Sunday, October 29, 2017

Our short trip in Singapore

Our first trip in Singapore was short but sweet. We only stayed for 4 days & 3 nights as our main agenda was to show our support to Jan's younger sister who competed and represented Philippines along with her schoolmates in the International Global Link Issues which was participated by different schools in South East Asia. While at the same time, we also took this opportunity to visit the Lion City's famous landmarks.

I have no wonder why many expats chose to live in this little nation despite for its reputation to be one of the most expensive countries to live in. Singapore is multi-cultural and no race discrimination at all. Having said that, there are a lot of local & international cuisines everywhere that cater to its local & foreign residence such as Malay, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Western Cuisines etc.. you name it. For me, Singapore is like a country that celebrates United Nation everyday. :P And I love that the locals are very warm & friendly, too!

Day 1:

Yummy Inflight Meal of Philippine Airlines :)

Just Arrived at Changi Airport with Jan's beautiful sister



 We stayed in Hotel G located near the busy street of Bugis. The hotel has modern design with the most comfortable bed, serves delicious buffet breakfast & also provides its guests with complimentary use of handy phone equipped with internet and free local calls & texts. It was extremely hot during our stay in Singapore so the phone was really useful for us in booking our taxi using grab a taxi app & communicating to each other thru messenger. In addition, the hotel staff are always very helpful & friendly. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone who are looking for a hotel to stay in SG.

Our lovely King Room in Hotel G. See the cute dreamcatcher accent light?

 In our first night, we had a leisurely walk around Marina Bay Sands.. the LV building catches everyone's attention with its glittery-shinny-shimmery interior which screams glam & class!

 We were also able to witness a beautiful fountain show along the bay.. 

 The Marina Bay Shopping Mall which is home to hundreds of high-end & luxurious brands.

With mi-amor 

Day 2:

The competition was held at the Singapore University. And here we are all sweaty locating for the auditorium. Haha. We didnt expect how huge the Singapore University is! Every department has it's own building with first-class facilities and the student's dorm are like luxury condos. I wonder how expensive it is to study here..

The football field of Singapore University is sooo huge and well-maintained...

The Bansud Elem School Students . They are the only school (out of 200 schools & Universities in South East Asia) who won 3 major awards and one of their team was also given a special invitation to visit Japan. Isn't it these kids are so cool?

The proud Mom & Kuya!

Ofcourse, we wouldnt leave without experiencing Singapore's famous chili crab..  I was surprised how expensive their chili crab is.. for a 600 grams one piece crab.. price was SG$68 .. that's totally a rip off! hahaha

After the presentation, we visited Singapore's most iconic landmark.. the Merlion Park with the famous Merlion Statue 

 Under the scorching sun.. There are absolutely a lot of impressive and futuristic architecture in SG.

 Merlion Park is always jampacked with tourists and locals alike even under the extreme hot temperature

I should train my boyfriend to take a shot in the camera. Look just how unfair our shot to each other with the Merlion Statue... :D

And then we headed next to Gardens by the bay with Jan's mother. It's so beautiful to stroll around the garden at night with it's vibrant and colorful lights..

The Marina Bay Sands Hotel & Casino

Dead tired but happy :)

Day 3:

Our third and final day in SG was spent in a day of exploring the Universal Studios.



  





Singapore version of Halo-Halo.. Cha Cha Bobo..
So that's about our short trip in Singapore. I hope to visit some of it's flea markets.. Bugis (yes, I was not able to visit it despite its close proximity from our hotel :P ), China town & little India and also check Singapore's museums, Clark Quay & East Coast Park when we come back. 
Always,
Rica ♡

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Saturday, August 05, 2017

7 days Itinerary in Seoul, Korea



We went in Seoul during the Spring just in time for full-bloomed of Cherry Flowers and we're happy that we decided to stay for 8 days which allow us to visit every attraction listed in our itinerary in a leisurely pace. When I was still planning our trip my first question was.. where is the best district to stay in Seoul? I searched thru tripadvisor and recommendations were Myeongdong, Jongno and Hongdae . We ended up staying in Jongno as we found a good hotel in that area that seemed to fit our preference and budget-- and it turned out to be the wisest decision we have ever made.

Where did we stay?

King Deluxe Room of Hotel Atrium Seoul


We stayed in Hotel Atrium located at the prime area of Jongno. It is near subway line 5 and 3 which has easy access to anywhere we want to go in Seoul via mrt. The famous Gwangjang market is across the hotel and Jongyom Shrine and Insadong are walking distance. While Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, the 5 grand Palaces and Bukchon Hanok village are just a short taxi ride away. If you prefer to take the train, it is just one-two stops away from the nearby subway line 5 so the location of this hotel is definitely good. I even read some comments from guests who stayed in this hotel that they only walk from hotel to the 5 grand palaces and Dongdaemun although I could imagine how much walk they did :P The hotel is also near to many restaurants, coffee shops and convenience stores.

