Spam Posts

i haven't checked my blog for longest time (last post was 2021). i just visited my blog yesterday coz i was looking for a post i wrote before. then i was surprirsed to see there were 3 new posts that are obviousy spam. you mean they were able to access me account?!?!

How We Survived in Shanghai?

i don't know anything about Shanghai. i have just started a drama filmed in Shanghai, so i really don't know anything. i tried to do our itinerary but i failed. i only did he first day and a little on the second day. my companions are not also familiar with Shanghai and we don't have any Chinese skills. also Google is not working. so how did we survive?

(note: this is not a paid blog, but it just so happened that they're the ones we used and i would just like to share it instead of people wondering what it is. also, i'm an iphone user during the trip so mostly would be based on iphone, just kindly search it on Google Play)

1. Wifi

yes, Google is not working but the wifi helped us a lot in looking for places, talking to our host/car rental anytime and anywhere. as i have previously blogged, we used iVideo and it was fast and really reliable.

2. (iPhone) Map

since Google is not working, we can't rely on Google. Waze is not working well. so i tried using the map of my phone. i never used it before but it became my bestfriend in Shanghai. i depended on it so much. not only on the directions but also on the top restaurants nearby. yes, you can search for restaurants near your location.

3. Subway Card

sorry it won't rotate..

this helps a lot especially if you love to commute coz you can also use this when you ride the bus. i'm guessing even with the other transportation, you can use it. but at least just even with subway, it would save you time and effort of buying tickets. and the card is just 20 Yuan.

4. Metro Subway App

this app also helped us when we try to see how we can go to one place to another. it made life and transfers easier

5. Translator

it's in Shanghai that i realized i relied on Google too much. of course i can't use Google translate which is the only translator app i have in my phone. good thing my sister has the Naver Papago Translate app. it helped us communicate with our driver and others. just type what you would like to say and show the Chinese translation to the other person. and because of the app, our driver led us to a cheap restaurant that is really good.

6. Calculator (on your phone)

so this what i did in Shanghai when asking for prices especially from the street vendors. i just say "Dushao" (how much), then show the calculator in my phone and let them type the amount

7. Rent a Car if you're going to Suzhou

i truly recommend that you visit Suzhou. the parks there are really good to visit. but it's better to rent a car. why? (1) coz it's far. (2) the parks are not walking distance from each other so it's better to rent a car to make your life easier.

we rented a car from ShangCar.com and Felicia who became our contact person is really helpful. i've inquired from a few other sites and she was the one who sent the lowest rate. and the great thing about them is even if it's last minute, they were accommodating and helpful. we decided to just rent a car on the day of our departure. i just messaged her at 9am and we needed the car at 11pm. our car was Buick GL8. just drop them an email at info@shangcar.com.

8. Val, our AirBnB Host

Val was a great host. she patiently answers all my questions, and trust me i have a question everyday (like is there a church nearby). even before we booked, she was already helpful. her place is in a perfect location. 

don't mind our bags. hehe. thanks to @robellejoyce for the pic.

i very well recommend her properties. though the one where we stayed, you should be quiet but it's okay. you can check all her Shanghai homes here . i think all her other homes also have great locations based on the reviews.


9. Whatsapp and WeChat

these two are the popular chats in China. sometimes Viber would work but not most of the time. Facebook messenger, i would receive notifications but we can't open them. so these apps (ad iMessage/FaceTime) are what we use.

what's good about WeChat is that it has a translator, so it makes communication easier.

10. Look to Your Left and to Your Right Before Crossing the Street

even if you're on the pedestrian lane, you still should look (especially to your left) before you cross. coz the traffic for vehicles in Shanghai is.. turn left/right with care

i hope this list would be of any help to those traveling to Shanghai and i guess to other China cities.

Tips for First Time Travelers to Tokyo

yay! i finally had been to Japan! Tokyo in particular. and of course, before going there i did some research on where to go to, what to expect, etc. honestly, i got a little scared as readings said that the subway is confusing and there's not much english.

okay, subway is confusing at first but after 2 days, you'll be fine. and just have a map with you. hehe. and english? trust me! Japanese are like the kindest people. i guess i'll have another post dedicated to that. so no problem even if there's a language barrier.

since we received a lot of help from the Japanese, i am now writing this post to help those who are planning to go to Japan. well, these are the things that helped us in Tokyo.

