2014 Dec: Philippines: Manila: Christmas Lights

Christmas spirit in the hearts of every Filipino starts on the first day of September.  You should not be surprise when you hear greetings of "Merry Christmas" by then.  Some radio stations would start to play Christmas carols too.  Soon you'll feel the rush and the very terrible Christmas traffic is all streets of the metro.

Check out some lights and decors displayed in the city.

High Street

University of Santo Tomas 

Japan: Tokyo: 4 days Autumn Itinerary

Travel Dates
29 NOV SAT 05:25AM NAIA T3 - 10:13AM NARITA T2
03 DEC WED 11:45AM NARITA - 03:45PM NAIA T3

2014 Dec: Japan: Tokyo: Christmas Illumination

Where to find Robert Indiana's LOVE in Tokyo? It is in Shinjuku I Land Tower.

JR Shinjuku Sta. (West Exit) - 10 min. walk OR Marunouchi Line Nishi-shinjuku Sta. - 2 min. walk

2014 Nov: Japan: Chiba (Tokyo): Disneysea

Tokyo DisneySea (東京ディズニーシー) is a 176-acre (71.22 ha) theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort located in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, just outside Tokyo. [Reference]

This year's theme is Disney Sea:  "Christmas Wishes".

Right after I pass through the ticket gates, I already saw Minnie's Photo-Op queue. I continue my journey and saw the start of the Holiday Greeting show, since it's too crowded, I went back and waited in the queue.

2014 Nov: Japan: Tokyo: Odaiba

Odaiba (お台場) is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, Japan, across the Rainbow Bridge from central Tokyo. [Reference]

What to do in Odaiba?

I wanted to go there initially because of Ooedo-Onsen-Monogatari, but due to the personal concerns on Fukushima and onsen; with heavy rain where most of the tourists would also go there, I have decided to skip it.  Instead below were visited on the island:

Rainbow Bridge

Odaiba Statue of Liberty

Transportation: Daiba Station (Yurikamome line), Exit 1.

2014 Nov: Japan: Tokyo: Autumn Report

Due to weather condition between my visit in Nov 29 - Dec 03, I was able to see very limited places for the koyo hunting.

Tokyo University - Hongo Campus

Take Metro Nanboku Line and drop-off at Todaimae Station.  The university seems to be open to the public since I felt welcome when I come in.

I took the internal overpass to get into the Main Campus.  Follow the direction parallel to Hongo St.  By the time you reached the Red Gate, close to Metro Marunouchi Line, Hongo-Sanchome Station, you already have seen the following autumn scenes. [taken by nikon d40]

2014 Nov: Japan: Tokyo: Lake Kawaguchiko

Travel Date: 30-Nov-2014

Are you looking for options on how to view Mt. Fuji, famous options would be the 5th station, Kawaguchiko or Hakone.  

How to reach Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo? Find your way to Shinjuku and book your bus from the available options found in http://highway-buses.jp/fuji/.

Getting a bit lost on my way from JR West Gate to Bus Terminal, paying the reserved ticket in the counter and rushing to Platform 2 - I’m the last one to board the 7:40am bus heading to Lake Kawaguchiko.  We arrived after 9am in the terminal, but sadly the Red Retro Sightseeing bus is not operating due to Fujisan Marathon - so they mean that I have to walk along the Kawaguchiko attractions.

[Updated 25-Oct-2015] Upon checking maps.google.com, I walked almost 3.5 km at 9.1 Celsius average temperature last year. Ref

My initial plan to take the bus until Music Forest and walk back to Kawaguchiko Station. But with the activity, I did the opposite and started walking.  

Upon arrival I saw the peak covered with snow, this is the only photo that was taken.

One and only photo taken on Fujisan peak upon arrival (still inside the bus) to Lake Kawaguchiko.

After taking a break, the next time I saw it everything is covered with clouds!  I just learned from the station that service to Fifth station is cancelled due to snow.

2014 Nov: Japan: Tokyo: Roppongi

Roppongi is a district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan, famous as home to the rich Roppongi Hills area. Many foreign embassies are located in Roppongi.

The name "Roppongi", which appears to have been coined around 1660, literally means "six trees". Six very old and large zelkova trees used to mark the area; the first three were cleared, and the last were destroyed during World War II. [Reference]

What Roppongi offered me on this trip?

