Baguio Bamboo Educational Demo Farm (Baguio City, Benguet)

Baguio Bamboo Educational Demo Farm

The tranquil, 3-hectare and very Instagrammable Baguio Bamboo Educational Demo Farm (also called the “Little Kyoto” and the “Kawayan Ecopark”), a nature reserve within St. Francis Xavier Seminary, stands on the former site of the Irisan (Baguio City’s largest barangay) open dumpsite.

St. Francis Xavier Senior-High Seminary

Entrance to bamboo sanctuary

The bamboo farm, part of the legacy environment program of the late Bishop Carlito Joaquin Cenzon (1939 – 2019), C.I.C.M., D.D., was established in 2011.

Alphonse Karr Hedge Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex “Alphonse Karr”) is a strikingly beautiful clumping bamboo variety noted for its vibrant and uniquely colored culms.

Arrow Bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica) is a vigorous bamboo that forms thickets up to 6 m. (20 ft.) tall, with shiny leaves up to 25 cms. (9.8 in.) long.The culms are typically yellow-brown and it has palm-like leaves.

The legendary Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra), the first hardy oriental bamboo, was introduced to the world in 1827, A true masterpiece of nature, it embodies grace and sophistication in every aspect.

The Kawayanihan sa Benguet is an environmental project of the Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Inc. (headed by Pres. Edgardo Manda), in collaboration with the Diocese of Baguio’s Commission of Environment.

The author at the Baguio Bamboo Educational Demo Farm

 

Bamboo Nursery

Jandy at the Cardio Trail.  Here, bamboo gives way to pine trees.

This popular tourist destination, where people can relax and enjoy nature, has paved trails, a bamboo nursery, a bamboo bridge and a meditation garden.

Castillon Bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides), bright yellow at sheath fall, is one of our most beautiful bamboos. This bamboo flowered, along with Phyllostachys bambusoides, in the 1960s. It was saved in China and Japan, from where it was re-imported to Germany and then, into the United States, by The American Bamboo Society. It is slower spreading than most other Phyllostachys.

Female Bamboo (Bambusa balcooa), a tropical clumping bamboo originating from Northeast India, is often used as a food source, in scaffolding, for paper pulp or wood chips.

One of two bamboo plantation sites in Baguio City (the other is the Mirador Heritage and Eco-Park at Dominican Hill), it was opened in late 2019 but was gaining traction with local tourists in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic started and the park had to be closed.

Check out “Mirador Heritage and Eco-Park”

Fernleaf Hedge Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex) is, because of its thick nature, is highly prized as a short, thick, deer-resistant hedge.

Fishpole Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) is a strong but graceful evergreen bamboo with tall, upright, bright green canes changing to yellow-green with age.

In November that same year, a few months after its reopening, it was temporarily closed due to vandals engraving their names and words on various bamboo culms (or poles) as well as urinating along the pathways.

Giant Sour Bamboo (Acidosasa gigantea), found primarily in Southern China, with 1 species in Vietnam, its name is formed from Latin acidum (“sour”) and Sasa (another bamboo genus), referring to its edible shoots.

Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo (Phyllostachys vivax), one of the hardiest timber bamboo is, in most circumstances, will mature to 45 feet in height, with 3-4 inch diameter canes.

To showcase the beauty and diversity of bamboo, there are a number of walking trails (Aurea Trail, Vivax Trail, Cardio Trail, Dulcis Trail, etc.) that you can follow where pathways are lined with lush bamboos trees and bordered by vibrant red bamboo fences.

Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla), the most common source of bamboo timber in China for manufacturing and bamboo textiles, grows best in temperate climates, or cool sub-tropical regions.

Oldham’s Bamboo (Dendrcalamopsis atrovirens), a large species of bamboo, has been introduced into cultivation around the world. It is densely foliated, growing up to 20 m. (65 ft.) tall in good conditions, and can have a diameter of up to 10 cms. (4 in.).

The farm is home to 21 different species of bamboos, with 17 temperate (monopodial) and 4 tropical (sympodial) varieties from China, some towering over 15 m. in height, that were planted in the park.  They include:

  • Alphone Karr Hedge Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex)
  • Arrow Bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica)
  • Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)
  • Castillon Bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides)
  • Female Bamboo (Bambusa balcooa)
  • Fernleaf Hedge Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex)
  • Fishpole Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)
  • Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper)
  • Giant Sour Bamboo (Acidosasa gigantea)
  • Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo (Phyllostachys vivax)
  • Hedge Bamboo (Bambusa glaucescens)
  • Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla pubescens)
  • Oldham’s Bamboo (Dendrcalamopsis atrovirens)
  • Purple Bamboo (Chimonobambusa neopurpurea)
  • Screen Bamboo (Plelobiastus chino)
  • Spiraled Grass Bamboo (Plebobiastus gramineus)
  • Sweet-Shoot Bamboo (Phyllostachys dulcis)
  • Vivax Bamboo (Phyllostachys vivax)
  • Yellow Striated Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris)

Screen Bamboo (Plelobiastus chino), an excellent screen or hedge about 10 ft. tall, becomes very thick with leaves, and the canes grow close together. It is vigorous and tough.

Spiraled Grass Bamboo (Plebobiastus gramineus), desirable for a thick screen, grows many canes in close proximity so that nothing can be seen through a hedge merely a foot or two thick. The long graceful leaves are distinctive.

Part of the National Greening Program, the bamboo plantation is located behind the seminary just past the basketball court. This is part of the 1 million hectare project of the ASEAN commitment of reforestation of 20 million hectares by year 2020.

A forum was conducted before and it was decided that this is the feasible area to put up a plantation. These bamboos were fit for tropical and high elevation places like Baguio and Benguet.

Cardio Trail

There are many benefits derived from bamboo, such as for climate change mitigation and livelihood generation.  Bamboos, an erosion control mechanism in the Cordillera, are known to hold the soil because of its roots’ long reach as far as 20 kms. which is effective for erosion prevention and they multiply quickly. They also help in carbon sequestration and, in turn, releasing oxygen to the environment.

