It was the first time I traveled abroad and have visited the town empty. If Jakarta suddenly empty on the day of Fitr, the capital of South Korea is experiencing the same thing at the time of the celebration of Seollal (or the local term for the Lunar New Year).

I should have started to feel the awkwardness the previous day. When driving around town, subway crowded with people carrying shopping bags or a large travel bag back and forth like a man.
The shops along Apkujeong also sell gift boxes to take home village. The content of the package is different from a Lebaran parcel in Indonesia. One of the rather amazing gift box containing meat and ginseng are packed so neatly.

I know that tomorrow is Chinese New Year, but do not know if the new year according to the calculation of the solar calendar is the second most important national holiday in Korea, after the Chuseok (Thank You Day / Thanksgiving Day). I also do not know if at that time Korean residents in big cities can return home, visit their oldest families and spending time with family.
If at Lebaran, we stay in touch with each other, greet one to apologize. At this Seollal, traditions Koreans usually pay homage to the grandfather or grandmother by bending the upper body on the floor at once pronounce greeting the New Year.

At the time of day of Chinese New Year, I just realized today why everybody looks like a hurry at the train station. Apparently, they wanted to get home. Lunar morning it was, the train station was deserted. My train car is empty. I am only one. Samsoeng train station is located under the largest mall Seoul, Coex. Samsoeng road is still in the Kangnam area if such area in the golden triangle of Jakarta Jakarta (Brass, Sudirman & Thamrin) which is usually crowded with workers passing by. Now the area was deserted. I felt like I was exploring a ghost town.
I was immediately biting the finger because it intends to spend time at the Coex. I decided to rest in the hotel lobby is located in one building with Coex. From the description of the hotel staff, I was advised to go some place that can sense these Chinese New Year celebrations. If you intend to shop, there are no malls or shops are open, likewise cinema or cafes. Forthis Seollal celebrations, usually the government implement the bulk three-day holiday. Onthe day before and the day after as well.

Some suggested places to visit is Namsagol Hanok Village, Seoul Nori Madang and palaces had only the day before my visit, and Gyeongbukgung where I can enjoy a concertfeaturing fusion gukak Samulnori (traditional percussion music).
Jokingly, the hotel staff said if I visit these places by using a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), then I will not cost you anything. Hearing this, I just grinned, weather outside around 10 degrees Celsius. Using a super thick coat, I still feel cold. I wonder what would happen if I just use a hanbok around town for free.

I finally decided to visit Namsagol Hanok Village and Seoul Nori Madang. In Namsagol this Village, there are many activities take place. Among other kite making Korean style, calligraphy writing, and learning correct bowing in homage to the elders ceremony.

I chose to learn Sebae, bending the right way to honor parents. I think everyone knows there is a chance I did something like this sometime.

Oh yes, I also had the opportunity to try tteokguk, rice cake soup, which is a typical food during Chinese New Year.

After that, I went to Seoul Nori Madang to enjoy performances of traditional dances and their music. I am curious to see the show directly that I usually see only through saeguk drama (drama with an ancient setting) on television or movies. In addition, I enjoy their clothes are colorful.

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Papua New Guinea, a country uniquely situated in the Pacific Ocean and its authenticity is maintained thanks to the low level of urban development (only 18% of the population live in urban centers). Besides having a unique name, Papua New Guinea also has 850 native languages, and (believed) a number of species of plants and animals that have not known!

The country is largely untouched, even since its independence from Australia in 1975.However, few tourists make it to the beaches would feel their trip was not in vain.

Shopping center

Interesting experience in Papua New Guinea is a walk in the market stalls. Most goods are bought and sold are genuine and homemade goods. You’ll find authentic souvenirs such as Papua New Guinea: bilum - bag made from plant fibers, baskets Bouganville - regarded as one of the best basket and container in the Pacific, or a mask - it may not be used, but exciting! Be careful when someone offers you ”ancient artifacts” - anything made ??before 1960 are prohibited to be exported in order to maintain the country’s cultural heritage.

Aquatics

Scuba diving is quite popular in Papua New Guinea and many dive places that have unlimited potential. Geographical structure caused the sea floor plate fell dramatically from the edge of the beach - but an abundance of debris former World War II to add the privilegeto dive here. To dive in among the ruins, go to Kavieng, Loloata, or Madang. If you want to see clusters of spectacular coral, go to the Eastern Fields, about 200km from Port Moresbyto the coast of Australia.

Hiking

Soil structure that does not mean the island of Papua New Guinea makes a perfect place for serious climbers. For a little history and fantastic scenery, go to the Kokoda track, the route along the 60 miles over the top of the Owen Stanley Range. History buff will find this site as a battlefield of World War II, Japan and Australia rallying point.

