Category Archives: ACTIVITIES

Camp Vizcarra Ecology Park (Ramon, Isabela)

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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)

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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.

Seoul Sky (Lotte World Tower, South Korea)

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E. Ganzon, Inc. at Seoul Sky

Part of Cebu Blue Ocean Academy-sponsored South Korea Tour

On the morning of our last day in South Korea, after breakfast at Fait Maison at Sofitel Seoul Service Residences, the seven of us all proceeded, with Injun and Frank, towards the nearby Lotte World Tower, the nation’s tallest and world’s sixth tallest (surpassing the One World Trade Center in New York City) building standing 123 storeys and 555 m. (1,821 ft.) high, where we were to visit the extremely popular Seoul Sky Observatory, one of the world’s best observation decks, located on floors 117-123.

Lotte World Tower, the 6th tallest building in the world

As the tallest building in South Korea, it is the only place where we can take in a gorgeous 360-degree view of the entire capital city which is beautiful, both day and night, and roaring with brilliant history and dynamic modern culture.  The Observatory offers a diverse range of unique experiences that can only be had at a thrilling height of nearly 500 m. in the air, including various exhibitions based on the theme “The Pride of Korea.”

Ticket office entrance

Seoul Sky, opened last April 2017, is the world’s third highest observation deck.  It is comprised of an exhibition zone gallery, observation deck, sky deck, two sky cafes (119th and 122nd floor), sky terrace, lounge, and a gift shop offering exclusive tower-themed souvenirs.

Ticket office

Visitors can see all of the different facets of Seoul Sky, ever-changing with the four seasons and time of day. Here, you can view the Han River from one side (including some of the bridges that span it), Seokchon Lake Park, Jamsil Sports Complex, Olympic Park and endless rows of apartment complexes from the other.  On a clear day, you can see as far as Songdo, Incheon and the Yellow Sea.

Exhibition Zone Gallery

Once in the main lobby area inside the Lotte World Mall, we found the entrance to the Seoul Sky Observatory. and inside is the main ticket booth and entryway,   Just a little past the ticket booth outside the doors is the Seoul Sky Gift Shop and the group ticket booth. After Frank redeemed our ticket vouchers at the ticket booth for individuals, we proceed back to the entryway, walking through a digital corridor and a security checkpoint before we took the elevator down to the second basement floor (BF2).

Oca, Mamel, Kim, Grace and the author at the Digital Corridor

The digital corridor features a ceiling that reinterpreted the beauty of Korean traditional architecture through the modern lens of Bon-Chang Ku, a world-renowned Korean photographer.  The ten photos on the ceiling depict the close up images of roof tiles, symbols, patterns and colors Deoksugung Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace.

The ceiling of the Digital Corridor

We explored the Exhibition Zone Gallery where we saw some of the technology used during the construction of the tower such as the steel reinforcing bars and couplers, the outer covering glass and the GPS displacement gauge system as well as a sample of the excavated lithified rock.

Steel reinforcing bars and couplers

Outer covering glass

The exhibit also features several pieces of artwork displaying the history, culture, and pride of Korea’s foundation and success over the centuries, plus mesmerizing screens and light displays on your way to the Space Shuttle, the elevator that would take us to the Sky Deck at the 118th floor.

Scenery 2016 – Palace (Kim, Sang Gyun)

The Sky Shuttle is a double-deck (the world’s first and, at 496 m. tall, also the world’s tallest), extremely fast elevator that reaches a speed of 600 m. per minute (10 m. per second, the world’s fastest).

Sky Shuttle

During our quite short one-minute ride to the Sky Deck, we watched an amazing Korean-themed animated experience, playing on the ceiling and each of the three walls, showing a time-lapse construction of the tower. On our way up, our ears popped from the pressure change as we rapidly climbed the tower.

The Sky Theater

Before entering the Sky Deck, we first watched a short video (“Seoul Sky, the New World in the Sky”) at the small Sky Theater which includes important history clips of Seoul.

The view of the city unravels……

Once the video was finished, the screen receded and the first crescendo began as we were treated to sweeping views of the capital city.  On days when visibility is limited, visitors can still enjoy a clear sky through a pre-recorded video at Sky Theater.

