Why Travel With Kids? – Turknoy Travels 100!

On Travel: Public Transportation

Featured by turknoys, posted in Canada, New York, Norway, Travel Adventures, United States of America, Why Travel With Kids?

“You can’t understand a city without using its public transportation system. ” – Erol Ozan

Oslo’s Travel Card, New York’s MetroCard and Toronto’s Scratch Card

Travel, it seems, then and again for us, is all about perspective. Exploring Oslo, Norway raised our standards so much so that we frowned on New York’s Metro Card calling it “barely a card.” Getting settled into the New York transportation system after three days, off we went to Toronto, Ontario, Canada and there we were greeted with a scratch card… the city’s day pass for tourists and travelers. Let’s just say that it took us four days to look beyond this and give Toronto a fair judgement of the city’s beauty and uniqueness. First impressions. Perspectives. Flexible travelers that we think we are, perspectives matter.

If we have traveled from Manila, Philippines, our home country, straight from Toronto, Canada, the availability of Metro straight from the Union Station and the convenience of family card plus the friendly ticket receptionist, would have floored us with awe. To travel conveniently in Manila, usually takes private-hire transportation and even then, the horrendous traffic and heat (or rain) would leave us scratching our eyes out waiting for the transport ordeal to be over. Transport system in Toronto would be we a very much welcome blissful paradise to experience.

Only,, we didn’t come from a developing country. We transited from a highly developed city, equally diversified as Toronto, it seems to us, equally populated like New York. Transport payment scheme in Toronto is very primitive to us now.

How does this affect how we think of Canada? It should not affect us much. We firmly believe that how we view a country is more of a reflection on us that it is a reflection of the country,

So, this experience, makes us feel empowered. Worldschooling the kids mainly has the purpose of showing the kids the beauty of the world and what men are capable of nurturing what’s possible; highlighting NOT borders, but potentials.

Toronto Metro : “You can’t understand a city without using its public transportation system. ” –

On Family Values: Hope and Experience

Featured by turknoys, posted in Canada, Family Blog, Family Satisfaction, Family Traditions, family travel, Travel Goals, Why Travel With Kids?, worldschooling

“And patience [worketh] experience; and experience, hope” (Paul, Romans 5:4).

As Malcolm Gladwell argued in his bestseller book, Outliers, it takes 10,000 hours which is approximately 10 years of deliberate practice to become an expert.

With the goal to travel to 100 countries in10 years, that would make us seasoned family travellers. We’re onto our six years of happily traveling the kids along our family adventures, and by far, explored 36 countries, including the new territory we are currently exploring at the moment, Canada!

Yes, there are certain traveling tasks that feel so routine, like appointment with embassies, visa applications, packing, adjusting to jet lag and body clock. These are great expertise to have as a working professional. Patience with documents, mastery of own body sleep and up close encounters with countries diplomats… necessary skills of a future CEO or founder of a corporation, and we can discuss further why!

However, more importantly, though skills which we are yet to master, there are hormones, grumpiness and boredom.

Hormones, there traveling women vs. two patient men makes a team. This means at the very least, two weeks of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) of emotions, the struggle is real. Acknowledging this, makes the battle easier, though we can only monitor, not control. Experiences on the pattern makes it understandable and yes, conquerable, if not tolerable for the surrounding men around these women.

So you think you can balance girls’ hormones?! 😘

Grumpiness, or bad hair day moments, or waking up at the wrong side of the bed, is also normal during family travels. One day something too personal embarrassing the other. Too close for comfort takes patience and experience, too.

This traveling little man in the middle, gives a lot of patience to the family. He’s smile always cure anybody’s grumpiness!

Boredom, because what parents may find interesting, may be so very boring for the kids and the other way around. We would not be telling the entire truth to our traveling adventures, if we would lying if we say “everybody loves visiting .. insert name of place/ country/ region… Nope, most of the time, there’s someone who will rain on somebody’s parade when family travels together.

Kids these age will pick Legoland anytime over any museums, that we know. And parents don’t particularly enjoy Legoland. It takes a lot of give and take among family members to enjoy a long period of travel!

BUT, there are also the AHA moments, the wonder-at-first-sight moments, laugh-out-loud-together-moments, we-actually-saw-what-happened-together-moments.

