Day out at the Entertainment Companies (Seoul)

Our flight (on Korean Airlines) to Incheon Airport arrived early in the morning, so we had plenty of time to stalk explore the entertainment companies after we left our luggage at Seoul Mansion Guesthouse. Being Kpop fans how could we miss this opportunity to add this into our itinerary?! Of course, it was all in the hope of bumping into a Korean idol or two and get an autograph and/or photo with them. Thanks to iceprinxess (who directed us to a blog with pretty clear instructions on how to get there), MX and I took a the subway down to the Apgujeongrodeo Station Exit 3. 

Note: Please do not mistake that as Apgujeong Station as I did the last time I was in Seoul.

It was an adventure as we meandered along the path and explored the area. MX led me to Chrome Hearts, a boutique (which high security) which sells many stylish accessories that celebrities usually wear. The sales assistants were all dressed in black (giving them that smart polished look) and attended to us politely (even if we ended up not buying anything). From Chrome Hearts, we... Read more >>

Tuk tuk Experience to Central World: the movies and ice-cream

Since the hotel we were staying at, which was Novotel Platinum Pratunam Hotel, provided complimentary tuk tuk service to the nearby shopping malls (e.g. Siam Paragon, Central World, Big C etc…) and nearby BTS stations, we just had to try it!

Anyways, after breakfast we decided to head down to the lobby to see if the tuk tuk was available (it is on the hour by the hour on a first-come-first-serve basis). We ended up having the whole tuk tuk to ourselves (4 persons). The tuk tuk service was a nice touch to our stay, and it was an interesting experience being on the streets on a vehicle similar to a car and... Read more >>

Travel Thoughts: Day Out at the floating market and zoo, Chocolate Ville and dinner (Bangkok)

On the second day of our time in Bangkok, DramaQueen arranged with a (tour) driver to bring us to the floating market and the zoo. As a bonus, we were brought to Chocolate Ville and recommended this really nice restaurant for dinner.

We didn’t really plan our trip that well, and so we spent almost half the day traveling – the floating market and zoo were practically at the opposite ends of Bangkok! It took about 2 hours each to travel to each places! We left from our hotel at about 9am and arrived at the floating market around 1030am. Unlike the first time I went with PrincessyLee, we were brought to another corner of the floating market, but the gimmick of taking your photo and trying to sell it to you for 200 baht in the form of a customized photo-frame souvenir was the same.

There was a boat rental where it cost 2,000 baht for 1hr and 2,500 baht for 1hr 30min, regardless of the number of people on the boat. We had 4 people so it worked out to be 500 baht per person, since we went for the 1 hr ride. It would definitely be more worth it if we had more people (the boat can take up to 8-10 people I think). Unlike the first time I was there, the boat was motorized so the speed was definitely faster and more ‘exciting’.

 Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Once we boarded the boat, we were brought around the floating market. This time we also passed by the residential area of the residents that stay around the floating market. The sight was interesting: seeing wooden houses on slits on the river bank with dogs peeking out occasionally gave an insight to how life is like for the local who stay in such a watery environment. As we meandered through the waterways, we also passed by the (familiar) market area where the stalls selling souvenirs are located. If we liked a certain stall and wanted to check out the goods, all we had to do was... Read more >>

Miam Miam (Bugis Junction)

Most of their dishes have a fusion East-meets-West feel to them, like their signature Miam Miam Spaghetti at S$15.80 (which is one of my favorites!): pasta that is served with sautéed frankfurters, tomatoes, baby spinach and bacon, tossed with French butter, a little broth and some shoyu, and a somewhat half-boiled egg as an icing on the cake pasta. 

Miam Miam Spaghetti: The portion is quite substantial and the taste when all the ingredients are mixed together is amazing. The French butter, broth and shoyu gave it that savory and delectable taste with the slightly salted tender bacon enveloping the spaghetti in a yummilicious way, while the baby spinach and tomatoes gave it that extra zing and crunch, not to mention the addition of the (not so cooked) egg (yolk) gave the dish an overall velvety texture.

Previously I tried the Mac & Cheese (S$14.50) but it was a little underwhelming because it was really watered down and not as cheesy as I would have liked it to be, and for that price, the portion was really too small . So whenever I go to Miam Miam, I end up eating the... Read More >>

Pentaxyl Anti-Wrinkle Cream and Motives (Cosmetics) Makeup Party

Over the weekend I was invited to a Motives (makeup) party by my Korean language classmate. It was held at one of the rental apartments and organized by her Taiwanese partners/friends. They are part of the shop.com group and mainly work with/sell Motives (makeup) and skincare products.

A portion of the products displayed that day

According to Wikipedia, “America/SHOP.com is an internet marketing and product brokerage company that utilizes the internet (including social media platforms) and one-to-one marketing to distribute a variety of products across numerous markets. The company was founded in 1992 by JR and Loren Ridinger.”

After goggling for a bit and reading more about the company, I guess simply put, shop.com can be likened to something like Qoo10.sg, EBay, and Amazon etc... The only difference is that instead of (online) shops selling their own products and doing their own thing (using Qoo10.sg, EBay, and Amazon etc... as platforms to sell their products independent of the site per se), sellers on shop.com can actually be part of the company by being a partner and ordering products to sell on their own. Akin to something of being an affiliate, but the difference is the investments and returns are usually higher; partners act like independent distributors of the brand they are the representatives of... Read more >>

Korean Fried Chicken: Chicken Up Tampines

On the last trip to Korea, I wanted to try the Korean Fried Chicken but did not get a chance. There was a Korean Fried Chicken store below our accommodation but unfortunately when we wanted to try it they were closed (business must be good since they do not open on Sundays!). Not to say that there aren’t any Korean Fried Chicken places in Singapore, it’s just that they are (mostly) on the other end of Singapore (lol). So imagine my pleasant surprise when Chicken Up opened in Tampines... Read More>>

An impromptu visit to the Teddy Bear Museum (제주 테디베어뮤지엄) & dinner

Teddy Bear Museum (제주 테디베어뮤지엄) entrance

At the end of the Jejueco tour, it was free time and we decided to make stop at the Teddy Bear Museum (제주 테디베어뮤지엄). Victor was so kind to drop us off at the entrance of the Teddy Bear Museum and so we made our way in. It was about 5 in the evening and there wasn’t much... Read More >>

AirBnB: Owl house@Gyeongbokgung (a.k.a. Sui’s Loft #3) First Impressions

The comfy bed on the ground floor....

Located within the Jongno district, Owl house@Gyeongbokgung (a.k.a. Sui’s Loft #3) can accommodate up to 4 people and is strategically located near the palaces (Gyeongbukgung) and cultural places such as Gwanghwamun square (about 5 minutes away), The Great King Sejong's museum, the Gyeongbokgung palace and Cheonggyecheon Canal, Insadong and Bukchon (about 15 minutes away). The nearest subway stations are Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun... Read more >>

The Jejueco Suites (3 Days/2 Nights) Experience

For our 3 days 2 nights stay on Jeju Island, we stayed at Jejueco Suites and joined their tour. Our stay was pleasant and the room was comfortable. The room was just like an apartment with TV, bed, kitchenette and all. We evening had connecting rooms (though we never did open that door hehe)! ... Read more >>

Our cozy room!

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (천지연 폭포)

The calm before the waterfall ^^

After the satisfying lunch at Soban 소반, it was off to visit one of the natural wonders of Jeju, Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (천지연 폭포), an area full of natural monuments (e.g. from the wild Dampalsu trees, camellias to the clear and deep waters of Cheonjiyeon etc...). The waterfall got its name from the legend of the 7 fairies serving the King of Heaven who came down to the pond on stairs of cloud and bathed in its clean waters... Read more>>