The Sky Deck

The Sky Deck, located at 478 m., holds the Korea Record Institute and Guinness World Record as the highest glass-floored observatory in the world.  Standing or sitting above the 45 mm. thick glass floor, you can clearly see how high you are above ground.

View of whats below us from the glass floor

It’s an astounding perspective as we took pictures feeling suspended high in the sky but, if you stared too long, it can be quite disorienting, especially if you aren’t good with heights.  For an uninterrupted view, the observation deck has two storey-high glass windows.

The author on the glass floor

Going up a small escalator, to the 119th floor, we find the Sky Friends Dessert Café, a relaxing space where one can take a seat and try their one-of-a-kind menu which features some delicious ice cream (the Pasteur Milkbar) and sweets. This floor isn’t great to view around the tower but it’s still a wonderful spot to watch visitors taking selfies as well as watch their reaction to the glass floor.

The open-air Sky Terrace

The 120th floor holds the famous Sky Terrace, a stunning outdoor viewing platform which is open to the elements. Here, we had the opportunity to step outside the tower and feel the breeze 486 m. above the city. There are two open-air terraces, one facing northwest and the other facing southeast. If you are done exploring the tower, this floor is also the first floor that has access to the exit elevator.

Seoul Sky Cafe

The 121st floor, 500 m. above ground, also has access to the exit elevator and is where you can get on the elevator that takes you to the Sky Tower on the 123rd floor.  It has a gift shop (Seoul Sky Shop), where you can pick out the perfect souvenir (key chains, notebooks, photos, keepsakes, etc.) and, just above it, you can take some time to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and relax for a while before taking more pictures.  At this floor, you can also take a moment to take a picture with the “I love Seoul Sky” sign.

The Seoul Sky Café, on the 122nd floor, is coined as the highest café under the sky.  This coffeehouse, a South Korean chain owned by the Lotte Group, serves coffee, tea and desserts.

The author and James goofing off……

The Sky Tower, a cozy and spacious, dimly lit premium lounge (the highest lounge in Seoul) on the 123rd floor, has a classy restaurant and bar overlooking the city. This is the perfect spot to grab a refreshing wine drink and let the sights of the city just sink in in a relaxing ambiance.

View of the Jamsil Sports Complex.  On the left is the Jamsil Baseball Station while on the right is the Olympic Stadium

Back at the basement floor (BF1), before leaving, I purchased Seoul Sky merchandise (key chains, ref magnets and postcards) from the gift shop (Seoul Sky Shop) for my son Jandy.

View of the Han Rivers and some of the bridges that span it.  At the center is the Olympic Bridge

One of the best times to go to Seoul Sky is before sunset when you get to see the entire city covered in sunlight transition to dusk. As the sun slowly goes down, watch as the colors change over the city. During this transition, the lights in the city will be turning on, and you get to see the bright lights of the city illuminate the night sky. When planning your trip to the tower, it is important to watch the weather forecast as rain, clouds, smog, and fog limits visibility from the top.

View of Olympic Park

The thrilling Sky Bridge Tour, a new attraction launched last July 24, 2020, allows visitors to walk, safely tethered, on top of the Seoul Sky Observatory, with the bridge connecting to Lotte World Tower’s two structures at the peak.  The 11 m. long outdoor bridge is 541 m. (1,775 ft.) above the ground.  Visitors start from the Sky Station at the 117th floor where they are briefed on the safety instructions and put on jumpsuit and gear before venturing out.

View of the nearby Lotte Hotel World

Seoul Sky: Lotte World Tower, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea.  Tel:  +82 2-1661-2000. Website: www.seoulsky.lotteworld.com.  Open Sundays to Thursdays, 10:30 AM  – 10 PM, Fridays to Saturdays & public holidays, 10:30 AM – 11 PM. Last ticketing one hour before closing. Admission (limited to date and time printed): adult (₩27,000, ages 13 years old and above) and children (₩24,000, 3 – 13 years old). The Sky Bridge Tour, 1 to 6 PM, hourly, costs ₩100,000 (including two photos).  A single price (₩50,000) is applied to all Fast Pass tickets, regardless of age, and can only be purchased at an on-site ticket office on the day of visit.

