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Philippines, Travelinds

Chilling in Panagsama, Moalboal

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26 December 2013

There was a welcome break for one week over New Year’s, so we jetted off to Cebu for the week on a $200 return flight (Air Asia X) direct from Incheon International Airport to Mactan International Airport.

A three hour air-conditioned taxi ride later (at 2000 pesos, shared between four tourists we managed to round up) we arrived at Panagsama, Moalboal.  On the way back we took the local bus back to the Cebu City South Bus Terminal (open windows, less than 200 pesos, 4 hours) and enjoyed it much more than the crazy taxi driving. And then took a taxi from the bus terminal to the airport (220 pesos).

Sumisid lodge was everything we had hoped for and was well worth the trip.  With clean rooms and cosy facilities, it is a lovely little place with its own strip of beach sand and snorkelling spots right off the shore.  There are tables, chairs, sofas and beach loungers available and the adjacent dive center offers alternative activites, as well as motorbike hire options.  The breakfast options at Sumisid Lodge were great and the american breakfast (with REAL, crispy bacon) was our main preference for the week.

As this was a week between the end of semester and English Winter Camps, we literally did nothing for the entire six days. Two novels, a nice tan, plenty of delicious food and a lot of sleep left us feeling completely refreshed and ready to head back to work the next week.

We did take a walk along the coastline from Panagsama towards White Beach, but could only get as far as the Kasai Resort (read more here).  We didn’t do the trip to the nearby waterfall, or snorkel, or do any other ‘day trips’ that can be done to other parts of Cebu. We did take a short motorbike trip one morning to see White Beach, but after seeing our accomodation options (New Year’s week is quite full so not much was available), we quickly retreated back to Panagsama to lounge around at Sumisid lodge. Next time!

Panagsama strip is a great place for restaurant choice too and top three were:

1. Czech In (European cooking, fine-dining, high price) – try “fish of the day” and the tuna steak. The desserts were really delicious too!

2. The Pleasure Principle Resto (Mixed cuisine, reasonably priced) – great for lunches and excellent mango shakes!

3. Chilli Bar (Mixed cuisine, reasonably priced) – don’t miss out on sunset drinks and dinner to look over the bay at the turtles popping up all around.

Panagsama really impressed us with its chilled out vibe, friendly locals,reasonably priced restaurants and lodges and the many options to either relax or do a range of different activities.  We definitely hope to be back there soon!

South Africa, Travelinds

East London – I <3 South Africa

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Destination: East London,

Eastern Cape, South Africa

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Source: www.routes.co.za

Description:

East London is a lovely coastal city in the wilder parts of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa.  It has a small harbour, really beautiful beaches, sought-after schools and maintains a relaxed small-town vibe.  It even has two shopping malls – Vincent Park and Hemingways Mall.

My favourite place:

This has to be a toss up between two classic Slummies landmarks – the rugged expanse of the sandy Nahoon Beach and a famous drive in cafe called The Windmill, with THE best milkshakes (in the world?), ice-creams and toasted sandwiches.

Tourist Spots:

Best Beaches: Nahoon beach, Gonubie Beach, Cintsa

Best Restaurants: Two Dogs (Beacon Bay), Le Petit (Nahoon), Cafe Neo (beachfront), Fish River Sun (highway), Lavender Blue (Beacon Bay), The Heavenly Pancake House (Gonubie).

Tourist Spots: There are also so many private game reserves on the coastal road from East London to Port Elizabeth and the famous Nanaga Farm Stall where you can find a plethora of curios, as well as fresh and delicious South African snacks like biltong, nuts, chocolate treats and dried fruit.

Accommodation: We’d also like to recommend a stay at the Seaforth Guest House, a quaint bed and breakfast right near the beach in Gonubie – they also offer an on-site beauty salon. Bonus!

Day Trips:

From East London, a day trip to the following destinations is a breeze: Hogsback, Cintsa beaches, Port Alfred, Bathurst, Grahamstown and Trennery’s Hotel.

Don’t forget to do the absolutely beautiful drive along the coastline to the north of East London.  Grab a picnic lunch and beach gear and explore the coastline to find the hidden treasures of Glen Gariff, Haga-Haga and Morgan’s Bay too!

Fun facts:

Nicknames: The Slum, Slondon, Slummies

Rugby team: Border Bulldogs

Check out more posts about South Africa here >> *I <3 South Africa*

South Korea, Travelinds

Guardians of Gyeongbok Palace

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24 December 2013

On visiting the Gyeongbok Palace (Gyeongbokgung) in Seoul, I happened to notice some mysterious figurines on the corners of the roof, especially for the larger buildings.  Intrigued, I investigated a little further and found that these are traditional Korean figures called Japsang (잡상).

