Update Menu: Brunch + Gogh at The Pantry, Dusit Thani Manila

It has been a while - like 2 years a while - since I've last posted an update but I am happy to inform that all is well.

Bullet Point Updates:

• I am still in Singapore
• I can still drink a bottle of wine by myself in one sitting
• I now have a vlog (woah)
• I moved to a new place, for the 4th time and I vlogged about it here.

That's pretty much it, really.

Anyway, went to Manila a couple of weeks back during the Vesak Day long weekend in Singapore. It was also the week of my younger sister's birthday so we celebrated her name day in advance with a Sunday Brunch. Went for Brunch + Gogh at The Pantry, Dusit Thani Manila which wasn't a bad choice, really, given it has free-flow alcohol. The buffet menu has been updated from last year though so some popular items are no longer included. Here's what to expect from the spread:

The Pantry’s Brunch + Gogh buffet is priced at PHP2,800 nett per person inclusive of unlimited drinks and painting session for kids aged under 12. Available Sundays from 11:30am to 2:30pm. For reservations call Restaurant Reservations at 238-8888 loc 8430, 8838

Urbandub Endless Final Concert: Details + Dream Setlist

In case you've been living under a rock, Urbandub is breaking up after 15 (!!!) years in the industry.

It's Over. Gone. The End of Something. Sailing Away.

Parang kailan lang, we watched their 10th anniversary concert pa. Parang kailan lang, Kindred and I were watching them every weekend at Sonic Boom gigs or anywhere else with Urbandub in the line up. So even though I'm already living in Singapore, I'm flying home to catch their final show. I already booked a flight but I don't have a concert ticket yet because SM doesn't sell tickets online which is a really dick move priorities.

If you don't have a ticket yet, just like yours truly, here are the concert details + poster!

Urbandub Endless 15th Anniversary Concert
Venue: Metrotent Convention Center
Date: May 9 2015
Time: Not sure but probably between 8-9pm?
Ticket Pricing:

Gen Ad - Php1,500 available at SM Tickets (call SM Tickets 470-2222)
VIP Tickets-  Php2,000 SOLD OUT! :(

Urbandub Endless is happening on May 9 2015

I hope Urbandub's setlist would include these songs:

1. Give
2. Come
3. Two Things
4. Fallen on Deaf Ears
5. Under Crisis
6. Soul Searching
7. Runaway
8. Versus
9. Gone
10. Sailing
11. Quiet Poetic
12. A New Tattoo
13. Lover Among Ruins
14. Alert The Armory
15. Frailty
16. First of Summer
17. Reveal the Remedy
18. Endless, A Silent Whisper
19. An Invitation
20. Anthem
21. The Fight is Over
22. Guillotine
23. Cebuana
24. Inside the Mind of a Killer

Yes, I included all songs from Influence because IMO that's the best Urbandub Album ever. No, I won't include any Apparition or Esoteric Songs. I have a feeling that their last song would be First of Summer!!! Di pa ko ready sa last na park car night sky moment ko. 

See you all guys on May 9!!!

Hotel Review: Hilton Petaling Jaya Executive Room

I love to travel but I adore staycations too. I particularly enjoy getting Club/Executive Rooms because of the privileges that come with it--priority check-in/check-out, all-day free beverages, free laundry/pressing, buffet breakfast, 2-hour free-flow cocktails at evenings, late check-in/check-out and many more!

Welcome to PJ Hilton!

For our anniversary, we recently stayed at Hilton Petaling Jaya in Malaysia where we got an Executive King Room. We had a Tex-Mex lunch first at Frontera Sol of Mexico before we checked in at the hotel front desk. I was actually expecting a staff to bring us up to the executive lounge for check-in like they do in other hotels for executive guests but I guess it's different in Hilton PJ.

They gave us a room at the 20th floor, view is nothing to rave about but it was still fine. Room size was bigger than our Club Room at Oasia Hotel. We had a King bed and I immediately called room service to request for additional feather pillows (sorry i'm not sorry!). There was a separate shower and bath, with amenities are from Peter Thomas Roth. We also had a big flat screen TV where we binge-watched The Walking Dead via HDMI. Anyway, I found it sort of weird that they offer Lipton tea bags in the rooms and even in the lounge. I love tea and I drink Lipton on a daily basis but I just assumed that since this is Hilton, they would have other brand preference for teas? Like how Dusit has TWG, Shangri-La with Dilmah, etc.

