My First Europe Trip

Anniversary Buzz

Me in Europe 20 years ago

Yes dear readers, we are on our 4th year anniversary and we are still going strong. Though I have been blogging less nowadays after I took that role in Mexico City, the number of views have been consistent and we are now being read in 83 countries and territories. Not only are we celebrating a milestone, but around this time 20 years ago, I embarked on my first trip to Europe and my travel life has never been the same again that it is also worth commemorating what started my kindled romance with Europe.

Amsterdam and its popular canals

I have always been fascinated with Europe and just the thought of finally flying there has brought tremendous excitement to a young finance professional who later found his purpose in life: work to travel. Since I was not earning that much then, planning for the trip has to be meticulous up to the last dollar. Though friends who have traveled more had advised not to convert expenses to Philippine peso, I can’t avoid but do what I was told not to do, which actually sucks the joy out of travel. But can you blame me for being a bit stingy, ensuring that I would have enough to last for the whole trip, which isn’t much anyway to start with.

(Left) Old tram station (right) Anne Frank’s House (Amsterdam)

So to save time and money, I decided to visit at most three (3) adjacent cities so that I can fly in on one and just take the train for the other two. Initially Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) crossed my mind, but then I always wanted to see Paris (which is another kindled romance that I have developed over the years), so I finalized my itinerary with Amsterdam (Netherlands), Brussels (Belgium), and Paris (France). So I booked an economy class ticket to Amsterdam (yes, I flew coach, which is no surprise since I was young then with no back problem/spinal surgery and only earning just enough to afford economy fare). I can’t exactly remember the order of the trip, but all I could recall was that I flew in and out of Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam), so I guess I may mix up Brussels and Paris.

(Left) Atomium (right) The Peeing Boy (Brussels)

So off I went to Amsterdam. It was rainy when I got there, which quite dampens the excitement but the beauty and charm (European feels) was undeniable. Amsterdam is actually pretty, with those small colored buildings interspersed with old ones along the famous canals. There were also trams and bicycles all over, which gave me a whole new perspective of European staple when it comes to transportation (this is true all over Europe after having been to more than a dozen countries years later). So with an umbrella in tow, I walked around the wet city, which isn’t really that big, wandering around with no clear direction where to go (Google maps nor digital phones weren’t in vogue then, neither the hop on hop off tour buses). What I remember was that there are just a few places that I shouldn’t miss, like Anne Frank’s House and the red light district.

Marketplace day and night (Brussels)

Red light district sounds dodgy, but in Amsterdam, it’s actually a main tourist attraction, where the oldest profession is actually legal. So instead of mannequins in sexy lingerie on display windows, here you actually have live action where tourists were mainly on window shopping mode. But unlike in most places, women in this profession get a bit of respect (Dutch people treat this as any other profession), where tourists (or anyone for that matter) who don’t behave are thrown into the canal (I actually heard a splash or two when I was in the area). The more conservative beings may blush, but then again, this come as no surprise in a city where recreational marijuana is also legal (take note, this was 20 years ago).

(Left) Eiffel Tower grounds (right) Seine River (Paris)

But what left an indelible mark on my Amsterdam trip was the visit to Anne Frank’s House. To those who are unfamiliar, Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who hid in a secret annex of their house during the occupation of the Nazis. During the time that she and her family were hiding, she wrote a memoir about their daily life in hiding until they were finally discovered. This was a girl who still think life is worth living in spite of the perils that she and her family are facing, who had big dreams and have stayed positive all throughout. She is one of my personal heroes, drawing inspiration from her life story every time I am struggling with mine.

(Left) Arc de Triomphe (right) Eiffel Tower (Paris)

Then off I went to Brussels, where I took the Eurail. The weather was better (though Amsterdam has always been known to be wet all year round, like London) so similar to Amsterdam, I was walking aimlessly. All I know then was that I wanted to see the Atomium and The Peeing Boy, two main attractions of the city. Of course, your trip to Brussels would not be complete without a visit to Marketplace, which is the nerve center of the city, where the place is abound with flowers in bloom and several restos and coffee shops around the plaza. I haven’t tried any of those, since I was only subsisting on fastfood during the whole trip (usually Burger King coz that’s what’s more popular there and that’s what I can only afford). So no fancy dining then, only good old chicken nuggets/wings and fries of a fastfood chain that is everywhere and more popular than McDonalds.