1. Download Google map on your phone

Google map had been our bestfriend. we would rely on it too much. it tells us what train to ride and the time the train leaves and what platform. see! you won't be confused with the subway if you have this. hahaha.
but don't really trust the travel time for walking, i guess they timed those who walk really really fast. and i get lost with the walking directions. hehehe

2. Rent pocket wifi

first tip is to use google map. and if you are to use it, you would need an internet. you'll not always have an internet, so it'll be great if you rent one. another helpful thing in our travel. and it's not expensive.

i rented from this site: http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html.and it was an easy process, i got mine from the post office in the airport and just mailed it there to return.


3. Get a PASMOcard

if you'll just be in Tokyo, this would save you time and also some Yen. yes, you get a little discount if you use PASMO than buy a ticket every single time you ride the subway. yes, you save time since you just tap and tap your card. and you can also use it on vendo machines!
and you can have it personalized!

4. Learn the word "Sumimasen"

it means Excuse Me. this is the first word you'll say to the Japanese if you'll ask for directions or call their attention to order, etc etc.

and it's like most of the foreigners i encountered during the trip who would pass by would say Sumimasen instead of excuse me.


5. Bring power bank

let me repeat it. you will be using google map on your phone, you will be using wifi. and i'm sure you will be using your phone's camera a lot.

so what does this mean?

low batt. solution: bring a power bank. what i have is a cheap power bank since i just use it rarely in the Philippines. but in Japan, i used it everyday. and it gave my phone a longer life even just a little


6. You can also learn the sentence: "____ doko desu-ka?" (pronounced as ____ doko des ka)

this means "Where is ____?"

this is just an option so you can also ask those who can't speak english. what i did sometimes was show a picture then say "doko desu-ka?". then the way was shown to me!

just a warning though. some gets excited that they would suddenly speak in straight fast japanese. so either you say, "sorry no Japanese" or if they show the way with hands i say "left then right?" also with hand gestures. then they'll know i don't speak in japanese. hehe.

if the direction is complicated and they can't speak english at all, just follow the first part of the directions then look for another person to ask. hehe

7. Wear comfortable shoes

i know it's good to be fashionable when traveling especially with all the OOTD posts that we see in sns. but trust me, if you're like us who would like to visit as many places as you can in your first trip to tokyo, you would walk a lot. as in a lot! so better to wear comfortable shoes. and guess what? sneakers and rubber shoes sell cheaper in japan! that's what i found out in our trip. you can buy a lot! :)

and a note to smokers, there are vending machines selling cigarettes but you cannot buy from those. to buy cigarettes from these, you would need a Japanese ID card.


well, that's it. i hope it would help you a lot in enjoying your trip to Tokyo. =)

Hongdae to Nami Island/Petite France

when you research on how to go to nami island/petite france, it's kinda complicated. and when i was doing our itinerary for last january, i was kinda scared if we'll be able to reach the place. good thing korea has a new subway line which makes it easier to go to nami island. 

to help you more during your trip itself, download the korea subway app. it would help you a lot in going places.

okay here's the direction to nami island from hongdae.

Of course we will start from Hongik University Station. When inside Hongik Station, go to the G-J Line, particularly for the train going to Sangbong (G-J line). Transfer to Gyeongchun Line and go down in Gapyeong.

let's summarize: Hongik Univerity -> G-J Line - Sangbong -> Gyeongchun Line -> Gapyeong

yes, you will just ride the train and not go out the train stations anymore.


And when you reach Gapyeong, you can take the shuttle bus for only 5,000won.It's a ride all you can bus for one day. So you ca use it going to both Nami Island and Petite France. And it passes by every hour. But before you ride the bus, ask first if it's the shuttle bus because there are also ordinary buses that pass by.

Let's go first to Petite France. yes, i suggest you go there first coz i'm sure you're going to spend more time in Nami Island. so just for you not to rush your stay in Nami.

Petite France is as the name says, Little France.

the entrance fee is 8,000won.

it's a nice place to take pictures and show to your friends and trick them that you're somewhere other than korea. hehe.