At 6pm, we went up the Hilton Executive Lounge at the 21st floor for some cocktails and canapes. Have to admit, this has always been my favorite club room perk. We had a sit by the window with a great view of the city and the sunset. The cocktail options were not much but the food spread was sufficient and filling enough to be considered as dinner. There were hot options, some sushi, cheese, sandwiches, and fruits. If you're not into alcohol, there are fruit juices, soft drinks, and sparkling water--all free flow. The staff were great as they know when to offer you another round of drinks.

Food options at the 6-8pm cocktails at the Executive Lounge

Cold beer while watching the sunset

We chose to have breakfast the next day at the lounge even though we also have an option to dine at Paya Serai downstairs where it will probably be crowded. The downside though was there were less food options at the lounge but they were good nonetheless with a mix of local and Western dishes. Would have been better though if there was pork bacon but since we stayed in Malaysia, I had to do with beef strips. Meh. Service was amazing yet again and we even met a Pinay staff named Beverly who assisted us with all our needs. There's also this cool guy named Youri that BB thought was the manager...turned out he was still a trainee!

Breakfast Spread at the Executive Lounge

Hot options during breakfast included congree, nasi lemak, and some Western options

We took a swim at the pool after breakfast then watched a couple more The Walking Dead episodes before we checked out--this time we went up the executive lounge to check out so it will be faster. It was a great staycation and we'd love to return again soon!

Seoul Much Fun: Travel Tips

Late update once again, but yeah, I went to Seoul. For 48 hours.

Flew via Scoot because I got tickets on sale. The first leg was fine, we departed on time and I got the ScootinSilence seat which was near the front of the aircraft and comes with extra leg room. The flight back was really sucky though! A red-eye flight that got delayed for 4 freaking hours. Landed back in Singapore at noon when the original ETA was 8am. Geez. Wish I could say I won't ever fly Scoot again but they will be rolling out their Dreamliner fleet soon so...ugh.

ScootinSilence Seats

Anyway, SEOUL IS AWESOME. And you have to visit it too. Here are some Seoul Travel tips if you intend to visit soon.

1. Get Wifi Access in Seoul

Pretty much all of the touristy spots (Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, etc) have free wifi so it won't be much of a problem. But you can also register for 24 hours unlimited wifi access via Olleh Wifi for 3,000 won. You can buy an Olleh Wifi ID online here and or just visit convenience stores and get one. I chose to buy online though! Connection is a bit spotty at times but it was very helpful when I was on transit or just walking around places with no free wifi access.

2. How to commute in Seoul

I only took trains when I was in Seoul and I had this very handy OFFLINE subway map called Jihachul which really helped me a lot in determining which station I should alight or go next. Download the app for free on your iOS device here and your Android device here.

3. How to Commute to Nami Island

On the subject of trains.

I'm not that really into tour groups and I my schedule was quite tight so I had to find my way around commuting to Nami Island instead of joining the daily bus shuttle that departs at 9am. I started my trip really early because I had to catch the 8:16am ITX train bound to Gapyeong station. My hotel was located near Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Center so I took the metro to Cheongnyangni, bought my ITX ticket (there's an option to buy tickets online too) at the station, and jumped on a train headed to Gapyeong. The ride was quite fast, probably around 40 minutes. So if you don't want to wait around for people from tour groups or take more than an hour of cheap metro train ride to Gapyeong station, I suggest you take the ITX train instead.

Here's the ITX ticket from Cheongnyangni to Gapyeong.
Don't lose this because the conductor will check this on-board!

From Gapyeong station, I took a taxi to Nami Island for about 3,000 won. The ride was short, took less than 10 minutes for me to reach Nami. Upon arrival, I got my tickets for 8,000 won because of tourist discount and waited for the ferry that will take us to the Island. Met a group of Pinoy travellers while waiting and they were all surprised when I told them that I was travelling alone. Not sure if they feel amazed that I'm visiting this beatiful city by myself or if they feel bad for me because they probably think I'm forever alone. Hngggggggnnggghhhh.

Arrived at Nami Island and I chanced upon the locker rental facilities near the entrance. I paid 1,000KRW so I can leave some of my stuff behind. Score!

Locker Facilities at Nami Island

The Ultimate Nami Selfie 

4. How to get Free Hanbok Experience in Seoul

I think the most popular place for a FREE Hanbok experience would be at the Seoul Global Culture and Tourism Centre at 5th floor of M Plaza, Myeongdong. Too bad though the slots were already full when I went there after a very very late brunch at Myeongdong Kyoja. And so on my second day, I made it a point to stake out at Deoksogung Palace so I can try a Hanbok for free! The Hanbok Experience at Deoksogung is only available during the Changing of the Royal Guards Ceremony on Tuesdays to Sundays at 11am, 2pm, or 3:30pm.

