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.

Singapore: Satisfying your Taste Buds

Satisfying your taste buds in Singapore

Hawker is the best option in satisfying your tummies when travelling in Singapore.  But since I’m doing a solo trip, I’d rather stay in less crowded areas to enjoy my meal. Below are the visited restaurants in my Singapore - August 2014 trip.

Toast box

Food: 8 out of 10

Value: Affordable

Atmosphere: 8 out of 10

Location: Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition  Centre, 1 Raffles Boulevard; Also available in many locations across S’pore and Philippines

Website: http://www.toastbox.com.sg/about.html 

Order: Kaya Toast

From the woody theme in 2012, they have revamped into clarifying white theme this time.  

Paris Baguette
Food: 9 out of 10
Value: Affordable
Atmosphere: 9 out of 10
Location: Arrival Hall Terminal 2, Changi Airport
Website: http://eng.paris.co.kr/global.html
Order: Nuts & Nuts $5.26 (185 php, 2014)

As a fan of Korean cafes, it is so cool to be welcomed by a Korean brand in another country.  Stepping out of the arrival gates and about to head to the subway station, I bumped into Paris Bagauette in Changi Airport Terminal 2.  It is already passed 5pm, so they have limited menu.  Thus, I chose only from the available pastries and have tasted nuts and nuts caramelized bread.

Moving along the other malls of Singapore, there are also other locations of P&B.

2014 August: Singapore: Bugis: The Pod @ Beach Road Boutique Capsule Hotel

Buying plane tickets two months before my travel date gave me few options on where I could stay.  In Singapore, I already experienced staying in a condominium, HDB and single-room in Clarke Quay.  With cost as a decision factor, also to feel the experience I decided not to try in Japan, I get to stay in a capsule hotel.  After searching several the same service in agoda.com, I chose the most decent from what I see in the pictures and read in the reviews – The Pod. 

Location: 289 Beach Road Level 3 Singapore 199552

Take a Tour: http://thepod.sg/tour.php | Email: info[@]thepod.sg | Review at tripadvisor 

Book The Pod @ Beach Road Boutique Capsule Hotel, Singapore in Agoda

Boutique capsule hotel catering to discerning travelers who desire fuss-free and convenient living.

With 83 cozy capsules inspired by modern and minimalistic living, you can look forward to convenience at your fingertips without compromising on comfort, quality or style.

At The POD, personalized concierge services are on hand to satisfy your every need so that you can focus on the things that truly matter. 

Enjoy complimentary laundry service, hot buffet breakfast and Nespresso coffee, high-speed Wi-Fi access and more. A complete set of amenities ensures effortless living right at the centre of Singapore.

Located at the fringe of the Singapore Central Business District, near the Haji Lane - rated as one of the top shopping places in Singapore. [Reference]

Price: Affordable (compared to other accommodations in SG) [PHP 5,663.88 (USD 129.66) for 3 nights]

If you have longer time before your travel date, you could have a chance in getting single room in decent hotels at the same price. 

Location: Good – 10 to 15 minutes walk from 2 different train stations (1) Bugis in EW12, DT14 and (2) Nicoll Highway in CC05. Close to Haji and Arab areas where you can have late drinks with friends.  Very close to shopping areas in Bugis Junction.  Upcoming mall at the grounds of Concourse Skyline will soon be promising. (But in Aug 2014, only Starbucks and small convenient store is open)

Check-in Experience: Read the instruction outside the building on how to open the secured door.  This will lead you to another door going to the elevator.  Aim for 3F which is the reception, you’ll be guided to your floor, room, then pod #.  Everything will be noted on your entry card as well.

Room: Unique experience – It is my first time to stay in a capsule hotel. (Single POD Side Entry - Female Only).   You should be mindful of the etiquette.  Be quiet at all times. Lights off by 11pm.  Each pod is with small desk, light, power socket, 2 pillows, blanket and hanger.  There is also strong wifi signal in the pod, but I’d rather take my Viber calls in the reception area.

Japan: Osaka, Okayama, Kobe, Kyoto: 3 days Spring Itinerary

Destinations: Osaka, Okayama, Kobe, Kyoto, Japan
Travel Date: May 16-19 2014 (3d3n)

Temperature
May 17 (Kobe): 19.3 (mean), 22.5 (max), 14.8 (min)
May 18 (Kyoto): 21 (mean), 28.2 (max), 13 (min)
May 19 (Osaka): 21.6 (mean), 26.7 (max), 16.6 (min)

Osaka Weather History (2013-2015)
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2015/ws-477720.html
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2014/ws-477720.html
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2013/ws-477720.html

If its nearly 2 weeks upon your visit, check the weather forecast or sunrise/sunrise timings: 

Osaka - http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/osaka/ext

Kyoto - http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/kyoto/ext
Kobe - http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/kobe/ext


Accommodation: Where to stay in Osaka?
Hotel IL Cuore Namba
Address: 556-0011, Osaka Naniwa-ku Nambanaka 1-15-15
ホテルイルクオーレなんば   556-0011, 大阪市 浪速区難波中1-15-15
Hotel Review

Food and Restaurant Tip - Kampai!

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Osaka?
Saturday
-From Osaka, go to Okayama by train
-Visit Wake Wisteria Park, Wake Folk Museum
-Go to Kobe by train
-Visit old Western-style buildings in Kitano area
-Walk along Flower Road
-Return to Osaka by train

Sunday
-From Osaka, go to Kyoto by train
-Visit Mimuroto-ji Temple (Azalea)
-Kawaramachi Catholic Church
-TOEI Kyoto Studio Park
-Return to Osaka by train
-Namba Parks

Monday
-In Osaka, visit Nakanoshima Park (Roses)
-Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
-Departure in Kansai International Airport (KIX)

2014 May: Japan: Osaka: Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park

Travel Date: May 19. 2014

Location: Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park, Osaka

Humbling experience to see the locals running along with their bikes, the kids playing along the sprinklers and water, ajumma and ajusshi hold their hands while walking.  

After a 10-15 minute walk in lush greenery, it is so much surprising to see this at the end of the road.

2014 May: Japan: Osaka: Nakanoshima Park

Travel Date: May 19. 2014
Location: Nakanoshima Park (Rose Garden)

May is the month when roses bloom in most parts of Japan.  I have visited Nakanoshima Park (Rose Garden).  Coming from Sakaisuji line, drop off at Kitahama station and get off Naniwabashi exit, it is surprising to see the garden in the middle of the river and cityscape.

Tip: Try to visit earlier of the morning or very late in the afternoon.  You don’t want to walk along the park with a very hot 26 degrees Celsius.

2014 May: Japan: Osaka: Namba Parks

Travel Date: May 18, 2014 Sunday
Namba Parks, Osaka
〒556-0011 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Naniwa-ku, Nanbanaka, 2−10−70

2014 May: Japan: Kyoto: Toei Studio Park

Travel Date: May 18, 2014 Sunday
Toei Kyoto Studio Park Japan
〒616-8161 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Uzumasa Higashihachiokacho, 10
9:00am-6:00pm ・March-July,September(Sat,Sun&Holidays)
Admission: 2200yen
Map: http://www.toei-eigamura.com/en/pdf/parkmap_en2014.pdf

From Nijo take the San-In line, drop by Uzumasa.  There is only one exit and has a sign going to TOEI Studio Park.

The area is big, but you can spend half a day or 3-4 hours to enjoy and see what's worth of the entrance.

Anime Museum

Hero Land in Padios