How to Get There: Get off at Jamsil Station (Line 2 or 8) and walk toward Exit 1 and 2. As you walk in the direction of Exit 1 and 2, you will see a sign “Lotte World Mall.” Enter the mall through this underground entrance and you will get to Lotte World Mall B1F.  By bus, use the Green Bus (3217, 3313, 3314, 3315, 3317, 3411, 3414 and 4319), Red Bus (1007-1, 1100, 1700, 2000, 6900, 7007 and 8001) and Blue Bus (301, 341, 360 and 362).  You can also take the Airport Shuttle (6000, 6006, 6705 and 676A).

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 Cable Car (Sokcho City, South Korea)

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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

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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 Ridge, Injegun, Yanyanggun, 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. Juniper, hawthorn, and Manchurian fir can also be found.

Shops near Sogongwon

Other plants include forsythias, saw-worts and rare Hanabusaya asiatica.  Local fauna include otters, Siberian flying squirrel, kestrel, Chinese sparrowhawk, lenok, Chinese minnow, spotted barbel and endangered Tristram’s woodpecker, Korean 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.

Lotte World Tower Aquarium (Seoul, South Korea)

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Lotte World Tower Aquarium

Part of Cebu Blue Ocean Academy-sponsored South Korea tour

The family-friendly Lotte World Aquarium, home to the world largest ocean ecology tank, is the longest public aquarium in South Korea.  Located at the bottom floor of the mega popular Lotte World Mall and on the way to Lotte World Amusement Park in the Jamsil neighborhood, it was opened in 2015 and contains thirteen diverse “theme zones” meant to represent different ecosystems, allowing visitors to experience the five oceans of the world. From river to coast and coast to ocean, you can follow the flow of the ecosystem and have a phenomenal experience with nature.

Check out  “Lotte World Tower” and “Lotte World Mall”

E. Ganzon, Inc. at Lotte World Tower Aquarium

The aquarium is home to over 55,000 marine animals from 650 different species, ranging from freshwater fish in the Hangang River to a lone, shy but playful beluga whale (a visitor favorite) from the Arctic, all living in harmony.

After passing through the entrance gates, you can explore the aquarium along a self-guided 840-m. (2,756-ft.) long route (designed so you can experience all 5 oceans zones of the world), starting in the Korean river zone, then continuing through tropical rivers, the Amazon, the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and, finally, ending in the Polar Region zone.

You’ll first enter the Nature Zone, which is inhabited by various freshwater fish (check out the color-changing chameleons).

Archerfish and Mono Angel Fish. The former is known for their unique predation technique of “shooting down” land-based insects and other small prey with jets of water spit from their specialized mouths

Black Caiman

Next are the Tropical and Amazon River Zones, where you can see crocodiles, piranhas, and tropical sea creatures, like the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas, the largest existing freshwater fish).

Here, you’ll find Korea’s longest underwater tunnel, stretching 85 m. (279 ft.) in length.  It allows visitors to gaze upon the mysteries of the ocean above their heads. There’s a fast lane and a slow lane for those that wish to take their time watching the sea animals gliding all around them.

The 85 m. long Underwater Tunnel

In the Sea Lion Zone, you can get up close and personal with adorable sea lions from California which can swim at speeds up to 40 kms. per hour and dive down to 247 m..

The Ocean Gallery

The Ocean Gallery, spanning 2 floors, houses the biggest main water tank in Korea, allowing visitors to get close up views of the diverse marine life.  With over 10,000 sea animals in the tank, including cownose rays, nurse sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays, it measures a whopping 7.3 m. high, 25 m. wide and 2,200 tons.  The total volume of tanks in the aquarium is 5,200,000 liters (1,374,000 US gals.).

The Coral Reef Garden

After exploring the colorful Coral Reef Garden, kids can get active in the Play Ocean. There’s an aquatic petting zoo, an interaction area here where, after paying a nominal fee, visitors can physically touch and play with the marine animals such as turtles, smaller fishes, starfish, conch, sea squirts and other water creatures. Bottle feeding the koi fish (paid activity) is also an option.