AND… these moments turn into memories. Memories that would be from imprints on their lives and define the decisions and actions they would do in the future, what will define who they will be by choice.

Experience together over any material things… no argument there. We’re armed with experience-building patience, even if it takes 10,000 more hours together!

Living up to our main family value, we really are a hopeful bunch.

Peace on Earth is possible. Travel with family?! Maybe possible. 😜

New York, The City That Dreams Blissfully!

June 6, 2019 by turknoys, posted in Education, Family Satisfaction, Family Traditions, family travel, New York, Travel Goals, United States of America, Why Travel With Kids?, worldschooling

Free educational and fun family activities Turknoy style aka deep-rooted into our family lifestyle are readily available in New York. There are lots of ideas, discussions and pondering mover aching feet and full stomach. Our senses are all overwhelmed.

Broadway is to talent and making it big in the world;

She’s a Harry Potter fanatic, an: watching the play brought lots of reading memories, lessons and bliss moments with Albus and Scorpius! #KeepTheSecrets (Broadway, June 2019)

Our first Broadway performance experience. How the kids have grown since the . (Broadway, October 2017)

When at home, we watch Late Show a lot. So kids know Stephen Colbert more than.. uummm Tom Hanks! 😂

Times Square is to branding and consumerism and making it known in the world

Times Square with family means discussion on economics, world inequality, wants over needs and lots of business ideas! (Times Square, June 2019)

Then, then… .. Financial District is money management and getting power over money in the world!

And until then… let’s get all the money vibes from The Wall Street Bull’s Balls. Legend has it that those who touch them will have prosperous and wealthy life. So, oohmmm we go. Seriously, we saw a Hindu lady who was actually doing this like a solemn prayer. So why not?

Our little ladies and the Charging Bull of Wall Street

Grab the bulls by balls and we’re set for life! Girl power!

All that financial wealth vibe with the ball and the Bull. 😀

Happiness is grabbing the Bull by the balls!

“My bull is a symbol for America. My bull is a symbol of prosperity and for strength.” – Sicilian artist Arturo Di Modica, creator of The Charging Bull.

Broadway, Times Square or Wall Street, New York can make dreams come true for this fearless and are able to stand tall and proud.

Freedom is NOT the absence of fear… but by being able to act fearless.. whoever we may be!

World citizens, worldschooler or not, New York sets an example. It may be the place, it may be the city’s history, it may be capitalism, it may be a lot of things… yet we firmly believe that these ideals can be replicated.. anywhere in the world. Dreams are dreams without time zone and coordinates. With positivity and a lot of hard work, sprinkled with luck (bulls’ balls!) dreams do come true, whatever they may be.

We don’t use ❤️ to reflect our emotions towards any city easily. We’re snobs sometimes… but New York she really ❤️💛💚💙💜

Take 2: New York, New York with Kids

June 5, 2019 by turknoys, posted in Family Blog, Family Satisfaction, Family Traditions, family travel, New York, Travel Goals, United States of America, Why Travel With Kids?, worldschooling

There is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless.” – Simone de Beauvoir

And this family with travel goals to visit 100 countries is back to New York, USA, as this city needs more mini-goals to be achieved.

Straight from Oslo, Norway, like a real Viking explorer , off we crossed the Atlantic Ocean to New York, New York wee hours in the morning, straight to breakfast and off to see places for the second time.

Family’s photo in our favorite place in the world, to date… Oslofjord! A day before we head off to New York, New York this time around!

We’ve written about hope and goals and we’re excited really to realize baby steps to leap frog moments towards achievements of our family goals, travel goals included.

But for now, New York, New York!

First stop, Times Square early in the morning and we feel like we are in the living room as the place was still “unpopulated” New York style.

Sunset in Oslo, sunrise in New York… Time Square!!!

No crowd at Times Square, New York! Life happens for us. 😀

Second stop, Central Park, wishing to meet Tom Hanks or John Wick accidentally!

Central Park.. always a great stop for family!

We are meant to be… we the North lovers!

Third stop, hungry for some Filipino food, hoops NOT… scratch that… we are world class.. so off we walked more to get a taste of the world’s most famous chickenjoy – Jollibee in Manhattan! Oh hot, was it crowded but we were determined.. and hungry and drilling over this chicken joy!

