all about my journeys in life: October 2009



Konnichiwa Osaka! Aregato Kyoto!

Saturday, October 24, 2009
10-11 July
Osaka and Kyoto
JAPAN


My visa would be expiring soon and I didn't want to be unable to use it. So kahit weekend trip lang, and even with the threat of the H1N1 disease, I asked Adette if she would like to go. She did...so off we went to Osaka.

From the airport, we bought our train tickets to Osaka station. From there, we would just walk to our hotel (Hotel Kinki). Our hotel had a nice location. It was near the shopping malls and most importantly, near the Yodobashi Camera outlet. The first thing we did upon checking in was to go out and buy Adette's camera at Yodobashi. Yodobashi was heaven. It consisted of (I think) 8 floors with different 'categories' at each floor. For example, printing equipment on the ground floor, papers on the second floor, cameras on the third floor and so on. We haggled a bit and finally bought Adette's camera. Then we had our dinner at KFC.

The following morning, we checked out but left our bags at the hotel. We went on a tour to Kyoto. Malas of all malas, it rained when we got to the most beautiful site. Losers talaga. We were so wet that we lost the appetite to even go to Nara. The tour finished before lunch and we actually had time to go to Nara but because of the heavy downpour, we just decided to eat. Yes! Authentic tonkatsu! Sadly, no yakisoba. :(

When we went back to Osaka, we went to this building which, according to Adette, has a hanging garden. We did not see the garden even after looking for it for an hour! Before we went back to the hotel, we ate at a restaurant para naman maranasan namin kumain na nakaupo sa sahig. Haha. Then we went back to the airport.

The trip back to the airport was again, via the train. We knew that it would take around 2 hours for us to reach the airport so conveniently, we slept. Mababaw lang ang tulog ko and because I worry about our bags, I sometimes wake up talaga. Fortunately, at one point, I woke up when it was being announced that passengers going to the airport should move to cars 1-4 because the whole train would be divided into 2 sections. The other part would go somewhere else. Gosh! In panic, I woke up Adette and we ran towards the first train. We were in the last car and it was already 10pm! If we didn't make it to the first car, we would have to wait for another 30-45 minutes for the next train to arrive or worse, there could be no other train. Well, luckily, the guy assisted us so we made it in time for our flight. At the airport, we shopped again and waited to board. Tiring but wonderful experience. :)

Saranghae Seoul!

26-27 June
Seoul
SOUTH KOREA


The trip was supposed to be with Adette and Tin. Unfortunately, Adette got sick from her trip to London so she did not make it.

The flight had a stop-over in Osaka. We were excited to see the airport only to be disappointed when we actually saw it. The place was dead. Tsk, tsk.

Anyway, we arrived at the Incheon International Airport at around 6pm. It was already dark. We boarded a bus going to the city center. Luckily, the bus stops right before our hotel's doorstep. We stayed at the Ibis Hotel in Meong-Dong, a very good location.

We rested a bit and then went out. A few steps from the hotel was a shopping area. Tiangge all over. Everything was candy to our eyes. If only we had a lot of money to shop! Haay. We bought dinner from McDonald's or Burger King...I can't remember. But I can't forget the fact that the crew gave us mayo packed in 2 cup lids (use your imagination) when we asked for it. They don't have the mayo in sachets and she could have just told us that there is none but instead, she exerted some effort in giving us mayo. Diba. Winner sa customer service! ;)

The following day, we started walking from 8am. We had breakfast on the tour bus to save time. We went to some palaces, villages, cultural sites, and others. Although I can't remember now the exact names of the places, I just feel that Korea has now become my favorite libot place. :) We ended our 'tour' at around 10pm. We were really so tired that our muscles were aching when we got back to the hotel. Pati ugat namin, galit na! But...we still had energy to go out to buy my Korean costume. Inisa-isa talaga namin ang mga stores sa palengke and luckily, one store at the end of the road was selling a hanbok. We almost lost hope na nga. I bought the cheapest hanbok available--P2500. The others really looked nice but they cost around P15000 and up!

On our third day, we went to the site where 'Stairways to Heaven' (a popular Koreanovela) was shot. Most of the couples there wore the same shirts. Or at least yung alam mong magkapartner. Kainggit. After the parade, we decided it was time to go back to the hotel and pack. We took the evening flight back to Doha. Disappointingly, I was not even able to try any authentic Korean dish. Ang hirap kasing makipagusap. :(