The Power of Heart and SEOUL!

(As published on Hardware Zone Magazine's November 2015 issue)

What makes Seoul an ideal travel destination is that, it is a modern yet a history-rich city where one can experience its preserved traditional culture and at the same time, its cosmopolitan urbanity.

OOTD: Top and pants from Forever 21, Cardigan from Cotton On, Wedge from Landmark

 On September 2015, I went on a 4-day trip to Seoul, which was already my second. My first was in autumn of 2012 where I visited some UNESCO World Heritage sites in and out Seoul. But in my recent trip, I focused on discovering more of the city.

When deciding on where to go in Seoul, just follow your heart, and choose what you love. In my case, I like Korean dramas so I decided to visit some of the shoot locations of my favorite K-dramas. First stop was the Geongbokgung Palace, one of the sets of The Rooftop Prince. Luckily, I also got to witness the “changing of the guards” ceremony. Next stop was the Mangosix Café (Apgujeong Branch) in Gangnam, the set of A Gentleman’s Dignity. However, it has been renovated and is now known as Koffisix Coffee. I got pretty disappointed and wished I visited the Daechi-dong branch, one of the shoot locations of The Heirs instead. Lastly, I tagged along some Seoul-based Filipino friends to visit the shoot location of The 1^st Shop of Coffee Prince in Hongdae.

Changing of the guards ceremony at the Geongbokgung Palace

The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince in Hongdae

That's Yoon Eun Hye's signature inside the coffee shop

 For couples, a popular destination is the N. Seoul Tower in Namsan Mountain, which can be reached through a bus or a cable car from Myeongdong. This is where couples express their love by putting love locks in the railings of the viewing deck, just like those in the Pont des Arts Bridge in Paris.

N Seoul Tower 

lovelocks

My three favorite neighborhoods in Seoul are Hongdae, Myeongdong, and Gangnam. Hongdae is known as the university area (where Hongik University is). It is where the youth comes for shopping, dining, and clubbing. Foreign and local fashion brands, street foods and mid-end restaurants, plus bars/clubs are found here. Myeongdong is a shopping haven. It is where numerous beauty and fashion brands are; and trust me, they’re priced 3x less there than abroad. Gangnam is where high-end brands and the elites are; and is perfect for celebrity spotting.

street art in Hongdae

Korean BBQ (I love Hongdae street food)

my favorite shopping district: Myeongdong

comfy OOTD: Nike sneakers, denim top from Japan, denim shorts from Forever21 and Coach sling bag

Don’t worry about the expenses because it’s not as expensive as you think. Well that’s for you to experience; so book your flight, pack your bags, and prepare to have fun!

Finally Found the Right Way to Fly with AirAsia Zest!

Flying to my favorite local and international destinations at affordable prices is now possible as AirAsia and Zest have now partnered! With its new brand name, AirAsia Zest, I am sure it has a lot in store for us dear travellers. And the best part is, AirAsia Zest flies from Manila!!! No more hassle driving too far because the flights depart from NAIA Terminal 4. How cool is that? :)

Ok, so now that I found the Right Way to Fly, it's about time for me to make new travel plans. Here's my AirAsia Zest destination (local and international) wish list:

#5 TAGBILARAN, BOHOL

I haven't been to Bohol but I've been wanting to visit the place to see the Chocolate Hills, the old churches, the white sand beaches, and to dine at the floating restaurants in Loboc River. Although the recent 7.2 magnitude have destroyed many of these tourist spots, it won't stop me from going there. I wanna see how the people of Bohol are recovering from the tragedy and I would like to extend a helping hand too, even in my own little way. Also, I am a fan of old churches as they take me back in time. I was saddened that the old churches of Bohol are now turned into ruins; but still, I would like to visit them and pray. And of course, being the beach bum that I am, I would love to have some jump shots at the sand bars of Panglao's white sand beaches! :)

This BEFORE and AFTER photo of BOHOL churches is from

(http://www.pinoystop.com/news/world/2429/magnitude-72-earthquake-hits-central-philippines-kills-20)

#4 CAGAYAN DE ORO

This is another must-see travel destination in the Philippines, which I haven't been to. Being an adventurous person that I am, I know that I will definitely enjoy CDO because first, it's where I can try whitewater rafting at the first time; and second, it's also my gateway to Bukidnon and Camiguin. With just a ferry ride, I could get to Camiguin to see the Underwater Cemetery and of course, more white sand beaches! Also, with just a bus ride, I can get to the Dahilayan Adventure Park and try the Asia's Longest Dual Zipline plus get a taste of the best pineapples in Bukidnon.

