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3 newly opened cafes near Seongsu & Ttukseom Stations to visit in South Korea

If you take an interest in South Korea, you would have known that the cafe culture in Korea is seriously not a joke.

Trends come and go in the land of kimchi and cafes are opening and closing within months.

Not to mention that prices have generally gone up.

But if it’s a well-deserved trip you’re making soon, go ahead and spend within your budget!

Here are 3 newly opened cafes near two train stations of Line 2 (green line)—Seongsu & Ttukseom—so drop by if you’re visiting the area.

BILLOWY | 빌로위 성수

Image Credits: blog.naver.com/jjh30417

Opening hours: 10 am to 12 am (last order at 10.30 pm)

Prices: Starting from 4,500 KRW (4.49 SGD) for drinks

Address: 15 Seongsuil-ro 12-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Directions: An 8-minute walk (567 m) from Exit 1 of Seongsu Station

BILLOWY makes a good brunch place so if you’re short on time (which most of us are while on holiday), consider dropping by this cafe/brunch place.

Image Credits: blog.naver.com/prejiii

The brunch menu ranges from 14,000 to 30,000 KRW (13.97 to 29.94 SGD) so it’s a little on the high side. But I love the aesthetics of this place.

Image Credits: blog.naver.com/jjh30417

The greyish-white interior colors with pops of greens are easy on the eyes and make perfect backdrops for selfie lovers.

FLOPPY | 플로피

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Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays 10 am to 6 pm; Saturdays to Sundays 11 am to 6 pm

Prices: Starting from 3,500/4,500 KRW (3.49/4.49 SGD) for drinks

Address: 10 Achasan-ro 1 ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Directions: A 2-minute walk (150 m) from Exit 2 of Ttukseom Station

You will immediately spot this coffee & dessert place from afar thanks to its black exterior and clean white interior with unique mini tables and wooden chairs near the entrance. It’s not a huge space so you may not get seats if you’re unlucky.

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To guarantee a seat, you may want to visit them close to the opening hours, which are 10 am on weekdays and 11 am on weekends.

Prices are pretty wallet-friendly, considering it’s in Seoul.

BREADYPOST | 브레디포스트 성수

Image Credits: blog.naver.com/qqq86

Opening hours: 10 am to 8 pm daily

Prices: Starting from 5,000 KRW (4.99 SGD) for drinks

Address: 5 Sangwon 1-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Directions: Head to Exit 5 of Ttukseom Station and walk along Sangwon-gil. It’s just 259 m away from the exit.

BREADYPOST specializes in freshly made pretzels with a decent variety of jams and sauces as add-ons you can purchase.

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A post shared by 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓 | 브레디포스트 (@breadypost_bakery)

The cafe itself somehow gives off some old-school vibes so it would make good vintage additions to your social feeds.

Image Credits: blog.naver.com/xenia5779

One visitor added that the pastries are out at 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm. So if you want the freshest treats right out of the oven, you know what time you should visit.

And that’s all from me for this short post!

As mentioned in the opening, cafes in Korea open and close at lightning speeds. So I’ll probably be able to bring you another similar post soon.

See you then! 🙂

Travel Thursday: 3D2N Itinerary to Surabaya, Indonesia at $204.30/pax (flights + hotel + breakfast)

One more day to the long weekend!

If you’ve not planned yourself a trip out of Singapore for Labor Day, boohoo.

Haha, just kidding.

It’s never too early to start planning for the next getaway and for this Travel Thursday, we will be looking at a 3D2N trip to Surabaya, Indonesia.

Best of all, it’s just $204.30/pax and includes flights + hotel + breakfast.

Since Vesak Day falls on 2 June, a Friday, this itinerary’s prices will be based on research done for 2 June to 4 June 2023 (2-to-go):

Batik Air flights, round trip per pax: $166.30

The Life Styles Hotel Surabaya (superior room + breakfast): approx. $76 including taxes via Agoda ($38/pax)

Ready for a detailed itinerary? Let’s roll.

Prices reflected are accurate at the time of writing.