As you walk along the bamboos, you can feel that positive, refreshing feeling that the trees are providing. There are multi-levels, but the main walkway has the most beautiful view. Up the Cardio Trail, the bamboos were slowly replaced by large pine trees and led us into an open overlooking spot. There’s public restrooms and bamboo benches, available by the exit, where you can rest.

Baguio Bamboo Educational Demo Farm: St. Francis Xavier Senior-High Seminary, Purok Liteng, Brgy. Pacdal, Baguio City, 2600 Benguet.  Mobile number: 0921 877 6655.  Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.  Entrance is free but donations, for the upkeep of the sanctuary, are accepted.  Pre-nuptial pictorials are not allowed on Saturdays and Sundays to avoid overcrowding.  No drones are allowed.

How to Get There:  the farm is a 15 to 20-min. drive from Burnham Park.  They have a wide parking space.  By public transportation, take a jeepney conveniently situated behind the Patriotic School along Harrison Road.  The road leading to it is narrow and steep and the drop-off point for the park is right at the turning point.

Igorot Stone Kingdom (Baguio City, Benguet)

Igorot Stone Kingdom

The 6,000 sq. m. Igorot Stone Kingdom is a man-made theme and amusement park, surrounded by tall trees, built on a mountainside, by owners Engr. Pio (also known as Ama Bag-owan) and Haiji Velasco, to showcase the indigenous culture of Cordilleras, as well as the practices, traditions, values and way of life of its people.

The author at the entrance

The newest and one of the most popular attractions in Baguio City, it is based on the legend of Sab-angan which is believed to be an Igorot Kingdom, ruled by King Alapo Baguwan, that once existed thousands of years ago.

His concept for the man-made kingdom was an “Igorot child’s castle fantasies, his childhood in Mountain Province, and a caring God and family culture brought by the Igorot’s skill of stone laying.  The stone park was also built as a tribute Velasco’s strong and patient Igorot mom, Rita C. “Rosing” Gal-Velasco (1928-2012) who taught her five children patience and strength.

Jandy seated on the King’s Throne

The attraction, though built for tourism purposes, is also a place to learn about the rich culture of the Igorot people.  Described as a “cultural revolution,” it aims to correct the misconceptions about Igorots by showing people that the Igorots are civilized and culturally advanced, and that they take pride in their skills and heritage.

Igorot Golden Bridge

Construction of the Igorot Stone Kingdom began on March 15, 2020 and it formally opened to public in May of 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming viral in social media. However, last November 9, 2022, the site was closed due to permit and safety reasons. It only reopened again this April 3, 2023 in time for Holy Week.

Igorot Gold Mine

Temple of Kabunyan

The highlight of Igorot Stone Kingdom is the stone walls, inspired by the ladder-like layout of the rice terraces of Batad in Banaue, that were built in in traditional riprap (locally called kabite) where stones or boulders are interlocked together to form a wall. Traditionally, a riprap does not involved the use of cement but for purposes of reinforcement, cement are put on top.

The White Carabao

The Igorot Stone Kingdom features different towers and monuments such as the:

  • Fertility Tower
  • Tower of the Igorot God Kabunyan
  • Tower of Gatan and Bangan – depicts their fantasy story of how this Igorot man and woman survived the great holocaust.
  • White Carabao Monument – according to Pio, this was the exact location where he had a sighting (on March 1, 2020) of a white carabao (In Igorot culture, it symbolizes good luck and prosperity) which he took as a sign to build the Stone Kingdom.
  • Igorot Gold Mine
  • Igorot Golden Bridge – a steel bridge
  • Bangan’s Dome
  • Igorot Heroes Hall – houses life-size statues of prominent Igorots.
  • King’s Throne
  • King’s CR
  • Wishing Well

Nacagang Plaza

Sabangan Plaza

There were also modern-day castles made of cement and hollow blocks, among others, all showcasing the talent and skills of the Igorot. What captured our attention was the beautiful layers of stone-formed castle structure resembling rice terraces which, from a birds-eye view, the place looks like a ruin of an old Roman castle. For photo-ops, you can rent Igorot costumes.

Bangyol’s Point

It also looks like a maze, with its concentric stone corridors, which lets you roam around and admire every nook and cranny of the entire castle. There are just so many things to see and discover in this attraction that are all picture-worthy.

The King’s CR

There’s also a coffee shop (King’s Coffee Shop), a fastfood area (Ina Rita’s Food Court), toilets and view decks.  Still a work in progress, you can expect the park to add more attractions including life-sized statues of prominent Igorots as it completes its construction.

Wishing Well

Igorot Stone Kingdom: 362 Long-Long Benguet Rd., Brgy. Pinsao Proper, Baguio City, Benguet. Mobile number: (0945) 311-2286. Open daily, 6 AM to 6PM. Admission: Php 100 (adults) and Php80 (kids). Toddlers 3 years old and below can enter free of charge. Discounts are offered for senior citizens and persons with disability (PWD).

How to Get There: Located 5 kms. from the Central Business District, you can ride a jeep bound for Tacay-Longlong in Otek St. You may also ride a taxi from CBD, which may cost you at least Php 175.  The park is 500 m. from Tam-awan Village.

Bonsai No Sato Park and Resort (Cauayan City, Isabela)

Bonsai No Sato Park and Resort

The peaceful and relaxing Bonsai No Sato Park and Resort, a botanical garden in Cauayan City, features an ever growing collection of over 300 exquisite bonsai trees, some on sewing machine stands.

Its owner, Ms. Librada Gatan-Africano, a retired school teacher, has been fascinated by bonsai, the Japanese art of growing and shaping miniature trees,  since 1986.

Ms. Librada Gatan-Africano

The grounds are also planted with colorful flowers, celosias (Konnichiwa Flower Garden), tall and graceful bamboo, fruit trees, ornamental plants, melons and strawberries. Every spot in Bonsai No Sato, is Instagram-worthy.

Events Center

It also has an events center, for weddings, birthdays, and meetings, which can accommodate 400 guests.  The Japanese Village has a kominka built using traditional Japanese architectural methods.

Its Kissaten Restaurant offers halo-halo (Php150),  fresh from the farm fruit shakes, classy yet delicious pansit bihon and their bestseller Bonsai No Sato Pizza.

