Author: jeffer

South Korea Pt 7 – Halla Arboretum and Ice Museum, Jeju

Resuming (kinda) regular programming by continuing my SoKor series. Just got back from another adventure – a scorching hot one – and what better way to “recover” from it than to relive an experience so cold yet fun at the same time? So let me talk about something cool – literally and figuratively. UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, self-governing province, and (one of) South Korea’s precious gems, Jeju-do, or Jeju Island. That beautiful place I only first heard about in Koreanovelas and seen in pictures. Continue reading “South Korea Pt 7 – Halla Arboretum and Ice Museum, Jeju” →

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Trailblazing Tinglayan Pt 4: End of Trail

When you look back at an adventure, how do you evaluate it? Part by part, or taken as a whole? Personally, I can honestly say that this adventure is one for the books!

(By the time this is posted, I will be in the middle of another adventure, which you’ll probably seen posted on this blog as well.)

(This is the last of a multi-part post series on Trailblazing Tinglayan 2014, the Mt. Mosimos Climb. Check out Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the series here, here, and here.) Continue reading “Trailblazing Tinglayan Pt 4: End of Trail” →

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Trailblazing Tinglayan Pt 3: Up & Down

“It’s all downhill from here.”

It has an ominous ring to it, doesn’t it? I honestly could not remember the last time I spent so much hours walking DOWN. Hell on the knees and killer on the toes, if you ask me.

But I am getting ahead of myself.

(This is the third part of a multi-part post series on Trailblazing Tinglayan 2014, the Mt. Mosimos Climb. Check out Part 1 and 2 of the series here and here, respectively.) Continue reading “Trailblazing Tinglayan Pt 3: Up & Down” →

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Trailblazing Tinglayan Pt 2: It’s Home

“Balay”, in the local dialect, means “house” or “home”. The village of Balay in the Tuglao West barangay, however, apparently got its name from a plant, the exact details of which are hazy to me, so I won’t delve into it to avoid errors. From the Tuglao West barangay proper, we set off for Balay, the “jump-off” point for Mt. Mosimos.

(This is the second part of a multi-part post series on Trailblazing Tinglayan 2014, the Mt. Mosimos Climb. Check out Part 1 of the series here.) Continue reading “Trailblazing Tinglayan Pt 2: It’s Home” →

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Trailblazing Tinglayan 2014 Pt 1: Go West

Trailblaze. v. 1. to blaze a trail through (a forest, wilderness, or the like) for others to follow. 2. to be a pioneer in (a particular subject, technique, etc.)

Weeks ago, the original destination for our Holy Week “vacation” was the Bakun Trio. A little more than a week before the slated hiking dates, the destination changed: it’s to be Tinglayan, Kalinga. Significantly farther than the original plan, and much more “unpredictable”. My pals and I are already getting used to NOT knowing a whole lot of what to expect prior to a hike or an adventure. This one, dubbed “Trailblazing Tinglayan 2014” is completely new territory. We were totally in the dark as to what to expect this time around.  Continue reading “Trailblazing Tinglayan 2014 Pt 1: Go West” →

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South Korea Pt 6 – Wrapping up my first trip to Seoul

One thing we all know about Seoul, it’s definitely not a cheap place to live in. But budget travelers need not worry that they’d have to starve themselves just to get by. Myeongdong is one of the city’s shopping Meccas, and let me just say that simply walking around – yes, even without buying a thing – is enough to fill your senses. Here are some glimpses of this bustling city that we managed to catch during our too-short stay  in this photodiary.

Continue reading “South Korea Pt 6 – Wrapping up my first trip to Seoul” →

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South Korea Pt 5 – A Touch of Soul at Namsan Tower in Seoul

I love high places. True, I get terrified when I look down and realize that it’s going to be quite a loooooong (and tragic) drop, but I always get exhilarated when I know I am somewhere more elevated than others. A bit of an ego-trip, you say? Not really. More like the knowledge that, yes, we can all go UP.

So after an afternoon spent haunting palace halls, we had a quick rest back at the Guest House, then proceeded out to check out N Seoul Tower, or Seoul Tower, or Namsan Tower.
Continue reading “South Korea Pt 5 – A Touch of Soul at Namsan Tower in Seoul” →

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South Korea Pt 4 – A Dash of Romance at Nami Island, South Korea

Question: do you have to be a koreanovela/Endless Love series/Hallyu Wave fan to be able to appreciate the beauty that is Nami Island (or, as they more formally call it, Naminara Republic)? No. But if you know a bit of Winter Sonata, you’d appreciate it more. If you don’t, you still won’t be able to deny that this place is all about romance. (Warning: this post is going to be “image-heavier” than usual, so apologies in advance.)

Continue reading “South Korea Pt 4 – A Dash of Romance at Nami Island, South Korea” →

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South Korea Pt 3 – A Bundle of Tricks at Trick Eye Museum, Seoul

I never really heard of the Trick Eye Museum, but Peach was adamant we check it out. And boy, am I glad we did! If ever you find yourself in Seoul, and you suddenly find yourself all “palace-d” out or if the DMZ tour got to you and you’re looking for a bit of levity, then this place is perfect for you. Or if you are into art galleries but you are looking for something different, this is worth checking out. Plus, it won’t require you having to run the length of a football field just to check everything out!

Continue reading “South Korea Pt 3 – A Bundle of Tricks at Trick Eye Museum, Seoul” →

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South Korea Pt 2 – A Dose of Royalty at Gyeongbukgong

I am one of those who grew up with the concept of “palaces” as pearly-white walled giant edifices with tall towers and turrets, where princesses are locked up so they could grow their hair really long and turn them into rappelling tools. Thanks to more than a handful of Korean dramas, I realized I’ve been limited in my “palace know-how”. And when I found myself in Seoul, I knew that it is a must for me to see at least one palace, and what better way to get a dose of (Korean) royalty than by checking out the most famous one among the Five Palaces of Seoul, the Gyeongbukgong? Continue reading “South Korea Pt 2 – A Dose of Royalty at Gyeongbukgong” →

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