zee Pilipinas

I am relatively well travelled I'd like to think. I have be fortunate enough to visit and experience a variety of different cultures, especially this year, of which I am so very grateful. 

Upon booking my most recent trip to the Philippines, I anticipated a tropical place, similar to the atmosphere is experienced while in Bali. I knew too that it would be a poor area; I've been to Bali, I've been to Mazatlan, I've been to Nicaragua ... It will be relatively similar. Or so I thought.

Bali has a friendly, colourful feeling. Everyone was happy and extra welcoming. Mazatlan and Nica were both fun places where the people were busy working and seemingly content. In the Philippines, however, there was a sense of devastation and longing to be anywheres else but there. 

I was truly shocked at the contrast between not only the places I've visited prior but also at the contrast of what I imagined it to be like. Mayhaps it was just the areas I stayed in? I am not sure. 

I did throroughly enjoy my stay though. So happy to have used airbnb.com in choosing places to stay. 

My first stop was with a familia in Makati. I met there friends, went to a birthday party, saw a play, received free ballet tickets and ate great food. 

Second was Boracay with a girl an er boyfriend. Was so nice to have a personal tour guide, letting me know the best places to eat. 

The rain definitely put a bit of a damper on this overall, but that did not stop me from fully enjoying my time away. What a great way to start pulling back from the job I am leaving. Was so wonderful to not have a schedule and to wander aimlessly. 

Traveling as a Lifestyle Choice

Lately I am embarking upon severe research of the Philippines. I have another solo trip coming up that I am madly attempting to plan without the utilization of tour groups; ie. planning out everything on my own. This is all fun and swell, minus the fact that the Philippines is so spread out you are required to fly most places. With limited time to visit and in wanting to limit my funds, I need to do some heavy planning prior to leaving so as to capitalize on cheap flights within the areas I wish to venture off to. So many options and adventures to be had as well!

I have stumbled onto a few Canadians who have given up the daily 9-5 grind and have commenced a life of travel abroad and working along the way. They seem to be so happy. I am having a strong and positive reaction to this (potential) lifestyle change ... Prepare yourself friends and family! :) The most notable blogs have been: goatsontheroad.com    vagabondish.com   and   travelingcanucks.com
It is like they were sent to me at this time.

Mayhaps after this stink in South Korea, accompanied with my few mini excursions in Southeast Asia, I will do nothing more than continue this work and travel abroad; though this time around there will be much more emphasis on the traveling and relaxing portion than, as we all know how this year has been (not to complain or sound ungrateful; this just has seriously NOT been what I was expecting or hoping for myself this year).

Who knows, I could be that dirrrty kid who backpacks forever ... I think my heartstrings and fingers are crossed for this option. But how do you complete unplug from the life you (I) have left back home? - in terms of finances, the daily grind, etc ...

Pak

Sitting on a subway, reading A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens. This is how I am spending a vast majority of my sunny, crisp Sunday off; traveling way south (about two hours!) for an ayurvedic appointment and to meet up with mon aimée to grab a legit Canadian burger. Stoked on life at zee moment, though slightly disheartened to be stuck on a train. I'm missing out on feeling the sunrays dance over my body.

Today, an older gentlemen sat beside me. He was dressed like the typical weekend warrior Korean hiker. Totally exuding the part. A real nature man. I could sense he came with a purpose. Sure enough he had an English language question. To be fair, I definitely look the part to assist him, eapecially being the only "whitey" for the entire train!

Pak and I got a talking. It was a lovely conversation. So nice to have a human connection again. A connection outside of work. A connection to snap one back into the real world, whatever that means. It's quite disheartening to look upon the vast masses as see everyone on their phone and other electronic devices, purposefully ignoring others. I can slightly remeber a time when you would make idle chit chat with those on a bus. Those days are long gone, and mostly dead.

Except for today.

Pak has been to BC and many parts of te states for school and for visiting purposes. I find it very admirable and rad he has had so many life adventures. Definitely feeds my itch to travel and explore and to say "what the fuck," because really, what do I have to loose?!

This is life. We only have NOW. Why not seize the moments, capitalize on all the excitemt and exhilaration that there is to be had. Money will come and go. People will come and go. And sometimes experiences come and go; I am not wanting to pass these up.

Also Pak likes Canadian more - we're friendlier. Win for Home! 

Green Tea Fields - Boseong

Wow! This place took FOREVER to get to. Way long than I was told as well (8 hrs there). So long so that we had to spend the night there. Ugh! But in the end way worth it. Beautiful scenery. 

Japan VS Korea

Wow! Japan was a whirl wind. The WinK (when in Korea) trip was three days long; really it felt like three weeks with how much travelling we did and all the things we saw and adventures we had.

I hoped in the subway (about 1.5 hrs) after work Tuesday and ended up in Seoul where I met the other WinK travellers. We took a bus to Busan (about  8 hrs). We were in Busan for 10 hrs. We wandered to the beach front which was beautiful. Reminded me of Nica. Also ventured to the fish market and in the streets. Took the ferry to Japan (about 8 hrs).

Saw a shrine and castle our first day. Went to Aso Mountain the next day: a sulfur volcano-type. Hiked that evening with the hostel owner. Went to an onsen (naked, outdoor, hot, mineral, hot spring type). Shopped in Fukoka that night. Bus to ferry in the a.m. (about 3 hrs). Ferry took us back to Busan (about 6 hrs). Bus to Seoul (about 6 hrs). Taxi home, arriving at 130 a.m. Having to teach this day. 

Youwza!

The air was instantly cleaner, clearer and fresher in Japan. Was a great change.

The people were so much friendlier! They didn't stare at you out of judgement and resentment as they do in Korea at times, but out of curiosity.

Their body types are more similar to ours. Koreans are aneorxic. 

Everyone dresses the same - fancy - in Korea. In Japan everyone had their own style.

Was a very different shift.

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA

JAPAN

SHRINE

CASTLE

ASO MOUNTAIN

HIKE

ONSEN

LAST BREAKFAST