The Farmhouse

The garden also has a kiosks, two swimming pools, and picnic huts (Php300).  For children, there’s also a playground, trampoline, inflatable island, bikes and electric go karts.

The long-lived and slow-growing sampalok (tamarind, Tamarindus indica) tree, a great outdoor bonsai, is prized as a bonsai due to the very attractive rough bark that it develops.

The popular Argao (or Alagao) Taiwan (Premna microphylla), one of the easiest bonsai trees to culture, was imported to the country from Taiwan, by bonsai growers from Luzon, sometime in the 1980s and 1990s.

Tugas (Vitex parviflora), also called the Smallflower Chastetree or the molave tree, is a favorite bonsai specimen inthe country due to its relatively pliant stems, ease of propagation, tolerance to harsh climatic conditions and its gnarled and twisted trunks.

Every Thursday to Sunday and holidays, eat-all-you-can grilled food (pork, chicken, fish, Php299) is offered from AM to 9 PM. A live band plays every weekend.

For overnight stays, they have a Japanese villa (standard, family, Php1,900-3,600) and farmhouse with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, dining room and a kitchen for Php10,000 (Php12,000 with exclusive pool).

The author at Konnichiwa Flower Garden

Bonsai No Sato Park and Resort: Brgy. Faustino, Cauayan City.  Mobile numbers: (0945) 572-9401, (0960) 293-2262 and (0956) 068-2101.  E-mail: klengguimbarda@yahoo.com.   Open daily (except Mondays), 9 AM – 8 PM (9 PM, Fridays to Sundays).  Admission: Php50.

Isabela Provincial Tourism Office: Provincial Capitol Complex, City of Ilagan, Isabela. Tel: (078) 323-3146.  Mobile number: (0917) 317-3820.  E-mail: isabelatourismoffice@gmail.com.

Isabela Provincial Information Office: Provincial Capitol Complex, City of Ilagan, Isabela. Tel: (078) 323-0248.  Mobile number: (0927) 395-7555.  E-mail: letters_info@yahoo.com.

How to Get There: Cauayan City is located 394.8 kms. (a 7.5-hour drive) from Manila and 35.5 kms. (a 45-min. drive) from the City of Ilagan.  The park is located beside Villa Virgilia Resort.

Camp Vizcarra Ecology Park (Ramon, Isabela)

Camp Vizcarra Ecology Park

A short, 10-min. drive from Magat Dam, in Ramon town, is the sprawling 30-hectare, peaceful Camp Vizcarra Ecology Camp, a leisure resort and tourist spot, named after the late Angelito F. Vizcarra (the town’s first mayor), connected through the Magat River.

Check out “Magat Dam”

The raging waters, released by the power plant flow from the Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant

Here, you can observed the lush landscape and raging waters of the Magat River, released by the power plant flow from the Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant, from its enchanting, 4-ft. wide steel-wire suspension footbridge, its deck hung below suspension cables on two vertical concrete pylons. Also crossing the river is a nearby concrete bridge.

The 4-ft. wide steel-wire suspension footbridge

Azrael, Ann, Lei, Leony, Jeremae and the author at the footbridge

After crossing the footbridge , a 1,000-step concrete stairway leads up to Mary Hill.

Picnic huts along the riverbank

The two-storey Ecology Hall

Along the way is a gazebo, where you’ll have a birds-eye view of the lush surroundings and the river and, further up, a grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, where one can pray.

The author (wearing green shirt) crossing the bridge with the others

The park also has cottages, an administration building, a children’s playground, picnic huts (Riverside Hall), the two-storey Ecology Hall and a campsite for Boy and Girl Scout jamborees.

Anne, Patrick, Leony, Lei and Jeremae at the he 1,000-step concrete stairway

View of the river and the Ecology Hall from the gazebo

In the future, a zipline will be built connecting Camp Vizcarra to Magat Dam.

Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

Camp Vizcarra Ecology Camp: Brgy. Gen. Aguinaldo, 3319 Ramon, Isabela.  Admission: Php5.  Coordinates: 16°49’7″N 121°28’11″E.

Isabela Provincial Tourism Office: Provincial Capitol Complex, City of Ilagan, Isabela. Tel: (078) 323-3146.  Mobile number: (0917) 317-3820.  E-mail: isabelatourismoffice@gmail.com.

Isabela Provincial Information Office: Provincial Capitol Complex, City of Ilagan, Isabela. Tel: (078) 323-0248.  Mobile number: (0927) 395-7555.  E-mail: letters_info@yahoo.com.

How to Get There: Ramon is located 362.5 kms. (a 7.5-hour drive) from Manila, 64.8 kms. (a one hour and 25-min. drive) from the City of Ilagan and 39.9 kms. (a one-hour drive) from Cauayan City.

Meraki Garden (Reina Mercedes, Isabela)

Meraki Garden

After a 10-hour trip all the way from Manila, we arrived at the beautiful and colorful Meraki Garden, one of the Isabela province’s newest attractions, where we were to have dinner.

This 4.2-hectare botanical garden, in the town of Reina Mercedes, is home to over 3,000 beautiful and colorful varieties of bougainvilleas (some enormous) from all over the country.

Bougainvilleas are a genus of thorny ornamental vines, bushes, and trees belonging to the four o’ clock family, Nyctaginaceae

Ms. Lyn Marcaida

Owned by Ms. Lyn Marcaida, it was opened last September 28, 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  During the lockdown, Ms. Lyn, who was stricken with the virus herself, got into planting and grafting bougainvilleas to while the time.

The author at Meraki Garden

Soon, her collection of well-groomed bougainvilleas, in colors of white, pink, orange violet and red, grew and she decided to open up her garden to the public.

She chose to name the Greek-inspired place as Meraki, from the Greek word that literally means “to do tasks with soul, creativity and love.” Its signature color is blue and white which gives a Santorini-like feel. Going around the grounds, we found everything in the place to be Instagram-worthy.

