Tag: waterfall

Katoomba & The Blue Mountains

About 2 hours from Sydney via train are The Blue Mountains. I stayed in Katoomba, a small mountain town. It was the coldest place I visited this trip. I definitely recommend layers if you’re there for the winter season.

Katoomba was a short bus-ride from Scenic World, which I definitely recommend you buy tickets for. There were a lot of families and children there, but the hikes and walkways weren’t crowded whatsoever. There’s a “scenic skyway” that takes you across Jamison Valley, where you cruise above the treetops and have an amazing view of Katoomba Falls that actually supplies water to Sydney.

Floating above Jamison Valley.

Their “scenic cableway” is the steepest in the Southern Hemisphere, and their “scenic railway” is the steepest in the world. Neither go that fast, but I do have to say that I wasn’t prepared for the incline of the railway (you can adjust your seat up to a 64 degree incline). I honestly had no idea what to expect, but it was a total surprise that there was a drop involved, haha.

Not too far of a journey from Scenic World is Three Sisters at Echo Point, a formation you can’t help but be drawn as you enjoy it from various vantage points while enjoying all the attractions. You can walk there from Scenic World via one of their many pathways in the mountains, or take a bus. Between my couple of days in the Blue Mountains, I visited Three Sisters during the day and also at dusk. The colors of the formation really do play off of the sun. It was definitely worth another visit.

One of my favorite parts of Katoomba was how many thrift and vintage shops they had along their main street. Secondhand shops have far more interesting things to look at over your typical souvenir shop or department store. I picked up a wool newsboy cap to keep me warm, and some vintage postcards I definitely would not have found anywhere else!

Like Byron Bay, Katoomba also had an Aldi’s for some cheap eats. As I wandered the main street, I saw a sign for a community lunch within the Town Centre Arcade. And it was there that I met Elaine. A truly inspirational lass, we had the most heartwarming chat. Honestly, Australians are some of the friendliest, loveliest people I’ve ever met. Elaine and I were meant to take lunch together. ❤

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Las Filipinas

Las Filipinas… it’s been long overdue that I visit my native land, where both my parents were born and immigrated from with my grandparents when they were kids. While a visit would have only been made better if my parents and sisters were there, and while it was unfortunate that I was meeting my father’s side of the family for the first time under the circumstances of my great-grandmother’s passing, it felt really amazing to be in the land of my people.

Visiting the Philippines felt a lot like visiting Toronto in the sense that I was going there to see and spend with family, (most of whom I was meeting for the first time!!!) who were the most generous hosts and hospitable guides. It was nice to be surrounded by family being away from mine since August, and to have family act as my travel guide as well as be the best kind of traveling company.

Without my relatives, I don’t know how I would have gotten anywhere. Traffic, especially in Manila can be particularly awful, but I had the best time riding public transportation in the form of “jeepneys,” (small, colorfully ornamented public buses) and in the sidecar of motorcycles.I spent the majority of my time with my great-aunt Flory who lives in Manila and together with my aunts, we also visited the northern province of Luzon (Ilocos Sur & Norte), and Tagaytay in Cavite. I also traveled further south to Oriental Mindoro, where my great-grandmother lived.

There were a lot of firsts for me in the Philippines: I met a LOT of cousins, and great-aunts and uncles for the first time, rode a horse, sang karaoke outdoors, ate a lot of homecooked Filipino meals for the first time in months (!!!), fed a camel, saw a windmill up close, went swimming in a waterfall, and watched a dancing fountain show coordinated to “Watch Me-Whip/Nae Nae” (among other songs).

If I could describe the Philippines in one word, it’d be “warm.” The Philippines has a very lush, tropical climate year-round, so it is very literally a warm place. There are a lot of farms, rice fields, beaches, and waterfalls. Manila is a big city, but visiting smaller towns, and rural provinces was refreshing after the hustle and bustle of China, and Hong Kong.

The people of the Philippines were so warm and welcoming as well. My family showed me the warmest hospitality and made sure I enjoyed my visit. My trip there was such a treat. I’m always grateful, so grateful, and I feel so proud of my roots. Maraming salamat po, las Filipinas!!! Until next time.

I’ve been in Japan for a few weeks now, friends. I hope to update you sooner than later about my time in Tokyo before I jet-off and run my JR pass to the ground starting this weekend… but if I can’t, sit tight. I will share about my time here, promise.

A happy week to you all, and happy watching my Philippines footage!

Love from Japan ♥