Ten Days in Japan: From Lodging Our Visa Applications to Finishing 14 Plates of Sushi in One Seating

Our trip to Japan was filled with utter delights because each day was allotted for discoveries. Everything in the country is incredibly efficient (I haven’t seen toilets so innovative), but there’s no air of snootiness. It's a must to experience this culture of graciousness once in your life.

Dreaming of Kyoto

Kyoto is the part of our Japan trip that we have enjoyed most. It’s remarkable how they were able to preserve the charm of the temples, alleys, and houses. I regret that we only stayed here for a night. We would have extended our stay in a heartbeat if our hotels for the succeeding parts of the trip weren’t paid for already. If it's your first time, please spend a couple of days here!

Oh Deer! A Day in Nara

What’s not to love about Nara? Everything about it exudes calmness – even the deer that would sometimes chase you for the famous shika sembei biscuit. Japan’s efficient railway services make it easy to reach Nara from Kyoto and Osaka.

Tokyo DisneySea: Where Dreams Set Sail

Tokyo DisneySea is our new favorite theme park because of its stellar line-up of areas and attractions that are based on different ports of call. As opposed to its sisters, DisneySea won’t give you that childhood euphoria but the park is still incredible for it can “transport” guests to various places. Some of my favorite areas are the Mediterranean Harbor that reminded me of Dubrovnik and the Arabian Coast which screamed Aladdin all over. I have never seen a theme park so unique and detailed.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan – Worth All the Gold in Gringott’s!

Thirteen years ago, I first came across the tale of The Boy Who Lived. Every Sunday, we used to go to the bookstore and there I saw this little unassuming book. Seven installments later, like all Potterheads, I still find myself enamored of the world J.K. Rowling has conjured.  I’m now in my twenties but I still feel thrilled over new releases, theories, and Buzzfeed articles.

Souvenir Guide: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan

Theme parks, they say, are tourist traps with their skyrocketing costs of food and souvenirs. Despite this truth, I still love taking home something that will remind me of how happy I was that day. Needless to say, I don’t mind being trapped! 

If you’re heading to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan, here are some of the gifts which you may take home.

Isla de Gigantes Guide for Thrill-seekers

There I was having the time of my life swimming and feeling like a pseudo mermaid when I saw Jade, our Isla de Gigantes guide, shaking off sand from my Birkenstocks. I told him not to do it as they would eventually become soiled again. “Baka madulas po kasi kayo,” he meekly responded.

48 Hours in Baguio

Baguio is a place close to my heart after living there for five years. I might have been to numerous special places but Baguio remained different. My social media feeds might have photos of adventures from many cities but Baguio’s still my happy pill. When I’m sad, it’s the place I regularly yearn to be in.

A Hotel Rejected Us But It Didn’t Stop Us from Admiring Moalboal

After our fulfilling Kawasan canyoneering experience, we rented a multicab that would take us to Moalboal. This small town in Cebu’s southwest part is deemed a world-class divers’ paradise because of its abundant marine life. While it’s only my first time in Cebu, I can affirm that there are magnificent diving spots all over the region.

Kawasan Canyoneering’s Addicting Charm

If there’s something I’m most grateful for about this trip, it’s the fact that I was accompanied by fellow adventure junkies. They’re Aujen’s MBA classmates and while I imagine them in pensive moods when dealing with complex problems inside the classroom, their personas outside are entirely different! I cannot imagine going through all these things without companions as fun and as brave-hearted as them.

Finding Serenity on Sumilon Island (+Where My Friends Ate the Famous Cebu Lechon)

If you’re in Oslob, do not miss the serene Sumilon Island! Since we finished our whale shark encounter before noon, we rented a boat for P2,000 and paid P50 each for the environmental fees. The island is called as such because of the word sumilong which means “to shelter.” They say stranded fishermen use the island as a refuge from storms.

Swimming with the Massive Yet Graceful Oslob Whale Sharks

No aquarium, regardless of how spacious and fancy it is, can replace the amazement that comes with an actual exploration of the sea’s wilderness. This is why we were so excited to visit Oslob. We arrived in Cebu at midnight and took a 20-minute cab ride going to Ceres Bus Terminal. Our bus ride lasted for almost four hours. When we arrived at Brgy. Tan-awan, it was only 4 a.m., but instead of booking a room (we were only there for a day tour anyway), we opted to pay for a cottage where we could rest and charge our gadgets.

Singapore Diaries: Universal Studios and Its Yearly Frightfest

This is a quick post of my recent Universal Studios Singapore adventure with my boyfriend’s family. I won’t dwell too much on the park because I have written about my favorite USS attractions last year. We still had fun, but we were saddened that the Waterworld show for that day didn’t push through because of the haze crisis. Nonetheless, it’s the right thing to do for a show as perilous as Waterworld needs to ensure the safety of its stars.

6 Things to Do at DreamPlay by DreamWorks

Let kids have fun unstructured form of play

 Unstructured play is essential in honing a child's imagination and DreamPlay is just the right place for that. I took my cousins here and they certainly had fun exploring iconic areas from renowned DreamWorks films. My hyperactive cousins climbed, crawled, and yes, screamed because of the How to Train Your Dragon area’s sprawling mazes while they enjoyed searching for Shrek’s missing keys at the Swamp Stop.

I'm Never Coming Back to Myeongdong with My Boyfriend

“Are we done yet?” my boyfriend asks with his eyes trying to conceal his impatience.

“Malapit na talaga (It’s nearly over),” I say as convincingly as I can.

This post is long overdue but I simply cannot let go of my Myeongdong experience. Myeongdong is unofficially hailed as Korea's cosmetics haven. The district is teeming with eager shoppers because the rows of beauty stores seem endless.

In Myeongdong, it isn't unusual to see more than one branch of a particular beauty brand. If you have forgotten something from Tony Moly, don't worry because the next block would probably have another branch. Some stores are open until midnight and it's usually nice to go there after visiting Namsan Tower. 

Korea Diaries: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Insadong

We spent our last day in Korea exploring the country’s cultural side. Gyeongbokgung Palace was first on our list as it’s the country’s most famous royal abode. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to explore the palace’s walled grounds because Gyeongbokgung was closed. If your visit doesn’t fall on a Tuesday, make sure to not miss the colorful Changing of the Royal Guards ceremony.

 

Korea Diaries: Nami Island and Namsan Tower

After being captivated by the French-inspired houses in  Petite France, we headed to Namiseom which is a half-moon-shaped island in Chuncheon. Nami Island is famed for its tree-lined lanes which I’m sure look magical during autumn or winter.

 

Korea Diaries: Everland Resort

As a theme park devotee, I prioritized Everland when I created our South Korea itinerary. The outdoor theme park is located in Yongin and is operated by Samsung. The park’s intricate details emulate various places from Greek gardens to German Alpine villages.

 

Korea Diaries: Petite France

After graduating from thick fairy tale compilations, one of the books I have devoured was “The Little Prince.” Knowing that innumerable lives have been touched by the book, Korea came up with Petite France, the only French cultural village in the country.

 

Korea Diaries: “My Love from the Star” Exhibit

I find mysterious brooding guys endearing which is why I got hooked on My Love from the Star. The series follows the life of an alien professor whose glum notion about love changed when he met a self-absorbed actress.