Chan's Gorgeous Travels

Journey to Hell Valley

"When you're going through hell, keep going."

This quote by Winston Churchill means you don't want to stay there, so you must keep going in order to overcome it, which also means still a lot of blood, sweat and tears. I want to expound on this a little further. Staying in hell would be too costly, too painful for one to not do something about it. Hence, one must do something in order to overcome it because there seems to be no other choice. I'm sure you won't disagree to this.

Back to my travel story, I went to the Hell Valley a few years ago (before the pandemic) but it was only lately I was able to assimilate the learnings from the whole experience.

Taiwan is such a charming country. It might be small, but there are many amazing places to see. I would say that the Hell Valley of Beitou is one of them.

On the way to the Hell Valley, you will be greeted by some lotus ponds with beautiful blooms of lotus flowers which smile towards the sun. The way to Hell Valley seems to be very enticing indeed. There are small town shops along the way for some cup of Joe on a cold weather. That is if you visit on the country at the right time of the year. Just enjoy the cool views and the people that you will come along with. Afterall, it is all about the journey, isn't it? And if you're lucky, it would also be the company.

It won't take much of a walk then you're in Hell Valley already. Make sure to take a lot of photos as souvenirs. I'm sure though that you won't stay that long here as there's not much to do in this place, so as you can see in the first picture, everyone's standing. You'll just say to yourself, 'Where to next?' ;)

"When you're going through hell, keep going."

Back to my travel story, I went to the Hell Valley a few years ago (before the pandemic) but it was only lately I was able to assimilate the learnings from the whole experience.

Taiwan is such a charming country. It might be small, but there are many amazing places to see. I would say that the Hell Valley of Beitou is one of them.

"Every mind is its own universe."

After many years of singlehood, I finally had the courage to share my life with someone. This is something that had been a little difficult for me given that I've spent my entire "many years" totally single, and not committing to anyone. It sure had some dark moments but also have some very bright spots.

It is a cliche to call it "becoming one unit" but it is what it is. Imagine the challenge of letting go of your own perception of who you think you are because surely, the merging if you want to call it that, is gonna mold you into someone which could be for the better or for worse. I now understand how important it is to pick someone who will help you both become better versions of yourselves. There will be many, many lessons to be learned and both parties must be nimble to all of those. It is afterall, still a two-way road.

Once we merge with someone, we create a brand new world for the two of you. You will be the master creator of what kind of life both of you will lead so you should be and always will be looking in the same direction. This is to ensure you will not lose one another. I came to appreciate this only recently when we encountered one of our big tests.

Just like traveling to a new place, entering a brand new world is very exciting in the beginning. It might make you think twice in the middle as you meet some hurdles, but it could be very glorious once you overcome each of those.

Again, all of this still feels new to me. I am always reminded of my old life and old me, and sometimes I feel scared I might be going the wrong direction. However, having faith helps a great deal. We have to believe that where we are now is where we needed to be, and that living in the present means having the courage to face what is being served at the moment.

Traveling to a Brand New World

by Cristiane on 8:33 AM

"Every mind is its own universe." After many years of singlehood, I finally had the courage to share my life with someone. This ...

Actually, you would need to sign up to their website first, for reservation. But this day I got lucky and when I asked and the ladies who first came smirked and said, "Ah, did you register?" I really did not feel like giving up that easily, then suddenly this little auntie showed up in the picture and I gave her my most beautiful smile, "Good afternoon!" I was very enthusiastic and that's surely because even before I went into the entryway, I was already impressed by the little garden of exotic plants and shrubs that greeted me. In fact, I could stay here outside, I thought. But the gentle auntie would guide me inside even though I have not made a reservation. That time I was naturally elated.

I like the quietness of this place, the type that would let your thoughts wander in magical places... It feels like home. Well, it is almost like a house. It is a house, a house of books perhaps. The interior has very narrow paths just like that of a small bungalow. The spaces are very cozy, and it must be the great lighting which are all warm. Readers can just sit on the floor or pretty much anywhere with no problem.

And of course, the smell of the books blended very well with the smell of brewed coffee, and some incense, I guess. How I missed this place. The traveler in me brought me to the room full of National Geographic magazines, and I obligingly indulged in every page. I could not imagine leaving that place without grazing all of those pages, maybe the only rare time when I get too gluttonous.

A young couple approached the little nook I was sitting at for a while now and I think they would like to take IG shots due to the beautiful background. I ignored them and pretended I did not take notice even though they tried so hard to get my attention. I felt really guilty but sitting crossed legs on the shiny wooden floor without a care in the world is the best feeling ever. The girl was wearing a printed dark red and black dress and her partner just had khaki shorts and white top. The girl twirled about two times and it's already destroying my reflecting mood. "That's it," I thought. It's time to move to another room.

The aroma of the tea and coffee served at the main hall would penetrate the mask I was wearing and maybe it could have masked whatever perfume I was wearing or everybody's wearing at the moment. So there is this polarizing effect for everyone and all of us in this book house seems to be in a trance, all moving at the same slow pace like drifting and floating elegantly like our socks were never touching the wooden floor.

I turned around and looked for the toilet sign and saw it in one corner. The lamps that hung inside were marvelous which made me feel like staying longer than necessary. I can smell the incense or maybe it's an aroma candle lit in another room. The scent is warm and woody.

A classical music was being played even though the one old piano by the sofa chairs are not being used. I thought of sitting on it even for just a moment but I settled with just glancing at it a little because the luminous inner library was already calling for my attention. "This way, Alice," a faint sound in my head whispered.

I walked up the small platform and a tall old man was standing on the side whom I did not see before and wearing something a bit formal which made him look a bit out of place -- led me to the right side and said point his one hand to the line up: "Classics," his smile was small and his face very serious. I can't remember his face but his voice has a lovely tone.

Then I remembered a guy in Manila who I liked but who's timing was really off, at least as I perceive it. The only thing I can remember now about that guy is that I really like his voice which has a familiar tone. I really like it when he calls my name, it always put a smile on my face even if I try to hide it. In case you're wondering, no, it doesn't make me nervous when he calls my name. It's just like that soft breeze on your cheeks... makes me curious I guess.

"Pick me!" My hand did the picking just following that voice in my head. When I looked at the cover, I smiled. It was Jane Austen's Persuasion. I sat on one side of the long wooden table and let myself be transported into another world.

I caught myself singing one time when I was plainly browsing through some books, even though some of them foreign. I had to stop myself and be more aware so I immediately looked around me to see if I caused any disturbance. Well, there were those who were so comfortable that they sat on their knees, some were lying sideways -- and there are a few more positions -- I had some relief when I did not catch anyone frowning. But I still wonder to this day which books they were holding... That time I wished I could take a peek into the world they immersed themselves into.

I forgot about the time nor how many times I scratched my head because some books were written in Mandarin and I could not read them. This was the same exact feelings I had a few months back when I was in Singapore's enormous National Library.

I found myself back sitting on the floor very comfortably at the small corner where I feasted on design books, and though this is the second time already it still felt like the first -- I was completely in awe. "I could live here," I whispered to the air that is slowly getting cold.

Suddenly the auntie I met earlier came to ask me if I want coffee. I thought coffee would be great but it seemed like I didn't want to bother her so I shaked my head. Maybe I changed my mind that time so I went out to the tea area and I was surprised that it seemed like we were the only ones left in this place.

"Hi! Uhm, what time do you close?" It just came out of my mouth.

"5:30" She smiled warmly.

I looked at my phone and I saw it is already 5:35. I scanned the room to look for my other bag and I found it on a table. "Xie, xie..." I hurriedly uttered while putting my bag on my shoulder and I was slightly nodding. I told her that the place was very nice and that I will be back the next day which was also my birthday but of course I did not need to tell her about it.

Back to Chapter Library

by Cristiane on 10:03 PM

Actually, you would need to sign up to their website first, for reservation. But this day I got lucky and when I asked and the ladies who fi...

This post is dedicated to my ex #2, who I hope is not having fun right now, LOL, and to my friend Reina, whom I share some of my heartiest laughs with. I also dedicate this post to Leo Babauta and Benjamin P. Hardy -- my virtual mentors. Really thankful for these two for when their articles have saved me from the rut and, or from mental breakdown.

Twenty-some months ago, I visited South Korea for the second time. This time I made sure I stay for at least a week because the first time, which was in 2014, was only three days -- so quick that I even forgot if I ever got to enjoy that tteobbokki. This time I traveled with a colleague who is close to me -- it was also actually a few months before he leaves the company for good. I'm not going to talk about our whole trip, but just this one night I would describe as a "wild night". By the way, his name is Dwight. And we are very close friends that if he were not gay, people would have already made stories about us. Does this line resonate so much? Anyway, this is Filipino culture and I have to understand "culture". Regular folks are clueless as to how special my aesthetics is and maybe this is also the reason why I find it hard to find a suitable mate. I can smile at people and praise them all day but this does not mean I like them in a romantic way. In fact, if I really like someone, I may not be very articulate and may be even shy.

Around the first week of October is when Koreans celebrate Chuseok holiday. This is a time when families and friends gather for dinner and give each other gifts. It's mostly like Thanksgiving. I especially planned to go on this holiday to get a cultural experience of that. Of course, we were not disappointed as it was a week-long celebration with many activities left and right. I will not be documenting anymore how being broken made me really looking forward for this holiday -- you heard about Bea, Julia and Gerald right? LOL I'm sure the guilty parties were reminded of that. But I have this talent of easily bouncing back and I thank God very much for taking care of me. Without faith, I think one can easily get swept into the abyss of perpetual existential crisis. Life is good and we have to realize this fact.

The itinerary I planned was not as tight as in the past. The one that I wished I scrapped off was the Nami Island because since it is a long local holiday, it can be tiring lining up from one place to another. Plus, it could really be as claustrophobic at times. The beautiful autumn weather is the only thing that was able to redeem all these inconveniences. It makes you smile for no reason, and inspired. This is why I travel.

There are not much "oppas" in the surrounding as one kpop fan could hope for -- actually, there was one, right, Dwight? LOL. Usually, Dwight and I would just stalk discretely if ever there is a cute face. But this is very rare because oppas are only ubiquitous in kdramas. For those planning to go to Seoul, do not get your hopes too high. There were many cute girls, though, and maybe that is thanks to the universal red lipstick.

We booked co-ed room-sharing with three bunkbeds. This is where we met Margaret who would later invite us to that one wild night. She was a Korean living in Holland and with a typical Korean background of having feud in the family and the culture of giving up offsprings that were not born male. A very good example of a backward thinking society. I remember those kdramas where little girls were punished for reading books in secret -- for me to feel so lucky to be in a world right now where knowledge and information is free is an understatement.

I love traveling not only because of the dopamine you get from the thrill of new experiences, places, people and food but also the opportunity to get active -- hiking and walking all day everyday is not something I can possibly do in Manila, with its climate and polluted air. I am not saying Seoul has zero pollution but it is preety easy to go out the city skirts -- compared to getting stuck in traffic going to Laguna, for example. I think I always say this in my posts but I think it's good to always remind yourself the reason behind why you do the things that you do, which I think we can all apply in practically anything in life. So why do you travel?

Dwight and I came back to our home away from home in Hongdae from our hike in Suwon Hwaseong. It is an impressive complex of a fortress situated in the city of Suwon, a few hours away from Seoul -- no actually, 45 minutes only by fast train. We were exhausted and actually I forgot what we ate that evening. We were alone in the room, as is usual, as our company would be out all day and all night. I stretched my now sore legs out and took a short nap without changing clothes. I heard the keypad with security lock by the door was activated which means someone has arrived. It was Margaret. And another guy, Adrian Paz, the guy she introduced to us the other day, who I would later find to have worked as a financial analyst.

I quickly stood up and fixed my hair. I reached for my comb almost instantaneously. This was the night that everyone in Hongdae will be out and about to celebrate Chuseok. But I did not feel excited, or I was not in good spirits because the message I was waiting for the whole day did not come. Margaret was in high spirits and told us that she will introduce us to her other friends staying in another hostel. One of them is a musician she said.

Still in the bunkbed, looking at the small square mirror I placed at the mini deck at the foot of the bed, I put my hair in a lose braid and swiped a pink lipstick. I removed my black blazer and put on the denim jacket. I thought though that it was colder than usual so I changed my mind and instead wore the black blazer inside the denim jacket, just to be safe. I looked at my phone again but the message I was waiting for did not arrive.

We went out and sat at a bench near the gate of our hostel and we were all laughing because they were making fun of Adrian who was still not out after a while -- he moves really slow for a guy they said. And they weren't wrong. Me on the other hand was already calculating in Astrology terms -- ha! This guy must be a Taurus or have strong Taurean influence in his birth chart LOL. In fact, from what I know, nobody can ever rush them, literally or figuratively. My Aunt Tes was the best example. ✌

Chuseok is no joke. Everybody were literally on the streets, even children. Maybe I am exaggerating here -- maybe not all of Hongdae but just parts of it like the parks and the area with restaurants and pubs. Restaurants were at their busiest and very, very loud. I understand that it is a holiday and I am fully aware that I am here for the experience but I did not like very noisy restaurant. I can hear an English speaking guy who was actually the loudest in the room talk brag about things. Or maybe I just assumed he was bragging about something due to the tone of his voice and the high volume. I was rolling my eyes the whole time. He was from another table of course. And I'm delighted that our group were rather gentle people. I feasted my eyes to the physically beautiful people around me -- to my right sat Adrian and to my left was a french guy whose name unfortunately I cannot remember. They are not that attractive but it's their eyes I would stare at when talking because I find them exotic -- green and with curved eyelashes, and pupils which I think were dillated. They were gentlemen but both were trying to hit at me on the get go. Or maybe they were just trying to be friendly to some Asian friends who look really innocent. I know Dwight would stare at them too especially when the guys put food on my plate.
I like Adrian's voice but that is it. I also feel that he and Margaret has something between them so I would not dare flirt. I did not eat much except for kimchi. At times I would listen to what other guys are talking about. Tina, the musician, were talking intimately with Thierry, a tall guy with black hair but has European features, who actually wore a rather more put together outfit of white long sleeves and black trousers. He also has a handsome face but is the quiet type of guy so he lacks some charm. In Filipino culture, he looks like a "mama's boy".

Like my other posts, there is nothing so special about this story -- it's simply a diary from my travels. As boring as it started, to be honest, it will end on the same note. If you came here just because of the hype then I am really sorry, haha!

Anyway, let me continue. We all smelled like barbeque by the time we are done eating and to grasp for crisp air was marvelous. I can feel my nose get cool but not frozen. I asked Dwight Gomez if we would still go with the group who were planning to go for a drink. Soju were not enough, I guess, or maybe nobody enjoyed it. We walked the even more crowded street leading to the happening area -- near exit 9 of Hongdae, I believe. There's a strip of pubs where young people flock to. You can already smell the cigarette everywhere and it makes you want to smoke as well. We walked past by a few and then the group entered one.

So here is a plot twist -- I forgot to bring with me my passport so I could not enter the place. I ended up going back with the help of Tina, the musician. We went back to her place first and then discovered the love of my life back then -- a golden retriever! She said the hostel owner tasked her to walk this dog and since she have yet to walk the dog for the day, she decided to walk it once we reached the place. We happily went out and walked the cutest dog we named Georgia to a park. It was around 1 am. In the park were people and mostly locals of all ages. Everyone was so star-strucked to see Georgia who was about a year and a half. Evidently, this was the part where I truly enjoyed this holiday. I wished I could raise such a dog. All my sadness if ever there was any, disappeared. Just like meeting the love of your life. But it was only a short one hour or so. After walking Georgia, I told her that Margaret would be waiting for us so we went to my hostel and grabbed my passport. Dwight was still there, too, and I could not miss the happening, FOMO.

Ah, we entered the smokey place, well, outside was the smoking area and inside the pub was in AC and as is any pub during holiday, it is jam-packed. I wished I wore my high heels. People were so tall and my five foot one could really feel intimidated. When I reached the bar to order a drink, I immediately sat up the tall stool so the bar tender could see me. The bar itself is like almost five feet. I got the sweet apple beer and ran back to the outside where the group were. I said we're back. We could not hear each other because the music is too loud but I did not mind much. There was nothing to talk about anyway. I used hand gestures to ask for a cigarette and lighter. The French guy gave me one. He was very young, I think around early twenties, and he has a very animated expreasion. I liked to make fun of him but he also knows how to make fun of me when my cheeks turned red due to alcohol allergy. He was like a kid.