The Events Place

Aside from picture-taking, you can also enjoy the local bands that perform every weekday from 6 to 8 PM and magicians every weekend. Kids can enjoy the children’s playground, kiddie trampoline and train rides Meraki Garden offers, and once they go hungry, they can grab a bite (pizza, coffee, etc.) at the Taverna Café near the garden.

Taverna Cafe

Train Ride

Meraki also has an events center (seating up to 150 guests, banquet style) and a swimming pool is planned in the future.  The garden also has a wide range of products for both households and gardens.  Truly, this pandemic hobby-turned botanical paradise, dedicated to bougainvilleas, is a piece of heaven on earth.

Children’s Playground

Kiddie Trampoline

Meraki Garden: Brgy. Napaaccu Pequeno, Reina Mercedes 3305, Isabela.  Open daily, 6:30 AM to 10 PM.  Mobile numbers: (0917) 512-7355 (Ms. Lyn Marcaida) and (0927) 708-3571 (Mr. Dimple Barcarse Aquino). Admission: Php50.

Isabela Provincial Tourism Office: Provincial Capitol Complex, City of Ilagan, Isabela. Tel: (078) 323-3146.  Mobile number: (0917) 317-3820.  E-mail: isabelatourismoffice@gmail.com.

Isabela Provincial Information Office: Provincial Capitol Complex, City of Ilagan, Isabela. Tel: (078) 323-0248.  Mobile number: (0927) 395-7555.  E-mail: letters_info@yahoo.com.

How to Get There: Reina Mercedes is located 407 kms. (a 9-hour drive) from Manila, 14.8 kms. (a 30-min. drive) from Cauayan City and 23.9 kms. (a 35-min. drive) from the City of Ilagan.  Meraki Garden is located along the highway.

Seoraksan Cable Car (Sokcho City, South Korea)

Seoraksan Cable Car

Part of Cebu Blue Ocean Academy-sponsored South Korea tour

After our visit to Sinheungsa Temple, we proceeded to the Small Park in Seoraksan National Park (a UNESCO Biosphere Protection Site) where the Seorak Cable Car Boarding Station is located. The park has one of the best topographical landscapes in the country, with awesome autumn foliage.

The Lower Cable Car Station

The Seorak Cable Car, which fits 50 people, is a quick and easy way to comfortably appreciate the magnificent landscape of Seoraksan Mountain.  We were all scheduled to board at 1 PM.

Check out  “Seoraksan National Park” and “Sinheungsa Temple

The author (left with Mamel, Kim, James and Oca

As it was a weekend and the autumn foliage season, many tourists visit the mountain so we scheduled our trip by considering the waiting time too.

Queuing for our 1 PM ride

Also called Kwon Jinseong Cable Car, it was built in 1971 by Lee Ki-sub, a mountaineering enthusiast.  The cable car, ascending at a relatively high speed, runs even when it is raining or snowing but its operation may be suspended under windy conditions.

Waiting for our cable car to arrive

Finally. It arrived ….

By cable car, it took us about 6 mins. to get to the Upper Cable Car Station constructed at the edge of the mountain which is located 700m. (2,297 ft.) above sea level.

All aboard…..

To get the best view, we all chose a spot closest to the door. From the glass window in the cable car, we enjoyed an open view of various famous attractions such as Ulsan Peak and Manmulsang Rocks.

View from our cable car

Rock formations

From the outdoor observation deck (with dining tables at the two-storey Upper Cable Car Station, we had a panoramic view of the valley, fascinating rock formations of the Gwongeumseong Fortress (also called Seoraksan Castle) Region and the Sogongwon Area, Seoraksan Mountain’s majestic scenery, downtown Sokcho to the northeast all the way to the East Sea.

View from the outdoor observation deck

Another view from the outdoor observation deck

The famous Ulsanbawi Rock, with its six granite peaks, is to the north.  Legend has it that two generals Gwon and Kim built the fortress in one day to protect their families and villages from a Mongol invasion during the Goryeo period in the 13th century. Today, the site of the fortress only remains.

L-R: James, Kim, Oca, Mamel, Engr. Loy Ganzon, Grace, the author and Imjun.

The Upper Cable Car Station has souvenir shops and a small café serving coffee, honey pancakes with peanuts and Japanese and Korean cuisine inside.  After getting off at the cable car, you can hike 300 m. to the higher part of Gwongeumseong (a 15-min. hike) where you can get a birds-eye view of Oe-Serok.  There are observation platforms such as Panshi, Lost Terrace, Bell Ringing Terrace, etc.

The Upper Cable Car Station

Despite its rough course, many hikers come up to the summit of the fortress to appreciate magnificent and mysterious scenery of strange rocks and bizarre stones at Seoraksan Mountain. When you are at the summit, you can see the landscape of not only the Outer Seorak but also the Inner Seorak. Below the Gwongeumseong Fortress are Allagam Hermitage (built during the Silla period and muhaksong (Korean red pine) existed for hundreds of years.

Cafe at the Upper Cable Car Station

Seorak Cable Car: 1085, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do. Tel: +82-33-636-4300. Open daily, 9 AM – 6 PM.  Admission: 10,000 won (adults, 14 years old and above) and 6,000 won (children, 3 to 13 years old).  Children under 3 years old are free of charge.  Buying tickets in advance online is not available. A one-way ticket is also not available, so visitors need to buy a round-trip ticket.

How to Get There: the cable car station is just a 3-min. walk from the Sogonwon entrance.

Cebu Blue Ocean Academy: Building 5, EGI Hotel and Resort, M.L. Quezon National Highway, Looc, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu 6015, Philippines.  Tel: (032) 888-9868.  E-mail: pinesbaguio@gmail.com.  Website: www.cebublueocean.com.  Baguio City (Benguet) Sister School: Pines International Academy, Romel Mansion, 3 Ignacio Villamor St., Brgy. Lualhati, Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines. Tel: 1 754-255-9818. E-mail: pinesbaguio@gmail.com. Website: www.pinesacademy.com.

