Sabbatical 2023

April - August 2023

Time for a break - The Tiki family on the move
🇰🇷🇯🇵🇸🇬🇮🇩🇲🇾 Read more

54footprints
6countries
143days
517photos
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Traveler Sabbatical 2023
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- Apr 8, 2023
- ☀️ 14 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- Netherlands North Holland Wijdemeren Nieuw-Loosdrecht Loosdrechtsche Bosch 52.211296, 5.16082552°12’41” N 5°9’39” E
Day 1
It is (about) time!
April 8, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Finally! After months of preparations - reading travel guides and more importantly travelling family blogs, organising, booking, work arrangements - we are set to go.

Backpacking? Hell yeah, had to dust off my backpack though but Julia bought her first one (who thought that she would ever travel with a backpack instead of a trolley, yeah!).

First stop: South Korea. In 2 days we will fly to Seoul. Follow us on our adventures.
The Tiki family
Kulia
MiYuRead more
Traveler All the best! Its gonna be a very beautiful journey❤️
4/6/23Reply
Coollll! Have fun!! [Joepîn]
4/6/23Reply
Wow… what an adventure! Let me know if you ever hit Manila! [Henk]
4/6/23Reply
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Traveler Sabbatical 2023
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- Apr 9, 2023, 6:00pm
- ☀️ 15 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- South Korea Seoul Nŭng-dong Eorinidaegongwon 37.55023, 127.07765337°33’1” N 127°4’40” E
1 1 2
Day 2
K-Trip - Seoul
April 9, 2023 in South Korea ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Annyeonghaseyo from Seoul!

What a crazy, cool, gigantic place to start our travels! Despite the jetlag, total lack of rythym (combined a nice mix of screaming kids and ashamed parents in silent metros) and the enormous distances, we did manage to explore quite a bit of this metropolis.

Some highlights: The spectacular Starfield Library with its 50.000 books displayed on three 13-metres tall towering bookshelves. The relaxing stroll along the Cheonggyecheon stream, running through downtown Seoul. Snacking around in the busy markets Gwangjang and Namdaemun. Running/stepping around the futuristic fashion hub Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Making friends with some of the many, many, many!!! gwiyeowo (kawaii) characters. Getting lost in the streets of Bukchon Village with its traditional houses. Kids having a blast at the Children’s Park Museum. Meeting up with old high school mate, Han.

Oohhh and not to forget about COFFEE. Coffee shops are everywhere, 18.000 of them: local, international, chains, independent, specialty, 3 storeys high, take out window, themed, OMG!! Starbucks also set the trend here in Seoul since 1999 and since then has more branches than in any other city in the world.

A week has passed by, time to move on and discover more of the country.Read more
A great start and Seoul looks like fun for the whole family! [Kay]
4/25/23Reply
Traveler Thank you for the update! That sounds amazing!!
4/25/23Reply
J’adore 😍 colles vos enfants sont adorables ! Enjoy [Virginie]
4/26/23ReplyTranslate
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Traveler Sabbatical 2023
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- Apr 16, 2023, 12:00am
- ⛅ 8 °C
- Altitude: 33 m
- South Korea Seoul Ch’ungjŏngno-dong 37.562538, 126.96640837°33’45” N 126°57’59” E
1 1
Day 9
Seoul II - pics
April 16, 2023 in South Korea ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
More Seoul impressions!
Die vinden we leuk!!! [Tobi]
4/30/23ReplyTranslate
🤩 Mooi hoor [Tobi]
4/30/23ReplyTranslate
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Traveler Sabbatical 2023
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- Apr 17, 2023
- ☁️ 13 °C
- Altitude: 1,566 m
- South Korea Gangwon-do Talgot Seoraksan 38.119026, 128.46920838°7’8” N 128°28’9” E
1 1 1
Day 10
K-Roadtrip Part I - Seoraksan
April 17, 2023 in South Korea ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
After ‘see you soon Seoul’ we continue our trip by car and head directions to the mountainous and coastal Gangwon-do region. On our way we made a quick stop at Nami Island, nice for a stroll because of the beautiful lanes of (pine) trees and nature although a bit crowded and therefore loosing some of its authenticity.

