Sydney, New South Wales, Suburban Sydney, Sydney, Sydney's Suburbs

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Winter Over, Here Comes Spring!

Filed under: Australia, Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — 7 Comments

August 31, 2013

No travel plans, really. I came for personal reasons and for my OZ family. Specifically for my older sister who fell ill. Last time I visited was back in 2004. Yes, a long time. I grew complacent as it was always THEM visiting me, rather than me visiting them.

Gratitude is the memory of the heart.
(An afternoon in Mt. Annan Botanical Garden)

One overseas call and I dropped everything to secure that OZ visa and get on a flight to Sydney. Took a while and it felt like decades just waiting. Just when the visa was issued, the weekend flights were all fully booked…. except for one. I got the last seat on Qantas for a direct flight. Just in time to be around for the pre-operation medical procedures, the surgery and hospital stay, and another “decade” waiting for the pathology results. All of 4 weeks in Sydney and we finally heaved a collective sigh of relief.

Lissa and Levy are 2 years apart. I was the “baby” in the family.

Three Sisters. Two Survivors. We terribly miss our middle sister — the talented one in the kitchen who baked breads, muffins, blueberry cheese cakes, strawberry tortes and the finest-tasting sans rival cakes and other pastries. She was only 37. Levy and I took turns at the hospital watching over her. It’s been 30 years since. All 3 of us must have inherited the dreaded C disease from Mama who passed on at age 55. Papa joined Mama in 1991, some 22 years back. Levy and I — 9 years apart — survived. But we were continents apart, and Ate (older sister) Levy has yet to fully embrace this internet technology. [Once she called me and forgot to turn off her mobile. Her bill could have covered nearly half of my airfare!) 🙂

Mama with Ate Levy and Me in Baguio City back in the 60’s.

Family and friends prayed and prayed real hard. We lived from day to day until Week 4 when we received the good news that Ate Levy beat the odds. To amuse ourselves and keep us off the worries, we made family trips here and there. Ate Levy’s children took turns taking leaves from work to drive us around. I only managed ONE DAY with college friends who came by and took me off on a day out to Berrima — a wonderful break from family duties. (Thank you Lin and MA) My other friends based here and around do understand I simply wanted to be around my sister and family. Others I decidedly didn’t get in contact with as I realized it’s not a good time for “first meet-ups” (my apologies, my TravelBlogger friends). It’s just ME —- eager to make up for lost time with my OZ family. Besides, I was just too busy keeping the worries at bay. 😦

The “kids” posing in front of the ancestral house, with their grandfather’s namesign behind. Once I heard my grandnephew Xion say … “We’re cousins. We should love each other.” Makes me proud these babies are being raised as good kids as these nephews and nieces are.

But winter’s over. And that’s true literally and figuratively. At the beginning of spring and on my fifth week in Sydney, we made so many unplanned day trips. Our hearts overflowed with joy and gratitude. The first trip — from the surgeon’s clinic to the first church we passed — was most significant. Like we remembered every single step towards the church smiling ear to ear, not even missing each melodious note from street buskers nor the aroma of food delicacies from a neighborhood Filipino store. God in His mercy blessed us with a good sense of humour to survive adversities, a grateful heart for Him and the many prayer warriors, a keen sense of family and unity, and above all, a strong faith that our “winter” will soon be over.

Rookie took many of these shots in Mt. Annan Botanical Garden. Flowers abloom to welcome spring. In our hearts, it was all time-spring.

In our trying times, my sister and I nearly forgot the children have grown. THEY took over. And I’m mighty proud of them all. I have no doubt our grandchildren will all grow up as responsible adults. Like their moms and dads. Knowing that, I don’t mind growing old to welcome more “springs”…….