Travel

Urbex| Fort Ord

Fort Ord was decommissioned in 1994. On August 4,2016, we made our way down to Monterrey to take a stroll through the abandoned Fort. We didn't know what to expect, but we were excited. We stepped into the barracks, smashed through glass, and crawled through broken walls. Graffiti written everywhere and bb gun pellets flood corners of each room. Surprisingly, the structure of most of the barracks are still in tact. Walking through the Fort was like a scene from The Last of Us. Fort Ord was a reminder of the past and place that was once was. 

During twilight hour, we found ourselves running away from someone and something. At one point, a car drove past the abandoned school where we were exploring and another point where we saw a car coming towards us. And the most bizarre moment was when we heard tapping sounds in one of the barracks. We didn't know who or what was making the sounds, but it was most likely telling us to get out. While we still wanted to find the pool, our instincts told us it was time to pack our things and make our way back to the car.

We'll be visiting Fort Ord again. If you dare to take an adventure here, go with a group of people. 

Blocks and blocks of barracks

Blocks and blocks of barracks

Golden Hour

Golden Hour

Location scouting

Location scouting

A little girl takes a peek. Can you spot her?

A little girl takes a peek. Can you spot her?

“Adventure is worthwhile.” — Aesop

Recreation area

Recreation area

No Pokemon here!

No Pokemon here!

Abandoned school still in tact

Abandoned school still in tact

Smelled something sweet.

Smelled something sweet.

San francisco: Lands End to Fort Point

It was a pleasure to bring some friends to places that they've never been to in San Francisco. And I always like to bring people to step on the Golden Gate Bridge for their first time in their lives. It's funny how most of us local Bay Area folks have never step foot on the bridge after a quarter century of our lives. Luckily I don't live in the heart of downtown where traffic hits the most. For short distant rides and short walks, I can visit and take anyone to all these places below. 

Battery to Bluffs Trail

Battery to Bluffs Trail

Fort Point

Fort Point

Fort Point

Fort Point

Mile Rock Beach

Mile Rock Beach

Mile Rock Beach

Mile Rock Beach

Lands End

Lands End

Sutro Baths

Sutro Baths

If you're a guest reader, feel free to hit me up and I could take you to these less touristy spots in SF on the weekend. 

Foodie: First Meal in South Korea

After exploring Namdaemun market, we decided to walk in a 24hr Korean BBQ. This was our go-to place if we didn't find anything else.  When we looked inside, there was nobody dining in and we thought it would be awkward for us to eat in there. And it just might be an expensive place. Thoughts aside, we were super starving and had an amazing feast.

First time seeing a vent like this one.

First time seeing a vent like this one.

Banchan

Banchan

Yum!

Yum!

The nice folks who worked here were trying to teach us to cook. 😭

The nice folks who worked here were trying to teach us to cook. 😭

24hr Korean BBQ in Myeong Dong

24hr Korean BBQ in Myeong Dong

This place was pricey than all the other BBQ places we ate at, but this was worth it.

If anyone could translate this or send me info about this restaurant, I'd appreciate it!

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Enter Seoul

After a 12 hour flight, we landed safely in Incheon at about 730PM. I would definitely recommend Singapore Airlines if you ever wander off in Asia. Right after we picked up our luggage, we headed to the Hanjin Express counter to pick up my pocket wifi and it turned out they didn't have my package and gave me someone elses. We spent almost a good hour with the employees waiting for them to give me a device, but they kept digging around. I was lucky enough to pick up airport wifi and have my friend Kristine who resides in Korea to speak with them. Our time was greatly wasted and I was hoping to check in a little bit earlier. Like Japan, we were able to take the last express train back to Seoul.

Much like Hong Kong, we needed to adapt to subway lines. South Korea uses the T-Money card that enables riders to scan their card to pay for fares. You can buy these cards at a local convenience store. Another tip is to download the Subway Korea app on your phone to see the schedule and fares of the trains. Plus, Google maps isn't friendly because each stop shown on the app is in Korean. Therefore, you'll need to find a map plastered on the wall for directions. Nonetheless, the app was much better in helping me know where to step off or transfer.

south-korea-russell-rabanal-37.jpg

Our hotel was right in the center of Myeong Dong and we had the opportunity to visit Namdaemun market at night.

On our first few hours, we were greeted with so much art and a lively night life even if most of the shops were closed.