Day 3 of our Seoul adventure heralded a trip to Everland. Strictly speaking, I am not a fan of amusement parks, but I seem to be going to one in almost every country I’ve been to just the same. Anyway, I decided to make the most of my day out, firstly by looking out for adorkable little Asian children in their fluffy winter gear.
Day 2 of our Winter-Fall in Seoul adventure found us clamoring to get up early for the trip to Nami Island. We were supposed to take the bus so we can sleep the entire 1-hour ride, but it was already fully booked a couple of days ago (how tourists are expected to book when there are no online reservations, I do not know. Sad face), so we were stuck with the train. Good man Jin of B My Guesthouse recommended a faster train route, an advice we heartily took.
Thanks to a slew of dramas, pop songs, awesome skincare and cosmetics, servings of kimbap, and several Super Shows, Seoul has been in my travel bucket list for years now. So I’m sure you can imagine my mounting giddy excitement as the months fell away into weeks, then days and hours, until finally our plane touched down in Incheon International Airport. We reached Seoul on November 19, a couple of days after the proclaimed official first day of winter, and were welcomed by clear skies, a high feeble sun, and frigid Siberian winds. The adventure begins.
I live in a tropical country that knows only two seasons – heat and rain. So understandably, I was in a little bit of a panic when I found out that late November in Korea – where they enjoy four seasons – was already the transition from fall to winter. The sudden drop in average temperature from 12 degrees C to 7 and below in the week of our stay was testament to that, and Korean winter is notoriously bitter, with harsh winds coming straight from Siberia. In the two weeks leading to our trip I researched blogs, rounded up thick…
Baler on a budget is a lot less tricky than say Palawan, Cebu or even Baguio on a budget. The beautiful coastline province of Aurora welcomes everyone – including your tight purses – with open suntanned arms. All you really need to bring are your trusty walking shoes, your water gear, an appetite for seafood and adventure, and a whole lot of sunblock.
I saw the deal in Living Social right after watching Man from the Stars. So I’m sure you can understand why it was an easy purchase. Years of watching Korean dramas, movies, and reality shows have exposed me to curious case of Korean type spas, or jjimjilbang 찜질방. Finally founding one in Philippine shores only means one thing: time to put on that pink shirt and shorts set. (Cue GongChan and YooRin memories) Awww My Girl was a super great drama. Must find time to rewatch it. Anyway, jjimjilbang is a gender-segregated public bath house, furnished with hot tubs, dry saunas…