Review: Soak in an Onsen! (Japan)

One of the experiences that you shouldn't miss out when you go Japan is the onsen, otherwise known as the Japanese hot spring. The reason? Well, it's relaxing as hell and soothes tired muscles after a whole day of exploring, of course. The first time I went to Japan, I went to an onsen called Oedo Onsen Monogatari Odaiba Hot Springs and then when I was in Osaka, I visited Spa World. I will do a review of both onsens in this post. Do note that both onsens have women only and men only baths so no worries about showing off your inner assets to the opposite gender. =)

Oedo Onsen Monogatari Odaiba Hot Springs
An onsen theme park in Tokyo, it's a pretty popular for both locals and tourists. In fact, it's so popular that it was even featured in a Digimon Adventure anime!

Okay, it's not obvious from the scene in the video but if even anime characters are making it a point to visit the place, you know it's a must-visit spot! In fact, it's much like an amusement park where you can wander around in a festival-like place and pay with a number tag on your wrist. You can settle the bill upon leaving but don't go too crazy or you might find yourself running out of yen before the trip ends! LOL.

To give you a better idea of what it's like inside this onsen amusement park, here's a vid to get a preview:

Looks fun, right? I thoroughly enjoyed myself in this amusement park because there are quite a few things to do aside from soaking in the baths (indoor or outdoor with hot and cold springs to balance out the experience). Tired of soaking? There are a few sauna rooms for you to sweat it out.

You can even go out to enjoy the foot bath or fish spa outside. Aching muscles? No worries, because there are additional services such as full body massage and head spa available for an additional fee. After soaking in a hot spring, you are bound to be hungry so head on to the indoor Edo Town for some delicious nom noms like sushi, ramen and yakitori.

There are many arcade games to entertain you but if that's not your cup of tea, you can always head upstairs to the relaxation room where there are loads of recliners for you to relax on. Each recliner comes with a mini TV of its own so that's pretty swell.

What I liked: Everything! I love that you can stay for as long as you like until 9am the next day. It's one of the most relaxing places I've been to and it helps that the Edo town theme they have going on is so festive and fun-filled. The food is reasonably nice too. You will definitely want to spend the whole day there just relaxing!

Click here for directions.

Spa World
This is another spa that's located in Osaka. Similar to Oedo Onsen Monogatari Odaiba Hot Springs, Spa World has both hot and cold springs that you can relax in. The design is much like a Roman bath, where there are various ways to relax. For instance, you can lie in a shallow pool of warm water or you can chill it out in a tub. As for entertainment, there aren't many options. There are a few restaurants but nothing too exciting. Families with young kids may like this place though because it has a amusement pool like Wild Wild Wet where kids can go wild.

You can get a beauty treatment or full body massage but when I was there, nearly everything was closed so I didn't find it as fun as Oedo Onsen Monogatari Odaiba Hot Springs.

What I liked: The design for the baths is quite unique and you definitely can spend a long time in there. But other than that, there isn't much going for it in terms of entertainment. There are full body massages etc. although I think they close quite early around 9 pm. They do have an interesting entrance with all the life size action figures though and there is a security room with security cameras where you can place your valuables.

Click here for directions.

If you ask me, I definitely prefer the Oedo Onsen Monogatari Odaiba Hot Springs because it has so many things to do and eat. Spa World is okay for me but you can still drop by to soak away your aches after walking all over the place! =)

Some tips to remember:

• You are expected to be naked but don't be shy! Everyone will be naked and there are all shapes and sizes of people enjoying the baths so don't feel too embarrassed. Chances are, they won't even notice your flabby arms or rounded posterior while they are soaking. Just be yourself.
• Don't forget to wash your body and hair before entering the baths. It's much like going to the swimming pool that way. 
• Don't stay in the hot baths for too long. Take short breaks after a while because it's not good to stay in there for extended periods of time.
• Be careful! I slipped and fell while I was entering a bath. I hurt my foot in the process and it was excruciating. Luckily I didn't hit my head. >.<
• You can put a small towel on your head or on the rocks nearby but if it falls into the bath, be sure to wring it outside the bath. 
• Tattoos are not allowed, not even a small one because the Japanese associate them with the Yakuzas or gangster ties. You might be able to use a water-proof bandage to cover up but the establishment might deny you entry if you have many tattoos on your body. 

