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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower (Seoul, Korea)

I have a lot of travel stories to share so I decided to dedicate my Wednesdays for my travel posts.  I've been wanting to do this for the longest time and a few weeks ago I told myself to just do it.  And here we are with my first entry to Wanderlust Wednesdays.

AWCL Wonderlust Wednesdays 

I'm going to continue sharing my Seoul adventure as I've received a few emails asking me about Seoul.  With what I have shared before (Incheon Airport, the hotel where we stayed, exploring Hongdae, the Kimchi Museum, Coex Mall and Yeouido Park), it seemed that several readers have taken interest into visiting Seoul and I'm glad my stories will somehow help in planning one's itinerary.


On our second evening in Seoul, from Yeouido Park we took the train to Myeong-dong Station and climbed up to the tallest tower in Seoul--the N Seoul Tower.  Also known as the Namsan Tower, it was built in 1969 as Korea’s first integrated transmission tower beaming television and radio broadcasts across the capital.  Since opening to the public in 1980, it has become a much-loved Seoul landmark. The tower’s main attractions include multi-colored digital art projected onto the tower at night, a digital observatory, a roof terrace, the HanCook restaurant, the n.Grill restaurant, and the Haneul (Sky) Restroom. N Seoul Tower’s mountain surroundings on Namsan (Mt.) have made it a popular place to unwind for locals and tourists alike. [source]

Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


How To Get There:

We took the Cable Car in order to reach N Seoul Tower.  
Take subway lin 4, get off at Myeongdong Station, then take exit no.3.  Walk towards the Pacific Hotel.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


Once you've reached the Pacific Hotel, walk on the right side of the street for about 10 minutes uphill in order to reach the cable car station.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


Once we've reached the Cable Car Station, we saw this elevator and found out that this is another way of going up the Cable Car Station.  Looks cool, right?
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


Went inside the ticket office and bought round trip tickets that costs 7,500won.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


There was a long queue to get into a cable car but we were so happy with how our Seoul adventure has been going, we snapped happy shots to pass the time.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


The packed the cable car so it was hard to take photos or videos while inside.  But thankfully, I was able to get some decent shots.

Cherry Blossoms down under.
PWanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


Seoul during sunset.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


The parking lot.  This photo reminds of the scene in Boys Over Flowers where Gu Jun Pyo waited for Jan Di.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


The N Seoul Tower.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


The N Seoul Tower houses the Teddy Bear Museum located at the lower level of the tower.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


If you want to see the Teddy Bear Museum and go up the N Seoul Tower, you can buy the 14,000won ticket (per adult).
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower

Before we went up the Observatory of the N Seoul Tower, we asked to go inside the Teddy Bear Museum (which I will feature in next week's Wanderlust Wednesdays) in which we spent about an hour.

After we're done exploring the Teddy Bear Museum, we went up the observatory and saw Seoul's lovely nightscape.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


Each window in the observatory has a city's name and the distance from the city to the observatory.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul TowerWanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul TowerWanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


We went back down around 10PM and we were famished.  There are a lot of restaurants inside the tower but we opted for something quick and not so heavy.  Hungry as we were, we didn't want to shock our tummies with so much food especially that it was already late.
_MWanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


So we had sandwiches and coffee at "A Twosome Place".
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


Leave Your Lovemarks at N Seoul Tower

Near the souvenir shop, you'll find this big wall full of bricks with messages and photographs.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


You can buy these square bricks from the souvenir shop and you can write messages and stick photos on them.  Most of the bricks looked like they were made by couples, probably professing their love to each other.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


Outside, you'll find several trees (they looked like Christmas trees) made up of padlocks.  They are called the LOVE LOCKS.  People who visit N Seoul Tower bring padlocks with them and lock them unto the fence.  But as the years go by, there were so many padlocks on the fence that they had to make trees now.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower

Couples write their names (nowadays, they write messages too) and lock in their padlocks on the trees to signify their "forever-locked love" to each other.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower

The Husband and I planned to buy a padlock (yes, just one to signify that we are one) and have it engraved with our names and the dates we were in Seoul but we forgot all about it as soon as we arrived in Manila haha.  Better luck next time!

Going back to the Cable Car Station, we saw this coffee vending machine and realized that this was the vending machine that Gu Jun Pyo used in Boys Over Flowers.  Another Koreanovela moment hahaha!!! :) 
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


The Cable Car with the N Seoul Tower as backdrop.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower


Going back to Myeondong Train Station, we decided to go down via the open elevator.  I have fear of heights so I was trying to smile here.  Grateful that it's not that steep, plus, it's not all the time I get to ride this awesome elevator so I just enjoyed it.
Wanderlust Wednesdays: N Seoul Tower

We had a long day that day.  Our feet were a bit exhausted from all the walking we did but we went home with a smile in our hearts.



Open 365 days a year
Observatory: 9:00AM - 10:00PM
Restaurants/Food Court - 11:00AM-11:00PM

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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

CHATIME Love

I've been craving for this for the longest time.  We have several CHATIME branches in Sydney Metro (but none in our suburb *sigh*) and even if there are two branches that I pass by on my way to my train station, I have not stopped to buy a cup on my way home.  My reason being that it's winter time and if for some reason, my train gets stuck somewhere, it might induce me to need "bathroom time".  So I've been holding up my craving for the past three months.  Yes, three long months.

