Top 10 Traveling Parties in Fiction

In fiction, the most romantically thrilling stories are those involving journeys – such as quests and exploring or trekking through unknown lands.  Aside from being rich of mystery and adventure, what makes such stories of journeys exciting is the assortment of travelers that banded together to go on the journey, since, more often than not, the journey is more fascinating if it’s being undergone by a group rather than an individual. 

Here are my choices of the most interesting traveling parties that are involve in some form of adventurous journey – quest, exploration, voyage, expedition, and the like.

10.) KING ARTHUR & THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE (Monthy Python and the Holy Grail)

There are a few journeys in fiction that can rival the hilarious insanity of this satirizing of Arthurian legend.  The depiction of King Arthur and his knights in this movie had been extremely amusing.  This traveling party deserves a spot on this list for their hilarious “horse-riding” throughout their quest: they would mime as if they were galloping on a horse while their porters trotted behind them thumping coconut shells together to simulate hoof sounds.      

9.) LITTLEFOOT & FRIENDS (The Land Before Time)

Almost every Land Before Timemovie involves Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike travelling somewhere.  But the most dramatic adventure that this group of juvenile dinosaurs had will always be their first.  It was a pretty moving journey (from a very touching movie); I was still a toddler when I’ve first seen the movie (in Betamax, I think), but up till now, I can still remember the emotional investment that the toddler me has put into it while watching them journeying towards their families. 

8.) A “PARTY” OF “PLAYER CHARACTERS” (Dungeons and Dragons)

I never get the chance to play the D&D board game (it would have been awesome if they made an epic PC game based on this premise and property), but from what I understand, the experience was pretty fun and engaging.  Players get to role-play “player characters” and form “parties” and complete “adventures” and “campaigns.”  Yep, that sounds fun and engaging indeed.

There was also a TV show based on the premise of the game.  The party consists of friends, aged between 8 to 15, that have been magically transported to the realm of D&D after taking a roller coaster ride.  Upon arrival, they were given “player character” weapons and identities – Ranger, Barbarian, Magician, Thief, Cavalier, and Acrobat – by the Dungeon Master.  Their main journey revolves around finding a way home, but at the same time, helping folks and fighting the evil they encounter along the way.   

7.) THE ARGONAUTS (Jason and the Argonauts)

One of the most enduring tales of journey is that of Jason and his Argonauts’ quest for the Golden Fleece.  This tale originates from Greek mythology, but my definite understanding of the story was from the 1963 movie.  This was my first encounter of the concept of warriors/sailors voyaging on a ship, having episodic adventures along their way, and it mightily appealed to me. 

I liked the Argonauts (being dubbed as such for their ship’s name was “Argo”, after its builder, Argus) for they were supposed to be a group of elite, badass heroes.  Even the strong-man Hercules was a member of the Argonauts.  They seek glory and adventure, and believe they will obtain them by accompanying Jason. 

6.) THE CREW OF USS ENTERPRISE (Star Trek)

“Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.”

That’s the original tagline of Star Trek.  As far as “star-faring” journeys are concerned, the original TV series could be the most well-known (as for the movie reboot, the journey has just started in Into Darkness).  That’s why it’s called Star Trek in the first place.  The characters of this show – the crew of the USS Enterprise – would turn out as one of the most beloved and iconic ensembles of characters in fiction. 

5.) THORIN’S EXPEDITION TO THE LONELY MOUNTAINS (The Hobbit)

The Hobbit, the prequel to the epic Lord of the Rings, depicted one of the most legendary fantasy journeys ever.  This journey was undertaken by an expedition composed of a wizard, a hobbit, and 13 dwarves, whose purpose is to reclaim the dwarves’ mountain kingdom and its immense treasury from the dragon Smaug.  It was during this journey that the hobbit Bilbo “re-discovered” the One Ring, which would be the central plot device in LOTR.   

4.) KA-TET OF 19 (The Dark Tower)

At first, Roland Deschain’s ka-tet(meaning a band bonded by “ka” or destiny or fate) has no formal name.  But along their journey, they observed that the number “19” was recurring everywhere.  They realized that the path they are on was under the “ka of 19”, and Jake (if I remembered right) suggested calling their ka-tet the “ka-tet of 19.”    

