South Korea: Gangwon-do: Chuncheon: Nami Island

Options on how to reach Nami Island

South Korea: Secret Garden (Huwon)

"Secret Garden" is a special part of Changdeokgung Palace.

The course is to visit and view the previously off-limits area, but now open to public but still in limited thrice a day visit with 50 persons in a time, all strictly guided tours.  This area they say has very special meaning in ecological preservation as well as cultural properties protection. [Read More]  We were guided to walk along the grounds, excluding the main building parts of palace which are still off-limits.

2017 May: Japan: Fukuoka: Kurume: Ishibashi Cultural Center

Ishibashi Cultural Center
〒839-0862 1015 Nonaka-machi, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka

2015 Nov: Japan: Nagoya: Tokugawa Garden

Destination: Tokugawa Garden (1001 Tokugawa-cho, Higashi-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi 461-0023)

Travel Date: November 15, 2015

Open: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (Last entrance at 5:00 p.m.) *closed on Mondays

Garden Entrance: 300 yen for adults

Access: Morishita Station on Seto line or Ozone Station on Meijo subway line.

Website: http://www.tokugawaen.city.nagoya.jp/english/01_direction/index.html 

"Tokugawa-en", a Japanese garden in the middle of Nagoya.  One of the suggested sites on where to chase koyo during November.

In the early Edo period (1603-1867), Tokugawa Mitsutomo (1625-1700), second lord of the Owari branch of the Tokugawa clan, established a vast residence called the Ōzone Shimoyashiki. After his death, the property was passed on to the families of his three retainers Naruse, Ishiko and Watanabe, until the Meiji Restoration of 1867, when ownership was returned to the Owari Tokugawa.

2015 Nov: Japan: Aichi: Toyota: Obara

Destination: Obaracho, Toyota, Aichi Prefecture 470-0531, Japan

Travel Date: November 16, 2015

Thanks to roparat for the full details on how to get to Obara/Kamnigi Stop.

My course was: 

• Drop-off at Obaraokusa Stop -to visit Obara Fureai Koen
• Walked 4km (roughly 100 minutes)
• Visited Semmi Shikizakua no Sato (jumped in at Kaminigi Stop, headed to Toyota station)

For my personal take, Obara Fureai Koen has maple, sakura and more ginkgo in place. The market is livelier in the afternoon.  An off decision when you choose this as your departure point heading back to Toyota, is you need to have the strength to stand for the  next hour, since the bus is already full when it departed at Kaminigi.

Jugatsuzakura (Autumn Cherry)

The Jugatsuzakura (literally "October Cherry") is one of the varieties that bloom in the autumn and winter. The flowers are small and sparse, but provide a surprising sight in combination with fall colors or snow. [Reference]

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Jingshan Park

From Dongsi we took a bus going to Jingshan Park, make sure to study the routes before taking a bus so you'll not get lost.

The focal point is the artificial hill Jingshan, literally "Prospect Hill".  [Reference]

South Korea: Jeju: Gimnyeong Maze Park

Destination: Gimnyeong (Kimnyeong) Maze Park
Location: Jeju-si Gujwa-eup Donggimnyeong-ri
Website: http://jejumaze.com/eng.html
Date Visited: 2011 November

We arrived at the place together with busses of students touring around the area. What I remember about this place -- it was on a maze when "Edward" (Pattinson) was killed in one of the books of Harry Potter.

And yes, I did not bother to get into the maze -- for a definite reason that I'm afraid! And still my guide insist, "I will help you get out! Really, i will help you!"

If I'm with someone, maybe I have tried it.

Vietnam: Dai Nam Park

Travel Date: February 16, 2011 
Destination: Dai Nam Park 
This is my journey to Dai Nam Park. I started to wait at Ben Than Bus Terminal at 8am. Bus 616 arrived at 8.40am (be ready with other people bumping you, old beggars, lottery ticket sellers, motorcycle drivers looking for passengers, the noisy horns from all types of vehicles, and the loud voice from the terminal guide). The fare is 20000vnd (80php) for 1.5 hour bus ride.

2008 August: Baguio, Philippines: Day 2

2008 August: Baguio, Philippines: Day 2


The following day, we took the complimentary one time buffet breakfast meal at Veniz Grill. We started our second day by taking a cab going to Lourdes Grotto. It was a long stairway journey going to the top. Then, we went down and took a cab going to Tamawan Village.

Too bad the huge dream catcher was destroyed by typhoon Karen a few days ago. Just outside the entrance of Tamawan Village is Arko ni Apo, where you can see art gallery and a small coffee shop.
We decided to pass the road less taken by tourists, we took a cab going to the Bell Church which is already outside Baguio and is just near La Trinidad, Benguet. This is a Chinese Church like the Taoist Temple in Cebu. Red is the prominent color of the place. During our visit, they do have a ribbon cutting ceremony of one of the pagodas.

From La Trinidad, we took a jeepney going back to Baguio City proper.

In the afternoon, we attended an English mass in Baguio Cathedral.