If you are looking for height, go to the top: the top Wilhelm is the highest point on the island, and quite beautiful scenic sites can be reached, depending on your fitness level. Leave early to arrive at dawn for a chance for the best look at the beautiful scenery.

Everywhere you go, beware weather conditions: the night is quite cold and damp and hot afternoon. There is also a risk of malaria and frequent flooding in the lowlands during the rainy season. Get out there with enough equipment and knowledge.

When to get there

The most practical way to Papua New Guinea is by air, airlines are Air New Guinea (in cooperation with Qantas) and airline of Papua New Guinea.
Most visitors require a tourist visa; 60-day license can be obtained at the airport, Port Moresby, on arrival. Same with other Oceania countries, make sure you carry the entire travel document that outlines a plan of your return.

Numerous festivals are open to tourists, such as Coffee Festival in May, the National Mask Festival in July and Morale Hiri festival in September.

There are reports of violence and crime in some places in Papua New Guinea. The spread of HIV / AIDS is quite high in some areas. Alert on the way - I suggest to seek advice from an experienced travel agent before booking your trip. Travelers are advised women not to travel alone.

For more information, see the official website of Tourism in Papua New Guinea.

Many people argue, traveling to distant places when having a baby is impossible. My experience proves that opinion is wrong.

You who have children aged less than 2 years can still be a hobby you travel. Although the budget remains tight, of course there are some things worth noting if you are traveling with a baby.

Baby’s health is an absolute
Parents may want to travel alone, or would like to introduce babies to the hobby for a walk. But the baby’s health is an absolute that cannot be bargained. Never carry a baby who was sick to travel by plane.
There’s a good idea to check your baby to a pediatrician before leaving. Take your medicines as a precaution during the trip (consult your physician before). I personally have not ever give medicine to my child, but always carry some medication that is safe for baby while traveling.

Which must be taken
It depends of you, what about your baby might need. In general, other than I always carry baby clothes baby food and feeding equipment, socks, hats, baby stroller, baby carrier, shawl (the Javanese say jarik), toiletries, creams, toys, disposable diapers, wet wipes, sunscreen special solar baby, baby food maker, and the bucket shower. What brought it also depends climate and weather at the destination.

Traveling by plane
Travel by plane in a long time will certainly make you tired baby, if the baby is restless, anxious parents, too, especially when the baby is crying nonstop. There are several things you can do to reduce this risk. One of them is to ask the airline for seats that provide facilities for your baby basinet.
When budgets are limited and you go with a cheap flight – like me – it helps pay for a seat. I chose at the tail where there is space to hold the child when he cries. In addition, take too many toys that children do not get bored.

Itinerary
Do not match the stamina of a baby with an adult. It is better to travel plans are not too tight. After a long trip, give yourself time for your baby to restore power. Maybe the place you visit would be less than if you are traveling alone. However, it is important you and your family enjoy it, right?

Accommodation
Traveling with a baby is certainly not possible for you to stay in a hostel with dorm type (single room with many beds). Even the hostel with shared bathroom was not I recommend. Better to pay a little more expensive to get a decent room with private bathroom. With a little effort, you’ll still get cheap hotel with the above criteria.

Breastfeeding a baby
Many mothers are still breastfeeding their infants up to 2 years. Do not worry, when traveling it is also very easy to do. In developed countries, breastfeeding in public places may be more easily done because a lot of grassy parks and garden chairs. You can do it on a plane or other public transportation for free. When the overcrowded public transport, you can take advantage of the priority seats. Bother? Not at all!

Feeding the baby
When your baby is 6 months old, may be a bit more troublesome since you need to prepare food for the little guy. There are some parents who choose instant baby food to make it more practical. My husband and I insist on complementary feeding still provide a home for our children.
In order to save money and do not need to be cooked; you can give your baby fruit in season, such as bananas or mangoes. You can feed your child while traveling.

Small children usually ravenously ate it when he invited a walk. Airlines usually allow us to bring baby food into the plane, during the meet airline regulations no more than 100ml in one place. Children fed, the parents were happy!

So, traveling with a baby is not hard to do, right? Congratulations on vacation!

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City of New York is synonymous with a lifestyle of luxury Manhattan residents, crime scene in the Bronx and Brooklyn, or car racing in the middle of town. But actually there are other things that are very inherent in New York - which makes love the city and its citizens are proud to call themselves ”New Yorker”.

After seeing with my own eyes, the population of New York deserves to feel proud and attached to his city. At least, in my opinion, there are three things that make the city of New York’s beloved citizens: the subway, parks and diversity. These three things to improve the quality of life of citizens become the pride and memorabilia that timeless era.

Each came to a town, I always find out just how friendly the city to commuters and pedestrians. It is important for the adventurous backpack that did not have much money to take a taxi. If a distance can be traveled on foot, then I’ll walk as far as any, although 20blocks!