From left: Louvre, Notre Dame, and Walt Disney Studio (Paris)

This leg of the trip was uneventful (except when a guy started calling and following me for no reason while I was in the area where The Peeing Boy is around late at night, which got me a little unsettled since I really have no idea what his intentions were and I was a bit naive then). So I took the train to Paris, more excited than ever. I was finally gonna see the City of Lights, which until now still mesmerizes me (I have seen every episode and all 3 seasons of “Emily in Paris” just to remember Paris by even if I have been there 3 to 4 times already). Of course I have to see the Eiffel Tower and the grounds and Seine River, the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, the Louvre, and Notre Dame. It was also an opportunity to visit Disneyland, one of my childhood dreams, which not only got fulfilled but also came with a combo of Warner Bros Adventure Park. What more can I ask for, right?

Paris Disneyland

Then came the realization that when one travels, reality may differ from expectations. Take the Eiffel Tower for example. I initially thought it was huge and tall, only to be underwhelmed with its size and height. So what I learned later on was not to expect much from the places of our dreams, so that we would not end up disappointed and subconsciously ruin the trip. Though it didn’t in this one (Paris will never disappoint me), I would always have that in mind every time I travel (though I’m just human to be underwhelmed sometimes, just like when I first saw the Colosseum in Rome). More importantly, always respect the place and its people. That lesson came early, when I witnessed an American guy buying a postcard in one of the kiosks underneath the Eiffel Tower. He asked for a stamp, and the vendor said he doesn’t have any. The American started his tirade and what was close to a verbal assault and the helpless French cannot muster a word. When the American guy left, the Parisian uttered something in French, which with my limited French vocabulary was something close to a curse. People I know say French are snotty, but from my own personal experience, they are no different than anyone else as long as you extend the same respect that you yourself would expect from anyone. It wouldn’t hurt also if you learn a little of their language, which the French people are very proud of. One of my friends even highlighted that the reason why I probably didn’t experience the French snub is because I would start my conversations with “Parlez vous Anglais?” (Do you speak English?) and most of the time (again from my own personal experience) they do and they would be very helpful.

Warner Bros Park car and motorcycle stunts (Paris)

So all of these life lessons happened in such a short trip (how I wish it was longer but due to budgetary constraints, I can only savor Europe for just a bit). But more than the lessons learned, it was this trip that gave me a purpose-driven life, to work and build a career behind a purpose (travel), not so much to accumulate material things but experiences that will last a lifetime.

Happy Anniversary.

My first and obviously not the last

New Zealand: Nature and Adventure At Its Best

Travel Buzz

A little birdie along the pristine shores of Lake Wakatipu (New Zealand)

It’s been a while since my last article (sorry about that dear readers). The reason is honest and simple: I’ve been Netflix binging (isn’t everyone else?) especially these past months where I can’t go to the movies (which is one of my favorite things to do until COVID happened). If you’re wondering what shows have been on my playlist lately, I can say that I have an eclectic taste in series/mini-series and film genre. My interests range from loosely referenced royal true-story like The Crown (started watching the series while recuperating from my spinal surgery late 2019 and finished the latest season a coup]e of months ago) and The Last Czars (can’t imagine how I finished all seasons of this sad and tragic series), period shows like Bridgerton, an inclusive game-changing series that transcends racial lines in depicting royal characters in its first season alone (very timely after the tell-all Oprah interview of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex where racism has been one of the most talked about takeaways from that interview along with mental health), and novelty/vanity shows like Emily in Paris where fashionistas will be delighted with how the show’s costume design and stylist have put together a parade of chic, eye-candy clothes for the main character (like stepping into a fashion show) as well as my way of indulging in and reminiscing one of my favorite cities in the world. Another new series is Lupin, a smart and intelligent French heist show that, like Bridgerton and Emily in Paris, I can’t wait for the next season. There’s Homeland, a very engaging, edge-of-your-seat spy thriller like a good book that you can’t put down (I finished all 8 seasons). With the same Homeland show-runner, The Blacklist is currently the series I’m hooked on (I’m on the 4th season already, where in the previous season, Reddington mentioned the name of Filipino concert icon Pops Fernandez). Then there’s Vikings, a show that is probably loosely based on historical facts (the show was originally screened on History channel), where it started slow (it almost lost my attention on the first few episodes) until it got interesting (I think the turning point was when Athelstan, my favorite character along with Ivan the Boneless, was held as a slave of Ragnar).

