2018 Dec: Taiwan: Ruifang Station

Before we can reach the towns of Jiufen and Shifen in northeast side of Taiwan, there's Ruifang that will be the base for commuting transfers.

I already bought advance tickets online because based on some vlogs, there are cases that the train back to the city from Ruifang are fully booked (and we cannot let our mom standing for that long on the train.)

For regular trips, you can visit here.  For the high speed, try to check this page.  You just need to print your paid reservation voucher and exchange it to actual tickets on the counter. 

2018 Dec: Taiwan: Wǒmen lái chī ba (Let's eat) in Taipei and Taichung

Tasting food as we go along the streets and restaurants of Taipei and Taichung!

Jiufen

Tea Restaurant in Jiufen

Location: across A-mei Restaurant

Food: fried noodles with vegetables & sliced pork (250ntd = 430php), mixed fruit tea (160ntd = 272php)

Personal Preference: 8 out of 10

A-mei maybe good to visit if they can accommodate you due to it's popularity.  But going to the tea house across A-mei gives you a good spot to have a better view of the Spirited Away inspired scenery. 

I really enjoyed the mixed fruit tea as I also enjoyed the cold weather, people watching in the old street and the viewing deck for mountains of northeast Taiwan and horizon of East China Sea.

2018 Dec: Taiwan; Taichung: New Plaza Hotel

New Plaza Hotel
No.77-1, Xiangyang Road, Fengyuan District, Taichung, Taiwan 42080
向陽路77-1號, 豐原區, 台中市, 台灣 42080

Price: Got this from agoda.com with Early Booking Saver. Rate at 10% discount!

2018 Dec: Taiwan: Taipei: Morwing Hotel Fairytale

Morwing Hotel Fairy Tale
3F., No.36, Sec. 1, Kaifeng St., , Taipei Main Station, Taipei, Taiwan 10044
開封街一段36號3F, 台北車站, 台北市, 台灣 10044

Price: Luckily to get these rates from agoda.com: Early Booking Saver. Rate includes 28% discount for 2 nights and Limited time offer. Rate includes 21% discount for 1 night.

2018 Dec: Taiwan: Click Hotel Taipei Main Station

Click Hotel - Taipei Main Station branch
5F, No. 72, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan, 10041

Price: Expensive but opted to stay since I'm looking for a place that would accept us on our arrival at the area by 2am-4am.

Location: Pretty much close to Taipei Main Station.

Taiwan: Itinerary for 5 days in Taipei and Taichung

Accommodation:  
Where to stay in Taipei?
Click Hotel - Taipei Main Station branch
5F, No. 72, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan, 10041

Morwing Hotel Fairytale
3F., No.36, Sec. 1, Kaifeng St., Taipei Taiwan 10044

Where to stay in Taichung?
New Plaza Hotel
No.77-1, Xiangyang Road Taichung Taiwan 42080

2018 Philippines and Taiwan: Christmas Around the Corner

Let us enjoy the bright lights shinning around the cities, from Tiffany in Shangri-La to Dior in 101!

Taguig

SM Aura, 26th Street, Corner McKinley Pkwy, Taguig, 1630

Korea Fits You Travel Seminar

So may I continue...

First day of September, autumn is nearly coming to Korea. And as excited like you, let me share more of my random thoughts on how do I prepare DIY travel to Korea.

2018: 7th Travel Madness Expo

It's time for the mid-year travel expo in the metro!  Visit the Travel Madness Expo 2018 at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City!

Travel Journal

Travel Journal

I did not know that bullet journal has been a fad for a very long time.  I’m a newbie and I don’t think I’ll keep it as a hobby since I’m not really into crafts but still prefer online blogging or taking notes on my mobile.  I decided to try it due to my curiosity on clear stamps as a unique touch when sending postcards on my future trips.  And so, let me share with you some of my thoughts about this pastime.

South Korea: View from Seoul Sky Tower

If you crave for more view of Seoul from the top and you have the money to splurge on, you might want to experience it from Seoul Sky Tower. It's another business venture of Lotte Group.

Going up here is a bit expensive at the price of 27,000 KRW (1080 PHP, 2017), yet with limited attractions they can offer at the top. Since it was just open to the public early 2017 expect for long queues before you can reach the observation deck. It is suggested to visit during early morning for shorter queue.  Or you may want to visit by late afternoon to experience both day and night with sunset on the background.

South Korea: 6 places to see in Gyeongju in 2 days

Gyeongju is a walkable city when you plan your visit according to nearby target destinations.  Having an available internet for GPS location and maps.google.com is much helpful on your return bus tour to the city.

Transfer to City

From KTX SinGyeongju, take Exit 1.  Take Bus #s 700, 203, 50, 51, 60, 61, 70, 71 will be heading to the city proper, passing by Intercity Bus Terminal.

Day 1 (nearby the city center)

Ancient Tombs and Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)
169-5, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. Constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok (632-647), it was used for observing the stars in order to forecast the weather. This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves, and was designated as National Treasure No.31 on December 20th, 1962. [Reference]

South Korea: Jeollanam-do: Boseong: Beolgyo: Literature Museum

I never heard about this place, Beolgyo, not until I had a talked with my overnight dorm mate in Suncheon. She was reading the novel that was blocked by the government for a time.  She said it depicts about politics, leftists, those that are against the administration and sufferings from Japanese invasion, minor and major incidents that locals from Beolgyo experienced.  Given that the place is the location of a 10 volume novel that she was about to read, she was still in the 2nd volume but that already inspired her to see the place.

"Taebaek Mountain Range tells the story of Korea’s partition into North and South after its liberation from the Japanese occupation at the end of the Forties. This period of tremendous social and political upheaval has defined Korea’s destiny as a divided country. For Jo Jung Rae, understanding Korea’s past holds the key to the future – to resolving the ongoing confrontation between North and South Korea." [Reference]

Philippines: 5 days Itinerary to Manila

If I'm traveling to Metro Manila, which places should I visit?  Hopefully the following sites can help you plan your trip to Manila, Philippines!

Day 1

There are less green field in the metro, but if you want to see one, why not grab the opportunity to also visit the oldest university. Visit University of Santo Tomas (UST), in España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila.  You may opt to use the gate in Governor Forbes (Lacson St), since this is used for the public (closer to the hospital).  You can mention that you like to visit the church to get inside the campus grounds.

Philippines: Ayala Musuem, Makati

Temporarily Closed from June 2019 to 2020 for renovations, click here for updates.

A well spent Saturday afternoon in the metro, we got a chance to visit Ayala Museum for around 4 hours.