Kath's Journey | Going one step at a time: nature

Solo in Tokyo (Day 7): Inokashira Park Zoo

November 07, 2021

After my super wonderful visit at the Ghibli Museum, I decided to roam around the area. My next destination was this store that sells Totoro Cream Puffs (as seen from the Eatyourkimchi YT Channel) within the area, but I saw on Google Maps that there were also places of interest along the way, like the Inokashira Park Zoo. But since this time I don't have a set appointment to rush to, I just went at my own pace and leisurely took a walk in the area.

Really, I think that's the beauty of not having a set itinerary during a trip. During this meditative walk, I was able to deeply observe my environment and absorb everything through my senses. And of course, I took photos, too!

One of the things that I really loved about Tokyo is their wide parks. Along the way, I did some sightseeing. I even got to stroll along that dog park that I always see in the Eatyourkimchi videos.

I also got to watch some elderlies play tennis in one area. I took a break from walking and just sat on a bench facing the tennis field (I didn't take photos out of respect). I was amazed how physically fit they were. I think they were around the same age as my parents. I suddenly felt that longing feeling to also have the same life as them -- in this kind of environment: nice park with nature all around, full of stamina as I play tennis with my friends. I told myself if ever I reach that age, I want to still be able to play physical sports like them! 👵👴🎾💗

At this point, cherry blossom trees are a common sighting for me. But damn, I will never get tired looking at those beauties. 🌸

I literally stopped and smelled the flowers. 🌺

I did a lot of mindful walking throughout this trip, and that includes this day. It's already past lunch time (around 2PM) and it was a gloomy day. I was mostly alone walking along this road, but I didn't mind. This was just one of the magic of this trip. I felt like I was in a safe place.

As always, Google Maps was my best friend during the trip. And thanks to this sign, I now know that I'm close to my destination!

And here we are! We have arrived at the zoo!

I can't remember anymore how much I paid for the ticket, but I remember showing my passport because you get a tourist discount!

There were not many people in the park. I think it became more of a photowalk for me. I took photos of everything that interested me. 😂📷

I told you, there were no people in the zoo. 😅

One of their attractions here is this Squirrel Trail. The squirrels were kept in an enclosed area and visitors are the ones who will enter that area to take a closer look at them.

Good thing there were English instructions. I didn't know what I was doing most of the time. But good thing I didn't do anything wrong to disturb these furry animals.

Aaahh just look at this cutie! 😍

Yes, I spent the next several minutes of my life taking photos and videos of these cuties. I suddenly remembered that statement one of my thesismates said to me during a zoo visit also in Seoul during that time. He told me I tend to always take photos and videos of animals. He asked, "Are you filming for a National Geographic documentary?" 😂 I remembered it while I was taking photos of the squirrels. Yes Rey, I'm again shooting for a documentary. 🤣

After the squirrels, the next animal of interest are these apes. Okay, I think I won't qualify for a documentary job post because I wasn't able to take note what these apes (or monkeys?) were called. 😅

A break from the animal photos: here's a cute photo of Pikachu in one of the playgrounds in the park

a leopard cat(?) inside a cage (again I wasn't able to note what kind of cat this was)

There were lots of interesting animals inside the zoo, and I really enjoyed taking photos of them. 😍

Even chickens in Japan look slightly different, right?

Shoofie! (did I say it right, shoes selfie?)

As much as I enjoyed meeting those animals, I kind of felt sad for them. Their eyes were sad, especially that leopard cat and those monkeys. 😢

I spent the rest of my time just strolling more around the area. And then I finally checked the time and realized I really need to get going if I wanted to visit that Totoro Cream Puff store, and hop the train and go back to my hotel before sundown. My zoo ticket still included a pass to another part of the Inokashira Zoo that featured water animals, but sadly I didn't have the time anymore to also visit that. And so this was how I ended my visit to this zoo!

And so I proceeded with walking to my next destination: to the Totoro Cream Puff store!

