Photos of the day are all about Swan River. Unlike my previous post with the theme of “View At My Window”, the photos that I captured about Swan River were actually represents the view at my window in my hotel while staying in Pan Pacific Perth. I was thrilled that I have a great scenery to see by just looking outside of my window. Swan River flows through the city of Perth and I can say it’s in the middle of the city itself. Its natural beauty adds life to the surroundings of Perth. The upper part of the river starts and connected from Avon River and it ends which connected to Canning River and the other end is through the Fremantle Harbour to the sea. These photos are part of Perth and Surround Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : River, Swan River
Location : Perth, WA, Australia
Transportation : Perth CAT
When I walked a part of Shakadang Trail, I never expected such an amazing crystal like water stream that flows to Shakadang River. It’s one of the reason why my walk continued to be farther and farther that I almost compromised the tour and resulted of my being 10 minutes late to return to my bus. These photos are part of Taiwan Experimental Travel Adventure Photo Collection January 2017.
It was my second and last tour in South Australia, I knew that one of the hardest thing to decide when traveling is choosing which tour or adventure to select and which one is to give up. When I’m planning my holiday in this state, I wished that I had a longer days of holiday but I don’t have. After spending some thoughts about it, I chose Grand Adelaide and Kangaroo Island tour. I already published the stories happened to me on my first day in Adelaide in my previous posts and this time I am focused in my Kangaroo Island experience.
Every time I travel, I tried my best to see the national park around the area or nearby area because I have this thoughts that there is something special in such kind of place, something considered as natural treasure that humanity must protect. Kangaroo Island has Flinders Chase National Park and conservation parks wherein Seal Bay Conservation Park is one of them. The name of the Kangaroo Island was made because the early explorer of the island was came from the group of Matthew Flinders and at that time they haven’t eaten meat for so long until they saw small Kangaroo which the group hunted. That kind of story behind the names of places sometimes quite fascinating to learn.
— Kangaroo Island Sealink Ferry Terminal – Cape Jervis Port
— Kangaroo Island from Kangaroo Island Sealink Ferry Terminal – Cape Jervis Port
From my hotel, the tour bus picked me up and we traveled to Cape Jervis for more than 1.5 hours where the Kangaroo Island Sealink ferry terminal is located. We jumped off the bus and transferred to the ferry that will bring us to the island which gave us a chance to cruise Backstairs Passage. In less than an hour we arrived at Penneshaw which is the ferry terminal of Sealink in Kangaroo Island. We left the ferry and transferred to the tour bus that’s waiting for us.
— Kangaroo Island Penneshaw Port – Bay Terrace
From Penneshaw, we took Bay Terrace and North Terrace. We turned left to Thomas Wilson St to Howard Drive, then straight to Hog Bay Road. I enjoyed the ride as my eyes wandering in sceneries that I saw in the island such as Penneshaw Hotel near the port and Sea Dragon Lodge where a yacht station for island residences and visitors. The island is said to be the third largest island in Australia which means that one day may not enough to see all of the island. While inside the bus, one of my self entertainment was capturing photos as much as I can to remember all the places that I had been.
At North Terrace
Penneshaw Hotel at North Terrace and Thomas Wilson St
At North Terrace
— Some window view snapshots from the bus along North Terrace road.
Kangaroo Island Boat Hire (Sea Dragon Lodge) from Howard Drive
Kangaroo Island Boat Hire (Sea Dragon Lodge) from Howard Drive
— Snapshots along Howard Drive
— Snapshots from Hog Bay Road
After passing Howard Drive, we stayed in Hog Bay Road in a while. Along the road, we saw American River which looks like a lake at first while inside the bus just to realised it is a river where it ends in Easter Cove of the island. Next thing happened that I noticed, we turned left on the way to Seal Bay Conservation Park. I can’t remember which road we took but one thing that I remembered, we passed the nearby island airport. We reached the Seal Bay Conservation Park. The park is located in the nearby coastal area or beach area called as Seal Bay Aquatic Reserve which is the access to many seals towards the bay. The park has boardwalk where visitors can walk through without disturbing the seals around the park. During our visits, most of the seals that I saw were sleeping or lets say they were resting. When I saw the seals, it actually confused me because they look like a sea-lion to me. But I noticed there’s difference between Seal and sea-lion. I found out that seal has small flipper, wriggle on their bellies on land and lack visible ear flaps while sea-lion has large flipper, walk on land using flipper and have visible ear flaps.
