A visit to Kawagoe wasn’t in the plans, at least until a week before our trip, when my friend put it out as one of the suggestions of a day trip from Tokyo. For the longest time, I’ve always associated Saitama for the Saitama Arena, which is also a venue for concerts *coughsArashicoughs*. Good to know that I can now associate it with another charming place, which is Kawagoe. Continue reading “[JP18] A Day in Kawagoe, Japan: Hikawa Shrine”
Finally getting around to talking about my jaunt in Japan several months ago and I’m pretty sure as I go through these hundreds of photos and videos I took for the duration of my trip, I’d be feeling all itchy about going back there very soon. Revisiting Japan will probably be perpetually on my mental bucket list, as there are still so many things to see and explore. Oh where’s a gold mine when you need it?
For my first posts, I’d be talking about that hot, sweltering, day we spent walking around the city of Kawagoe.
Continue reading “[JP18] A Day in Kawagoe, Japan: Kita-in Temple”
Normally, when you’re exhausted, it takes no effort at all to fall into sleep. But I doubt that any of us got a decent shut-eye that night because, despite the blankets, it was hella cold. Especially towards the dawn, I think the temperature dropped somewhere between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius. And the wind was so strong, too, that I thought a storm was coming. When the lights turned on at 3:00 am, everyone just roused easily, mayhap because they have been awake all along.
For my part, I woke up countless times through the night, checking the time on my phone and feeling frustrated, thinking “WHY ISN’T IT 3 AM YET!”
Continue reading “First Climb for 2019: Mt. Ugo Traverse (From Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya to Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet) Pt. 2”
Like everyone else, I have high hopes for 2019, and it goes without saying that I also look for ways to start the year “right”, and by “right”, I mean by doing something I love and enjoy. My first climb for 2019 (and I say that with certainty, because this sure as hell ain’t going to be my last and only one for this year!) involved traversing through the much-climbed Mt. Ugo, starting from the municipality of Kayapa in Nueva Vizcaya on the first day, and ending at Brgy. Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet the following day.
It has not been more than a couple of weeks since my last “trip” and already I feel the soles of my feet itching. It wants to go somewhere… anywhere. Come to think of it, I think I spent most of my Christmases in my home base, or around it. I wonder if I should try to spend it elsewhere in the future…?
Continue reading “Playing Tourist in Cebu: What To Do & Where To Go”
For such a huge place, we had quite a hard time finding the entrance to Namdaemun Market, which does not make sense as I think about it now. But from what I remember, we were simply just overwhelmed by so many buildings, signs, and people all around, and I guess we just weren’t alert enough. But we did manage to get there, and had a look at Namdaemun Market at night. Continue reading “Seoul, South Korea: Food-trippin’ at the Namdaemun Market”
When the name “Kawasan” comes up in conversations, in adventure-seekers and nature-lovers’ circles, in particular, “canyoneering” would be the logical thing to come to mind. After all, the place has become famous for its canyoneering activities. Which I’d also love to do. And we were already there. Too bad we didn’t have enough time, because you’d need at least more than half a day for it. Which we didn’t have. So we just settled for checking out the waterfalls instead.
In a way, I think climbing mountains is kinda akin to going island-hopping. Just as no mountain climbing or hiking experience is the same, each island-hopping experience has something unique to offer. So don’t go out there and be like “oh, I think I’ll pass on going out into the water today, because it’s pretty much the same as that time I went island-hopping in so-and-so” because that’s. just. rubbish. (I know someone who has that mentality and I seriously pity him.) Continue reading “Island-hopping & Sardine Run in the Waters of Moalboal, Cebu”
My third time in Cebu for a convention-seminar, and we had a free day to do as we please before the lectures began. So what do we do? Look for a feasible side trip. The thing is, most of those side trips take hours of travel from Cebu City. And since we were short on time, we chose the one that’s closer. Ergo, Moalboal.
Continue reading “One Sunset at White (Basdaku) Beach in Moalboal, Cebu”
When I was younger, I always played it safe. So the idea of jumping off the side of the mountain and leaving my life up to some strings and straps was inconceivable. But along with growth and maturity came a bit of recklessness (the responsible kind), curiosity, and a thirst for adventure, perhaps. And now I’ve come to this point, where I actually went paragliding in Danyang, South Korea.
Continue reading “Danyang, South Korea: That Time I Went Paragliding in Danyang”
Danyang may be the destination for people looking for some thrills via paragliding, but for those who are looking for good scenery, this area still has a lot to offer. I already talked about Gosu Cave in my previous post. There are other spots to check out and, possibly, the most popular are the Dodamsambong Peaks. And since it is really close to the Stone Gate, you can hit two birds with one stone.
Continue reading “Danyang, South Korea: Dodamsambong Peaks & the Stone Gate of Danyang”
I think having withdrawal symptoms from walking is an actual thing. I’ve been “suffering” from it for the past several days. After spending almost two weeks in Japan walking, hiking and pounding the pavement, I kinda miss it. Or, more to the point, my body misses it. JUST AS I MISSED UPDATING ON THIS BLOG. But I’m back, and I’m going to talk about that day I went in Danyang in the North Chungcheong province of South Korea. Let me first take you to Gosu Cave.
Continue reading “Danyang, South Korea: Gosu Cave, “The Underground Palace””
“Save the best for last” is definitely a phrase that applies in this situation, because as we’ve come to the last waterfall in our Chasing Waterfalls in Bakun adventure last June, it also happens to be the best one. For me, personally. This is my second visit to Mangta Falls, and dare I say that it felt like the first time, but even better?
Continue reading “Chasing Waterfalls in Poblacion, Bakun Pt. 4: MANGTA FALLS”
Who said chasing waterfalls is a piece of cake? It definitely isn’t, especially when you have to do it under a drizzle, progressing to a shower, then to a downpour. But here’s an upside: once you arrive at the waterfall, getting soaked is no longer such a big deal. In fact, you’d most definitely welcome it. As I did once we got to Pattan Falls.
Continue reading “Chasing Waterfalls in Poblacion, Bakun Pt. 3: PATTAN FALLS”
“If you are scared, you can’t see beauty. Fear kills your ability to see beauty.” These were words uttered by actor Will Smith in one of his vlogs of a family vacation they had somewhere in Italy. And I’d have to agree with what he said, because I have seen a lot of people fail to appreciate nature because they are afraid of this or that when, in the first place, they haven’t even tried it, much less stepped one foot out the door.
Continue reading “Chasing Waterfalls in Poblacion, Bakun Pt. 2: PIKAW and SAKUP FALLS”
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