I conclude, a city friendlier to pedestrians, the higher the quality of life for its residents.

A subway of New York, which operates 24 hours a day, is one of the busiest in the world (after Tokyo, Seoul and Moscow) and the largest in the United States. My observations, the subway in New York City is very efficient and convenient.

This system connects four of the five boroughs of New York City: Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. The station’s many old and outdated, but the series has been updated and the chariot-cooled air (in summer) and heating (in winter).

The most interesting for me is to plan travel and move around the most marked lane by crossing the road on it (42nd St / Times Square, Lexington Ave. /59th Street). Descending from the carriage and then move to another station or platform overlapping is a pleasure for me. Seeing the sewers of the subway are very iconic sure I was in New York City.

New York is also synonymous with Central Park, a park in the middle of Manhattan which covers 341 ha, extending from north to south. The park is very well known and often shown in movies.

City parks in the city of New York also are a symbol of quality of life for urban residents. City Park here is really a public space that is free to anyone, even almost 24 hours. I see a lot of activity in a city park, ranging from a picnic, rest, family day office, exercise, art and food &drink (at the hawker-food vendors are neat).

“Here, leisure is almost free. When no money, recreational cheapest is to go to the park, take a book and food from home, to sleep soundly for hours in the park, ”said Boy Avianto, a friend who works in the city of New York for two years.

The latter, diversity. Some areas where lived synonymous with immigrants, such as Astoria, Queens. Here, almost all the nations of the world there, and we can be sure the language is spoken everyday language is not English. According to government census of 2006, the number of immigrants / descendants of immigrants reached 37 percent of the total population of the city of New York. Moreover, the composition of the population in New York almost flat views of race / nationality.

What is interesting here? New York City becomes the representation of the world in miniature, with a total population of 8 million inhabitants. Citizens are exposed to various circles in all its manifestations. The city comes alive and rich, full of inspiration. For food lovers or that is easy to feel miss the food in the area of ??origin, there is almost certainly here. Interestingly, with this diversity, rather, they coexist well.

Of course, not all of the city perfectly. There is always a downside. But for me, the city of New York had an impressive first impression, a city that should be learning model for other cities. The city that evokes strong associations on self-occupants.

No, this article is not tips, but rather to an afterthought.

The trip always require research, but the trip was made ??to the area we’ve visited dozens of times or the information is really sticky ”by rote”.

Each research trip in modern times is always preceded by the digital world: looking through search engines, download it if needed, and set the budget and travel plans through ha digital device as well. In fact, ticket and accommodation bookings were made ??through the internet.

When it reached the location, what do we do? We opened a guidebook, which is also too there are digital versions. All embedded in a mobile application in small but charming, more broadly than that, there are tour guides who then load-frills ”social”, when we can share travel experiences with everyone even though other people do not come with us.

However, does all this fit with the character of the traveler? When we travel, what’s become our primary focus? Enjoying the journey, is not it? Are we experienced on the sidelines of the journey that we do, we are busy looking at the display phones or hardware you have on hand?

Many mobile applications are even more suitable for uses in developed countries are pretty good wireless internet connection so it can receive and send data constantly without any fuss. However, what happens when traveling in countries where wireless internet connection is bad enough, for example, Indonesia?

Battery consumption is a major consideration. In addition, the availability of efficient data packets and quality into consideration the other not until we are busy looking for a data connection so that missed authentic experience.

What about the manual print version? Options are many and not have to depend on the data connection. It’s okay, but my own experience suggests that the book includes not compact enough to carry around. Is perhaps appropriate that the book is small and the information is brief but accurate. The thick travel guidebooks tend to be more suitable to learn before traveling, or when it got time to spare.

Well, as if the ideal tour guide? In my opinion, a travel guide that should be easily accessible without relying physical connection or data those are too burdensome. Furthermore, it must travel guides provide honest information and provide education.

Education here is not meant patronizing, but invites viewers to participate in local interests in mind, for example, notify local businesses that are good to visit and buy produce, compared to shopping at shopping centers such as malls capitalist.

If the tour guide had to be portable, so make sure it does not interfere with the main trip and does not consume batteries too fast tool. If multimedia and visual elements are much overlooked, it is more suitable to be consumed when we are in a state of silence, such as on-site accommodation, or even in the planning process prior to travel.

One thing more to escape from most resorts is the storyline (storytelling). When presented with a wide selection of information, users do not necessarily know what is good for him. More than just a recommendation, travel guides should be able to deliver bottled interesting story to be followed by the user, like “watching” a film of life, or along a living museum.

For example, if you get around Jakarta, we can package it into a specific sequence, for example according to chronological historical narrative. In addition to learning about the history of textual, users can view the current condition of the sites visited. That way, he not only tried to meet his expectations, but also receive real conditions that exist and make it a lesson. It’s all part of a large container called “Responsible travel”.