My Palawan

**My AU_some PALAWAN**

Two years have passed since I went to Muscat Oman to work as an OFW and within that two years, this was the first time I was finally Home. Yes, Im back to my beloved country, The Philippines!
My emotions coming back home was so strong that they are hard to describe. Anyways, I miss my hometown a lot and nothing really beats the tagline "its more fun in The Philippines". It gives me a sense of comfort and belonging.

My vacation to the Philippines means a Family Vacation. So when I started planning our family vacation, my wallet started to cry.....choz.....hahahaha...!

Since I am a person with a deep concern for our environment I decided to bring my family to Palawan. Palawan is one of my favorite destination since it emerged as one of the top
island destination in the world.

 To make sure things will worked out during our family vacation I booked a travel agent to help us see everything and experience the most toured place Palawan could offer. This helps me map out exactly how much a trip will cost, and that means no surprises. 

The tour packages in Palawan is classified with different types of tours. There is Puerto Prinsesa tour, El Nido tour and Coron Tour. And in this tour there are wide range of activities and places to visit. Gusto kung puntahan ang lahat kaso nakakapagod din hehehe...Lastly, I decided that our tour consist of Puerto Prinsesa tour with El Nido tour...Hooraah!!

Kayaking at Small Lagoon

I've learned my paddling skills from Oman Dragon Boat Club...pwede!!

Snorkeling at Big Lagoon

We started off to EL Nido. Our tour guide met us at the airport and escorted us to the van on the way to our Hotel in El Nido town. The drive going there was 6 hours long plus the 30 minutes food stops that have clean CRs. My mother needs a bladder break at kelangan mag bugbugan ng konti ung mga Pamangkin ko sa labas...LOL!!

Truly, no words can describe El Nido!...the place really blew me away! Thanks to God, there's a place like this.

Lunch at Shimizu Island

 Exploring the secret Lagoon

Pa BeBe and Swimming at the Final stop....7 Commandos Beach

 Next day, we went to Puerto Prinsesa Palawan for our Underground River Tour. We went there on time and as planned, no hassles of getting the permit and stuff daw, kasi nga we have our tour agency to do that..chuserang peg! They only allow certain number of visitors per day to preserve the area.

I have 3 Nephew's ( two 4 and 6 years old). Going to palawan is quite a journey with children, those plane rides, boat rides and island hopping. But, it went out well. My nephews enjoyed it a lot. I asked them to eat those little gummy bears 30 minutes before each trip hahaha...we also bought puke bag, lots of food and water and an Ipad.

Side trip to Underground River Tour

We cant get enough of puerto prinsesa, so we went for a City Tour on our 4th day! There are lots of popular tourist attractions.
But what we have included in our trip was the Crocodile Farm, Bakers Hill, Butterfly Garden and Souvenir Shops.

Nothing is as exciting as coming face to face with a wild animal but its even more exciting when you can actually hold them...eeehhh, naku try this ang saya! hehehe..150 pesos for the printed souvenir picture. 

Bakers Hills 

 There is nothing better than the smell of of fresh baked pastries coming out of the oven. I love it here, the pastries are so delicious but way to expensive. Just buy some.

 Butterfly Eco Garden

Souvenir Shop

This is what our family loves most, shopping! What we have bought, pearls, souvenir shirts of palawan, keychains, ref magnet, dried pusit, wallets, banana chips, at kung ano ano pa...

The End....My verdict. I'll definitely be back to Palawan. 

Love yah ol peeps!!

Annyeong Korea 2, Lost in Seoul

I woke up in a chilly and breezy morning on my 3rd day in Korea. I don't know exactly the temperature but I guess it ranges from 17-24 C. Coming from a warm place like Oman, my body needs a major adjustment to this sudden decreased in temperature.

We started our day at 8 am and decided to see the famous Seoul Tower. We rode the subway going to Itaewon and again rode a bus going to Namsan. 