2 June 2023, Friday

Flight: Batik Air

8.50 am Reach Singapore Changi Airport T3 for check-in

11.50 am Flight to Surabaya

1.10 pm (local time) Touch down at Surabaya Juanda International Airport T2

Hotel: The Life Styles Hotel Surabaya

2 pm Take your ride to the hotel

Address: Jl. Sumatera No.16, Ketabang, Kec. Gubeng, Kota SBY, Jawa Timur 60272, Indonesia

2.40 pm Reach The Life Styles Hotel Surabaya (estimated time is about 40 minutes but that depends on the traffic too)

Check-in is from 2 pm so you should be able to drop your luggage and freshen up a little before heading for lunch.

Late lunch: Sansekerta – The Authentic Taste Of Indonesia

Let’s fill our tummies first before we start exploring, shall we?

Take a 4-minute ride or 10-minute walk from your hotel to Sansekerta for a real taste of Indonesian food.

Image Credits: Yunita Wijaya on Google Reviews

Or you can head straight to Grand City Mall Surabaya for more dining options.

4 pm Take a 7- to 10-minute walk from your lunch place to Surabaya Submarine Monument, a museum that offers tours. Or you can go free and easy, snap your quick pics, and let’s move on to the next location.

5 pm Walk your way to Bambu Runcing, about 15 minutes away from the Surabaya Submarine Monument. This landmark monument will certainly prove that you’re in Surabaya. Ha!

Image Credits: tourism.surabaya.go.id

*Plan ahead*

Since you’re in the district, you may want to book yourself a massage session for tomorrow night (3 June). RATU MASSAGE SURABAYA (massage panggilan) is right around the corner from Bambu Runcing so drop by to book yourself a massage appointment.

5.30 pm It’s almost dinner time and from all the walking, you should be ready for some food. A 10-minute walk will take you to Apsari Park, an urban green space with street eats. You will instantly know you’re at the right place if you spot the Monumen Patung Gubernur Suryo.

6 pm If the food stalls are closed, you may want to take a short walk to Tunjungan Plaza instead. You will never go wrong with a shopping mall, yeah?

Image Credits: Yemima Eve on Google Reviews

Enjoy your dinner, and drinks, do some shopping, or even catch an evening movie at the Tunjungan 5 XXI cinema. It’s your holiday so do it your way!

Once you’re done, your hotel is just a less than 15-minute drive away.

Take a swim, or wash up and get some rest; I’ll see you tomorrow.

3 June 2023, Saturday

8 am Rise and shine, and get changed because it’s time for hotel breakfast.

9 am After breakfast, grab yourself a taxi to Surabaya Zoo. It will be a short 10-minute ride from the hotel.

Fun fact: Do you know that looking at cute animals can lead to reduced stress levels? Science has backed this up. So all the sake of our happiness and well-being, here’s a zoo trip planned for you.

11.30 am We’re heading for lunch soon but before we go, let’s drop by Bungkul Park, just 600 m from the zoo.

Bunkul Park is a dog-friendly popular green space so just take a walk through and snap some pictures for keepsake.

12 pm Let’s head to Marvell City Mall for lunch. It’s a 5-minute ride away from the park or if you prefer to clock more steps, take a 12-minute walk to the shopping mall.

Have your lunch, shop at LOTTE Mart if you wish and I’ll see you at 2 pm.

2 pm We’re heading far out so make sure you stop by the washroom to relieve yourself before we grab a ride to Surabaya North Quay.

It’s going to take 30 to 40 minutes (depending on the traffic) to get to the famed tourist attraction by the waters.

2.45 pm There’s a rooftop deck over there, so feel free to grab yourself a drink at the cafe and soak in the port and sea views and vibes while you’re there.

Don’t forget to look out for the Monumen Jalesveva Jayamahe by the corner!

4 pm Call yourself a cab because we’re heading to Chinatown. More specifically, we want to snap some pictures of Kya Kya Surabaya, a historical landmark marked by red “gates” and golden dragons.

Image Credits: suarasurabaya.net

You’re in the Chinatown district so take some time to walk through the streets before you walk yourself to ITC Mega Grosir Surabaya (shopping mall) for some cool air and respite. And of course, food!

Pasar Atom (another shopping mall) is just right around the corner so we have options ya.

