Fluidity

I called this fluidity because there is so much sereness and calmness in this picture. If you look at this picture of ocean you can feel a smooth and an ease feeling. The beautiful blending shades of blue adds not just a tranquil feeling but invites one to escape to a place where there it is stress-free and relaxing like beaches. I capture this while on a road trip from Caticlan to Kalibo where there are many ocean scenic views like this one that soothes mind on a long journey.

Feets in Sarong

On our last night at Puerto Galera, my friends got an idea to capture a picture of our feets encircle around while seating in a sarong we use to sit like sand picnic at White Beach. The result is one of the best memories of summer. The nightlife in Puerto Galera is lively and merry joined by festive musics and party people that won't dull your "Galera" nights at the beach. It is advisable to have a taste of their famous Mindoro Sling to complete your night life happy hour at Puerto Galera.

Summer 2010 starts at Tagaytay

February is the usual start of summer for me. The heat is on, days are warm and the sun is scorching hot! Its a perfect signal to travel again. It is usually taking a dip on a beach or go someplace farther to feel the air of summer. But this time I had a different trip. First, it was short, then it is not the usual dipping on a beach and lastly it is just within my province - Cavite. My Summer 2010 started last week on a quick hop to the highlands of Tagaytay. It was whole day trip that coincide with my lola's 87th birthday. And with us to celebrate this occasion are my cousins, relatives and my brother.

We travel in the morning to enjoy a morning of view of Tagaytay along with its famous and its highly-prided scenery of Taal Lake and Volcano at Taal Vista Lodge viewdeck. We had a lunch at RSM Restaurant where we were serenaded by the staff plus it has a perfectly placed terrace deck to view Taal Lake.

Taal Vista Lodge.

The charm of Tagaytay.

Tagaytay is a premier tourist destianation in our province of Cavite. It boast numerous hotels and tourist amenities like restaurants, parks, cafes, scenic views and sports activities like zipline. Robinson Malls has just been recently built and SM Mall is soon on the rise. Tagaytay is a popular summer destination because it has mild and cool climate due to its high altitute. Its proximity to Manila makes it a easily acessible for a quick vacation from the metropolis. But the vantage point of Tagaytay is the pictureque view of Taal Lake and Volcano. The small volcano is located within the lake and sometimes its wide crater is filled with water that's why it is dubbed "a lake within a lake"

Family bonding time at RSM Restaurant.

What I like in Tagaytay is that many of its restaurants and cafes like Leslie's, Josephine, Startbucks and Yellow Cab had a spectacular cliff view where you can see the charming Taal lake and volcano. It lined like a strip of mushrooms on the side of cliff ridge where you will really had a beautiful view of Taal. The places espacially the restaurants are perfect for family bonding, sharing stories with friends and for a romantic date. Aside from overlooking view of Taal Volcano and lake, you can also do side trips to Palace in the Sky, Hiking to the volcano's crater or visit Tagaytay Zip Line and cable car for a whole new experience.

Taal Volcano and Taal Lake.

Summer's sunniest!

This is not my first time to visit Tagaytay but what makes me return to this place is definitely the charm of nature of Taal Lake view accompanied by its cool weather. My summer has just started. The days are warm and nights are cool. And Tagaytay is a good place to start. The air of summer evokes a relaxing mood. The heat is calling you to go to someplace away from the life you usually live everyday. I can't wait for the places I will be roaming to for the rest of this summer.

Doing the Statue of Liberty way

While visiting the Paseo Park of Hagatna Boat Basin Channel in Guam last November 2008, we saw this small scale version Statue of Liberty facing the sea. And to make a memorable shot, my sister and I imitate a pose of this famous statue of New York, but still in the tropical paradise of Guam.

RetroTravel: Seoul

One of the hippest cities I have visited is the city of Seoul! It is the capital of Korea (South) where popular things that Filipinos crazed for like Koreanovelas, Samsung, and Kimchi came from. It is also one of the most progressive countries in Asia with its emerging economies and high-rising businesses. I believe Korea has also become the center of technology lately because of hi-tech gadgets that they released but much credit is to the highly popular company - Samsung. Seoul has always been the center of location scene of most Korean television series that not only spread its popularity in the country but throughout Asia. This has somehow put Seoul in the limelight of world of travel. Also the cultures of Korea have been featured and it gains the interests of the public that I myself has been drawn to experience it. Seoul has been known as the center of Korea's life where places to visit, shops to buy and cultures to explore are offered endlessly.

What I like in touring around the Metro Seoul is that though language barrier is a problem communicating with Koreans (most of them are non-English speakers), their subway and bus transportation are helpful getting around Seoul. Their subways have English signage of instructions and station names plus numerous maps of the subway line are available that are helpful for foreigners like me. Buses have coded number to which city their routing will be. And taxi cabs are always available in getting around Seoul.

Seoul also got the best airport that I have been. Incheon International Airport is an award-winning airport (2009 Best Airport by Skytrax) and an amazing wonder of architecture built on an island joint together by landfill in the third biggest metropolis of South Korea - Incheon. The airport boasts many unique luxury features such as a golf course, spa, private sleeping rooms, a casino, and indoor gardens. Duty-free shops are endless, of course! For me, it is the best airport that I have been because facilities are great and functional plus architecture inside spacious, feels lights yet warm especially in the boading gates area where flooring is made of wood (in the tradition of Korean architecture). Outside architecture is modern and futuristic. I also do believe that the current of "glassy" airport design trends was all modeled after Incheon International Airport.