My cousin actually forgot the particular bus stop going to the tower, without asking for help, we just alight in a place where there are some Ajussi and Ajummas crowding in the area. 

Then we asked one Ahjumma according to her, we have to walk the trails to climb the mountain 

(Mt. Namsan) to reached the tower...hahahaha..:(

It took us maybe 1 hour to reached the open space in Seoul Tower. 30 minutes walking and 30 minutes to be mesmerize by the view of nature in the Fortress trail.

I really appreciate a country that promotes exercise and well being. These are outdoor exercise equipment made for the public. I have noticed this equipments while roaming around Hongdae, Myeongdong and Hangang Park. I wish Philippines will promote the same thing. For those Beer Bellies and FHHM ladies...no offense ha!!

It was a crowded day at Seoul Tower, we took some snaps in the area and went to the roof terrace where the whole place was filled with Locks.

Here are some of the best couple locks I noticed.

I cant helped to noticed the scribbling in some areas; like this one:

From the rooftop you can see the view of the city by telescopes, but if you want more wide range view from the top then you have to buy a ticket.

We got the tickets for Digital Observatory Tower for 18,000 won each. There are some options and packages to choose from in the tower but we choose the cheapest one!

Whoa, the view from the tower was awesome! It had a huge glass window to view the entire city at 360 degree.

Here is our souvenir photo taken from Seoul Tower! 

   ...oooppss ..where is that??? its missing..haizzzt!!

I haven't had the time to read the History however I got to read this one....Interesting.

If you left Seoul Tower early you might miss this sword performance which started at 3 pm at the plaza. 

Korean Men wearing ancient types Korean combat clothing.

I'm happy to have captured great images of them while performing their martial arts performance.

Korean Traditional Drummers.

A cute Korean guy catches my attention hahaha...

Of course I got a chance to take some photos with the performers, they are so nice and approachable...feeling KPOP lang...

We left Seoul tower at 5pm and headed to Namdaemun Market just to grab Traditional Korean Food. We have come to this place....

and ordered this...

Jajangmyeon (Noodles in black bean sauce)

Tang su yuk (Korean sweet and sour pork)

I honestly didn't like the jajangmyeon that I ordered but I still finished the bowl of noodles out of courtesy. As the Restaurant owner and staff are very nice. And the Tang sayuk was just OK!

At night we headed towards the Banpo bridge along Han River by subway, again following and depending on my cousin who knows the way. But unfortunately, she's having a short term amnesia during that day and for the second time, we were lost! Then we asked some locals in the area to give us directions on how to go to Banpo bridge but they just give us confusing answers. Although we could barely see it, but were unable to reached the bridge and were tired of walking. Luckily, a middle aged man who knows a little English and our last person to ask before we gave up, offers his service to bring us there exactly at the bridge!

We arrived at Banpo Bridge and thanked the man who save us! 

There was a huge park in the area, so we stroll around, set up my camera into night mode setting and took pictures. Then, at exactly 09:00pm, the Light Show starts! Yes, this is what I came here for. The magnificent lights of Banpo bridge dancing on top of Han River...the water dancing with the sound of the music and changing its colors which lasted for 20 minutes was so amazing. Its a dream location for a wannabe photographer like me.

That ended my 2nd day tour in Korea...although I did get lost most of the time during my trip, sooner or later I would get back on track again. So no worries, that is the most exciting part of my travel experience hahaha....and for sure my guardian angel is always guiding me! Heres one quotes I love so much and wanted to share with you... “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”  ― Ernest Hemingway. More to come!

For those who who want to come here this is the best direction:

> Take Subway Line 3, Line 7 or Line 9 to Express Bus Terminal Station (Exit 8-1).

    After exiting, continue for 300 meters until you reach an intersection with an elevated road.

    Turn right and continue for about 15 minutes or 800 meters to reach the Banpo Hangang Park and the           bridge.

> Take bus 405 or 8340 to Banpo Hangang Park.