How to get around?

For short distance tourist attractions, we prefer to walk or take a taxi. We were surprised that taxi rate in Korea is actually not as high as we thought. In fact, the cost if you take the train vs. taxi is just almost the same less the long walk in between subways. For example.. our taxi fare from our hotel to Gyeongbokgung Palace costs 4000won (PHP177) , from our hotel to Myeongdong costs only 6000won (PHP266) while Basic fare to a single journey train ride is 1350won (PHP60). So if you're travelling as a couple or group of 4.. taxi is your best bet for exploring Seoul in a short distance destination. For long distance  tourist attractions like going to Gangnam & Nami Island from Jongno, we took mrt. 

Food expense

  • Single descent rice/noodle meal in Seoul costs 7,000won (PHP309.00) - 15,000won(PHP662.00) 
  • Ordering a cafe latte/frappe in coffee shops costs 3,000won (PHP133.00)- 7,000won (PHP309.00)

Here is a Suggested Itinerary for a 7 days  in Seoul.  (say you will arrive in Seoul in the afternoon.. two days of which will be spent for travel to and going back to your country). I customize the itinerary based on the proximity of attractions from each other :

Day 1: Arrived in Seoul. Check in at the Hotel and rest for a bit. Visit myeongdong at night for streetfood trippin and shopping. 
Day 2: Visit the 5 grand palaces and Bukchon Hanok Village (in our case, we only visited one palace which is the Gyeongbokgung Palace). For a more fun experience, you may want to rent out a Hanbok as you explore the vicinity of the palace.
Day 3: Insadong, Kwangjang market & Dongdaemun
Day 4: Nami Island, Petit France & Garden of Morning Calm 
Day 5: N Seoul Tower & Gangnam
Day 6: Hongdae and University Quarter ( I wish we included this in our itinerary!)
Day 7: Last minute souvenir shopping and head to airport

Tips:

  • For easy navigation of Seoul via MRT.. download Seoul Subway Map App .  You could access this app even without internet connection.
  • Exchange your dollar in local banks in Seoul.. they give better rates compare to Airport
  • Electricity used is 220 volts. Plugs are two round pins so better to bring square pin socket/adaptor just in case your hotel wont provide it.
  • During our stay (2nd week of April), day temperature ranges from 11-19 degree Celsius while night temp ranges from 3-13 degree Celsius. Accuweather says temperature would be around 20ish but it was colder when we arrived. Good thing we came prepared with spring coats!
  • Whenever we travel, I always keep in handy a medication bag that consists of basic items such as Biogesic (for minor body aches such as headache, minor arthritis and menstrual cramps), Leporamide for LBM and Motillum for stomach upset, bonamin (for dizzyness), band aid, vicks and our vitamins C & B complex. it's always better to be prepared especially if you're not used to spicy foods and soju!
  • And ofcourse, always wear comfortable shoes.

Hope this help! Happy planning on your trip to Seoul!

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Part 6: Seoul Series: Last day in Seoul

Our 7th and last full day in Seoul was a free day. We decided to revisit Insadong since it's just walking distance from our hotel accommodation. We just wander around the district and bought tons of facial masks in Misha, traditional korean cookies and grocery shop for more korean goods such as red pepper sauce, cup noodles, Maxim coffee etc to bring home & give as a souvenir gifts. 
  Our brunch! Reminds me of Japanese Tonkatsu.
 Look of the day! I miss the cold weather
 On our way to Insadong..
 I'm craving of this banana milk drink at this very moment!! I drink this twice a day in Korea. 
 Our lunch before heading to the airport. We're gonna miss Seoul & Korean Foods!!
 Lotte advertisement inside the airport bus featuring my Lee Jung-Suk oppa


Before we board the plane.. we had another korean fried chicken! I have no wonder why I gained 6 kilos when we returned home in the Philippines. Korean foods are really addicting!
The only thing that I literally got myself from our trip. I dont know what I was thinking. :D

So that sums up our 8 days adventure in Seoul South Korea. 8 days went by so quickly because we definitely enjoy every single time we spent in Seoul. The rich history, culture, the incredibly delicious foods, the helpful and kind locals and a lot more are just some of the many reasons why we love Korea. When we come back, I will definitely include in our itinerary visiting LMH in the Gangnam ward office he is based in (i heard that he shakes hand with his fans waiting for him outside the office everyday) and eat Jaljamyeong, chicken with ginseng and ramyun with cheese because we weren't able to try those while in korea and ofcourse to drink banana milk TWICE every single day. Cant wait to come back soon! I want to see Korea in it's other season.. perhaps Fall or Winter?