Have fun soaking!

Review: Day Trip to Everland (Korea)

I love theme parks so I always try to make it a point to include a theme park in my itinerary where possible when I jalan out of Singapore. Yes, I know there are different types of theme parks but for simplicity's sake, let's stick to those that come with roller coaster rides etc. Hehe.

Japan is known for its awesome theme parks like Disneyland and Disney Sea in Tokyo as well as USJ in Osaka. Although Korea is better known for its TV dramas and drool worthy celebrities, you can consider visiting either Everland or Lotte World after you have cleared out the beauty shops along the streets of Myeongdong. LOL.

Now, if you only have time for one theme park, you'd be curious about the differences. In a nutshell, Everland is more suitable for adults and couples while Lotte World will appeal more to kids. With this in mind, I decided to visit Everland. There are various ways to get to Everland but since we were travelling in a group and we wanted to stay for the night fireworks, we decided to book a shuttle bus package via Funtastic Korea. Besides, I figured that we would be tired out after spending an entire day at the theme park so having a guaranteed transport back was a big comfort. 

The shuttle bus package is undoubtedly more expensive than if you were to take public transport, but I was kinda worried we would get lost after dark or have to struggle with the crowds going home so I thought it was kinda worth it.

The shuttle bus package has 3 convenient pick-up points:

• Hongik University, Hongdae Station Exit 4
• Myeongdong Station Exit 2
• Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station Exit 10

I picked the Myeongdong station since our hotel was nearest to it and it was a simple matter of waiting by the exit until you see someone walking around asking if you are waiting for the shuttle bus. Be sure to keep an active lookout or you might just miss the bus! Oh, and don't forget to bring a screenshot or printout of your booking so the guide knows where to direct you because there might be buses heading to different locations at the same pick-up point. Don't be late either! The bus won't wait for latecomers.

Our guide was a nice friendly guy who spoke eloquent English and gave clear instructions on where to wait after the fireworks. He even gave us his name card in case we got lost. Hehe.

All in all, the pick-up was smooth and before we knew it, we arrived at Everland for a full day of fun and excitement. One thing you need to remember is that Everland is no Disneyland so don't go in expecting the same level of entertainment. Everland has its own charm, which includes a Safari World Tour and T Express (a really scary roller coaster ride) plus we went during Autumn so it was beautiful at the same time.

Words won't do it justice so here are some pictures I took:

Review: Although I personally felt that Everland lacked the magic that Disney has, it still has its own charms. Go in without expectations and you may just enjoy yourself! It comes with the usual roller coasters and theme rides but don't forget to check out the Safari World tour for a unique animal kingdom surprise. If you have time, you may want to check out the Caribbean Bay as well although it involves a different ticket altogether. But no worries! You can get your tickets on Funtastic Korea. Have fun!

Review: Oriens Hotels & Residences (Korea)

I visited Korea last year in 2016 and stayed at this hotel called Oriens Hotels & Residences. This is located within walking distance (about 10 minutes' walk) from Myeongdong so it's quite convenient. One thing to take note though, you might want to remember which point to start walking from Myeongdong or you might get lost. Myeongdong is like a maze that could get confusing, especially at night when the crowds are in attendance.

I decided upon this hotel because my ex-colleague had glowing reviews of it when she visited Korea some time back. I booked both accommodation and airfare via Expedia so the price was quite reasonable. I can't remember the exact price but I do remember it being quite reasonable and of course, cheaper than a hotel room in Japan. Heh.