— American River from Hog Bay Rd
— Seal Bay Visitor Information Centre
— Seal Bay Conservation Park
— Sleepyhead Seals
I enjoyed my walk around the Seal Bay, with the help of our tour guide, we got a chance to walk in the nearby seashore area where we saw other seals in the sand, some were just came from the sea and some were sleepyhead seals. While looking and watching the seals, I can say they are one of the cutest sea-lion family that I saw. Seal Bay is in the southern part of the island where I experienced cold wind from the south because I visited the place during the end of month of Autumn season.
— Sleepyhead Seals with some group of birds flocked together
— Seal Bay Aquatic Reserve
After enjoying Seals, we move to one of the wild life park in the island called Kangaroo Island Wild Park. Before it was called as Parndana Wildlife Park. Here we got a chance to see other animals aside from seals wherein the park collaborates with the island as they also protects and takes care of the animal being by providing conducive environment for them. After the wild life park, next area of the island we visited was Remarkable Rocks. Before we reached the magnificent rock formation, we stopped at the Remarkable Lookout to see the rock formation from a distance.
— Some animals at Kangaroo Island Wild Park (Parndana Wildlife Park)
— Kangaroo Island Wild Park (Parndana Wildlife Park)
Flinders Chase National Park
— At Boxer Drive near Remarkable Rocks Lookout
Along Boxer Drive we appreciated exquisite sceneries along the edges of the island or the coastline. The bay is what they call Great Australian Bight. Within the area, where ever I turned my eyes into, I saw calmness and beauty of the place admiring the island and felt good knowing it is being protected as many generations will be able to visit the place.
— At Remarkable Rocks (Surrounding Area)
— Remarkable Rocks
Remarkable Rocks is one of the popular tourist site in the island. When I saw the rocks, I was surprised because of its unique shapes and the location where the rocks stands. Because the rocks standout, it is noticeable whether you are in the island or you are in the sea. The name remarkable is probably appropriate as the name of the rocks because it is distinguishable among other rocks known to the world.
Next thing happened was were driving to Cape Du Couedic Road where we saw Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse. The area is part of Flinders Chase National Park, like the Remarkable Rocks, the place has amazing sceneries to enjoy. Based on history, the coastline off Flinders Chase became the final resting place of 14 ships which came to grief on the rocky shores which led to push the building of the tower in the area though even there some contingency lights used before.
It is the same place where to find the Admirals Arch and the New Zealand sea-lion fur. Before we end our tour in the island, we had a short visit in Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre.
— At Cape Du Couedic Road on the way to Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse looking towards Great Australian Bight
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— Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse
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— Admirals Arch
— At Admirals Arch Boardwalk looking towards Great Australian Bight with Casuarina Islets
— At Admirals Arch Boardwalk looking towards Great Australian Bight
When I was following the boardwalk in placed in the area, I never expected another tourist spot, I was actually looking for seal or sea-lion when I found out the Admirals Arch. It was a unique landmark because of it was made naturally by nature with time passed by.
The final place we went into before leaving the island park was Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre where more information displayed about the island, souvenir stores and cafe to indulge with.
Within the tourist group I had, there were visitors who need to go the island airport, because they were in a hurry to fly back to their country. I forgot which country it was, these travellers can afford to see places in short period of time while they can still able to catch their international flight, well I honestly admired them for taking chances to see more as much with a little time left.
View At My Window (Post#20) : Sungai Melaka (Malacca River)
The photo above was Sungai Melaka or Malacca River. The snapshot was captured during the adventure in Malaysia together with my youngest sister last January 2013. My impression in the town of Malacca was like an old town, which truly reflecting its own history of time. The river has important role at the height of economic boom of Malacca Sultanate which depicted on its history during 15th century.
It’s our last day in South Korea and because we just had less than 24 hours, what we planned before the night of our return flight to Manila was a tour in the most heavily militarized border in the world which is the border between North Korea and South Korea called Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
As I am aware that security is the most important factor for me for this tour, I booked the one and only tour we had during our trip in South Korea. For me even I knew that we can go to the said border by just jumping to the KORAIL train, I still planned it with a tour guide because of the main reason that we must at least knew someone who knows how to speak English and who will guide us in one of the tourist friendly but heavily guarded area and maybe dangerous place in the world. There are lots of travel company that offers DMZ tour and I just selected one of them. We got the half-day tour of DMZ as we still need to go to the market to shop a little so we can bring something when we return from our 9 days trip abroad.