Third stop, hungry for some Filipino food, scratch that, we are world class.. so off we walked more to get a taste of the world’s most famous chickenjoy – Jollibee in Manhattan!

so off we walked more to get a taste of the world’s most famous chickenjoy – Jollibee in Manhattan! Oh hot, was it crowded but we were determined.. and hungry and drilling over this chicken joy!

And now on to our main stops… 😋

More about our New York adventures…

A Worldschooler’s Day at Astrup Fearnley Museet

June 1, 2019 by turknoys, posted in Norway, Why Travel With Kids?, worldschooling, Writer

“Oslo’s contemporary art” is something that simply ceases to exist. From witnessing the art within the Astrup Fearnley Museet, I’ve come to terms with the fact that it’s solely hare-brained to categorize the art in such ways. Perhaps it had been easier to group masterpieces of which had been bizarre to the eye in a single group; although each and every piece had been produced with a pastiche of particular passions, each had been fashioned with idiosyncratic intentions. This is my opinion, due to the fact that I find hardship in distinguishing similitude between denim doused canvases, shopping cart creations, and paper-carved coups.

A perfect photo to illustrate the expressions during our visit at Oslo’s Modern Art

Based on my self-reflection, I distinguish a certain depth in “Oslo’s art”, the miniature brain-muddles it’d take a person to disentangle a sole piece, and the mystery that envelopes it, for unless you were to pry open the mind of the certain creator; you’d never truly fathom the depth that had originated from the marvelous masterpieces I had witnessed today.

Check out a simple version of my art based on my previous experiences in Oslo, Norway:

Let me know your thoughts.

Exploring Oslo, Norway: Nobel Peace Center

May 31, 2019 by turknoys, posted in family travel, Nobel Prize, Norway, Travel Adventures, Why Travel With Kids?, worldschooling

I intend to leave after my death a large fund for the promotion of the peace idea, but I am skeptical as to its results. – Alfred Bernhard Nobel

Alfred Bernhard Nobel was a Swedish businessman, chemist, engineer, inventor, and philanthropist. Nobel held 355 different patents, dynamite being the most famous. The synthetic element nobelium was named after him.

Reading intently on what it takes to be a Nobel Peace laureate

The Turknoy’s favorite Nobel Peace laureate – finally a realization that it takes a lot to become President of a Great Nation – far cry on what they always see in the news lately (fake or real …but but but BUT Disclaimer — there’s no such thing as a fake news — it’s news or not news at all!

Reflection Questions for the kids during their visit to the Nobel Peace Center.
1. Who is Alfred Nobel? Why was the Peace Prize named after him?
2. Who are your top 3 favorite Nobel Peace Laureate? Why?
3. What would you do in the future to win a Nobel Peace Prize? How? When?

The Nobel Peace Center is a showcase for the Nobel Peace Prize and the ideals it represents. The Center is also an arena where culture and politics merge to promote involvement, debate and reflection around topics such as war, peace and conflict resolution.

On the 5th April we at the Nobel Peace Center opened our new Exhibition KlimaLab, a vibrant exhibition about the climate, nature and people. It is an interactive experience for children and adults consisting of art installations you can touch, feel and even eat.

Quote on Obama’s Nobel speech acceptance ..on climate change..apparently, the kids favorite topic on how to win the Nobel Peace Prize for their generation.

…the world must come together to confront climate change. There is little scientific dispute that if we do nothing, we will face more drought, famine and mass displacement that will fuel more conflict for decades. For this reason, it is not merely scientists and activists who call for swift and forceful action it is military leaders in my country and others who understand that our common security hangs in the balance.

Exploring Oslo, Norway: Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art

May 31, 2019 by turknoys, posted in Art, Norway, Why Travel With Kids?, worldschooling

In an artwork you’re always looking for artistic decisions, so an ashtray is perfect. An ashtray has got life and death.” – Damien Hirst, Artist with extensive private art collections in Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art

Astrup Fearnley Museet is a private museum of contemporary art and has since its opening in 1993 been one of the most important art institutions in Oslo.

