Remember when Kim Kardashian's hotel was robbed at gun-point few years ago? People were saying it was caused by posting too much information on social media. I think I really took this celebrity gossip seriously, especially whenever I am traveling solo!
Now, I only post room tours but without giving out vital details like exact address of where I am staying, and of course careful nadin na hindi mahagip my room number on my IG Story, etc. I also don't use geotags or geo locations when posting real-time. Do you have other precautions whenever you're on a solo trip?
When I posted my Seoul accommodation on my Instagram Story, I received a lot of messages asking about its exact location. I think the price really sparked interest (less than Php 1000 per night!), but I avoided answering inquiries right away and promised that I'll blog everything after the trip.
Finally! Now that I am back home, I can finally share to you my humble "home" in Seoul for winter 2020. I'll share all the details that I can remember, and then judge for yourself if it's a space that you can stay in or not. Here goes!
First of all, I am not sure when this post will be useful again. I actually feel sad that we can't plan a Korea trip anytime soon (bye cherry blossoms and Crash Landing shooting locations! 😩)because of the NCov travel ban, but I am hoping that everything will be for the best and this will eventually die down soonest. I am just thankful that I am already back here in the Philippines before this blew up and it will be harder to fly back, but I am also praying for the people in affected areas that they may remain safe and healthy.
For now, it's nice to finally look back on each day of my recent 20-day adventure in Korea. I will take my time to write everything per day or per activity, in the hopes that soon we can book our flights to Incheon once again. Here it goes!
With the recent case of the corona virus, it's harder to plan for the next trip. It saddens me that a spring trip may now be out of the picture, but as they say better safe than sorry!
My 2020 is off to a slow start, but it's okay. It's actually a good contrast from the rush that the end of 2019 has brought us, and right now, I appreciate the rest and time off this new year (and new decade) brings.
Some updates! From #40 last 2018, for 2019 my blog landed at #64 at the Feedspot Top 100 Philippines Blogs And Websites To Follow.. aigoo! It's time to get motivated again, and work harder this year. I have been slacking not only in my blog but also on my other platforms like Instagram, but then again, it's okay! 2019 has been a transition year for most of us in the community: Will I continue my blog? Will I pursue Vlogging? How will I balance filming an IG Story and clips for a potential Youtube post??? While taking pictures!?
I love traveling DIY, but I realized how different it is when you're with your senior citizen parents.
During our Korea trip, I observed that the parentals get easily tired, from pulling luggages to walking non-stop. A vacation is supposed to be fun, and so that's what we gave mom and dad last October when we flew to Hong Kong.
Transportation that picked us up from the airport to our hotel, vice versa.
For Mom's 60th birthday, she requested a family trip instead of the typical surprise birthday in a resto with the whole clan (haha!). She prefers just going out of the country with dad and her daughters. After debating which country we should go that's in-line with our budget, with no visa requirements, and gets cold during -ber months... We ended up with Hong Kong.
My Ate was the one who hooked us up with Rakso Travel, also the travel agency that I went to before for my Korean visa. They proudly told me that Korea is their specialty. Anyway, aside from the visa application, they also offer other tour services. Ate got the Hong Kong package for the fam, which already includes the following:
2019 has been a difficult year for my mental health. I have to admit, I struggled a lot to remove my anxieties with "think positive" and "keeping myself busy". Although these worked in some days and in some ways, admitting that I have a bad case of anxiety to my closest friends and even injecting it in convos with family ("Bat ako kinakabahan, ano ba to?") was the BEST first step I took to take charge of my uncontrollable thoughts and emotions.
I have to admit something that I don't even want to admit to myself. Naramdaman ko yung pagod sa travels this year. Around March, I was physically and mentally drained. I remember talking to my friend Ashley while we were waiting for our order in Pizza Hut (before the So Ji Sub fan meet!), and I might sound ungrateful to outsiders but I just have to say it to someone who will not judge me, "pagod na pagod nako".
I didn't think I'll find a piece of Japan in Hong Kong, unlike in Taiwan where you'll find Totoro and Rilakkuma almost everywhere. But just in time while we were there for my mom's 60th birthday, The World of Studio Ghibli's Animation was on-going. I found this exhibition via Klook and bookmarked it if in case we have free time that I don't want to waste (you can always find new and alternative activities for your travels via Klook). This Dir. Isao Takahata and Dir. Hayao Miyazaki exhibition ended last November 3, but my sister and I were lucky to be able to visit last November 2!
Here are some vignettes from that quick trip. This took place in the morning of our flight back to Manila.
Had a gastronomic feast yesterday with friends when we visited Podium to check out two newly opened restaurants, both very popular in their countries! Worth the travel time and extra pounds gained. 👌
My recent Japan trip felt short, but it already included a lot of activities and touched three cities of Kyushu. As mentioned several times, this is my first time traveling to the south side of Japan, and through this trip, I was able to appreciate it for the mild weather, unique foreign influences, and rich history.