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Coron 2017: Frugal Mode Tourists

June 07, 2021

(📷: Inoh)

This trip happened 4 years ago. Yup, it's been that long and I have not written my travel log for this! ☹️ Because the events have happened several years ago already, bear with me as I try to recall the memories I have made during this trip. There were lots of things that stuck with me up to this day, and you will know why when I get to those parts. 😉

In traveling locally, I just always tag along with the plans of my colleagues. They know the best sites to visit in the country. I've been with them to Cagayan de Oro and Camiguin, Cebu, Danjugan Island in Negros Occidental, and Sagada! For the second time, our counterparts from abroad joined us for this huge team building to Coron! Writing this today during the pandemic made me realize how much I really crave social interactions with my colleagues. These out-of-town trips really made our bonds stronger through the years, and the connections we have established with each other (including higher-ups like the directors and vps who were with us in this trip) have been very useful as we supported each other remotely this time. 😭

This trip really stood out to me because interestingly, I was able to experience Coron in two ways - first as frugal backpacker tourists, and second as VIPs in an exclusive resort.

How did that happen?

The official trip dates of our office team building were just 3 days and 2 nights in a lush exclusive resort in Coron (clue: it's the same resort BTS went to when they visited the country LOL). Some folks from the Manila team (including me!) wanted to experience Coron in a longer period, so we decided to fly to Coron a few days earlier. But we don't have the budget to stay in an expensive resort. So we decided to stay in a cheap backpacker hostel during the first days of our stay, then we would just officially join the rest of the team in the exclusive resort a few days after. That's the plan that we laid out and executed.

Here's the highlights of our first few days in Coron as backpackers.

Travelled to Coron via Ferry

I'm not referring to those fancier ferries out there. We travelled in the cheapest ferry transportation, I think, wherein both people and cargo are travelling with us. April Rose is the ferry's name. The baggage fee here is way way cheaper compared to the plane, that's why it came to no surprise when we saw a lot of huge boxes with passenger items. In fairness, we were booked in an airconditioned room full of bunk beds (although I could remember particularly the smell of the AC inside that room will make you think that the space was already over capacity with what the AC could handle 😅). We travelled at night and were set to arrive to Coron in the morning.

It was during this trip that I realized that I'm very close already with my colleagues (I was with Pril, Annie, and Inoh here) that we were already comfortable being in this kind of situation with each other. I could still remember that none of us thought of bringing food and we realized we were already hungry. Good thing Inoh was able to secure us some rice and hotdogs for dinner from the food supply on the boat. I remember laughing with Annie and Pril telling each other that we would indulge ourselves with the most delicious food when we arrive in Coron. 😂

It was also during this trip that Annie and I had some deep conversations. I learned more about her family history and the learnings that they had along the way. My takeaway from our talks was that it's important to have social skills that enables you to connect and respect people from all walks of life. That's how her family found their success. I have always admired how her husband is such a social butterfly (during that night, Inoh was already exchanging drinks with the boatmen 😂). I really learned a lot of life lessons from Annie that night.

It was also during this time that we attempted to talk to Pril about something, but we backed out because we weren't able to find the right timing. Honestly, my opinion about that matter (up to this day) is that I was in no position to have an opinion in the first place LOL. It's her personal life and we're all adults so we don't need other people's supervision. What I told myself, and I have proudly followed this through the years after, was - if someone asks, I'll tell the truth. I won't hide anything. As of this writing, fortunately, they're still together and they seem happy. That's all that matters.

We were awake early in the morning (still on the ferry) and I was just amazed to see the view of the calm sea at that time. It was a memorable scene for me because I could see the horizon in 180 degree view. I could see the moon setting on the other side (yes it was a full moon that night, I remember!) while the sun was rising on the opposite side. It was a surreal view, one that I would rarely see in my life. 🌞🌕

We met E in Coron (our adventurous team counterpart who flew in from the US). He told us he would have wanted to join us in the ferry ride, but we told him it was not really worth it for him. 😅

Sightseeing in Coron

These people I'm with were all outdoor beings so thanks to them, I was able to experience a lot of nature during our first few days stay in Coron. 😊

Atop of Mt. Tapyas (📷: Inoh)

At the rooftop of our hostel, playing cards late at night, after a few shots of soju (📷: Inoh)

Of course I'm the one in rash guard. 😅 Inoh was practicing landscape photography then that's why he had all his camera gear and his photos were amazing.

We hired a boat for island hopping and we were able to eat lots of delicious seafood that the boatmen prepared for us (full disclosure: I liked our lunch that day better than the fancy one we had with the whole team a few days after😅).