The figures depict the grandeur of the building (more Japsang means the building is of higher importance), as well as the shamanistic beliefs that these figurines work to ward off evil spirits. This notion was apparently derived from the characters of a traditional Chinese story called “Journey To The West”, which follows the adventures of Monk Xanzang, a Bhuddist monk who went to India in search of sacred writings.

There are about ten guardians, which are placed in a specific order on the sloping roof and always arranged in odd numbers.

Some of the most important characters are:

  • Monk Xanzang, the main character
  • Sonojeong, The Monkey King
  • Jeopalgye, the Pig Monster
  • Saojeong, the Half-Water Demon
  • Iguryong, Double-mouthed Dragon.
  • Mahwasang, Horse
  • Cheonsangap, Pangolin

Another example of just how much the Korean culture has been influenced by the Chinese nation, even though most are loathe to admit it.

Philippines, Travelinds

Turtle Point and Virgin Island

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22 January 2014

Balicasag Island

Part of our snorkel tour included a couple of hours at Balicasag Island (off the coast of Bohol).  We started out with snorkelling and then headed on to the deserted stretch of beach in front of the island lodge to wile away a few hours of sunshine.

Balicasag Island has a tiny local population most of whom thrive off the tourism to the island by selling trinkets and running the small local food stalls where tourists can grab a bite to eat.  There is also a lodge on the island which looked quite peaceful. It is a very small island and you could walk around it in under an hour. There are shallow reefs right off the beach which means you have to take a boat out to the drop-off to be able to snorkel.

This is, of course, another money grabbing scheme (not only to ‘protect the reefs’) because you need to pay a local boy to take you out to the spot on his tiny boat.  He supervises you and then returns you to the shore where you can go back to your original speedboat.  We had to pay the boatman to take us out to turtle point (he rows) in this TINY two man boat (three of us) against a very strong current. Interesting, and fun.  And we were happy to be supporting his monumental efforts at transporting at least 160kgs of us to the Turtle Point.  It didn’t look that far, but it took a long time to row out there.

The snorkelling choices here were one of three places (we could do more than one if we paid an additional fee per snorkel spot). We chose to go to “Turtle Point” as it seemed the least likely spot to be filled with boatloads of tourists. As we had hoped, we were the only ones snorkelling there, probably due to the very strong currents that abound off that particular point.  H held on to the boat for a while to try and stay in one place longer to admire the underwater beauty and R managed to read the currents a little better.

The main thing is that we actually swam with turtles, H for the first time, and we saw at least 15 turtles altogether.  It was super exciting! Turtles are really the most graceful creatures and despite looking like slow-pokes, it was impossible to keep up with them. It was an amazing experience!

Virgin Island

Virgin Island

The next stop on the island hopping tour was Virgin Island (it’s nickname only) and this was truly one of the most beautiful islands I have ever seen.  White sand and the bluest water colour of any bay I’ve seen around the world – it is so difficult to describe that clear-sparkling-blue-cobalt-turquoise-perfection!

The island has no shade whatsoever, so take suncream, hats and sarongs to cover yourself.  You can walk across a shallow sandbank to a mini island with a few mangrove trees.  Be careful, the sun is hot and the walk is way longer than it looks! Dodge the sea urchins and marvel at the beautiful pansy shells and starfish that lie strewn across this stretch of sand.

It was the perfect place to end the day with an afternoon snack of bananas and bread rolls our well-deserved reward for reaching the other side of the sandbank. Stunning!

South Korea, Travelinds

National Folk Museum of Korea

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14 December 2013

The National Folk Museum of Korea houses quite a few interesting exhibits about life and culture in South Korea.  The museum is next to the Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul and admission is free (remember, it is closed on Tuesdays).

It is quite an eye-catching building with the traditional Korean architecture towering above the pretty park (which, when we went, was also covered in a thick layer of white snow).

We chose to do a guided English tour (at 14.30) with a Korean guide and to watch a (free) traditional music performance that was being hosted at the museum auditorium.  It is definitely worth a visit, especially with its convenient proximity to the Gyeongbok palace and Insadong for touristy sightseers.

Our guide at the museum was wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed her quirky take on the Korean life and culture!  Her English name was Hillary and she chatted away to us about the museum where she has been a volunteer English guide since she was a university student. She loves the gig so much that she still continues her volunteering every Saturday, because she now works during the week.   Her hope is that this guide work will help her to improve her English even more and also allow her to meet foreigners (waegooks) from all countries of the world.

