Travel: Bukchon Hanok Village

Hello everyone, I'm currently here in Milan Italy now and since I have a good wifi access, its time again to update some blog post. Just wanna share with you Bukchon Hanok Village located in Seoul South Korea, a place you shouldn't miss when you visit Seoul!

Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional Korean village with a ruch cultural history situated near the famous palaces in Seoul. It's one of thr most visited tourist spot in South Korea according to a survey done by Seoul Metropolitan Government in November 2011. Just by sinply exploring the narrow streets of Bukchon Hanok Village, you'll be amazed by its architectural wonders and tourist will endlessly find Korean rich history to any conrner of this village. It is located near the Gyeongbokgung palace, Changdeokgung palace and Jongmyeo shrine. The name "Bukchon" originated from the word "northern village" as it is located north of 2 famous Seoul landmarks. 

Nowadays this traditional villages are mostly converted into cultural centres, coffee shops, restaurants and even guesthouses. We stroll around the village and found many unique souvenir shops, delectable Korean street foods and the Hue place coffee gallery abd shop here is also a must-try! So when you visit Korea, go the Bukchon Hanok Village and it's totally worth a visit!

Fashion: K POP OF RED

Hola! It's been a while since my last post as I'm currently here in Barcelona Spain now for my Europe tour. I was able to update my blog while waiting for hotel transfer to Milan Italy today. Just want to share with you this outfit during my recent trip in South Korea. It was winter season when I went there so this look was inspired by the red trend this season. Color red even dominated the recent Oscars award featuring celebrities wearing mostly cherry red colored gowns and dresses.

As for men's fashion, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have to wear it boldly as you can see on my outfit below, I just used it as a pop up color to add little fierce and fun color to my usual black or blue OOTD. I'm wearing Teenie Weenie fur coat, red H&M pullover, Givenchy Pandora bag, Classic Ray Ban wayfarer, Folded & Hung jeggings and New Balance shoes. Everything turned out to be a perfect match and hopefully I can still wear more winter clothes here in my Europe tour. Adios everyone! 

Food: Cafe Hue Place Tea & Coffee Gallery

Cafe Hue Place located in Bukchon Hanok Village in South Korea is a tea and coffee gallery that everyone will definitely love. The place whether you want your coffee outdoor or inside their superbly decorated interior was such a fantastic way to relax and unwind after your palace tour or window shopping around Bukchon area. Having my caffeine fix here felt like I was in a five star hotel and with excellent WIFI connection, I just don't wanna leave the place. 

Cafe Hue Place offers both hot and cold coffee, teas, milkshakes and excellent dessert too. Korean pastries I like coz it's not that sweet and eventhough flavours will be mild for my tastebuds, still I can't get enough of their cheese cakes and chocolate dessert indulgence. Their coffees are served as well in fancy cups and mugs that felt like each cup of it was toally worth every won spent. 

INSTAGRAM FEBRUARY 2015

Bitten by the travel bug- that's what happened to my February 2015 experience. I had my early summer escapade in the paradise island of Krabi Thailand and ended my month in my dream destination- South Korea! In between these travels, I also had stay cation in Westin Hotel Singapore and of course my never ending food blogging excuse to eat everything without guilt all for the love to my food blog! 

I hope you'll enjoy these more than 120 photo diaries from Korean sceneries, Asian pristine beaches, Jisan snow boarding shots and more happy memories for my February Instagram posts. This coming week I will be in Europe for 12 day-tour to six European countries included in Schengen visa countries (France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland & Netherlands). So stay tune and follow me on Instagram http://instagram.com/darylm15 or you can also hype me in my Look book account http://lookbook.nu/darylmfabregas

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

-Saint Augustine-

Travel: Jisan Ski Resort Seoul Korea

This was a great travel milestone of my life to experience snow for the first time in my life. Any Asian kid would always have their own vision of the snow world! It was such a day of awesome experience to try snow boarding for the first time in my life. What made it even memorable was the chance to finally meet my Korean student back in Philippines five years ago. 

I really told Michael (my Korean student) that I want to try snow boarding even before I went to South Korea and good enought my wish was granted. Instead of going there via shuttle bus, we used his private car that made it so convenient to reach the ski resort. You can get the rental of snowboard/ ski and shoes provided by the reasort but you can have cjeaper alternative by renting outside of the resort. The rental of clothes and board will cost you around 20,000 won and admission ticket was around 47,500 won. There's a lot of places inside for a budget of 9,000 - 15,000 won will do. 

Jisan Forest Ski Resort, which opened in December 1996 makes the perfect one-day trip from Seoul. It is located only fourty minutes from the capital and is covered with beautiful white pines. A second reconstruction to the resort was complteted in 1999, opening thr 68-room Maple Condo, an intermediate/advanced slope (1.5 km), Korea's first 6-person high speed ski lifts, and a world-class halfpipe and half-pipe ski lifts. These renovations elevated Jisan Forest Resort to one of ghr best leisure complexes in the metropolotan area. 

The Jisan Forest Resort's state-of-the-art snow management systems works to overcome the weather near the Seoul area and sustain great quality snow. The resport offers nighttime skiing for businessmen and is also perfect for beginners, making it a great getaway for the entire family. Shuttle buses operate from various regions to the Jisan Resort. You can make reservations for the free shittle bus on thr homepage.

Jisan Forest Ski Resort

San 28-1, Harwol-ri, Majang-myeon

Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

1300 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330

Travel: Lotte World Korea

It's always a mandatory travel list for me to experience the best theme park of any country I'm visiting. From Disneyland in Hongkong to YAS Water Park in Abu Dhabi, I really didn't miss the premiere amusement destination located in the heart of South Korea- Lotte World. 

Back in Philippines when I do part time tutorial lessons to Korean students, I always do hear fun stories and insane rides from kids who experienced the Lotte World Adventure. This theme park is now divided into 3 sections- Lotte World Adventure, Lotte Water Park and Lotte World Aquarium.

Lotte World Complex is the world's largest indoor theme park for the first time in Korea. It opened in July 21, 1989 and it was the world's largest indoor theme park ranked by the Guiness Book of World Records in 1995. 

Lotte World is a theme park in additon to department stores, hotels, duty free shops, and discount stores. Upon entering into this magical world, I was amazed by the gigantic ice skating arena located in the center of the theme park. At first, I thought that was it, not until I reached the Magic Island where you can experience the best rides in your life. I had a quick food trip to try chocolate churros and milk tea before heading out to my Lotte World adventure. 

In total, Lotte World indoor park consist of four levels of various adventures. Aside from that, they also have the Magic Island, Kid Zone, Shopping Mall, Charlotte Theater and Folk Museum. Their best rides include Drop Tower, Gyro Swing and the Giant Loop, The Conquistador and French Revolution.

Due to extreme temperature in Seoul I only managed to try 2 rides in the Magic Island. I just spent the remaining time indoor eating churros, watching the insane long queue on famous indoor rides and ended up watching the theater shows before leaving Lotte World. Maybe I'm really getting old enough to have all the energy in trying out the rides, but the kid in me will forever be here when it comes to amusement parks. Lotte World is definitely one tourist spot not to miss out in Seoul. It's totally worth your time & money.

Lotte World Adventure

240 Olympic-ro Songpa-Gu, Seoul,

Korea Hotel Lotte World

Tel. +82-2-1661-2000 

Travel: LIV SuperClub Cebu

Cebu travel escapade will not be compete without trying it's nightlife. Liv is the newest night club in Cebu. The crowd is a mix of expats and pinoys with a reasonable entrance fee of Php 200.00 that comes with free drinks. This place is located in Times Square in Mandaue accesible through taxi or best if you have private car as you'll pass through silent streets before reaching Time Square.

The place has a number of restaurant and bars which makes it the perfect spot for LIV as the vibrant hub of social activity in Cebu. Make sure to go here after midnight as usually the crowd will start to flock by 12 MN. With the growing nightlife in Cebu, LIV provides one of the biggest club area I've seen in the Philippines. We made it to the VIP access so we had table in the second level of the bar. There we had the panoramic view of the place with all the people dancing crazy when you look down.

With excellent DJ's, good music and vibrant atmosphere, LIV is the best night life experience you shouldn't miss in Cebu to anyone who wants to party till the early hours. LIV Superclub Cebu, thank you for this unforgettable night!

Food: Victoria Harbour Cafe

More than satisfying your cravings, Victoria Harbour Café brings you some of the most sentimental and absolutely delicious Asian dishes the world has come to love. 

Choose from a menu that features an array of delectable dim sum, including Steamed Giant Shrimp Dumpling, Siomai, Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce and more. Add them to a hearty breakfast meal like Soft Boiled Egg with Kaya Toast; or a steamy bowl of Mixed Pork Congee with Century Egg. Or opt to fill up with rice meal favorites like Roast Pork with Chicken and Rice, flavorful Penang or Beef Char Kway Teow, or the irresistible Stewed Eggplant with Minced Pork. Top them all off with delectable desserts like Creamy Mango with Pomelo and Sago or Red Bean Shake.

