Remm Shin-Osaka Hotel Review

December 28, 2012 to January 4, 2013

Remm Shin-Osaka 
1-1-1 Miyahara, Yodogawa-ku,
Osaka
+81-6-6398-4123
+81-6-7668-0606

Room Type: Non-Smoking Room Single
Rate Per Night: JPY 7,000 (PhP3,500)
                          *JPY 9,200 (PhP 4,600)

*December 32, 2012 and January 1, 2013

Rate includes service charge and tax

Remm Shin-Osaka is the most convenient hotel that we have ever booked. It's location is right smack in the middle of a bustling train (JR Shin-Osaka) and subway station (Shin-Osaka) in Osaka. Even though this is also the smallest room that DH has booked so far, I can't complain because we are on a tight budget. Yes, our room is even smaller than the hotel rooms we have booked in Hong Kong. I would rather spend money on sight-seeing tours and shopping than spend it on accommodation ; p Of course, that's just me!

 bedroom with glass bathroom wall partition

The room is so tiny. There is no space in between the bathroom wall and the bed ; p  The wall is not even a wall per se, it is a glass partition. Anyway, don't fret! You can always pull down the two blinds inside the bathroom for privacy.

Just to give you an idea on how small this room is, I was standing near the door when the photo above was taken. There was really no place else for our luggage. The good thing is, the guest rooms have most of the amenities that a 5 star hotel provide.

To view more photos of Remm Shin-Osaka, read after the break...

Love Locks in N Seoul Tower

My visit: January 1, 2012

Day 10 (5th day DIY Seoul Tour)

Love Padlocks (Love Locks)

N Seoul Tower

Korea

Our flight back to Manila leaves at 8:00 in the evening, we have plenty of time in the morning so we hie off to N Seoul Tower where Love Locks is located. 

brought our own lock and key; N Seoul Tower as background

 Love Padlocks are a custom by which padlocks are affixed to a fence, gate, bridge or similar public fixture by sweethearts to symbolize their everlasting love- Wikipedia

We brought the oldest lock & key we could possibly find in our house and a pen to write down our names and the date of our visit.

Want to know how to get there? Read after the break...

Charlie Brown Cafe Korea

My visit: December 31, 2011

Day 9 (4th day DIY Seoul Tour)

Charlie Brown Cafe Korea
Hongik University,
Hongdae, Korea
02-26520106

You would think that after eating several cakes at Hello Kitty Cafe, we would proceed to Myeongdong to have our money exchanged, right? No, instead we went looking for another famous cafe in Hongdae- Charlie Brown Cafe ; p

I <3 you, Charlie Brown!

You would not miss this cafe because it has several character standees (I don't know the right term, heeelp!) outside like in the photo above. Cute, huh?

These characters are almost the same height as me ; p

Hello Kitty Cafe Seoul Korea

My visit: December 31, 2011

Day 9 (4th day DIY Seoul Tour)

Hello Kitty Cafe Coffee & Dessert
Hongik University
Hongdae, Seoul,
Korea
02-3346570

Remember my post about Hongdae where we don't have enough cash for that one day? Before leaving for Myeongdong to exchange more WON, Korea's currency, we see to it that we first visit Hongdae's cafes. It was a good thing that we brought our credit cards, we were able to seat and relax at two of the most famous cafe in the university- Hello Kitty Cafe and Charlie Brown Cafe.

Happy New Year written on Cafe Latte W3, 800 (PhP152) ; p

It was hard to look for the area where the cafe is located, it didn't help when we asked the woman in the Information Center for directions because she can barely speak english. We did not bother to ask the people around us, we decided it would be better to explore the area by ourselves.

Korea Chronicle: Kimchi School

My visit: December 27, 2011

Day 5 (afternoon)

Kimchi School

Seoul, Korea

02-3089688

After visiting Changdeok Palace in the morning, we went to KimChi School where according to our tour guide, we will make our very own kimchi. 

infront of KimChi School

Kimchi also spelled gimchi, kimchee or kim chee is a traditional fermented Korean dish made of vegetable and varied seasonings.

Korea Chronicle: Changdeokgung Palace

My visit: December 2, 2011

Day 5 (morning)

Changdeok Palace

99 Yulgong- no,

Jongno-gu, Seoul

Korea

02-7629513

Schedule:

April- October 9am- 6:30pm

December-February 9am-5pm

November & March 9am- 5:30pm

Closed on Mondays

The Palace Admission:

Adults W3, 000

Children W1, 500

The Secret Garden Admission:

Adults W5, 000

Children W2, 500

No smoking and No pets allowed within the palace grounds.

Changdeok Palace literally means "Palace of Prospering Virtue". It is referred to as the East Palace because it is located at the east of Gyeongbok Palace.

  It was the secondary palace of Gyeongbokgung, the main palace. All 5 palaces were destroyed by fire during Japanese invasion in 1592. It was restored in 1610 and served as the main palace when for about 270 years until Gyeongbokgung was finally reconstructed in 1868.- taken from back of the ticket

 Injeongjeon (Main Hall)

Changdeokgung is one of the 5 Grand Palaces in Seoul built by Joseon Dynasty. The other four are Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung and Gyeonghuigung.

In 1997, Changdeokgung was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as an "outstanding example of Far Eastern palace architecture and garden design- Wikipedia

Korea Chronicle: Winter Ski

My visit: December 24, 2011

Day 2

High1 Ski Resort
Korea

After breakfast, our tour group wasted no time and went skiing. I must admit seeing the slope kind of scared me. Little did I know that first timers are not even allowed in the beginner's slope. You have to have an instructor with you. Our 72 year old guide taught us how to put on the ski but we were on our own after that.

Athena slope is for Beginner & Intermediate level

I am glad that DH knew the basics of skiing. He was the one who taught me how to position my legs and bend my knees. I don't know what I would do without him ; p

Korean Restaurant in Nami Island & Ski Rental

My visit: December 23, 2011

Day 1 

Nami Island

Korea

Our Day 1 on tour includes lunch and dinner only. We spent half a day around Nami Island where we ate an early lunch around 11a.m.

Korean restaurant

I noticed that most of the restaurants in Korea have no English sign available like this one.  I was so excited to try my first authentic Korea feast and I was not disappointed. 

Korea Chronicle: Day 1

My visit: December 23, 2011

Korea bound via Korean Air KE 624

Departure: 12:30am (Manila time)

Arrival: 5:05 am (Korea time; Manila time 4:05a.m.)

I was sleepy sleeping the entire flight so I can't give you a comprehensive review about Korean Air. As far as I can remember, when I woke up a few minutes before landing, a stewardess was already by my side asking what meal do I want to eat. The staff were all efficient and worked their way around sleeping passengers like me. It was not a full flight so DH and I were able to transfer to vacant seats. I was all stretched out on all three seats. It's like sleeping first class style lol

Moving on, we booked this tour through a travel agent only a few weeks back before the scheduled departure date. RUSH- that's how DH & I always travel ; p You know that if you have been a follower of this blog. Remember my Taiwan adventure last December 2010? Or our Hong Kong trip last July 2011 where I bought my very first LV? I was not even supposed to be in Korea, DH and I were supposed to go to Canada along with the rest of his family hehe 

this is Nami Island, Korea during winter

After meeting up with our Korean tour guide at the Incheon International Airport, we went straight to Nami Island. 

Nami Island is named after a controversial personality in Korea, General Nami (1441-1468). It is where his tomb lies. He started his military career at the very young age of 17. At the age of 25, he was officially honored as a Merit Subject and was given the title of Minister of National Defense. Unfortunately King Sejo, General Nami's great patron, died. King Yejong, the new ruler, falsely denounced General Nami as a traitor and was executed together with his mother and his faithful retainers.  In 1818, during King Sunjo's reign, his official positions were restored after the revelation that false evidence was used against him. He was give a posthumous name "Chung-mu".

Winter in Korea Travel Essentials

Your Korean visa was already approved! What to do next? Shopping, of course! Traveling to Korea in December means it's winter season over there. Good thing, DH is used to winter season having lived in Canada for several years. He knows what to bring e.g. travel essentials. We shopped a few days before we left for Korea. 

I want to share with you the items that saved my dear life from the winter cold. Think  negative 15 degree celsius! 

Note that some of the items pictured here were bought in Korea. Nothing beats Korean products, it's inexpensive and stylish! I <3! 

bonnets, hat & earmuffs

DH shopped for his bonnet in Bench. I bought a bonnet and a hat in Korea for PhP1, 040 (W26, 000). The earmuffs, I got it for only PhP400 (W10, 000).

Why I love Hong Kong: Toilet, Milk, Char Siu & Share Tea!

In the Philippines, you have to pay for the use of toilet with basic amenities such as tissue paper, alcohol and lotion. In Hong Kong, every single most toilet looks like the one in the picture below!

disposable toilet seat cover, alcohol and toilet paper

In other countries like Taiwan, toilet papers are provided even in toilets that needs you to squat on the floor ; p I wonder why we can't do it?

Afternoon Tea at Cova Ristorante Harbour City Hong Kong

My visit: August 2, 2011

Cova Milano since 1817

Shop G220 Ground Floor

Gateway Arcade

Harbour City Tsim Sha Tsui 

Hong Kong

29073881

I have already experienced having an afternoon tea once in Bizu and a high tea in an event. DH, on the other hand, has not experienced any one of these tea thing. While strolling inside Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, we chanced upon Cova Ristorante offering an afternoon tea buffet with a hefty price tag of HK$200 per person plus tax.

peppermint loose tea leaves for DH choice's of tea

Afternoon tea is also known as low tea because it was traditionally served on a low table like a coffee table near a sofa. It is typically served with light snacks like scones and finger sandwiches in mid afternoon.

High tea, also known as meat tea, is served after 5pm on a dining table. It is served with heavy food like steak, fish and vegetables. 