The museum moved to Tjuvholmen in 2012, beautifully located by the Oslo Fjord in a building designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano. The museum shows changing exhibitions by leading international and Norwegian contemporary art and houses the Astrup Fearnley Collection. The collection is one of Norway’s most important and extensive private art collections, with iconic works by artists like Damien Hirst, Anselm Kiefer and Jeff Koons.

It makes sense for us to see all forms of art, whether we appreciate it or not, whether we understand it or not, or whether we feel violated about the art or not.

When ask about our art impression, the word “perversion” is not bad description , art is mostly an interpretation of one’s desires and hidden ambitions, exactly how you may define perversion. Although, to be honest, Astrup Fearnley Museet’s exhibition during this time around’s visit is a bit too much for the kids.

They enjoyed the art installations, don’t get us wrong – we always do! Art is art and loving art is to worldschoolers as flying is to airplane!

They enjoyed the art installations! Art is art and loving art is to worldschoolers as flying is to airplane!

Our visit to the museum during last winter is also fun learning experience.

“It’s not about finding relevance or perfection or imperfection in objects, but it’s that you can accept yourself and then go out and accept others. I try to educate people about materialism through my work. I try to show them real visual luxury.”- Jeff Koons, Artist with extensive private art collections in Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art

Art is life and is everywhere. Life is everywhere. Live through art everywhere!

“Ruins, for me, are the beginning. With the debris, you can construct new ideas. They are symbols of a beginning.” –Anselm Kiefer, Artist with extensive private art collections in Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art

Exploring Oslo, Norway: Mobility Around the City

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 by turknoys, posted in family travel, Norway, Travel Adventures, Why Travel With Kids?, worldschooling

VOI

The City of Oslo is preparing for a car-free city centre and is almost there Equipped with electrified transport system, all city-dwellers and visitors can easily move in and around the city freely, easily and quite conveniently with a carbon footprint of zero! Isn’t that a great example for traveling kids- how to have it all with class no damage to environment? IT IS!

We love Oslo, The European Green Capital for 2019.

Oslo is the capital city of Norway and has a population of 658,390. The city is surrounded by the Marka Forest, a nationally protected area, and the Oslo Fjord, both connected by a number of waterways. Oslo’s approach to conserving its natural areas and restoring its waterway network is just one of the many reasons why it won the European Green Capital Award for 2019.

The city’s waterways have been subject to a new revolutionary strategy which has completely reversed the previous approach of enclosing these channels. They are now being actively re-opened in order to make them accessible for people, to efficiently manage stormwater and facilitate development and restoration of habitat.

Tackling climate change is a high priority for Oslo. The city aims to cut emissions by 50% by 2020 (compared to 1990) and to be carbon neutral by 2050. Oslo has introduced a range of integrated measures to achieve these ambitious targets, for example, by promoting zero emissions transport. The city has become the ‘Electric Vehicle Capital of the World’ with 30% of all vehicles now sold in the city being electric.

Improvements in cycling and public transport infrastructure, the introduction of car free zones, and encouraging the use of electric vehicles, will not only help the city reach its climate goals, it will also greatly reduce air and noise pollution, and enhance the urban environment for its citizens.

Innovation and the promotion of new jobs in the circular economy is a priority for Oslo and the city is at the forefront of circular use of available resources. Biogas produced from bio-waste and city sewage is used to fuel city buses and waste trucks.

Oslo also established the ‘Business for Climate Network’ to foster cooperation between the business community, citizens and NGOs in addressing the impact business operations have on the climate.

In 2016, the city introduced a ‘Climate Budget’, an initiative consisting of 42 separate measures across three sectors: energy and the built environment, transport, and resources. Carbon Dioxide emissions are now being counted in the same way a financial budget would account for funding. The unique ‘Climate Budget’ is one of the main initiatives that the City of Oslo is driving to reach its goal of 50% emissions reduction by 2020.

Exploring the city, the culture of green city is very evident. One thing that the kids enjoyed a lot are the scooters easily rentable around the city. We tried VOI Scooters and the kids had a blast. Our eldest traveller who’s so into the rules of wearing helmet while using the scooter was not comfortable disobeying them, so we have to cut our experience short – well done her!

FUN AND ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY -and yes, get us to places we want to explore more!world

FUN AND ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY -and yes, get us to places we want to explore more!

