I am no fan of crowd, except when there is too much color — 10.25.14
>>>>>
Second day started early as I went off-Seoul for the Gapyeong City Tour which for only 5 thousand won (roughly 250 pesos) gave me access to various stops around town. First stop at this island famous for its being a location shoot for a Korean drama which was aired years back. Initially did not how place to me is way too tourist-y and crowded but later on loved its festive vibe, not only due to the many colors but also with quite a range of people roaming around – from fellow foreign tourists to local families and barkadas to professional photographers to people having some team activities on those vast fields covered in fallen leaves. Everyone’s busy-ness to me is amusing, especially in trying best to enjoy and capture what which on that morning we all had to share.
People strangers are fascinating, so are dogs.. – 10.24.14
>>>>>
I promised myself I would go back to South Korea to see it on its every season so by October last year, I was back for my autumn visit. I had only half a day on the first so I did not have anything solid to-do in mind. It turned out to be a fun day with a first visit to a café where over beer spent slightly more than an hour watching dogs laze, pee and join the mob toward guests with food to share. Only one in many was friendly to me that I got so excited I took quite more than enough ‘selfies’ and even had some courage to ask a fellow guest take a picture of us.
I have been doing some exploration of features of WordPress and came across this part wherein they show you which search strings led to your page. I’ve got very few but I was ‘touched’ by this tag on “Potipot alone travel”.
I do hope that person who searched for that found inspiration from my entry on what to me is one of my most peaceful beach trips. And this good news right on time when it has almost been a year since I was first there. See entry here.
For each beach has a character, this an island of contradictions.
-10.04-06.14
>>>>>
Weekend spent in this island, which I said is one of contradictions with its interesting history of land dispute yet it is inhabited by an adorably protective community of beach dogs (two of which we shared our junk breakfast with), fishing community friendliest to non-locals and based on our experience, best neighbor guests generously giving us background music that are versions of Eraserheads songs. While we have proven that the reviews are true that the land is also home to those insects called “anik-anik” and maybe some sand creatures too, this beach trip I could say is worth it. I rarely comment about the water and the sand so I wanted to share more of the vibe which made us just unusually lazy that weekend in our spot by the hammock we attached to this tree with seemingly trapped spirits. Read up for more stories and snapshots!
A despedida that includes going up, down and around entire town. – 08.25.14
>>>>>
In my lens, town literally got smaller as I took that early morning walk up the hill to see the city from what is supposedly its one highest point that gave view to an interesting mix of trees, buildings, sea and those many streets I have walked. This view came with realization that I am never going to like hiking as a few steps was all it took for me to make me feel really tired and than when going down the hill, an elderly lady proved an even more brisk walker.
For an introvert traveler, this weekend is precious. – 09.06-07.14
>>>>>
Weekend that Allen finally got his dose of beach and that customary 24/7 booze when in one of our favorite places (and yes, while it was always RockOn that was in the photos, he wasn’t one who drank it all). It was a quick but recharging a day and half of talk, drink and eat (yep, even for Allen) with friends new and not-so-new as well as bipolar weather that kind of matches, well, (ahem!) our tendencies.
For misadventures on what could be an easy Sunday are not necessarily a bad thing. – 08.24.14
>>>>>
My second to last day in Kota Kinabalu far from chill and easy but quite an adventure. It started early from being at the Gaya Sunday Market while the booths were being set-up until some waiting time at the bus stop which turned out longer than the actual Ruhma Terbalik upside down house tour. An unanticipation of the ease in transportation from the house back to the center made me go local, riding a van destination of which unknown to me. Such traumatic bus rides then led to me finally giving up on possibility of a commute to see monkeys somewhere not too faraway (Lok Kawi Wildlife Park) in the afternoon. Highlight would have to be when I crossed the street across my hostel (Borneo Backpackers) barefoot as it was raining hard.
For that day was my first with a foreign sea. –08.23.14
>>>>>
Though I cannot swim, beach and I have this relationship that only in its presence do I find the calm, some kind ‘it’s-ok-to-pause-from-life’ reassuring hug (wow, someone’s in romantic tone of writing haha). So when I listed down my to-do’s this year, going to one in another country inevitably there. It was not thoughtful but ended in one in Kota Kinabalu – one that is touristy but accessible and not so pricey for a solo traveler.
Not bad for a first time at a foreign sea, followed by a romantically thrilling glimpse of an intense sunset and a surprise find of a Murakami book, this 23rd of August turned out one hell of a day.
A town so small everything was walkable. – 08.22.14
>>>>>
It was a day of a must in every trip – hours of feet abuse (yes, even in countries with unforgiving heat). What was different with this town is how I found myself in one charmingly small one it amused me that I unintentionally was at places I set out to see. There was too many “oh there it is” moments from that graffiti building to that clock tower to those markets, food plazas and drink places. Also, for someone with a terrible sense of direction (if any), it was another relief that as long as I know where the sea is (and the sea in its bigness, is quite a landmark, right?) – there is always a place to go back to whenever I find myself lost somewhere.
![[Kota Kinabalu] : Town just got smaller on last day](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_0647.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Kota Kinabalu] ~ Around Town in Half-Day](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/kk-day-1.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
I am no travel planner. 