 

Seoraksan National Park (Sokcho City, South Korea

Seoraksan National Park

Part of Cebu Blue Ocean Academy-sponsored South Korea tour

After our Korean breakfast at Natural Soul Kitchen Restaurant at Lotte Resort Sokcho, we had a whole day to explore the 398.22 sq. km. (153.75 sq. mi.) Seoraksan National Park (seoraksan-gungnipgong-won), located 3 hours northeast of Seoul.  A national park in South Korea, it is listed by the South Korean government with UNESCO as a tentative World Heritage Site.

In 1965, the government designated the area as a 163.6 sq. km. (63.2 sq. mi.) nature reserve  and, in 1982, UNESCO designated it as a biosphere reserve, the first in the country. On March 24, 1970, it became the first Korean national park to be named under the National Park Law. On August 9–16, 1991, the 17th World Jamboree (the biggest event for boy/girl scouts and held every 4 years) was held in Mount Sorak.

It was a straightforward 12 km. drive from Sokcho to Seoraksan (translated as “Seorak Mountain”) National Park.  Highlights of our visit was our exploration of Sinheungsa Temple, one of two Buddhist temples and cultural landmarks within the bounds of the national park (the other is Baekdamsa), and a cable car ride, to the Upper Cable Car Station located 700 m. (2,297 ft.) above sea level, where we enjoyed an open view of various famous attractions such as Ulsan Peak (ranked as the most popular hikes at Seoraksan National Park due to the unique rock formation and the fabulous views from the Rock and Manmulsang Rocks. 

Check out “Singheungsa Temple” and “Seoraksan Cable Car

The long queue for a bus ride …..

Located on the east-central Korean peninsula, it is divided into the eastern section or outer section (Oeseorak), western section or inner section (Naeseorak) and the southern section (Namseorak).  Te reserve includes the Dinosaur RidgeInjegunYanyanggun, and Sokchosi and some 28 mountain peaks (all part of the Taebaek mountain range measuring over 1,200 m. above sea level, the tallest being the 1,708 m. (5,604 ft.) high Daecheongbong (also called Seorak meaning “snowy peak”), the third highest peak in South Korea.

The ranges are composed largely of dissected granite and gneiss. The annual precipitation is about 1,000 mm. (39 in.) in Inner Soraksan and 1,300 mm. (51 in.) in Outer Soraksan. Popular with tourists and nature enthusiasts, it is home to many rare taxa of flora (the park is valued for its floral diversity) and fauna (1,562 animal species have been classified so far).

Sogongwon

The park is home to about 1,013 species of known plants, with 822 vascular plant species. On the southern slope, pine trees such as the Siberian pine are abundant while the northern slopes of the mountain range are characterized by oaks and other deciduous trees. Thuja grow in the deep valleys while dwarf pines and yews grow on low and high slopes. Juniperhawthorn, and Manchurian fir can also be found.

Shops near Sogongwon

Other plants include forsythiassaw-worts and rare Hanabusaya asiatica.  Local fauna include ottersSiberian flying squirrelkestrelChinese sparrowhawklenokChinese minnow, spotted barbel and endangered Tristram’s woodpeckerKorean goral, and the increasingly rare Korean musk deer.

Statue of an Asian Black Bear

As our visit was during a weekend, the park was packed with local and foreign tourists.  Luckily, we were able to park the car just across the bus waiting station where Frank, James, Kim and I joined a long queue of visitors waiting for the bus (which leaves every ten minutes) bound for Seoraksan National Park.

L-R: James, Kim, the author and Frank

L-R: Mamel, Injun, Engr. Ganzon and Grace

Once on board, the bus ride took around 20 to 25 minutes and we were all dropped at the bust stop across Kensington Stars Hotel (the most convenient place to stay in the park.  We then had to walk, for about 10 mins., to get to Sogongwon (translated as “small park”), the entrance of the park with the most attractions and visitors.

The entrance of the park has gift shops, shops selling hiking gear, food and refreshment shops and small restaurants places (mostly Korean but very few Western). After we walked past the entrance, there is statue of an Asian Black Bear (the icon of the park’s residents) on top of a square structure bearing “Seoraksan National Park.”

The red, yellow and orange hues of autumn…..

Koreans love hiking and this is very evident in Seoraksan National Park. On a nearby huge board, you can find a number of amazing and different hiking and walking trails to the attractions in the park waiting to be explored, ranging from short 1-hour walks to full 2-day treks into the wilderness, each varying in length and difficulty.  In fact, past the entrance are signposts showing directions to two beautiful waterfalls – Towangseong Falls Observatory (2.9 kms.) and Biryongpokpo Falls (2.4 kms.).

Sinheungsa Temple

The 30-min., easy,1.5-km. Gwongeumseong Hike can be done after riding up the cable car. The 1.5 to 2-hour, easy Biseondae Hike features relatively flat out-and-back style trail walking alongside the water.  The 2 to 3-hour, moderate 3 Waterfalls Hike takes you past Yukdam Falls, Biryong Waterfall and to the aforementioned observatory of Towangseong Waterfall. The final section is tough as it is a series of steep stairs for 500 m.  The fairly difficult, 3 to 4-hour Ulsanbawi Rock Hike features lots of lots of stairs but the views at the top are absolutely incredible. The relatively short (3 to 4 hours) but difficult, 3.6-km. Geumganggul Cave Hike is quite the challenge, with a lot of elevation.

Seoraksan Cable Car

However, aside from the Sinheunsa Temple visit and Seorak Cable Car ride, we came to the national park for another reason. Every autumn, Seoraksan National Park, offering some of the most beautiful scenery in South Korea, is one of the first and most impressive places to see and enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage hues of red, yellow and orange which peaks in mid-October, the time of our arrival.

Unification Stupa

Seoraksan National Park: Seoraksan-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea.  Tel:  +82-33-801-0900.  Fax: +82-33-801-0969.  Open daily, 6 AM to 8 PM. The cable cars operate from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission: ₩4500 (adult, age 20 to 65), ₩2000 (youth, age 14 to 19) and ₩1000 (children, age 8 to 13). Cable car tickets cost ₩ 11000 for adult (middle school students or older) and ₩7000 for children (37 months to elementary school).  Children under 36 months can ride the cable car for free.  Coordinates:  38°07′30″N 128°24′58″E.