Travelogue: Horizon Plaza & Osaka Ohsho in Hong Kong

My visit: July 31 - August 3, 2011

Day 2 

a.m.- Louis Vuitton Central, Hong Kong

p.m.- Horizon Plaza

         2 Lee Wing St., 

         Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong

         25549089

Mon. to Sun. 9am to 7pm

           

I have so much photos taken during my short vacation in Hong Kong that I have not yet shared with you, my dear readers! Initially I thought I don't have much to show but looking at the photos inside my Hong Kong folder, there were far too many!

DH and I  

This photo was taken inside a bus on the day that I got my LV Tivoli GM. After buying my loot we went back to Wifi Hotel to unbox it and then went to Horizon Plaza in the afternoon.

Horizon Plaza is a warehouse converted into an outlet center with 28 floors full of designer clothes. You wouldn't miss a building where a Ferrari showroom at the ground floor is located, would you? ; )

Tsui Wah Restaurant Central Hong Kong

My visit: August 1, 2011

Tsui Wah Restaurant

The Best Cafe Restaurant

15-19 Wellington St., 

Central, Hong Kong

With a huge package in tow, DH and I trod to the nearest restaurant we could find which is Tsui Wah (TW) Restaurant. 

lamb chops set meal

You know I love lamb. When I went to Singapore late last year, the very first meal I had was lamb chops. When I was in Hong Kong, I still find time to eat my favorite.

The lamb chop was served on a hot plate over mashed potatoes with mixed vegetables and rice on the side.

Wifi Boutique Hotel Hong Kong

My visit: July 31 to August 3, 2011

Wifi Hotel 

366 Lockhard Road

Wanchai, Hong Kong

(852) 39612288

mail@wifihotel.com.hk

As usual, we finalized and booked our Hong Kong trip at the very last minute. We booked through Agoda on a Monday (July 25) and our flight was scheduled Sunday (July 31) of the same week. How's that for another sweet surprise?!

Orange facade of Wifi Hotel

Wifi Boutique Hotel (Hong Kong), a three star hotel, is conveniently situated in the heart of Wan Chai- Lockhart Road. What sealed the deal was the complementary wifi access in each room ; p

Original Chori Burger in Boracay since 1988

I have not tasted Boracay's Chori Burger until my recent visit. After having our massage at Nigi-Nigi's Massage Center, we went for a walk and found Merly's BBQ stand along Station 1.

Merly's BBQ Boracay The Best Longga & Chori Burger Since 1988

Ok, it's not Merly in the photo but my friend Gevi hehe Would you believe this is our cheapest dinner to date? We only paid PhP25 each haha

Chronicling our second day in Boracay!

My visit: May 17, 2011

Boracay

I slept like a baby so the next day we woke up at 6 a.m. for a swim. Except for a few families wading near the shore, we have the beach all to ourselves . We had an opportunity to take solo pictures on top of Willy's Rock where the Grotto can be found. 

life guard post

At around 8 a.m., we went back to La Bella Casa to eat our breakfast. Afterwards, we went back to exploring the stretch of Stations 1 to 3 again.

The day before, Gevi saw the life guard post and wanted her photo taken on top of it. She says it's pretty scary once you reached the top. When it was my turn, I calm and brave myself to reach the top. It was a success!

We pretty much splurge on food on our first day so today we plan on eating in some cheap restaurants and taste some street food.

Best Lamb Chops in Boracay!

I have already made a post about La Reserve's lamb chops over a year ago. It's one of the reasons why I love returning to Boracay! Since I learned that Gevi also loves lamb chops, this is the perfect place. We couldn't wait another day so we had our dinner at this French restaurant on our first night. 

lamb chops PhP680

OMG! Napapikit si Gevi sa sarap! haha

Breakfast at Jonah's & late lunch at Cyma

My visit: May 16, 2010

Jonah's Fruit Shake & Snack Bar

Station 1

Boracay Island

Jonah's is one of the most established restaurants in Boracay. It is open 24 hours everyday of the week and always full of diners.  Naturally, for first timers like Gevi, she has to visit the place for a taste of Boracay's famous fresh fruit shake! 

high tide at Jonah's 

When we talk about vacation, food will not be far behind. On our first day, we totally splurged on food. Starting with our breakfast at Jonah's. *totally trying to sound like Breakfast at Tiffany's haha

Taiwan Chronicle: Maokong Gondola

My visit: December 30, 2010

Maokong Gondola

Eyes of Maokong

Taipei Zoo Station (Muzha Line)

Taiwan

In Hong Kong, there's Ngong Ping 360. In Taiwan, it's Maokong Gondola. The difference lies in the crystal cabins.

inside Maokong Gondola

We have to take a queueing number on the left side of the entrance to be able to access the Eyes of Maokong Gondola. We got two tickets for 12:15 to 12:30pm embarking time. We have 30 minutes to spare so we ate at the nearby Mc Donald's, the only fast food court available.