Outside the museum are the twelve Chinese Zodiac animals with birth years engraved so you can find your own.  Not that we are superstitious at all, but it was fun to see the details.  I’m a Tiger (ferocious and stubborn) and he’s a Rat (highly intelligent and sneaky) – sounds about right!

Be sure to check out the little street of restaurants across the road from the museum, we found such a cute one in a little alleyway.  The lunch cafe is situated inside an old Korean house converted into a little eating spot called ‘Rice’ (밥).

South Korea, Travelinds

Rice

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14 December 2013

This cute little restaurant called ‘밥’ (said ‘bap’, it means rice) was hidden in one of the alleyways opposite the National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul.  It is an old Korean house, with traditional low ceilings, sliding doors and floor seating, which was turned into a little eatery.

You leave your shoes at the door, duck through the entrance and sit down on the floor in front of the low tables.  The menu is simple and consists of Kimchi Jikae (spicy kimchi soup), fish kimchi jikae (with small fish in the soup) and other very traditional Korean dishes (considered as ‘light lunches’).  If you can’t read Korean, the menu on the wall might be difficult to decipher without any pictures available.  As in any traditional Korean restaurant, a bowl of steamed rice and a range of side dishes (Banchan) are usually included.

We walked across the road from the museum, up the street where there are restaurants, coffee shops and the modern art museum.  The ‘Bap’ restaurant is down one of the little alleyways opposite a Greek art gallery.

Machika jusaeyo “맛있게주세요” – bon appetit!

South Korea, Travelinds

Seoul Forest

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6 December 2013

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This weekend, we went to Seoul Forest (서울 숲 pronounced “soh-ool soop”) for a picnic with some Korean friends.  It is a large green area set along the northern side of the Han River (한강) and surprisingly, right in the center of the bustling metropolis of Seoul; although surrounded by trees and twittering birds, it certainly doesn’t feel like you are in the middle of this massive city.

History

tumblr_mxc1f1OH1A1s64282o2_400Seoul Forest was opened in 2005 by Korea’s controversial tenth president, Lee Myung-bak, while he was still the Mayor of Seoul.  The Seoul Forest consists of five “themed” parks (sculpture, ecological etc) and it covers over approximately 1.16 million square metres.  Lee Myung-bak also created the beautiful Cheonggyecheon stream (one of my favourite places in Seoul!) and he is also accredited with having introduced the rapid transit buses to the city’s transportation system.

Our Visit

It was truly amazing to find this little piece of heaven in the middle of the craziness that is Seoul and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the park and forest during the peaceful afternoon.

We managed to get to the sculpture park, a couple of open grassy patches, an educational greenhouse, a butterfly farm, a deer enclosure, waterfalls and quiet benches; as well as plenty of place to picnic, ride bikes, walk and enjoy the sunshine.  There is is also a bridge near the deer enclosure, which leads over the wide Han River to the other side.  The south side of the Han River is mainly sports parks, walking areas and bicycle tracks.tumblr_mxc1f1OH1A1s64282o6_400tumblr_mxc1f1OH1A1s64282o5_250

Armed with our silver picnic mat and gimbap (as the Koreans do), we found a shady spot near the grassy patch that was also hosting a children’s festival that day called “Treasure Island”; near the convenience store and coffee shop, which are also, obviously, available in the middle of the forest (because, it would be unacceptable to escape to a forest if there wasn’t a convenience store and a coffee shop available).  Only in Korea I tell you!

Getting there

As with anywhere is Seoul, you can get easily get to the park in several different ways.

Car: We drove here using the GPS and paid about 8,000won for (outside) parking for the afternoon.tumblr_mxc1f1OH1A1s64282o7_400

Bus: Front entrance (2014, 2412, 2413 or 2224, and get off at Seoul Forest), or Back entrance (141, 145, 148 or 410, and get off at the back gate of Seoul Forest).

Subway: Seoul Forest Station (Subway Bundang Line), Exit 3.  or
Ttukseom Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 8.tumblr_mxc1f1OH1A1s64282o3_250

Make the trip

It was certainly worth the trip and we hope to visit here again soon.  What a lovely retreat for Seoulites who need to escape the madness of the city for while!

South Africa, Travelinds

Travelinds <3 South Africa

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5 Dec 2013

Sawubona, Dumela, Molo, Hoegaanit, Howzit, Yo, Hello!
Since we are so passionate about South Africa, it felt appropriate to start a series of South African travel posts on this sad day, the final passing of our former president, Nelson Mandela (8 July 1918 – 5 December 2013).

South Africa is a land of beauty, energy, diversity, struggle, victory and determination – and where Travelinds calls home.  It boasts a wide array of cultures, 11 official languages, colourful traditions and an indescribable natural beauty.  Its recent history is filled with rage and confusion, its present is filled with tenacious endurance and the future of this ‘Rainbow Nation’ is yet to be determined.

Over the next few months, we’ll post a series of our favourite places to go in South Africa – there are so many! It’s the perfect destination for honeymooners, families, groups of friends, hikers, adrenaline junkies, curious travellers, destination weddings and nature enthusiasts.

There is so much to tell.

Our home, our South Africa.

South Korea, Travelinds

First Snow

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18 November 2013

Today was the “First Snow” or, 첫눈 in South Korea.  Pronounced similar to “choh noon” this magically captivating event is viewed with awe and admiration by the Korean people.  It is even believed by some of a more superstitious nature, that if you make a wish during the first snow, it will most certainly come true.

Although today’s snowfall was fleeting and the snowflakes only lasted a few moments on the ground before disappearing, it was a wonderful feeling to watch the snow falling slowly through the air and hearing the absolute delight in the voices of excited school children all around us.

I’m sure we won’t have to wait too long now until the real snow starts to transform the Korean landscape.

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South Korea, Travelinds

Hangeul Day Adventure

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Hangeul Day – 09 October 2013

To celebrate the origins of the Korean language (Hangeul), Korea celebrates a national holiday on 09 October each year, known as “Hangeul” day. Since it was a day off from school, we ventured out with friends.

We drove into Dangjin for brunch and ended up at Lunar Rich (loo-nah-lee-chee), an Italian style restaurant opposite from the Art and Culture Centre. A delicious meal (we had the lunch set) with salad, pizza, pasta and coffee or cola.  A lovely ‘authentic’ Italian meal was a nice surprise from the usual ‘Kor-talian’ options that are usually available at these “Italian” restaurants.

We then headed off to the seaside village of Sapgyoho (only 20 minutes from Dangjin), to find the new circus being advertised.  The new building (which can be seen from the expressway) resembles a circus tent both on the outside and the inside.  It is not the ‘travelling’ circus concept we were used to from South Africa, but in fact, a troupe of Chinese acrobats that have apparently committed to performing at this venue for the foreseeable future.  It opened on 03 October 2013.

After the first act, we were both thinking this was more of an amateur show. However, by the end of the 90 minute performance we were absolutely stunned by the talent and professional, jaw-dropping routines of the young acrobats. Truly, the most amazing performance of acrobatic feats and fearless commitment to excellence I’ve ever seen.  Contortionists, swan dance acrobatics and so many other fascinating routines kept us rivetted throughout the show.

Head on over to the show (13.30, 16.30, 19.30 – every day) – it’s easy to get to Sapgyoho (by bus) from Dangjin.

South Korea, Travelinds

Korean Formula 1 Grand Prix 2013

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Sunday, 06 October 2013

F1 GP 2013Today marked the annual Korean Formula 1 Grand Prix.  The race began at 15.00pm with a colourful opening cermony kicking off at 2 p.m.  The opening parade, with participants dressed to the nines in traditional Korean ‘hanbok’ and ‘Samulnori’ clothing, showcased true Korean drama and legendary story-telling, through Korean dance.

The crowd was then treated to a daring display of fighter jet formations by the Korean Black Eagles flying squad.  Death-defying manouvers and colourful smoke creations (even a red heart with a blue arrow through it) kept everybody entertained.  F1 GP 2013 JetsThe sound of the jet flying over us at close proximity was enough to give everybody a huge fright and a taste of the noisy car engines to come (although the fighter jet engine felt about a hundred times louder than the cars!)

The weather was surprisingly good, if just a little windy, despite ominous predictions earlier in the week of a typhoon touching down on Sunday.  Our seats were in Grandstand G this time, with a good view of the cars coming out of the first straight and then a view of turns 7,8,9 and 10, which is luckily where some of the action happened during the Formula 1 race.F1 GP 2013 Drivers

We support Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) and Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) and this is the second year we have enjoyed great performances from both of these drivers at the Korean circuit.  Vettel came first (again), led every lap and also got the fastest lap of the race, much to the
disgust of some of the Italian Ferrari fans sitting nearby us; a
nd Raikkonen came in at second position by overtaking his teammate (Grosjean) late in the race.

The race was pretty exciting with blown out tyres, appreciative crowds drowned out by the deafening drone of the powerful Formula 1 car engines and even a dramatic fire, caused by a bump earlier in the race that must have ignited something.
Mark Webber was the unlucky driver whose car caught fire and he had to escape before flames engulfed it in a cloud of black smoke.
Incidentally, this happened right at the end of the straight where we could watch all the action live from our seats, with a little help from the big screen for the details.

A great outing as usual!

F1 GP 2013 Track