Beautiful day for Hot Air Balloon

Goldcoast - We woke up at 3:30am for a Hot Air tour to pick us up at 4:30am. It was more than an hr before we reach the launch site.

My family waiting for lift off

It was cold and dark at the hot air balloon launch site. We had our jacket and hoodie up as it was very cold.

Susan getting into the basket

As the flame heats up the air of the balloon, we lifted off and it was surreal and it went higher and higher and eventually we could see the horizon and the houses look so small just specs on the vast Australian landscape.

Up we go

The sun coming up from the horizon

we are in the hot air balloon basket

my family

the deflated hot air balloon

Hot air balloon deflating slowing

We had to help deflate the Hot Air Balloon and it was a mammoth task as we had to squeeze the air out of the balloon.

helping to deflate the balloon

length of the Hot Air balloon

So after deflating the balloon we have to put it into a big bag.

walking in the fields

piggy back on the truck

We had to hitch a ride on the truck to the road where our tour bus is. From there we arrive for our sumptuous buffet and champagne breakfast.

Quin birthday cake

The vineyard was so beautiful...

From there the tour bus brought us back to our hotel

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Calesa around Intramuros

Manila - Together with Albert, we took a calesa (horse drawn carriage used in Philippines) around Intramuros. Albert and Lesley Albert and I Intramuros is the oldest district and historic core of Manila. The walled part of Manila was called intramuros, which is Latin for "within the walls"; districts beyond the walls are known as extramuros meaning outside the walls. Construction of the defensive walls was started by the Spaniards in the late 16th century to protect the city from foreign invasions. Guarding the old city is Fortaiago wich is located at the mouth of the river. Gallery of Philippines past and present presidents General MacArthur Battle HQ Entrance of General MacArthur HQ Manila Hotel Manila Hotel in the distance Manila hotel is the oldest hotel in the Philippines and the most well known icon. Baluarte De San Andres Cannons lined in a semi-circle Colegio de San Juan de Letran was founded in...

Cheong Guk Jang - fermented bean soup

Seoul - Lunch with Youngjin was at a traditional soup restaurant and it was crowded. Youngjin asked me many times Cheonggukjang "ok", I said ok not knowing what to expect. I have tried many weird and smelly good in Seoul, so I was very prepared. My first time tasting Cheonggukjang and I like it. CheongGukJang 청국장 is fermented soybean soup aka Stinky soup. Actually, I like fermented food and the smell does not put me off. I like fermented food because of the many health benefits and also we have them here in Singapore - tempe, belachan, fermented bean curd (which I love with my porridge), chincaluk, etc.. very hot Cheonggukjang I always buy danjang paste and bring home to make soup. I understand that they are the same but the difference is Cheonggukjang beans are uncrushed and are fermented for a longer period of time.

Temple Street Night Market

Kowloon - This flea market is full of quirky, Hong Kong souvenirs and t-shirts to take home. The actual market on Temple Street is in the Yau Ma Tei and Jordan sections of Temple Street. The flea market starts in the late afternoon every day and continues throughout the evening. You can find fake’designer' handbags, sunglasses, clothes, and electronic gadgets. The atmosphere was filled with many tourist of different nationalities. Along the sides were many seafood restaurants, mostly crowded. You will also find fortuner teller stalls plying their trade.

Travelogue around Asia Pacific Part II

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