 Always,




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Sunday, May 28, 2017

Part 5: Seoul Series- Nami Island

It was extra cold and windy when we went in Nami Island. Probably the coldest day during our stay with day temperature ranges from 7-12 degree Celsius which is quite low compare to the previous days. I could imagine how cold it would be in Nami during the winter season specially when you're surrounded with many trees blowing strong and cold winds. 😨  We arrived in Cheongpyeong (the district where Nami is located) at around 11:30am so we decided to have our lunch first in a restaurant near the ferry wharf that offers Dak galbi before we head to the Island. Actually, we didn't see any restaurant in the area that offers anything else aside from Dak Galbi so we concluded that it must have been the Cheongpyeong's delicacy. 
Behind our smile.. our teeth was actually chattering because of the chilly weather while waiting for Train to Nami 
Dak Galbi for Lunch! :)
Dak Galbi (spicy stir fried chicken) consists of chicken meat, cabbage, tteokbokki, sweet potatoes and other vegetables seasoned with chilli-pepper sauce... Nom  nom nom.
We thought the portion was too big for us but we actually finished it all! :P
Short ferry ride to the Island

 Nami Island has gained popularity in the early 2000's as the romantic setting of the hit Korean Drama.. "Winter Sonata". It was in that time that K-drama started to boom in the Philippines which I remember was first aired in GMA 7. There is basically nothing to do here but only to appreciate the beauty of nature. Although the island was quite jampacked with tourists.. there's no way we can deny how beautiful Nami Island is.. We were surprised that Nami Island has its own currency, flag and a visa issued by Namira is required to enter the Island (although the consul just collected our ticket and asked our Nationality). We later found out that Namira Republic declared itself as a governing country in 2006 in honor of General Nami's greatness. We also saw some souvenir and  coffee shops, restaurants, hotels and money changer in the island. Admission fee for foreign nationals is 8000 won which includes round-trip ferry while 10,000 won for the Locals which is quite surprising because if it was in the Philippines.. it is the other way around. :P


Our favorite spot in Nami.. the sparkling water is just so beautiful

another favorite spot here are the tall cherry trees near the lake.
A tour in Nami Island wouldn't be complete without a souvenir shot in it's famous tall trees.. 


The winter sonata statue



Coffee and Ice cream break in Sonata Cafe

We capped the night with a delicious dinner of mandu, noodles and bimbimpab in Kwangjang market.
Mandu (Korean Dumplings)
Bimbimpab for the 4th time :P
Mandu noodle soup
Always,
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Saturday, May 27, 2017

Part 4: Seoul Series- Kwangjang Market & Gangnam


KwangJang or Gwangjang Market is the nation's oldest and largest traditional market and is the local's favorite for stores selling linens, silk and hanbok. But for tourists like us.. it is the haven for FOOD.. especially the streetfoods. The hardest part is making a selection as every food stall looked and smelled amazing. Among the popular streetfoods here are Tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), Odeng (soup fish cake), Sundae (blood sausage), Pajeon (Korean vegetable pancake), bibimbap, Mandu (dumplings) and Yukhoe (seasoned raw beef). It was really a regret that we only visited this market on our 5th day when it is only located across the hotel we stayed in .. We should have visited everyday :P
The Kwangjang Market

Late lunch of Korean pancake, fried mixed veggies, tofu and meat. Yummy!

Our order being cooked in front of us.

Taaddaaaahhh... 
After our delicious lunch we then headed next to Gangnam..
Gangnam is said to be the neighborhood for the rich and famous in Korea (in 2007, Gangnam was ranked as the 10th expensive shopping center), thus, made PSY's 2012 Hit Song.. "Oppa Gangnam Style" -- Oppa refers to boyfriend/ close guy friend or brother and Gangnam style (or rich style) for an oppa who lives in Gangnam. The hit song has made a big impact to music and tourism industry not only in Gangnam district but to the whole South Korea. As a tribute for his contribution in boosting the City's tourism.. a stage dedicated for him with his popular horse dance was made located right beside the Gangnam station exit 11. The area surrounding the station are important commercial and entertainment district with many impressive buildings, shops, bar, clubs and restaurant . We just roamed around and appreciate the modern & vibrant City. 
Jan right at the center of Gangnam Station

Gangnam Road
Impressive buildings everywhere



The people of Gangnam dresses nicely too

Tae Tea :P

Yummy strawberry Shake

The neighborhood of rich and famous

Tribute Stage of PSY right beside Exit 11 of Gangnam Station

For dinner, we had another delicious sangyeopsal dinner in a restaurant near the alley of the station. We ordered a set of meal with pork belly+pork shoulder+squid barbecue+kimchi jjigage+1 drink for 31,000 won. We also add up Cass beer and rice to complete our sumptuous dinner..


To be continued...
Always,



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