Franciscan Chapel Center (Roman Catholic) - The English-Speaking Roman

Catholic Parish of the Archdiocese of Tokyo

Address 4-2-37 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032 JAPAN

Website: http://franciscanchapelcentertokyo.org/

All English Mass: Sat 8 AM, **6 PM**; Sundays 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 Noon 6 PM

References:

Catholic Church: http://franciscanchapelcentertokyo.org/Table/Mass-Bulletin/

Map: http://franciscanchapelcentertokyo.org/map-a-directions.html 

http://franciscanchapelcentertokyo.org/images/stories/Sunday_Bulletin/FCC%20Map-Schedule%20Card%202012.pdf

Maman (sculpture) 

It is a bronze, stainless steel, and marble sculpture by the artist Louise Bourgeois. The sculpture, which depicts a spider, is among the world's largest, measuring over 30 ft high and over 33 ft wide (927 x 891 x 1024 cm).[1] It includes a sac containing 26 marble eggs and its abdomen and thorax are made up of ribbed bronze. The title is the familiar French word for Mother.

It alludes to the strength of Bourgeois' mother, with metaphors of spinning, weaving, nurture and protection.

The Spider is an ode to my mother. She was my best friend. Like a spider, my mother was a weaver. My family was in the business of tapestry restoration, and my mother was in charge of the workshop. Like spiders, my mother was very clever. So, spiders are helpful and protective, just like my mother.

— Louise Bourgeois

[Reference]

2014 Nov: Japan: Tokyo: Oishii Experience!

Sharing with you oishii experience in Kanto, Japan!  Oishii (おいしい), meaning: nice; tasty; delicious.

Location: Restaurant along Ningyocho St.

Preference: 8 out of 10

Food: Zuke Maguro Tsukimi Don - seasoned tuna bowl with raw egg malted bean sauce

Value: 650 yen = 325 php

Atmosphere: Local/Traditional

Location: Hakata Ippudo, Roppongi

Preference: 9 out of 10

Food: Shiromau Classic - Ippudo's original tonkotsu broth served with ultra-thin noodles, pork belly, bean sprouts, black fungus and spring onions. Classic Hakata-style ramen.

Value: 780 yen = 390 php

Atmosphere: Local/Traditional

2014 Nov: Japan: Tokyo: Hotel Horidome Villa

Hotel Horidome Villa (Tokyo, Japan)

Address: 1-10-10 Horidome-Cho Nihonbashi,Chuo-Ku, Tokyo Station / Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan 

Book Hotel Horidome Villa, Tokyo in Agoda

Stayed: Nov 29-Dec 03, 2014 (4 nights) 

Price - Affordable for a decent and a bit old hotel in the middle of expensive city of Tokyo.  Small Double Bed - Non Smoking with Free Wi-Fi (PHP 9,494.23 (USD 217.69), 2014).  I found this the cheapest in agoda.com, but willing to try airbnb.com for my next trip in Nagoya.

Also, the price fit my Agoda points, so I got a night free of charge.  Thanks to Agoda.

Location - Accessible. Located in Chuo City (near Tokyo) and is in between 2 stations that are connected to different Lines which makes it very accessible.

• Ningyōchō Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line; Toei Asakusa Line)
• Kodemmachō Station (Hibiya Line)

From the Airport:

The cheapest option to take is Narita Access Line.

At Asakusa or Higashi-Nihombashi station, transfer to Hibiya Line to reach Ningyocho (Exit 6 is with elevator service) cross towards Exit 5 and continue walking along Ningyocho St.

Staying Safe and Avoiding Travel Emergencies

Every adventure whether road trip or flight destinations can have it's up and down moment. What's important is to learn to let go and move to the next entry in your itinerary. Below are things you might want to re-consider in your next trip.

Read the map.

Know in advance where you are heading to.  Find the central train stations and bus terminals.  Try to study the nearest subway exits to reduce walking time.  Check the closest banks, hospitals or drugstores near your hotel.

Download offline maps and travel guide applications.  If you are a bus rider going to Singapore, you may want to download their application. Going to Seoul and traveling on train, then load this tool.  Heading to US and having a road trip alone, visit Turo. Study your GPS navigation system - you don't know when you'll need it.

Don't forget to get lost! That's when you'll experience the real adventure.

 

Know the latest!

Listen to the news and the latest happenings in the metro.  If you can't avoid your trip and learned that there is national issue ongoing to your destination, do more research on the places where you can stay safe.  Avoid demonstrations and heightened police areas as it may be dangerous for foreigner like you as you might not understand what's happening as the locals speak.

Know upcoming transportation strikes, road closures for festivals (like Philippine provincial street parties or Fuji-san marathon) and all-shutdown holidays (like Nepi Day in Bali) or attractions with scheduled preventive maintenance (like gondola or cable car service). 