7 pm Let’s grab a cab to RATU MASSAGE SURABAYA (massage panggilan) for your massage session.

9 pm All relaxed for bed? You’re just a 5-minute ride or a 15-minute walk back to your hotel.

Pack up, wash up, and hit the sack early because we’ve got a morning flight to catch tomorrow.

4 June 2023, Sunday

4.45 am Hop on your taxi to Surabaya Juanda International Airport T2 (it will take roughly 40 minutes)

5.45 am Reach the airport for check-in

7.45 am Take your flight back to Singapore

Image Credits: travel.kompas.com

11 am (local time) Touch down at Singapore Changi Airport T3

Hope you’ve had a superb trip in Surabaya!

See you soon for our next flight out 😉

Travel Thursday: 3D2N Itinerary to Miri, Malaysia at $204.20/pax (flights + hotel)

Labor Day’s approaching, right?

Have you had your holiday plans set yet?

If not, let me warmly welcome you to this new Travel Thursday series where I bring you a FREE itinerary planned by yours truly.

In this “first episode”, we will look at a 3D2N itinerary to Miri, Malaysia.

We love Malaysia, don’t we? But when trips to Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur get a little repetitive, why not give other cities a go? And that’s why I’ve decided on Miri for us.

Since Labor Day falls on 1 May, a Monday, this itinerary’s prices will be based on research done for 29 April to 1 May 2023 (2-to-go):

AirAsia flights, round trip for 2 pax: $347.40 ($173.70/pax)

Ajang Hotel (superior queen with city view): $61 including taxes ($30.50/pax)

Agoda and ShopBack have a collaboration that could get you up to 15% off so you might want to check that out before booking:

Total: $173.70 + $30.50 = $204.20/pax

Prices reflected are accurate at the time of writing.

29 April 2023, Saturday

Flight: AirAsia

7.15 am Reach Singapore Changi Airport T4 for check-in

10.15 am Flight to Miri

12.15 pm Touch down at Miri Airport

Hotel: Ajang Hotel

1.15 pm Grab/take a taxi to Ajang Hotel

Address: Jalan Sri Dagang, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

1.45 pm Reach Ajang Hotel (estimated time is about 20 minutes but that depends on the traffic too)

Image Credits: ajang-hotel-miri-my.booked.net

Check-in is at 3 pm. So if early check-in is unavailable, leave your luggage and bring your valuable belongings along because it’s time for late lunch.

Late lunch: Restoran Ayam Penyet Ria

There are various options around the hotel but you can try Restoran Ayam Penyet Ria, which is just right beside the entrance of Ajang Hotel.

You should already be starving by now, no need to walk so far lah, hor?

*Plan ahead*

After lunch, you may want to head to Lemongrass Family Reflexology & Spa (Permaisuri) to book an appointment for a massage session tomorrow night (30 April) so you can be guaranteed a spot.

The massage shop has gotten pretty good reviews and it’s just a 3-minute walk from Ajang Hotel. Good choice!

3 pm Check-in, freshen up, and rest a little.

4 pm Take a 3-minute walk to Miri Waterfront to snap some pictures of the iconic seahorse-looking sculpture.

Image Credits: Adrian Lunsong on Google Reviews

4.30 pm Grab or hop on an 8-minute ride to Coco Cabana

Address: Lot 2260, Jln Bandaraya, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

Coco Cabana is one of the top sights in Miri with a 4.4 rating from over 4,500 reviews on Google. It’s certainly worth your time.

Image Credits: Ariel Abriam on Google Reviews

There’s also another seahorse-looking sculpture here at Coco Cabana. Walk around Miri Marina, Miri Central Park, and Marina Bay Park and catch the sunset before grabbing dinner.

Dinner: Wondering Seafood Restaurant

7 pm Head to Wondering Seafood Restaurant about an 11-minute walk from Marina Bay Park.

It can get quite packed in the evening when people start having dinner so you might want to make a reservation first or reach earlier to chope seats yeah.

9 pm Take a 10- to 15-minute walk to Miri Times Square for some pictures and to digest your hearty seafood dinner.

