Another Ice Fishing Festival (Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival)

Years ago, one of my early posts on this blog, was of an ice fishing festival somewhere in Korea (can't recall where nor find it on the blog). I wanted to go back and give it another go since we didn't catch anything back then. So I got my roommate, Yvonne, and a few other friends to have a go at it.

China and Hong Kong

Food was cheap. Tourist attractions? Not so much. China proved challenging to navigate despite being such a well known country and tourist destination. That being said, the cost and complications made a lot of things forbidding, but interesting as well. We had to get by without even the most basic English in most places and get lost enough times. Somehow, though, we didn't miss any of our train stops.

Prequel: South East Asia and Learning How To Travel

Situations that push you to leave your comfort zone often bring you face to face with the fact that you are not who you like to think you are, nor who you'd like to be.

Part 1: Philippines and Vietnam.

We started our trip briefly in the Philippines as an extended layover before going to Vietnam. There we stayed with some friends Keat met at a Frisbee tournament. We were mostly in Manila, which really doesn't have much for tourists unless you're going to shell out for some of the more expensive entertainment. In the end it was more about the company. I had a really great time with people who treated me like a close friend. We were taken around, entertained and treated generously; my second time receiving a prime example of Filipino hospitality. It was only 4 days or so before it was time to head to Vietnam though.

Part 2: The Kingdom of Cambodia

Going over in Vietnam ended with us cutting out days in Cambodia. Upon arrival, we were to meet Pablo who had just arrived a few days ago. It’s hard to communicate without cellphones. 

Part 3: Laos

Keat and I met up again on the island of Don Det in an area called 4000 Islands. (Cool name, but it wasn’t THAT many islands. Laos is landlocked so everything was in the Mekong river. Not much space for islands there.) We had cut time out from Cambodia to get back on schedule but were thrown off track again by 4 nights in Don Det.

Conclusions and the Nice Photos

I had a lot of things I still wanted to say but the grind of school and other pending things has shooed them to the back of my mind. I mostly remember thinking that Vietnamese and Cambodian people are so kind and always smiling, and that I want to go back to all of the places I missed, to try all of the activities I couldn’t afford before, and eat the better however pricier food I avoided. There was rock climbing, hot air balloons, bicycle tours, motorcycle tours, quad bike tours, elephant tours, 2-3 day treks, paragliding, zip lining, performances and more that we had to pass up due to tight budget restrictions. Yet I’m still glad I had what was one of the most amazing experiences of my life so far, but I expect next will be even more.

But that’s that. At least for now. To end I will share all of my “good photos” or at least the ones that just aren’t for story telling. Enjoy!

On the Road in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore

Road trip!

Peddle Down to Busan

It's been about a year since I wrote the last posts here on my trip to the Philippines, and ever since I haven't had much to write about, or much time either. Finally after our last adventure I have an experience to talk about. Biking down to Busan!

Philippines part 4

This is the last of the video. It may seem inconclusive but nearing the end of the trip I was just relaxing and not doing as much (already low on money) so I didn't film much either. Plus I wanted to focus more on taking photos.

A Sporty Family

This is a bit very overdue, but my last days in the Philippines were busy and once I got back to Korea there was lots to do too... lots of procrastination...
No but seriously, had people to see, things to catch up with, errands to run, photos to photoshop, and although I still could've done this earlier, I didn't.
What yo gon do 'bout it?

Picture Time!

Just some of the pictures I've been able to post-process so far. All of these were taken in Negros.

Just my second out of 3 lechones.

No words necessary. Just Pig.

Relaxing in Paradise

By now I intended to have posted more, but I had no internet the past 5 days so I'm updating y'all now.

Sky Adventure Park and Going to Negros Island

And some more video on my stay here in the Philippines.

First day here

Well you don't get to see much yet, but its what I was able to do!

Finally, a Real Vacation

After almost a year and a half of studies, I finally get a full on vacation. Also my first chance to leave Korea after all this time.

It's a chance to finally relax and reflect on my experiences during this time. I remember my first days here, I wondered how it would feel like to be here as compared to then, when it was all new and shiny and confusing to me. Well the confusing part has faded... partially... but there are still so many things I don't get. Call it culture clash, but in the open-minded setting I was raised in I never thought I could disagree so much with a culture.

My Home, School, and the World Expo

You know, when I first started slowing down on blogs it was because I was running out of things to blog about. Wasn't doing much, just studying Korean and going out every once-in-a while.
But now, I have lots to blog about but no time!
So lets start with me finally introducing my new home and school...

Angmong, The Music Video teasers and International-Food Day!

It's been over a month now, and it's been one hectic as hell month. Besides school, I've had lots of things to do while also trying to spend time with friends. Finally moved to my new home which has allowed me to cook and live more comfortably though. I love having a stove again.

This is harder than I thought...

Finally was able to take some classes... this is going to be a very hard semester!!!
I was very excited to start college, excitement that was burnt out after all of the issues I had with the management here, and my dorm. Now that all of those issues are solved... it has NOT been smooth sailing.