What's the weather?

You may be dreaming to see snow, but you should know when to avoid blizzard.   

You also don't want to spend all your day and night in the hotel or  getting stuck in traffic for hours, just because the city is under a bad weather.

 

Do you still have the money?

Carry money that is beyond your budget.  Notify your credit card provider that you are traveling abroad to allow foreign transactions.  

Keep in mind that this is not for your shopping spree.  You'll never know when emergencies happen.  It can be simple as you’ll need to buy new boots due to your frozen feet when using your old gamuza type of shoes during a sudden rainy autumn day. Or you unexpectedly need a jacket since you missed to check that you brought a wilting leather suit.  Or it can be a shocking sight in the arrival belt that you’ll receive your luggage on its broken state. And you can no longer bring it back home, so you need to buy a new luggage.

Worst is being affected by weather condition and getting delayed or canceled flights. You'll need to have money to provide yourself additional unaccounted meals and accommodation that is beyond your prepared budget.

Stay connected.

You maybe out on your solo adventure, hibernating from the bustling busy life in your home city - but don't make your family worry about you.

Have a constant communication with them with your day's itinerary and your whereabouts – It’s not just you reporting to them, but also you knowing the latest with the people you left behind for your trip.  Be good even when you are away from home.  Take note you will still need their approval on your next adventure.

Article requested by Emma Powers, the Community Coordinator at Turo. They are a peer-to-peer sharing car rental service, and with the shift to more of a sharing economy, we are inspired by personal experiences and advice.  I have not personally tried the service, but for safety and security read. 

2014 Oct: Autumn Itinerary to Seoul, South Korea (University Hopping)

Note: If first time traveler to Seoul, please visit the detailed entry and guide on Itinerary for First-time Visitors or see more autumn itinerary options on this link.

Accommodation: Where to stay in Seoul?
Hotel Name: 24 Guesthouse Sinchon Style
Address: 57-17 Changcheon-dong (24 Yonsei-ro 5na-gil), Seodaemun-gu, Shinchon / Hongdae/Seoul/South Korea

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, Points of Interest, What to do in Seoul in 4 days?
Travel Date: October 24-27, 2014

2014 Oct: South Korea: Gyeonggi: My Love from the Star at Kintex

You think it’s over?!  It ended last August 15, 2014 in Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Jung-gu, but the star will continue to shine from Kintex, Ilsan-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do until August 31, 2015.

On a personal note, not much of the bloggers have been posting about the movement of the exhibition to Kintex. I learned about it from a small shop in DDP that it was moved.  So on our last day before departure, we choose to suddenly change our itinerary and skip:

-Bukchon for the palace walls, art paintings and breakfast at LN cafe

-Trick Eye and Ice Museum at Hongdae

It took us an hour to reach Daehwa station from Sinchon.  And another 30 minutes to reach the Outdoor Special Exhibition (near Kintex 2, Hall 8).  Don’t worry about getting lost as there will be a lot of signs and direction pointing to the star’s location. 

Exhibition Period: 2014.9.5 - 2015.8.31

Exhibition Time: 10:00 - 19:00

Admission: 15,000krw (Adult)

Website (Bus Access): http://lovefromstar.sbs.co.kr/main_english.html

How to get there? [Google Maps] Line 3 (Ilsan Line), Daehwa Station, Exit 1 (750m for Kintex)

The Story

My Love from the Star (You Who Came from the Stars) is a South Korean television series about an alien who landed on Earth in the Joseon Dynasty and, 400 years later, falls in love with a top actress in the modern era. 

The fantasy romance stars Kim Soo-hyun (Do Min-joon, DMJ) and Jun Ji-hyun (Cheon Song-yi, CSY) (who is the famous Sassy Girl and her small screen comeback after 14 years). They are the very first male and female lead to win the Grand Prize ("Daesang") with a same drama. [Reference]

The Experience

We were welcomed by Lyn's song as we give our tickets to the staff.  

You’re my destiny, you are

You’re my everything,

The thing that hasn’t changed is my love for you

Then the exhibit started as we push the wall, just like DMJ in his unit when he gets into the library.

Zone 1 - Exhibition of the black robes used by the aliens, palanquin (sedan chair) used on the cliff, costumes, umbrella and hairpin from Joseon Dynasty

I can consider it interactive since some of those exhibited can be touched, you'll be allowed to carry traditional umbrellas, seat on CSY bed, photo shoot on the library, and others.

