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7.09.2018

Seoul Searching | Highlights of my Spring/Summer 2018 Trip.

I've finally unpacked everything from my luggage, sorted out my K-beauty haul, and transferred more than a thousand photos from my phone to my hard drive. It's been two weeks since we returned to the Philippines and now I can finally say that we've settled back in!

That being said, it's back to the daily grind for me, and I'm just about ready to blog about all of the places that we've been to and all the food that we had in this year's Seoul Searching trip. But first, let me share with you some snippets of our Korean adventure:

Meeting Edward Avila... and sitting next to him on the plane!
K-beauty vlogger Edward Avila was in Manila last May for a Meet and Greet organized by Club Clio Philippines. The event was scheduled the day before our flight to Korea, making it impossible for me to attend much as I wanted to. As I watched live videos of the event on Clio's Instagram, I was thinking that maybe, just maybe, I could chance upon Edward at the airport if he happens to be flying back to Korea on the same day that we were.

I got more than I wished for because lo and behold, as I was fastening Yue's seatbelt, a guy with silver purple ombre hair peeking out of his black baseball cap took the seat beside mine on the plane. I knew right then and there who he was.
Flying all the way to Incheon with THE Edward Avila.
AirAsia Premium Flex seats are the best seats in the house!
"Edward?" I asked, stifling the urge to scream.
"Yes?" he replied.
And I was like, "Ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod, it's really you!"
And then I started gushing about how sad I was that I couldn't make it to his event and how lucky I am to actually be flying all the way to Incheon with one of my favorite vloggers! Edward was very friendly and congenial, and we chatted for the most part of the flight - well, at least during the times when we were both awake. We even took photos together, even if I look like I haven't slept for a week, haha!

Catching-up with friends.
My childhood friend Ela and her partner Maan were in Korea for a few days, and I made it a point to meet up with them - because reunions are more fun in Korea, lol.
Samgyeopsal with Ela and Maan.
I went to Hongdae where the girls were staying, and we had a hearty meal of samgyeopsal at one of the local restaurants in the area, capped off with the best churros in the world for dessert.
Customary photo with Brown, this time in Hongdae!
We also did a bit of shopping - well, more like pimple patch hunting since Ela wanted to try those popular pimple patches. As such, we went searching for the ALand branch in Hongdae, because I know for a fact that COSRx products are sold in ALand stores. Ela loved the COSRx Pimple Patch so much that she regrets not buying more even when I told her to, lol.

Bonding with family.
Despite their busy schedule, Kuya JR (my husband's cousin) and his wife Youngsook unni took the time to spend the day with us, one fine Sunday in June. We had barbecue and soju at our favorite buffet restaurant, Meat-ing, as a celebration of sorts - post-anniversary celebration for us, and advance birthday celebration for Youngsook unni.
The boys. :)
Chill Sunday with Kuya JR and Youngsook unni.
Then we enjoyed the Seoul sunshine by exploring Kondae Rodeo, shopping for sneakers, and having coffee at Holly's.

Celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary.
Would you believe that for the past nine years, the husband and I have never celebrated our anniversary together? This is the main reason why I wanted to be in Korea in June - so that we can finally celebrate our anniversary together, in one country, under one roof. It's our tenth year of marriage, after all, and our fifteenth year as a couple. 
Mocha Cream Cake from Paris Baguette.
Our anniversary fell on a weekday so we only had a simple celebration at home with some pasta (which I cooked), a bit of wine, and a lovely cream cake that the husband bought at the nearby Paris Baguette. But on the Sunday a few days ahead of our anniversary, we did celebrate the occasion by hearing mass at Hyehwa Catholic Church and having lunch at Yoogane - because no trip to Korea would be complete without enjoying my all-time favorite dak galbi.

Celebrating Father's Day.
Similarly, this was our first time to celebrate Father's Day together. I wanted this day to be extra special for the husband so I went the extra mile to get him the Curry 5 sneakers in the colorway that he wanted. 
Shopping for sneakers at the Under Armour flagship store in Itaewon.
My boys who love 'sole searching'. :)
Many thanks to the staff of Under Armour Garosugil and Under Armour Itaewon for the excellent customer service! You guys are daebak(You can read the full story on this Instagram post.)

Feeling the football fever.
It sure felt different to watch the World Cup in a country that's actually playing in the World Cup, and I was so glad to still be in Korea during their first two group stage matches. The entire country was in a very festive mood during that time, especially in the evenings when cheering parties were held in open spaces such as Gwanghwamun Square, City Hall, and the COEX Convention Center.
Street cheering/viewing party at Gwanghwamun Plaza. Photo credit: Korea Times.
K-Stadium at Lotte World Mall.
BTS x Coca Cola World Cup pop-up at COEX Mall.
Although it was sad that Korea's World Cup dreams ended in the group stage, they did bag the honor of being the only Asian country to beat Germany, champions of the 2014 World Cup.

As for me, Korea bags the honor of being the country that I have traveled to the most (five times in total), and I will never grow tired of visiting this country again and again. If only we could live here permanently, I would pack my bags and go even at a moment's notice!

21 replies:

eliza said...

Wow! Your trip to Korea sounds really fun. Full of events to remember and time to celebrate. I wish you more trips and blog sharing to come.

L_jordan said...

That mocha cream cake looks amazing!

GingerGoose said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful trip and had so much to celebrate while you were there! I think it's important to be able to share these experiences in your life! And Happy Belated Anniversary!

Unknown said...

You had so much to celebrate on your trip! Congrats on your 10th wedding anniversary :)

Kansas Bonanno said...

Looks like you had an amazing Spring/Summer trip. Glad you go to spend time with your family, hope your Fall and Winter and filled with so much fun.

Nancie said...

Koreans do love their soccer. Looks like your visit was a success.

Geraline Batarra said...

You have a very stunning photos and it looks like Seoul is such a nice place to go and visit.

Chris said...

I just moved to Korea and I've never heard of the Kondae Rodeo. I'll have to go check it out!

Unknown said...

Seoul, Korea is really a nice place to visit and I am sure everyone will really enjoy exploring it and the food looks really delicious.

Danielle said...

Looks like such a fun trip you had!

Unknown said...

Looks like you guys had a great time. A giant teddy and a yummy looking dessert.

Elizabeth O said...

It looks like you had the best time. Congratulations on celebrating 10 years of marriage and meeting your favourite vlogger must have been so surreal!

Lasha said...

Oh how fun...it looks like you had a blast. This is definitely a place worth visiting.

Sara Welch said...

My husband has always wanted to visit Seoul. He is very much into their culture.

Nina said...

i always wanted to go Korea. looks like yous had an amazing trip !!! congratulations :) what a yummy looking dessert <3

Tetyana Artemova said...

What an amazing trip you had! I am impressed by positive energy you managed to deliver through this article. Happy time with close people is the best!

berlin said...

My boys would surely love that shopping for shoes at Underarmour. And it is great that you've had a great bonding time with your family .

Kevin said...

Sounds like a fun trip. Wow, you've been to korea 5 times. I've been to Korea last year and I already want go go back, especially after reading your blog. I miss Korea!

Anonymous said...

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Becca Wilson said...

This looks like it would be such an amazing trip! I would love to see all of the sights here

L_jordan said...

K beauty is one of my favorite places! These seemed like an amazing trip!