I just realized now, writing this, that I was the fifth wheeler in the group LOL. But I didn't really feel that when I was with them because everyone was very accommodating. We just had to speak in English all the time because E was with us. 😂 ~~Hmm there were a few awkward moments in the hostel LOL but meh, I just minded my own business.~~

These were really fun times. I can't wait to travel again with these peeps again in the future, after this pandemic (with only the two of them I guess this time, due to logistics and other factors 😅).

~o~

Names slightly changed for confidentiality.

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Where to See Wildlife in Canada

June 05, 2021

Canada is a great country filled with incredible wildlife. Whether you are just taking a trip to the country or looking to move there by searching things like Vancouver homes for sale, you should be aware of the hot spots to experience the wildlife. I certainly considered Canada as a place for me to settle down, but due to logistic concerns and other factors, this is still a dream for me (for now!). But I believe as long as you have the capability to imagine it in your mind, you have every ability to actually make it happen!

Anyway, for sure, when I get there, immersing myself to the new place would be my top priority, and why not do some wildlife sighting! Seeing a live animal in its natural environment is such an awesome thing to do. However, you don’t want to get too close. Based on data online , here are the areas in Canada you will be sure to come across wildlife. Grab some pictures, as this can be once-in-a-lifetime stuff.

Churchill

Churchill is a town located directly on the Hudson Bay in Manitoba. Here you will be sure to come across a real polar bear. If you can’t find them right away, make your way toward the falls keeping in mind you should be in an approved tundra vehicle. If you make your way here in the summer, you may catch a beluga whale in the Churchill River.

Banff National Park

Banff National Park is located in Alberta. If you’re looking for the wildlife hotspot, Banff is it. For one, the views are incredible as it’s surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and contains many lakes, including the world famous Lake Louise. The mountain ranges and many lakes is what draws the wildlife to Banff. Grizzly bears are plentiful. You’re also most likely going to see a moose. Aside from bears and moose, you should keep your eye out for caribou, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats who have been known to walk the mountain landscape.

Hemmingford

This isn’t exactly wildlife in its natural habitat, but it’s still wildlife. Hemmingford is home to the Parc Safari. It’s one of the region’s most popular tourist attractions. It’s got everything from African elephants and camels to rhinos and lions, and everything in between. If you’re looking to experience wildlife from all over the world, check out the Parc Safari in Hemmingford.

Wapusk National Park

Wapusk National Park requires special travel to get to, but it’s well worth it. You’ll find some of the most exotic wildlife here. Polar bears might be the most popular animal you will find. Outside of polar bears, you may come across moose, wolves, arctic foxes, wolverines, lemmings, and many rare birds. To experience wildlife you won’t find in other popular areas of Canada, take the trip to Wapusk National Park.

There sure are a lot of interesting sites in Canada to see wildlife, so if you are there already (or thinking of going there), check out the areas above! 🍁

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Iloilo Trip 2020: Day 2 ~ Aboard to Islas de Gigantes

November 22, 2020

Note: This trip happened in early 2020

It was heavily raining the previous day so we were a bit worried on how this will affect our planned island hopping activities. We asked for advice from our resort if this could push through on this day. We were all kinda hopeful that the day would bring a better weather, given the beautiful morning we witnessed at the resort.

We had a short morning walk around the resort because we weren't really able to look around the previous day. It was noticeable that there were a lot of constructions going on around the resort, mainly because there were areas that were destroyed by previous typhoons and also with the fact that the resort is really expanding and improving its facilities.

While waiting for the resort's advice regarding the snorkeling activity, the five of us (Steve arrived last night) went to the breakfast buffet and indulged ourselves with a bounty feast!

We did get confirmation later that day that we could proceed with the tour activities. Excited we were, we prepared our things and went to our tricycle that would take us to the tour group.

We were in a joiner group, meaning different groups would be with us in a boat for the tour. While in the process of registration and orientation, the heavy rain and winds were still continuously pouring outside. Our tour guide instructed us to wait while they check with the coast guard if the tour can push through that day. I think we waited for more than 30 minutes. As the clock ticked on, some groups withdrew their participation from the tour. They thought that the rain would just continue on and it would just be dangerous to push through with the activity. The overall mood of everyone was anxiety, and I can't help but be affected by that energy also. I was proud with our group because we were determined to continue as long as the tour guide says it's safe -- as not pushing through with this activity on this day would ruin our plans for the next days to come. 😅 And so we patiently waited.