Okay, next stop. so what is Nami Island? It is a park but on a different island.

So yes you have to ride a ferry going there. The entrance fee which includes the ferry is 8,000won.

It's a popular site for korean dramas, especially Endless Love. it's a beautiful place actually.

We went there during winter, well, as you know there are not much plants during winter. i guess it'll be more beautiful if it's spring or fall.

 

sorry, i'm not good in describing things and in convincing. the main purpose of this post is to just actually show you the new way in going to Nami Island/Petite France. but i just posted some pics and stuff to tell you what these places are about. i assure you, you won't regret visiting those places. it's not a waste of time. happy sightseeing!

Catholic Churches in Seoul, South Korea

wherever i am, i really try to hear mass if it's a sunday. so when i'm in korea, i try to find out where the nearest catholic church is. and so far, i've been to four:

1. Myeongdong Cathedral (http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264138)

- the most popular among my list. this is a tourist spot in myeongdong. i guess because it's located in the shopping district. and since it's a cathedral, it's the biggest among my list. also, i think this is the church with the most english masses. but the only schedule for english mass that i know is 9am.


Directions (for the visitkorea site):
Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 8
Walk along Toegyero-gil st. for about 300m and turn right at the intersection.
Walk along Myeongdong-gil st. for 100m to the Catholic Center
Walk up along the center

2. (Church in) Itaewon

- since itaewon is a foreigner place, i assumed that there is a catholic church there. and yes, there is one. it's near the mosque. i have to mention this because you will see the mosque more, but they're not on the same street. when we went out of the subway station there's a tourist guide who gave us a map and told us the direction of the church.

since it's in a place with lots of foreigners, i'm sure there's an english mass. but i'm not sure what time. the mass that we attended was in korean. and i've noticed only 2 young people in there.

3. (Church in) Hongdae

- finally! after always staying in hongdae, i finally saw the Catholic Church there. it's in one of the streets. it's near the elementary school.

the schedule are 9am and 11am. but when i asked from the church's office what time is the english mass, they said none.

since going to the itaewon church and seeing only 2 young people there, i became observant on the youth going to church in korea. this is the church where i saw many young people. and i think they're all friends. i arrived before the mass started and whenever there's a youth coming, their friends will be excited. and they stayed at the left corner of the front of the church. i had been a member of the youth ministry before that is why it makes me happy to see youth going to church.

Directions(?):
If you're from exit 9, you have to turn left (instead of right where most of the stores/restaurants are). it is not that obvious so you really have to look for the cross to see if it's already the church. and it would be helpful if you will ask around while walking (that's what i did). the elementary school would be a helpful landmark coz it's in the next street.

4. (Church in) Hyehwa

- after learning that there's no english mass in hongdae, i went to hyehwa as i read that there's an english mass there and a lot of filipinos. when i went down the station and walked a little, i saw the lane with filipino food. and after speaking in broken english for days, it's really a relief to speak in your native tongue in a different place. since i heard them speaking in tagalog, i asked them in tagalog where the church is. i was told that the mass is at 1:30pm, and to visit myeongdong for english mass. i asked if the church is open to visit, and i was told yes. so i visited the church.

when i arrived (past 9am) at the church, there's an on-going mass. but it is in korean. still i stayed since i can't attend the 1:30pm mass anymore coz i'm leaving for manila already.

Directions:
Hyehwa Station (Line 4), exit 1. Just go straight ahead then you'll see the tents of the filipino market and just go a little straight more.

and here is the filipino market that you will pass by from the church to the subway

i'm sure there are still a lot of churches in seoul but these are all that i have visited and easy places to visit from hongdae. hehe.

Korean Food

a lot of korean restaurants are opening up in the philippines. i guess it's because there are lots of koreans who are coming here to study english, and also for filipinos being into the korean wave. i have done some posts about korean wave, so i'll not post about it anymore. i'll just post about korean food.

i like korean food. they are healthy. not that expensive (coz lots of serving), and because of the free side dish! hahaha. and it's beneficial for me to eat korean food coz it's one of the rare moments i eat vegetables

here are some of the korean food that i know. sorry, i suck in describing things

TTEOBOKKI



most of the time this is seen in the streets of korea at night. sweet and sour flavored rice cake. but for some, it is spicy. it's a good snack.