Seoraksan National Park is the highlight in this area with odd rock formations, waterfalls, wildlife and temples. Very popular amongst hikers especially the locals; almost all dressed up in their super fancy schmancy outfits. Another first for the Tiki family but why not, Yuna in the carrier with Julia and Milo hand in hand with me. From a light ascend to a steeper climb, we reached Heundeul Bawi, a 16-tonne boulder on the edge of a flat rock. We could catch a nice glimpse of Ulsan Bawi, a challenge for another time. Kudos to Milo for his first hike of 6 km (also from all the hikers we met) and a well deserved soft ice cream.Read more
Milo is hugging the A!! Why is that.... [Aaay Lin]
4/26/23Reply
🥰 [Pau]
4/27/23Reply
😱 [Pau]
4/27/23Reply
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Traveler Sabbatical 2023
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- Apr 18, 2023
- ☀️ 15 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- South Korea Gangwon-do Puwŏl-li Sokchohaesuyokjang 38.190598, 128.60357738°11’26” N 128°36’13” E
Day 11
K-Roadtrip Part II - Sokcho
April 18, 2023 in South Korea ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Next day, we rested on the beach of coastal town Sokcho but a sudden cold windy fog forced us to take shelter at the fish market where we had to eat super fresh sashimi ;-) Before moving on, we enjoyed Seoraksan once more and switched hiking teams - Team JuMi and KuYu. After climbing countless stairs we finally reached Biryong Pokpo waterfall, another 5 hiking km’s yay! Reward, another beach further south along the coast (Samcheok) and canola flower fields.Read more
Traveler Beautiful scenery!!!! Amazing hikers!!!
4/29/23Reply
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Traveler Sabbatical 2023
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- Apr 20, 2023
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 1,407 m
- South Korea Gyeongsangbuk-do Dalbatjae Sobaeksan 36.962029, 128.48545836°57’43” N 128°29’8” E
2 1
Day 13
K-Roadtrip Part III - Sobeaksan
April 20, 2023 in South Korea ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
First stop in neighbouring region Chungcheongbuk-do is Guin-sa, a large temple complex (headquarters of the Cheontae Buddhism) located in another scenic national park, Sobeaksan. Beautifully decorated temples in a valley surrounded by steep forested slopes were simply awe-inspiring. Feeling hike confident, we went for another challenge, Birobong Peak at 1400 meters. The path was unfortunately one steep climb up boosting team’s morale downward (almost equally perhaps?) but we still managed to reach 1000 meters for a well needed lunch break. Exploring Danyang including a river cruise that suddenly turned into a kind of speedboat party party tour (turn on video sound :-) was a nice change of settings.Read more
Traveler Wow!!! What a beautiful part of this world!!! Thank you for allowing us to discover through your eyes! Love reading the updates and see your radiant faces! We love you and miss you!! But so happy for you!!!
4/30/23Reply
Wowzers 🥵 [Psu]
5/8/23Reply
Pau bedoel ik… 🥹 [Pau]
5/8/23ReplyTranslate
🤟 [Pau]
5/8/23Reply
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Traveler Sabbatical 2023
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- Apr 23, 2023
- ☁️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 103 m
- South Korea Gyeongsangbuk-do Andong 36.566547, 128.72901936°33’60” N 128°43’44” E
2
Day 16
K-Roadtrip Part IV final - Andong
April 23, 2023 in South Korea ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Hahoe Minsok Maeul (Folk Village) close to Andong is all about traditions and deserves its Unesco World Heritage status. This is the place to catch a glimpse of how rural village life was and here also still continues to be (with some modern practicalities, that is to say). Followed by watching the traditional mask dance and visiting the mask museum, exhibiting not only Korean masks but from all over the world. Before finishing our roadtrip, we once more enjoyed the typical Korean hilly/mountainous landscapes (65% of South Korea is forest with 22 national parks and 3 times bigger than NL) and passed by Haeinsa temple. Not only an amazingly natural setting (again) but housing the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist texts engraved on 80.000+ woodblocks (each 3-4 kg and 70x24 cm) dated from the 13th century.

