Seoul Travel Diary: Vol. 3

I'm drawing near to the end of this sorry attempt at a travel diary. I used to be better than this, I think.

These are some photos taken during our second day which was also the last full day we had as a family in Seoul. As I may have vented previously, I had created a pretty comprehensive itinerary that ticked all the common tourist boxes: sightseeing at historical spots, exploring one of the more local Korean villages, eating local food and of course, shopping at Duty Free. We ticked all the right boxes (at least those that made sense to our family's consensus) and ended the day where we started it the day before: Myeongdong. Will I want to shop at Lotte Duty Free again? Perhaps not, especially since I don't think a few thousand Won are worth enduring the circus that place is (I hate shopping at crowded places) but I did leave with a haul enough to feed my vanity for another few months so all is right in the world after all.

In this post you're seeing photos of:

• Seoul Metro-- do purchase the city pass if you've got an ambitious day of commuting ahead of you. 
• Gyeongbokgung Palace-- and how lucky were we despite leaving the hotel 2 hours behind schedule to have witnessed a traditional ceremony!
• Our underage tour guides who gave their all feeding us the tour of the palace in English. I don't think they noticed how everyone was already won over by their cuteness without their commentary!
• CRAZY HAIR
• Samgyetang--ginseng-flavored chicken, served whole and stuffed with rice, dates, garlic and ginseng--one of the dishes highly recommended. We had it at Tosokchon, dubbed as one of the best places in Seoul for it. I think it was another one of those tourist traps. It may be my salt-dipped Filipino tongue but I had to help myself with heaps of kimchi to satiate my hunger. But we had some chijimi and unlimited kimchi so in the end, both my thumbs were up and my belly dragging down! Winning.

I had the serious case of Monday-itis today. I had feelings drown me in bed until 10am. Maybe it's the fact that December has come again, no?

Seoul Travel Diary: Vol. 2

When we first went to Myeongdong, whatever sense of calm, zen and "chill" I had ever known was washed out of me. Big groups of locals marched in their choice sneakers, couples locked arms and the more-than-occasional lips at dodgy corners, "ommas" and "oppas" would yell at you to stop lurking if you aren't buying, and there was absolutely no escaping the thick smoke from every BBQ place. It was all around chaos.

That's not to say I didn't enjoy bits and parts of it. I loved how cheap the shopping and the food were. On top of that, I enjoyed feasting on my observations of how despite geographically close Japan and Korea are, the people are completely different (Korean guys and their beautiful heads of hair and sockless feet). The crowds (and frequent shoving) are something that will take a lot of patience and may even be just an acquired taste but it's every bit of the reason why thousands rush in rain or shine. It would be my literal example of a tourist trap but it's definitely a place where I got to get a good feel of what South Koreans are like. If ever I'm lucky enough to make a return trip, I think I'd probably skip it but it's one of the places you just have to check out at least once because when in Korea..

Seoul Travel Diary: Vol. 1

Hello. Only dusting off my blogging chops before I vanish into my autumn cocoon, my true niche, my natural habitat.

It's already been a few weeks since the weekend holiday my family spent in Seoul. I hadn't traveled with more than one person in a long while so if I'm being completely honest, planning for 3 days, reading maps, constantly checking my Seoul Subway app and making sure that we don't fall behind our itinerary (we did and horribly) almost drove me a little crazy. Thank goodness it was in a city with panic-inducing shopping, strangely energy-sustaining soju and of course, unlimited kimchi. And having my family thrown in that already amazing mix, it was a pretty tops weekend. And so begins my diary in instalments I dub as travel volumes.

Having landed and all checked in our hotel well in the afternoon, there wasn't much time left to dillydally. I had to put my foot down and yell at everyone to freshen up quickly and assemble in the lobby in 30 minutes. Aren't I the BEST TRAVEL PARTNER you can ask for? In my defence, I had to go all time-Nazi if we were going to catch the sunset. We stayed at a hotel in the Myeongdong area (hidden behind a dodgy arcade from another side) where catching the metro or the bus were painless. We successfully ticked off our first order of business for Day 1: Namsan Seoul Tower. And after we got our more than fair share of photos, we quickly bolted for some Korean BBQ realness.

The hike up to the deck was like a symphony of whining and heavy breathing among us which paid off once we got our point and shoot on. You might be wondering why there aren't any sunset photos, I am, too. We were robbed of clear skies and were under heavy clouds instead but everything made sense at the end when we got to the viewing deck. Seoul came so alive with all its modern skyscrapers lit up. I have a soft, warm and melty spot for killer views.

I had intended to write about the trip in a more comprehensive and detailed way in the most random chance that someone might look to me for tips on traveling to Seoul but I've put off posting this for so long that my memory escapes me. However I will share a few things that impressed on the first day:

• The Incheon Airport lives up to its title of being the best airport in the world for 7 years now. You'd be in and out in 20 minutes. I also reckon taking the airport limousines to your hotels to be the best mode of transportation especially if you're lugging large bags with you. Just make sure you look up the nearest bus stop from your destination and that will tell you which bus you should get on.
• Everything's in at least 4 languages: Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese. So there's less worry of literally getting lost in translation.
• Transport is relatively cheap. As in terms against the Yen, everything was half the price. The metro and the buses had a flat rate of 1,150 won (I think). Very clean, too!
• Seoul is couples central! There is great reason now for me to believe that the infamous Couple Shirts' conception was there. Such a refreshing (for lack of a better word) sight for someone who lives in Japan where holding hands is looked upon as PDA. For hard evidence, don't miss the Love Locks at Namsan.
• Drinking soju with beer is a great side dish. It's cheap, it's cheerful, it's a dream.

