It has been a family tradition to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve outside the country. The country to visit depends on my grandmother’s decision. It also depends on the budget (of course! :P).

At first, I was kind of hesitant of joining this trip because I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EAT THERE!! I mean, I'm not really into Chinese food. I only know how to eat dimsum like Siomai and Spareribs, Yeung Chow Fried Rice, Sweet and Spicy Pork, and Siopao. I was really thinking about how I will survive there. Lol.

To visit the beautiful Taiwan, you need a Visa! Yes, we applied for a visa and luckily, all of us got it!! After getting our visa, I immediately searched all about Taiwan and I was surprised because I thought the weather there is like Manila. But it's cold there! The weather there is the same as Tagaytay's, which is kinda cold. After searching and stuff, I packed my stuff and brought a lot of clothes and 3 pairs of shoes :D #GirlProbs hahaha

We left Manila on December 25, 2014. I forgot the exact time. Then, we arrived in Taiwan around 11 pm or 12 midnight. Anyway, the first thing we do was to go to our hotel and it's so freaking far from the airport. We traveled almost an hour before we arrived in our hotel. Blah blah blah. We slept after getting inside our hotel.

We stayed in a Apartelle in XiLin Village in Taipei.

Hot Star Large Fried Chicken on the streets of Taiwan. So yummy!! <3

Road a bullet train for the first time. 

While strolling inside the mall, I got hungry. I needed something to eat and thank God, they have McDonald's inside the train station's mall. :D 

Outside the train station, there are mini tours around the city and it's for free!

Photo taken outside the old train station.

This is a playground inside the old train station.

One of my favorites in Taiwan!! The Hot Star Large fried chicken!! <3 So much love for this chicken. This one really makes me full even though it's super spicy. I ate this one with a cup of Wintermelon Milktea :D

As a dog lover (lol), I enjoyed walking in the streets of Taiwan. Almost everyone has a dog and they are super cute!!

I am  actually not a fan of Chinese cuisine, well except for the Yang Chao rice and other stuff but this trip introduced me to a different culture that made me learn and appreciate things that I am not familiar with. Likewise, this trip made me confident in terms of talking and mingling with people who I just met. 

I will definitely go back to Taiwan. This is a beautiful country filled with adventures and amazing people. Thank you, Taiwan!!

Sorry for posting this late!! :) I was so busy with school (what's new :/) HAHA

After a stressful term at school, my grand mother asked me if I can join her during her Vietnam trip. Without thinking and other stuff, I said yes. 

April 13, 2014, 22:00; Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Waiting for our flight. I was so bored that time 'cause we arrived at the airport two hours before our flight.

Vietnam is an hour behind Philippines. So, we arrived at Vietnam, 12 am and stayed at Hoang Phuong Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 1: Ho Chi Minh City/Vung Tau

"Good Morning, Vietnam!" is a famous American war-comedy about the Vietnam war.

There's a lot of motorcycle there since the cyclo is very rare in Vietnam. I consider this country as a busy country because everyone's really busy doing this and that. They aren't wasting their time doing nothing.

My first breakfast!! Leche flan with coffee syrup and a cup of water with tea!

A very good combination! Well, I'm not really a fan of water and tea but this one really caught me. I had more than one glass of it. 

We went to Vung Tau which is a three hour ride from Ho Chi Minh. We went there to visit different temples and also to relax at the beach!

We stayed at Lan Rung Resort. A very nice place! Everyone's really hospitable and friendly. 

Outside view of the hotel

Lobby of the hotel. Snug place!

During our lunch there, here's our very peaceful view. Clear water and fresh air! <3

I don't know what's with my grand mother when it comes to ordering food. She orders a lot!!

So, here's our lunch: Baked scallops with cheese, Fried frog, Fried Chicken with butter, and Seafood soup!

At first, I was shocked that she ordered fried frogs and scallops!! I'm not really a fan of sea foods and exotic food but since we're only two and she ordered a lot, I was forced to eat the scallops and the frog :(

Well, anyway...

I was so happy that I saw the sunset at the beach! Cotton candy sky to end a stressful day for me!

DAY 2: Back in Ho Chi Minh City

Duck egg is really a famous exotic and street food not only here in the Philippines but also in Vietnam! I had the chance to taste their duck egg. In Vietnam, you eat it with mint leaves, lemon, and salt with pepper.

Every 7:00 pm, there is a night market in front of the hotel where we stay. I'm so happy that there's a walking distance shopping place for us! But the most exciting part for me is buying Cafe Su Da or Iced coffee with milk.

I think I had 3 cups of this during out trip. Hahaha! I'm kinda addicted to coffee right now. 

DAY 3: Food and Nail Art day!

In Vietnam, there's a lot of street walk eatery. It's like a fast food chain but you're going to eat at the sidewalk or in front of their food stall. My grandmother love's to eat duck eggs and so we ate again at the place same place where we first tasted Vietnam's duck eggs.

After eating, my grand mother asked if I wanted to have my nails done and then I said yes quickly. Vietnam's nail art is so amazing! They don't use any machine to do a single nail art but they do it with their own hands.

I had a hard time choosing the design for my nails like I want all the designs to be on my hands but then I've chosen the floral design which perfectly matched my nails. HAHAH

Day 4: Last day in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

 Our last breakfast here in Vietnam. Ate at Benh Tanh Market and I decided to order the all time favorite beef noodle soup or Pho in Vietnamese. Happy tummy!! :) :)

After strolling around the market, we bought Mangoes, Atis, fish, and many more.

Annnnd, here's my healthy lunch, pork with veggies rolled in rice paper!! <3

And my dinner, Iced coffee with milk :)

Here's an how their eatery look like.

 Sooooo............

This year's trip to Vietnam is really different from our other visit to this country. It's like I learned how to live independently, speak a little Vietnamese, cross the street while motorcycles are moving, and appreciate little things. I remember the first time I visited this country, I was living dependently to my family. Unlike now, I know to decide on my own and know the difference between what's good and bad. I would definitely visit this beautiful country soon!

A day filled with adventure and eating. I really enjoyed staying under the sun that time. Though it's very hot, it didn't bothered me because it's really windy that time. We went to Cavite to visit some of our relatives (which I haven't met ever since). 

My sister took these photos for me. So, yeah. Here's what I wore. :)

Star top - Bought this from a small bazaar somewhere in Manila. I really love stars. I don't know why but I find them cute!!

Beaded bag - My grand mother gave this to me. She bought this stunning bag when she visited her family at Vietnam. I love the details of this bag though I got a scratch after using it. HA HA!

Solemate doll shoes - Well, I'm really a fan of Solemate because its really comfortable to wear plus its really stylish. It also comes in different styles!

My favorite photo of this trip!! It really turned out to be a candid photo. Thanks to my sister!

xx,

Last 2013, I was really excited for December to approach. Not because it's my birth month but it's because we'll spend Christmas at Korea! Yes! South Korea, one of the places where I wanted to live!! So, to keep this blog short but detailed, here's a photo diary.

First night in Korea and I really miss my boy friend. I took a photo myself and the stuffed pig he gave me during our 3rd anniversary.

Arrival at Korea. I so love Korea's transportation!! <3 Smooth and hassle free travel! Heaters are installed under the passengers seat.

I wasn't surprised about Korea's weather. The cold didn't bothered me during our first night but when we woke up, we found out that the weather outside is -9 degrees! Like omg!! We we're asking ourselves, how many layers of clothes are we going to wear? Just to protect ourselves from being cold. It's really funny that we're kinda scared of waling outside.

DAY 1: Everland

              The happiest place in Korea!! Spent the whole day falling in line just to experience the freaking rides at this theme park. The long lines, the freezing temperature, everything! It's all worth the wait. Best experience ever!!

After the long walks, long lines for the rides, we rode a bus going to the Safari World or the so-called Zootopia of Everland. It's like Zoobic Safari here in the Philippines though this one is a little classy. There lots of animals like hyena, white tiger, bear, birds, and etc. The most exciting part for me is seeing the bears do there unique tricks and talents.

Some pictures of the animals we saw. 

DAY 2: Bukchon Hanok Village, Gyeongbokgung Palace, The National Folk Museum of Korea, and King Sejong's Statue

Another day at Korea filled with long breezy walks. This day is different from our first day because we need to ride only one train to go to these different places. Our first destination supposedly is to make Kimchi but sadly, there are no ingredients. So we transferred to our next destination which is the Bukchon Hanok Village. Here you can see the old houses or the folk villages in Korea.

After walking and taking pictures in Hanok, we went straight ahead to Gyeongbokgung Palace or the "Greatly Blessed by Heaven Palace". This is the royal palace in Korea. Its vast location made me really tired. We needed to tour the whole palace because our Korean friend, Shin, told us so.

Near the grounds of the palace is the National Folk Museum of Korea. We got the chance to try Korea's traditional games. 

After visiting the palace and the museum, we also went to King Sejong's statue. Luckily touring inside his museum, there is a free Hangul writing. We experienced writing in rice paper and its really hard. Cousins and I were able to write our names and below is our country, Philippines.

DAY 3: Namiseom Island

Aaaah, one of the best tourist attractions in South Korea. It is also one of the places were most of the Korean shows and movies were captured. This trip is really a leg-muscle developer because of the long walks we did.

Because I have Vietnamese blood

Really enjoyed our first White Christmas!!

DAY 4: Hanbok and N Seoul Tower

Hanbok is Korea's traditional clothing. I forgot where we tried to wear it. 

Also known as the Namsan Tower which is considered as the highest tower in Korea. After visiting the hassle-to-reach tower, we did our favorite part which is the shopping part!!

DAY 5: LOTTE WORLD and SHOPPING DAY

Lotte World is like Star City here in the Philippines though this one has an indoor theme park, outdoor amusement park, a shopping center, a hotel, and a movie center. Saddest part is our camera's battery is dead because of the cold weather.

DAY 6: LAST DAY IN KOREA

Continuation of our shopping day!!

Bread with cheese!

I will definitely visit Korea again!! You should visit this wonderful country too! You'll love the food, place, people, and especially the shopping centers. What can you say about my Korea trip?

xx,