Last Friday, I decided to take half the day off work and spend the afternoon with Me!  I hung out at Westfield Parramatta and gave myself that much-needed haircut.  The Husband left work early and decided to join me later in the afternoon. 

I knew that there was a CHATIME branch at Westfield so before we went home, instead of having our usual afternoon tea of coffee and pastry, I dragged my Husband to CHATIME and shared with him my love for milk teas.
CHATIME Love


Most CHATIME branches here in Australia are take-away counters but there are a few that have an area where you can sit down and take your time while you enjoy sipping your milk teas.  The Parramatta branch looked alright with their crystal-like stools.  Not a big space but still better than nothing.  I wish they have more branches with a dining area.
CHATIME LoveCHATIME Love


My favourite comes from their Mellow Milk Tea range: the Taiwan Taro Milk Tea.  The Husband being his first time, decided to be on the safe side and ordered their Caramel Milk Tea.
CHATIME LoveCHATIME Love

Can't wait for my next CHATIME
indulgence.


CHATIME Australia
Shop K508 Level 5
Westfield Parramatta
More locations
here 
7 days a week, from 9:00AM to 6:30PM
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Monday, August 29, 2011

Korean Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)

My tweets while having coffee at Hello Happy:
"Having coffee at a Korean cafe immediately transports me into a different place."

"Inside a Korean cafe, surrounded by Koreans, hearing Korean pop music...aaahh i feel like in Seoul again."
-o0o0o-

Strathfield is one of the suburbs in Sydney Metro that has a Korea Town and the Husband and I are so glad that they have
Hello Happy here. Our first Hello Happy experience was in Chatswood but Chatswood's too far away from where we live.  I've known for awhile that Hello Happy had a Strathfield branch but it was only two weeks ago that we found the chance to visit.

The Husband pretending to be candid.
 Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)


Delicious-looking cakes.
Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)


They have mini cakes too...super cute!
Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)


One of my friends, Jojie, asked me when I shared my Tous Le Jous (Seoul, Korea) foodie entry if Sydney has a similar cake and bakery place and the answer is "Yes!" (Sorry, it took awhile to answer you, Jojie).

Hello Happy serves the yummiest cakes and pastries and makes great coffee too. 
Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)


Their Strathfield branch appears to be on the more youthful side (the Chatswood branch looks more of a cafe for family) with dark lighting and cozy interiors.
Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)


I am fascinated with their little paintings on the wall.
Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)


Since we were preparing for a big Korean BBQ dinner that afternoon, the Husband and I decided to share a slice of their Chocolate Mud Cake.  Rich and decadent, you can see some chocolate oozing on the side of the cake.
Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)


Caffe Latte for him and a Cafe Americano for me.
Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)

Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)


We never go home empty-handed when we visit Hello Happy.  We bought three pastries and enjoyed it at home.

The Meringue Pie is an addicting wonderful creation.  It's puff pastry with meringue on top.
Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)


The Almond Croissant is another favourite of mine.  Buttery croissant with ALMONDS--that's the keyword there--ALMONDS! :)
Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)


The Husband enjoys the Mocha Donut, well, because it is Mocha and it had a generous topping of nuts.
Cafe: Hello Happy (Strathfield, NSW)




Hello Happy
22 The Boulevarde
Strathfield, NSW (next to NAB)
Phone: 9715 6259


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Sunday, August 28, 2011

K-POP Music Fest in Sydney!


Any K-POP fans in Sydney?  
KPOP Music Fest in Sydney!


2011 K-Pop Music Fest.” will be held on Saturday, 12th of November, 2011. This phenomenal music festival is to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Australia, also known as the “Year of Korea in Australia”. The fundamental focus of this event is to promote a range of cultural artistic activities by bringing some popular K-Pop musicians and culture to Australia, superintended by JK Entertainment is a Sydney based Event & Production Company. Some highlights of JK Entertainment works include Jay Chao Sydney Live Concert, 2010 JYP Australia Audition, 2010 Korea Festival, Super Kpop Concert and many more.
To commemorate the significant ties between Korea and Australia, JK Entertainment has joined forces with MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation) in Korea to bring 12 of the most popular K-Pop groups down under! This exciting concert will take place in the ANZ Stadium at Olympic Park, Sydney. This highly anticipated concert will be the first ever K-pop Music Festival in Australian history and marks the beginning of the Kpop culture in the Southern Hemisphere. It is expected to draw some 30,000 Australians from around the country as well as overseas fans. This concert is scheduled to be aired on MBC TV Program in Korea which will further expose the popularity of the Kpop internationally.
The musicians selected for this event are popular and highly successful in Korea and internationally. Their popularity has been proved through a series of popular polls, online surveys, interviews with the public, extensive media coverage as well as an ever growing fan base across the world.
JK Entertainment together with MBC Korea are excited and proud to present SNSD (Girls’ Generation), Miss A, TVXQ (aka DBSK), KARA, SHINee, 4 Minute, 2AM, CN Blue, Beast (B2ST), Secret, MBLAQ andSistar to perform for this concert.
More details can be found here.  [source]


PRE-SALE TICKETS ON-GOING!

