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I did the DMZ tour!
Our group together with the North Korean defector dressed in black
A YouTube video about my tour:
First we visited the Imjingak Peace Park
There were many tourists here at Imjingak Peace Park
2654 km to the Philippines... good to know
Everything is so cute here in South Korea
Lots of info and impressions to take in
Dora Observatory and the world’s most dangerous border
And then we have the Flagpole War...
Here are the key details:
- Location: It stands in the South Korean village of Daeseong-dong (often called "Freedom Village"), one of only two villages permitted within the DMZ.
- Height: The flagpole measures approximately 98.4 meters tall.
- Flag Weight: The South Korean flag weighing about 130 kilograms
- Context: South Korea erected this pole in the 1980s. North Korea quickly responded by building the Panmunjeom flagpole in its nearby propaganda village of Kijŏng-dong, which towers over the South's at 160 meters (one of the tallest in the world).
View over the border to North Korea and you can also see the famous South Korean flagpole
Descending down in 3rd Infiltration Tunnel
The 3rd infiltration tunnel entrance
Conclusion
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Old Town, the original city centre of Stockholm
Stortorget is the main square and all the big attractions lead off it, including the Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet) and The Royal Chapel (Storkyrkan).
Around 3,000 people live in the Old Town and it is packed with cafés, restaurants, tourist shops, studios, galleries and museums.
There are tons of tourists visiting the Old Town every year
The Old Town is a perfect place to botanize among Swedish souvenirs
Due to the COVID-19 threat most tables were empty this summer 2020
These tables are only for the Swedish Vikings or the very brave ones who doesn’t fear the Swedish winter
There are lots of restaurants and cafes here, this one is called “Under the chestnut” obviously referring to the chestnut tree
The leaves are so nice in the beginning of the summer
I love all the narrow alleys and the shadow play, so photogenic!
When the sun is setting the colors in the alleys colored to gold
One of many churches, here is the Royal Chapel (Storkyrkan)
The main square Stortorget, with the big well in the middle. The perfect place to grab an ice cream and then sit down and just look at people
One of the biggest attractions is the Royal Palace and here you can at least see a part of it...
According to reliable sources there are many ghosts roaming around in Old Town at night ... so only God knows what hides behind those windows
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A day in Bangkok
The Grand Palace is a must to visit! The Grand Palace complex was established in 1782 and it consists of not only royal and throne halls, but also a number of government offices as well as the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
At the Grand Palace you can see these amazing monkey warriors. It was the King Rama who had a monkey army under his command. Imagine to meet one these bad boys in a dark alley in the middle of the night!
Someone is busy with her phone and some other is taking a nap... on his duty!
Peace to everybody... from the mysterious girl in the escalator
There are street markets everywhere in Bangkok. You can really find whatever you are craving for. This girl is obviously in for some delicious sushi!
If you belong to the more brave, why don’t you try your taste buds with this? Here is some mouth watering barbecued croc. The taste is a little bit like chicken and surely it melts in your mouth.
The BTS Skytrain is the best way to go around in Bangkok. It’s clean and efficient but can be crowded in the rush hours. But people are very disciplined and fall in line when entering the train.
Siam BTS station, around here is the main shopping heaven in Bangkok. Ranging from the fashionable Central Plaza and Siam Paragon to the more modest MBK.
Around the Patpong area it’s always a busy street life day and night with lot’s of everything. The girls in the face masks look very determined on their way to something. The signage “The Lovers” hmm... I wonder what that is?
What a slim Asian beauty! At the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute you can watch her doing pole dancing (around a branch though).
A snake handler in deep concentration fighting with the longest venomous snake in the world, the King Cobra. Aside from the shows at Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute they also do extraction and research of snake venom, and vaccines, especially rabies vaccine.
When the day turns into evening it gets quiet here in the park... in other places the evening has just begun. The eternal cycle of a city that never sleeps.
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View over Cebu city
Street photographing
This time when I was in Cebu I stayed at the RedDoorz on Climaco Street. The hotel was relatively ok but the neighborhood was a little bit rough.
The legendary jeepney which is the very foundation of the commuter system in the Philippines. By the way, can you spot Rodrigo Duterte here? (The President of the Philippines) He is on a poster near the underpants which is on drying...
The area around the Colon street is extremely busy. So I deviated on one of the side streets where it was much quieter but still with some market stands and Habal Habal (motorcycle taxis) waiting for customers.
I always get fascinated to see those wires and also by the fact that it actually works. The maintenance to keep the wire network updated must be extensive though. I like the guy’s red shoes, look really smart.
Obviously you can get a room here for just PHP 155 which is around 30 SKr. I wonder how those rooms look like but at least there is a coffee shop next to the entrance. Nice car to the right though.
A jeepney is loading in the area of Colon street.
Actually this was the view from the RedDoorz hotel at Climaco Street. I would say it looks a little bit rough but interesting in a way. I wonder if people lives in that building...?
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Onuk island, the last frontier of the Philippines?
And by the way: Onuk Island (can also be spelled as Onok Island)
And hey! Don’t miss to watch the video clip at end!
How about the safety?
Malaria
There have been Malaria outbreaks in the mountainous Mainland Balabac but for now it’s considered safe to be out in the Balabac archipelago. But bring mosquito repellants because there will be tons mosquitos hunting for your blood after sunset.
Crocodiles
A minor concern are the saltwater crocodiles but they are only present in the Mainland Balabac. Which means out in the archipelago it’s safe from crocodiles.
Weather
The weather can be unpredictable. The dry seasons of April and May are the best times to visit the Balabac archipelago since the sea is perfectly calm on most days during these months. You may also visit Balabac during the months of December to February where it is fairly good. However, these months can the waves be particularly rough on the beaches.
Bandits
But hey! Balabac islands are located in the Sulu sea. Hmm wasn’t that the place where the Philippine army battle bandits? Yes, that’s right. But that’s on the other side of the Sulu sea at Jolo. There are no bandits in the Balabac archipelago.
On our way to Rio Tuba we passed by beautiful landscapes of Palawan
Sometimes you must eat right? The bus made one stop for lunch.
We arrived late after sunset in Rio Tuba. We were lucky the Pring Pension House had an available room for us. It’s just very near the terminal by the way.
Early morning at Pring. We paid 1200 PHP for a small Aircon rom without breakfast. Breakfast was available for 100 PHP.
Facts about how to get to Onuk island
- Public bus from San Jose Terminal (Puerto Princesa) going to Rio Tuba. Fare 350 PHP per person with Aircon bus. The trip takes around 7 hours so better start early in the morning. Expect to stay overnight in Rio Tuba. In Rio Tuba there are a limited selection of restaurants. But Sizzling Republic is recommendable, click the link to see the review.
- Ferry from Rio Tuba to Balabac Island. (Mainland Balabac) You need probably to take a tricycle to the port 100 PHP. Be there around 7 am to buy tickets. The trip takes 4-5 hours depending on the weather. Fare 450 PHP. At Balabac island you have to take a tricycle from the pier to Balabac town 60 PHP. Expect to stay there overnight. In Balabac town it’s even more limited when it comes to restaurants and shops. There are Sari Sari stores where you can buy the the essential and the best two eateries are located next to each other opposite of the police station.
- Ask around and rent a boat for going on island hopping. The price would be around 2000 PHP per person for the boat with lunch included. For Onuk island there will be an additional entrance fee of 1500 PHP per person. At Onuk island there are no shops so be sure to bring everything you need.
- For the time being it’s not possible to stay overnight at Onuk island. But things can change so ask around if you are interested to do that.
- If you for some reason need to extend your visa you can do it in Balabac town. There happen to be an immigration field office there.
The port in Rio Tuba. Here you must report to the coast guard that you are going with the ferry
Our ferry which will take us to Balabac island
Safety first. Before departure the coast guard inspects the boat and that everyone wear a life vest.
Sometimes you get sleepy of all traveling
My fellow traveler had brought two hamsters with him to give to his family for Christmas
Now it begins to look nice. A short stop at Bancalan island
Finally the pier at Balabac island
Balabac port
Balabac port and from here you take a tricycle going in to town
We stayed at MLK Lodging house. A basic room with fan. No breakfast available. 600 PHP night.
Yes there are saltwater crocodiles here at Balabac island (Mainland Balabac)
A nice sunset at the main road in Balabac town
There are no Starbucks here. But it’s still possible to get your cake and coffee with some slight modifications though. But if you don’t want 3 in 1, which for me is too sweet, bring coffee stick and creamer with you. Here at one of the two eateries located opposite the police station.
Finally on our way out to Onuk island. 1-2 hours boat trip depending on the weather. The sound from the engine was totally deafening so a friendly advice is to bring some kind of ear protection.
Before it was possible to stay overnight at Onuk island. It was just recently they changed their policy. The accommodation was very basic in those sheds. Nevertheless I was very disappointed not to be able to experience a 24 hours stay here.