Scooters everywhere –wwoooo!!! Shared electric scooters to the streets of Oslo.
Jump on a scooter anytime and ride wherever in the city – all free from emissions.

National Theatre Metro Station — Shared electric scooters to the streets of Oslo.
Jump on a scooter anytime and ride wherever in the city – all free from emissions.

Global warming is real – it is man-made and it is an important problem. But it is not the end of the world. We need to show the kids that efforts are being done to address this real problem.

Exploring Oslo,Norway: Tjuvholmen

May 30, 2019 by turknoys, posted in family travel, Norway, Travel Adventures, Why Travel With Kids?, worldschooling

Tjuvholmen is a neighborhood on a peninsula sticking out from Aker Brygge into the Oslofjord. At the tip of the peninsula, next to the sculpture park, is an outdoor bathing area. The water leads out to the Inner Oslofjord.

A very cloudy and rainy morning in **Tjuvholmen. Tjuvholmen** is a neighborhood on a peninsula sticking out from Aker Brygge into the Oslofjord

The Tjuvholmen Square great for kids, there are a lot of non-conforming scenarios aka ideas that challenges the norm– from naked sculptures to messages around the dining areas – expect a good number of questions from traveling kids.

WHAT IF?? -If we killed humans at the same rate as we kill animals, it would take17 days to wipe out the entire human specifies.

Look up and play cool – kids are watching!

**Tjuvholmen** horse and our worldschooler with a big smile.

Visit Oslo notes the Tjuvholmen is a very recent addition to Oslo’s varied collection of boroughs. The buildings that make up the area are drawn by some 20 different architects, creating a concentrated display of current trends in architecture. Tjuvholmen is also characterised by elaborate outdoor spaces, including a city beach and several humorous outdoor artworks.At the point where Tjuvholmen meets the fjord you find one of Oslo’s main attractions, master architect Renzo Piano’s Astrup Fearnley Museum.Tjuvholmen may be knew in Oslo but this place will be the closest to our traveling family’s hearts in Oslo.

Exploring Oslo, Norway: Kon-Tiki Museum

May 30, 2019 by turknoys, posted in Family Satisfaction, Family Traditions, Norway, Travel Adventures, Why Travel With Kids?

“In my experience, it is rarer to find a really happy person in a circle of millionaires than among vagabonds.” – Thor Heyerdahl

Another Norwegian explorer breaking the ocean norm– why is that NOT surprising!

Thor Heyerdahl rose to fame when he crossed the Pacific Ocean with the Kon-Tiki in 1947. He is obviously an adventurer-at-heart, an ethnographer in profession with a background in zoology, botany, and geography. In his famous Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947, he sailed 8,000 km across the Pacific Ocean in a hand-built raft from South America to the Tuamotu Islands. The expedition was designed to demonstrate that ancient people could have made long sea voyages, creating contacts between separate cultures. Heyerdahl also proposed that Azerbaijan was the site of an ancient advanced civilization. He believed that natives migrated north through waterways to present-day Scandinavia.

In 1984, he was appointed a government scholar and further adventures followed with voyages on the Ra and Tigris reed boats.

Thor Heyerdahl rose to fame when he crossed the Pacific Ocean with the Kon-Tiki in 1947; This traveling girl’s first visit March 2018

Turknoys and Kon-Tiki, during their previous visit last winter (November 2018)

It’s fantastic to experience original rafts and up to date exhibitions on Heyerdahl’s expedition- the Kon-tiki, being the most famous, Ra, Tigris, Easter Island, Fatuhiva, Tucume, Galapagos, spelunking, under water exhibition and more!

What a really admirable explorer Thor Heyerdahl. Probably the coolest Thor we’ve read about, way better than the one with the hammer.

Kon-Tiki, the greatest sea adventure of our time.

More of Thor Heyerdahl’s famous quotes illustrate his determined and adventurous personality:

“Some people believe in fate, others don’t. I do, and I don’t. It may seem at times as if invisible fingers move us about like puppets on strings. But for sure, we are not born to be dragged along. We can grab the strings ourselves and adjust our course at every crossroad, or take off at any little trail into the unknown.” – Thor Heyerdahl

“Borders? I have never seen one. But I have heard they exist in the minds of some people.” – Thor Heyerdahl

And to the last quote, we concur…what borders?!