I'm trying to be stingy for words and details but I will sign off by saying that the first day made me extra, extra keen to wake up for Day 2. 

Going Going Going

So far, I've been able to go on 5 big(ish) holidays this year. That's about more than 2 months away from work. It sounds nice and it really is. I don't ever forget how lucky I am to be enjoying so much at my age. I'm grateful for having work to always come back to no matter how much dread I feel upon boarding the plane back to reality.

Seoul with my family last weekend was amazing. But actually, it was the first time I had very low expectations before a trip abroad. I even only really packed for it an hour before we left for the airport as watching Homeland seemed more exciting to me. But upon landing in Incheon and cruising out to the city soon after, I had that familiar rush of excitement that was missing preflight. I'm going to share some photos over here soon but for now, I'll keep my speech to a minimum. I would love to be back in South Korea very soon.

Off topic, I had a really heavy day at work today no thanks to my hangover from last night so I was pretty keen on clocking some serious hours of sleep tonight only to realise in panic that my tickets for Tokyo are tonight! If you're wondering why I'm wasting time blogging instead of packing, it's because I'm still at my parents' and my mum's taking photos of the French spread she's prepared before we can all dig in. Mind you, I will stuff my face tonight. I need the boost!

See you in a bit, Tokyo (If I make it in time, that is).

South Coast Road Trip Vol. 5: Christmas in Cowra

How apropos for a throwback to last Christmas now that we've cracked into the 'ber months. I'm in the middle of battling a nasty cold I caught from my trip to Manila and I cannot be happier that this humidity will begin to fizzle away. But being as I am, I also get an unsettled feeling in my stomach knowing three things: that summer's going very soon, that autumn is tragically short and that winter is merely stalling.

South Coast Road Trip Vol. 4: Blue Mountains

Tokyo Eats

I don't travel to Tokyo as much as I should. I'm often oblivious to that fact that I LIVE IN JAPAN. I haven't been to many other countries but I don't think putting Japan as at least Top 10 is completely unjustified.

Present-day Japan has really come a long way since it's hermit nation days. I would bet on the conclusion that whatever it is you are salivating for, Tokyo has it. That or at least a competing version of it. If you're lucky enough to find yourself setting foot on Tokyo ground, expect a panic-attack and constant gut-churning. But calm down. These are my Top 5 must-eats:

1) TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

Chirashi-don

With all the walking, sightseeing, incessant gawking at everything in Tokyo, you're gonna need to start the day with a full tank. Don't fight the force of being the total tourist cliché: have raw fish for breakfast. I can't stress enough how fantastic and fail-proof Tsukiji's offers are. No, really, I'm usually more articulate when it comes to food but this is where I just purse my lips tightly, shake my head from side to side with eyes closed. I can't.

Take the metro to Tsukiji Shijo Station on the Oedo line. You're welcome.

2) MENYA MUSASHI

Tsukemen style ramen from Menya Musashi

I think the world has somehow evolved from screaming for ice cream to slurping noodles. I could probably go through life without ever eating noodles but because Tokyo exists, I owe it to myself to pay patronage to one of the GREATEST RAMEN(s) in the world. You have eyes, you see how thick and beautifully done the pork cutlets are, as if they partied all night in the huge pot of broth. The noodles firm with a gloss you can't ignore and of course the broth that makes you discard the fact that too much sodium is unhealthy. It's insaaaane. I wouldn't make a great salesperson, but perhaps this ramen nut might convince you.

There are a lot of branches in the city however I would recommend going to the original ramen house in Shinjuku. Take the west exit of the station, it's not too far but Google Maps will be your friend.

〒160-0023 東京都新宿区西新宿7-2-6 K-1ビル1F

3) DPNYC

Nothing like gluten, sugar and self-loathing to cleanse the palate after a fishy breakfast at Tsukiji. This New York establishment is what it is with good reason. And oh, have I mentioned that they sell CAKE DONUTS? Sorry, KK but unless you start getting your life together and sell flavours like Earl Grey, Tres Leches and Valrhona Chocolate, you're never gonna earn that spotlight from me. DPNYC at Shinjuku station is just a takeaway shop but if you're looking to have a sit-down, grab yourself a cup at Dean & Deluca after.

Exit from the Central gates of the station. It's positioned well in the middle of the station. 

4) BILLS

Photos from Rocket News 24

I really let myself down when we had brunch at Bills in Sydney for ordering a very Asian non-breakfast dish but I digress. Bills is dubbed as serving the best breakfast in the world thanks to its signature Ricotta Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs. Flying to Sydney for "the best breakfast" is too dramatic even for me but lady luck must be on my side because Bills has set up shops in Tokyo and Yokohama. The queues are ridiculous though so be smart and make reservations. Brunching at the Omotesando restaurant will be a great start to an afternoon of yen-dropping in Harajuku.

It's on the 7th floor of Tokyu Plaza, a minute walk from the Meiji Jingu Mae station. You're welcome.  

5) GARRETT POPCORN

Photo from Doors!

We walked past Garrett the last time I was in Tokyo and how heartbreaking was it. The queue spilled from inside all the way past the subway exit. But if there's anything I learned from living in Japan, it's that Japanese people are popcorn junkies. I knew it must have been genetics for me to have such strong, ever-present hankering for popcorn. If you're one of us then you're not gonna want to miss this. I'm being real here, I will buy myself a tumbler of the Chicago Mix the next time I'm in Tokyo.

Garrett will be hard to miss in Harajuku, take the Omotesando exit.

I'm sorry at how this is the exact opposite of comprehensive. I'm trying to wrap my brain around other eats but these are the firsts that pop in whenever I think about eating in Tokyo. Perhaps some time in an unknown future, I'll share a quick guide on what to do, where to drink and how hard you should grind there.