ODENG


my favorite street food! it's a korean fish cake in a stick that is dipped in a hot broth. and the broth is also delicious! while eating odeng, you can drink the broth and it will give you a nice, warm feeling. sauce is a soysauce, but even without the sauce, it is already yummy.

CHUNGMU GIMBAP

spicy! but really good. those are squid. i think the gimbap is to control the spiciness.

BIBIMBAP

mixed rice. yes, that's what bibimbap literally means. sorry for the picture. it's been mixed already. i was excited to eat. hahaha.

RED BEAN BREAD

the bread is filled with red-bean paste. most popular is the goldenfish-shaped. but here in the picture is a poop-shape. hehe. it's okay but it is a great snack for a cold weather. and i don't know why but it made me want a waffle

PAJEON


like an omelette, but they call it a pancake. hehe. actually, i think if it's pajeon, it's more on the green onions inside. but i'm calling everythign that looks like it pajeon. hehe

SU JE BI

it's a soup with dough flakes with wheat powder and the soup is made from shellfish. it tastes nice. sorry, i can't describe it much. hehe. but honestly i thought it was chicken soup. hehe

JJIMDAK


steamed/simmered chicken. i love this. this is good with rice. some serve it spicy, some not. it tastes good because the flavor of the chicken, the leaves and the sauce blend together.

SAMGYEOPSAL

my favorite korean dish. it is grilled pork belly. then you wrap it in leaves and eat it. i really love this. i remember me & my friends were going to eat in korean restaurant (their first time), i asked to change venue coz the first resto didn't have samgyeopsal. and my friends also liked it!

SEOLLONGTANG

soup made of beef. i really didn't like this coz it tasted bland so you have to put pepper, soysauce, to give it a taste

SOONDAE

first of the three pig intestine food to be discussed here. also a popular street food in korea. (for me) it somewhat tastes like a sausage at first, then later on i can really taste that it's the intestine. since i'm not a fan of intestines, i was not able to finish it

BULGOGI

barbequed (marinated) beef. one of the most famous korean food. i like korean beef. if you want to play it safe with food, you can eat this.

BULGOGI BURGER

yup, they have a burger for it. this is common in korean fastfood chains. it's a burger with bulgogi sauce. i like it. it's a little on the sweet taste.

GOPCHANG



grilled pork or cattle intestine. you can eat it like noodles or samgyeopsal-stlye (wrapping it in leaves). because it is mixed with other ingredients, you cannot taste the intestine that much unlike soondae, but you can still taste it being an intestine one way or another.

KONGBUL


yummy but spicy. made of bean sprouts and beef, thus the name kongbul. i think this is more popular to the younger ones (students)

KALGUKSU NOODLE

wheat-flour noodles. for me, it's like an ordinary chinese noodle soup. sorry about that. but i prefer this more than seollongtang

SUGAR COOKIES



hardened pure sugar so imagine how sweet it is. they will just put a molder for you to see the shape but the interesting part is, you are the one who should remove it from the circle to its molded shape by the use of a pin. the above pictures are those who are trying it

MAKCHANG


grilled pork large intestines. among the three intestines that i've tried this is my favorite. coz it doesn't taste line intestine but barbecue. hehe. and you eat it samgyupsal style. i told you my favorite is samgyupsal. hehe. in the picture, the makchang are the rounded ones (ones like squid).


DONGDONGJU

alcoholic drink. like a rice wine. you can't really taste the alcohol so it can betray you. what's stronger, soju or this? in terms of taste, soju. but alcohol impact, am not sure.


SIDE DISH


they serve lots of side dish. the most popular one is of course kimchi. and most of the time they give refills. so just from the side dish, you can already get full.

RAMYUN

the korean instant noodles. spicy. but when you get used to it, it will not be that spicy anymore. honestly, after getting used to this, i found the local instant noodles to be salty

ICE CREAM SANDWICH

i don't know why they like golden fish. and another of their favorite is the red beans. yup this ice cream contains red bean. this is yummy. and my brother also likes this. so see, it's really delicious. hehe