This band of travelers was assembled by Roland, the last Gunslinger, midway his journey towards the Dark Tower to accompany him.  They were individuals from different 20^thcentury periods from our world, and were struggling from some form of misery (e.g. drug addiction, split personality disorder) and only found “relief” when they joined Roland.  Along the way, Roland would train them the gunslinger way and they would eventually become talented and capable gunslingers themselves.   

Deep inside, Roland is sadly aware that his companions will be mere “expendables” for his journey; that in the end, he will be the only one remaining standing before the Dark Tower.  In some ways, his companions know this, too, but are still willing to press on, for they, like Roland, are also compelled by ka and the Dark Tower to do so.    

3.) SANZO’S PARTY (Gensomaden Saiyuki)

Made up of the coolest foursome in fiction, Genjyo Sanzo, Son Goku, Cho Hakkai, and Sha Gojyo were tasked to journey westwards to retrieve the stolen Holy Sutra, which is a catalyst for reviving a powerful demon.   I really mean what I said about this four being the coolest foursome in fiction.  Not even the Fantastic Four, awesome superhero team they might be, can match the kickassery and charisma of these four.  No matter how disadvantageous or tough the battles they face during their travels, they always win in a cool and badass style.  Their mode of transportation is a mini dragon that can transform into a jeep; that’s another reason why they are an awesome travelling group. 

2.) THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (Lord of the Rings)

The purpose of the fellowship is to accompany and protect the ring-bearer, Frodo, in his quest of disposing Sauron’s ring into Mt. Doom.   Though they failed in doing so – leaving Frodo and Sam to complete the mission – and disbanding just merely a third into Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship had made enough impact to become a favorite of mine. With sword, bow and arrow, axe, and magic – they were a collection of formidable warriors who were capable of taking on multitudes of enemies at one time.    

1.) STRAW HAT PIRATES (One Piece)

The Straw Hat Pirates are one of the most awesome ensembles or teams in fiction.  They are in constant adventuring, with the intention of finding the titular “One Piece” someday and of together accomplishing their dreams.   Each of them has different goals and dreams in life but essentially believe that by helping their captain, Monkey D. Luffy, achieve his own dream of becoming pirate king, they are set to achieve their own dreams along the way.  They are a diverse bunch with different skills and personalities, who are fantastic in their respective roles in the crew.  Most importantly, despite the petty comical arguments that sometimes erupt among them, they maintain a strong bond of belongingness and friendship with each other.

Honorable Mentions: The expedition to Atlantis (Atlantis: The Lost Empire); Phileas Fogg, Passepartout, and Aouda (Around the World in 80 days); the crew of the “Dawn Treader” (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader); Dorothy and friends (The Wizard of Oz); Christiana, her sons, Mercy, and the other pilgrims (The Pilgrim’s Progress)

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Chain of Thoughts on My Family's Christmas 2013 Trip

During the Christmas week (Dec 21-30), my family went travelling around Cavite, Laguna, Metro Manila, Baguio, and La Union.  We attended a wedding, had reunions with friends and relatives, went to see the sights, and had the obligatory picture-takings.  Here are some of my notes and insights during the trip:

 - I forgot to bring my sunglasses.  And couldn’t find a new pair that would fit/look good on me during the entire time of our travel.  Its absence was a constant disadvantage to me throughout the trip.

- Nagged a lot about air con buses.  Travelling at night in them is freezing.  That is already uncomfortable, but it also totally enhances every other travelling discomfort a traveler has.

- Food and other products sold in bus “stop-overs” are around 50% (of its reasonable, usual selling price) overpriced.  If I have the mind of a conspiracy theorist, my train of thinking won’t find it hard to find a correlation between the air con buses and the “stop-overs”; air con buses would make their interiors horribly cold on purpose, so that their passengers would be forced to buy overpriced cup noodles or coffee to offset the coldness.  That’s how I see it.

- I find the staff and management of fast food chains in Legazpi friendlier and more efficient than the staff and management of the fast food chains we have encountered during our trip.  Especially in Pacita Complex, San Pedro, Laguna; the KFC branch there almost ruined the Christmas Eve for us.

- Went to Enhanted Kingdom for the first time.  The only available tickets are those for unlimited rides, so we had those.  I rode this bad boy…

…and was so shaken by the experience that I refused to try other rides anymore (4D movie doesn’t count as a ride).  Look.  Throughout my life, I never rode any carnival rides more extreme than the Ferris Wheel.  Thus, I was not used to it.  Also had a headache afterwards.

