Flashback 2007. It was the year when I got addicted so much to Korean dramas – one of which is “The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince”. I made a promise that I will definitely visit the cafe shop where they film this drama. Return to the present 2015. Eight years later… I am here! At the Coffee Prince Cafe Shop! And I am feeling ecstatic! Ahhh! I cannot contain my euphoria! 😀 😀 😀
One of the highlights of my South Korea trip is being able to spend a night in one of the traditional houses (hanok) in Hahoe Village. Being a UNESCO World Heritage site, the villagers wanted the tourists to experience their culture by offering homestay in their traditional houses. These houses were built centuries ago and once you set foot in the village, you will feel transported back in time – a perfect retreat from the busy, noisy city life. Amazingly wonderful!
Andong is known to be the capital city of Korean spirit and is the home of Confucianism in Korea as well. The city acted as a home to the noble class during the Joseon period and to this day, these houses are still standing as they are kept up by the relatives of the original owner. Andong is a city in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province in South Korea and is a three-hour bus ride from the capital city, Seoul.
For someone who is a die-hard fan of Korean dramas (like me), Andong is a must-visit place because you get to experience the traditional Korean way of living. Andong is considered as the capital city of Korean spirit because this is not only is the home of Confucianism in Korea but also a home to the noble classes of Korea during the Joseon period. Up to this day, many of the homes of these noble classes are still standing in the city and are maintained by their relatives. To experience the essence of Korea’s traditional lifestyles, we decided to have a homestay at one of these traditional houses.
Bali has always been a curiosity for me because I always see a lot of social media posts about this place. Aside from its white, fine sand beaches and the countryside, the Balinese culture may have added to its uniqueness. I and my friends have only three days to explore this Indonesian island; hence, we decided to treat ourselves with a “luxurious” vacation… starting off by staying at a four-star hotel in Kuta Beach, the Grand Inna Kuta.
Bali is probably one of the most famous destinations in Indonesia. There are definitely a lot of reasons why… beaches, night life, food and well, uhm… temples maybe? LOL. I and my friends only had three days to explore the island which includes the travel days. In order to get the most out of our Balinese experience, we decided to avail of a one-day tour through the packages offered by Amazing Bali Tours. For USD 45 per head, we were able to visit the famous Balinese temples and ate their traditional food during lunch.
I am a certified coffee addict. I love all types of coffee. So, when our Balinese guide asked us if we wanted to try the world’s most expensive and rarest coffee: the Kopi Luwak, I did not hesitated. Thoughts such as how much it costs, what does it taste like and why is it the most expensive coffee came running in my mind.
Extreme activities are not new to me because I am a lover of adventure and adrenaline. Paragliding has been one of the many items in my bucket list and the thought of me riding a free-flying glider, with just the wind pressure serving as an engine for us to move and fly makes me excited. This activity will indeed let me see the world in a uniquely different perspective: up from above, slowly gliding and navigating.
Surfing is not in my Bali to-do list. Though I am quite intrigue with the activity, I never planned on trying it while in Bali. But because this is a common sighting in place, I and my friends were enticed to try. We paid IDR150,000 each for an hour of surfing, which includes a personal instructor.
It was a gloomy Saturday and the happiness brought by laying on my bed is a temptation not to pursue my morning stroll. However, 2015 is the year I vowed to be more fit and health conscious. So, no more procrastination. Rise and shine my body.
Singapore has one of the busiest ports in Southeast Asia; so sightings for vessels, cruise ships, yachts at other water vehicles are common. Because I live at a nearby port area, I decided to take my morning stroll here.
the wanderfull nikki 