Image Credits: marinaparkcity.com

Watsons and Guardian are available nearby Miri Times Square so you can grab some essentials there.

Food all digested and ready for round 2? Let’s go!

Walk to Recharge Fried Chicken & Beer Cafe within Miri Times Square for some Korean-style food with beer and/or soju.

11 pm Cab back to Ajang Hotel and rest for the day.

30 April 2023, Sunday

All rested from the fatigue from day 1?

Rise and shine, it’s time for day 2.

9 am Breakfast at Hainan Cafe or Wang Sing Cafe. Both eateries are located right behind Ajang Hotel so you will be there in a minute.

Image Credits: See Fong Jong on Google Reviews

10 am Two routes for you to choose from: local markets or shopping malls

If you prefer that local vibe, you may want to check out 2 local markets: Miri Central Market (a 9-minute walk from Hainan Cafe) and Tamu Muhibbah (another 9-minute walk from Miri Central Market).

If you prefer the aircon and shopping mall vibe, then you can consider Permaisuri Imperial City Mall and Bintang Megamall (both are within a 15-minute walk from Hainan Cafe).

12 pm Lunch time! Your lunch place will depend on where you go, whether it’s the markets or the shopping malls. More options at the shopping malls of course.

Or since there’s ample time, you can visit both the local markets and shopping malls!

4 pm Take an 8-minute ride from Bintang Megamall to Saberkas Night Market.

The night market opens at 4 pm according to Google so you will reach just in time for pasar malam snacks and dinner.

Image Credits: جسمي jasmi aris on Google Reviews

6.30 pm Walk about 15 minutes to the nearest Boulevard Shopping Mall for some final shopping/more food before heading back to your hotel area for your spa/massage session.

9 pm Reach Lemongrass Family Reflexology & Spa (Permaisuri) and enjoy your session!

11 pm Head back to Ajang Hotel to pack up and rest.

1 May 2023, Sunday

Happy Labor Day!

It’s your final day here at Miri. Boohoo.

But it’s time to prep for check-out so rise and shine!

7 am Leave for Miri Airport

7.30 am Reach Miri Airport, check-in and have breakfast.

9.55 am AirAsia flight to Singapore

11.55 am Reach Singapore

Time to gear yourself ready to go back to the daily grind on 2 May 😉

Discover the magic of solo traveling

Have you tried solo traveling before?

As someone who has been there and done that, I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly. But at various ages and life stages, I agree that it can be different for everyone. For those who’ve tried it once but didn’t enjoy it that much, I want to say:

Give it some time, and you will notice the magic.

Overcoming the fears of traveling alone

If you’re a foreigner in the world of solo travel, you will undoubtedly experience anxiety.

But rather than dwelling non-stop on the things that can go wrong, why not channel your energy into the things that can go right?

Just think about the new people you will meet and the stories you will hear. Those really excite me. And having traveled umpteen times, I assure you that traveling alone is not that bad.

How to make the most of your time alone

Being alone doesn’t mean you have to be “alone” all the time. I mean, there are opportunities to socialize.

You can start conversations with people you meet on the streets, join day tour groups, and be open to meeting new faces—locals and foreigners.

As an introvert, I’m okay with being alone but that doesn’t mean I’m not sociable. Over the years of solo traveling, I’ve met many new friends through day tours I’ve joined via Klook and Kkday.

I’ve also met nice folks (and some weird ones) on CouchSurfing.

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It’s really all about keeping an open mind.

Getting ready for a safe, enjoyable vacation

If you’re an absolute newbie or don’t have much experience with solo traveling, you’re probably in need of some advice. Lucky for you, here are some pointers to get you started:

Choose the right destination

I’m not trying to be biased here but certain destinations are flagged as a little more dangerous than others. Just do a search online and you will probably see a list of cities you should avoid in 2023.

Research thoroughly

Just as you (probably) won’t walk into an expensive restaurant for a first date without researching, the same goes for your first solo trip. Information online is abundant so make use of that and read up thoroughly before you go.

Plan your itinerary

I’m a planner and maybe you’re not. But having a big-picture plan helps to navigate precious days abroad and this works especially if you don’t have a whole month to “waste.” Since most of us have fixed annual leave and with only a week or two to spare for a holiday, let’s make full use of it.

