Towers of the World

 I love looking at skyscrapers. Im fascinated by their presence that dominates the skyline.
It symbolises a vision of reaching up the sky.

  Last  year Id been lucky  to have seen most of the tallest towers in the world.

It was really an awe inspiring architectural experience as I scrutinize the facade on each structure Ive visited.

Petronas  Towers of Kuala Lumpur are twin skyscrapers in Malaysia.  They were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004 and remain the tallest twin towers in the world.

Burj Khalifa located in Dubai is the tallest building in the world since it opened in January 4, 2010. Its height is 2,716.5 feet or 828 meters. This is considered to be one of the most marvelous piece of architecture made by man. Its outdoor observation deck is at the 124th floor.

Taipei 101 is Taiwan's landmark skyscraper is the worlds tallest in 2004 at 509 meters height.  An icon of green building worldwide.

 The facade of green tainted glass and aluminum panels with ribbon like design is so unique.

I have read that  Taipei 101 which is on the 2nd spot now will be in the 20th place by year 2020.

 Tokyo Skytree is the third tallest  in the world at 624 meters.. It is a broadcasting, restaurant and observation tower. It is the tallest and most striking structure dominating Tokyo skyline. Despite being earthquake prone they were able to build this gigantic structure.

Tokyo Skytree  Tower

Namsan  Seoul Tower, the last tower i've visited before the year ended.  Not on the top list but stillhigh because it is nestled on top of the mountain in the middle of the city. At 236 m, it marks the highest point in Seoul. Somewhat different because of Kingkong hugging the body of the tower. This is Seoul's number one tourist attraction.

The famous "Locks of Love"  is located  on the 2nd floor of the Plaza, at the roof terrace. People hang locks that symbolize eternal love.
 

 
The irony of a towers and buildings. Sometimes you're the tallest and grandest of them all and before you knew it another one takes  your place.  Iconic structures are sure to rise across the globe in the next decades as a symbol of power.

Each one is unique and  has a beauty of its own. The engineering and architectural wonders on how they were built is something I could just marvel in amazement.

Seoul searching in Korea

Blogging has been a second nature to me especially during our travels.....something to lookback in the years to come.

As a way to celebrate my 49th  and Christmas day we decided to explore Seoul.

I have been seeing Facebook posts about korean travel and they looked enticing…exciting and of course…tempting.

We we're billeted at a hotel in the heart of Myeondong. Hotel Solaria which is  adjacent to  airport buses,  metro train and  shopping areas. 

Bonding of course is the prime concern among us family  as we try to cope with their busy college life.
 We tried so many korean style street foods notably their egg buns and tornado potatoes.

We also took delight in getting samples of their cosmetics like holika, nature republic, innisfree near the hotel.  A place with plenty of shops and crowded people esp at nighttime.

These guys never get tired of theme parks so we went to Everland Resort on our second day.

 It was a huge and well maintained park with so many thrilling rides.

 Instead of rides  I took fancy in taking pictures.

 

 What a way to celebrate my 49th birthday. Made me felt young riding one of the rollercoasters with them.

The following day we went to Snow Bear ski resort…some two hours away from Seoul by bus.

 Eager to try the ski short of the risks of falling I just let them do it. All were zipped up to try ski the first time!

On Christmas day we went to mass at the Myeondong Cathedral. A huge and beautiful church located in the heart of the city.

We also went on a city tour around Seoul. It was delightful to see the city amidst a  very cold freezing weather. Seoul is sorrounded by mountains with lots of temples around.

On our last day we went to see the Nami Park which was made famous by the korean telemovie "winter sonata".

 It was a romantic place in an isolated island accessible by ferry.

So many photo ops around! Rico and Nica took delight in emoting while taking pictures.

I also had a chance to get a new hair do!

We all enjoyed the sumptous Korean foods esp the kimchi and bulgogi.

 I think they're very healthy foods but a little expensive.

Just a little more shopping around Dangdaenum market on our last day.

Just a short break but worth every minute of our stay.

2016 Standard Chartered Hongkong Marathon: a race recap

Marathon ten weeks apart is something I would not dare myself doing
But my friend Annie was so persistent that I signed up the moment the registration opened last October.

Everything was squeezed in a very limited time…

the very little mileage after my November 1 New York marathon , the need to rest…...
... only started a few runs last December. …the cold December weather

Before I knew it...it was taper time. Felt like a student cramming for the exam!
My longest run was 30 k and I was hoping that the previous training would help carry me to the finish line.

My daughter was my travel er  shopping companion.

It was so rainy when we arrived last friday. Went straight to get my racekit at Victoria Park. No long lines though.

Met my best friend Annie and husband Raymund  the following day.

Caught up with stories better shared together than on phone. Tried my best not to shop around since marathon would be the following day.

However we looked for some raincoats to wear since the weather forecast said it would rain hard the following day.

At 6:45 AM I was standing among the thousands of marathon fanatics that braved the hard rainy weather. It was gun start and the rain got heavy. It was my first time to ran on raincoats n race caps.

Annie and I were together for the first 6 kilometers. We took pictures of the Tsing Ma bridge while we were dripping wet.

I ran on my own pace afterwards.
Battling a rainy condition was a real challenge for any runner. Sometimes I would take off my raincoat because it was suffocatingly hot especially at the first two tunnels and I was so careful not to slip on the wet and slippery roads.

Their water stations were ample. I like the palm size Watsons sports drink ready to sip which was refreshing.

It is true that the length of inclines on the bridges and tunnels were so long and  challenging. Most of the routes were at the highways so it was boring.  I felt bad that I didnt bring my headphones to ease the pain and silence along the way. It was raining during the first four hours of my run.


At km 32 I met  Raymond with daughter

Nicole and my daughter Nica . I changed my shoes as it was so wet. It felt good to ran on dry socks and shoes.

What I was worried throughout the run were the checkpoints almost every 8 kms. . I busied myself checking my garmin if I will pass in the designated time of the checkpoints.

At km 34  passing the third tunnel going to hongkong side I knew I nailed it. Though my feet were tired n wobbly I knew I can finish the marathon.

At the last checkpoint at 40.3 km I was 12 minutes ahead.
 The crowd at the Causewaybay helped me make it through the last kilometer.
I smiled at the photographers and waved at the spectators.

It was a refreshing sight to see the finish line. Got teary eyed because of this rare feat.
I was ecstatic to pass the blue carpet of the finish line at Victoria Park.
Not my best PR but truly an accomplishment because this was a back to back marathon.

I conquered HK Marathon!

A must-do to any runner!