I never thought Costa Brava would be THAT beautiful. I mean it is a well-known part of Span, no doubt, but its coasts? Let me tell you I could spend days just observing the coastline with the boats on the horizon and sunbeams touching my skin. During my trip of exploring Palamos, Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell, I was happy to get at least a small part of it.
view of Llafranc
beautiful landscapes of Arouca Geopark in Portugal
I spent a few hours walking around Arouca Geopark during the short trip around Northern Portugal. It is a place full of different geosites, beautiful landscapes and the longest waterfall in continental Portugal.
Sea Eye lake in Vihorlat mountains in Slovakia
Dominic of Escape Islands is a person who loves nature. So when I visited North Luzon in the Philippines and found out he with some more supersweet Filipino adventurers were going to survive Batad rice terraces, I had to join them. It turned out to be a lot of sweat, but even more fun and I am sure I will never forget those green landscapes ofthe stunning rice terraces. Nor I will top-loading jeepneys like at the photo below with Dom 🙂 My ass still hurts from that top-loading haha.
me and Dong Ho on top of a jeepney in Batad rice terraces
Have a look at the interview with this funny Dom DA BEST 🙂
An islander. A mountaineer. A backpacker. A usual traveler from the Philippines who finds great things in going places. I love the beaches as much as I love the mountains.
I love the Philippines but for this question allow me to answer the place aside from the Philippines.
My favorite place so far is Harbin in Heilongjiang China. I like its diversity of structures and culture having a mix of China, Russia, Japan and even remnants of a Jewish community. China is also my favorite country in terms of traditions and culture.
Dong Ho outside St Sophia Church in Harbin, China
The Silk Road. It would be a beautiful long journey of what is considered as one of the most significant trade route to the four great civilizations (China, India, Persia and Arabia). Something that i find really interesting.
Seeing the people being joyous even on the most challenging moments. People’s smile is genuine.
It made me realize that the real treasures of a place are its people. They build the culture. They shape the structures. It’s when you start conversing with them that you will find the best things on even the simplest things.
Dominic, I love what you said about people. They are what I remember the most about every place, too. Thanks again for the interview and all the laugh when trying to survive Batad rice terraces 😀
Love,
Alex
riding to the High Tatras
