Esther Mok: Travel

Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Thursday, 15 January 2015

Brazil: Wildlife

Hummingbird

Although I didn't get to visit the Amazon forest in Brazil, I was able to have a wildlife experience by visiting the Parque das Aves which is right next to the Iguaçu National Park in Brazil. Parque das Aves in english means Bird Park that exhibits mainly birds and a few other animals such as crocodiles, snakes and butterflies. Here are some images I took during my visit at the park. I am so in awe of the creation in this world. These photographs reminded me of the wonders and beauty of this world.
All taken on 10th June, 2013.

Toco Toucan

I am watching you!

Go away, I want to sleep.

Brazilian Green-billed Toucan staring at me

All photographs are taken by Esther Mok.

Germany: Berlin Wall

A combination of the German and Israel Flag with the Jewish Star in the middle

It happened in November by Kani Alavi

Nathan the Batman and Will the Joker

I travelled to Berlin and some other countries in Europe with my friends during the Easter break this year.On our first day in Berlin, we went straight to the Berlin wall. The Berlin wall, once used to restrict people's freedom was transformed into colourful painted artworks now to represent liberation and freedom restored. The area of Berlin wall is vast and we chose the best part which is known as the East Side Gallery in the Friedrichshain area. To get to the East Side Gallery, we took the S-Bahn and got off at Ostbahnhof and walked towards the direction of U-/ S-Bahn of Warschauer Strasse. You could get off at either stop and walked in either direction. The Gallery was actually quite a distance away from the S-Bahn although in the map it looked quite close to each other so be prepared to walk a bit. I think it took us around twenty to twenty five minutes walk from the station (perhaps it is because we took our time taking photos of everything). The East Side Gallery is the world's largest open-air mural collection that is 1.3 km long so do be prepared to spend at least an hour or two to walk through the whole wall and take photographs along the way. There aren't many shops around the wall either so it's best to have a drink and snack with you while you admire the artworks. I would recommend if in summer to go there during mid-afternoon around 3-4 pm so you can get just enough daylight to take nice photos but not too much that you would be hot and sweaty.

All photographs are taken by Esther Mok.

Indonesia: Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot Temple

Temple decorated with bright colours and flowers

'Standing near the shore is not recommended because the sea gods might swallow the people up when they get hungry.' a Balinese local told me.

I travelled to Bali last summer and here are some images of Tanah Lot temple. Tanah Lot temple is located right next to the shore because it is a temple that is dedicated to the sea gods. I was captured by the colours and fragrance of this temple. The view of the Tanah Lot temple was magnificent, the waves crashed onto shore with impressive heights. Because of that I did not dare venturing too close to the sea, and a Balinese local also warned me that a month before I visited, a family drowned from getting too close to the edge while taking photos. The Balinese locals uses flowers and incense as offerings for worshiping the sea gods. The sea gods is highly respected in Bali because Bali itself is an island therefore it is interpreted that when natural disasters come the gods of the sea is angry.

All photographs are taken by Esther Mok.

Hong Kong: Another side of Hong Kong

Sun-dried salty fish

Here are some photographs I have taken in Hong Kong a few years back at an island call Tai O'. I wanted to share these images because it is not the typical images one might think of when one think of Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a place rich in culture, there are so many things you can see and know that is not related to Hong Kong's image of being the famous international financial centre .

Lazy cat lounging

A shop gate with calligraphy on it

A road sign with a mountain in the background

Acrylic painted wall

An altar dedicated to ancestors

All photographs are taken by Esther Mok.

TRAVEL 101

Here is a list of tips that I personally find useful to do before, during and after a trip that maximized my travel experience. This list has also helped me to understand the local cultures and lifestyle of my travel destination.

Before going on a trip:
1) Visa requirement.

Check if you need to apply for a VISA to the country you're going to before travelling there or it'll cause you troubles with the immigration there! This is a must-do.

2) Learn the local language.

If the country you are going to speaks another language other than English, I would recommend learning some simple phrases before going, which will help you to communicate with the locals there, especially for bargaining. Although I find that people spoke at least basic English in most of the countries I've visited so far, I think it is still very useful to learn the language of the destination I travel to. It will help with understanding the local cultures and lifestyle more.

Suggested phrases:

Hello/ greetings such as good morning, good evening
Thank you
Goodbye
How much is it?
Can it be cheaper?
Can you take me to...?
How far is it from here to...?
Numbers from 1-100

3) Research your destination before going.

I usually google/ wiki about the country that I'm going to in order to learn more about their customs, culture, what the place look like etc. so I can have an idea of what the place is like and what to expect. In addition, googling gives me an idea of what the weather will be like and the suitable clothing I should pack for my trip. For example, there are strict rules of what can be worn at a Holy Place in Israel, for example when I was visiting the wailing wall, I could not wear anything too short or expose too much skin, my pants must cover my knees.

I also find it useful to look the place up on:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/
or
other sites equivalent for ideas to where to go, what to do in my travel destination, the type of food I need to try whilst I'm there, etc. Websites such as lonely planet also give you reviews of the place you're going to, insights on what some travelers enjoy or not enjoy. It also give you advice of things to be aware of while in the country.

4) Have a packing list.

Yes I am a list kind of girl but I find it so so useful. Lists help me to remember what to bring and what not to bring. Packing could sometimes get overwhelming, especially when I am packing for a long trip, so using a list has helped me focus on what I need to bring instead of what I want to bring. Click here for my suggested packing list.

5) Check if you need to have vaccines.

There is a chance of required vaccine for the specific place you travel to because there might be diseases prone to affect you. For example: If you live in European countries and want to travel to India, there might be a higher risk for you to get malaria because your body might be unfamiliar with the disease, so it might be safer to get a vaccine to prevent that beforehand.

6) Check the weather forecast.

It is so important to check the weather forecast of the place you're travelling to in order to get an idea of what type of clothing to pack. You don't want to bring clothes that doesn't keep you warm enough in cold climates or vice versa.

7) Buy a travel insurance.

It is better to be safe than sorry right? If you get sick and need to go to the hospital or your possessions get stolen, at least you can get some compensation for your loss. I find that I am more prone to get sick when I am travelling and the last thing I want is to be stranded and have nowhere to go. So I'd say it's better to to have a travel insurance just to ease my mind.

8) Write a bucket list.

I like to write a bucket list of the things I want to do in the country I am visiting, that way I could maximize my experience during my stay and do fun things that I enjoy.

Taken in Fiji- sunset at a beach

During the trip:
1) Be positive.

It is essential for travelers to have a positive attitude and open mind to the place they are travelling to. I enjoy myself much more when I have an open mind to try new things that I come across, instead of thinking negatively.

2)Try New things!

I could not stress this enough. You're travelling to another country because you want to try new things, new cultures right? Trying new things means getting out of your comfort zone, of the things you're use to. You'll enjoy the new things more when you have an open mind.

3) Homesick?

Sometimes when I'm in a new country, the unfamiliar place could overwhelm me and I could get a bit homesick. Travelling to a new place does not mean you will have to try everything immediately, it takes time to get use to the food, water etc. there. I find it useful to eat something that I'm familiar with at least one meal per day for 2- 3 days at the country I travelled to in order for me to adjust my stomach to the food there. I've learnt from experience that if I try to adapt to the local's diet immediately, I will get ill easily because of the overwhelming amount of unfamiliar food.

4) Don't be afraid to ask!

I like to ask the locals about the places I'm visiting to learn more about the history of the place or what I need to look out for. Many of them give me good advice of what to do, the cheapest and fastest ways to get to places I'm visiting or tips like specific food I should try. I also get to learn more about the people and their lifestyle by talking to them.

After the trip:

1)Record your experience in the ways you like best

This is a tip for during and after the trip really. I like to take photos, draw and write down the things I've experience and the places I went during my travel.

2) Tell others about your trip.

Storytelling is a good way to help you to remember your trip and to think about what you like/ didn't like about the trip. Others may ask questions that you have never thought of about the trip before, which is a good way to help you evaluate your travel experience.There's nothing wrong with showing off sometimes.

Taken in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan at an Art Exhibition

All photographs are taken by Esther Mok.

Click here to my Travel list post.

TRAVEL PACKING LIST

Taken in Oahu island, Hawaii

Here is a list I've compiled for what I usually pack for travel, hope it helps.

Travel Documents- Plane ticket, copy of travel insurance, copy of photo ID and Passport!
Contact details- Address and number of place to stay
Clothing- pants, undergarments etc. (Appropriate clothing for the place I travel to), I also bring a cardigan with me even if I'm travelling to a hotter place because I get cold during the plane ride.
Walking shoes- During travel, I find myself walking more to visit places, so wearing comfortable shoes is a must
Personal grooming essentials- toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, lotion, shampoo etc.
Money
Electronics- I can't live without my camera and phone when I am travelling
Charger for my electronics
Adapter for my electronics- different countries may vary in electric sockets
Books to read/ entertainment for downtime or during plane ride
Medication- Just in case I get ill
Map of the place I am visiting
Sports bag, just in case I have buy more things than my luggage could fit
Snacks from home- some home comfort is good for when travelling to place with a completely different cuisine to what I am accustomed to. For me is spicy food!
Sunscreen and sunglasses when travelling to a hot place- I don't want to get sunburn. They say sunscreen will stop you from getting tan, but that is false! Sunscreen can prevent you from getting sunburned. You don't want to peel and have a higher risk of getting skin cancer do you?
Bugspray for hotter climate
Warm clothing and sturdy shoes for colder climate

All photographs are taken by Esther Mok.

Click here to maximise what you need to know before, during and after travelling

London: Borough Market (Christmas)

Right before Christmas, I went to the Borough Market in London Bridge for a short day trip, to be out and about the city. The place was decorated with pretty colours to welcome the Christmas that is approaching. I enjoyed spending my time there, walking around tasting different foods as well as the soaking in the festive spirit. The place was filled with the smell of mulled wine, cinnamon, smokey barbecue and many more delicious sensations. The photographs above were some that I took that day. This is one of my last favourite moments of 2014. Now, welcome 2015.