We entertained ourselves by taking lots of selfies and playing games while we waited for the organizer's advice.

At last, the coast guard gave their green signal, and the remaining groups in our tour proceeded to go to our allotted boat. The skies were not really fully clear, and I guess the organizers just wanted the tour to push through that day, with minimal rain. Well, we didn't know were all in for a wild and wet ride! As the boat progressed onto the sea, the winds and the rain continued, and I was just so thankful I didn't have a full stomach or I didn't feel dizzy. The motion of the boat was crazy, I felt like I was riding a roller-coaster in slow motion. The splatters of rain continued on, and it was so hard to keep my eyes open. Every person on the boat had their own strategies to protect their faces from the rain and wind -- some faced the other way while most used their life vest as cover for their faces. For several minutes I was only using one hand to cover my eyes from the splatters of the rain (which really didn't do anything 😂) while the other hand was tightly gripping the bench in front of me so I don't fall off the side of the boat and into the ocean.

After several minutes in this gesture, I had a realization, why was I resisting? It was what it was so I should learn to accept. Remember the bamboo that bends down over strong winds? I felt that this situation had a lesson for me. I was deep into my meditation journey at that time. Isn't it that a yogi can meditate under a waterfall all because of the gift of intense concentration from the practice? And so I changed my stance and relaxed my breathing. I lowered my other hand and just placed it also on the bench so that I could have a firmer grip onto the boat (😂) and then I just closed my eyes. To an outsider, I would look like I was sleeping amidst all the chaos of the rain and the wind on the boat, but actually I realized that it was actually easier that way. If previously the splatters of rainfall felt stressful and irritating on my face, now they just felt like soft tickling sensations. When I stopped resisting, I felt more relaxed. I felt one with Nature as I went with the motion instead of going against. Looking back to that moment, I realized I liked being in that zen mode. I was glad I was able to put into practice the meditation techniques that I have been absorbing in my (almost) daily practice. I'm ashamed to say that as of this writing I wasn't able to retain that habit, and recalling that experience makes want to go back again. Maybe this is the Universe's way of reminding me? 😊

Because of the persisting waves in the sea, our tour actually skipped most of the islands that were included in the tour (HUHU). We even didn't have a chance to do snorkeling as the waves were too big and the current too strong. We arrived at the iconic island of Isla de Gigantes and went up that cliff (with the view that you see on most Google images) to take photos. This is where I learned another lesson -- having no photos of a moment should not lessen that experience's value. I had all my belongings with the tour guides on the boat, as they secured them so that they won't get wet on the boat. I didn't have the chance to retrieve my things as we went down the boat. I had nothing with me. I looked at the island and those stacked stones along the shore really took my attention. My first reaction in this situation was "Dammit I wish I had my phone with me. This should have been a great shot... and this.. and that too!😭". Then, I had a second calmer reaction. Again it was what it was. I learned to accept how the situation was, and I spent more time to appreciate the scenery before me. I looked closer at the stones, even building my own stone stack (which later on tumbled down because of the winds). I just absorbed my surroundings through my senses and I truly believe it was the best way to enjoy and be connected with Nature. Especially at this age of technology, I was so used to having a camera with me, and I guess this was another lesson for me for that day. I need to spend more time in experiencing the world first-hand through my senses, not second-hand through the lenses.

Krishan had a water-proof camera with him, and that's the one we used in taking our photos around the island and up that cliff.

It was just a short stop at the island, as we had to move on to another one where we'll have our lunch. OMG the scallops were to die for! Even if it we had a bit of bad luck in this tour (the bad weather, fewer island stops, and no snorkeling), having been able to taste their scallops trumped all of it (insert Food Wars happy energy here). It's the best kind I have tasted in my life. The were so fresh. The boiled scallops were flavorful in its own.

We socialized a bit with the other groups that we got to share lunch tables with (mostly it was Krishan talking to them 😅). After that lunch (they ran short of scallops for us huhu), we went back to the boat to go back to the island. Unfortunately, this was the end of the tour. The waves were not that strong on our way back (Krishan gained a new friend along the way 😁) As for me, it was the same setup -- with closed eyes and gripped hands, the boat sailed away back to where we started.

For sure, it's not the typical Islas de Gigantes experience, and that's what made it memorable and special for me. 💓