Anyway, its address:
50 Samil-daero 2-gil, Jung-gu Seoul, Korea



What I like about it:

• spacious room equipped with a small kitchenette, big fridge and dining table
• friendly and English-speaking front desk 
• walking distance to Myeongdong and various subway lines
• accessible to a few eating places and convenience store
• it's near the airport limousine stop from Incheon airport
• it has a lower level at the front door where you can leave your shoes before you step up to the room level.

What I don't quite like about it:

• The toilet's water flow is a bit weird. It flows outside the shower area to the toilet drain under the sink instead so it wets the entire toilet. 
• It's a little confusing to walk from the airport limousine bus-stop but you can actually access the hotel lobby via its indoor car park. 
• The lift is a tight squeeze for 4 people and their luggage, especially our big and bulky ones.
• The rooms are fairly close to each other, for example, we were able to look into our friends' room when the blinds were not drawn so you may want to take note of that. 

Review: We enjoy our stay at this hotel for a few reasons. It was quiet and reasonably near to Myeongdong. The rooms are quite spacious and come with a kitchenette, but could do with some improvement to their toilet design. You might be a little confused as you come up from the airport limousine bus-stop though so remember to access the hotel lobby via the indoor car park. The front door is quite prominent so no worries there. It just takes a bit of an uphill walk.

Review: The Berkeley Pratunam Hotel (BKK, Thailand)

So I visited BKK in July and I decided to stay at a hotel in Pratunam because of its proximity to Platinum Mall, TALAD Neon etc. I had stayed at Asia Centara Watergate Pavillion previously in 2015 but I decided to try another hotel. This time: The Berkeley Pratunam Hotel.

Its address:
559 Ratchaprarop Road, Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand




To provide some perspective on Centara Watergate:

1. rooms were spacious
2. bedsheets had holes in them
3. front desk was ok but seem to lack a little of the famed Thai friendliness they were supposedly known for
4. walking distance to Platinum Mall etc.
5. entrance was around the back, not very obvious from the main road
6. 2 restaurants, only tried one of them and food was acceptable. 
7. access to amenities like a swimming pool, spa room and bar
8. next to a shopping centre that was nearly devoid of people
9. cable channels were available at no extra cost

As for The Berkeley Pratunam Hotel, things I liked were:

1. spacious rooms, like really spacious
2. proximity to Platinum Mall, Pratunam Market, etc.
3. well-defined and grand entrance that you can see from the main road
4. next to The Palladium World Shopping, where there is a shop selling Zebra products and really cute Hello Kitty plates
5. provides breakfast vouchers for buffet breakfast, which was ok
6. friendlier front desk, but looked overwhelmed due to the huge number of guests checking in and out
7. next to TALAD Neon
8. cable channels were available at no additional cost
9. opposite to this apparently famous chicken rice, but I wasn't too impressed by it.

Things that I didn't like:

1. our first room was leaking water onto our luggage and the hotel repair man promptly came to fix it but to no avail. They moved us to another room instead.
2. certain lights weren't working 
3. rooms were spacious but in some cases, quite worn out

Some pictures of our rooms:

TALAD Neon Market during the day

TALAD Neon Market at night

First room

Replacement room

Review: The hotel was ok due to its location and spacious rooms. I can tell the hotel is trying its best to take care of its guests although the rooms are a little worn out and need maintenance. Not exactly a hotel I will stay at again, but it's great for families and quite value for money. Breakfast buffet was ok...nothing much to shout about but acceptable. 

Review: Namba Oriental Hotel (Japan, Osaka)

Booking a hotel has got to be one of my most favourite things to do when planning a trip. I'm not much of a hostel/AirBnB person so I often turn to hotels to provide accommodation. In this review, I'm gonna talk about Namba Oriental Hotel that's located in Osaka where I travelled to on my last vacation.