How to Get There: In Sokcho, take bus 7-1 or 7, which run on 30-minute intervals, at the bus stop opposite the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, to Outer Seorak (Oeseorak).  The whole bus journey takes about 30 minutes.

Cebu Blue Ocean Academy: Building 5, EGI Hotel and Resort, M.L. Quezon National Highway, Looc, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu 6015, Philippines.  Tel: (032) 888-9868.  E-mail: pinesbaguio@gmail.com.  Website: www.cebublueocean.com.  Baguio City (Benguet) Sister School: Pines International Academy, Romel Mansion, 3 Ignacio Villamor St., Brgy. Lualhati, Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines. Tel: 1 754-255-9818. E-mail: pinesbaguio@gmail.com. Website: www.pinesacademy.com.

Bowen Island (British Columbia, Canada)

Bowen Island

On our 18th day in Vancouver, we again went on a day tour to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, this time to a unique, peaceful and alluring island escape called Bowen Island, an island municipality that is still part of Metro Vancouver and within the jurisdiction of the Islands Trust.

Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal

A first for Grace, Jandy and I, Bryan, Cheska and Kyle have been here before, staying two nights and exploring the island on foot.  The island offers breathtaking views, hiking trails, relaxing beaches and a picturesque coastline where you can do family-friendly outdoor activities such land-based fishing, sea kayaking or stand up paddleboarding. You can also bike or scooter your way around the island.

On our way on board the Queen of Capilano

Located in the middle of beautiful Howe Sound, the 50.12 sq. kms. (19.35 sq. mi.)Bowen Island is approximately 6 kms. (3.7 mi.) wide by 12 kms. (7.5 mi.) long and, at its closest point, is about 3 kms. (1.9 mi.) west of the mainland. In Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (the Squamish language) of the Squamish people, the name for Bowen Island isy Nex̱wlélex̱m meaning “fast drumming ground”).

The lovely scenery along the way….

Bowen Island was formerly called Isla de Apodaca (after the Mexican town of Apodaca, in northeast Nuevo León state) by the Spanish Captain José María Narváez in July, 1791. In 1860, the  island was renamed the after Rear Admiral James Bowen, master of HMS Queen CharlotteCurrently, the local economy is largely dependent on commuters who work on the mainland in Greater Vancouver. As it was summer, the population of 4,256 is supplemented by about 1,500 visitors.

Our destination – Bowen Island

The 30.3-km. drive to the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal in West Vancouver, via the Trans-Canada Highway/BC-1W, took us just over 30  mins. Upon arrival, we joined the queue (it was a Sunday weekend) of cars waiting to board the Queen of Capilano, a regular car and passenger ferry service from provided by BC Ferries, leaving the port by 1:55 PM. The relaxing and easy crossing to Snug Cove Ferry Terminal on the east coast of the island took just a short 20 mins. but included picturesque views.

Snug Cove Ferry Terminal

Upon arrival at Snug Cove, we drove for about 10 mins., along the island’s only road that bisects the heavily forested and hilly terrain, to Tunstall Bay Community Beach, one of the island’s 48 mostly rocky and pebbly beaches and coastal access points (some of them neighborhood beaches) and one of four popular community beaches (the others are Bowen Bay Beach, Roger Custis Beach and Sandy Beach, the closest to Snug Cove).

Tunstall Bay Community Beach

The popular beach, originally a retirement community in the 1950s, is arguably the best beach for swimming, sunbathing, kayak launching and sunset watching on Bowen Island.  It also has an incredible view of the Pasley Islands as well as the mountains.  At a grassy area across the parking area, we set up our picnic spread where we had a very late lunch.  Aside from a parking area, this popular beach had toilets and garbage bins.

Roger Custis Beach

After our picnic at the beach, we next drove to Roger Custis Beach, another community beach in Lighthouse Cove at the west end of the island. We parked our car at the small parking lot which can accommodate six cars.

Cape Roger Curtis Lighthouse

From there, a short trail lead us down to the water’s edge.  We spent almost an hour there, with Cheska and Kyle climbing the jagged rocks to get to the base of the small but charming Cape Roger Curtis Lighthouse.

Bryan, Kyle and Cheska (holding Luffy)

Here, we had beautiful views of Georgia Strait (with Vancouver Island across the way) and the Keats and Pasley island group on the right. About 600 yds. (a 10-min. walk) from the lighthouse is Pebbly Beach, a stretch of sand amongst low cliffs and tall arbulus trees.

Jandy and Grace

From Lighthouse Cove, we drove to the beautiful and serene, marshy Killarney Lake, the largest lake on the island and a local favorite in sprawling Crippen Regional Park.  A perfect reason to make a day trip to the island, we parked along the southern shore which has a picnic area and toilet facilities.

Killarney Lake

Nearby is a dam built in the 1920s to create a catch basin for drinking water which increased the lake’s size.  At its far end are ghostly trees.  The lake, much of its foreshore blanketed with lily pads,  is surrounded by century-old second growth forest (the island was logged in the late 1890s).

Fauna sighted here include eagles, belted kingfisher, blue herons, wood ducks and red-breasted sapsuckers.  Swimming is not recommended here due to the presence of leeches.

Killarney Lake Dam

Its easy, well-maintained and marked, 7.9-mile lollipop hiking trail that first wraps around the marshy shoreline of the lake is generally considered as a moderately challenging route ( 1.5 to 2 hours at a moderate pace with minimal elevation gain).

Most of it is through the Pacific temperate forest, hiking along wooden boardwalks surrounded by ferns, with some undulating stretches around the northern side and brief breathtaking views across the waters of the tranquil lake.

the long queue of cars waiting to board the ferry

Finally, from Killarney Lake, we drove along the main road where we came from to return to the ferry.  Cheska parked the car directly along Bowen Trunk Road, joining a long queue leading to the ferry, and waited.  The return trip was free (the ticket we purchased in Vancouver was good for a round-trip fare).

Snug Cove

The Pub

Barcelona Tapas and Wine Bar

Since we still had time before the ferry departs, Jandy and I alighted to do some sightseeing, walking towards Snug Cove, the main population center,  a lovely place with a genuine small town feel that you can wander if you’ve got nothing but time.