2014 Oct: South Korea: Jamsil: Rubber Duck Project

Rubber Duck is any of several giant floating sculptures designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_Duck_(sculpture)

South Korea: English Catholic Mass

Church goers normally go to Myeongdong Cathedral for mass, since it is easily accessible, known to many tourists, located in shopping area, visible on blogs and websites.

Last February 2014, I’ve been to Yakhyeon Church, but there is no formal mass and no English mass.

This October 2014, we have visited Yeoksam Catholic Church - Roman Catholic.

Yeoksam Catholic Church - Roman Catholic

Where: Yeoksam-dong 722-9, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea 02-553-0801. 

How to go there: Line #2 (green line) Yeoksam Station, Exit 1

Mass Schedule: English Mass on Sundays 9:00 at Basement 2 (KyungHwan-dang Chapel)  

The main church holds Korean mass. Ask around or go to basement 2 and find the main door (KyungHwan-dang Chapel) for the English mass at around 9:00-9:30am Sundays.

Below is the list of other English Catholic Mass around Seoul.

Date Visited: 2014 October

For Filipino or Tagalog Mass or other languages, visit this page for details. 
Forum discussion posted on: http://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/ShowTopic-g294197-i8161-k7914889-English_Catholic_Mass_in_Seoul-Seoul.html | Other references

There is another English mass at Sogang University on Sun. 7:30 P.M at subway DaeHeung station line 6

Summary of 4 days itinerary in 2014 Autumn Seoul Trip:

Day	Places to see	Food and Restaurants	Where to Sleep
Day 1	Dong Seoul Bus Terminal Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal Seoraksan	Seoraksan	24 Guesthouse Sinchon Style
Day 2	Yonsei University Ewha Womans University Museum Hongik University Hongdae Market City Hall: Deoksugung	Ewha Food Court/Canteen Haha's Restaurant Dunkin Donuts	24 Guesthouse Sinchon Style
Day 3	Yeoksam Catholic Church Garosu-gil Road, Gangnam Rubber Ducky at Jamsil DDP - Dongdaemun Design Plaza	The Kona Coffee & Kona Beans Ace Pizza Club Chicken Bus	24 Guesthouse Sinchon Style
Day 4	Kintex for My Love from the Stars	Café del Tren Kintex: With My Recipe Korean Dessert Café Global Kitchen @ Incheon	24 Guesthouse Sinchon Style

2014 Oct: South Korea: Seoulful Taste

Ewha University Food Hall

Preference: 9 out of 10

Location: Ewha Campus Complex (B4), 11-1, Daehyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Food: Pork cutlet

Value: 6000krw (240php, 2014)

Atmosphere: Since inside the university, it's a cozy place for studying while eating. Food is very affordable.

Haha's Restaurant (401 Loco Quan)
Preference: 7 out of 10
Food: Jeju pork belly
Value: Expensive - 31000krw (1240php, 2014)
Atmosphere: Mostly offer galbi (variety of grilled dishes in Korean cuisine). Has a raggae theme, influenced by the Haha's favorite singer Bob Marley.  Menu are mostly on pork side, hoping they could add more like beef/chicken/seafood as choices for the grilling.

Pal Ja Mak Chang (paljamakchang restaurant) - BBQ Joint in Korea 팔자막창
395-17 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울시 마포구 서교동 395-17)

As a fan of Running Man, this restaurant is must-visit for me.  The one in Hongdae is managed by Haha, while the one in Gangnam belongs to Leesang Gary. [Read]

2014 Oct: South Korea: 24 Guesthouse Sinchon Style

On this fourth trip in Seoul, we wanted to move out of comfort zone - Myeongdong. Thus, we are rooting to stay in university area. Our choice in Ewha is a bit near the bars, staying in Hongik is a bit crazy-chaotic experience.  So, we decided to stay in the middle, Sinchon station.

24 Guesthouse - Sinchon Style (24게스트하우스-신촌스타일)
Address: 24, Yonsei-ro 5na-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Changcheon-dong)
서울특별시 서대문구 연세로5나길 24 (창천동)
Email: sinchonstyle@naver.com
Website: http://sinchonstyle.24guesthouse.co.kr/
Book 24 Guesthouse Sinchon Hongdae (Sinchonstyle), Seoul in Agoda
Review on tripadvisor.com

Price: Affordable: (PHP 8,856.70 (USD 199.32) for 4 nights on Twin Bed Room - Double Deck)

Compared to Myeongdong (Exit 8) guesthouses, this is a bit cheaper. 