Whitewater rafting photo from my friend, Josh Reyes' Facebook page.

#3 KALIBO (BORACAY)

Boracay will always be my sweet escape. Whenever I wanna relax or just get away from the busy city, I always head to Boracay. It's just my happy place. In fact, I've already had some local friends there, whom I've met in my many Boracay trips in the past. I just find the place very relaxing, most especially at the Puka Beach. Nothing beats the feeling when I am seated by the shore, my feet buried in the sand as I drink some fruit shake or cocktail, while reading a good book or chatting with my friends. Besides relaxation, Boracay also gives me a really fun nightlife experience. This island is the place-to-be for the best summer parties and sunset sessions. I super love Boracay that whenever I meet new foreign friends, I always tell them not to miss Boracay when they travel in the Philippines.

me at Puka Beach in March 2012

But besides spending time in Boracay Island, I also want to explore Kalibo, the home of the Ati-Atihan festival. I've been to a lot of festivals in the Philippines but I haven't experienced Ati-Atihan yet. I also wanna take a walk in the eco-trail of the Bakhawan Mangrove Forest. And of course, I would like to have a taste of authentic Aklanon cuisine, which I know tastes good and is very affordable.

a fire dancer

 sunset at Puka Beach :)

#2 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

I haven't been to Malaysia but I know Kuala Lumpur is the home of the Petronas Twin Towers. I have always admired my friends' photos in this popular tourist attraction and I want to have my own photo with it too. I am a fan of cityscapes and I wish to capture a typical night scene at KL. Shopping and dining are relatively cheap in Malaysia so I want to take advantage of that. Plus, I also want to visit my Malaysian friends, as they promised me before that they'll show me around.

A photo of the Petronas Twin Towers from (http://www.cuti.my/Sub/Kl/guide_kuala_lumpur_petronas_twin_towers.htm)

I've also heard of other tourist destinations such as the Batu Caves and other Buddhist temples in nearby towns/provinces, which I wanna visit. And of course, being the Lego fan that I am, I must not miss Legoland! Well it's actually far from KL but I've heard they have comfy buses from the city going there so I don't think transportation would be problem. And besides, I can also have a side trip to Singapore, which is just a few hours away from Legoland. It's a place where I have a lot of Filipino friends I wanna visit.

#1 INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA

Of all the Asian countries I have been to, I would say that South Korea is my second favorite, next to Japan. In terms of culture, they're pretty much the same; but for me, South Korea is more laid back. It was my first time in South Korea in November of last year via Incheon and I would say that it's one of my best international trips so far. I have visited a lot of tourist attractions in Seoul because my friends and I took a hop on-hop off city tour bus. We've also been to Everland, Nami Island and Petite France, which weren't too far from Seoul. The farthest we've gone to was at Gyeongju City where we visited many of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. It took us a 2-hr bullet train (KTR) ride one way just to get there.

Autumn 2012 in Seoul

ancient tombs in Gyeongju

Me at Nami Island, where Winter Sonata's first kiss scene was shot.

Gwanghwamun

Just last August, I have attended a Korean travel seminar where I've learned a lot of must-see tourist destinations in South Korea. I realized I haven't seen much of what the place has to offer because I haven't explored its provinces. In fact, I gathered a lot of travel brochures and maps from the seminar so I could plan my next travel to South Korea very well.

some of the brochures I got from the Korean travel seminar

SHOPPING and EATING are the top 2 things I really enjoyed doing in South Korea, particularly in Seoul. I wanna come back to shop for more beauty products and clothes, and to do another food trip! I just love the "samgyeopsal" and the coffee shops of different themes! I also wanna visit more of the shooting locations of my favorite Korean dramas and hopefully see some K-pop artists haha! I feel like I won't run out of things to do when I'm there that's why it's my top 1 in this list.

healthy and yummy Korean cuisine!

so here's a photo of me at Petite France, wishing for another awesome trip to South Korea :)

So that's how my list goes. I really hope I can travel in Asia with AirAsia because I haven't tried flying with them and I heard some good reviews about it from my friends, so I want to experience it myself.

If you're a foreigner who wanna travel in the Philippines, there are a lot of places here that you shouldn't miss; and you can visit these places at affordable prices via AirAsia Zest too. Just click the photo below to visit their website.