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Our tatami room for the day.

Rainy Land of the Rising Sun

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Writing this, I am currently in Seogwipo, Jeju, South Korea and decided to join the free Jeju Olle Walking Tour Program. At first, I was at lost because I realized that most of the participants would be Koreans and I didn’t even know what is this all about. But I still proceeded with the plan thinking it would be worth it because I have already stopped making itineraries since day one in South Korea and just spontaneously go to places I have thought while having breakfast.

At 8:00 am, I went downstairs of KKodak Kkodak Guesthouse to eat my jam and toast breakfast in time for the 8:20 gathering with other participants in our guesthouse. There were 8 of us and hopped on the van going to the meet-up point. Heading west, the sceneries were just wide roads, random museums, and tangerine farms and it went on like that for almost an hour.

Arriving at the meet-up point, there were at least 20 people already there chatting in Korean that I could not even guess what was the fuss was all about. The ajjummas (aunties) and ajjussis (uncles) were wearing their brightly colored jackets and hats along with hiking poles. My outfit of the day was barely known to be trekking because all along I thought it was just a walking tour. Plus, I haven’t seen any single foreigner so I guess I was the odd bird in the flock. I was comforting myself “It will be fine! Just go with the flow”.

Forty-five minutes past nine, all of us gathered and the harabeoji (grandfather) leader made a short speech then we started walking the Jeju Olle Trail 14-1. We were walking on a one-way cemented road leading to vegetable farms and horse cabins with some smell of horse shit in the air. You could really think that you are truly in a countryside but it was truly a break from the hustle and bustle cities. The chilly breeze blowing and the gentle sun rays warming your skin were the best elements for the trek.

After the endless roads, we approached a steep trek going to a summit of a little mountain. We reached the peak in only a few minutes and the scenery was splendid. Away, you could see the windmills standing outright like toys while surrounded by evergreen forests. Horses were also around freely running and walking without being any awkward to coexistence with humans trekking.

After trekking down, we entered a forest where some species of flora and fauna exists undisturbed protected by laws of the self-governing province of Jeju Island. The path was full of ups and downs, and a bit of rocky so people should wear comfortable and non-slip shoes to avoid unwanted accidents.

An hour since the start, we arrived at a picnic area in the middle of the forest. Proudly to say, I was one of the few trekkers who arrived first in the area as I don’t want to be left when my pace becomes slower. I saw the ladies bringing out foods and I also took mine out. They brought tangerine, apples, candies, and biscuits. Luckily, I also brought my tangerines given by a stranger while on a bus and sour candies to share. It was a fun picnic. They started talking to me also asking where I am from because they were really curious also. So, we chatted while waiting for others to arrive and eat their light snacks. The ladies kept offering me food and who am I to say no so I just kept munching whatever they gave me then I say my kamsamhamnida (thank you). There were two men in the group, Park and Jun Yung or Joe, and only them could speak English so they were like translators for the women to have a conversation with me. Also, both of the guys have been to Philippines, Manila and Cebu, so they were extra chatty in telling their tales. And in exchange, I never forgot to promote our Davao City to any foreigner I met.

A little stuffed, we continued the trek with me in the middle of the pack. The path was still full of trees and ferns then it suddenly ended to a Green Tea Farm called Osulloc. It is a famous farm in Jeju with attached cafe wherein you can sip a tea and relax. Then the men and women started to queue for a stamp on their Jeju Olle Passports at the side of the farm.

According to Korea Tourism site, there are 26 trails around Jeju and each of this leads to beautiful landscapes, beaches, villages, and forests. Koreans are known to be trek lovers so they have this passport wherein they stamp each page of the trails they have completed. I find it really amusing because they are really passionate in trekking.

Overall, I think the trek can be done by beginners. Slopes were not that inclined and there were only a few of it.  Most of the time, we were just walking in a plane on the 14-1 trail but will still make you sweat. And I assume that your Jeju trip would not be complete without any short trek whether it going to a falls or just to the nearest bus stop.

The struggle started after the trek; isn’t it ironic. I forgot I was told earlier by the guesthouse owner prior the walk that the trip time was shortened and they could no longer pick us up back to Central Seogwipo. And I really find Jeju’s bus system hard to navigate and time between bus arrivals are long, from 30 minutes to an hour. The ladies with me from the guesthouse were also gone because they were in hurry to I don’t know where. Luckily, Joe who was also a solo traveler stays near my guesthouse who also happens to be at lost where to go because of the shortened trip which should be ending at 3:00 pm instead of 12:30. In the end, we agreed that we will just go back to the Central Seogwipo and he’ll help me on my way back. To thank him, I treated him to a meal near our guesthouse.

  Jeju Olle-gil Trekking Experience Writing this, I am currently in Seogwipo, Jeju, South Korea and decided to join the free Jeju Olle Walking Tour Program.

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The land of the rising sun is the home of the most exorbitant cities in the world and I took on the challenge of traveling for 8 days from Tokyo to Osaka. Prior the travel, I was anxious that I would overspend in Japan but as my excursion started, I was proven wrong day by day. After eight full days in Japan, I only spent under Y50,000 (P25,000) and I have broken my tips on four categories on how to travel Japan on a budget because you don’t have to break your bank to hit that road to the land of anime, technology, and rich culture. (I will have a separate post for the itinerary)

1.Transportation

A. Across Japan

The prominent way to commute around Japan is thru JR Railways. There are different options available for travelers: 7, 14 or 21 days. This includes the unlimited use of Shinkansen (Bullet Train) and all JR lines. However, this comes with a hefty price. The 7 days ordinary pass costs Y29,110 (P14,555), while 14 days pass is Y46,390 (P23,195). I find JR line convenient as it is spread strategically across the country but simply put, I don’t have the budget for it. Instead, I used the less prominent lines.

B. Tokyo to Hakone  (2.5 hours per way)

For Hakone area, there is Odakyu which allows you to travel unlimitedly between Shinjuku Station and Hakone proper. This ticket also allows you to hop on and off on all buses, trains, cable car, cruise and ropeway in Hakone for either two or three days which costs Y5,140 (P2,570) and 5,640(P2,820) respectively. Therefore, it is best to stay at least 2 days in this area and make most the most of your ticket. The ticket can be purchased on the day or ahead of time in Odakyu Shinjuku Station.

C. Tokyo to Nagoya (6 hours)

While the alternative transportation I used from Tokyo to Nagoya is Willer Express Bus. Buses run day and night and I chose to ride at midnight arriving at 6:00 am to also save a night of accommodation. Tickets costs from Y2,500 (P1,250) up to Y10,000 (P5,000) depending on the kind of seat and entertainment together with the ticket. Tickets may only be bought online at willerexpress.com.

D. Nagoya Area

Nagoya can be done in a day or two. It is a small city packed with museums and castles. In Nagoya Station, City Sightseeing Bus Loop is available in Bus Stop 11. The ticket costs Y500 (P250) for 1 full day. Again, it is a hop-on-and-off bus so it means unlimited ride in case you missed your stop. 

E. Nagoya to Kyoto to Nara to Osaka (4 hours, 1 hour and 2 hours respectively)

From Nagoya, I traveled to Kyoto and neighboring cities using Kintetsu Railway. Kintetsu Railway Pass Plus is by far the most worthy of all commuter ticket I got. For only Y4,800 (P2,400), you can travel between the 4 key cities in an unlimited number of times for 5 consecutive days. Also, the ticket already includes the Nara City Loop Bus which means you can save Y500(Y250) a day. You may check here for more details and where you can buy this ticket.

Kyoto is my favorite place in Kansai area and because it is such a big city with tons of picturesque temples, shrines, and mountains, you must spend at least 2 full days here and start early. To get to places, you can buy an unlimited ride for a day ticket for Y500(P250) from your hostel or at Kyoto Station Bus Station. 

2. Accommodation

A place to sleep at is one of the biggest factors in your travel budget. If you are uncomfortable sleeping with strangers in a room, then hostels and dorms are not for you. You may now skip this item and extend your budget 30% higher because Japan’s accommodation is really pricey than in most places in the world. But if it is fine with you and you find it enthralling to meet and hear tales from fellow travelers, there are a lot of options to choose from. It is not really scary; in fact, most travelers are open-minded and fun to talk with. And they might tell you tips and hidden secrets of places *winks*.

A bed in a hostel dorm costs at least Y1,500(P750). I know, It’s expensive than its Southeast Asia counterparts but what I can vouch is that Japan hostels (based on where I stayed at) are meticulously clean, comfortable and includes toiletries (except toothbrush though).

In Hakone area, I stayed at Hakone Tent near the Gora Station. I chose this place because of three reasons. First, it is just a 2-minute walk from the train station. Second, the rooms are traditional which uses tatami floorings and futons. Now that’s an authentic Japanese experience. Lastly, the private use of onsen is included. Like wow! Who would not want to soak in a warm mineralized bath after thousands of steps from visiting awesome places in Hakone? And it is all yours! A bed in a female dorm costs Y3,500(1,750) which can be booked through Hostelworld or Booking.com.

Photo grabbed from Tripadvisor

While in Kyoto, I stayed at Renjishi Kabuki for 4 nights at Y1,500(P750) a night. The neighborhood was quiet as it is not along the main road but still near the bus stop and just a few minutes away from Kyoto Station. It is just your another typical dorm except it has spacious double decks. The use of a locker is free and you may store your groceries in the kitchen and cook a warm meal.

3. Food

It is exceptionally sarcastic to tell you not to try food in Japan. I am no foodie lady so I was quite amazed I just kept munching in Japan. My Instagram @juiensoi is full of food flat-layered photos. But I have to say that proper meals in Japan usually costs Y1,000 (P500) and street foods are at least Y300 (P150). 

What I did to save was to only feast once in a day or two. For breakfasts, I bought a loaf bread, raw egg or cooked ham to cook at the hostel and a pack of 4 probiotic milk. Now, this set would only damage you under Y1,000 (P500) and would last up to 4 days. For lunches, because I was always on the go, I just bought Onigiri (Japanese Rice Ball) from a convenience store which varies between Y100 (P50) to Y150 (P75). It comes with different fillings so you won’t easily get tired eating it everyday. And dinner is my favorite part of the day. As a nocturnal person, I am most hungry in this time of the day so usually, I eat large portions at Sukiya or Yoshinoya. Both stores are open 24 hours and a Gyuudon (Beef Rice Top Bowl) costs Y450 (P225).

But the most important part of food trip is the snacks in between meals. After saving from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you can now splurge on food stalls. Takoyaki, ramen, okonomiyaki, red bean sandwich, soft ice cream, and more. You name it and all of it is yummy. Osaka’s Takoyaki is really amazing and filling and when you’re in Dotombori, don’t forget to drop by at Uncle Rikuro’s jiggliest cheesecake. It costs Y600 (P300) for a whole cake.

4. Connectivity

Before coming to Japan, I have thought to avail a pocket wifi but it is costly to fit in my budget so I end up not subscribing to any wifi connectivity. But the plot twist here is that all major train stations and bus stops in Japan have a free wifi you can connect to. Just enter your email address and voila! you are connected. The Internet is something you would really need in Japan especially in navigation and train schedules and platforms. Japan’s train system is the most complex one I have experienced.

Japan is truly a wonderful country to visit and most tourist spots are free to enter so that would be additional savings for you. Visa and hefty prices were always the intimidating factors for any traveler but take chance and you will definitely know that it will be all worth it. May you be inspired by my experiences and have fun in your coming adventure.

*PS. I’ll go back to this post for proofreading and addition of details. I am writing this while waiting for my flight. 😁*

A Thrift Travel to Japan The land of the rising sun is the home of the most exorbitant cities in the world and I took on the challenge of traveling for 8 days from Tokyo to Osaka.

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Davao City Traffic

When you think of Davao, it is definitely the homeland of heavenly-hell durian and gateway to exquisite beaches and touristic destinations. As a Dabawenya, I could never be prouder to what Davao has become now. From a wider array of food options to the accelerated improvement of infrastructures, the city has definitely become one of the tigers of the south but drawbacks come along with this…

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"Big Head" Editing Tutorial using Adobe Photoshop

“Big Head” Editing Tutorial using Adobe Photoshop

The most common photo enhancement after a shoot or travel is to adjust lighting and apply a flattering filter, however, I had a different kind of fun in photo editing last week. I rarely open photoshop for editing but after seeing the outputs of an illustrator from BoredPanda, I wanted to try it on our own travel photos and the result was ultimately hilarious.   My attempt in one of our travel…

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Movie: Sunny (2011) This movie had me wickedly laughing, curious and crying. Not just your another sisterhood film but a realist story of loyalty, innocence and humor between friends living the best and last days of their lives.

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"I Have It All, Except For A Boyfriend"

“I Have It All, Except For A Boyfriend”

I came across this article from vogue, and the letter sent by Looking For A Partner completely summarizes my life. At this point of my life, I feel that everything is perfect. I have a supportive and amazing circle of friends. Recently graduated from my masters degree. My parents worked hard and gave me comfortable life where I can freely travel and fulfill my hobbies. I run the lucrative family…

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Photography: Mun x Abbie Prenup

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  Nikon D3100, 35mm Lens. Edited with Adobe Lightroom.

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DJI Osmo Mobile Unboxing and Review

DJI Osmo Mobile Unboxing and Review

In a time of travel and making memories, it has been quite tricky for aspiring videographers achieve an unfuzzy output, especially when in motion. While video stabilizer is not a new concept to solve this, there are only limited options for beginners because of its hefty price. One of the pioneers, DJI, created affordable handheld gimbal DJI Osmo however still unattractive for novice users…

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Long-Term Travel

It has been always my dream to embark on a prolonged quest for fun, freedom, and excitement of backpacking. And finally, I’ll be traveling soon for 45 days in East Asia; mainly in Japan and South Korea. It will be my first time and what I am afraid most is not the journey but how I will tell this to my parents. Well, they are very clingy and always questioning my passion for travel. I have…

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Life Is Awesome As It Is

Life Is Awesome As It Is

Women who exist in solitude but do not suffer. Yes, they do exist. They are not depressed nor crying. Rather are safe, exalting in the sense of enjoying the company of herself. It is by choice of having the best companion.

They know their love could reach far greater corners of the world thus, they reject to be held in a place. Women of freedom are at peace but also battling the burst of…

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Anyone interested to buy them? I am letting them go #arashi

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BEST

Flynn Rider has his priorities sorted. 

Flynn Rider is the only sane person in Disney.

other than

Maybe they’re related

Its the hair

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Here’s that ribbon worm of the Nemertea phylum now as a gif!  If you haven’t seen this yet, it’s expelling it’s proboscis (nose sort of) in an attempt to cover the hand with a neurotoxic mucus. So it can digest the hand and eat it! But they’re pretty harmless to humans.