Sharing our 4 days - 3 nights Kyushu Island itinerary, covering Fukuoka - Nagasaki - Saga - then back to Fukuoka for our flight to Manila. All pictures used in this post are taken from our short detour at the Yutoku Inari Shrine in Saga--a unanimous favorite stop of the group.
I remember how my high school commemorated the Hiroshima-Nagasaki nuclear attack every August, with a mass in our campus field and extensive history classes. St. Scho has always been like that, a bit too revolutionary for youngsters with no idea of the world at that time. I think this was my very first encounter of these two cities in Japan, made known by a tragic incident in 1945. My early exposure lead to a long-term thirst for knowledge and understanding.
And like in any place, there is more to Nagasaki than being the last city in the world to experience a nuclear attack. After two nights in Fukuoka, we were on the road for 2 hours to get to our next stop: Nagasaki. Here are some of the places that you can visit when you find yourself on this non-touristy side of Japan.
Have you ever thought of traveling to Fukuoka?
I've only read about this southern city from travellers who've already done the usual Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto Japan tour. To Filipinos, Fukuoka is one of the alternative Japan destinations when you want to go back to the land of the rising sun, but without the inconvenience of connecting flights (since we have a direct, 4-hour flight from Manila to Fukuoka Airport via Cebu Pacific Air). I also know of Fukuoka for its Wisteria Tunnel (purple flowers) during April to May.
Since it is located in the south, Fukuoka is Japan's sunny side. It is the gateway of the Kyushu Island, its largest city, and was once a prosperous port town where foreign merchants come and go.
Smiles as bright as Christmas lights, and laughter that invigorated like Christmas carols—these filled the grounds of the Looc Elementary School in Nasugbu, Batangas as The SM Store gave the students there an early Christmas present that is #SoMagical. Staying true to its commitment of bringing joy to communities where it is present, SM recently turned over its 100th school building donation, and The SM Store distributed toys to children.
It was only October 16, but it felt like Christmas morning. The students and teachers of Looc Elementary School could not contain their excitement as they took part in a morning of fun and games, a day before the official unveiling of the two-story, four-classroom new school building.
I will never know how HUGE my capacity is--to spend, to be hopeful, and to endure--until I chose the fan girl life.
Last year, I finally got my Multiple Korean Visa. It took me 7 tries to finally acquire one, I was only granted Single Entry Visas during my last visits. This was during the time when you can still apply directly at the Korean Embassy in Manila. A lot has changed in a span of a year, so I am sharing here an updated version of my post on Korean Visa Application for Philippine Passport holders. I hope you get your visas in time for Winter!
I cannot deny that a Line Friends store can be considered a tourist attraction when you visit Korea. Most of the people I know who went to Myeongdong or Itaewon will drop by this playful store to have their photos taken with the giant BROWN character plushie that welcomes the guests to come inside. There was a time that even Incheon International Airport has a giant Brown bear photo area at the departure area! Lagi pinipilahan ang Line Friends!
Aside from the cute characters of this popular Korean messaging app, they also carry Kpop group BTS BT21 original merch--some stores even have BT21 cafes!
Stayed in the Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila last night. I've been looking for another hotel with a good central location that can accommodate our family's annual Christmas salubong (coz we're only 2 families in our mom side, one from the south and the other one from far north!).
I am considering Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila for several reasons:
I think I have unboxed 2 official Astro merchandise, but this 3rd one is even more special because it's a surprise from my best friend. He bought all the Cha Eun Woo Just One 10 Minute merch right after I took a screenshot and sent photos of them in our friends' Facebook group chat!
I had no plans of buying these official merch since I already have the Astro light stick to use during the show, plus the VVIP ticket that I bought for Cha Eun Woo's first fan meeting already created a hole in my pocket. So imagine my surprise when @paultheprguy showed a screenshot of his purchase from Global Interpark! THANK YOU!
Hokkaido is more known as a travel destination during winter season (December to February). For Filipinos, we visit the northern side of Japan to experience the thickest snow, wear our heaviest coats, and participate in snow activities like skiing, snowboarding, and even just to create a snowman and snow angel! 😁
The second popular seasons to visit Hokkaido is Spring-Summer, where you can see fields of flowers in full bloom either in Furano or Biei. Fall is often the least traveled months as people opt to go to main cities like Tokyo or Osaka.
The cutest partnership we never thought we needed!
Are you thinking about visiting Germany this year?
It’s is a beautiful place to visit during any time of year, but winter is thought to be Germany’s most magical season. The temperature stays pretty comfortable, but the mountains and forests are covered in a blanket of pure, white snow.
On my third time in Hokkaido, there is still so much to see and do.
What I like about this trip is that I was able to experience new things, and even new things from sites that I have already been to before but in a different season. I still find it amusing that any changes of the colors of leaves, a drop in temperature, or the appearance of rain or clouds changes a whole place in its entirety. It's always as if it's my first time! I will always be a fan of the magic of four seasons.
It's a Kdrama fan girl's dream weekend! Two Korean oppas just arrived in Manila a few days ago for their separate fan meetings. Reminiscing the times when I can only go to filming locations to relive some of my favorite shows, ngayon we can actually see these actors in the flesh!
To me, India has one of the easiest visas that I acquired, but also one of the most expensive. You basically just have to fill up a form online (no need to go to agencies or embassies), pay via credit card or Paypal, and then wait for an email with your visa in around 4 days. Sobrang bilis lang! I decided to still write this blog post if ever you want to know what to expect before applying.
Who wouldn’t want clear, glowing, bouncy skin that’s plump with moisture? The kind of radiance that comes from an uber-expensive facial at a five-star salon. Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could get that look every day? The Korean 7 Skin Method can give you that same look at home… without breaking the bank.
I recently guested in a vlog for the first time!
Tin of Real Asian Beauty invited me to the Youtube Pop-up Space Manila a few weeks ago so we can talk about our Top 10 Autumn Essentials in her channel. We compared notes prior the shoot date so we don't bring the same things. Aside from heat tech and hot packs, here are the other 10 items that I need during my Autumn-Winter travels.
Autumn is coming! Here are some commonly asked questions I get from those traveling during fall season.
It rained for a day during my November Tokyo trip:
Clear skies and mild temperature during the day, November in Sapporo:
What To Wear During Autumn?
I get questions including "malamig na ba ng October", "what to wear in Korea on November", etc. Honestly, I am still confused myself!
First is because hindi ako lamigin. When I decide to wear full-on wool coat with extra layers of heat tech garnments underneath, then that means MALAMIG NA MALAMIG na talaga nun! Haha! This usually happens when I travel during winter. But for Autumn (October to early November), I can actually still wear my usual midi or maxi skirts! 😅
Secondly, no brainer: weather changes every year! It's so hard to predict if it's going to be super cold this year, although I already traveled on the same place and at the same month a year or 2 ago. It still varies. A tip is to constantly check your weather app--a few days before your trip when you're packing, AND on the day of your trip before heading out of your room. It's not super-duper accurate, but it's the best guide where you can gauge if you'll need more layers for your outfits.
There's also day in my November Sapporo when it drizzled!
Here's a practical list of stuff that I will pack or wear with on a October-November autumn trip:
(1) Heattech. You can never go wrong with this extra thin layer! There will be days when it's not super cold ("Baguio weather"), but it's still cold. You'll need the extra warmth when it gets windy or when you stroll outdoors at night.
(2) Bring a jacket or coat. This can be your denim jacket, leather jacket, knits, and even long coats. Again, this depends on your tolerance for chilly weather. But during autumn, I seldom see locals in puffer jackets and heavy wool coats--usually they take these out during winter pa. But then again, it's all up to one's individual preferences, style, and needs.
(3) A cap, bucket hat, or any headgear that protects your eyes from the wind, or your hair from always getting on your face. I also just wear a hat or bonnet during light drizzles.
(4) Scarf, face mask, gloves. Again, these accessories will come in handy when you need the extra warmth. You can also buy heat packs in convenience store and place them on your pockets before heading out.
(5) Water resistant bag + passport holder. I experienced autumn rains so make sure to protect your things from getting soaked! You can also bring a small foldable umbrella with you, but I prefer buying one on the spot during my travels.
Where To Go / Things To Do During Autumn?
Of course, although it gets chilly, this is the best time to enjoy the outdoors! For Korea, go to theme parks like Everland where their displays turn autumn themed! Visit Nami Island, and see lanes of maple leaves in oranges, red, and yellows. Or simply go to the nearest park from your hostel!
Same with Japan, I enjoy park visits for the autumn foliage. My favorites are Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Yoyogi Park. Make sure to schedule your Mt. Fuji tour during autumn too! We had a clear visibility of this mountain, and we witnessed beautiful fall colors during our stopovers.
And lastly, make sure to schedule an onsen or jjimjilbang day, a ramen or ramyeun meal, cute cafes hopping, enrol in cooking classes or workshops, and have an art museum day -- activities that you will enjoy even when it's too cold outside!
Personal Favorite Autumn Sites:
1) Shinjuku Gyoen Park
2) Sapporo
3) Nami Island
4) Jeju-do
5) Everland
6) Mt. Fuji Tour
When all else fails, remember that convenience stores, malls, and night markets are just around the corner in Korea and Japan! It's the perfect excuse to shop a little!
Are you flying for autumn this year? Do you have other questions for your trip? Feel free to comment below and will try my best to answer them!
Watch my vlog guesting on Tin of Real Asian Beauty!
Winter-Autumn Travel Essentials:
