Seoul - Siloam Sauna, Sigolbapsang, Passion5, Young Plaza and Lotte Department Store

Have not blogged about my travels for a while, especially here. Been thinking of consolidating both the blogs (the other being http://ilovelongvacation.wordpress.com/) because I realise I don't have much time (and content) these days. Will see how - it's tough because both are so close to my heart...

Well, I mentioned briefly about my Seoul trip in end March (we just missed the full bloom cherry blossom by a bit :( ). Went with my sister C and my cousin SS (our first trip together) so it was quite fun :) Took Cathay Airline because it was relatively cheaper and the timing of the flights matched all our schedules. But it was a red-eye flight with a short stop-over in Hong Kong airport so we were a bit jet-lagged when we arrived in Incheon at 6am...



Headed for a local sauna after we left our luggage at the hotel. Siloam is near Lotte Mart (nearest subway station is Seoul Station). Quite interesting. Besides the sauna, Siloam houses many levels of entertainment but we didn't take any pictures inside because we didn't want to intrude into the privacy of the local community - in the changing area, many were walking around in their birthday suits! Haha.

Not really sure what we were doing - the language barrier is quite apparent here because it serves mainly the locals, I think. We soaked in many different types of pools and followed by trying the different sleeping areas set at different temperatures with different setting e.g. salt, jade. We also tried the BBQ eggs and fermented barley drinks - those you see in Korean drama! Haha. There were many other facilities available e.g. gym, karaoke, hair salon, massage spas, restaurants etc. Definitely a place where you can spend a day to relax! Cannot remember how much it costs but I recall telling my sister that the amount is value for money :P



After the bath, we went to Itaewon for lunch and decided to try Sigolbapsang, a small traditional Korean restaurant. There, we tried so many classic banchans for a flat price of 8,000 won each!



Very sumptuous lunch - I think we over-ordered. Should have just ordered 1 more ala-carte instead of 2! Didn't imagined that we will be served so many banchans!



Seafood pancake. I really like this version because it was over-flowing with seafood! Really miss it as I blogged. Yummy!



Spicy chicken stew which was also huge! Thought it would be a spicy chicken soup that will warm us, not fill us up!

After lunch, we explore Itaewon where many foreigners hang out. The area is large with shops, cafes, galleries lining the entire stretch. I'm sure there are many hidden gems somewhere in the gil and dong but we did not really seek them out. Haha. Still suffering from our red-eye flight...



Then we stopped at this place - Passion 5 - for coffee. Didn't manage to take any pictures but the  café was gorgeous with pastries both savoury and sweet! We just had coffee, no thanks to our overfilling lunch. Would have been nice to try some of the sweets... Hmmm...



My mocha - I always have this notion that in a good cup of coffee, the coffee art stays till the last drop if you don't stir it. Haha. Correct me if I'm wrong :P

Left Itaewon for Young Plaza, which was next to Lotte Department Store, which was near Myeungdong. SS checked out the SM Pop-Up Store. First time I heard of EXO. Haha. And this trip, my favourite was Mr.Mr, Mr.Mr. Haha.



While I checked out the highly-raved Style Nanda. Didn't buy any clothes but got away with some 3CE cosmetics :)



SS wanted to go back to the hotel at 6pm! Gosh! So we decided to have dinner at the Lotte Department Food Court to re-charge and to explore the Lotte Department Store a bit more before we call it a day. My cold noodles which was ok. Haha.

We found out that the departmental store closes at 8pm which I thought was really early for a shopping paradise like Seoul. Well, I guess everyone will just head to Nandaemun which we did in the later part of our trip - will share on that later.

It's like only 2 weeks since I'm back to reality. And I think I need a break again. If only we can travel every day...

July - Random thoughts...

Before I start to blog about happenings in August, I thought I will share some random thoughts about July. And they are, interestingly, related to work (kind of).
 

View from my office where I was getting water.
My thought: Too beautiful a day to be in office :P That's the thought that always run through my mind on a really bright and sunny day. I would rather be, well, at the beach or just chilling somewhere :)



Lunch alone one day - Macaroni and Cheese soup and Soba Salad from Soup Spoon
My thought: The salad is nicer than the soup! Well, perhaps a wrong choice of soup :P I utilised the Shape Run $5 voucher, so lunch was about $7plus with soup, salad and chips :)

 

 

Farewell Lunch for Intern D! At Au Chocolat in MBS! Was there with YK a few months (click here) and this time I tried the brunch :)
My thought: The food is really good! From top: Hens in a basket, Vongole Pasta, King's Breakfast. Lunch was kind of a rush because I had to go back for a meeting :( But still good :) That's working life. Sigh.

Overdue brunch with Intern D. Haha.
My thoughts: Glad to have connected with D, my neighbour at work for  a few months. Kind of understand what my previous boss ST said about mixing around with young people :) I'm still learning, I guess. And it has been a long long time since I visited The Marmalade Pantry. Was it back in 2008? Or 2010? Nicer than I remember :)

 

I.T. shop is finally in Singapore, at Wisma Atrium! And I decided to pop by after I parted with D. My second time there. Did not see anything I really like during my first visit....
My thought: Splurged on a dress (bottom picture) which was quite unique - it is made of a sweater cum skirt. And separates mean that I could wear them separately too! Pretty and simple- my style. LOL. Should work well for both work and fun. I also like the white t-shirt with jewels but I thought it did not fit as well as I wanted it to be. It has been in my mind since though. Perhaps I should have gotten it then, since a total of $150 purchase will entitle me to a life time member which in turn will entitle me to a 10% discount on future purchase. Haha. What a mouthful :P

 

Well, my final thought: Admit it or not, work is such a big part of our lives that we would be deceiving ourselves if we do not feel anything about it :) And July marks 3 months in my current job which is a key milestone, kind of. It has been a good (busy) journey so far, and I definitely feel that that I am enjoying what I do and learning in the process. Good for a start, I guess :)

Korean brands - Belif and 4Fingers

Korean brands have been making a dent in my wallets lately :P Decided to shop at Plaza Singapura after visiting my dentist at Singapore Shopping Centre last last Friday. Been to the new wing for food but never really shop.

Belif

 

Popped into belif because I heard that its eye-mask is very good. Thought my eyes are not looking as fresh since I started working again - must be due to the UV radiated by my laptop and the occasional late nights :(  It was a very pretty shop with pretty products - typical Korean style, I must say :)



And what a K-POP! I bought an anti-dark circle eye serum because I wanted my dark circles to look less obvious! Not cheap - almost the same price as premier brands like estee launder... Will give it  a few weeks to see if it's worth it :)

Also brought an overnight mask - my first although overnight products like the Laneige have been quite popular amongst my friends. Was not in my shopping list but the sales assistant persuaded me to hit $100 to get the membership and there was a 20% discount on these masks. Cheaper than I thought :) Tried it once - smell nice and help me relax as I fall into my slumber...



Free samples - typical Korean style again. LOL.



Pretty packaging. Belif - Believe in truth.

 

4Fingers

 

Been a few years since I had 4Fingers Crispy Chicken at Ion. Nice when it is hot...

Close-up! Nice kimchi fries :) Found the chicken a bit too dry but it was crispy indeed :)

Also snagged a pair of shoes from Spurs which was on sales! Have wore it once to the office but forgot to snap. Will upload a picture when I remember :) Only spent a few hours at Plaza Singapura but spent quite a bit - what a happy retail therapy!

jones the grocer @ Ion Orchard

Had an awesome outing at Ion Orchard on Saturday. This kind of marked the start of my GSS (Great Singapore Sales) journey :P Lovely way to start. With brunch at jones the grocer.




The Ion Orchard café is the latest jones the grocer in Singapore. Spotted people waiting for it to open at 9plus :) Love the futuristic ceiling at Ion :)



Gourmet food for everyday living :) Reminds me of Sydney although I have never been to the jones the grocer there... I guess I miss Sydney...

Bigger than the one at Mandarin Gallery where I usually go. The groceries on display seem to shine!!!



Open kitchen concept...



Flat white. Good coffee. Dark coffee cup on dark coffee table = Coffee floats in the air...



Big breakfast! Too big in fact :P Found it a bit too healthy. The hash brown tasted like it was fried in extra virgin olive oil...I like the scrambled eggs on sour toast, tomatoes, heaps of Bacon (which I cannot finish) and mushroom though...Wrong order perhaps?

My brunch. No better way to start the day. Really. Gave me tons of energy which lasted me in Orchard till 9pm!

The place started to fill up by the time I finished. Think I prefer the one at Mandarin Gallery which is brighter and transparent - the glass walls allow for people watching which is more interesting. It has been a while since I brunched in a shopping mall too, so I feel some claustrophobic. Too used to the neighbourhood in the backyard feel, I guess :)

And ending off with my first GSS 2013 purchase :)  What was yours?

Started on my GSS shopping a bit late. But I only felt the urge to shop now...Perhaps I should blog about my GSS loot (not that I expected much. haha). Retail therapy feels great (especially after a crazy week at work) and the GSS gives you no reasons to say no! So start shopping this weekend, everyone! And don't forget to start with brunch, wherever you are! :)

Marina Bay. Marina Bay.

I spot myself in the Marin Bay area for the last 2 weekends. Nothing wrong with it, I guess - just funny how I keep popping up in the same places these days :)

 

Was at the DBS Marina Regatta last Sunday - such a hot and bright day! The picture (see below)  I posted in Instagram got me an invite to the DBS Marina Regatta Story 2013 Awards. A pity I could not attend but still HAPPY :) I only started on Instagram lately and it has been fun so far! Follow me @ ILOVELONGVACATION and see the other pictures that I posted on the DBS Marina Regatta and of course the occasional stories of my life!

 

Focused. On. The. Race

Also visited the Blueprint Emporium at Pit Building on the same day :) Happen to read about it in the newspaper last Saturday so I decided to pop by since I'm in the area. Always like attending such events to see what the designers in the region are up to and try to get something special :) 

Always like attending events at the Pit Building...Can feel the vibe in the air :)

 

Food is a kind of fashion these days too. Nice to see Tiong Bahru Bakery setting up shop here. Reminds me of the weekend markets in Sydney :) 

 

Excited beings heading to the fitting room to try the stuff they eyed on...



Pop-up stores  in their own ways!

 

My take-away :) A pair of crafted earrings from Tulola Jewelery (designed and made in Bali) and a ring of the same series...The ring is still on the way from Bali via DHL as my ring size was 5.5 and they had to tailor-craft it for me (and it was free, a privilege extended to all Blueprint Emporium customers :)

I must say that was a HAPPY Sunday! :)