Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Locks of Love at Namsan Tower

Namsan Tower, is a communication and observation tower located on top of Mt. Namsan in central Seoul. It is the highest point of the city and many tourists visit this place because it is dubbed as the romantic island in the city.

You can go there by public shuttle bus, cable car, tour bus, and car but the first two options are the cheapest and fastest way to get there compared to the other options. 

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This is the path that you need to walk on. It will be quite challenging for senior citizens haha but a nice cardio won't hurt them ;) they just need to do it slowly but surely!
Along the way, you may buy some dried seafood snacks like crab and squid! 

 When you're on top of the tower, you will see Seoul's panoramic and breath taking view and more LOVE stuff! There's a cafe and gift shop too but that's just about it--the inside is the same as Taipei 101's tower.


In my opinion, if you're willing to pay additional KWN 9,000 or around Php 360 and it's your first time in Namsan then I suggest you visit the observatory deck. Otherwise, you may skip this part and just stay where the locks are because you don't need to pay anything there.


 Love tiles everywhere! You can buy one of those inside the gift shop and you're allowed to stick it on their Love wall.



Monday, November 16, 2015

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

The motto of Haedong Yonggung Temple is "At least one of your wishes will be answered here through your heartfelt prayers" --seems true because when you visit Haedong Yinggungsa Temple, you'll feel something unexplainable like a "spiritual high" especially for people who believes in Buddhist philosophy. Because of this belief that at least one of your wishes will come true, many people visit this temple.

The temple is situated near the sea unlike Beomeosa Temple or the other temples in Bangkok. Haedong Yonggungsa is known as the aquatic Buddhist sanctum and this temple preserves religious concept deeper than any other temple as the sea, dragon (who appeared in front of the Buddha), and the Great Goddess Buddha embody a harmony here.






Monday, November 9, 2015

Delicious Street Food in Korea

Sausage with Rice Cake
Jajangmyeon or Black Spaghetti


Grilled/ Dried Squid- Just the smell of these grilled and dried squid will make you salivate.


Gaeran Bbang- Is Korean sweet egg bread! My favorite!


 Hotteok- Hotteok is simply sweet pancake filled with brown sugar syrup filling.


Hot Bar- Is similar to Odeng (Fish Cake) but deep fried.



Saturday, November 7, 2015

I Love Seafood Heaven !!!!

Since Japan is all about sushi and raw food, we blocked one whole day to visit the place where restaurants all over Japan source their seafood and that is in Tsukiji Market. Going to Tsukiji Market is very easy click on this link for a step by step guide

We went to Tsukiji Market for one reason...to eat the best and freshest seafood!!! We obviously were very serious about it that we waited in line for 5 loooong hours just to eat at the famous Sushi Dai RstaurantThe restaurant is one of the oldest in the area and tourists are willing to wait to taste the sushi recommended by the chef. While waiting in line, my friends and I tried to entertain ourselves by exploring Tsukiji Market and here are some of things you will see:







Friday, November 6, 2015

Met New Deer Friends in Nara, Japan

Christmas came early for me when I met "Rudolf" the red nose reindeer in Nara, Japan hahaha just kidding. My boyfriend Wooj and I met thousands of Sika Deers in Nara Park and I can say that it was one of my favorite places in Japan!!! :) Waaa I want to go back and feed the hungry deers!

Nara Park is home to one of Japan's famous temple, Todaiji Temple, where it houses the world's largest wooden building and largest bronze Buddha statue. We didn't get in all the temples in the area BUT it is one of the things we regret because temples in Nara are nice--as I see it in photographs. Well...maybe next time!

We spent half of our day playing with the Sika deers freely roaming around the entire Nara Park. I've never seen so many deers in my life as in close encounter haha. I suggest if you have time, allot a day in Nara because there's so much to see--deers, nature, culture, and temples. It's easy to go to Nara as well and here's how...







Seoul Kimchi Festival!!

Kimchi Day, Kimjang Party
Citizens, groups, corporations and foreign neighbors gather together at this party to enjoy and share hands-on experiences with Kimjang.
Kimchi (김치 English pronunciation: /ˈkɪmi/), is a traditional fermented Korean side dish made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings. In traditional preparation, kimchi was stored underground in jars to keep cool during the summer months and unfrozen during the winter months.[4] There are hundreds of varieties of kimchi made from napa cabbageradish,scallion, or cucumber as a main ingredient. And Kimjang is a homemade sauce to make kimchi every family know how to make it but every family has their own receipt.. 

Beautiful Dreamcatchers

the lovely girl also in a Korean traditional dress, so cute!!

With some salt first to get rid of water inside

Some singing event going on


The red thing are Kimjang, put it evenly in every slide of kimchi and put it in container for few days, then it's done!


Thursday, November 5, 2015

Kyoto Day Trip Temple Hopping 3

5. Kinkaku-Ji Temple -  The famous golden pavilion is a widely-recognized image of Kyoto. It is simply breathtaking and a must visit for a very very short time...as in you can just view and take a picture of the Pavilion then leave because what you see is what you get :)

6. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove-



Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Kyoto Day Trip Temple Hopping 2

3. Ginkaku-Ji Templealso known as the Silver Pavilion. It has an elegant temple with outstanding Japanese landscape architecture. Basically just a garden with landscapes :) In my opinion, you can skip this part hehe.


4. Gion (Geisha District) and Nishiki Market- Gion is known for being the Geisha district. You can go around here and shop. We didn't get to see real Geisha though because it was still early and it was raining :( but I think the area here is nice at night.