The water was crystal clear and the sand white and soft. You couldn’t hear a single sound except from the waves and the sea breeze. So relaxing for a stressful mind.
The total silence together with the endless sea resulted in a magic ambience of timelessness which had a great impact on me...
The beach was very clean and surprisingly not full of plastic waste which sorry to say is common these days.
Low tide at this moment
Snorkeling
The final thought
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Every other day weather
When the weather is good, it's perfect for walking especially in such a beautiful place as this, the Haga Park in Stockholm.
Here is the Haga Echo Temple which was built in 1790 as a summer dining room for the King Gustav III who loved to dine outdoors.
A couple and their dog are going for a brisk walk in the park.
It darkens quickly here in Sweden in the winter, sunset is just after 3 pm.
An abandoned bicycle... waiting for better times I guess.
A lonely wanderer is heading somewhere.
This is a tough job, cleaning the streets from all the snow.
Night view of the obelisk located at Sergels torg which is the most central public square in Stockholm.
Even Friday's in Kungsträdgården was closed this evening.
Two lonely ladies, dressed in warm coats were wandering around in the Old Town.
Thank you streetlights for spreading light over Stockholm.
This streetlight is actually located just outside my flat.
Shining bright in the night...
Last but not least... a link:
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Yes, there are sunsets here at Punta Ballo Beach
The main entrance to Easy Diving Resort
Down at the beachfront
Come as guest leave as friend
It was very quiet here
The restaurant comes with sea breeze and ocean view
The bungalow was very fresh
I really like the idea of bedside tables with lamps
The bungalow had no AC instead it had two fans which suited me much better!
It was very clean everywhere
To fight the plastic pollution you could buy an aluminum bottle for 500 PHP with free refill of service water
The restaurant where you could enjoy Easy Diving's delicious food. They also accept walk in guests.
In the evenings they had mosquito coils so I was spared from mosquito bites
The food heaven
Oh my! I could die for this tuna steak with spicy wasabi sauce and garlic rice
My second love, tuna steak with creamy yellow curry sauce...
My secret lover forever! Pancake filled with fresh mango served with ice cream and chocolate sauce
Bicol Express, a famous spicy dish from the region of eastern Philippines, Bicol
As delicious as it looks, the crispy bangus (fish) with rice and egg. So so Philippines!
After a night of stargazing you need a real breakfast, so what can be better than hash browns with bacon and egg??
A delicasy for the most demanding taste, spicy shrimps fried with chilli and garlic
Easy Diving has lots to offer
One of the many stairs at Easy Diving
The friendly hotel dog taking a nap in the reception
Video clip
Conclusions about Easy Diving Resort
5 Location
5 Sleep Quality
5 Rooms
5 Service
5 Value for the money
5 Cleanliness
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The prayer room at the highest peak of the complex.
Cebu Taoist Temple and a date with the dragon
One of the many dragons which are protecting the area
Pray and make a wish
The entrance to the temple is a replica of the Great Wall of China. ( This is not the entrance though )
The temple includes a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop and a wishing well.
Amazing view from here
On a clear day you can spot the islands of Mactan and Bohol from here.
Unwind for a while
There are 81 steps in the stair... (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures)
My friends were enjoying the visit to the Taoist temple
A friendly fisherman. You were not allowed to throw coins in this pond.
Any place is good for taking a selfie!
The wishing well
The view is spectacular
The dragons
Chinese dragons stand on the temple’s roofs like protectors and sentinels of the site
The dragon is a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people
Reminders
- Don’t wear sleeveless or shorts if you wish to enter it’s altar
- Don’t snap photos inside the prayers and temples (you can allowed to take photographs of every other part of the temple complex)
- Stay in the temple for just 30 minutes to an hour
- Observe silence
Going back to downtown
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A walk in the park
This leaf is already brown, soon it will fall and will be released into the soil, where it can be taken up again by plants to foster new growth. The eternal lifecycle...
These leafs shines like fire in the sunshine
This day was a nice day, the sun was shining and the temperature was around 18 degrees. So it was perfect for a walk in the park!
This sunflower is still proudly standing
A nicely painted fence
New meets old. Stockholm is a city in a constant change.
The view here is from Tantolunden which is a large park by Årstaviken on the island of Södermalm.
Old and new. 1929 vs 2005. The two bridges which connect Södermalm with the southern suburbs.
Last but not least... a link:
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Adventure for free, well at least almost for free!
Highlights: Sand reef, fresh sea urchins and comfort room!
Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions!