<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[True Wind Healing Travel]]></title><description><![CDATA[This site helps travellors learn about the Healing Art of Travel from many perspectives with a Blog, Photography, and Poems.]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 25 Aug 2019 03:59:28 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[14 Do's & Don'ts of Travelling During Mercury Retrograde]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mercury Retrograde (MRx) affects everything approximately 12 weeks/year, so it’s important to know how to ride this cosmic wave, so you can come out sailing…It’s especially relevant for Travelers, because Mercury governs travel, as well as transportation, technology, communication, education & speed. As an Astrologer & avid traveler, I’m sharing these 14 Do’s & Don’ts on Travelling during MRx. What is Mercury Retrograde (MRx)? With MRx, it appears (an illusion) to be going backwards in the sky due to Earth’s orbit passing by Mercury. Astrologically, this disrupts all energies related to Mercury leading to problems with technology, transportation and travel and communication.  If you listen to this change, this can be a productive period to transform, so your energies flow even better after Mercury goes direct.  This happens for approx. 3 weeks every 3 months, and are best handled, if planned for to make changes in your life (dates at end of blog) to adapt. This time asks everyone to slow down and check in with, how we manifest Mercury in our lives.  Where are you spinning your wheels or inefficient?  It’s not a time to start something new; it’s a pause in life for reintegrating, reprocessing and recycling our lives to learn from the past. The Roman God, Mercury, is the Messenger.  Being the fastest moving planet, this astrological maverick corresponds with speed, travel, technology, information, communication, transportation, education, thievery & commerce.  With his winged hat and shoes, loftily he carries the winged, healing staff or Caduceus.  Mercury also rules our health related to the nervous system, eyes and upper limbs. 14 Do’s and Don’ts for Travelling during Mercury Retrograde: 1. Do Manifest the “Re” Words:  This is a nice time for a Wellness or Spa Retreat to slow down and unwind, relax, reflect, rejuvenate and recharge.  It can also be a good time to plan and research future itineraries. Travel during this time is not about seeing something new; it’s more about a venue that allows us to take pause and reintegrate our lives. 2. Use Retrograde Energies to Your Advantage:  This can be a productive time to reintegrate our past travel experiences by editing old photos and videos.  It’s also a good time to write or journal, enabling us to process experiences.  It’s an innovative time to refine our technology skills with cameras, phones and computers.  This can be a good time to revise a Travel Blog or Vlog. 3. Do Not Sign any Contracts:  Being more vulnerable to miscommunication during this period, this is not an auspicious time for signing ANY contract. 4. Do Get Travel Insurance: This assures protection against changes and cancellations in itinerary or schedule. 5. Do Slow Down & Arrive Early:  For appointments and arrivals give wiggle room for schedule changes or cancellations. 6. Don’t Rely on Technology:  There’s more likely to be computer crashes, technological problems, WIFI issues, miscommunication in e-mails and texts, and disruptions with anything electronic. This is a great time to pretend it’s 1990 and unplug from technology and communicate in person. 7. Polish Your Communication Skills: With foreign travel, brush up on the basics of your destination’s language and be aware of what offends the culture’s people. 8. Do Check in with Your Eye Health:  Mercury rules the eyes and vision, so this is a good time for an eye exam or purchase of new glasses. Consider getting shades with blue light filter to protect from technology. Lutein, Bilberry, Vitamin A and Omega 3 fish oils are nourishing for eye health. 9. Do Take a Time Out with Social Media:  Slow down and reassess your persona on Social Media. Are you authentic and portraying yourself in the best light?  Be more cautious with posts, to avoid miscommunication and unnecessarily offending others. 10. Do Tune up Your Listening Skills:  With the modern world of 24/7 stimulation, tuning up our listening skills will allow us to learn more from people, win more friends, polish our interpersonal communication skills and avoid miscommunication. 11. Do Strengthen and Optimize Upper Limbs:  Mercury rules the upper limbs, so this is a productive time to update your ergonomics for working on a computer (prevent carpal tunnel and tendonitis), posture to avoid “Tech Neck,” and reassess travelling gear to optimize balance for keeping your upper limbs healthy. 12. Do Relax or Recharge your Nervous System:  Mercury rules the Nervous System, so this is a wonderful time to relax, rejuvenate and recharge your Nervous System through retreats, time-outs, nature breaks, Adaptogens (ex. Rhodiola, Ashwaghanda) to lower cortisol, and Vitamin B-complex supplements. Mentally, this is an ideal time to improve attitudes and belief systems to ensure less stress for our nervous system.  Additionally, explore ways to manage stress with meditation and Energetic Medicine. 13. Do Improve Travel Security & Safety: Mercury rules thievery, so take time to foolproof your travel bags, money and gear.  Travelling makes you vulnerable, so its important to think out your plans and safeguard with money belts and ways to protect or store your money, important documents and personal safety.  Take a self-defense course, get pepper spray or mace, or get contact information for safety. 14. Do Recharge Your Sense of Humor and Fun Factor:  Mercury the Trickster reminds you to have a little fun and not forget your sense of humor.  This is an ideal time for a stress-relieving, fun vacation to lighten up! For all walks of life, especially travelling, the best way to navigate MRx is to plan ahead knowing it’s time periods. Mercury Retrograde Schedule 2019-22 2019 October 31 –   November 20, 2019 in water-sign Scorpio 2020 February 18 – March   9, 2020 in water-sign Pisces, ends in air-sign Aquarius June 17 – July 12,   2020 in water-sign Cancer October 13 –   November 3, 2020 in water-sign Scorpio, ends in air-sign Libra 2021 January 30 –   February 20 in air-sign Aquarius May 29 – June 22 in   air-sign Gemini September 27 –   October 18 in air-sign Libra 2022 January 14 –   February 3 starts in air sign Aquarius, ends in earth-sign Capricorn May 10 – June 2   starts in air sign Gemini, ends in earth-sign Taurus September 9 –  October 2 starts in air-sign Libra, ends in earth-sign Virgo                               
December 29 –   January 18 in earth-sign Capricorn Ok, now you cannot blame Mercury, but be grateful for this time period to recycle your life.  I chose 14 Do's and Don'ts because this adds up to 5, the number for Mercury and Travel in Numerology. Clever, huh!  Do be mindful (especially if you resisted the flow of MRx) that 2 weeks following  is a “Retroshade Period” to pick up the pieces from MRx, as the universe adapts to Mercury going direct.   If you're travelling during MRx, remember to review these Do’s & Don'ts, so your journey offers an opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate!! Bon Voyage... #mercury #mercuryretrograde #wellnesstravel #traveltips #mercuryretrogradetips #astrology #traveltips]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/14-do-s-don-ts-of-travelling-during-mercury-retrograde</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/14-do-s-don-ts-of-travelling-during-mercury-retrograde</guid><category><![CDATA[Wellness Travel]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 06 Aug 2019 03:56:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_80628c3cccae492eb5f6e6f1caf1e86c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_466,h_353,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Top 3 Places to See in Hokkaido, Japan]]></title><description><![CDATA[On Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido “North Sea Province,” is a dramatic landscape, known for its volcanoes (6 are active), hot springs (onsens) and rugged coastlines.  In April 2019, I explored 3 top attractions on this intriguing island:  Cape Kamui on Shakotan peninsula, Toya-Usu Global Geopark and the charming port city, Hakodate. I. Cape Kamui on Shakotan Peninsula Jutting out into the Sea of Japan along the rugged coastline is the Shakotan peninsula with its 3 great capes:  Cape Kamui, Cape Shakotan and Cape Ogon.  Its transparent waters are renown for a beautiful “Shakotan Blue.”  I was blown away (literally) by my windy experience at the precipitous Cape Kamui.  Because of the wind, the precipitous promenade “Small Path of Charenka” to the tip of the cape and its lighthouse was closed and the Shakotan Blue was muted by overcast skies.  However, I was able to walk along the shoreline’s windy path to get a clear viewpoint of the cape and beyond, as well as the snow-capped mountains behind me. “The Legend of Kamui” can be summarized as a native Ainu chief’s daughter “Charenka” was so distraught by the sudden loss of her lover, that she ran to the tip of the cape and shouted a curse into the wind, that any woman passing the cape on ship would die.  As the story goes, she then jumped into the sea and became Kamui Rock (right photo).  Superstitiously, this area was historically off limits to women because of the curse with a signboard to remind.  Because of the blustery wind, I was unable to cross the gateway to test this hex, but many women have proved it wrong over the years.  However, everyone should visit with caution because of the moody weather and winds that frequent this intriguing vortex of nature, beauty and legends. II. Toya-Usa Global Geopark This geothermal hotspot is an active volcano zone (4 eruptions in the 20th century), along with caldera lakes and hot springs.  With the most recent eruption in 1977, the theme here is Shintoism in its highest form, with humanity’s coexistence with the changing earth.  On my daytrip, I went to the Volcano Village and first closely observed the nearby young and active Mt. Showa-shinzan “New Mountain in Showa Period” at 398 metres high. It was formed over a 2-year period, following the 1943 eruption of the stratovolcano, Mt. Usa. I took the Mt Usu Ropeway (5 minutes) to the Summit Station (733 metres) for a 360-degree panorama of the dramatic landscapes.   To the north lies the transparent blue caldera, Lake Toya, nearly circular with a 9-10 km diameter and the Mt. Fuji-like Mt Yotei, dramatically looming in the distance at 1898 metres high.  On the other side of the summit is the nearby Ginnuma crater basin (above photo), the largest crater created by the 1977 eruption and the vast Volcano Bay.  Volcano Bay (approx. 50 km in diameter) was named by a British Captain at the end of the 18th century when he viewed the volcanic group (Mt. Esan, Mt. Komagatake, Mt. Usu, and Mt. Tarumae) releasing smoke and gas around the bay.  The 17th century was a volatile series of eruptions that was cataclysmic with all the villages in the area buried in ash. After leaving the Volcano Village, I wandered along the shores of Lake Toya in the Sculpture Park. This pristine lake is considered Japan’s 2nd most transparent lake with Nakajima Island and the breathtaking backdrop of the Mt. Fuji-like Mt. Yotei (One of 100 Famous mountains in Japan).  The open air Gurutto Chokoku Koen (Sculpture Park) displays 58 pieces harmoniously along the lakeside (right photo). III.  Hakodate's Kaiko St. & Ft. Goryokaku The charming port city, Hakodate, offers an efficient tram to get around and see the sites.  Firstly, I strolled along the upbeat Kaiko Street to see their row of red brick warehouses facing the Hakodate Bay.  These warehouses are iconic symbols of the past from over a century ago, restored and used for commercial use and restaurants. Then, I took the tram to Goryokaku, a vast star fort, the main fortress of the Republic of Ezo, where I was fortunate to discover that this is one of Hokkaido’s most famous cherry blossom viewing areas.  This 5-pointed star shaped fort was based on the work of French architect, Vauban, allowed for more guns on its walls than a traditional Japanese fort.  It’s now a restored pleasant park to wander, especially to see the 1600 cherry trees beginning to bloom along the moat.  There is a tower nearby for visitors to look down upon the star-shaped moat, at its best with the cherry blossoms (I didn’t go in the tower). Overall, Japan’s northernmost island is an eclectic, natural wonderland to experience majestic mountains, volcanoes, caldera lakes, hot springs, colorful flowers and rugged coastlines amidst less crowds.  It provides escapes into 4 distinct seasons of nature at its finest.  My time in Hokkaido was just 3 days of compact sight-seeing in springtime, that only scratched the surface of this sparsely populated island.  I would love to return and further explore its ever-changing landscapes through a solitary journey in coexistence with its primitive nature. #japantravel #hokkaido #japan #shakotan #hakodate #travelblog #travelbloggers #laketoya #traveltips]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/3-top-things-to-do-in-hokkaido-japan</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/3-top-things-to-do-in-hokkaido-japan</guid><category><![CDATA[Northeast Asia]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jul 2019 14:29:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_8c47eef2394243e48f0ef7da0017d3e2~mv2_d_4381_2643_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[7 Holistic Tips for Sunscreen Skincare]]></title><description><![CDATA[Holistic Sunscreen Care is a topic not only for you, but also our planet.  Skin is your largest organ, where signs of premature aging surface and chemicals absorb into the bloodstream.  The best sunscreens for all of us are also “Reef Safe.”  Dive in and read about these 7 tips to learn about how to choose the best sunscreen for you and the planet: 1) Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide- These sunscreens are natural and form a physical barrier, reflecting the sunlight away from your skin and immediately protective.  Zinc Oxide is healing for the skin:  reducing acne, inflammation and helping the skin to retain moisture. The one downside is it doesn't spread on the skin as easily (because it sits on top) as chemical sunscreens and leaves a whitish tint. 2) No Chemical Sunscreen with Oxybenzone or Octinoxate- These chemicals are in most traditional sunscreens and various cosmetics.  They absorb through the skin, with a chemical reaction causing heat under the skin and more irritation.  Latest research links them with negative side effects at toxic levels, almost immediately, because they absorb into the bloodstream as hormone disrupters, increasing estrogen in cells that can lead to breast cancer.  According to The Derm Review, Octinoxate decreases thyroid hormones in the blood and can affect the male reproductive system, lowering male sperm count. Hawaii recently banned all sunscreens sold with either of these chemicals due to its toxic affects on our vulnerable coral reefs, causing bleaching. This highlights another important factor in choosing the best sunscreen as being “Reef Safe.”  Even though reefs make up only 2% of our ocean floor, their ecosystem sustains 25% of our oceans' marine life. 3) Broad Spectrum Protection for UVA and UVB Rays- The best sunscreens protect against both the UVA & UVB rays. UVA wavelengths are longer and responsible for tanning and long-term premature aging affects, like wrinkles, age spots & loss of skin elasticity.  The UVB wavelengths are shorter, being responsible for the sunburn and long-term effects of damaged DNA and skin cancer. 4) Lotion not Spray- With sunscreen spray, it’s more likely you will inhale the chemicals. 5) Minimum SPF 30- Sun Protection Factor helps to plan how long the protection will last. For example, if you start to burn after 10 minutes in the sun and you put on 30 SPF, then this sunscreen will protect for 10 x 30=300 minutes or 5 hours.  If going higher than SPF 30, there is a diminishing return in benefit with increased chemicals, so its important to weigh trade offs when deciding how high in number to apply, but 30 is the minimum for fair skin. 6) SPF Clothing- It’s commonsense to wear SPF clothing when possible: long sleeved shirts, pants and hats.  For snorkeling or swimming, there are SPF sun shirts and rash guards, assuring proper protection for challenging circumstances. 7) No Vitamin A aka Retinyl Palmitate with Sun Exposure-  Vitamin A is in many skin products, as it’s an antioxidant to help prevent premature aging.  However, the sun increases growth of skin cancers and lesion, in combination with Vitamin A on the skin.  So, hold off on the Vitamin A skin products with sun. Balancing these 7 tips with getting healthy Vitamin D absorption from the sun can be a challenge.  Vitamin D has many health benefits: strengthens bone and lowers risks for many diseases like diabetes, cancer, depression and multiple sclerosis.  Just keep in mind the peak time for sun radiation is 10 am to 2 pm, with these 7 tips to help choose what sunscreen is best for you and the planet. #wellness #sunscreen #sunburn #skincare #reefsafe #wellnesstravel #spfclothing #sunprotection #traveltips #skintips #coralreefs #greentravel #responsibletourism]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/7-holistic-tips-for-sunscreen-skincare</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/7-holistic-tips-for-sunscreen-skincare</guid><category><![CDATA[Wellness Travel]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 21 Jul 2019 15:14:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_6492b541a0eb49b7860a930f24d74520~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Shirakawa Village & the Japanese Alps]]></title><description><![CDATA[Nestled in the center of Japan’s largest island is the majestic Ryohaku Mountains, aka “Japanese Alps.”  Approaching this region on road, I feel myself slipping into a dream, as though I am no longer in the “Land of the Rising Sun” and have mysteriously ended up in Switzerland.  The snow-capped mountains overlap into the clear blue sky like a surreal painting to immerse my imagination.  I arrive to spend a day at the traditional village, Shirakawa-go a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Shogawa River valley. Shirakawa is best known for its unique buildings called Gassho-zukuri, with A-framed, thick thatched roofs, designed to manage the snow, as this region is the snowiest area in Japan during winter. (Above photo)  I initially just take in the fresh alpine air from the valley, surrounded by beautiful mountains in which to explore this charming village, noticing pink cherry blossoms in full bloom, knowing this is going to be a splendid spring day. From the Visitor’s Center, I cross the hanging bridge (Above photo) over the Shogawa River to the village. The main attraction of this site is the village itself and its harmonious setting with the best way to explore being on foot, which is my favorite as an inquisitive peripatetic.  The village is small and easy to explore where I wander through the labyrinth of unique buildings, gardens, colorful scarecrows, shops, shrines and cherry blossoms… Shirakawa-go is the largest concentration of Gassho-zukuri buildings in Japan used originally as farmhouses. There are over 110 houses with some being over 250 years old. The A-framed thick straw roofs were built to withstand the heavy snow of the region. Gassho-zukuri means constructed like hands in prayer, as the farmhouses steep thatched roofs look like the hands of Buddhist monks in prayer.  The A-framed roofs (made without nails) provided large attics used for cultivating silkworms.  Even though most of the buildings have been converted to museums, I still enjoy the setting for its rich cultural experience to feel what it was like to live this unique lifestyle hundreds of years ago. I inquisitively wander without much of a plan, except to just take it all in.  The cherry blossoms are a beautiful accent to the rustic charm.  The unfortunate reality is the touristy crowds (cannot complain because I'm one too).  It’s vast enough to not feel overwhelmed by the crowds. (I read that tourists have increased the pollution in the river valley.)  I take the 15-minute walk to the hilltop’s panoramic view, where the Shiroyama Tenbodai Castle used to be.  From here,  I see the cherry-blossom framed, snow-capped mountains and the picturesque village in the valley below, along the winding turquoise Shokawa River…Mt Hakusan looms at the highest elevation of 2,172 meters and has been known as a sacred summit for centuries.  From here, I can easily imagine living here 200 years ago, as a farmer connected to the land and its surroundings living in harmony with Mother Earth. I continue to tirelessly wander throughout this idyllic village the rest of the day with no agenda.  Visitors can rent the old farmhouses and have an extended stay to experience the essence of this valley, which is presumably more evident in the early morning and evenings with less tourist crowds.  After 2 Matcha (green tea) ice cream cones and 4 hours of wandering, I meander back across the bridge leaving the village, feeling myself slowly transition out of this nostalgic dreamworld, back into the reality of modern Japan…taking with me a splendid memory of this unique Japanese heritage.  Sayonara Shirakawa! #japantravel #travel #japan #traveltribe #shirakawa #travelling #bestintravel #solotravel #wanderlust]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/shirakawa-village-the-japanese-alps</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/shirakawa-village-the-japanese-alps</guid><category><![CDATA[Northeast Asia]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jul 2019 16:01:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_783d99759336483bb5a5fe25ea5800bc~mv2_d_4512_2977_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Top 10 Self-Acupressure Points for Travel]]></title><description><![CDATA[Acupressure is a simple technique available to everyone as a way to affect their Qi or Life Force according to East Asian Medicine.   Applying pressure to Acupuncture points can help to unblock the meridians or channels so the Qi can flow and keep your body in balance.  As a licensed Acupuncturist, my aim for this article is to share 10 Power Points, so you can optimize your health and well-being for your next journey with Acupressure.  Health is wealth, especially when you are travelling.  So, read on and find out how simple it can be to use these tips for your wellness & healing travel. The Acupressure points mostly lie on one of the 12 major Meridians, each corresponding with an organ. (See right Image)  When applying pressure use any finger (thumb is often the best), holding it for a minimum of 5-10 seconds as often as needed.  Be sure to breathe deeply and relax while adding pressure.  From the thousands of points, I will distill to Trudy’s Top 10 for Travel.  These points are symmetrical on both sides of body.  Here are the locations and benefits: 1. Gallbladder 20 or “Wind Pool” (outside the sternocleidomastoid muscle attachment on neck) This one is best reached by clasping hands together and pressing thumbs on both points on each side of the neck.  Benefits: Headaches, neck & shoulder pain or tension, & blurry vision 2. Pericardium 6 or “Inner Gate” (2 *cun up from inner wrist crease in center between tendons) Indications: motion-sickness, nausea, vomiting, carpal tunnel syndrome & anxiety 3. San Jiao 5 or “Outer Gate” (2 *cun up from outer wrist crease in center between 2 muscles) Indications: Boosts immune system, ear pain or problems, & clears heat from fever, heat stroke or red skin rashes 4. Large Intestine 4 or “Union Valley” (in dorsal web space of hand, between first & second metacarpals) Contraindication: Pregnancy / Indications: headache, sinus problems, toothache, thumb and index finger pain, nosebleeds, hypertension & boosts immune system 5. Heart 7 or “Spirit Gate” ( on inner wrist crease in depression point on ulnar side) Indications: anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, PTSD 6. Yao Tong Xue or “Lumbar Pain Point” (on hand dorsum between 2nd & 3rd and 4th & 5th  metacarpals at base of metacarpals) Indication: lower back pain 7. Stomach 36 or “Leg Three Miles” (3 *cun below bottom of kneecap in depression outside tibia border) Indications:  lethargy, heartburn, hypertension, boosts immune system, or any digestive problem 8. Spleen 6 or “Three Yin Intersection” (3 *cun straight up from inner malleolus) Contraindication: Pregnancy / Indications: digestive or urinary problems, stress, blood sugar imbalances, bloating & edema 9. Liver 3 or “Great Surge” (on top of foot, between first and second metatarsal bones. Indications: anger, tension, irritability, muscle spasms, insomnia, hypertension & depression 10. Kidney 1 or “Gushing Spring” (sole of foot, on anterior third of foot in center) Indications:  stress, tremors, fear induced anxiety,  Parkinson’s Disease & PTSD I hope this empowers you to realize how simple and effective these points can be when travelling on the go or anytime for health and well-being.  We all literally can take health into our own hands and keep our bodies in balance and optimize health and longevity.   I wish to highlight again, not to stimulate Spleen 6 or Large Intestine 4 if you are pregnant, as they both promote labor.  If you wish to view this blog on video for a visual demonstration, please visit my YouTube site at True Wind Healing Travel.  Healthy Travels!! *cun=1 Thumb Width Disclaimer:  This article is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any disease.  Consult a health practitioner for any illness. #wellnesstravel #acupressure #travel #Traveltips #acupuncture #traveltribe]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/top-10-self-acupressure-points-for-travel</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/top-10-self-acupressure-points-for-travel</guid><category><![CDATA[Wellness Travel]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 19 Jul 2019 06:13:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_c2e1b7d2f9e04d58a911377c7b807744~mv2_d_6016_4016_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Journey in Japan's Cherry Blossom Season ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every spring Japan's cherry blossoms light up, as a prism from which to refract the essence of this Buddhist country.  Being there during Cherry Blossom (aka Sakura) Season opened my mind to the infinite possibilities of their pink splendor.  One can ride the delicate wave of “Kaika” or full bloom for 3 months throughout this archipelago, beginning February in the tropical island, Okinawa until May in the northernmost island, Hokkaido.  I was blessed to experience many moments of pink glory, as an Acupuncturist-at-Sea from March to May in Japan, connecting me to the quintessence of this culture.  Here's the Haiku I wrote to prove it: a cherry blossom pink cloud lingers on green hill awakened by gold The ephemeral nature of  Cherry Blossoms is a rich symbol associated with Japan’s Buddhist influence.  They embody the concept mono no aware or the transience and impermanence in the blossom’s short-lived, graceful beauty.  In Japan, cherry blossoms also symbolize clouds because they bloom en masse.  The Sakura motif is used throughout the culture in Art, Manga (graphic novels) and films.  In the 2003 movie, The Last Samurai, Katsumto says in the first scene: “A perfect blossom’s a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for them and it would not be a wasted life.”  Interestingly, I seemed to entangle with this attachment, as this character and followed a path to his similar, final realization at the end of the movie (have to read the entire blog or watch movie to find out). I had many experiences searching for the perfect bloom, only to be disillusioned by being a little too early or late, as you only have a week of Kaika, unless a storm cuts this time even shorter.  So, it’s the ultimate ongoing scenario of being in the right place at the right time or not.  I did have my divine moments, however, and will share those locations.  The Japan Meteorological Corporation forecasts the Cherry Blossom’s Kaika according to region (See above image).  It’s based on low temperatures during fall and winter, rainfall, wind strength, cherry tree growth status and past data. For centuries Japan has celebrated the Cherry Blossom season with festivals and the simple tradition of Hanami meaning to view and enjoy the sensual delight of the blossoms (“hana”=flower and “mi”=to look).  Another popular tradition is Yozakura to enjoy a picnic under the trees at night.  There are ubiquitous festivals and everyone flocks to the parks, shrines and temples for this magical time to celebrate the beauty of the Sakura.  Stores and restaurants offer cherry blossom flavored drinks, lattes and chocolates throughout the season.  The entire country seems to be hit by an exquisite Cherry Blossom Tsunami with a wake of pink snow!!! I'm blessed to be able to share my best Cherry Blossom experiences, but want to emphasize that it's as unique for each person, as is the individual cherry blossom in itself.  The cherry blossom season is best realized through the lens of Buddhist philosophy, considering the blossom’s ephemeral nature, opening up your mindstream to infinite possibilities without limited attachments or expectations… I found the quest to be a bit like the Northern Lights, in that the more I tried or was attached to seeking an expectation, the more I was disillusioned.  My journey didn’t blossom until April, after many disappointments, when I had given up and least expected it.  Because my ship’s itinerary was navigating north, I got the intimate opportunity to realize how this Cherry Blossom Tsunami travels north.  My biggest disappointment in Japan was missing  a day in port at Kagoshima for a boat drill (reality of working on a ship) and not seeing Sakorajima (Cherry Blossom Island) in Kaika.  Here is a photo of its volcano (most active one in Japan) from Sengan-en Gardens: My first day of seeing many cherry blossoms was in Kyoto.  I traveled with my friends from the ship, taking the Bullet Train from Kobe to Kyoto, bolting at 320 km or 199 mph swiftly reaching Kyoto.  It was a gloomy day and unseasonably cold, so this clouded our experiences.  Like many Japanese cities, I observed rows of cherry blossoms along the riverbanks, as in this photo a couple days past their prime: We also visited Buddhist temples in Kyoto, as nice settings to blend with the cherry blossom’s beauty.  It’s meaningful to consider the Buddhist nature of the ephemeral blossoms, alongside the temples in harmonious feng shui. Another picturesque setting, from which I  saw the cherry blossoms, was at Osaka Castle with around 4,000 cherry trees, among a beautiful backdrop of the castle and park with a moat, shrines, bridges and gardens.  My timing was off, with most of them browning and wilting into the reality of the inevitable Wabi Sabi or decay.  I found a few in Kaika, but I was late about 5 days for the ultimate cherry blossom experience here, which is OK, as this is where I let go and gave up expectations for the perfect cherry blossom experience, opening me up for my last 3 unexpected “perfect” hanami. My unexpected Kaika was first experienced at Tottori Garden Park and Prefecture.  It was almost perfect, except for the rain.  This is the largest flower garden in Japan, immaculately laid out amidst 50-hectare or 123 acres, and I was enthusiastic to see its spring constellations of color.  We did miss  seeing Mt. Daisen, at 1729 metres high, that is supposedly a beautiful backdrop to the gardens on a clear day.  But oh, the tulips and cherry blossoms were all in full bloom!  Even though the glass house was amazing as 50 metres in diameter and 21 metres high, I mostly wanted to be outside.  I spent most my time in the dramatic Flower Valley, with Dutch style flowerbeds, abundant with tulips below the cherry blossom canopies.  It felt like color therapy being surrounded by the red, gold & purple tulips below pink clouds of cherry blossoms… My best Kaika experience was the least expected in the Japanese Alps at the traditional village Shirakawa, in a river valley that gets the most snow in Japan.  It is home to unique buildings called gassho-zukuri, with A-framed thick, thatched roofs to manage the heavy snow.  (My next blog will elaborate on this unique community)  In Shirakawa, I had no expectations of seeing cherry blossoms in April, falsely assuming it was too late in the season.  Truly everything was in perfection this day, as I enjoyed a clear blue sky, amidst snow-capped mountain in a river valley with pink clouds of cherry blossoms amidst fresh, alpine air and golden sun. I wandered the town and took a walk to the hilltop for a panoramic view of the community in the valley below, sprinkled with pink & white blossoms, encased by snow-capped mountain: In Hokkaido the northernmost island, its city, Hakodate, is one of the best for Hanami, especially at Goryokaku Fort.  I took the efficient tram to this star-shaped fort, with 1600 cherry blossoms in the surrounding park reflected along the star-shaped moat. Here, I was a couple days early for Kaika, with the pink buds beginning to bloom as dappled pink and white throughout the park on a cloudy day.  There's an observation tower outside the fort, from which visitors can see from aloft the star-shaped pink star in the cherry blossom season (right photo). Reflecting back on my 2019 Cherry Blossom Season in Japan, I’m infinitely grateful for the experience and know it left me with more than good memories:  I absorbed the essence of Japanese culture and the invaluable lesson, reminding me to travel according to mono no aware, recognizing the transience and impermanence of each and every perfect moment on Mother Earth in my lifetime. Like Katsumto in the movie, Last Samurai, I ineffably agree with the last words from his dying breath about the Sakura: “Perfect…they are all…perfect. #travel #japantravel #cherryblossoms #wellnesstravel #buddhism #bestintravel #traveltribe #japan #travelling #wanderess #wanderlust #travelblog #travelblogger #travelphotography #sheisnotlost #wheretofindme]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/japan-s-exquisite-cherry-blossom-season</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/japan-s-exquisite-cherry-blossom-season</guid><category><![CDATA[Northeast Asia]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jul 2019 23:58:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_8d9a1ca8165f4199b9d6b9192ec2d03b~mv2_d_3823_3373_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Two Magnificent Buddhist Temples near Busan, South Korea: Haedong Yonggungsa and Beomeosa]]></title><description><![CDATA[Visiting South Korea would not be complete without going to one of their 900 traditional, Buddhist temples.  Most of them are nestled in mountains according to the harmony of pung-su or feng shui and provide all visitors an opportunity to unplug from the modern WIFI world to connect with nature and the humbling principles of Buddhism for serenity.  During my 2 spring days (at noon so photos not the best) in the panoramic port city, Busan, I spent each day at a Buddhist temple: Haedong Yonggungsa by the sea and Beomeosa in the mountains.   Most temples in Korea end in -sa meaning temple in Sino-Korean. I was inspired to discover that many Korean Buddhist temples offer templestay, allowing visitors to participate in the monastic Buddhist life in prayer, meditation, meals and sleeping arrangements. Buddhism was brought to Korea from China and has been practiced there for 1700 years.  Korean temples follow a meditative form of Buddhism called Seon also known by Japanese as Zen. People from all backgrounds are welcome to do a temple stay and enjoy the many spiritual facets of this unique life. My first day I go to the dramatic Haedong Yonggungsa, meaning “Korean Dragon Palace Temple” by the sea.  This temple is more unique being along the shoreline, as most of the Korean temples are secluded in the mountains. Upon arrival, we walk by a market with locals selling seafood, Korean cuisines and herbal medicines.  Then we enter a corridor greeted by the 12 large (taller than me) stone zodiac statues, according to Chinese and Korean Astrology (see above photo).  We continue down steep stairs, embedded with bamboo trees and the sounds of waves crashing below.  There are 108 steps to represent the 108 Buddhist sufferings. When we step out into the open space, it’s an exhilarating feast for all senses to discover the architectural masterpiece as a seamless extension from the dramatic seacliff looking out into the infinite sea. It's a labyrinth walking throughout the beautiful dreamscape of natural beauty unfolding the paths of this divine venue.  The feng shui of landscape and temple displays a harmony that is healing and spiritual through its essence, with the surrounding lush greenery and turquoise waters.  I walk over rocks, seeing flowers, pagodas, statues and over a bridge to notice a wishing well and the giant gold Buddha facing the ocean.  The main sanctuary is painted with colorful walls and doors (see right photo) and altar for me to make my blessings and prayers.  I loved this place and enjoyed it immensely regardless of all the tourists there frantically taking selfies.  The invigorating vortex here seems to lap up all our egos into the ocean waves, resounding the truth that we are all connected and suffering from our unique attachments. My next day near Busan, I enjoy one of the renowned Beomeosa or “Temple of the Nirvana Fish.” This is an interesting contrast to the other temple along the sea, as it’s built on the slopes of Geumieongsan, surrounded by trees and flowers.  This mountain is said to have a large rock at the summit where there is a golden well, which never dries up.  This water is believed to have magical properties, as a golden fish is said to have come here from heaven and lived there ever since. Thus, the name is derived from this story:  Beom=nirvana, eo=fish and sa=temple. In 2011, the LA Times wrote an article about the Beomeosa monks’ fighting tradition, using martial arts techniques.  These monks are famed for defeating Japanese invaders during the late 16th century and again during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the early 20th century.[3] The feng shui and harmony of this temple interwoven in nature is in itself the essence and wonder of this spiritual venue. There are many tiers to this temple site with pagodas, statues, sanctuaries, gateways and stela (stone slab monument).  Walking up the mountain, I first see the stela slabs sporadically in the bush along the walkway interspersed by blossoming apricot trees.  I go up the steep stairs going through gateways to the main temple above … The first gate is called One-Pillar Gate, because when viewed from the side the gate appears to have one pillar, symbolizing the one true path of enlightenment: The second gate or Gate of the Four Heavenly Kings houses the 4 kings guarding the entrance to the temple: Finally, the third gate or Gate of Non-Duality takes you to the main temple compound, symbolizing the realms of buddha and this world are the same: The main temple has outside seating arranged for a very large audience.  I walk throughout the complex to altars for prayer and give myself precious time to pause and just take in the beautiful scenery surrounding the temple. The spectacular scenery of Mt. Geumjeongsan and Beomeosa Temple are referred to as the “three extraordinary sites of Beomeosa Temple” and “eight scenic wonders of Mt. Geumjeongsan.”  The three extraordinary sites are the rock peak behind Wonhyoam Hermitage; two rocks in the shape of a chicken at Gyemyeongam Hermitage; and the legendary “golden well” on top of Mt. Geumjeongsan.  The eight scenic wonders refer to the following:  sound of the temple bell from Naewonam Hermitage the pine forest around Eosan Bridge; moonlit autumn nights at Gyemyeongam Hermitage; rain at night at Cheongnyeonam Hermitage; listening to the mountain stream at Daeseongam Hermitage; late autumn foliage at Geumgangam Hermitage; view of the sea from Uisang Peak; and clouds encircling Godang Peak, the summit of Mt. Geumjeongsan. Coming back down the stairs and leaving this peaceful realm was like leaving a dream and waking back up to reality (or maybe it's the other way around).  As we drove away and immersed back into traffic and our cell phones, the realms of these temples were longingly left behind, but a reminder murmurs in my soul to drop everything and connect with the nature and the realm of Buddhist dreams, detached from modern day insanity.  Perhaps, a temple stay awaits in my future, from which to truly experience and assimilate the essence of these South Korean treasures. #travelblog #travelblogger #newblogpost #travelling #southkorea #southkoreatravel #buddhism #travellife #bestintravel #wanderess #sheisnotlost #explore #travelling #templestay #busan]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/two-magnificent-buddhist-temples-near-busan-south-korea-haedong-yonggungsa-and-beomeosa</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/two-magnificent-buddhist-temples-near-busan-south-korea-haedong-yonggungsa-and-beomeosa</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Jun 2019 18:41:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_c69ff672ce9c43cf8276bdaa97024d04~mv2_d_4469_2923_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Day in South Jeju Island, Korea: Volcanic Landscapes & Gardens]]></title><description><![CDATA[Jeju, is often called, “Honeymoon Island” as many South Korean newlyweds have their honeymoon here.  This subtropical island feels like a romantic sanctuary, alone, on the Korean Strait. It was formed by volcanic eruptions 2 million years ago, sculpting a wild, volcanic landscape of basalt and lava.  As a complement, there is an elegance of indigenous flora and beautiful gardens cultivated amidst the rocky shores and extinct volcanoes throughout the island.  From my cruise ship, I enjoyed a day on the southern part of the island to see waterfalls, gardens, a Buddhist temple and the intriguing basalt landscapes along the coast. When we left on the 1-hour bus ride to the southern part of the island it was a dreary, cold and rainy day.  I set off with the regret that I signed up for this with such dismal weather, however, I learned as we drove further south that this area gets more sun and warmer weather. It ended up being a good plan as the sun came out for the rest of our day, while it rained all day in the area of our port in Jeju City. Our first stop was at the island’s largest botanical garden, Yeomiji, with both lavish indoor and outdoor gardens. Inside, I walked into a vast, colorful atrium with over 2000 rare tropical and subtropical plants and climbed to the observation platform at 38 metres high to see the Hallasan Mountains. I enjoyed most of my time outside strolling through the different cultural gardens.  These segments were cultivated in unique sanctuaries according to the design for Korean, Japanese, Italian and French gardens.  This is the first botanical garden where I have been able to walk to these different ethnic gardens all in one complex. It was inspiring to compare the elegance and beauty of this natural landscape artistry, according to different nationalities.  Other gardens that I did not have time to explore are the following: Herb, Bog, Flower, Aquatic, Cactus, Jungle, and Tropical Fruits. Botanical nerds like myself could easily enjoy days exploring this facility and I was so pleased to spend every moment in this lush bounty of Mother Nature. Near the botanical garden, we walked down into a ravine to see the enchanting Cheoinjeyon Falls amongst an evergreen forest covering 2 sides of a valley with habitat for the whisk fern, considered the most precious plant in the province, along with diverse species of climbing plants.  The beautiful 3-tiered falls is the setting for the local legend about the fairies that descend from heaven to bathe here at night.  Then we went to the vast Seonimgyo Bridge, an arch bridge over Cheonjeyeon Falls depicting 7 nymphs carved on both sides according to the tale of Cheonjeyeon at 128 metres in length and 78 metres high. Next and a short drive away was the highlight of the day at the mysterious coastal land formations called Columnar Joints.  This phenomenon shapes lava into hexagonal formed columnar joints from the contraction of molten lava while cooling. These were formed on Jeju Island’s southern coast about 140,000-250,000 years ago, running for almost 2 km. I was thrilled with the viewing along the walkway that takes you out into the middle of the majestic maelstrom of Mother Nature with the jet black steep columnar joints as a unique type of sea cliff with the tumultuous, turquoise waters crashing into the basalt walls.  It was exhilarating to be there amidst the unique display of volcanic landscapes along with the refreshing air and water cleansing my mind and body of any stress into the humbling bliss of Mother Nature.  I have been so blessed to experience so much in life and this vortex burrowed deep into my heart and memory as a healing experience for my body, mind and soul.  Loved every moment of being here for rejuvenation!! Lastly, we went to the modern Buddhist temple called Yakchunsa Temple build by a Buddhist monk in 1981.  While it is famous for housing 80,000 Buddha statues in glass, for me the highlight was its landscape.  At the temple’s entrance are a set of stone statues called Dol Hareubangs greeting you as an island symbol of Gods, offering protection against demons and promoting fertility. I walked onward through the entrance under a kaleidoscope of colored, paper lanterns and almost immediately ditched the tour group and just wandered outside in the beautiful gardens.  South Korean temples are renowned for their stunning landscapes and I got to explore this at 2 other Korean temples.  In March, Yakchunsa Temple is surrounded by tangerine orchards (the island’s trademark), golden canola fields, pink cherry blossoms, and roses among lush green foliage.  I just meandered through their gardens taking in the aromatic journey through nature’s palette for an absolute exquisite ending to my day in South Jeju Island. Making our 1-hour journey back, the skies slowly became grayer with cloud coverage.  Upon arrival in Jeju City, we discover that it has rained most of the day.  Here, I learned a valuable lesson about the different microclimates on this small island.  On this beautiful island of volcanic landscapes and gardens, you can always head south for a more likely dose of golden sunshine. #southkorea #jejuisland #southkoreatravel #travel #columnarjoints #travelblog #travelblogger #newblog #newblogpost #bestintravel #wanderlust #traveltribe #wheretofindme #Iamnotlost #wanderess #travelling]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/a-day-in-south-jeju-island-korea</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/a-day-in-south-jeju-island-korea</guid><category><![CDATA[Northeast Asia]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 04 Jul 2019 23:19:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_62844147def7440babfefd0341fc41fd~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Day in Jeju Island, Korea: The Spirited Garden and Glass Castle]]></title><description><![CDATA[Jeju, is often called, “Honeymoon Island” as many South Korean newlyweds have their honeymoon here.  This subtropical island feels like a romantic sanctuary, alone on the Korean Strait. It was formed by volcanic eruptions 2 million years ago, sculpting a wild, volcanic landscape of basalt and lava.  As a complement, there is an elegance of indigenous flora and beautiful gardens cultivated amidst the rocky shores and extinct volcanoes throughout the island.  From my cruise ship, I experienced 2 day trips from Jeju City, enjoying the first going to the Spirited Garden and Glass Castle Theme Park on the western side of the island. Spirited Garden is a unique Bunjae (Korean Bonsai) and rock garden created by one man.  Its essence is deep and meditative, as all Bunjae Gardens intend to be.  However, the story behind this creation by a Farmer, Bum-Young Sung, also defines the pioneer spirit and independence of the Korean people.  This 10-acre sanctuary encompasses 7 small gardens, ponds, manmade waterfalls, stone bridges and statues, all interspersed by beautiful Bunjae trees and rocks.  Since 1968 Bum-Young Sung cultivated his labor of love, opening to the public in 1992. Originally considered a wasteland covered in basalt, he transported 15 tons of basalt and earth for 20 years.  He built stone fences to protect the trees from the island’s harsh winds.  His hard work and discipline more than paid off, offering a meaningful and beautiful garden to share for visitors to enjoy. Walking through the Spirited Garden, I learned a lot about Bunjae cultivation and its purpose.  The techniques produce small trees, that mimic the size and shape of full-size ones by pruning, root reduction, defoliation and using shallow containers.  It’s important to not let water touch the flowers or leaves on a hot day, because a drop of water may burn them out.  In Autumn, fruits are wrapped and damaged leaves cut off. In Winter the shape of the tree is adjusted for balance. With Bunjae Gardens, there is a change of focus according to season and suggestions on the best way to observe their essence.  With spring the focus is flowers, summer the green leaves, autumn the fruits and winter the shape of the naked tree. The sign at Spirited Garden suggested following these guidelines when contemplating the Bunjae Tree: Look bottom up from shade of trees, displaying shapes based on exposure to winds, sun, frost & dew Observe from low angle (those who stoop know more and those that stay upright know less) Do not touch, ask about cost, or make thoughtless evaluations No standard to determine price or make evaluations (Price is an agreement b/w buyer and seller) Overall, the purpose is contemplation for the viewer and discipline and creativity of the producer.  I found a wonderful quote from Bum-Young Sung: “Bunjae can be thought of as an act of seeking the truth of life, leading the souls of humans closer to its origin, Mother Nature.” Because I was there in late February, I got to see the trees through the lens of late winter, with most the trees naked and freely showing their vulnerable shapes.  However, being a subtropical climate, there were some fresh buds opening early for a few cherry and apple blossoms on Bunjae trees.  Plus, I saw many full-sized tangerine trees with bright orange fruit around the garden perimeter.  Jeju Island is renowned for its luscious and plentiful tangerine orchards.  I stopped at a garden shop for a refreshing glass of sweet tangerine tea.  The Camelia Bunjae tree had the most blossoms with pinkish-red flowers (left photo).  The rock art interspersed between the trees is splendid, complementing the plants with feng shui and balance of elements. The garden’s stone statues of the Dol Hareubangs (photo below) display an island symbol of Gods, offering protection against demons and promoting fertility.  Overall, the atmosphere left me feeling tranquil and inspired from the natural harmony, with a vivid imagination on how beautiful it would be at the peak of spring season. Near the Spirited Garden is the Glass Castle Theme Park.  At first I was skeptical about going there, but it was part of my tour.  I ended up being pleasantly surprised at what a creative and colorful escape this was for me and glad that I saw it.  It offers a walking path with naturalistic glass figurines throughout the park.  Upon arrival, there was a glass coral reef before the entrance with colorful fish, seaweeds and rocks. Entering the door of the indoor gallery is a giant, glass green bean stock spiraling its way up to the high ceiling.  At the top of the bean stock on the second floor, visitors can take workshops and make their own glass bottles. Going outside to enter the main garden, I am instantly enchanted.  It’s like stepping into a colorfully animated Alice in Wonderland setting.  We spend about 45 minutes walking throughout the main featured areas, however, there are walking trails throughout the perimeter in the woods, that I didn’t get a chance to see.  While this park has the largest glass diamond and ball, this was not so much my interest.  I curiously walked through the transparently jeweled, chiming tunnel, reverberating and glittering in the winds... Walking through this delicate glass collection was like being in a dream, seeing fish made of soju bottles in a mirror lake, a purple glass bridge, psychedelic mushrooms, and a rainbow of flowerbeds and pumpkins.  I marvel at the giant kaleidoscope of green, yellow and blue morning glories standing taller than me, along with human-size tea cups, floating in the water.  The bright illusion of this park is that it takes you to a place where the line between reality and dream world is nebulous…Being early spring, there are organic flowerbeds and pink cherry blossoms and white apple blossoms, alongside artificial glass tangerines on trees and glassy flowerbeds.  The blending of these 2 worlds takes you to the childlike mind, where fantasy and reality are one as a fertile playground for the imagination.  I would have loved to stay longer and especially see what secrets were interspersed throughout the woods outside the glass gardens. My first day on Jeju island was very enchanting, feeling like I got a taste of its essence: volcanic landscapes and gardens.  Little did I know that I would get to go deeper into this theme with a second day (see my blog on Day 2) the next month on another port day, learning more about its beauty and why this island is such a romantic getaway for honeymoons. #koreantravel #jejuisland #travel #travelling #newblogpost #blogpost #travelblog #travelbloggers #traveltribe #southkorea #bestintravel #wanderlust #sheisnotlost #wanderess #gardens #bonsaigarden #bunjae #garden]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/a-day-in-jeju-island-korea-the-spirited-garden-and-glass-castle</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/a-day-in-jeju-island-korea-the-spirited-garden-and-glass-castle</guid><category><![CDATA[Northeast Asia]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2019 21:37:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_ba0a7733fd65428c8f4bf96f084a4e93~mv2_d_4578_2981_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Walking Tour in Vladivostok, Russia: The Eastern Terminus to Trans-Siberian Railway]]></title><description><![CDATA[As the eastern terminus to the Trans-Siberian Railway and gateway for Pacific ships, Vladivostok is a vital port for transportation and international trade.  I was surprised to wake up on my cruise ship to a bright sun sparkling upon the dramatic Golden Horn Bay, with the iconic Trans-Siberian Railway Station, just outside our ship’s terminal. With minimal expectations and preparation, I set off solo on foot to make the most of my 1 day in Vladivostok. Vladivostok is the capital of the Primorye district, in a unique place being where Russian, North Korea and Chinese borders converge. Vladivostok has taken many international stances from its strategic location. China owned Vladivostok until the Bejing Treaty. After the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks took control of this city making it the naval base for their Pacific fleet. During the Soviet Era (1958-92), Vladivostok was closed off from tourism. Today, the vibe is more open with opportunities for foreigners to explore this fascinating city with a population of 605,000 people.  The day after I was there, President Putin and the North Korean, Kim- Jong-Un’s had a politicized meeting in Vladivostok. Because I travel so much as an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, I have learned to appreciate the element of surprise from having unplanned excursions, mainly because there’s not often enough time to research my new ports-of-call. Little did I know that Vladivostok has many highlights within walking distance from our ship. Just seeing the harbor is a good start. The Bay of the Zolotoy Rog or Golden Horn Bay is named after its resemblance to Istanbal’s harbor. Its dramatic Russky Bridge is a cable-stayed, suspension bridge connecting the mainland to Russky Island. Its pylons’ height reaches 432-metres and this bridge is the largest in the world, in terms of span lengths and pylon height.  I didn’t have time to visit the historic Russky Island, with 6 military forts and many batteries, amongst unique landscapes. The harbor is surrounded by beautiful hills, including a high point being Eagles Nest Hill at 214 meters, with views of the vibrant cityscape. This hill is named after white-tailed sea eagles seen soaring over the area. The maritime influence is omnipresent in this beautiful port, set on the peninsula c alled Muravyov-Amursky. There are impressive military ships lined up outside the Central Plaza and in view from our ship, giving a posture of power and military prowess.  The “Krasniy Vympel” is a sail-screw schooner, used as a messenger vessel and patrol ship during WW II, has been a museum since 1958, along the shore. Vladivostok is the eastern gate for international cruise lines and the starting point of ferry routes to Japan and Republic of Korea. This city is also the home port for 4 ice breakers, serving Russian and international arctic shipping lines. The Kapitan Khlebnikov offers international tourist expeditions to Arctic and Antarctic regions. When exiting the cruise terminal, I happily discover the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway station is immediately in view next door. For years, I’ve been intrigued and wanted to venture on this 7- day (9,288 km) epic train journey from Moscow to Vladivostok. I stay to watch trains come and go on the multiple tracks outside the station, and then wander to take a close look at the iconic main station. It was constructed in 1912, with a façade and interior decorated with almost 1000 porcelain tile depictions of birds, animals and plants typical of Russian folklore. Next, I set off on my own walking tour, however, there are no English maps left in the terminal.   I follow the shoreline toward the massive military ships moored next to golden, onion-domed Russian church in the near distance.  There is an upbeat vibe and I am pleased to discover many European-style coffee shops on almost every block. Being a Eurocentric from Seattle, this makes me feel at home and resonate with a culture.  Going toward the church, I find the conspicuous Central Plaza and signs leading to the Submarine Museum, which would be my next stop.   There is a dramatic monument dedicated to the bloodshed events from 1912-22: the revolution, civil war and fighting with Japanese forces. The large open space of the plaza is now used for celebrations and events, all facing the sea. From the plaza, I follow the signs to the Submarine Museum, which I read was the most visited museum in Vladivostok.  Walking just a km on the Korabelno-Naberezhnaya Embankment, I go toward the massive moored military ships.  Then, I notice the Submarine Museum set up on land amidst the Memorial Complex with Eternal Fire, honoring Russian soldiers who died in WW II.   I find the neatly restored Arch of Triumph (right photo), perched humbly atop a small hill and stairs.  This monument was built in 1891 to commemorate the heirs to the Tsar’s throne for Nicholas Alexandrovich.  It was destroyed during the Soviet period and restored in 2003.  There are many statues throughout this park and a Christian church in the middle with its golden, onion-shaped Russian domes. In the memorial complex, I visit the Submarine S-56 Museum, where visitors can walk and crawl through the vessel used in the Russian Pacific Fleet during WW II, launching 14 successful attacks against rival ships.  I enter the submarine with little expectations and left pleasantly surprised, that it was a mostly authentic experience.  After the first section of photos & memorabilia, I crawl through the round door hole to handle the periscope and imagine what it would have been like to live this subterranean existence. Then, I crawl through the last door hole into the sleeping room to see the hanging bunk beds.  I feel grateful for this experience, as it’s intriguing to imagine the type of people that could handle this compressed, deep existence in the ocean. Next, I cross the road to see if there’s a visitor’s center next to the military ships. There’s a board with pictures and explanations (in Russian and English) of all the historical sites in Vladivostok.  As I looked at this, a tour guide tries to sell me a tour.  Even though I decline, she gives me a free English Walking Tour Map.  Finally, I get my map. However, I was proud of myself for figuring this much out with no preparation or map. Following the map, I head for the Walking Street, that goes to the sea along a promenade. On the way to this car-free zone, I try one of the ubiquitous coffee shops and enjoy a nice latte and chocolate.  Walking along the streets are numerous vendors with booths selling their souvenirs.  Then, I notice a Holland America walking tour and catch their coattail for awhile listening in. The guide said that Vladivostok usually gets a lot of snow in winter; however, this year they had none. This was concerning to me.  At the ocean I walk along a beach and see an IMAX theatre, amusement park with colorful rides and enjoy the sea breeze taking in the atmosphere.  From there, I have an hour left to head back to the ship and wander through neighborhoods.  It’s a pleasant day for a walking tour, and I really do not want to go back. I like the European-style culture of this city.  Even though I’m not a big military buff, I enjoyed taking in the history of this intriguing city.  With nice weather, a walking tour was easy and pleasant with the refreshing sea breeze, the trains humming throughout the city, numerous coffee shops and great shopping if I had more time.  I do regret not finding a good Russian Restaurant for some bright beet borscht.  Even though there was a predominant military focus on this walking tour, there does feel like an emerging art scene trying to express through this culture. I found colorful, offbeat graffiti and murals along the way with coffee shops on almost every corner.  Being at the terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway, I could easily imagine all the unique stories from the past of epic journeys ending or beginning, along with emotional hellos and good-byes in Vladivostok.  Bon Voyage Vladivostok, next time I hope to find you by train. #vladivostok #russiatravel #travel #travelblog #travelbloggers #wanderlust #travelgram #bestintravel #wheretofindme #explore #travellife #travelling #traveltribe #newblog #newblogpost #wanderess #russia #shiplife]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/a-walking-tour-in-vladivostok-russia-the-eastern-terminus-to-trans-siberian-railway</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/a-walking-tour-in-vladivostok-russia-the-eastern-terminus-to-trans-siberian-railway</guid><category><![CDATA[Northeast Asia]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2019 21:50:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_24b1461edbae462c88974228990637c4~mv2_d_4591_2590_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Taiwan's Volcanic Landforms & Spas]]></title><description><![CDATA[There are wonderful day trips near Taipei with dramatic volcanic landscapes and hot springs for travel wellness and eco-tourism.  I had a splendid day exploring the steamy crater of Mt. Qixing at Yangmingshan National Park, with a rejuvenating interlude at the Tien Lai Spa, and last stop at the intriguing Yehliu Geopark. Even though all the volcanoes in Taiwan are extinct, there are diverse geothermal areas to explore for adventure and well-being. Yangmingshan National Park is renowned for its hotsprings, fumeroles, hiking trails and venomous snakes.  Our first stop was at Mt. Qixing the highest peak at this park, rising to 1,120 meters, alongside a visitor’s center for Yangmingshan National Park.  I witnessed up close and personal the crater and landslide area on the flank of the mountain, with hissing fumeroles and vents, emitting steam high into the atmosphere. The mountain’s name, Qixing, means “7 Stars” named after the 7 small peaks around the crater.  The walking path gets close to the vents with some hot springs bubbling alongside. I took the Arrow Bamboo Loop trail for a 360-degree view of the dramatic landscape surrounding the trail. This trail is a 600-meter, 20-minute walk up to 2 different observatories of the crater and other mountains.  The arrow bamboo is the predominant plant, crowding out other plants.  This vantage point put the magnitude in perspective about the massive crater blown out side of the  mountain with infernal fumeroles and steam vents smoldering into the azure sky.  At the visitor’s center, I read about a more extensive trail called Mt. Qixing Main Peak-East Peak Trail going from the southern to northern ridgeline, with contrasting ecosystems: the southern is covered with dense, broadleaf forests and diverse wildlife and northern affected by monsoons with mostly grasslands. After visiting the Mt. Qixing area, I savored a 3-hour rejuvenation timeout at the Tien Lai Resort and Spa. We could spend the time as we wanted soaking in the hotsprings and taking time to enjoy the delicious and healthy buffet of fresh seafood, rice, fruits, vegetables and desserts. These hotsprings originate from His-Huan-Ping Hotspring with a semi-transparent milky-white or gray color rich in minerals, reputed as one of best in northern Taiwan-good for pain, digestive problems, fatigue, and skin disorders. This beautiful resort is aligned with a healthy balance of the elements and feng shui, being in a valley surrounded by lush green mountains and filled with gardens and flowers.  When I was there, the cherry blossoms were beginning to fall like snow.  The spa offers many outdoor selections for hotsprings at varied temperatures. It’s recommended to take breaks between 15 minute soaks in the different pools.  I soaked in a medium heat and then rested before soaking in the very hot pool.  There is also a dry sauna and a fish spa, to nibble off your dead skin from lower legs and feet.  After 2 hours of lounging in the fresh air in and out of 2 pools and spending time in the dry sauna, I sat in some nice loungers to just take in the scenic surroundings.  I then showered and had an exquisitely delicious and healthy lunch with vegetarian rice dishes with tempura and ending with my Sakura (cherry blossom) custard dessert.  Yum!!!   At this resort, many visitors stay for days to rejuvenate, enjoying the hotsprings, gym and beautiful surroundings. Our last stop of the day was at the Yehliu Geopark, on a long cape with thousands of interesting rock formations. This cape is like visiting the Disney Land of rock formations with eclectic animism in limestone shapes, vulnerable to marine erosion, weathering and earth movements.  At admission you get a map of the named rocks to see throughout the beaches and along ridges with panoramic views and fresh air at every angle.   I saw many seawater eroded holes with numerous rocks in shapes of mushrooms, candle, ginger, chessboard, ice cream, fairy’s shoe, gorilla, cougar, queen’s head, and elephant.  There are also sea-eroded caves and fossils in rock beds, with the most popular, sea urchin with petal shapes.  It is a geological extravaganza with ancient stratas of time to stimulate the imagination. This day was a nice flow of exploration, activity and rejuvenation.  With the Yangmingshan National Park, the Tien Lai Spa and Yehliu Geopark all near each other just an hour’s drive outside Taipei, this made a wonderful day trip, chock full of opportunities for travel wellness and adventure.  If I had more time, I would love to have spent a day at each location, but I always cherish every moment in Taiwan, as an island that is near and dear to my heart.]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/taiwan-s-volcanic-landforms-spas</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/taiwan-s-volcanic-landforms-spas</guid><category><![CDATA[Northeast Asia]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jul 2019 02:51:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_d95396afede0416cbb25cdbc4fb3cc29~mv2_d_4091_2841_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Taiwan's Grand Canyon: Taroko Gorge]]></title><description><![CDATA[Taroko Gorge, also known as “Taiwan’s Grand Canyon,” is a journey into an ancient myth, telling stories in rocks of color and light.   As the largest marble gorge in the world, one can only imagine how awestruck Michelangelo would have been to see the exquisite sculptures of Mother Nature in its colossal marble canyons.  I explored its breathtaking magnificence at Swallow’s Grotto, Eternal Spring Shrine, “Tunnel of 9 Turns” and Shakadang Trail. This geological magnum opus is just a half hour drive northeast of the eastern port city, Hualien.  Taroko Gorge bisects the earth, opening its gorgeous marble depths in narrow passageways for 19 km, between the Pacific Ocean on the east and the Syue (Snow) Mountains to the west.   The dramatic marbled canyon walls, embedded with schist and green gneiss, displays the artistry of wind, water and time as a composite of a deep past.  Over billions of years the erosion and weathering of marble and carving of stone by the Liwu River, with constant uplifting of ground, designed its epic landscape.  This gorge is an eloquent Taoist expression of the balance and harmony of nature, especially regarding the element of water. Most of the rocks were shaped by the rivers over thousands of years, as expressed by the Tao de Ching: “Water is fluid, soft and yielding.  But water will wear away rock which is rigid and cannot yield.”  By allowing my essence to connect with the epic majesty of Taroko Gorge, I could align with the Tao of nature’s flow. Its varied terrain ranges from the sea level Liwu river to its highest peak of Mt. Nanhu. This huge altitude difference and the influence of monsoons cause a significant change in both temperature and climate, ranging from subarctic to sub-tropical.  The region has a unique geological structure and phenomenon, as the soil doesn’t easily accumulate and water is not easily saved.  Vegetation includes mainly light- demanding and drought enduring plant species that grow on rocky area. However, the frequent stratum movement prevents it from flourishing. One of the main attractions for the gorge is Swallow’s Grotto, forming narrow passageways, (as small as 12 meters apart in some areas) carved out by the river with 2 steep, almost vertical canyon walls of marble, gneiss and schist on each side.  I walked for about 45 minutes along a canyon in and out of tunnels, above the turquoise Liwu River, looking up and down the vertical canyon wall on the other side. It’s required to wear a helmet as a precaution for falling rocks.  This grotto is named after swallows known for high speed catching insects, from rising air currents.  They make mud nests on top of the tunnel’s rock wall and seem to be used to visitors.  Walking beside the grotto walls, you can see potholes sporadically hollowed out in the rock. These are caused by groundwater seeping out cracks, dissolving rocks, and river sand abrasion to hollow out rock. Water flows out of the potholes with volume depending on rain. Holes high above river show the river flowed that high at one time. A striking rock formation is Indian Chief Rock, sculpted by the Liwu River, revealing the face profile of an Indian Chief along with green vegetation above forehead looking like a headdress. (Left photo) The exquisite marble in many shades of swirling grays and browns, have been carved out by the river, with the water preferring soft rock that erodes more easily leaving behind the hard rock. The Central Cross-Island Highway zigzags across the gorge with dramatic twists and turns along steep edges to a marble abyss.  It is said to be one of the most dangerous highways in the world.  Construction started in 1956 with 5-6 thousand men working simultaneously at different sections. Periodic typhoons and earthquakes often cause deaths and destruction. Construction took almost 4 years, opening 1960. The Eternal Spring Shrine was completed in 1957 to commemorate all those workers who died building the treacherous highway.  The shrine has been rebuilt twice because it was damaged in landslides.  It’s a bright spectacle of blue, red, gold and white elegantly propped above the gushing spring water.  The Liwu river is continually eroding the foot of the slope receives a constant supply of spring water that gushes through the cracks in the rock. After heavy rain, the water volume increases dramatically making a sound like thunder.  I took the short trail to the shrine along the cliffside looking down at the gushing eternal spring water. My first morning at the gorge I hiked the 30-minute Shakadang River Gorge trail on a path etched out of the canyon walls.  It was a beautiful walk above the blue-green river and marbled gorge.  We crossed a fire engine red bridge over the river to access the trail. It was raining but gorgeous with the streams and geological folds among low altitude nanmu and fig forests, with ferns and other underlying foliage.  The rock wall along the trail is filled with lush vegetation and referred to as “Fern Wall” with many species: Bird’s Nest Fern, Japanese climbing Fern, Tuberous Sword Fern, Maidenhair Fern and others.  The trail was immediately closed after we finished due to landslides, so we were the only ones that day who got to hike this trail. I was sorry to miss the iconic landmark called Cingshui Cliff, as the only place of Taroko that borders the ocean about 30 minutes north of our journey.  The near-vertical cliff, towering at more than 1000 meters, is formed by endless lashing and beating of the ocean on its rocks, making it difficult to crumble. This rare geological phenomenon occurs along the eastern coast stretching for 21 km. Evergreen broadleaf vegetation abundantly grows in the valley along the cliff. My 2 days at Taroko Gorge National Park felt as though I only scratched the surface. I hope to return and see the Cingshui Cliff and do more hiking.  However, this region has precarious risks, such as, mudslides, falling rocks and poisonous snakes.  Therefore, my suggestion for anyone visiting this magnum opus of Mother Nature is to have a guide to safely explore its ancient and wild beauty.]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/taiwan-s-grand-canyon-taroko-gorge</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/taiwan-s-grand-canyon-taroko-gorge</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jul 2019 03:57:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_d52e8f1e7e594db28f95d421c4ea9fae~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lungshan Temple, Herb Lane & Fortune-telling: A Day in Taipei's Manka District]]></title><description><![CDATA[On a warm, sunny day in March, I set off from Taipei’s tallest building, TAIPEI 101, to the Manka district, where I intended to visit the Lungshan Temple and Herb Lane for a glimpse into the history of spirituality and Chinese Medicine in Taiwan.   As traveling goes, I had an unplanned discovery of fortune-telling that complemented my day with an insightful ending. TAIPEI 101 is a stereotypical place to start a day in Taipei.  While I enjoyed just taking in the magnitude of this blue-green glass building standing at 508 meters, I decided not to spend $20 on taking the elevator to the top floor for a panoramic view.  TAIPEI 101 was the world’s tallest building from 2004-10, with 8 segments, a Chinese number for prosperity and good fortune.  The “101” represents high ideals and perfection, beyond 100 and the number of its floors.  Outside of this iconic landmark, I went downstairs to the MRT for convenient underground transportation to the Manka district.  The MRT reminded me of Hong Kong’s metro with its impressive, organized color-coded routes in Chinese and English. Reemerging from the subterranean MRT, I saw the Lungshan Temple dramatically in front of me.  This popular temple was founded in 1738 and dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, Guan-yin.  It was built by Chinese immigrants and named after its root temple in the Fujian province.  This colorful, syncretic temple integrates Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism as a Taiwanese folk religion.  It’s been voted by the people, as one of the “Top 100 religious scenes of Taiwan.”  This temple is known for being less strict about customs, so you can wear most anything without needing to cover legs or shoulders.  This ancient hub is engulfed by modern skyscrapers towering around it, to highlight Taipei’s contrasts of the old and new. This Temple exemplifies the Taiwan tradition with more colorful design than its Chinese counterparts in gold, black, blue, green and red.  There are bright, abundant altars of fruits, purple orchids and gifts offered to the gods and goddesses.  Bronzed dragons, bonsai plants, wood carvings and gold statues of deities embolden an eclectically artistic vibe throughout the complex.  It’s built with a palanquin-type bell and drum towers. The temple faces south with a front and back hall and a central hall, protected by exquisite dragons.  