The night before Saturday, we arranged all of our things in our luggage as it was our last night in the hotel. We decided to leave our stuff at the hotel before our tour the next morning so we were hands free while traveling to Korean border. And then we will return to the hotel then straight to the airport.
Even we were tired from the past days of adventures, we still woke up early because the tour was time-sensitive and we do not want to miss our tour.
From our hotel, we jumped-in again to our favorite and nearest train station which was Non-hyeon. And then, we took train going to Bupyeong-gu and went out at Isu (Chongshin University) station. From Isu, we took Line 4 going to Seoul station.
We arrived at Seoul station 10 minutes before 8AM. We met our tour guide after some difficulties of understanding where to meet at the station because Seoul Station is one of the busiest station as it is centralized to metro and provincial trains. Our tour guide bought the ticket for our train and we waited until we go down to the platform to board the train.
When the time has arrived, we go down and walked straight to DMZ train. At the back of my mind, I knew that our trip was safe but still I guarded myself as I was with my youngest sister and with my mom. As we mount the train, I was amazed at the ambiance inside the train, because outside, train color are plain white and black and some people potrait, which is opposite of what is inside. The wall color inside the train was so warm that made the passengers feels relaxing and joyful, the wall displays flowers, ceilings colorful heart shapes and the floor painted with lively color of water-lily leaves. The seat covers were flashy and vibrant flower shapes.
Our ticket has seat number and one of our ticket has gaps with the other two tickets, but our guide told us that if the seats were empty, we can seat together which what happened as the train started to desert the platform.
At the time we were waiting inside the train, I already felt the tour was quite exclusive as I can sense that the crew were most likely part of South Korean military which guarded the train with its strict implementation, one requirement on the tour is the passport, without it, you will not be able to join the tour. Within our trip, the crew that we saw inside the train, checks our passport and tickets.
It was the first train that I experienced where you can see the front or back view of the railway of the train. And while we were on our way, most of the views that I saw after we left metro area were farms in between. So I can imagine that most likely the place near DMZ are agriculture oriented places which I understand because how a government plan to developed a place which near in most threatening place in their country which is their border.
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Along the way we saw few stations before we arrived at the Dorasan (tour destination station), the nearest station where the border is and the last station of South Korea, because the train line (Gyeonggi) is connected to the next station that already belong to North Korea. The following stations in Gyeongui line in Southern Korea are: Neunggok, Munsan, Uncheon, Imjingang and Dorasan.
Before the Dorasan station, we had been told to leave the train at Imjingang station for our identity check. All the passengers left the train and queued for the passport verification. After our passport validated, we returned to the train and went to the last station. Before arriving at the last station, there were some military personnel jumped-in to the train and some of them talked with tourist. One of the officer went to our table and sit together with us. I was glad he knows how to speak English. He was friendly and he asked some information in amiable way until he realized we are Filipinos. He seems happy that some foreigners are curious to their border. He actually took pictures of our passport cover and told us that was his souvenir that we came from Philippines.
After leaving Imjingang Station, we passed Imjingang Bridge and Imjin River. Here I saw structure but I was not sure during the trip but when I searched internet for DMZ, I realised that the one that I saw were the ruins of the bridge that had been destroyed because of war as Imjingang Bridge was two-way bridge before, but now it just only one way.
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At Dorasan Station, we already felt the military presence as we enter the station. There were Korean soldiers assiting visitors when entering the station. At the station we waited a little as our guide arranged our seats for the bus to the DMZ. And in few minutes we hopped on the bus that will bring us to the border. At the bus, some checks has been done as well and then we hit the road to the border.
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I cannot explain what I felt while we were in the road and awaiting to arrived in our destination, I thought things about the separation of Korea, as I saw its historical drama, both part of Korean peninsula contributed to its development as one country. I am familiar of their dynasties and kingdoms, even aware how it became one country. While watching historical dramas and reading historical notes of Korea, I learned how it was divided. I remembered that there is another country with similar case with North and South Korea before, I am referring to Germany. Germany had been divided into two during World War II, but now it is a united country and in our time, it is one of the country that considered progressed country. I thought Korea divided because of the same war and my mind flew of thinking what if Korea has been united like Germany? Maybe, it will be the same as Germany which is rich and fully developed country. As I saw the side of South Korea and how it is at the moment, though I am not aware about the North Korea as the news are the only medium to know about that country. I am quite sad of division happened to the peninsula.
