TRAVELLIVE 11-2016
My two little nieces are giggling with each other, building their “old” snowman. However severe winter is, it brings something miraculous to little kids. They are excited to go around, showing off their colorful new winter clothes. They look like pretty bears with the wool gloves and hat that their grandmother knitted for them. And the happiness of an adult like me is watching them and seeing enjoyment sparkle in their eyes. I love curling up in a small corner of Hanoi, sipping a cup of hot chocolate with sweet marshmallow. Just a sip can warm up your entire winter. This winter, my family is travelling to a foreign country in which winter is far different from that in Hanoi. Outside the hotel, where my children are playing, snow has already covered the entire roof, putting its white coat on the land, trees, and fields. And who doesn’t love snow? But suddenly I miss my Hanoi with bitter winds which usually chill while I am strolling down narrow streets. Losing my train of thoughts, when I look back, the children have finished their snowman and start playing with snowflakes in various shapes. I just relax and silently take in the winter far from home. And you, have you prepared for your winder journey? Don’t hesitate to share it with us!
My two little nieces are giggling with each other, building their “old” snowman. However severe winter is, it brings something miraculous to little kids. They are excited to go around, showing off their colorful new winter clothes. They look like pretty bears with the wool gloves and hat that their grandmother knitted for them. And the happiness of an adult like me is watching them and seeing enjoyment sparkle in their eyes.
I love curling up in a small corner of Hanoi, sipping a cup of hot chocolate with sweet marshmallow. Just a sip can warm up your entire winter. This winter, my family is travelling to a foreign country in which winter is far different from that in Hanoi. Outside the hotel, where my children are playing, snow has already covered the entire roof, putting its white coat on the land, trees, and fields. And who doesn’t love snow? But suddenly I miss my Hanoi with bitter winds which usually chill while I am strolling down narrow streets.
Losing my train of thoughts, when I look back, the children have finished their snowman and start playing with snowflakes in various shapes. I just relax and silently take in the winter far from home.
And you, have you prepared for your winder journey? Don’t hesitate to share it with us!
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©Elvian Barus<br />
KAKABAN,INDONESIA<br />
Swimming in the lake of<br />
jellyfish<br />
Jellyfish are the most ancient animal<br />
species on Earth. They existed long before<br />
dinosaurs appeared hundreds of millions<br />
of years ago. Without a brain, heart, or<br />
bones, jellyfish are 90% water. As they are<br />
capable of asexual reproduction, a jellyfish<br />
you touch today can be the descendant<br />
of a jellyfish thousands of years ago.<br />
Jellyfish contain DNA of all animal species<br />
including humans. Imagine how amazing<br />
it would be if you could swim with the<br />
“ancestor” of humans.<br />
Well known for giant lakes with<br />
thousands of various sized jellyfish,<br />
Kakaban Island is a “dangerous” and<br />
interesting place for many people.<br />
Everyone knows that jellyfish can sting<br />
and hurt people; however, Kakaban’s<br />
jellyfish are completely harmless. You<br />
can swim with them and touch them<br />
without worries. There are only 3 places<br />
in the world that offer you this experience.<br />
They are Kakaban, the Togean Islands in<br />
Indonesia, and Rock Island in Micronesia.<br />
Among them, Kakaban is the best known<br />
place with the most diverse types of<br />
jellyfish. The island has been proposed as<br />
a UNESCO world heritage site.<br />
Because the lakes were so long separated<br />
from the ocean by continental shift, the<br />
jellyfish in Kakaban haven’t had to worry<br />
about predators. Gradually their defense<br />
tentacles degenerated, making them<br />
harmless. What could be better than<br />
swimming in a lake of colorful jellyfish<br />
which can be held in your hand? You are<br />
not allowed to dive or use swim fins so<br />
that you don’t affect the jellyfish.<br />
Apart from Jellyfish Lake, Kakaban has<br />
Fish Lake and beautiful beaches where<br />
you can dive with sea turtles or find the<br />
famous seahorse - pigmy. Have you<br />
chosen your destination this winter?<br />
Further information:<br />
Itinerary: Fly from Juwutan International Airport in Tarakan, East<br />
Kalimantan to Kakaban. You can fly to Kota Kinabalu and travel by train<br />
to Takaran. From Takaran, travel by plane or train to Tanjung Redeb<br />
(Berau) and board a ship to Derawan Islands, including Kakaban.<br />
<strong>TRAVELLIVE</strong> 101
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