Bowen Island Public Library

Bowen Island Historians’ Museum and Archives

It is home to an astonishing number of craft shops, art galleries and delightful boutiques (selling flowers, stylish clothes, eco-friendly soaps, etc.) at Artisan Square,  2 museums, a post office, a library and restaurants.

Snug Cove Marina

Doc Morgan’s

Just off the ferry terminals is the Snug Cove Marina.  The mock Tudor-style Union Steamship Company Store, dating from 1924, houses government offices.

Union Steamship Company Marina

The author

It was once the centerpiece of a private resort boasting campgrounds, 180 cottages and a 800-pax dance pavilion.  We departed on the 6:50 PM ferry, again on board the the Queen of Capilano, back to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal.

Passengers boarding the Queen of Capilano

Cars were next….

Bowen Island: British Columbia V0N 1G1. E-mail: info@tourismbowenisland.com. Website: www.tourismbowenisland.com.

Century Gardens (Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada)

Century Gardens

Century Gardens, within the northern border of Deer Lake Park, near the neighborhoods of Buckingham Heights and Middlegate, was a originally a Mixed Style Victorian garden made for the mock Tudor-style Fairacres Mansion (now Burnaby Art Gallery).

Check out “Burnaby Art Gallery,” “Fairacres Mansion” and “Deer Lake Park

 

The single best place in the city to admire and celebrate Burnaby’s official flower (adopted as the official emblem in August 1966), this circular garden, with a path system, has over 2,000 rhododendrons that burst into bloom in spring (March to July).

One of two developed rhododendron gardens (the other are plantings on Burnaby Mountain along Centennial Way) dedicated on June 18, 1967, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation, it features the developments of some of the Pacific Northwest’s accomplished rhododendron growers.

A garden within displays each of the winning plants, as well as samples of all the competition entries, of the May 1992 Burnaby Rhododendron Festival  (the festival was first held in 1989).  The winner was John Lofthouse (his plant developments are extremely well known) and honorable mention went to Gene Round (an accomplished grower).

Water feature

The winning entry was the R. Burnaby Centennial, a “Leona” x “Etta Burrows” cross.  The compact truss consists of 14 to 16, five-lobed flowers which are raspberry red in color centered with a lighter red stamen, style and black anthers.  Foliage is pointed, medium in size and shiny, dark green in color.

Camperdown Elm (Ulmus glabra camperdownii)

A new entrance to the garden features Hak Chu/Pak Chu, supersized concrete replicas of white Pak Chu and black Hak Chu, public art created by Vancouver born and raised Nathan Lee in 2000.  It is based on fan-tan (translated as “repeated spreading out”), a game, long played in China, based on pure luck and randomness.

Fairacres Mansion (now Burnaby Art Gallery) in the background

It involves using hak-chu and pak-chu as counters (where white pieces are worth one-fifth the value of the black pieces).  In the 1990s, a single white pak chu was discovered under the Fairacres Cottage, indicating an early Chinese community on this site.

Hak Chu/Pak Chu (Nathan Lee, 2000)

Century Gardens is also lined with numerous varieties of colorful flowers, including an extensive rose garden.  This flower paradise can be viewed from the wooden boardwalk that encircles Deer Lake Park. The annual Burnably Rhododendron Festival includes guided rhododendron and perennial walks in Century Gardens.

Century Gardens: 6344 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby V5G 213, British Columbia, Canada.

How to Get There: Bus 144 Metrotown runs from the Burnaby Lake SkyTrain Station to the gardens.  By car, take Sprott St. Exit, drive straight through Canada Way, past Burnaby City Hall and Central High School, turn left into Deer Lake Ave.  The Fairacres Mansion is at the top of the hill on your right.  Beside it is the garden.

Deer Lake Park (Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada)

Deer Lake Park

On the late afternoon of our 12th day in Vancouver, my daughter Cheska brought my wife Grace, my son Jandy, grandson Kyle and I to tranquil,  207-hectare Deer Lake Park, a 5.5-km. (12-min.) drive away, where we were to have a picnic dinner with  some U.S. friends.  From Sperling Ave., we parked at a lot closer to Deer Lake beach area.  Right across were two tables with benches where we had our picnic. An accessible washroom is located on the east side of the lake, near the parking area.

Parking lot along Sperling Ave.

Nearby, on the east end of Deer Lake, is a sandy public beach for play, along with swings for children. Plus, there’s a dock where you can launch small boats, like kayaks and canoes during the spring through the fall season. Those arriving with a kayak or canoe on their car top carrier, can launch it from the dock. From the dock, (on the western edge of the park), at 5435 Sperling Ave., there’s also Deer Lake Rental, a rental service for non-motorized watercraft such as rowboats and pedal boats as well as canoes and kayaks.

Deer Lake Park Map

Europeans who came here, not having seen caribou before, called the caribou “deer,” Caribou, in great numbers, could be seen crossing the lake from north to south, hence the name Deer Lake (the park’s namesake).

Boat Launch Dock

Situated in the central heart of the city, Deer Lake, along with Burnaby Lake, is home to resident populations of wildlife like many species of ducks, song birds (flitting through the meadows), otters and, just maybe, beavers (hard at work building dams in the marshy areas to the west of the lake) which one might glimpse them as one walks or runs along the trails that circle the lake’s 2.4-km. perimeter.

Deer Lake Rentals

You can also climb the wildlife viewing tower, near the southwest corner of the lake, to watch for endangered Western painted turtles sunning themselves on logs or basking on rocks in the ponds.

Deer Lake Rentals

Year-round resident birds in the park include red-tail hawks (circling the sky for prey below), black capped chickadee, spotted towhee, majestic great blue herons (fishing in the shallows), Anna’s hummingbird, Bewick’s Wren and Stellar’s Jay.  Summer breeding birds include Northern Harrier, March Wren, Cedar Waxwing, Swainson’s Thrush, Common Yellowthroat and American Goldfinch.  Winter & Migratory birds at Deer Lake Park include Dark Eyes Junco, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Mountain Bluebird.