While being a spiritual vortex, it’s anything but peaceful with hundreds of people gathering. It’s a raucous entanglement of people praying, making offerings, burning incense, taking selfies and multilingual chatter.  Interestingly, it provides an opportunity for the Buddhistic practice of detachment from distractions to focus on prayer or meditations to the Goddess of Mercy.  I gave respects to Guan-yin, while praying to be present, compassionate and live the Buddhist doctrine: “It’s better to travel well than to arrive.”  I appreciate the Taiwanese concept for their integrative temples, as I strongly resonate with Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian beliefs.  Taoism is the foundation of Chinese Medicine and the only true philosophy, that I perceive as 100% aligned with my core spiritual values. Bordering the Lungshan Temple, is Xichang or Herb Lane, another traditional landmark that was in a sense, an extension of the Temple: sufferers requested divine prescriptions from Gods at Lungshan Temple and bought herbs from this historic lane.  Approaching Xichang feels like delving into an intimate alley with ancient Chinese secrets from which to discover.  Before modern medicine, the natives relied on the Chinese traditional medicine for health.  More than 4 herb shops have gathered on Herb Lane, Wan’an, Sizhi, De’an, & Shengyuan.  Many are handed down a third generation and have kept their old signs and medicine chests.  There is a healing cornucopia of herbal teas, ointments and hundreds of herbal medicines sold here.  The herbs are locally produced with a reputation for being an excellent quality, with fresh herbs from northern Taiwan and the dried or processed from the south.  I stopped at an herbal tea & juice stand with healthy selections of wolfberry, burdock, dandelion, pandan, fishwort, roselle & oregano, finally choosing the wolfberry tea to invigorate me. Strolling through the intimate alleyway, I noticed fresh herbs like ginger, saxifrage, plantain, passionflower, camphor and honeysuckle.  There was abundant, large green aloe vera plants hanging from the ceiling throughout the complex.  I found 2 stores with the original metal bins full of herbs, displayed along their wall of classic materia medica herbs.  I was careful with taking photos and asked permission from vendors. Most were pleasant and eager to let me take photos, except one elderly woman vehemently prohibited me.  Being an Acupuncturist and Herbalist, I feel at home in places like this, only wishing that I knew more Chinese to be able to read and quiz myself on all its goods.  Leaving this healthy haven was difficult for me, as I could have stayed all day. Approaching the MRT across the street, I noticed a sign for the “Largest Fortune- teller street in the country,” all just downstairs in the mall on the way to the subway. Being an experienced western astrologer and amateur Chinese Ba Zi  and Feng Shui reader, how could I resist?  My Ba Zi training was cut short by the unexpected death of my teacher, Dr. Richard Tan from Taiwan in the U.S.  I enthusiastically explored the fortune-telling options, especially wanting a Ba Zi Reading. All fortune-telling vendors had small rooms, illuminated with colorful signs promoting their services for Ba Zi, Feng shui, Palm and Face Readings.  I chose a male reader with modest English skills, who carefully used his computer and worksheet to fill out my Ba Zi chart and gave me some helpful insights. He also looked at my palm for more information.  This inspired me to set a goal for 2020 to finish my Ba Zi training.  From my perspective, these fortune-telling techniques are much more real and powerful than their readers can convey.  I believe quantum physics, mathematics, and science support these practices, that many perceive as superstitious quackery. On my way back to TAIPEI 101 on the MRT, I reflected on how it seemed like I was away for days in just those 4 hours in the Manka district.  Just like the compact block in Manka district with Lungshan Temple, Herb Lane & Fortune-telling, I fit massive experience and history into that short time for my memory storage. Reflecting felt good, to just let it all sink in and realize how profound this day was in Taipei, knowing that I will return to further explore this magnificent city. #travelblogger #travelblog #taiwantravel #herbalmedicine #taipei #travel #traveltribe #herbs #travelwellness #healthytravel #wellnesstravel #fortunetelling #chinesemedicine #taipei101]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/lungshan-temple-herb-lane-fortune-telling-a-day-in-taipei-s-manka-district</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/lungshan-temple-herb-lane-fortune-telling-a-day-in-taipei-s-manka-district</guid><category><![CDATA[Northeast Asia]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 2019 03:35:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_973ee5a9894d4f2ebd6880c45eb6613d~mv2_d_3689_3208_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Healing Geothermal Sand Spas in Kagoshima, Japan]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Sand Spas in Kagoshima Island, Japan are a unique way to experience the healing properties of geothermal energy.  Kagoshima prefecture is a geothermal hotspot with many islands and volcanoes, including the most active in Japan, Mt Sakurajima.  I had a wonderful day driving from the cruise port, close to the smoldering Mt Sakurajima, on a scenic hourlong journey south to Ibusuki, where I experienced the unique Sand Spa and hot springs. Kagoshima is abundant with Mother Nature’s splendor to inspire all visitors, as the southernmost area of mainland Japan in a subtropical zone.  Its natural setting animates the truth of Feng Shui as an ideal balance of the elements, with the volcanic fire, oceans sparkling waters, fertile soils for mandarin oranges, sweet potatoes, and cherry blossoms, wood for magnolia and cedar trees, and metal in Satsuma-yaki pottery, a pioneer of Japonism (Japanese influence in the arts). The scenic drive to Ibusuki introduced me to Kagoshima’s beautiful landscapes and culture, all narrated by an informative guide.  We traveled along the island shores with colorful arrays of yellow rapeseed fields, white magnolias, green tea plantations, orange orchards, red hibiscus, and cedar trees all under a bright blue sky. Japan has 111 volcanoes, including the most active on this island, as part of the Pacific Ridge’s Ring of Fire.  We stopped at Lake Ikeda, a crater lake, 233 meters deep and home to rare creatures such as big eels.  At a shop, I saw an eel almost 2 meters long lurking alone in an aquarium. Lake Ikeda is also home to an Unidentified Mysterious Animal named “Issie,” depicted with 2 humps that are a metaphor for the 2 underwater volcanoes in the lake.  As a backdrop to this mysterious lake is the majestic Mt. Kaimon, at 977 meters high, referred to as the “Mt. Fuji of the area” with its stereotypical conical shape. After Lake Ikeda, we passed a Shinto Shrine, where we made a wish according to this Japanese tradition.  Shinto is the ancient shamanism of Japan, worshiping all living beings as sacred through animism. The God of this shrine is the nearby Mt. Kaimon.  As we passed by, we did the ritual: bow 2 times, then clap 2 times and make a wish. Our final destination was the Ibusuki Iwasaki Hotel, attracting people worldwide for Geothermal Sand Spas, known for their therapeutic abilities to increase circulation, detoxify the body and give pain relief.  First, we went to a locker room to undress and slip on a cotton kimono.  Then we entered the sand spa underneath a tent. (There are also options in the open air next to the ocean).  There were about 30-40 sand beds, shallowly dug out for us. I laid down in it on my back. Immediately, I relaxed into the warmth as my back molded to the warm black sand.  For me, this was the best part, with the warm penetration for the back and spine.  As instructed, I brought my arms close to my side as the assistant covered me with sand.  We were advised to not stay more than 20-30 minutes, to avoid dehydration.  I fully absorbed every second of the experience for 20 minutes. Even though this appeared like a somewhat macabre, horror movie being buried alive, it also inspired my sense of humor.  Our group of 30 settled into a relaxed state with some bonding in conversation and others delving into solitary silence.  The assistants were glad to take our pictures with our cellphones. After 20 minutes in the warm, geothermal sand, I lifted my hands out of the sand, as sand crumbled aside and then lifted my knees and legs, breaking free into the cool air.  Reluctantly, I arose from this comfortable place in my damp, hanging kimono and made my way outside to the warm hot springs close to the ocean shores with the rest of our group.  It was a nice complement, absorbing the therapeutic minerals of the geothermal hot springs, while cleaning off the leftover sand. Lastly, I showered and changed into a fresh, dry kimono and returned to our locker rooms to dress and make our way back. My overall experience felt like a steady flow, except that it ended abruptly, without an opportunity to sit and relax with a tea or juice for integration.  This is the unfortunate reality of doing tours and feeling rushed.  Overall, I am grateful for my day at the Sand Spas, because it was rejuvenating and is one of the few places in the world to offer this unique healing experience, harnessing the geothermal powers from the Ring of Fire. #travel #healthytravel #japantravel #geothermal #travelblog #travelblogger #followme #traveltribe #healthytravel #travelwellness #wellnesstravel]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/the-healing-geothermal-sand-spas-in-kagoshima-japan</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/the-healing-geothermal-sand-spas-in-kagoshima-japan</guid><category><![CDATA[Northeast Asia]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2019 06:36:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_69eb534e907c4c68ba63cf04819d5d54~mv2_d_1789_1789_s_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nagasaki's Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum: A Day to Pray & NOT forget]]></title><description><![CDATA[“Human beings and nuclear weapons cannot co-exist. The suffering we went through is more than enough. For people to truly live as human beings, we cannot allow a single nuclear weapon to remain on the face of the earth." -Hibakusha or atomic bombing survivor for anti-nuclear war movement: Mr. Sumiteru Taniguchi, When first seeing the charming port of Nagasaki, Japan (Video above) nestled between mountains surrounding a beautiful harbor, it’s difficult to imagine an atomic bomb blasted this community almost 75 years ago, just 3 days after Hiroshima’s bombing, killing more than 128,000 innocent civilians.  Today, Nagasaki stands as a beacon for world peace with an evocative Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum for visitors to learn about this horrific event and pray for all those that have ever suffered from the horror of war.  On a cool February day, I enjoyed the Museum, along with the statues and sculptures donated in the name of peace by various countries, to commemorate and learn about this dark chapter in world history. Nagasaki’s transportation system is easy to navigate, with everything relatively close in distance.  I purchased a day pass for the street car to take me straight away to the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum from the cruise ship terminal.  The Peace Park is beautifully laid out among  8-acres with a backdrop setting of mountains, flowers and trees to accent the elegant statues and sculptures.  The 2 biggest iconic monuments were being restored when I was there: Peace Statue and fountain, as a place to pray for those victims who passed away whilst begging for water.  The shapeshifting water evokes the beating wings of the dove of peace and the crane.  The crane is representative of Nagasaki port, which is known as the “Crane Port” due to its shape. I spent a couple hours wandering in the Peace Park, in awe of the evocative memorials giving my respect and prayers for those who have suffered from all wars. As expected, it’s an emotional journey to realize the grave reality of this event. Many monuments were donated by other countries to express the support from the world community for peace.   I saw  3 statues of women holding their child up in the air, to symbolize protection for the future generations.  Their sister city, Middelburg, Netherlands donated a dramatic sculpture of a women engulfing her child, named “Protecting our Future”  (see above photo).  My friend from China took some time to pay respects, bowing before the monument recognizing all people from China who died from the bombing.  Australia donated a sculpture entitled, Tree of Life: Gift of Peace, symbolized by the Aboriginal, Piti dish, used for carrying food and water, representing sharing of resources for peace and harmony.  This sculpture acknowledged atomic survivors, worldwide, including the Aboriginals affected by the British nuclear testing in Australia.  There are many more statues and monuments throughout the park from peaceful allies all over the world. Just down the street from the Peace Park is the Atomic Bomb Museum and its monuments outside, including the black pillared epicenter, where the bomb exploded 500 meters above on August 9, 1945 at 11:02 am.  The heat generated instantly killed all individuals within 1.2 km of the epicenter. Human bodies were instantly carbonized and left others with fatal burns, with skin falling off in sheets.  We must never forget that 70% of the victims from Nagasaki were children, women and senior citizens. On the 50th anniversary of the atomic bomb, the hypocenter was refurbished and designated as a prayer zone for world peace and appeal to the abolition of nuclear weapons.  An emotional sculpture was erected to symbolize this with a mother and child, and the date and time of the explosion. Throughout the peace park monuments and museum, there are colorful origami peace doves as other symbols of world peace.  Outside the museum entrance, I observed a disturbing relief, of screaming corpses reaching out of the relief as a symbol, that we can still hear the women crying and them being silenced by death cannot happen again (see photo below) Inside the museum, I walked down a spiral path showing dates going back in time to 1945, where you buy entrance tickets. One of the first exhibits is a misshapen clock stopped at 11:02 the instant the bomb went off.  The museum is filled with photos, art pieces, origami peace doves, videos, and relics. One of the most emotional photos is of a young boy holding his dead little brother on his back, waiting for cremation. On display is a helmet with remains of a skull embedded in it.  (Left Photo)   There is a display of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb, called “Fat Man” because of its shape at 3.2 m in length and 1.52 m in diameter.  I found this written about “The Manhattan Project:” "The German scientists who discovered nuclear fission in 1938 realized that the phenomenon could be applied to a bomb.  The U.S. launched the Manhattan Project in 1942 and allotted a sum of money greater than the entire national budget of Japan for the development of the atomic bomb.  The bomb was intended for use against Germany, but by the end of 1944 the target had changed to Japan. Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 2 of 17 cities including Kyoto chosen as candidates, were subjected to atomic bombing on Aug 6 and 9, 1945. It is said that the atomic bombs were used to hasten the end of WWII.  But another purpose was to display the success of The Manhattan Project, into which $2 Billion had been invested. The atomic bombings were also the first strategic move in the Cold War between the U.S. and Soviet Union." Thankfully, there are colorful origami peace doves and murals interspersed throughout the museum to remind visitors the meaning behind all of this to learn from our past so as not to let it happen again.  I will conclude with this written piece from the museum: An enormous mushroom cloud rising. What has happened? What has happened to the people? Please learn the reality of what happened beneath that cloud. Please do not forget. Please tell others. #travel #travelblog #japantravel #worldpeace #nagasaki #peace #travelblogger #followme #traveltribe #bestintravel]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/nagasaki-s-peace-park-and-atomic-bomb-museum-a-day-to-pray-not-forget</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/nagasaki-s-peace-park-and-atomic-bomb-museum-a-day-to-pray-not-forget</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jul 2019 04:43:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_89ab3e9d57e044cfa8d8f9c5b3349b3c~mv2_d_3708_3152_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Day in the Tea Culture of Taiwan]]></title><description><![CDATA[Taiwan offers an authentic way to explore a traditional tea culture, that has evolved from China into its own unique style and taste for all to enjoy.  I am grateful for my Day Tour on the Tea Culture in Taipei with My Taiwan Tour Company.  It was a wonderful experience, to learn about tea plantations and production, ending with the crowning jewel of a Tea Ceremony and culinary surprise. I.   How Tea is Grown and Processed We began our tour at the Kuan Yin and Pao Chong Tea Research and Promotion Center of Taipei.  Here, I had a chance to learn about the kinds of tea grown in Taiwan and their production process.  Taipei has a moist climate, terrain and soil that is ideal for growing tea trees, brought over from SE China more than 200 years ago. This rugged island has 5 mountain ranges, offering the fertile landscape, as tea grows best alongside mountains on terraces, where the clouds cling, keeping the tea trees and soil moist for good growing conditions.  There are 5 levels of tea in Taiwan, based on the fermentation strength of each process: White (no fermentation)/Green tea (slight fermentation); Pao Chong (10-20%); Oolong (30-40%), Kuan Yin (40-60%) and Black (100%).  Taipei’s growing conditions are best for the Pao Chong and Kuan Yin teas.   In the exhibition room, I saw the tea processing machines used for the following stages: 1) Withering- tea leaves on bamboo trays for days 2) Shaking Machine to draw out the vegetable smell  3) Panning Machine-use high temperature to destroy activity of yeast and stop fermentation, remove vegetable smell and dry the water content 4) Rolling (strands)-Squeeze juice out of leaves out on to its surface Ball-type Rolling-Process leaves into ball type 5) Baking-reduce moisture, improve flavor and aroma 6) Drying-Stage 1 as air ventilation and stage down until leaves at 20% moisture 7) Drying-Stage 2 with heat circulation leaving water content at 3-5% I also enjoyed a nice cup of tea, while watching a 20-minute film, explaining the history and production of tea in Taiwan.   I left feeling very informed and appreciative for the knowledge to better understand this ancient, healthy tradition. As an interlude, my guide left me at the mountaintop of Maokong Gondola. Here, I travelled down and through the mountains, lush forests and hiking trails on the fringe of Taipei.  It was a cold, rainy day so my view was limited, but still breathtaking, giving me perspective on the healthy green space available in Taipei to rejuvenate through nature.   It was delightful to find pink cherry blossoms in February, brightening the gray day (see photo). Then, we drove south of the Taipei to a rural area known for its tea plantations in the Shiding District.  Our drive winded through curvy, narrow roads along the mountainside high up in the mist and fog. As we gained elevation, we came out of the fog into a panoramic view of the tea plantations, along the mountainsides with the valley and its river and reservoir called the 1000 Island Lake.  It was gratifying to see the beauty of tea trees in their natural setting, thus, appreciating even more the healing properties of tea from Mother Nature. II. A Tea Ceremony and Tofu in Shiding We reached our high destination at the Shiding village, nestled between mountains alongside a river. It’s a small, charming town where you can enjoy fresh air and car free zones to explore the shopping, along with many Chinese restaurants.  Shiding is renowned for its tea and tofu, drawing many visitors to enjoy these epicurean options. Little did I know, that tofu would be the other highlight of my day. First, we found a restaurant known for its variety of delicious tofu dishes.  This popular place was raucously full, with no place to sit.  With my stomach growling and mouth-watering while reading their menu, I couldn’t miss out on their tofu options: roasted, fried, rolled, and pudding.  I ordered the roasted tofu and pudding for takeaway and brought it to the teahouse.   At the teahouse we ordered sublime noodles with the perfect texture and taste, drizzled by spicy sesame sauce. We indulged in the sensual feast at the quiet table looking out the window at rain, trees and the river in a warm, cozy teahouse.   Hunger is the best sauce, so I welcomed this meal with elated taste buds. It was grounding to connect with this delicious food, contemplating why it tasted so good, almost like a preparation for the tea ceremony.  I learned a lot from this meal about noodles and tofu, setting a higher culinary bar.  Realizing the sensual symphony here, I opened my piping hot, roasted tofu and added it to the noodles. Superb, what a scrumptious improvisation!  The roasted tofu offers the best of savory nuances being slightly roasted outside, with an almost fluffy interior.  Before, I struggled with tofu options: fried being too greasy and hard, and the soft being too soggy and tasteless.  The roasted was a nice balance for bringing out the true taste of tofu, accented by a satiating texture to offer a sense of gratifying fullness.  Last, I opened my tofu pudding, discovering what is it really?  Hmm, chunks of fresh tofu steamed with ginger.  Thankfully, it was light with a lot of spicy, ginger broth good for digestion, so I enjoyed it on a full stomach. Then our crowning jewel of the day:  The Tea Ceremony. This tea house is owned by a fourth-generation family, now run by a woman named Huang Yu-wen.   My guide and I sat across from Huang welcoming us with a humble, quiet smile and her tea set for a formal Chinese tea ceremony in between us.  The array of tea utensils neatly spread out on a tray were intriguing me into a new world, of which I eagerly waited to explore… My tea ceremony was educational, as well as sensually gratifying. My guide interpreted the Tea Master’s explanation of the use for all the utensils and the guidelines for steps involved in the tea ceremony.  First, we took a moment to look at the vibrant, green tea leaves and fully connect, while noticing its shape, color and texture.  The 98-degree F water was poured in a precise way, to extract the elegant tea from its leaves. We experienced 3 rounds with a tea batch, each being steeped longer.  The tea was first poured in a temporary cup and then emptied into our drinking one.  The emptied cup was to fully appreciate the smell of the tea. When tasting our first cup of tea, we took a moment to notice and connect with the mouthfeel and taste of the tea, as it slipped down our throats into our stomach.  We discussed the nuances and savory taste of the tea.  I sampled the Pao Chong tea which is lighter and flowery; and the Kuan yin with a darker, more smoky taste.  After observing Huang, she let me lead the ritual and follow the special rules and order of the tea ceremony, softly correcting me as I made mistakes along the way. The tea ceremony was pleasantly conversational, each sharing our experience and connection with the tea.   My guide and I both contrasted the tea ceremony with the modern idea of “Happy Hour,” when people drink alcohol to escape from stress and inhibitions.  The tea ceremony is opposite, in that one immerses deeply into the moment to connect and ground within harmony to the environment.  It truly is a meditation, practicing being present, aware and conscious of your connection to tea and the ceremonial experience. III. Health Benefits of Tea Tea has many health benefits for the mind and body.  Tea leaves contain Theanine (amino acid analogue) that has been shown to improve cognitive abilities, mood and decrease stress.  It crosses the blood brain barrier, and increases serotonin, dopamine and GABA.  Theanine stimulates the mind in a soothing way, without the jittery anxiousness that comes from coffee.  Tea also contains many antioxidants and has been shown to be good for the heart and increasing metabolism for weight loss. I truly enjoyed my tea and tofu culture day in Taiwan and learned so much. Lastly, I found the space in my stomach to indulge on delicious tofu cheese cake from a bakery on the way back to our car.  This is why I travel, to experience the essence of diverse cultures and integrate what I learn to share with others.  Now, I can perceive and connect with tea and tofu from a deeper level, feeling respect and appreciation for this gifts from Mother Nature for my health and well-being. #travel #travelblog #teaism #teaceremony #teaculture #taiwantravel #taiwan #travel #traveltribe #followme #wanderess #travelfoodie]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/a-day-in-the-tea-culture-of-taiwan</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/a-day-in-the-tea-culture-of-taiwan</guid><category><![CDATA[Northeast Asia]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 03 Jul 2019 16:21:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_6dc4e9dacf7443f89f77b78b9d16130c~mv2_d_5125_3026_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Da Nang: Why It's the Ideal Hub for Exploring Central Vietnam]]></title><description><![CDATA[From the famous ocean shores of China Beach to the Marble Mountain, Da Nang is a hub from which to enjoy the multi-faceted wonders of central Vietnam.  This resort town provides many things to do for almost everyone.  It’s creative artisans and natural diversity with its river, mountains and ocean are a setting from which to enjoy culture and nature at it’s best.  This port city is also a gateway to the Imperial City, Hue and the charming World Heritage Site in Hoi An (Check out my blogpost on Hoi An). Its history draws from many cultures, such as, France, China, Japan and the Dutch that utilized this area as one of the most important trading posts in southeast Asia replacing the nearby Hoi An after the 19th century.  It was populated mostly by the Champa people from the 2nd to 15th century.  The Cham were an Austronesian culture, syncretic with its religion, integrating Buddhism and Hinduism.  They were usurped by the Vietnamese people and left behind exquisite sandstone sculptures, Buddhist and Hindu grotto shrines and their spiritual center, Myson about 2 hours from Da Nang.  Throughout the years, it has always been a crossroads where cultures merge together into a melting pot of diversity and creativity. The famous My Khe or “China Beach” became well known and hip in the 60’s and 70’s during the Vietnam War.  It was on this beach in 1965 when the first 3500 troops arrived to a warm, incongruous welcome to defend the airbase.  This beach is where many of them later took refuge from the war. Its white sands stretch for 20 miles and is now the escape for modern day golf courses, private villas, spas, yoga centers, restaurants and coffee shops.  Today, bamboo round basket boats remain on the beaches, from French colonial times.  The French taxed the boats, so the Vietnamese cleverly created the “Basket Boats,” (above photo) claiming these were baskets not boats to avoid taxes. From the beach you can see north the peninsula Son Tra (Monkey Mountain) with the 67-meter tall white Goddess of Mercy, the tallest in SE Asia.  It’s called Monkey Mountain because throughout its National Park, lush with Rhesus Macaques and Long-tailed Macaques.  A popular hiking trail goes through the park from Bai Bac Beach to the summit about 700 meters above sea level.  It’s a breathtaking drive to the summit, with the elegant Linh Ung Pagoda, the 67-metre tall white Goddess of Mercy, along with beautiful gardens and Bonsai trees all surrounded by a panoramic view of the ocean and Da Nang below. Near the ocean shores, south of Da Nang are the cluster of 5 hills, all referred to as Marble Mountain.  These 5 marble and limestone hills are each named after one of the 5 elements derived from Chinese philosophy: kim-metal, thuy-water, moc-wood, hoa-fire, and tho-earth.  All hills are interlaced with caves, tunnels, Buddhist sanctuaries, stone sculptures, pagodas, temples and Buddhist/Hindu grottoes.  I went to the largest hill, Thuy (Water) climbing up many stairs to see Buddhist shrines in the caves.  A highlight for me was seeing the beautiful Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) carved in marble inside a cave (left photo).  I also got a wonderful panoramic view of the other 4 mountains, the ocean and Da Nang below. It’s an amazing marble labyrinth with exquisite sculptures and architecture all seamlessly in harmony with the natural settings on the mountain.  Direct rock extraction from the area has been banned. The Cham people’s Hindu temples and artwork can be seen at the Myson Ruins and a sculpture museum.  The Cham people followed a syncretic form of Islam with Hinduism.  The Myson Ruins are 2 hours from Da Nang, as a cluster of abandoned Hindu temples built between the 4th and 14th century, before they were overthrown by the Vietnamese.  Myson was dedicated for worhip of Shiva, while being a religious site and burial for royalty.  This was the most prominent Hindu temple in SE Asia and a most of it was destroyed in 1 week by a U.S. carpet bombing during the war. Along the Han River is the amazing Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, with the largest exhibit of these sculptures, that was organized by the French.  I had the wonderful opportunity to visit it and was captivated by the sandstone carvings of the Champ people.  Their sandstone sculptures of the Gods include Ganesh and Shiva, recognized by the third eye, trident and hands above the head with mudra symbolizing perfection. At the heart of Da Nang, along the Han River is a riverside walk with many cafes, shops, restaurants and marble statues.  The main attraction is the Dragon Bridge, crossing the Han River as the longest bridge in Vietnam shaped as a golden dragon 666 metres long.  This dragon bridge is an important icon for the city, symbolizing power, nobility and good fortune.  At night it lights up in colorful LED lights and during festivals it spits water or breathes fire from its mouth. Travelers can easily spend a week in Da Nang with more to see and do.  I was fortunate to visit there 5 stops while working as an Acupuncturist-at-Sea and enjoyed something different each time.  