We had two stops in our DMZ Tour: First, was the “Third Tunnel – Third North Korean Infiltration Tunnel” and last, the Dora Observatory.
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There are two ways to go inside the Third Tunnel: One is using a sled rails (blue caps) and the other one is from the lobby (yellow caps) where people will walk all the way to the tunnel. Our guide led us to the group that used the sled which was really cool for us since we were just sitting in the sled until we reached the end of the rails. Then we continued walking to the tunnel which quite easy. We knew it’s not allowed to take photos but we did a little snapshots at the end of the sled rail as the tunnel trail was too narrow to be able to take photos and because the flow of people coming in and out of the tunnel was non-stop.
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Dora Observatory is located at the top of Dorasan (Mount Dora) where you had a chance to see North Korea border from a distance using telescope and binoculars.
With the two places we stopped, there were lots of tourist like us that visited DMZ, I can say that most likely the reason of coming to that places were curiosity and experiencing the atmosphere of being in Korean Border.
After buying postcards which I usually does in every travel I was in, we returned to the bus and came back to Dorasan station where our train to Seoul was already waiting.
I knew that there were more to see in DMZ but because of limited time we had, the half-day tour we had in the border was really worth the time.
After Mount Apo trek, I stayed in Davao for another 3 days so that I can see more of Davao. One of my mountaineer friends stayed behind as well as he will also spend holidays in Davao at that time. One of the side trip that I did with my friend were water tubing and snorkelling in Santa Cruz Davao del Sur. Sibulan River was the river we visited to experience water tubing and the whole group enjoyed the adventure with the rapids of the river. Photo captured last March 2009.
One of the place that I loved is Rodriguez Rizal because of the combination of panoramic natures that I was able to witness when I attended Basic Rappelling Course conducted by the mountaineering group where I belong. I was there before it hit Metro Manila by one of the major typhoon named Ondoy (local name) last 2009. After that event I am not sure if the same panorama that I witness are still there, I hope time will come it will return to what it was. Photo above is the Wawa River last September 2009 where the water came from Wawa Dam (previous dam that supply Metro Manila for its water resource until it was replaced by Angat Dam).
I went to Brisbane during its two days Open House event. Before the event, I bought guide-book and sign-up to a lot of buildings with limited access hoping I will get a chance to be selected. One of the building I got was Riverside Centre at the City Centre of Brisbane. Photo above is the Brisbane River from Riverside Centre tower. Photo captured last October 2013.
When we set to climb Mount Hibok-Hibok in Camiguin Island, the whole group flew to Cagayan de Oro where we will take the boat to Camiguin. And since we were already in Cagayan de Oro or famously known as CDO, we did a side trip in the place. The photo above was taken during white water rafting last October 2012. I learned from our guide, that the river serves as natural boundary between Bukidnon and Iligan, and between Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro. Our adventure categorized as medium level based on where we started the rafting in the river. While doing the adventure I was really fascinated how wild the river is, how beautiful and clean it is. I actually fall in love with the river.
During my first assignment, one of the first adventures that I tried which just near Melbourne was sailing through Enterprize Ship. The ship is a replica of Enterprize Tall Ship which built during 19th century, a historical ship which has been part of Melbourne history. The photo captured last March 2013 at Victoria Harbour in Docklands near Melbourne CBD.
View At My Window (Post#6) : North Saskatchewan River
During my stay in Edmonton, one of the things that I tried in the city as experience and another way to look around Edmonton was riding the High Level Bridge Streetcar. The said bridge is located near Alberta Provincial Legislature Building. The photo captured when I got a chance to visit the capital city of Alberta which is Edmonton last June 2008. The bridge is now one of the tourist spot in the city because of its significant history.
As per Wikipedia, High Level Bridge links separate communities of Edmonton and Strathcona which combined to become Edmonton City today. The bridge was designed to accommodate rail, streetcar, automobile and pedestrian.
