Jeju-do is definitely one of my “happy places”, a no-fail destination, one that makes me smile and happy even if I’m just seeing some parts of it on a TV program. But if you ask me if I have any complaints about the place, there would be one: the lack of a subway system. Imagine how a subway system would make it easier to get from end to end of the island in mere minutes! Continue reading “Jeju-do, South Korea: Oedolgae Rock”
I cannot pinpoint exactly when I developed a deep affection for the great outdoors or nature in general. Sure, I’ve always known that it was something that is worth appreciating, ergo, protecting, but to actively seek it out was not exactly my thing when I was younger and was still going to school. Somewhere along the way, I just started craving to go out there, up there, breathing and soaking it all in. And I like that I live in a place where I can readily do that, even if it requires some commute or a bit of travel.
Continue reading “Revisiting the Four Lakes of Kabayan, Pt 2: Latep-Ngapos & Bulalakaw Lake”
I’ve recently gone back to reading actual, tangible books – you know, the one where you get to flip and fold actual paper instead of swiping or tapping a screen – and it made me feel like setting foot on something solid again. Admittedly, though, I am easing into it slowly, so the pace is not like before, when I practically devoured books. But it’s a start, and to be honest, I don’t think I’d want to go back to that manic reading pace I was on. I guess what I’m saying is that it is nice to go back to old habits, especially the ones that you know were really, really good for you. Or, at the very least, made you feel good. And while we’re at it, let me continue with the reminiscence as I give you a two-parter on my second visit to the Four Lakes in Kabayan a few months back.
Continue reading “Revisiting the Four Lakes of Kabayan, Pt 1: Tabeyo Lake, Incolos Lake + Jr. Pulag”
I think April Fools’ Day falling on the same day as Easter Sunday made me a bit warier than usual of things that were happening around me. So, yeah, I consciously avoided going on any social media platform that day, afraid that my gullibility would be my downfall. Better safe than sorry, eh? But we’re in the clear now, so let me just do a throwback post, to that time I revisited Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel, La Union.
Continue reading “Revisiting Tangadan Falls… and a Side Trip to a Vineyard”
Weeks ago, Mt. Mayon was acting up with minor eruptions, spewing lava and ashes. Predictably, photos of the phenomenon kept popping up mostly on social media feeds. I distinctly remember seeing one particular night shot, and thought, “That. Is. Gorgeous.” It felt wrong at the time, but the truth in those words somehow also made it feel right. Because isn’t that something amazing? That a cataclysmic tragedy could still result into something so strikingly beautiful? Even today, many of the places we visit for appreciation and sightseeing were results of such events in the past. Just like Jeju’s Sunrise Peak, or Seongsan Ilchulbong. Continue reading “Jeju-do, South Korea: A Not So ‘Tuff’ Hike Up Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)”
If my slightly unreliable memory serves me right, it was between 1995 and 1997 when I first laid eyes and set foot on the sands of Boracay. Back then, I remember it being pristine and clean. It was like one of those deserted island settings we see in movies, with beaches that had that untouched look to them. Fast forward to more than 15 years later, I went back, and it felt like a completely different place, with structures set up on the sand, and a distinct bustling in the air that spelled B-U-S-I-N-E-S-S. So I kinda get why the authorities are now making moves on making sure places like Boracay do not, well, deteriorate. I do hope those moves work.
Living in a tropical country with some of the most famous beaches in the world, I have become exposed to (though not necessarily subscribe to) the idea that whenever you’re on the beach, you’re supposed to get into the water. High-profile beaches are always accompanied with photos of people in their various states of dress and mostly un-dress as they frolic in the sand and surf. It’s almost a rarity to equate a well-known beach with something more sedate like simply taking a walk and just sinking your feet into the sand. Instead, they’d go, “if you want some quiet ‘muni-muni’ time, go climb a mountain!” Fortunately, that is not the case everywhere.
Continue reading “Jeju-do, South Korea: Udo’s Hagosudong Beach”
Just because you cannot stand at the top does not mean you are unable to appreciate what it looks like, at least from somewhere down there. Ok. That is not me waxing about anything philosophical; this time, I am actually being literal. Just because I did not get the pleasure of standing at the top of Udobong does not mean I thought any less of it. (Although… yeah, it did suck a bit that we weren’t able to do that.)
Continue reading “Jeju-do, South Korea: A Peek at Udo’s Udobong Peak”
I’m so thrilled to finally get started on blogging about my previous trip to South Korea, because it means I can revisit those days and recall all the details that made it one of my most memorable trips EVA~AAR. It’s good timing, I suppose, since it’s been a while since I’ve done anything adventurous, and if I can get vicarious satisfaction out of looking at photos and blogging about them… then I’ll take what I can get right now. Let’s begin, shall we?
Continue reading “Jeju-do, South Korea: Off to Udo, the Cow Island”
*waves* Yello~!!!
Popping up for a bit to share this video containing clips and snaps of that time we went on a road trip up north.
As February ends, I take a look back and realize just how hectic the first two months of the year has been, and it seemed to just keep getting worse as the weeks rolled in. These past couple of weeks alone, it was the run-up to our City’s annual flower festival, and the influx of tourists and travelers is something that we’ll definitely never get used to.
Continue reading “The Joys of Traveling (Solo)… & What It Means For Me + Back to South Korea!”
So here’s one of the many dilemmas that most of us have probably been faced with: liking what we see but opposing the principle behind it. I’m sure that applies to many scenarios and, for me, this is one of them. I love life and the freedom to live it to the fullest; I love animals and respect their right to live theirs freely as well. But here’s the thing: I also like seeing them up close and more than half the time the only way we can do that is if they are in captivity. There lies the dilemma. Continue reading “Road Trip Up North: Baluarte…More Than Just a Zoo”
Let me just join what seems to be a fairly large percentage of the world’s population and say Happy Valentines Day (!!!!) to y’all, whether you subscribe to that “tradition” or not. I’m afraid I can’t say the same for myself considering how, for the past several years, February 14 was also the deadline for our year-end reports. Somewhere along the way, this date became more synonymous to “deadline” than with anything to do with hearts and romance. Ah, the life of a bean counter.
Continue reading “Road Trip Up North: The Paoay Church of Ilocos Norte (feat. Pinakbet Pizza)”
Growing up in the highlands, I am no longer new to rough roads and rougher rides. I have had my fair share of seeing ravines, steep drops, and rocky and winding mountain roads since I was young, since those are what I had to go through in order to visit my grandmother on an almost weekly basis. Add to that some drivers (like my Dad) that seem to get a thrill out of racing through these mountain roads with the confidence of someone who knew the lay of the land like the back of their hand, then we were always in for a ride. Literally. So to say that I was looking forward to our adventure at the Suba Paoay Sand Dunes Adventures would be a major understatement. Continue reading “Road Trip Up North: The Paoay Sand Dunes of Ilocos Norte”
There are a lot of places I consider to be special to me, and for various reasons. The best restaurant you’ve dined at. The coffee shop with the coziest interior and the best brew. Or it could be special because of the “first” factor. The first country visited. The first mountain climbed. The first island “hopped” on. The first amusement park visited… Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte is somewhat special to me, at least in that respect.
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