A Traveler's Alphabet: F to I

As promised:

A Traveler's Alphabet Continued

F for Festivals

It's never hard to find a reason to celebrate! Plus participating in local festivals always helps to make me feel a part of new surroundings.

Photo courtesy of Jenna S.

Mask Festival, Andong, South Korea (2010)

Lanterns for Buddha's Birthday, Cheonggyecheon, Seoul, South Korea (2010)

Different types of offerings, Bali, Indonesia (2011)

Sandcastle Festival, Haeundae Beach, Busan, South Korea (2010)

Lunar New Year (year of the Rabbit), Penang, Malaysia (2011)

And when I find myself away from home during holidays, new traditions are made--

Christmas celebrations with friends and co-workers, Nampodong, Busan, South Korea (2010)

G for Green

It truly is a green world. Flipping through pictures, I find that green continually catches my eye--

Tea plantations, the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia (2011)

A tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), on the border of North and South Korea (2010)

Large areas of the DMZ remain untouched and have become akin to a nature preserve- with sightings of tigers and other endangered wildlife being reported. Yet it is a collection of juxtapositions, illustrated by the fact that this beautiful region has remained so due to barbed wire fences, land mines, and guard towers

Green hillside gardens at a monastery (monks wear bright orange robes) at the edge of the Mekong River,
Luang Prabang, Laos (2011)

Photo courtesy of Ahnna P.

Green moss on ancient carvings, Angkor Wat Temples, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2011)

Photo courtesy of Annie M.

Gardens at Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) Zen Temple, Kyoto, Japan (2010)

Rice paddies, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia (2011)

And everything green grows to serious sizes in the moist Costa Rican climate--

Heidi and I with sombrilla de pobre (poor man's umbrella) at Volcán Poás, Costa Rica (2013)

Dana hiking a lush path at Tierras Enamoradas (Lands in Love) Resort, San Ramón, Costa Rica (2013)

H for Hot Springs

I've written about how soaking at jjimjilbangs (public bathhouses) became a favorite part of my weekly routine while living in South Korea. Since then, I seek out local hot springs wherever I am able.

Indoor and outdoor pools in the foothills of the Andes at Termas Cachuete, Mendoza, Argentina (2012)

Photo courtesy of Sarah M.

Huge family friendly pools fed by Arenal Volcano at Termales los Laureles, La Fortuna, Costa Rica (2013)

The secluded Termales del Bosque, on the road to Aguas Zarcas, Costa Rica (2013)

Mural on a hostel wall, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia (2011)

Holy sulfur water hot spring Air Panas Banjar, near Lovina, Bali, Indonesia (2011)

I for Islands

Some are too small to walk on, others are entire countries. Either way, there is something that draws me to places that can't be reached by roads...

Oryukdo, off the coast of Busan, South Korea (2010)

At high tide there are five rock islands, but at low tide, a sixth is exposed. This is why it is called Five-Six Island (In Sino-Korean, o (#5) + yuk (#6) + do (island)