My visits to Korea lead to me to trace down first its war history in War Memorial of Korea. It is located Yongsan-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul where I had an education yet emotional experience about the many wars that Korea was involved. Exhibition areas and memorial halls have numerous war memorabilia like photos and military equipments that have been collected and are displayed in museum. The history of wars of Korea gave me a sample of the country’s history especially the men who contribute great sacrifices during the war. The surrounding areas outside let me relax under the shades of large trees while sitting on the bench and watch the still exhibit parks of war planes and tanks that you take photos with. Cloistered figures of men in war figures and rows of black marble monuments inscribed with the names of those who died during the war can be seen around the park but the most emotional figure was the “Statue of Brothers” landmark. It stands in the center of the plaza and depicts the elder a South Korean soldier and the younger a North Korean soldier, which symbolizes the situation of Korea's division. The statue itself calls for everyone who sees it to always strive for unity.

Caught in the act! Shopping in Itaewon.

Travel is not complete without shopping. And the best place to shop is the shopping districts of Itaewon! It is a city district, in Yongsan-gu where 22,000 people reside in the district. It is a popular area for residents of Seoul, tourists, and U.S. Army personnel. From local brands to well-known brands of varying commodities, clothes, and equipment, Itaewon has them all. I had a pair of Nike shoes from a Nike boutique because it is much cheaper to buy there. This is because most of them are Korea made but just branded so it is highly priced in other countries. Original Adidas and Rebook shoes are also cheaper there. From branded places I also had visited the underground flee markets of Itaewon where you can buy cheaper shoes, bags and others. Imitations of branded items are also available. Itaewon is also known for original types of traditional Korean souvenirs like souvenir plates and Korean dolls. But the “best buys” that we bought in Itaewon that I believe one should not be missed are these 5 things - Korean Ginseng Tea, Kimchi, Lotte Chocolates, Maxim Coffee and Sam-Taegeuk Fans.

Namsan Tower in the background.

Other nearby places to visit around Seoul is N Seoul Tower (or Namsan Tower). Located in Namsan Mountain, central Seoul, visitors may go up the tower for a fee. There are four observation decks (the 4th observation deck, which is the revolving restaurant, rotates at a rate of one revolution every 48 minutes), as well as gift shops and two restaurants. Most of the city of Seoul can be seen from the top. Visitors can also ride the Namsan cable car up the mountain and then walk to the tower. Don’t also miss COEX Mall in Gangnam-gu, the largest underground mall in Asia that houses attractions like COEX Aquarium and Kimchi Field Museum aside from food courts, cinema complex and hundreds of shops. Lastly, Seoul trip won’t be complete without seeing the historical Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is a royal palace built as part of the Five Grand Palaces by the Joseon Dynasty. It is the largest of the five palaces. The name of the palace, "Gyeongbokgung," translates in English as "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven”. Ready your foot for a walk tour of its buildings, shrines, pavilions and landscapes complex.

I admit that during my visit it last 2006, I did Korean celebrity hunting thinking that I might see some of my favorite Korean actors in the street corners or someplace in the malls especially my favorite actress Kim Jung-eun! But anyway I’m contended that I saw her on a big billboard ad at that time and endorsing a coffee too. And then, I saw numerous Korean celebrities in television commercials in local tv and print ads in magazines. Honestly, this Korean drama craze somewhat made me feel that while in Seoul I had stepped for a time inside a Koreanovela series. ^_^

War Memorial of Korea last June 2006.

Itaewon is a shopping paradise for shoppers.

Korea is a wonderful country to explore. It is so rich in culture that will draw you to explore it. And the best way to start exploring it - is roaming through the metropolis of Seoul. I believe the soul of Korea starts in Seoul because it is not only the the center of the country’s economy and progress but the city itself is a perfect way to view the culture of Korea. Seoul is where you can see the contrast between the fast pace life in the city yet along with it the country’s traditions, still life drama and old beliefs continues to live along. Compare to be tourist in Tokyo, it is cheaper in to go in Seoul. But what is travel all about if money is not well spent. If given a chance again to visit it again, I would definitely visit it to explore again the soul of Korea in every of corner of its great places starting in Seoul.


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RetroTravel: Seoul is a recollection of past trips to Seoul, Korea from March 15-16 1997, September 20-22, 1997, to June 12-14, 2006. This story is also part of my RetroTravel series in which I recall all of my past trips of pre-digital era of pictures where memories are still vivid and enjoyable to remember. I hope you'll like this post.

Trip na Trip

Travel trotters around the Philippines, I recommend you to watch ABS-CBN Ch. 2's "Trip na Trip". Hosted by Kat de Castro and ex-PBB housemates Uma Khouny, Jason Gainza, Franzen Fajardo & Kian Kazemi, it airs every Friday 11:45pm to 1:00am. Watch the 2007 PMPC Awardee for Best Travel Show as it goes around the Philippines featuring the newest and exciting places to visit.

I, myself is a fan of this show but I wish they consider rescheduling its timeslot earlier as the show is airing so late. Saturday afternoon time would be fine. Here are some samples of their Puerto Galera episode and a clip featuring a popular resort from my hometown, Cavite.

More sample videos at You Tube.com. Watch this hit travel show as it showcase the best of travel in the Philippines.