The photo above is Tidal River with the background of mountains and I captured this photo last May 2014 during my Wilson Promontory (The Prom) National Park tour in Victoria Australia. We crossed the river to be able reach Squeaky Beach.
There were lots of walking tours available that I found when I went to Melbourne Visitor Center at Federation Square located across Flinders Street Station (train station) in Swanton Street. Some walking tours are group walking tours that has affordable fees and some are free on your own. At that time I was eager to walk around the city on my own to take my time while taking pictures that was why I took some brochures for free walking tours.
Flinders Street / Federation Square Tram Stop
The first walk that I did with my camera was happened last March 6, 2013 which was almost a month after I arrived in Melbourne and I chose the route entitled “Melbourne Walks 3: On the Waterfront”. In the brochure, there is an excerpt description which is about Spectacular bridges, Indigenous history, sculptures, Southbank Promenade, the Melbourne Aquarium and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre feature on this walk of discovery along north and south banks of the Yarra River.
The scenery with the river and surrounding city skyline is one of the picturesque views that I am interested, it reminds me the city of Edmonton in Canada where there is a beautiful Saskatchewan river beside it. The view of the city skyline of Melbourne from Yarra River was amazing and that’s what I was trying to capture in my camera while walking the river side of Yarra River.
Walking track starts from Federation Square in Swanston Street but I did not follow the route as is, I actually started taking photos at Webb Bridge which is the farthest point to reach in the tour. The overall walk moves around between the two sides of Yarra River. Here I saw Mebourne CBD with the river at different angle and different perspective of the city came to light.
The other end of the Webb Bridge is like a snake shape where there are open shades covering it. The said bridge are only enjoys by pedestrians and cyclists, it links Southbank Promenade at Yarra’s Edge and the Docklands. From Southbank Promenade at Yarra’s Edge or Yarra Esplanade, I got a snapshot of Dockland side where ANZ head office is located and the surrounding docking area nearby.
Webb Bridge
Marina YE near at Yarra’s Edge
and ANZ office behind
Southbank Promenade at Yarra’s Edge (or Yarra Esplanade)
Webb Bridge, Charles Grimes Bridge (at the back of Web Bridge) and
Southbank Promenade at Yarra’s Edge (right side)
Southbank Promenade at Yarra’s Edge (or Yarra Esplanade)
I moved on, looked around and skimmed again the map that I was holding to see what’s next to discover. Since I was walking at the side of Southbank Promenade, I had a view of Dockland. My walk continues and I passed the underground of Charles Grimes Bridge, then SouthWharf where DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) mall is, with some bar and restaurants outside. I walked along South Wharf Promenade until I saw Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. I passed the nearby Seafarer’s Bridge which is another walking bridge like Webb Bridge that will take people in the Docklands or CBD.
Yarra River at Southbank Promenade near at DFO
Charles Grimes Bridge at Yarra River and the Docklands at the end of it
South Wharf Promenade
Side Entrance of DFO
Bar / Restaurant at South Wharf Promenade
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Seafarers Bridge
Some photos at South Wharf Promenade
In my walk I did not missed historical Polly Woodside Tall Ship which is located in historical Duke and Orrs docks which was the ships home during its early days in South Wharf. I crossed the busy Spencer Street and I saw Crown Entertainment Complex. The front of the complex is called Yarra Promenade, where a lot of people are passing by, the place is really nice because of its relaxing ambiance, beautiful view of river and line of trees. While walking along the promenade I had a glimpse of Batman Park at the other side of the river.
Polly Woodside Tall Ship
World Trade Center Wharf, Crowne Plaza, Spencer Street (bridge),
Crown Entertainment Complex and Yarra River from South Wharf Promenade
View At My Window (Post#6) : North Saskatchewan River
Flinders Street / Federation Square Tram Stop
Webb Bridge
Marina YE near at Yarra’s Edge
Webb Bridge, Charles Grimes Bridge (at the back of Web Bridge) and
Southbank Promenade at Yarra’s Edge (or Yarra Esplanade)
Charles Grimes Bridge at Yarra River and the Docklands at the end of it
Side Entrance of DFO
Bar / Restaurant at South Wharf Promenade
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Seafarers Bridge
Some photos at South Wharf Promenade
World Trade Center Wharf, Crowne Plaza, Spencer Street (bridge),
Seafarers Bridge and Yarra River