SEOUL

Back in Seoul this June! Despite my recent visit to this bustling city just last November (read my post here), I have always wanted to return again, but I was not expecting this revisit to happen this soon. So with my leaves approved, flights and accommodation booked in just less than a month before scooting off, I did the itinerary planning quickly and am very thankful that the trip did come to fruition smoothly albeit many clashes in our schedules.

Seoul is really a one stop for:

Fashion and Beauty shopping. If you haven't already know, this city is filled with beauty and cosmetic stores in every corner. I am amazed at how there are more than 3 of the same exact beauty store in just within myeongdong shopping district.

Food food food. Seriously, as long as you are not broke, you never go hungry. Their cafes are beautifully designed and there are just so much food options everywhere, you will have a hard time deciding what to eat. So like us, we were eating everywhere we went.

Visits to heritage sites and sightseeing. While Seoul is a modern city, you will still find heritage sites like the famous Gyeongbokgung Palace or the Namsan Seoul tower in the heart of the city.

Travelling always go by so quickly, and sometimes in a blur within a short period of time, don't they? In this trip, I got to explore a lot more places than before, mingle with the locals (and so glad to have met them in some ways) in attempt to communicate with bits and pieces of Korean, spot countless advertorial posters and standees of Song Joong Ki, had a finger lickin' good time with Korean fried chicken till late and enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship with my church friends whom I grew up with since preschool.

I said this before but I will say again, Seoul will always have my heart with its diverse culture, amicable Koreans, beautiful shops, amazing food and shopping. Thank you for being seoul beautiful and heartwarming. I am missing this city already, but till next time again!

PASARBELLA @ SUNTEC

I am no food blogger but I'll still attempt to give my two cents worth on Pasarbella Suntec, despite it not being a newly open outlet.
(My posts are usually a 1-2 months #throwback anyway, well because of, work.)

To be honest, Suntec City seems a little unexpected to be Pasarbella's second outlet as its first, as most of us would know is located in a relatively secluded grandstand tucked along Bukit Timah road. But I believe for commercial and practical reasons to sustain a business, the prime location at Suntec would drive more crowd and revenue as compared to the grandstand.

Pasarbella Suntec is a rendition of what we Singaporeans might describe as an 'atas foodcourt', with a fusion of cuisines in different stalls side by side, curated in a hipster-ly designed interior to create a lower east NYC sort of vibe, and of course its price points sways significantly higher than a heartland foodcourt. Food wise, I can't say that these are my favourite because I have not tried all the stalls, but Grillo and Rollie Ollie are pretty worth the try. The latter's poke bowls are rather refreshing to my taste buds and it makes me feel a little more refreshed too after the meal, cause we are what we eat right?

MALACCA

A 3-hour drive across the border is equally sunny and sweltering Malacca; where Jonker walk, chendol and Peranakan cuisine (and kueh kuehs) are its highlight. This revisit felt like new yet nostalgic as it brought back some faint recollection from my last trip here a decade ago with my family. Shall allow the above snaps from the trip to speak for itself.