I looked at Dwight and saw him and Adrian having conversations. I think I talked to Tina briefly then she dragged me inside to dance. It was Michael Jackson song. She is of German decent and is tall and is a big woman but her face is tiny and her hair short and blonde. She is the friendliest.

So people there were normally in groups, some are dancing, some are just having conversations and some are watching a soccer game. At that time, I could not find my timing but Tina was very enthusiastic so I just pretended to look confident LOL. She introduced me to some of her friends there she have known in the past days, including a pretty Korean girl who is fluent in English. Turned out she lives in the UK and was just visiting Korea. Exchanged hugs, yes, of course. I already thought I was already acing this socializing thing.

We went back and found ourselves hopping to another pub. This time a more intimate one without a crowd. The name of the pub was DISS. Okay, I thought. It was dark but the music they play was hip hop. Okay, not bad. There were very few people in this pub -- we were the only group and the others were basically just couples on a date. The table adjacent to ours were a Korean couple. To the far left near the bar were a Korean girl and a white male who would later make a scene.

Actually, I was not in the mood to order anything more as I cannot go over my budget already LOL. So I took an orange juice. But still pricey for me. Liquor and drinks in pubs in Korea are expensive -- like 200 to 500 pesos (Philippine). So you really have to bring a lot of moolah if you plan to experience night life here.

Personally, I don't like the taste of alcohol. But of course, I tried some when I was younger like during college when my dorm mates would mix gin and Tang orange juice -- yuck! I remember how I dislike the taste and remembering those moments would be enough to make me puke right now LOL. So most of the time I just pretend to just sleep but they eventually came to dislike me because I did not socialize with them enough. Looking back, during college, I basically did not have any sort of life except for working, working, working to support myself because if not, I would be eating nothing. Those were days when my family started falling apart and my dad was deep into his vices. Also, this was the time in my life where I learned to manage my own finances. Since my pay in my part-time jobs were really small, I could not waste any bit of it to nonsense -- and could only buy one shirt from Divisoria for 100 or 150 pesos and that is it.

Going back to the narrative, the group talked about random things. Adrian was fully engaged talking to me when I opened up a topic just out of curiosity. But he sure was intent on hitting on me as was evident to his one-liners. I was from time to time looking at Margaret's reaction and I wondered if she ever thought of Adrian flirting. She dragged me one time to dance and she was doing a sexy number. I said I don't know how. She pressed her tiny frame to my own and she swayed my hips -- so I moved along. Okay. I alsp saw Dwight dancing solo without a care in the world and just feeling the music. I actually miss him right now.

Here's a photo from Dwight's phone:

Before going home, the group was so shocked to see an unexpected scene to the table to the far left near the bar. They were all looking except me who had no idea what was going on. I wasn't wearing my eyeglasses and my vision aint perfect in dark placesw. I inquired about it and they told me that the girl was lying on the bench... no she wasn't dead, just drunk and something was going on.

The end. Thanks so much for reading!

Some Wild Nights in Seoul

by Cristiane on 4:41 AM

This post is dedicated to my ex #2, who I hope is not having fun right now, LOL, and to my friend Reina, whom I share some of my heartie...

It was my third day in Seoul, the 21st of June, which also happens to be the Summer Solstice. My airbnb was small but chic, really chic. In fact, I adored the painting of a flamingo on the one side of the bed adjacent the TV set. The room was also at the rooftop, which I find really cool.

The weather was beautiful but I was a bit under the weather since I arrived here. I'm awake from 11 in the morning but stayed in bed for a few more hours due to a slight fever. I stared at the ceiling, turned the air conditioning on and off, at 22, then when it's getting too cold, 24. I turned it off whenever I felt getting some chills.

The television's set-top box was very difficult to navigate, maybe because of the language? I don't know. But I was able to watch a few episodes when it wasn't acting up.