I just want to share the photos I took and some random thoughts during that day when my long time dream finally came true! This Singapore trip was really set so I can watch my top favorite band Coldplay live, something I wouldn't be able to do I guess if this happened when I was in high school or college. Now I believe more and more that things happen at the right place and time! ☆ Just be patient!

I love my guest house and hostel experiences... But one of my far-fetched travel goals is to someday consider luxury accommodations, including the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, when in Singapore. It is their biggest hotel, and offers a beautiful view of the South China Sea or Marina Bay, and of course Singapore's beautiful skyline.

Imagine seeing this everyday, at night, during your trip!

Watsons launched their "Members Get More" campaign, giving their cardholders MORE SAVINGS, MORE POINTS, AND MORE VALUE when they shop in more than 500 Watsons stores nationwide!

See what's inside my (Watsons) bag:

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But first.....

Congrats to my second AirAsia BIG Points Quiz winner:

Summer is just starting, and I am sure there are LOTS of exciting things up your sleeves just to make the most out of this season of adventures! If we're talking about MY plans, I am so thrilled to go back again to my favorite South Korea--but this time with my WHOLE FAMILY!! I'll be their dakilang tour guide, haha! The last time all 5 of us (my parents and 2 sisters) went out of the country was in 2014 to spend the holidays in the States. Those were fun months of snow, Disneyland, good greasy food, and of course family time.. but it had been 3 years since!

Anyway, so aside from SoKo, I hope to also have short trips in our beautiful beaches with my different sets of friends, or a nice staycation in a cute boutique hotel within the metro, and maybe 1 solo travel if time and budget permits!

But with every travel comes packing, which for me is one of the most challenging tasks in going on a vacation (other than acquiring visa hehe). Thule, one of the leading brands in travel lifestyle, introduces their solution to your every travel packing this summer: Thule Subterra Travel Bag Collection. There's a bag for your every type of travel!

Finally, the last from our hostel hopping in Singapore!

At first, I found it very maeffort to transfer to different locations in one trip, with our huge bags and Singapore's super hot climate, but I realized that it's not something to complain about! I eventually told myself that I am lucky to try these different things and be in different places just for 10 days! While I can, diba! Traveling made me more grateful about life. Less complaining, more appreciating - that's my new motto! Hehe!

So 5Footway.Inn - Project Ann Siang is the most impressive accommodation in Singapore when it comes to location. It is right ACROSS Chinatown's popular hawkers, the Sri Mariamman Temple, and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple; so imagine crossing all these places in your itinerary just for day 1!

On our fourth day in Singapore, we transferred to another place located in the quiet side of Little India. We stayed here longer for around five days.

The posh hangout@mt.emily Singapore may not look like they've been around since 2004 (still very clean and well-maintained), but you'll just feel it in the good service and facilities of Cathay Organization's first property (they also have a branch in Malacca). Plus, everything looks new and contemporary. And can I just say it's one of the most safe-looking hostels I've been to, with tap-key door system for every common room and floor entry!

It was raining when we got there, road is a bit long and steep going to the hotel (from the subway) so I advice you take an Uber or Grab if you have a big luggage. Their welcoming lobby was sanctuary:

Whenever in Singapore, it's already automatic that I book for a hostel in Chinatown. They have anything and everything that I need--from cultural museums, cheap local foods, accessible mode of transportation, huge market place for shopping, etcetera. 

But during my 10-day trip to SG late last month, my friends and I stayed Little India. I actually enjoyed the fresh change, this area is a feast to all five senses! If ever I go back to Singapore, will make sure to stay here again. 

So we were booked for two nights in Bunc Hostel along Upper Weld Road. It's nearer Rochor Station, but also walking distance from Little India Station (about 10-minute walk).

To be honest, I only spent less than 15,000 Pesos in my recent Korea travel! I made sure to be budget-conscious since this trip was a bit biglaan, I already have a scheduled trip with my family this May! My goal, as I've always mentioned in my past posts, is just to experience spring season, and too late na if I wait till May. So if I can budget my expenses for this trip, the better!

Realistically speaking though, all-in budget will go over Php 30,000 for 5 Days, 4 Nights in Seoul. Pre-travel expenses can be steep (airfare, accommodations, etc), but bawi nalang sa pocket money as you can actually spend little when you're already in Korea. Just know where to eat or shop, a favorite Korean restaurant I always dine in has Php 66 gimbap (with unli kimchi and other sides!). Shopping in Myeongdong will give you the best deals compared to malls or the airport prices.

In this post, I will try to bullet point all my daily expenses and pre-travel gastos so in a way you can estimate how much more or less you will need on your travel to SoKor. Since I'll be sharing something personal (aka how I spend my money), my wish is that you'll find this post at least useful! 😌

Finally found some time to write again! I missed blogging after weeks of traveling and post-travel workload. I have to say now, on my blog's birth month (blogging since 2005!), that for me writing after my travels is very essential. It gives me a chance to process what happened during the trip, and also keeps bits and pieces of memories that I can easily look back to in the future. 💖

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So on that Sunday, my last full day in Korea, my friend Marj announced that it's the first day of Spring! 🌸 The thought of ticking one item from my 2017 travel bucket list (to experience the four seasons) felt really really good and exciting. 

We went out together for brunch in a nearby 24-hour resto. 

I had a hard time packing clothes for my Singapore trip because of my limiting My Cabin Zero Challenge (10 Days, 1 Backpack), plus, I am not really good with summer fashion! 😁 I love layering! Anyway, so I packed lots of separates and just go about with the day--basing everything on Accu Weather and our random itinerary. 

Sharing here some of the styling I came up with!

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I've been living in bunk beds and housemates the past weeks. It was fun and exciting, but of course, I also encounter a minor problem or two along the way. 

Just to share, here are some common problems when I'm traveling: 

1) Laspag phone cords because I don't store them neatly when on the go.

2) Getting lost or late uploads because I don't have Internet connection all the time.

3) Not being able to charge all my gadgets at night because of lack of sockets in my hostel.

4) Overweight luggage.

5) Full memory on my iPhone.