First off, its address:

2-8-17, Sennichi-Mae, Chuo-Ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 542-0074, Japan



I gotta say I'm really pleased with my choice this time because:

1. the room was more spacious than I expected, it even had a sofa where my husband happily napped on from time to time
2. close to railways and MRTs like Namba Station
3. smack in the middle of a shopping district and walking distance to Dōtonbori
4. near to food places (there were many restaurants just downstairs) and Kuromon Ichiba Market
5. walking distance from a limousine bus service that you can take from the Itami airport 
6. quite clean and tranquil 
7. beautiful water fountain for Instagrammable moments
8. not very important but it had an ice machine that we could get ice from when I hurt my foot

What I didn't quite like:

1. the lift we took to go to the lift lobby was a little smokey, probably due to the Pachinko arcade that was located in the same building on a lower floor
2. it didn't have a safe to keep our valuables
3. no cable channel that we could watch, you had to purchase a movie card for 1200 yen in order to access additional content
4. WiFi was a little slow so I resorted to using my own WiFi egg for Internet access
5. sometimes the chambermaids forget to clear an ice bucket or replenish our toothbrushes, but not a biggie...

But other than that, the hotel was pretty great. Wouldn't mind staying at it again next time. Here are a few pictures I took of the hotel and room:

Review: Our stay at this hotel was extremely pleasant. I loved its central location and proximity to shopping districts, food places and transportation. It's A LOT OF WALKING but still considered quite close. The lift heading up to the hotel lobby was a little smoky due to a Pachinko arcade on a lower floor. Wouldn't mind staying at this hotel again. The front desk and chambermaids were all very friendly, and it's surprisingly tranquil despite being located in the middle of a shopping district. I also LOVE the fact that the shopping district is sheltered so you never have to worry about unpredictable weather! 

Review: Day Trip To Nami Island, Petite France & Gangchon Rail Bike (Korea)

It's fun to make your way to various tourist destinations at times but when it's so out of the way, a day trip on a tour bus makes a lot of sense. For one, you can rest on the bus (even nap!) between stops. Secondly, the tour bus usually takes you back to a location that's closer to your hotel so it's not so tiring to make your way back after an exhausting day.

When I went to Korea in 2016 with my friends, I decided to book a day trip to Nami Island, Petite France and Gangchon Rail Bike on Funko: Funtastic Korea. Well, mostly because it was more affordable. But don't just take my word for it, no matter where you book your day trips, it's important to do your research first. Read reviews and compare prices. I read a Klook review that someone was mad that they had paid a higher price but it's really important to do your homework first. I'm not defending any website that offers such day trips, just reminding my readers to do their homework first and live with the decision, if necessary. No point spoiling your holiday just because you missed something out or got a less than ideal deal, ya?

Anyway, on to my review of the day tour. It was basically a pickup and dropoff service where the tour bus takes a group of people to a location, drops them off, and reminds them what time to wait at the pickup point. It's not unlike a package tour, but we were given free-to-roam time that was far better than following behind a tour guide. Our tour guide was this very vain but friendly Korean guy who took every opportunity to preen before a photo shoot. Not that I blame him, of course, he is a pretty good looking guy but still... =x

This particular tour took us to 3 destinations: Nami Island, Petite France and Gangchon Rail Bike. They took us first to Petite France, where it's a small park that's designed like a French village. It's very instagrammable but smaller than I expected. Food is also comparatively more expensive, so I will encourage you to buy some bread and bottles of beverage before you set out for the day.

Petite France features many cute popular icons such as The Little Prince and their respective backstories. They even had a collection of puppets - some quite pretty and others kinda scary but it was a unique experience. The tour guide gave us a couple of hours to explore the place and it was more than enough. At the end of our walk, we even got to watch a puppet show. In my humble opinion, I thought it was the most interesting part of the entire place since we got to see how flawlessly puppets can move when their handlers have skill. Hehe.