- It’s still my dream to go to Disneyland someday.   But I’ll probably avoid the extreme rides. 

- Funny how people are willing to pay money so that they can experience terror. 

- Went to Manila Zoo for the first time.  I’ve got the same opinion of it as I have its city: it’s crowded and unimpressive.  It was the first time I saw an elephant and a hippo in person though. 

The elephant was as bored as me.

- Seriously.  Metro Manila’s air is thick with pollution.  And there’s too much traffic and crowds.  I don’t have the patience and the constitution to live in it. 

- Also went to Luneta and Manila Ocean Park (but did not go see any shows) for the first time.  (Also dropped by Mall of Asia [my third time to be there])   

The thing that thrilled me about Manila Ocean Park was there’s a great view of a US Navy ship docked in Manila de Bay.  I feel like a badass.

- Saw this in Luneta:  

The Korean War was arguably the time in which the Filipino military had its shiniest moment in international warfare history.  

- Baguio’s road ambience, taxis (which mostly are large cars like Crosswinds and Innovas), and taxi drivers’ driving greatly reminded me of the anime Initial D.

- The place we stayed in Baguio – Asia Pacific Thelogical Seminary (APTS) – has a more awesome view that Mines View Park. 

 I exaggerate not.

- Baguio is a pretty nice place.  Especially where the trees are rampant (particularly, Camp John Hay).  We checked out all the sites there.

Burnham Park. Only tourist spot in Baguio where we encountered beggars.

Strawberry farm.  Was foggy when we went there.  Fog is a staple there; greatly reminds me of horror films and Silent Hill.

Bell Church.  Seriously, why is there a lot of Chinese temples in our country?  Just shows how significant and deep China influences our country.  Let’s not pretend that we’re going to war with them someday.  Sigh.  Our country is more or less prepared for occupation.  Hmp. 

Mine’s View Park. Very crowded with tourists.  Taking photos with St. Bernards is a trademark in this place.  I was not interested in having a picture taken with a costumed Beethoven, until I saw this dog dressed as an Igorot.  Now, that’s brilliant and adorable.  I just had to have a photo with it.  His name’s “Casper.”  No one there was clever enough to name a St. Bernard “Beethoven.”

The Mansion. According to what I heard, the President is supposed to be spending his vacation there till New Year.

 Clean Comfort Room. You can find this in all tourist spots in Baguio. It seems there are more of these than McDonald’s branches in Baguio.

Botanical Garden. There’s a miniature Golden Gate bridge where you can pretend you are a Kaiju on an onslaught.

And I can’t help but pretend that this is the yellow brick road towards Emerald City. 

 Camp John Hay. This is, hands down, the best part of Baguio.

First thing that came to my mind when I saw the awesome forest sceneries: “Let’s take pictures as if we’re in the Hunger Games!” 

“Ukay-Ukay” at Harrison Road. Tried my hand on it. No luck getting some cool stuff. Just not my thing, maybe.

This Haunted House? It’s President Marcos’ former property, seized by the PCGG.

- Baguio City, though generally refreshing because of the dominant nature presence, is not immune to littering and garbage mismanagement problems.

- There was also some medium to heavy traffic in Baguio when we were there.  This is due to the amount of tourists – many of whom brought their own vehicles with them – coming up to the city at that time of year.  Getting a taxi ride is a hassle, too.   Baguio is probably as crowded in Christmas season as it is during the summer.

- After Baguio, we went to La Union, our last stop. 

After the cool, foggy mountain comes the hot, steamy beach.

- To Kuya Orly, Ate Ana and Kuya Edgar, Kuya Griam, Pastor Rey and Ma’am June, Ate Remy, Pastor Arlan and Family, Kuya Oca and Ate Pressy, and the entire Trinity Gospel Church – San Fernando: my family is greatly thankful for your loving hearts, as you graciously served as our hosts, tour guides, and/or liaisons that made our trip a truly blessed one.  May God bless you greatly for your generosity and thoughtfulness. 

- “Home is where the heart is.”  That is so true.  Was so restless to go back home.  So restless to go back to my heart.     

For more photos of the trip, check them out in “My Photos”; these memories are now part of my life in pictures… 

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