Play Ocean Area

In the Marine Gallery, look out for anemone, puffer fish, and shrimps.  The soothing Jellyfish Gallery, a perfect time-out from all the activity in the aquarium, is cleverly darkened.  Here, you can watch the neon jellyfish hypnotically bobbing gently in their tanks.

Sea Turtle (sometimes called marine turtles) are reptiles of the order Testudines and the suborder Cryptodina. There are 7 existing species

There’s a second Ocean Tunnel in the Aquarium.  Here, you can see Bella the Beluga, and the creatures of the Ocean Tank swimming above and around you. Belugas are undeniably appealing to look at, but they haven’t done that well at the Lotte World Aquarium. Despite the beluga tank being double the regulated size, 2 out of the 3 original belugas have died, making it clear that these sensitive animals are not meant to be in captivity.  The final beluga – Bella – is currently undergoing wildlife adaptation training, before she’s transported to a wildlife sanctuary next year.

Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata), a species of hound shark in the family Triakidae

In the Sardine Zone, you can observe the fascinating schooling behavior of a family of sardines, tightly grouped together and swimming in synchronicity.

Humboldt Penguins at the Polar Zone

The Polar Region, the last of the 13 zones, is full of adorable Humboldt penguins, frolicking in and out of the water. At the end of this zone is a slide that’s very popular with the kids. From here, you’ll pass through the gift shop and back out into Lotte World Mall.

The Gift Shop

Even though the interior of the aquarium is dark, the displays are well-lit and easily locatable. Information about the displays are displayed in Korean and English. The various aquariums are well-kept and information relating to the animals are clearly displayed on an electronic board. There is also a café in the centre of the aquarium.

Napoleon Wrasse (Cheilinius undulatus) is a large species of wrasse mainly found on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific Region

During feeding time, you can see all the marine animals in the massive tank crowd around the diver to get at the food. You might have a hard time trying to locate the diver as sometimes there are just too many animals around him.  Be on the lookout for MIRO, a robot fish swimming innocently along a school of real fish.

Stingrays which are common in coastal tropical and subtropical marine waters around the world

Lotte World Aquarium: 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Tel: +82 2-3213-5000 and +82-2-1661-2000. Open daily, 10 AM – 8 PM. Open Mondays – Thursdays, 10 AM – 8 PM, and  Fridays – Sundays, 10 AM to 10 PM.  Last ticketing and admission 1 hour before closing.  Admission: 35,000 won (adults) and 29,000 won (children and seniors).

How to Get There:  Take the subway to Jamsil Station on Line 2 or 8, head out from exit 10 and turn right where you will see the Lotte Mall. Enter the mall and take the nearest escalator down to basement level 1 where you should see the ticketing office of Lotte Aquarium. Directional signs are also prominently displayed to guide you to the aquarium.

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.

16,000 Blue Roses Park (Casiguran, Sorsogon)

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16,000 Blue Roses Park

The famed 16,000 Blue Roses Park at the Pier Site in Casiguran, Sorsogon province’s newest attraction, is an open area within Plaza Escudero “planted” with 16,000, 3-foot tall artificial blossoms made up of illuminated blue LED lights.  This gorgeous and breathtaking public art installation, a dazzling nebula of cool blue lights, is best viewed from dusk to nighttime when the lights magically transform the area.

The author

This newest ecotourist attraction was opened last September 11, 2023, the 64th birthday of Sorsogon Gov. Jose Edwin “Boboy” B. Hamor, a former Casiguran mayor.  Since its opening, it became a hit with photographers and visitors have frequented the place to have their pictures taken in a different kind of setting.

This garden is reminiscent of the 25,000 LED Roses (actually just 22,550) at the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park of the famous Dongdaemum Design Plaza, a cultural center in Seoul, South Korea.  Each “rose” houses a micro LED bulb, not much bigger than the size of a thumbnail.

The park is located within the 14-hectare Casiguran Settlement, home to a monumental, multi-arched portal and the equally monumental Statue of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, modeled after the image of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila.

Check out “Casiguran Settlement”

The monumental image of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila in the background

16,000 Blue Roses Park: Plaza Escudero, Brgy. Central, Casiguran, Sorsogon.

Garry Point Park (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada)

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Garry Point Park

This 30-hectare (75-acre) Garry Point Park, a public open-air coastal park situated on the Sturgeon Banks of  the Fraser River, was opened in 1989. This popular picnic destination, at the southwestern side of Richmond, near Steveston, is fringed by a sandy, log-strewn shimmering and expansive waterfront, the park’s main appeal. Located next to the Salish Sea, it offers gorgeous and relaxing panoramic views of the Fraser River’s South Arm; the low-rise silhouettes of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands and the sunset from across the water.

The park’s southern edge has a string of small, log-strewn sandy beaches backed by tangles of driftwood logs where you can sit and watch the fishing boats, tugs and pleasure vessels coming in and out through the fast-moving waters of the Steveston Harbor.

It features a modern sculpture (Steveston Fishermen’s Memorial), a Japanese garden (Kuno Garden), beach access, good washrooms, a picnic area and plenty of benches. The area was used as a location for filming of the Netflix series Midnight Mass.

The gently rolling grassy areas of Garry Point’s are also ideal for spreading out an impromptu picnic blanket. At the eastern edge of the park are two seasonal concession stand counters -Timothy’s Frozen Yogurt (for sweet treats) and local legend  Pajo’s (serves delicious fish and chips).

The park’s understated flora includes colorful bluebells, vibrant azaleas and, every April, the park’s Cherry Tree Garden, undertaken in 2000 during the 35th anniversary of the friendship of the cities of Wakayama, Japan and Richmond, British Columbia.  It features more than 250 carefully cultivated cherry trees that form a canopy over a walkway, making this a magnet for cherry blossom fans. During Garry Point’s annual Pacific Rim Kite Festival, in June, you can watch and kite flying, typically flown from a buggy or a board, taking full advantage of the unobstructed breezes.

Dogs are allowed in the park, but they must be leashed; and feeding wildlife and picking plants is not permitted. Dotted around the park are several well-written plaques, some with excellent black and white photos that transport you right back to the Richmond of yesteryear.

Kuno Japanese Garden

Near the entrance of the park is Kuno Garden, a Japanese garden established in 1989 by the local Japanese community in celebration of the centenary of Gihei Kuno, the first Japanese immigrant from Wakayama, Japan who arrived here in 1888, one of many thousands who fuelled Steveston’s fishing industry.

Donated to the city as a part of the centennial project, it is filled with Japanese horticultural features, symbolic stone structures, lantern and rock carefully placed to achieve the ultimate state of Zen.

Steveston Fishermen’s Memorial

The striking, 25-ft. high, aluminum, bronze and stone Steveston Fishermen’s Memorial, towering over the waterfront, recalls the importance of fishing. Shaped like a giant fishing net needle, it’s a stirring public art reminder of those who have been injured or lost their lives to the industry over the years. Its base is engraved with the names of hundreds of fishermen who lost their lives for their communities. Created by artists George Juhasz and Georg Schmerholz, it was unveiled to the public in 1996.

Along the park’s circuit trail is Scotch Pond, a historic moorage site on the north end of the park that is an evocative reminder of the past.  Home of the Scottish Canadian Cannery, it is one of more than a dozen similar operations that once dotted the Steveston shoreline. Built in 1899, there are still remnants of the raised wooden walkway that once led across the water to this cannery as well as a large, barn-like structure, on piles, that  once housed a busy, family-run boatworks that was constructed here in 1905

Garry Point Park: 12011 Seventh Ave., Richmond, British Columbia V7E 4X2. Open 2 hours.  Tel: (604) 244-1208.

How to Get There: Garry Point Park is a short stroll from the centre of Steveston Village; reach it on foot via a wide walkway that runs alongside the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. Steveston is easily reached by public transit.

Harrison Lake and Lagoon (Harrison Hots Springs, British Columbia, Canada)

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Harrison Hot Springs

On the morning of our 32th day in Vancouver, our whole family drove 122 kms. (a 1.5-hour drive) to the resort community of Harrison Hot Springs, east of downtown Vancouver, were we were to join a relaxing picnic with some Vancouver friends.

Parking area along Esplanade Avenue

It is home to soothing, natural mineral hot springs, a long sandy beach and beautiful Harrison Lake and Lagoon. Both town and lake were named after Benjamin Harrison, a director (later Deputy Governor from 1835 to 1839) of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Lillooet Avenue

Upon arrival, we parked near the Harrison Hot Springs Village promenade, a paved walkway that runs parallel to Esplanade Ave..  It connects the beach, spa resort, retail shops and restaurants.

Rendall Park

Public Washroom and Fitness Area

Along the promenade, we set up our picnic spread at the lakefront Rendall Park, a large grassy field with picnic tables, port-a-potties, barbecue pedestals, colorful gardens and big, old shady trees at the east side of Harrison Village, just past the boat launch.

Killer’s Cove Marina

Harrison Village Mall

Located near the Harrison Yacht Club and Ranger Station Art Gallery, the park had good views of Harrison Lagoon and the Marina, on one side, and apartments, condos, hotels and restaurants on the other.

Public Mineral Pool

The Public Pool is centrally located at the junction of Hot Springs Road and the Esplanade.

Harrison Lake

The largest lake in the southern Coast Mountains of Canada, cozy Harrison Lake is located in the beautiful Fraser Valley east of Vancouver.  It covers about 218 sq. kms. (84 sq. mi.) in area and is about 60 kms. (37 mi.) in length and, at its widest, almost 9 kms. (5.6 mi.) across. It has a surface elevation of 10 m. (33 ft.), an average depth of 151.4 m. (497 ft.), a maximum depth of  279 m. (915 ft.) and a water volume of 33 sq. kms. (27,000,000 acre⋅ft.).

The author with Harrison Lake in the background

The lake is the last of a series of large north-south glacial valleys tributary (the others to the west are the Chehalis, Stave, Alouette, Pitt, and Coquitlam Rivers) to the Fraser along its north bank east of Vancouver, British Columbia. East of the lake are the Lillooet Ranges while to the west are the Douglas Ranges.

Beach volleyball

Children’s Playground

During the busy summer season, Harrison Lake is popular its beautiful sandy beaches along with picturesque parks, swim areas, playgrounds, beach volleyball and a wide variety of water activities (boating, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, windsurfing, jetskiing, sailing, etc.) situated along the beach (or you can just hanging out in the water and on the sand).

Harrison Watersports

There’s also an amazing inflatable water playground (Harrison Watersports), with its trampolines and bumper boats, out in the lake that’s open (for a fee). A glacier-fed lake, Harrison Lake can be very cold. There are no lifeguards on any of the beaches in Harrison Hot Springs.

Harrison Lagoon

Harrison Lagoon (on the southern tip of Harrison Lake), on the other hand, is an artificial water body created in the 1960s.  It is divided from Harrison Lake by a man-made berm built with rock and sand and designed to allow for water to come through the rocks into the lagoon from the lake. Because of this, it is a natural water body and you will notice the lagoon rise and fall with the level of the lake.

The manmade berm

The lagoon is a popular swimming hole during the summer as it gets quite warm. On hot days, there can be upwards of 400 people swimming, tanning, and wading here. It is also safe for kids to swim and play as it is protected, shallow and warmer than the lake.

We tried out our two inflatable stand up paddle boards, first at the lagoon and, later, at the lake itself. Both lagoon and lake have a cordoned off swimming area. 

Kayaking and stand up paddle boarding at Harrison Lake

We also hiked the generally easy, 1.4-km. (0.9-mi.) loop trail near Harrison Hot Springs, a very popular area for birding, mountain biking, and running which took me 20 mins. to complete. Along the way, while exploring, I encountered joggers, walkers and pet owners (dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash).

Harrison Lake and Lagoon: Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia V0M 1K0, Canada.  Tel: (604) 796-5581. E-mail info@tourismharrison.com.  Website: www.tourismharrison.com. Coordinates: 49°30′N 121°50′W.

Harrison Watersports: Admission: $40 CAD ($31 USD) for a 2-hour pass to the waterpark (wetsuit not included, but you can rent one for around $6 CAD). The second package is $57 CAD ($44 USD) and it includes a 2-hour pass, transportation to and from the waterpark, a wetsuit, and a 30-minute bumper boat ride. Open from early June until early September, 11 AM to 6 PM daily.

 

How to Get There: Harrison Hot Spring is located about 30 mins. northeast of Chilliwack, 8 kms. (5 mi.) north of Agassiz, on the Lougheed Highway 7, and 123 kms. (77 mi.) east of Vancouver (1-½ to 2-hour drive).  From Vancouver, travel along Highway 1 and take Exit # 135 to head north up Highway 9 through Agassiz. Continue for another 8 kms. ( 5 mi.).

Deep Cove (North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

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Deep Cove

On afternoon of our 2th day in Vancouver, our whole family drove to Deep Cove to again escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a more relaxed, rural vibe.  Formerly known as Deepwater, this small but beautiful and picturesque local, waterfront-oriented West Coast village centre at the far eastern edge of the District of North Vancouver, within Say Nuth Khaw Yum Provincial Park (formerly called Indian Arm Park), was just a short and easy, 15-km. (25-min.) drive away from our place.

Panorama Park

As it was a weekend, Panorama Park, a picnic shelter, large grassy lawns on a hill and a popular children’s play area slightly to the north of the shops and restaurants, was packed and it was some time before we found a parking spot as well as a suitable, shady spot on the grass for our late picnic lunch.

Picnicking at Panorama Park

Bounded by the Seymour community to the west, and the wilderness forests of the North Shore mountains, Deep Cove, is on the southern end of the Indian Arm, (its proper First Nation’s name is Sleilwaut or Səl̓ilw̓ət), the southernmost glacial fiord in Canada which is over 20 kms. (12 mi.) long. And if you head just a few kilometers (1.8 mi.) further south, you’ll hit the Burrard Inlet which separates the city of Vancouver from North Vancouver.

Deep Cove Marina

Home to world-class recreation opportunities for locals and visitors alike, it is one of the most scenic spots in the Lower Mainland and is one of the few in Indian Arm which has both a sheltering shape and the shallow bottom required for overnight anchorage of pleasure vessels. The Deep Cove area includes, besides Deep Cove village, Cove Cliff, Dollarton, and Indian Arm neighborhoods.

Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak Center

Deep Cove (or simply “The Cove” as the locals say it), home to some of North Vancouver’s and the entire Lower Mainland’s most expensive real estate, is a wonderful place for walks and hikes or simply to enjoy the views, with a couple of nice parks along the waterfront which, on Friday evenings in the summer, plays host to free live music concerts.  The village’s “downtown” consists primarily of a single street lined with restaurants, an ice cream parlor or two, coffee shops, unique boutiques and galleries.

Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak Center

Deep Cove is host to a number of interesting events each year, including the following:

  • Penguin Plunge– a New Year’s swim outdoors in the frigid waters takes place every January 1st in the early afternoon. About 300 participants take part each year, with many of them in costumes.
  • Summer Concerts at Panorama Park– free live outdoor concerts take place in the village on Friday evenings in the summer. (Similar concerts are offered elsewhere in North Vancouver on the same day as well, including in Lynn Valley and Edgemont Village.)
  • Carol Ships Shoreline Celebration– a winter holiday event with a community bonfire, music and boats with Christmas lights in December.

Kayaks by the beach

You’ll also be hard pressed to find a better place to do kayaking, boating, canoeing or stand up paddle boarding and, since we also brought the two inflatable paddleboards, Bryan and Kyle did stand up paddleboarding up Indian Arm at the sheltered bay (also called Deep Cove).  As it was summer, there were also kayaks, paddle boards and canoes that can be rented at a rental shop (Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak Center) to the south. Beyond is more parkland.

Bryan and Kyle on their inflatable paddle board

Deep Cove’s sandy beach was small but nice for swimming. In town, a paved pathway runs all along the water, with Deep Cove’s pier and the marina in the middle.

Deep Cove: District of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

How to Get There: From Vancouver, take the #211 bus from Burrard Station in central downtown.  The trip takes about 50 minutes in total.