Da Nang has always been an important crossroads, where many cultures unite to trade or prosper from its plentiful resources through its ocean shores, river and mountains. Even in the modern times, it's a hotspot for travelers, artisans and investors to enjoy its natural and cultural beauty. #travel #travelling #travelblog #travelblogger #traveltribe #followme #newblog #newblogpost #wanderess #wanderlust #bestintravel #vietnamtravel #danang #vietnam]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/da-nang-vietnam-why-it-s-the-ideal-hub-for-exploring-central-vietnam</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/da-nang-vietnam-why-it-s-the-ideal-hub-for-exploring-central-vietnam</guid><category><![CDATA[Add a page title]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 03 Jul 2019 15:52:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_e1d003d82ae34c63a38b2fec577f6597~mv2_d_3650_2884_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Move Over Seattle, the New Coffee Capital is VIETNAM ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Being from Seattle, I am a bonafide “coffee snob” and to my surprise Vietnam’s brew has taken my standards to new stratospheres!!  From my coffee odyssey in Vietnam, I say Vietnam has usurped Seattle’s coffee throne. Its taste is bold, rich and flavorful with more caffeine.  And the eclectic selections are only gratified through a journey, as you need to explore it on a daily basis for weeks to taste test all their creative coffee concoctions. Coffee is Vietnam’s second largest export after rice.  Vietnam is the largest (maybe only) exporter of Robusta coffee, in comparison to the Arabica that is the most popular coffee worldwide.  Robusta coffee beans come from the unique canephoraplant, yielding coffee with double the caffeine as the Arabica coffees, served at Starbucks, and tastes more bitter and acidic.  It’s less susceptible to disease than Arabica plants, plus, Vietnam is following the NVA standards, as a New Vision for Agriculture, incorporating sustainable farming methods. As a French colony from 1887-1954, the evolution of Vietnamese coffee has been strongly influenced by the French.  Being away from their homeland, the French colonists had to improvise with their brewing techniques and ingredients.  The coffee is coarsely ground, with a French drip filter, called a phin, on top of each cup of java, ensuring a dark, strong brew.   Also, it wasn't always easy to get fresh milk, so they began using condensed milk.  The tantalizing blend of dark strong coffee with rich, creamy condensed milk will help anyone to soon forget about their Café Latte with non-fat milk or even saying the forbidden word, “decaffeinated.”  Bring on the rich, strong and bold flavors for a java journey into a caffeinated bliss. Now for the selections.  How do I love thee, let me count the ways…I learned that the options are infinite, because strong coffee can be the perfect ingredient, complemented by many diverse, creamy options.  Initially, I was unaware that Vietnam was known for its coffee culture and kept hearing from everyone how wonderful it was.  The first time I ordered coffee in Vietnam, the waitress encouraged me to drink it the “Vietnam way,” strong with condensed milk.  It was a hot afternoon, so I got mine iced and found it very invigorating and refreshing.  I was hooked and had my eyes open to discover the next day “Coconut Coffee” and watched the barista concoct this brew with condensed coconut milk, served cold with ice.  I was ecstatic, as it was so unbelievably good.  I decided to explore the Vietnamese coffee options and write about my coffee odyssey in Vietnam. Going forward, I wanted to try a new coffee recipe each day in Vietnam.  In Ha Long Bay at the Eco Café, to my delight, I tried the Coffee Yogurt for an afternoon caffeinated snack, served cold with ice.  While in Hoi An, where there is a quaint Coffee Shop on every block, I tried the Egg Coffee (below photo) with its Tiramisu-like taste: the hot coffee was topped with an egg yolk, whipped with condensed milk and chocolate powder.  I enjoyed this rich blend of tastes, taking in the caffeinated flavors for an afternoon pick-me-up.   Egg coffee can be served hot or cold, with the cold one being more like a dessert.  At a riverside café in Da Nang, I immersed my senses into an avocado- coffee smoothie while writing this blog. Avocado is a nice coffee creamer, complementing a mild and smooth texture and taste, with nutritious fatty acids for more energy.  My last day in Vietnam, I completed my Vietnamese coffee odyssey with delicious coffee ice cream. There’s nothing like frozen caffeine on a hot day to refresh your mind and body. In Vietnam, the coffee center is in their capital, Hanoi.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance this time around to visit Hanoi. This gives me a good reason to return to Vietnam for a chance to experience Hanoi’s coffee culture and popular “Coffee Street.”  Vietnam is a coffee lovers dream into a caffeinated nirvana, transcending any coffee that I have tasted anywhere else, even Seattle. #travel #travelling #travelblog #travelblogger #traveltribe #followme #newblog #newblogpost #wanderess #wanderlust #bestintravel #coffee #seattlecoffee #seattle #vietnam #vietnamtravel #travelcoffee #coffeeholic]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/move-over-seattle-the-new-coffee-capital-is-vietnam</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/move-over-seattle-the-new-coffee-capital-is-vietnam</guid><category><![CDATA[Add a page title]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2019 08:26:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_d3d48c0126f841b8adffa2d4c65a4095~mv2_d_5655_3848_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA["The Walking Street" of Pattaya, Thailand]]></title><description><![CDATA[My takeaway on Pattaya is that it’s the “Amsterdam of Asia.” It’s referred to as the “World’s Sex Capital,” yet it’s also a family resort destination with a wide variety of things to do for everyone.  This bustling city electrifies the Gulf of Thailand with its Beach Road as the main artery from which this city’s heart beats. At dusk, on the oceanside of Beach Road, young Thai women line up, standing about every 8 feet to wait, with obvious intentions.  Many are dressed for the part, looking stereotypically promiscuous, however, some are in their sweats or jeans looking grumpy like they do not want to be there.  Most people walk by not paying much attention, like they are just regular beach gals.  Some men are chatting it up, making their prospects.  It all blends in with the culture here, like a Thai Restaurant or Massage Parlor.  As you walk to the end of the Beach Road, you reach “The Walking Street,” an erotic, circuslike pedestrian street with no cars. Like Amsterdam, Pattaya has its analogy of the Red Light District, flamboyantly played out on “The Walking Street.”  Walking through this at night is surreal among neon lights, dancing girls, gogo bars, massage parlors, loud music thumping in your chest, ping pong shows, street performances, boxing, cabarets, and erotic show solicitors.  Sure, all of this is surreal enough.  But what struck me the most about all of this, was the families that show up to walk the street.  To see a 4-year old on her dad’s shoulders watching a woman in lingerie dancing in a glass cage struck me as a bit unusual.  But, who am I to judge?  I never had any children of my own and each family and culture has its own set of values.  For perspective, I walked this street a couple times and marveled at all the people watching opportunities…at the skeleton man on stilts, the polar bear in the ice bar, the Turkish ice cream server dancing with his customers, dancing Russian Girls, Mandarin Girls in their colorful, silk shirts, pole dancing, brothels, and a women in lingerie dangling from pink nets doing erotic, circus-like acrobatics midair beside a woman dancing in a glass cage.  I was most impressed with the woman doing aerial acrobatics, as she was very good. (Video Below): It was in Pattaya that I learned from others that all those things heard about regarding women and ping pong balls is true.  Friends of mine saw the shows, saying they saw women inserting numerous balls in their vaginas, along with other paraphernalia like blades.  I didn’t see this myself, so I will spare details, but can only assume they have protective devices inserted to protect themselves from sharp objects.  Truth can be stranger than fiction. I could have never made this up. It is said in Thailand: “Good guys go to heaven. Bad guys go to Pattaya.” I witnessed many random couples in town with wider age gaps than is usual.  It’s quite common to see a man well into his 70’s with a petite, Thai woman in her 20’s together as a couple out and about town. The biggest issues from this community is that its seedy setting is a cesspool for prostitution, drugs, trafficking, sexually transmitted diseases and female exploitation. In Pattaya, there is a massage parlor on each block.  As it is widely known, “Happy Endings” are offered at many of these sites throughout Thailand and unacknowledged by authorities.  I received a very therapeutic, professional 2-hour Thai massage at Let’s Relax Spa on Beach Road for just $30.  I did post a blog on this experience, explaining the history and benefits of Thai Massage.  My “Happy Endings” in Pattaya was always the food, either green curry chicken or pad thai.  More, more, more I love you!! I intend to convey compassion for the female prostitutes in Pattaya, not pious judgement, as it’s my aim to question the objectification of women and how this environment supports this.  Many of these women come from impoverished Northeast Thailand, seeking prostitution as a way out of poverty.  I can’t imagine that many of these women deep in their hearts truly want to be doing this exploitative work.  What does all of this say about women prostitutes in Pattaya?   Why is it just women (or men dressing as women) exploiting themselves here?   I leave with questions, knowing none of this is going to change anytime soon and an eerie feeling, that if I returned in 10 years, it would be a surreal deja vu into the same neon void. #travel #travelling #travelblog #travelblogger #traveltribe #followme #newblog #newblogpost #wanderess #wanderlust #bestintravel #thailandtravel #pattaya]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/pattaya-thailand-world-s-sex-capital-and-the-walking-street</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/pattaya-thailand-world-s-sex-capital-and-the-walking-street</guid><category><![CDATA[Add a page title]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:52:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_a3691d8072da4cc19a280e6cf6f7ce99~mv2_d_4283_2943_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Health Benefits & Risks of Fish Spas]]></title><description><![CDATA[Fish Spas or “Fish Pedicures” have become increasingly popular worldwide, as a way to exfoliate the skin.  In these spas, you dunk your lower legs and feet in a tank where Garra rufa fish, a small, toothless carp, nibble away your dead skin.  I aim to share my experience and the information uncovered for anyone to make their own choice on these spas. Even though my Fish Spa experience in Pattaya, Thailand was upbeat and positive, it also made me feel uneasy. Travelling makes me impulsive and sometimes my actions precede my research, as was the case with Fish Spas. In Pattaya, I purposely skipped the sunscreen on my legs that day, to prepare for the fish spa, as it can’t be good for the fish.   I went to the Mawin Fish Spa, where they first cleaned and inspected my legs/feet for cuts or wounds.  Passing inspection, I dunked my vulnerable limbs into the fish tank.  At first it was overwhelming, not being able to leave my legs in the water for over 30 seconds. It tickled immensely and felt just plain weird.  When I compare photos of my tank to other spas, it seemed that mine had a lot more fish. There were at least 100 fish nibbling away on my legs and feet.  After I finally psyched myself out that these weren’t indeed Jaws or piranhas, I eased into the experience.  They offered 15 or 30 minute sessions.  As I sat there facing the street, many pedestrians walked by looking at me and querying the experience as I squeamishly giggled my replies.  In 15 minutes, I eagerly pulled my feet out of the water, where the assistant dried my legs and feet with a fresh towel. There are many claimed benefits of Fish Spas.  While nibbling away dead skin layers, this causes a tingling sensation that stimulates nerve endings and blood circulation in the feet, while also increasing endorphins which help with pain and stress.  The fishes salivate an enzyme, dithranol, which stimulates new skin cell production.  I even found a study from Evidence-based Complementary Alternative Medicine in 2006, that suggests these fish spas may contribute to helping psoriatic symptoms. In Thailand, Fish Spas are almost as popular as Thai massages.  In the U.S. 13 states have banned Fish spas for safety precautions.  In China, you immerse your whole body in the water with the fish.  Fish Spas are popping up all over the world with many different opinions on their benefits and risks.   Some experts claim it’s theoretically possible to pass on bacterial or fungal infections through the fish or water, as the water is not cleaned between patrons.  There is potentially a higher risk if you or the fish have any cuts or wounds where disease can be transmitted.  This is why the spa inspects your legs and feet before the treatment.  Many spas claim that they use UV light and filters to keep the water clean; however, some experts claim that if the UV was strong enough to kill the pathogens it would also kill the fishes.  Most of these places do not empty the tanks between the patrons.  Another thing to consider is the fish, like all creatures, have waste they leave behind.  As opinions vary overall on these spas, anyone should avoid Fish Spas if they have newly shaven legs, cuts or wounds, eczema, or diabetes. For me the deciding factor to not return to a fish spa is based on the unethical behavior toward the fish.  PETA has been critical about the use of these fish, based on callous methods of transporting them from the middle east, often in plastic bags of water across continents.  PETA also suggests that the spas starve these fish so they nibble on your limbs.  These fish naturally feed on periphytons, not dead skin.  In a sense, it’s like feeding a duck bread. Overall, my intention is to present the information and leave it up for the reader to decide for themselves on fish manicures. I do not feel the benefits of the fish spas outweighs the potential infection risks and the unethical actions toward the fish.  Even though my Fish Spa experience was reasonably pleasant, I will not do this again and go back to using my loofah. #travel #travelling #travelblog #travelblogger #traveltribe #followme #newblog #newblogpost #wanderess #wanderlust #bestintravel #fishspas #healthytravel #fishspa #thailandtravel]]></description><link>https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/health-benefits-risks-of-fish-spas</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.truewindhealingtravel.com/post/health-benefits-risks-of-fish-spas</guid><category><![CDATA[Add a page title]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2019 05:15:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0efe2f_c291fbcf0e5b490790789ec6ff892c2b~mv2_d_3921_2142_s_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac.  </dc:creator></item></channel></rss>