Enjoy them all in a restaurant that exudes the beauty of a traditional Chinese home, accented by brightly lit red lanterns, brass leaf carvings and interesting furniture pieces.

Victoria Harbour Cafe

Type of Cuisine:

Chinese

Ambiance:

Casual

Payment options:

Cash, credit card, Points

Operating hours:

Daily, 10AM to 6 AM

Location:

GF Gaming Area

Travel: Life Dance 2015

Being an EDM fanatic, it was always my dream to join music festival event for such a long time. That's exactly what I did during the Sinulog 2015 Festival in Cebu City. I never had so much fun in my life like this where everyone regardless of their age, sex, race, is dancing the night out and forget the rest!

LIFE DANCE Cebu Philippines is the first ever outdoor EDM party in Philippines. Life Dance is inspired by renowned dance parties around the world such as Tomorrowland, Zoukout, Creamfields and Coachella. It kicked off its premiere even in Cebu drawing enormous number of people last May 6, 2012. This was followed by another on June 18, 2013 dubbed as Life Dance Sinulog: Circus of Life and May 25, 2013 entitled Life Dance: Wicked Summer.  

I've been to Zoukout in Singapore twice but Life Dance have a totally different spirit & music ambience where people just keep on dancing, smiling and enjoying the night. The fact that I'm with the company of the awesomest friends in here and the night was truly magical and therapeutic.

For 14 hours in one stage with 6 international DJs including Miss Nine, HOOKNSLING, Werwolvs, Borgeous, Vinai, Nari & Milani, their general ticket admission price of Php 1,000.00 or VIP Ticket Php  2,000.00 was totally worth it. I can't wait for next year! Hope to also experience Tomorrowland or Coachella soon. Haha! Reach up for your dreams my dear readers.

LIFE DANCE 2015

CEBU PHILIPPINES

South Road Properties

Cebu City, Philippines

0921 2588 178

Life Dance 2015 in partnership with SMART Prepaid.

INSTAGRAM JANUARY 2015

Since I'm in backlog for my Instagram blog post, let me share you again my photo diary via Instagram for the month of January. With my previous travel & food post, you'll notice that I had so much travels & events earlier this year, I really do love January not only because it's my birth month but also because this signifies a new start for another year to fill up with memories.

January 2015 was totally not a wasted time for me, celebrating my birthday from Marina Bay Sands and W Hotel Singapore, to Raven Manila in Philippines and join friends for the annual Sinulog Festival in Cebu City Philippines. It was a challenge to manage time to make all these happen! With all the calories, late night parties, multiple hang-overs and run-out-of-cash moments, but I totally never regret for this was my best birthday celebration thus far!

So here's my January Instagram photo diary, hope you love it guys. Continue to follow my blog and watch out for my Korean travel & food blog post soon =)

Fashion: Seoul Meets Sentosa

During my recent trip to Korea, aside from tons of facial mask of beauty products I also had some great fashion finds in Myeongdong. I visited Sentosa recently for a birthday celebration and wanna share with you my OOTD look that night. 

I was wearing this dope gray top with SEOUL statement print that was truly my kind of style, simple yet fashion-ready! I paired it with black skinny jeans from Factorie- a local Singapore clothing brand. You can see it was also my first time to use leather boots for my OOTD. It was uneasy at first for me considering the humid weather here but had to wear for this look. Lastly, I used this black leather tote bag also from Korea and this CDG snapback, such a perfect combo!

Travel: Cebu City Philippines

For the longest time in my life, I've been dreaming to visit Cebu City and as what they say "Nothing is impossible in life"! I was lucky to celebrate my birthday here with friends from Singapore in celebration of the Sinulog Festival 2015. This paradise really never failed my expectation, the island of Cebu is so much blessed with natural resources, beautiful beaches, awesome people and it's one thing making me proud as a true blood Pinoy.

I visited Cebu earlier this year with my Cebuano colleagues from Singapore. We stayed in Cebu Tune Hotel and had so much memories from their food cuisines, festival celebrations and must see tourist attractions. I witnessed the lively cultural celebration of Cebuanos during the Sinulog Festival, dance all night during the Life Dance Music 2015 and indulged in their infamous Cebu Lechon and Mango Shake. I've also seen the Cebu Plantation Resort and Spa and visited the Magellan's Cross and many  more experiences I've only tried in Cebu. 

So to give you some insights of my fun experience here, enjoy viewing these photo diary of how awesome my experience was in this paradise dedinitely only in the Philippines!