Seoul 101 Part 1

Third time's a charm actually. Perfect weather would be fall (around September-October). 

FAQs:

1. Shopping

Ewha University:

What's a shopping destination with food gotta do with this post? I was too busy shopping my heart out that I have no photo "buying:, Eto ang mentality mo ay "go broke", :) Loads of cheap tops and bags. :D During my latest spree here, I bought a pair of shoes, 4 tops, 3 bags and loads of makeup bauls.

Now back to the photo post, this place serves the best street food I had in Seoul. 

I'll do a separate post on food but I have to emphasize that these babies are the best. Meal set for 5,000 KW composed of potato tots, chicken and deokbokki. The place is near 711 right outside the station's exit. It is across Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. You need to walk a few steps to reach to the best barbecue I had in Seoul. Order the spicy version :) 

Gangnam Underground Market

My go-to-place for dainty tops and dresses under Php400. :D

Myeongdong

2 H&M, Forever 21, and the best Gyoza in town :D

2. "Must See" Places

Namsan  Tower

I am not a fan of Koreanovelas, but I was told those bunch of "locks" on my back was a famous setting of (Boys Over Flowers?!). But anyway, inside the tower there's the Teddy Bear Museum. Cutesy. I've been to Madamme Tousaud's Wax Museum and I think bears are cuter than actual versions of celebrities. The teddy bears are also quite different from those in Jeju. Still, worth the photo-ops (if you are into those sort of things). And do me a favor, Please do not have your picture taken on top of the Manila sign. Its so..passe.

Hongkik University (Weekend) Market

Everytime I go to Seoul, we always head off to Hongkik University Market on the weekend. Drop by Trick Eye Musuem for fun photo shoot with the barkada. There's also a Hello Kitty Cafe. 

Samcheongdongil and nearby Hanok Houses

 

This has to be my favorite Seoul destination. It has local cafes, breakfast nooks and themed shops. Really great for photo-ops or if you are just craving for Western food. It reminds me of a quaint French town with all the pretty cafe and trees surrounding the area. 

After a short hike, you'll get to see old Korean houses (Hanok Village). Get a detailed map online since it is quite hard to find. well worth it as you get to witness Seoul's old houses with the urban landscape in the backdrop. 

I'll let you in on a secret? Slow Garden has to be my favorite breakfast place. They have generous servings of waffles, pancake, salads, etc. Yummy. (Note: please do not try the famous place that's famous for their Korean pancakes, not worth it).

Other Touristy Stuff:

If you have an extra day to spear, I suggest heading off to Nami Island. It's around 2 hours away from the city. Quite accessible through train. Most people would drop by Le Petit France before heading off to Nami (not me). :) The place is the setting for the Korean drama, Winter Sonata (and no I am not a fan). 

I super love the place because the trees just before autumn provides a wonderful yellow-ish hue. (Definitely looks better than just the normal pine trees you see in Baguio).

How to go there: 

Option A: Subway: Gapyeong Station in Gyeongchun Line. 

If you are travelling in a group, you can take a cab directly or if you are in a budget mode, you can take the local bus. 

Option 2: Direct Bus

I heard you can also take a shuttle bus from Nami Island Seoul Center in Insadong (besides Tapgol Park). This leads you directly to the Nami entrance gate. Too bad the bus is on a schedule: Bus from Seoul departs at 9.30 and bus going back to Seoul departs at 16.00.

To go or not to go to Lotte World? If you have an extra day to spare, its better if you head off to Everland instead. The long queue is not worth your few days in Seoul if you spend it on Lotte World. Mag-Enchanted ka na lang :D

Bohol Nightlife

As most of you know, I'm on exile right now. I am in the province of Bohol. Friends when they visit Bohol complain that there's nothing much to do here. So here's a lowdown on the places I went to this Friday night.

Yes, I do miss Manila and my dear old friends.

Time-out

So here we go, at around nine thirty we went to the "city center". While not as big as Island City Mall, Bohol Quality (BQ) is the mall "at the heart of the city".

On the top floor, there's a variety of food options and inuman places you can choice from. The mall closes at around nine but Time-out Grill runs till 1 am. The place is a mishmash of Central and your typical neighborhood karaoke. Yes, you can sing on stage because it has a videoke machine in it.

It has the typical mixed drinks in pitcher (Php95-275) and tower (Php265).Drinks remind me of Tang with alak (flavors come in Orange, Grapes and Mango- see?!)

Anyhow, Turn-out Grill has private rooms for videoke if you are the "shy type" who prefers singing with barkada only and not for a crowd of 100  strangers judging your musical taste.

A bit rowdy and noisy for my liking so we proceeded to the lower floor. Disguised as a Turn-out Grill's "Sports bar", it has a Foosball table with fancy chairs inside. While I'm not generally impressed, the place is still packed of college and high school kids looking for a great time.

Potion 9

On to our next stop, Potion 9 at City Square. Its across BQ Mall so if you get tired of the singing your heart out, you can watch local bands. Whats the genre? Think Nick Automatic, rock-lovin' artsy kids. Be warned though, the place is on top of the floor. It has videoke pa din. Potion 9 is on the farther corner of Level 3 building. But no worries, inside you'll be seeing women wearing hippie headbands :D

Doy's

This place reminds me Padi's Point. A bit for the older crowd that prefers a more laid-back vibe with a showband on the background. I recommend the crispy kangkong (over the chicharon bulaklak). They have a couple of meals you want to try out for dinner (e.g. barbecue, pochero, etc). Minus on the Php50 entrance fee to get inside :D

Martin's

I LOVE the place. It reminds me 77 Bar Cafe in Kamuning, an old house with funky furniture and lighting. The place is pretty much packed on a Friday night. Oh and kuya can actually sing Maroon 5 and Arcade Fire. Bar pretty much serves mixed drinks and cocktail too. Cheers! to that round of Jack Daniel's and Jagermeister.

Ranking French Metal Bands

R says: They look like Nsync. The other four members look ok, the fat one looks like Joey Fatone.
E says: Their metal cover reminds me of David Blane with his assistants. (L-R) Guy with the long hair is so Kpop, Guy with the long hair might have his own market, Girl looks a bit hot and Guy at the end looks like he's from a 90s boyband :)

HACRIDE

R & E: OMG. Adam Levine.

Ashka

E: Right Guy (Queer eye for the straight guy tone): I can't believe you are wearing that hideous shorts and bandana to our concert.

 And guys will dig this band for one thing- BOOBS.

T.A.N.K

R: for some odd reason, they remind me of Incubus

E: Vocalist is WORKING OUT :) Key Takeaway, ang lalaki lang na puedeng magsleeveless sa gig ay dapat guapo at macho lamang (kahit di siya nagdeorant mukha pa ring presko)

Gojira

R: still the Frenchiest of the lot. Kulang nalang perfume bottle sa lower right corner, ad campaign na.

E: (ogles)