We pass again Session Road and re-visited SM Baguio to have a good view of the horizon before the sunset. We had an early dinner at Carlos Pizza.
We go back to the hotel early to catch the Beijing 2008 Olympics Closing Ceremony.

On our final day, we rise as early as 5am, check-out at around 6am. Since buffet breakfast is not yet set and Mc Donalds is still close, we left the building without taking breakfast and go straight to Victory Liner Baguio Terminal. We were able to catch the 6:30am trip and reached the Pasay station by 12:30 nn. Finally, we are back home.

Thanks to my brother who is with me on this travel, my mom for letting us go to this trip, to all the locals who we asked for directions, to all the bus, cab and jeepney drivers who helped us reached our destinations, to the hotel staff for taking care of our things. And most of all, to our Creator for not letting a typhoon or a hard rain in Baguio during our stay.

2008 August: Baguio, Philippines: Day 1: Quick Visit in Baguio

Thanks to the long weekend in Manila and finally I was able to visit Baguio. We reached the Victory Liner Pasay terminal by 9pm and had the ticket for the available ride at 12:30am. It has two stops, one in Tarlac and the other one is in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. By sunrise, we are already passing Marcos Highway. From the terminal, we took a cab going to Hotel Veniz. Be careful of the bystanders who are saying that Veniz is far and is fully booked.

Around 7am, we reached the hotel lobby. Since the check-in time is still 2pm, they let us leave our luggage at their small safety room. We just carry our valuables and started the Baguio adventure.

Hotel Veniz Lobby

Book Hotel Veniz, Baguio in Agoda

2008 July: Hong Kong: Day 2: Off Beaten Path

2008 July: Hong Kong: Day 2: Off Beaten Path

The following day, I decided that I would skip Noon Gun. I walked around the Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. I jump to MTR going to Kowloon Park. Since it started to rain, I left the place and took MTR going to Modern Toilet in Mongkok. Too bad I did not research on the time it will open, when I got there it was too early before I can order, haha! I then decided to move to my next target - Nan Lian and Chi Lin Nunnery. After that, I return to Modern Toilet by 2pm.

After having late lunch, I went back to my place in Causeway Bay to drop my shopping bags and pasalubongs. I took a nap because I got too tired carrying the bags. Then started walking again along the Causeway Bay area.

Next day, I got ready for my Macau Guided Tour. I booked on Splendid Tours (http://www.splendid.hk/new2005/eng/tours_detail.asp?id=2 ) for this trip. We went to St Paul Ruins and my major target here is visiting Senado Square to buy my coffee mug from Starbucks.

Since this is a budget trip I did not take Airport Express train going to the Airport, I waited again for a A11 Bus at the station. Good thing this time I was able to reach Philippines without any trouble or delay with Cebu Pacific.

Thanks to my family who allowed me to do this solo journey outside the country.

2008 July: Hong Kong: Day 1: Cheap City Tour

2008 July: Hong Kong: Day 1: Cheap City Tour

This is my second time in Hong Kong (July 2008), but I see this more of a challenge because now I’m doing it on a solo journey. I’m not really suppose to do this, not until I realized I’m just throwing a free one way ticket to HK.
I need to beat the September deadline of the expiration of the voucher and it is a factor to go there within the Summer Festival Season Sale. Too bad that the sale season is during the heavy rains of both Manila and HK.
I took the 8am flight on Tuesday bound to HK. For about 2 hour travel, I reached the HKIA. After a long walk from the arrival gate, you will transfer by train going to Terminal 1 for the Luggage and Immigration. Do exchange a few bucks at the Airport Money Changer for your immediate transactions. I bought the normal octopus card this time (since I don‘t need to try the Airport Express and is not in need of the 3 day free use of MTR).

After the photo op in the grounds of the Airport, find your way on the bus terminal, follow the arrows with signage “Bus to City”. The departure times of the A11 busses going to North Point passing Causeway Bay is every 20 minutes (00, 20, 40) from 9a to 23p. Luggage are left on the first level of the bus while most of the passengers go the second level for a better view on the bus ride.

No need to be afraid of when and where you are getting off. There are scrolling notes on the display on what stop they are arriving. I get-off the 14th stop for the Causeway Bay area. It is just near Sogo mall and everything is accessible from that point.
I booked on Alisan Guest House located in Flat 5A Hoito Court. I’m aware that the guest house owner or desk will be in different floor from the actual rooms.
After I settled my payments and my luggage, I decided to start my solo journey. I go straight to Central, checked out the Exchange Tower Three (building of our counter parts).
I got lost on finding my way to St. John’s Cathedral. Thank you to the Filipinos who help me find my way. Hehe!

Then , I got photo op on HK Park. By around 5pm I find my way to TST, checked on some camera stores for Nikon lens (was not able to buy one) and visited Esprit Outlet. I revisited Clock Tower, Avenue of Stars and waited until 8pm for the Symphony of Lights. I do recommend tripod for the night shots.