On another note: Driving and speed limits. Seems that controls are almost only done by camera’s. Sometimes every other (few) kilometer(s). Hidden? Nope… in plain sight, even several warning signs including on the navigation system. Result: some drive but also brake like insanes, us being overtaken by trucks, busses, big construction vehicles and even schoolbusses. Time to end the roadtrip and return the car.Read more
Oh wow, heb je een mooie kunnen kopen?? 🎭 [Pau]
5/8/23ReplyTranslate
Traveler Had er graag wel wat willen meenemen maar geen plek in the 🎒
5/12/23ReplyTranslate
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Traveler Sabbatical 2023
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- Apr 24, 2023
- 🌬 14 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- South Korea Busan Haeundae Haeundaehaesuyokjang 35.158695, 129.1603735°9’31” N 129°9’37” E
Day 17
Gyeongju & Busan
April 24, 2023 in South Korea ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
Gyeongju a.k.a the golden city or museum without walls was an important area during one of the important empires (Silla) in the first 10 century’s. We visited a few of the many historical treasures that can be found here, such as the national museum, the Bulguk-sa temple and the royal tombs housed in tumuli (burial mounds), weird-looking grassy round hills in the centre of the town.

We took the bus to Busan, the 2nd largest city after Seoul. Here we didn’t do much other than chilling on beautiful and popular Haeundae beach, strolling along the coast on the Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk trail and eating fresh fish at the Jagalchi fish market.

Jeju island is awaiting us. Till later!Read more
Zo mooi 🤩 [Pau]
5/8/23ReplyTranslate
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Traveler Sabbatical 2023
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- Apr 30, 2023
- Altitude: 16 m
- South Korea Jeju-do Jeju City 33.511682, 126.52191633°30’42” N 126°31’19” E
Day 23
Jeju Island - Part I
April 30, 2023 in South Korea
This volcanic island is also called the Hawaii of South Korea and has become a popular holiday destination because of the white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, lush and green vegetation, high volcanic cliffs, hiking trails and a pleasant subtropical climate. No wonder it is one of the 7 new natural wonders of the world. And no wonder that the busiest route in the world is by far Seoul-Jeju, with 85.000 flights per year and something like a 10 minute interval of planes leaving each day.

Highlights: walking through lava caves and climbing Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak volcano) at 5am with fantastic views. Chilling at hipster beach Woljeong, not yet discovered by the mass, but also at hangloose, surfs-up Jungmun Saekdal Beach. And passing by beautiful fields of green tea.Read more
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- May 3, 2023
- 🌧 17 °C
- Altitude: 6 m
- South Korea Jeju-do Sŏngch’ŏnp’o Chungmun-ch’ŏn 33.244855, 126.40903933°14’41” N 126°24’33” E
Day 26
Jeju Island - Part II
May 3, 2023 in South Korea ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
Our mission to enjoy the beaches, do some easy hikes, visit some nice waterfalls, stroll along the rugged coast/cliffs was not completely successful. Rain started pouring down and didn’t stop for 3 days/nights. A huge bummer but we could find shelter: this small island of 1.800 km2 (only a bit bigger than the smalles province in NL) has only 100 (!!) museums and countless theme/amusement parks, from teddy bear museum to sex museums, from a modest Hello Kitty park to gigantic rollercoaster/aqua parks.

Sipping Hello Kitty Matcha latte (say what?? ;-)), playing with 1000 kids at the popular Pororo penguin theme park, trying to make funny pics in the optical illusions Alive museum (challenged by the busloads of tourists behind us…).

All in all, a great week of fun. Back to mainland Korea.Read more
Traveler So happy to see your smiling faces!!! ❤️
5/12/23Reply
Traveler Still enjoying. Tnx for being a true follower so far, hope you and the fam are going smooth!
5/12/23Reply
Traveler Un rêve!!
7/16/23ReplyTranslate
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