Beginner tips for aspiring solo travelers

Image Credits: unsplash.com

If you’ve never traveled by yourself, the first trip might surprise you a little. And that’s okay. Just…

Keep an open mind. Whenever things don’t exactly go as planned, take advantage of the opportunity to try something new or simply go with the flow. Rigidity gets us nowhere. Stranger things can be fun!

Also, take small steps to get used to traveling alone. Folks who do not dare to take the first step, why not start by making short trips to neighboring countries? This will help you get used to the idea of being alone gradually without having to deal with the nerves of traveling to a faraway land right from the get-go.

And please, when in doubt, take flight. Whether it’s an invitation to visit a lesser-known local pub or a dodgy alley that doesn’t scream “Explore me!”, walk away.

Advantages of solo travel that last beyond your trip

For peeps who’ve tried it once but are still uncertain, I urge you to give it another go. That’s because the beauty of solitary travel and the advantages it brings is priceless.

There is more room for self-reflection when your daily schedule is not determined by what someone else wants to do or by the feeling that you must tread along to avoid unnecessary conflict (even besties fight on trips!).

Because there is no one else to lean on except for yourself, you build on your confidence to face challenges, no matter how daunting they may seem. Tip: While it’s cool to navigate unfamiliar areas by yourself, choose the safer ones.

Solo travel necessitates independence and the freedom to think for oneself, whether it’s spending hours studying a map before beginning a climb or becoming engrossed in conversation with a stranger from a completely different culture.

So, what say you?

As we close, I just want to remind us that we’re people of different personalities and what is enjoyable for me may not be for you. But still, if you’ve yet to try solo traveling, I encourage you to open your mind and try. My first solo experience was not so smooth, I’ll be honest, but it was an adventure I lived to tell (more on that when the time is right). So give your guts a chance to surprise you, and you might find that solo traveling is not as bad as it seems.

Southeast Asia Welcomes Back Chinese Tourists

Now that China’s borders have reopened, Chinese tourists are ready to take flight! Domestic and international travel by Chinese citizens boosted in the recent months. Not to mention, the processing for passport applications began last January.

Despite the increase in international travel, the travel patterns of these tourists have changed. The usual top destinations for Chinese travelers such as Australia, Paris, Canada, and Madrid no longer pique their interest. Deterred by strict entry requirements and visa issues, many Chinese tourists have veered towards their neighbors down south.

Travel website ly.com found that Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia have become the most popular travel destinations for these tourists.

GRADUAL INCREASE IN TRAVEL

According to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, Chinese tourists made nearly 170 million outbound trips in 2019. The United Nations’ World Tourism Organization added that these trips amounted to approximately US$255 billion (S$340 billion), accounting for almost one-fifth of the global tourism spending.

Image Credits: unpslash.com

What is in store for 2023? Chinese Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) forecasted that Chinese outbound travel will recover around two-thirds of those 2019 highs. This covers about 110 million border crossings from China, this year.

CHANGE IN THE TRAVEL PATTERNS

COTRI Founder Wolfgang Georg Arlt said: “The Chinese tourists we will welcome this year and in the coming years are very different from those who came before.”

He believes that major tourists attractions focusing on more nature-orientated, more outdoor-orientated tourism will win the hearts of many Chinese tourists. He highlighted the gravity of trends such as family-focused trips as well as camping/glamping.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES ARE MORE EXPLORED

Countries that can accommodate the shifting needs of Chinese travelers have emerged as clear winners. For instance, Thailand offers visas-on-arrival to fully vaccinated Chinese tourists who have travel insurance. Fliggy’s Chief Strategy Officer Simeon Shi noted that “Thailand welcomed 180,000 Chinese tourists from January to mid-February”. Fliggy is Alibaba Group’s online travel platform, which serves Chinese consumers.

Image Credits: unpslash.com

Southeast Asian countries including Singapore can capitalize on their unique offerings such as Singapore’s plethora of authentic local food. Our local coffee shops, shophouses, group tours, and other cultural offerings can attract more Chinese tourists in the coming months.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3