Finally, free Hanbok experience in Seoul!

Great experience overall! Would love to come back again and stay longer next time!

On Turning 28

First post for 2014, yey.

So I turned 28 (#auntie) and here's the year 2 of my travel video project:



Excited for my 2015 video since I just got my Korea and Schengen visa approved. Seoul! Amsterdam! Santorini! Paris!

Looking forward to a great year!

Sushi Burrito Singapore

I feel like I'm on a roll for Japanese food reviews so here's my take on the recently opened Sushi Burrito:

Skip the sides. Go for the burrito. Try the Happy Hour Asahi promo.

That's about it....

I kid.

Photo of [a part of] the menu coming up!

Click to embiggen

Burritos sell for $10.90-$13.90 each with Grilled, Pan Fried, Sashimi, Vegetarian, and Signature Roll options. For the calorie nazis out there, you'll be glad to know that Sushi Burrito includes the calorie count in their menu (just for the burritos though). We ordered Rainbow Shrimp ($10.90) and Yummy Belly Set Meal ($12.90 for the burrito + $3.90 for drink and 1 light snack or dessert). Since the burritos are huge, the place serves it cut in half which makes it easier for the burrito to be shared with a friend.

Tokyo Ramen War: Ippudo vs Ichiran

When in Tokyo (or anywhere in Japan), eat ramen. And be sure to visit Ippudo and Ichiran if you have this thing for yummy Tonkotsu ramen.

Ippudo
106-0032 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 4-9-11 second Odagiri Building 1F
Opening hours: 11:00am to 4:00 next day, Friday / 11:00 to 5:00, Sundays / 11:00 to 1:00 next

This was the first Ramen I've tried in Tokyo and it was sooooo good that we ate there twice. There are several Ippudo branches in Japan but we went to the Roponggi Hills branch. Twice. Ippudo's prices range from JPY 800 - 1,100 each ramen bowl while sides are about JPY 150-300. If you're a bit on the budget, check out their lunch specials for JPY 800 which includes rice, ramen, and 6pcs of gyoza.

I got the Special Shiromaru Ramen (JPY 1,050) while BB ordered the Special Akamaru Ramen (JPY 1,100). Mine was better fo sho!

Ippudo Japan Menu for your translation please

 Various condiments and sauces are available, unlike in Ippudo Singapore

Ginger, Bean Sprouts, and other stuff to eat before your ramen arrives...also available for free

Free flow tea for free. Rhyming sucks.

Special Shiromaru Ramen - Tonkotsu ramen topped with special chasu, bean sprouts, scallions, egg, kikurage (tree mushrooms), and wanton.

Countdown

So I've been talking about Myanmar in my previous posts but it turns out, I won't be going anyway for various reasons.

Ditched my Burma flight tickets and bought a roundtrip ticket to Manila because it seems more...right. Everything's great here in Singapore but my heart will always be in the Philippines. It's been 2 years since I last stayed in Manila for more than 3 days so I'm not really sure how my upcoming homecoming schedule would be. Less hectic perhaps, but definitely a lot of drunken nights.

True and everlasting didn't last long

We're the lonesome, we're the lonesome, yeah

I'm Going to Korea!

...alone, for about 48 hours. Ha!

I struck a good deal on flights so I booked it because what the heck Winter Sonata. I also changed my original 4d4n itinerary to 2d2n because I don't think I could go straight from a long flight to my office without feeling like crap. And I also might get bored if I stay for too long which is exactly what happened to me in Barcelona.

Jennnyyyyy

My trip's on February so I assume it would be a butt-clenching weather but not as much snow as February in Hokkaido. Need to do some research on places to go and eat around Seoul so I could get the most of my short yet sweet trip. Would love suggestions from anyone so please hit the comments if you have one!

감사합니다!!!

Advanced Birthday Gift--Phoenix Live in SG!

I got my Phoenix Live in SG! tickets via Sistic this morning which is kind of annoying since the system crashed when I was about to pay for my very very very nice seats. Oh well, still managed to get a relatively OK seat so that's okay.

Oh, and the concert will fall on my birthday. How amazing is that?

Can't wait for 01.15.14!