The Many Facets of Korea

Not every Filipino gets a chance to visit countries that require visa such as South Korea. I didn’t expect either that I’ll be granted with one before I applied, but fortunately it wasn’t a hassle for me, of course via my travel agency! And plus Korea is first-world so it is expected that making a visit would cost a little fortune. However, I am very happy that once in my life, although not the number 1 in my bucketlist, I got a chance to explore several of its attractions – from nature to historic, to modern.

Now, follow me as I take you to another virtual tour … who knows you will be buying your plane tickets tomorrow!

First Stop: Nami Island
Nami Island aka the lovers’ island is famous of its vast canopy of mega sequoia trees. This is also one of the most popular film venues of the renowned Korean soap, Winter Sonata.

Second Stop: Everland
Everland is Korea’s Disneyland version, and the largest theme park in the country. It features five attractions namely Global Fair, American Avenue, Magic Land, European Adventure, and Zootopia. If you are a big fan of extreme rides more than the roller coaster, this park is for you. Flower persons would also enjoy the Holland village-touch at the Four Seasons Garden where a wide variety of vivid-colored flowers make a perfect carpet. You can fit in if you are an animal lover too while taking snaps at giraffes and other tamed animals of the wild at the Lost Valley. Oh well, it’s a theme park that’s all.

Third Stop: Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung is the largest palace in Korea, situated in Seoul, and was built by the Joseon Dynasty. With its restored chambers, the country boasts of this historical site as the royal palace amidst modern world, featuring Mount Bugak as its backdrop.

Fourth Stop: N Seoul Tower
N Seoul Tower, also known as the Namsan Tower is amongst Korea’s tourist destinations, and it marks the highest point in Seoul atop the Namsan Mountain. Aside from its observatory deck, French-inspired fences and trees that are thickly covered with colorful love locks are its main attractions.

Fifth Stop: Cheonggyecheon Stream
Cheonggyecheon Stream is located at downtown Seoul, originally a local stream that flows through Jungnangcheon, which in turn connects to the Han River. After its completion in 2005, it has became popular among city residents and tourists. On the other side of the stream is the Gwanghwamun square which is also of historical significant as the location of royal administrative buildings, known as Yukjo-geori or Street of Six Ministries.

Sixth Stop: Myeongdong
Myeongdong is listed as one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world. International and local brands decorate both sides of the street, and it is populated mainly by commercial buildings.

If you love what you’ve just seen and would want to see all these attractions yourself, book a flight to Seoul and call it a lifetime experience.

Annyeong haseyo!

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Venice in Macau!

If I were to enumerate all the places that I wanted to visit, Venice falls under my Top Ten List. Aside from being mesmerized by its alluring canals, making a haven to the famous gondolas, the rustic scenery of both residences and shops caught me with charm. Setting a foot on the lovely city of Venice would never settle to be just a dream, but before I take you to the real City of Canals, I found a good shot I took in Macau. Yes – inside the Venetian Hotel in Macau, with its majestic interior where gondola-cradling duct was placidly situated at.

Like in Venice, gondoliers in the Venetian Hotel wear their authentic outfit – black pants, striped shirt, closed dark shoes, with special hat but they don’t always wear it. A gondolier usually maneuvers the boat, rows and steers from the starboard side of the stern with one long oar, and do not always sing as tourists envision, unless requested to. Once a gondolier sings, his/her voice echoes like surround sound inside the hotel – a close experience to the real Venice!

So if you ever plan to visit Macau, never miss the Venetian Hotel – shops and dines would be a bit pricey, but experiencing the Venetian ambiance will be an absolute bonus!

A scenic view inside the Venetian Hotel in Macau, featuring a gondola and a lady gondolier.

Why I Love Singapore

At one point in my life I have come to the realization of my childhood dream – to travel the world. Not given the chance yet to explore all seven continents, I am quite happy with what I have already accomplished for the past three years. Amongst the highlights of my journey to Asia is the beautiful Lion City which I know I won’t ever stop visiting, even at countless time. The reason is simply this: I am very much impressed not only with the stunning cityscape but also its sanitation. Apparently, the absence of eyesore such as garbage and beggars in pubic makes the city impressing to both locals and tourists.

May first visit in October 2012 was so short that I was only able to go see the famous Marina Bay Sands and its Sky Park, the spectacular Resorts World Sentosa where the Universal Studios is, and a taste of Arab Street and the East Coast plus a few great places for shopping and night clubbing. However, I was not able to fully explore the city including its grandeur Changi Airport until my next visit a year later.

So in the last part of October 2013, my mission to discover the Changi Airport was accomplished. With my 17-hour lay over prior to my flight to Bangkok, I grasped my chance of horsing around all three Terminals via the Sky Train. It has been one of the most excellent tours I’ve ever had aside from purging my possibility of getting bored waiting for my next flight. Commuting through the hectic Sky Train opened the opportunity for me to take snap shots outside and around the airport. Thanks to the friendly guys at Fans of Changi for their best tips – I got to see the best spots inside and outside the edifice!

Fascinating lanes to Changi Airport
Get inspired and see more of my travel photos on http://instagram.com/gweniskins

gwenisworld is Having a New Look

Since the 10^th of July 2006, gwenisworld has been up and publishing posts about my interests as well as my first local travel experiences. Years passed by and I got to realize that traveling is the strongest awareness that I desire. So from this day on, let me give a facelift to my blog site and call it plainly a travel blog, which will serve as a documentary of my previous travels and my upcoming journeys. It will also feature must-see places, must-do things, must-eat foods, and a lot more...

The main goal of this blog site is to give helpful information to all my fellow travelers and the aspiring ones, and to share the awesome experiences that I had as each post will be peppered with wonderful images that can tell their own stories. Enjoy the site and be inspired!