The official sale of tickets will be on 1 September but if you are an eager-beaver like me, you can email info@jkent.com.au and they will reply a link back to you so you can purchase tickets between 28-30 August.  Simply email the following details:
  • Your name, contact number and email address
  • Number of tickets required
  • Section where you want to sit (VIP standing $289/VIP seating $289/Gold $189/Silver $139/ Bronze $89)
  • Fan group you would like to sit with

The pre-sale started at 9:00 this morning and I had to get up early just to get tickets for me and the Husband.  Yes! We are giving this a go even if we're not really fond of going to concerts.  Can't wait to watch this on 12 November.



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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Maybe...One Day.

Every morning to work, I always see a few removalist trucks out in the city and it reminds of the time my Husband and I moved to a place of our own a few years back.  Since we wanted a smooth move, we decided to hire movers that can help us and it was one of the best decisions we've done when it came to moving.

Part of the planning we did when we moved was to get moving quotes from different moving companies in the metro. When we received the quotes from different companies we paid particular attention to the quotes of each one, hoping to get the best rate for us.

In the end, we chose local moving services who had lower rates because they are near the area where we're going to live.  It is always best to go local as it does save the movers time and petrol moving your stuff from one place to another.
 
One day soon, we hope we will make a call to these movers once again.  We don't mind moving again as long as we move to a home of our own.

Things I Love: The Latest Lotte Duty Free Video

Just saw the latest version of the Lotte Duty Free music video and I'm screaming my head off because it's just so pretty!!!  

It now includes Hyun Bin (from the drama Secret Garden), Jang Geun Suk (of You're Beautiful and Mary Stayed Out All Night) and Kim Hyun Joong (of Boys Over Flowers and Playful Kiss).  It also includes the only woman in the video, Choi Ji Woo (from Winter Sonata and Can't Lose).  The K-POP groups looked awesome: 2PM, JYJ and Big Bang.

I love love love it!!!!  The video had a whimsical storybook theme.  Watch and enjoy it!



{Source}

New Food Finds at Westfield Sydney : Snag Stand & Becasse Bakery

Haven't been out much since I came back from holiday in May.  The Husband and I mostly spent our time hibernating at home for most part of May to June due to cold weather.  We started going back to our weekly dinner dates in July and that's when we found out that the Westfield Sydney Food Court in Level 5 and 6 became more fancy.

A new gastronomical experience was having a taste of some "haute dogs" at Snag StandPhilip Blanco, the man behind Gloria Jeans and T2, brings sourced gourmet sausages from local butcheries and serve them with specially-baked buns for a sophisticated sausage sizzle experience.

The Husband got himself the American Classic "haute dog".  A filling wood smoked frankfurter with American Mustard, tomato sauce, onion and sweet relish on a toasted brioche roll.

Haute Dog at Snag Stand (Westfield Sydney)


Being the spicy-fiend, I got myself the Chili Dog.  This "haute dog" won't disappoint when it comes to "haute-ness"!  A natural frankfurter enveloped in chili beef sauce, onions, cheese and roasted chili peppers on a toasted brioche bun.
Haute Dog at Snag Stand (Westfield Sydney)


This hotdog is so long so they cut it into half to make it easy to eat AND share!
Haute Dog at Snag Stand (Westfield Sydney)


Their chips made from 100% Tasmanian Russet Potatoes with a sprinkle of natural sea salt flakes is one of the best chips I've ever tasted.  A great partner to their "haute dogs".
Haute Dog at Snag Stand (Westfield Sydney)

Their hotdogs tasted a bit bland but I took into consideration that their sausages are made from low lean fat meats, all natural casings, gluten free, no artificial colours and flavours.  I'm aware that the more natural the food is, the lesser flavour it can be. The little blandness is balanced out by the sauces and toppings so I didn't really mind.  I'd gladly eat these kind of hotdogs anytime and feel guilt-free.

Snag Stand 
Level 5, Shop 5012a 
Westfield Sydney
188 Pitt Street, Sydney
NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9221 9660

-o0o0o-

On a different week, the Husband and I met up for afternoon tea and decided to try the coffee and pastries at Becasse Bakery
Becasse Bakery (Westfield Sydney)


We had a cup of their Cafe Mocha and shared a pastry.  With just the right amount of chocolate, their Cafe Mocha was beautifully rich.  I'm truly proud I live in a city where you can get good coffee in every corner and even in food courts.
Becasse Bakery (Westfield Sydney)


Their version of Gateau St. Honore on instagram.  It is a classic French dessert made of puff pastry at its base, cream puffs dipped in caramel and abundant whipped cream.

Becasse Bakery (Westfield Sydney)


I loved this pastry!!!  I knew I was meant to share it with the Husband but I ate most of it.
Becasse Bakery (Westfield Sydney)


I can't wait to try their other pastries soon.
Becasse Bakery
Level 5, Westfield Sydney
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9283 3440

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