(Left) Catamaran boat for the Whale and Dolphin Safari; (right) our guide prepping us for the sea adventure

Since Vikings is a show about, wait for it, the exploits of notorious vikings (of course), the location shoot was splendid. A lot of the sceneries in the show remind me of places in New Zealand (though no scene in the show was shot in New Zealand). I’ve been to New Zealand twice in 3 years (that was I reckon the validity period of my tourist visa). For the first visit, I did Auckland, Rotorua (and the vicinities), and Queenstown. For the second visit, I did Auckland (again), Devonport, Waiheke Island, and Wellington. The first one was more than a decade after the last of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was shot and a few years after The Hobbit was shown. We all know by now that these movies were mostly shot in New Zealand, which made the country not just known for its sheeps (did you know that there are more sheeps than locals, where there are about 6 sheeps for every person) and dairy, but also the spectacular natural sceneries featured in these movies.

A mother dolphin and her young amidst a pod of other dolphins swimming ahead of the catamaran

New Zealand is also popular for adventure activities. So first on my itinerary when I got to Auckland was to go Whale & Dolphin Safari. This activity involves going out to the sea for hours on a catamaran boat. Think of it like a cruise, but with a purpose: to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. I got so excited like a kid (I love whales and dolphins and it was supposed to be my first to see them up close) that I didn’t mind the occasional bumpy ride and getting wet from the saltwater splash on the open deck. A couple of hours out, we started to see dolphins swimming along and ahead of the boat, like leading us to somewhere. It seems that they are already used to these visits that they are so at ease with the visitors, like welcoming us in their home. Though I didn’t see any whales (it’s seasonal apparently, so I didn’t get to see my Orca), it was worth the ticket I paid considering that the money will go partly to the conservation and research fund. It was for this charity that made me wrote my first review on Tripadvisor (I later asked to take down my account after the Mykonos incident where it was evident that the said platform is enabling scamming establishments and I can’t be part or support any travel site that is complicit in any form of deceit and deception). My review though can still be seen in there, where I wrote: “The highlight of my Auckland trip was when I saw a baby dolphin trying to show off by flipping its tiny body amidst the frenzy in a pod of adult dolphins leading our boat. It was so cute. I would have rated this experience ‘excellent’ if I’ve only seen a glimpse of any whale (probably not a whale season during this time). Crew was great too plus your way of helping out a good cause while having fun.”

Different scenes in Hobbiton (including inside the pub where the hobbits meet for drinks)

Next adventure was going to Hobbiton. Don’t laugh, dear readers (coz I’m not dreaming this), Hobbiton actually exists. I remember in one of the episodes of The Graham Norton Show (on Youtube) where Norton mocked guest Elijah Wood statement that he wants to go back to Hobbiton. Realizing his on-air cringe-worthy blunder, Norton even joked that if ever he’ll be visiting New Zealand, he’ll be held at passport control as persona non grata for making fun of Hobbiton. Yes dear readers, Hobbiton is the same place where The Shire of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit was shot. It has become a popular tourist destination after the movies were shown that New Zealand Ministry of Tourism decided to preserve the set location and name the place Hobbiton.

(Left) Visiting one of the hobbit homes; (right) zooming in on the new face of Hobbiton (lol)

The set occupies a vast track of land (if you could recall, director Peter Jackson travelled the world to look for that perfect place for the location shoot and found it in New Zealand) that after the filming has wrapped up, everything on the set, from those hobbit houses to the pub where the hobbits meet for drinks were kept and maintained. It’s like a small town (no pun intended) where just being there felt like you’ve already been part of these iconic movies. Being a movie fan myself, I can’t help but reminisced those scenes of Gandalf, Frodo & Bilbo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and the rest of the party loving hobbits in the same place where I’m on “party business.”

Bubbling mud pool and shooting geyser (from afar and up close)

Not far from Hobbiton is Rotorua, popular for its bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers, and a museum showcasing the Maori culture. So this leg of the trip was more like nature and culture adventure. What happened next though was more than just nature and culture. It became an adventure on humanity as well. While on this trip, I met an older man on electric wheelchair with his daughter, both of whom, if my memory serves me well, travelled all the way from Argentina just to see the natural beauty of this country. What struck me really was that not only was the senior grew fond of me (maybe because I occasionally kept him company while his daughter was taking photos or picking up food, drinks, or souvenir items), but the close father-daughter relationship that they have. I reckon that the daughter shared that it was her Dad’s wish to be there, that she obliged to take him there fully aware of the difficulties of mobility given his condition. It reminds me of my Dad, who suffered a mild stroke and has mobility concerns as well (he can still walk though) and yet has that same vigor to travel and overcome whatever difficulties while we were on our European tour (https://columbusbee.blog/2020/02/23/italy-how-thou-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the-ways-part-1-of-2/). On the way back to Auckland, we made a short stop by a lake, where the senior took a photo of me by the lake, and said “I now have a photo of my new friend from the Philippines.” That was 5 years ago, and here’s hoping that the father-daughter tandem travelled on with the adventure of their lives, wherever that may have taken them, with filial bond that only gets stronger each passing day.

(Left) Able bodied men from the audience participating in a Maori ritual dance; (right) Maori cultural presenters

Next stop was Queenstown. This hub for nature and adventure is a few hours by plane from Auckland (Auckland is up north, Queenstown is down south). I say it’s the hub coz it is the jumping-off point to various high octane adrenalin rush adventure options, not to mention the numerous lakes, rivers, mountains, fjords, rainforest, and waterfalls in the area. Right next to my hotel (Novotel Queenstown Lakeside) is Lake Wakatipu, with crystal clear waters amidst the backdrop of mountain range (it was summer then so just imagine how beautiful and magical the scenery is at winter when the mountains are snow capped) that kept me spellbound during my whole stay where I told myself that if ever I get married someday, I want the wedding to be here (the only other alternative is on one of the beaches of Budva). Lately, I’m thinking this is where I want my ashes spread when the day comes.

This is where I wanna get married or my ashes spread, whichever comes first. Imagine that mountain capped in snow (Lake Wakatipu)

I’m not someone who is an adrenalin junkie, but I can be adventurous without really taking on high risk activities. I know my physical flaws, so I know how far I can go and my adrenalin limits. So I opted doing the heart-racing jet boat extreme ride and the more risky river rafting. The former is riding a jet boat that races across Lake Wakatipu, maneuvers some sharp turns on the Kawarau River, and speeds thru the waters of Shotover River. The jet boat then makes a few 360-degree spins on high speed (splashing river water all over), like a roller coaster ride on water.

Some of the pit stops of the river rafting. Someone’s showing off to break the ice (not me!)

The latter, on the other hand, started as a funyak (fun kayak), but became river rafting when we started shooting rapids in some rough parts of the river. On quiet waters we passed by mountain ranges featured in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We made a pit stop in some forested area by the river to have lunch, where the notorious sandflies abound. These bloodsucking creatures leave nasty bite that causes not only inflamed bite area but also unbearable itch (and I’m not talking about mosquito bite itch that goes away quickly, this one doesn’t go away for days and the constant scratching will only worsen the affected area). We were already forewarned though, so insect repellant lotion kept exposed areas of our faces and hands free from these nasty bites (the rest of our bodies were covered up anyway). So for all thrill seekers out there who wants to have some adrenalin fun but with less risk, these are good options for you. Bungee jumping crossed my mind (it’s been on my bucket list since my brother told me a while back that he did it already), but the thought of that pulling my backbone and hurting my back (that was before my spinal surgery) made me rethink that option and decided not to go thru with it.

Stunning sceneries on the way to Fiordland (it feels like being transported to Jurassic Park)

Next adventure is what I was in Queenstown for: to see Milford Sound, one of the more popular fjords around the world. I’m a nature lover (but not the outdoorsy, camper type) and what better way to commune with nature than thru this excursion. The road trip to Fiordland (the jumping-off point for the cruise) is already an adventure by itself, where you drive thru forested areas, passing by waterfalls as well as making some brief stops on riversides and lakeshores. This ride gives one a better appreciation of how blessed this country is, and also why it’s always green all over, from open grasslands to forested areas: it always rains in this part of the globe. Given that there is still a thick forest cover across the country, the rainwater flows thru and ends up where it should be, preserving the water cycle and keeping the vegetation nourished. No wonder then that New Zealand has a flourishing wide variety of plants that are used for botanicals and herbal/alternative medicines and health supplements (as mentioned in my earlier article https://columbusbee.blog/2020/03/28/my-gut-feel-against-the-virus/, this is where I got my first taste of medicine grade Manuka honey as well as honey based shampoo that I mentioned in my other article https://columbusbee.blog/2019/11/01/mlnrd-at-st-lukes-medical-center-global-city-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/).

At the dock waiting for my ride to cruise thru Milford Sound

Those landscapes and seascapes in the Viking show are what remind me of the sceneries while cruising thru the fjord. I’ve never seen so many waterfalls in my life, where every part of the high cliffs always has freshwater flowing on its side. It looks like a long wall with water leaking from every block. There are parts where the waterfalls are bigger, stronger, and heavier. The harmony of these landscapes and seascapes with the trimmings of the lush vegetation and serenity that is only disturbed by the noise from the endemic wildlife and splashing waters from the falls make this one of the most exhilarating experiences for any nature lover.

Sights of the Sound: wading thru the fjord; waterfalls and more waterfalls; seals on their natural habitat.

A trip to New Zealand won’t be complete without the food and drinks adventure. Aside from being the adventure capital of the country, Queenstown is known to have the best burger in the country (or arguably in the world). It’s served by burger joint Fergburger, or what the Kiwis simply call as Ferg’s. There’s always a long queue every single day I was there, where anyone who wants a taste of the best burger but doesn’t want to wait too long need to observe what time of the day the queue is at its shortest. That’s what exactly I did, where I was able to place my order after some 20-30 minutes wait in line. So you’re probably wondering how was it? It was definitely one of the best burgers I had, but I’m on the fence between Ferg’s and Shake Shack as the best burger in the world (so that’s Queenstown vs New York for you burger fans).

Lost in the vineyards (well not really, just trying to get to my first meal of the day)

Back north, Waiheke Island has some of the best vineyards and restos in the country. While on the island, I was craving for Spanish so I decided to look for the best Spanish resto. There weren’t many, but apparently the best one is Casita Miro, not just renowned for good food, but also for its location in the middle of vineyards (I reckon it used to be the house of a vineyard owner that was converted into a resto). So I took the hop-on-hop-off bus and got off on a stop at a vineyard that I thought was the closest to the walking path to the resto. God, I was so wrong. What I thought was a 10 minute walk turned into an hour of wandering under the blistering heat of the sun. Nevertheless, it gave me the chance to wander thru vineyard after vineyard, got up close to the vines and the grapes and a good exercise before a meal. When I got to the resto, guests (who probably came in private cars) were staring at me, probably because I was soaking wet in perspiration. Awkward as it may look, I held my composure while asking the receptionist if my reservation was still on, given that I was a few minutes late. Fortunately I still have my table, and right away asked for the menu and water (I was famished and thirsty). I didn’t do the wine tasting anymore, coz I was already dizzy from being under the sun for too long. It’s was nothing short of an adventure.

Casita Miro. You know it’s real Spanish when the bar and the deck are Gaudi’sh (Waiheke Island)

Though I have travelled much and to a lot of places around the globe, New Zealand rekindled my sense of adventurism. Maybe that’s what the name New Zealand is about, a new zeal in life. What made this country different from the other places I’ve been to is that this is as natural as it can get. If we are to talk about a green world, this could probably be the poster boy for a greener earth. What better way to bring more interests to this place and awaken our earth-y responsibilities than offering a variety of adventure options, from exciting water adventures to the fascinating nature excursions to thrilling river escapades to gastronomic food and drinks explorations. Communing with nature has never been this better.

Dining with view of the vineyards (Casita Miro)

If I have to sum up my experience (in both times I have been to the country), it would be like the date I had with one of New Zealand’s top TV celebrity chefs when I was there: it was good while it lasted.