After the puppet show ended, it was time to head to the next destination! This time we are going where the most romantic of people love to go (aka people who fell in love with Bae Yong Joon and Winter Sonata): Nami Island! 

If you thought Petite France was crowded, then Nami Island is just overpopulated. Since it made its name on the well-loved Korean drama series, Winter Sonata, throngs of people have visited this beautiful place. It's not a pleasant sight because everywhere you go is just mountains upon mountains of people. I really love the place for its beautiful trees and sense of tranquility, but the crowds just completely turned me off. Anyway, since we were already there, might as well make full use of our time there! 

The bus dropped us off at a jetty where you can either take a ferry or hightail it overhead via a zip wire (aka flying fox). It's a very fun and exciting activity, but as usual, you can expect to queue for some time before you finally get your turn. The price (which includes admission to Nami Island) is about 38 000 won. One of my travel mates wanted to try it out initially, but because the queue was too long, they eventually decided to join us for lunch at one of the nearby food joints instead.

Entrance to the Zip Wire...you can also spot our tour guide in the picture.

If you plan to eat before crossing the waters to Nami Island, there are plenty of eating places around. But like I mentioned earlier, it's a tourist destination so you might have to explore a bit before you find a place to settle down.

Yummy

After lunch, it was off to the jetty and Nami Island!

Crowded, right? But since we only had a couple of hours more to go, we decided to explore as much as we could of this beautiful island. I could only wonder how gorgeous it could get without all the people! >.<

Despite the fact that it's super crowded, Nami Island is one place you shouldn't miss out. It's super beautiful and the autumn leaves are simply gorgeous. Lots of instagrammable locations so you can't go wrong. Hehe. There's even a statue of the 2 Winter Sonata lovers honouring the couple for making the place so famous! LOL.

After Nami Island, it was time for our final stop! This time, we are going to take the Gangchon Rail Bike! By now, it was nearly evening time so our tourist guide hurried us up the bus after meeting us at the jetty. Riding in the dark ain't going to be fun if we can't see where we are going. Hehe. Once we reached the place where we were supposed to take the rail bike, we were divided into groups of 4 or 2. You could either ride the rail bike in twos or fours, but remember to practise teamwork! After all, you can't really expect the people in front to do all the work while you relax and only take photos behind, right? Anyway, you have to be careful as well since you might crash into the group in front.

It was quite a distance from starting to end point, but along the way, you can even check out the beautiful scenery. There are even a few tunnels halfway where they put up a light show, bubbles and loud Korean music to spice things up. I personally felt that the music was too loud, but it was a unique addition to the journey. Here's a video I took...apologies for the poor quality. Heh.

The journey lasted about 30 minutes if I'm not wrong and at the end of it, we waited for a choo-choo train to take us back to where we can hop onto the tour bus for home. Sorry, I didn't manage to get a picture of the train exterior, but here is the interior! Rather crowded, right?

As we waited in the cold, the train platform had a refreshment kiosk where you could buy drinks or snacks to stave off the hunger pangs. We didn't buy anything but took the opportunity to take some pictures! Ahem, forgive the poor quality of one of the photos. =x

And there you have it, a rather fruitful day in my opinion. 3 places in a single day! Now, that's what I call a relaxing tour. While you may prefer to make your way there yourself due to budget, but if you can, try to book at least one day package. It's SO MUCH MORE relaxing and trust me, being stressed and lost is the LAST thing you want to be on your vacation!

Review: My travel mates and I really enjoyed this day trip to not one, not two, but THREE tourist destinations. I seriously love how little trouble it was to book on the website and the meeting place was easy to find as well. The day trip also saved us lots of time travelling and I appreciate the fact that we got to rest in between stops as well. Imagine if we were to make our way to these places on our own. We might have gotten lost, or worse, not being able to cover so many places in a day. Hehe. I definitely recommend that you take up a day trip package but don't forget to do your homework first before booking, ok?