Location: Good. Accessible by airport bus. Lot of restaurants nearby, but there are those that will require you to select meals (15000) each, no sharing. There are a couple of bars and drinking sessions around. It is also close to 2 convenient stores - 7/11 and CU. Across the main road is Hanaro (Hana Mart) where you can buy your returning presents (omiyage/pasalubong). It is also just walking distance (15-20 minutes) to Yonsei and Ewha universities. 

2014 August: Singapore and Malaysia: Itinerary

Actual Travel Date: 13 Aug – 17 Aug 0040H
Route: MNL to SG to Malacca to SG to MNL

2014 August: Malaysia: Malacca

Weeks before the trip, I already bought my bus ticket for Singapore to Melaka vise versa in http://www.easybook.com/.  (Just be warned that after few days after my online transaction, I got a call from my provider that someone out there tried to use my account.  So be careful on this site) 

 I started my journey from Bugis area in Arab street going to Queen St. to take the 707 bus. 

  

Make sure to surrender your printed ticket to the bus ticket counter to get the bus plate no. Take note that assigned buses normally wait for only 20 mins along Queen St and not inside the bus parking lot.

After an hour you'll reach the Singapore Immigration. After crossing the bridge, it is around 10-15 minutes, before you step out again, this time for the Malaysia Immigration. 

  

Two hours more before we reached Melaka Sentral.  I told the driver I should be dropped off in Casa Del Rio, but he still checked inside the ticket office, before he headed to our way. 

  

I'm not sure what are his plans, there are other passengers saying specific hotels as well.  What I did is to volunteer to drop off at Megamall since I'm familiar on its location from research, than let the driver roam around the area and waste my time inside the bus.

Dataran Pahlawan Megamall Melaka 

F10-01, Hatten Square, Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir,  75000 Melaka. (Open: 10-10p) 

*Padini Concept Store - BW-009 & BW-011/ Lower Ground Floor   

*Vincci - BW-008 & BW009 

Padini and Vincci are disappointing, I was not able to see something to buy.

Flora del Mar Maritime Museum
Location: Muzium Samudera, (the Flora De La Ma), Jalan Quayside, 75000 Malacca
Open Daily: 09:00 hrs - 17:30 hrs
Fri: 09:00 hrs - 12:15 hrs, 14:45 - 17:30
Fee: 6RM (90 PH), for few bucks you'll get to rent this ausio guide.
Tip: On traveling, make sure you carry with you your own ear phones, to keep things clean.

2014 August: Singapore: Philatelic Museum

Singapore Philatelic Museum
Address: 23-B Coleman Street, Singapore 179807
Website: https://www.spm.org.sg

What is Philately?
Philately is...  More than just Stamps!

Philately is the hobby of collecting 

and learning about postage stamps.

-Collins Cobuild Advance Learner's English Disctionary

Language of Philately

2014 August: Singapore: Mint Museum

Open: 9.30am to 6.30pm; 

Fee: 15 sgd (look for brochures in your hostel to get discount - I got mine at 10.50 sgd)

Location: 26 Seah St, Singapore 188382, http://emint.com/mint/go/visitus/location

If you are toy enthusiast and wonder about how toys look like in the earlier years - this is a place for you to visit.

2014 August: Singapore: Sentosa: Maritime Museum

Ho to get there? In Vivo City, to Maritime Museum:

• Board bus RWS8 from bus stop 14141 at Vivo City or bus stop 14121 at Merrill Lynch, HarbourFront. Alight at Resorts World Sentosa drop-off point.
• Enter via The Forum, turn right and walk to the end where McDonald's is located.
• Take the escalator up to level 1 and you will see The Maritime Experiential Museum straight ahead across a small bridge.

It is zero visibility bus ride coming from Harbourfront, crossing the bridge and reaching Sentosa island.  With the heavy rains outside, most of the tourists decided to queue on the SEA than Universal Studios.

I started with the museum display of Asian Civilization. The section mainly depicts on how the barter trading system begun in Asia and how it did start the Singapore economy and it's strong ties with other countries.

2014 August: Singapore: Bayfront: Garden's by the Bay

Going to Garden’s by the Bay - OCBC Skyway at $5

Via the Circle Line or Downtown Line:

•Alight at Bayfront MRT Station (CE1/DT16)

•Take Exit B and follow the underground linkway

•Exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into Gardens by the Bay

OCBC Skyway and Supertrees

Suspended 22 metres above ground, between the vertical gardens of our Supertrees, the OCBC Skyway comes alive nightly with the Garden Rhapsody - a free light and sound show - at 7.45pm and 8.45pm.