Kayaks for rent

The temperate rainforest, the vegetation natural to the area, is dominated by trees considered particularly tall for the Lower Mainland, with conifers such as Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata). Deer Lake and the surrounding park is a highly altered habitat and while cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, stickleback, sculpin and crayfish were likely native to Deer Lake, most of the aquatic animals are introduced species and invasive species include bullfrogictalurid catfish and carp.

Deer Lake Beach House

Beaver Creek, flowing under the wooden boardwalk, is used by fish for feeding and as a refuge from predators such as larger fish, mink, otters, herons, and kingfishers. Young Coho salmon use this stream as they grow before their journey to the ocean. Most of the wetlands along Beaver Creek are wet meadows and open water pond area, and a remnant bog area on the Western lakeshore. Trees that can tolerate these wet conditions are Sitka Spruce, Birch, Willow hardhack, Sweet gale, Black twinberry, Dwarf dogwood, Labrador tea, Salmonberry, Sedges and Bulrushes.

Deer Lake Beach House plaque

To the north of Deer Lake, you’ll find Burnaby’s cultural centre for art and culture – Burnaby Art Gallery (located Fairacres Mansion at 6344 Deer Lake Ave.),  Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (just a short ways further down the road at 6450 Deer Lake Ave.), Burnaby Village Museum (an excellent outdoor museum at the northeast corner of the park at 6501 Deer Lake Ave.) and more. It’s a hub of activity during the busy summer season, hosting concerts and festivals on the Festival Lawn.  The park is also home to Burnaby Village and Hart House (a historic building and present-day restaurant at 6664 Deer Lake Ave.).

Check out  “Fairacres Mansion,” “Burnaby Art Gallery,” “Burnaby Village Museum” and “Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

Located in Central Burnaby, not far from Burnaby City Hall and halfway between Burnaby Lake and Metrotown, it is one of Metro Vancouver’s largest and most popular city parks, with walking trails and wide open spaces, and is a very popular area for birding and running (you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring).

Even if the skyscrapers of Metrotown rise above the lake, Deer Lake Park still provides a unique nature escape in the middle of Burnaby. It’s a great place for hiking, boating, spotting wildlife, and learning about history and culture.  Just below the Burnaby Art Gallery, the Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn is an ideal spot for a picnic on the grass or at the picnic tables near the wide paved path leading to Deer Lake.

The lake itself, in the middle of the park, has a lovely, mostly finely crushed gravel and hard packed dirt (in some parts it’s a wooden boardwalk) main walking trail along the water’s edge and through the forest (this map shows all the trails and their surfaces). Some of the paths may be too steep for some users and tree roots crossing the trail also pose a tripping hazard.  Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

The park offers a variety of many connecting trails (open year-round and beautiful to visit anytime and routes (more of an outdoor urban walk than a hike) that surround the lake:

  • Deer Lake Loop Route
  • Hart House Mini Route
  • Oakland Flats
  • Royal Oak Meadow Route

Wooden Boardwalk

You can do a small loop which runs around the edge of the lake for most of the way and takes about 35 mins., depending on how fast you walk.  You can go past the end of the lake though and continue on the larger loop (which takes about 45 mins.) which then makes its way back to the lake and the last part of the smaller loop. Doing both loops, considered an easy route, in a figure eight (where you walk along the middle section twice on your way round), is about 4.5 to 5 kms. long and takes 55 mins to an hour or so, from start to finish. Bikes are not permitted on wooden boardwalks.

Dirt and crushed gravel trail

A number of annual events take place at Deer Lake Park.  They include the following:

Canada goose

The park was a nice place for families with small kids, folks looking for a nice nature trip, or a good loop outside (if you are short on time). To enjoy the gardens in bloom, visit Deer Lake Park in spring. To enjoy many different flowers (including rhododendron, Burnaby’s official flower), visit Century Garden, next to the Burnaby Art Gallery, or the city-owned Eagles Estate Heritage Garden, on the southeastern shore of the lake, which dates back to 1929 and includes Japanese maples, rhododendrons, and magnolias.

Check out “Century Gardens

Sunset over Deer Lake

Deer Lake Park: 5435 Sperling Ave., Burnaby, British Columbia V5E 2L8.  Tel: (604) 294-7450.

How to Get There: From Vancouver, take Highway 1 east. Use exit 33 to Kensington Avenue. Turn left on Canada Way. then right on Sperling. There are several options for parking. Continue on Sperling for another block to a large parking area. Or turn right onto Deer Lake Avenue. This road runs through the east side of the park and leads to parking areas on the southeast shore of Deer Lake next to the Burnaby Village Museum, the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, and the Burnaby Art Gallery.  This map shows the parking areas noted below. The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby Art Gallery and Burnaby Village Museum parking lots are accessible from Deer Lake Ave. There is a parking lot on the west side of the park off Royal Oak Ave.  Parking isn’t permitted in the residential areas around Deer Lake Park.  Parking lots close at 10 PM every night.  Get directions or visit TransLink Trip Planner.

Deer Lake Rentals: Website: www.deerlakeboatrentals.com. Tel:  604-839-3949.

  • Kayak Charges: 1-person kayak ($16.07 plus taxes per hour, maximum total weight should be 350 lbs. or 160 kgs.), 2-person kayak ($19.64 plus taxes per hour, maximum total weight should be 450 lbs. or 205 kgs.)
  • Rowboat & Canoe Charges: 2-person rowboat ($19.64 plus taxes per hour, maximum total weight should be 400 lbs. or 180 kgs.), 2-3-person canoe ($19.64 plus taxes per hour, maximum total weight should be 500 lbs. or 230 kgs.), 4-person canoe ($31.25 plus taxes per hour, maximum total weight should be 850 lbs. or 390 kgs.)
  • Pedal Boat Charges: 2-person pedal boat ($19.64 plus taxes per hour, maximum total weight should be 600 lbs. or 270 kgs.), 4-person pedal boat $31.25 plus taxes per hour, maximum total weight should be 850 lbs. or 390 kgs.)

Dry bag rental is $1 per hour.  Last rental is 1 hour before sunset. The last 1.2 hr rental is 1/2 hour before sunset.