2012 | Heart-2-Heart-Online.com

January 11, 2012

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Day 1 Tour Day Visiting Changdeok Palace, Seoul

By Heart2Heart | Arts and Culture, Travel | No Comments

Day 1 is tour day. Dad and Mom make sure we are cultured 🙂 and get to learn about the new places we visit. Since we were a big group of 19, it’s easier and better to get your own small bus and tour guide. This is what we used as recommended by the hotel

Our tour guide 🙂

There are 5 palaces in Seoul and my sister chose this palace as it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known for it’s beautiful back garden which we did not get to see. I wish we had more time to see that.

It’s also our bonding time because shopping days we are mostly on our own

Click here for more information on the palace: http://eng.cdg.go.kr/main/main.htm

I just googled for photos of the garden 🙂 ( Click on each photo for the source )

This palace is the main palace and friends recommended this as well, but we were not able to visit it during this trip

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January 10, 2012

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Arirang, Seoul

By Heart2Heart | Foodie, Travel | 2 Comments

We arrived already in the evening and Korea is an hour advanced from Manila time. It takes about an hour depending on traffic it could be more, to get from Incheon airport to the city. We checked in the hotel and we were very hungry! Everyone suggested Arirang which was highly recommended by our friend, Grace. The earlier group had eaten there the day before and warned us that it was expensive, but we still went since it was nearby the hotel and we were very hungry

Our table! That thing from the ceiling is the exhaust which is adjustable. Cool!! The only place we have seen that had that feature. You still smell korean though but atleast it is not smoky while you are eating

It was expensive for us! But later on we realized that Korea is expensive really. ( For easier conversion, it is around 1,000 won to 1US$. ) In most of the restaurants we went to for korean BBQ, these were the prices. But of course the quality of the beef is really good though portions are small. But at the end of the trip, Arirang was one of our favorites and we went back again on our last day!

Free soup 🙂 Pumpkin soup

Then they brought out all the condiments for the bbq

This was everyone’s favorite which you cannot also find in other bbq restaurants. It’s an onion condiment that you eat with the korean bbq

Then a guy brings the charcoal to the cooker

Tongue! Yum 🙂 around the tongue is the Chadol bagey or marbled thin sliced beef

The server is the one who cooks, we noticed that in all restaurants, they are the ones who cook, they won’t let you cook! 🙂

I love it that they put pepper on the tongue while cooking

then squeeze fresh lemon

The most expensive dish on the menu, the Charcoal Grilled King size Prime Rib

we ordered also the Chuck Flap tail which she said was the neck I think and it was also really good – it’s the small pieces beside the king size rib

Korean side dishes

Bulgogi which was not on the main menu – we ordered this in our second visit already

James likes eating raw beef

Marbled Thin Sliced beef which we figured was Chadol Bagey! Later on we tried to avoid this as it is mostly fat! But YUMMY Of course!

YUM YUM! Pajeon!! We loved this in Arirang since it was very crispy! Make sure it is crispy because that is how we got it! YUMMY!

Chap Chae

Their dessert is always fruit – we were looking for the usual rich sweets, but they don’t have! We were thinking maybe that is why the Koreans are so slim! 🙂 Very sweet and gigantic pears!! Only a slice though!

It’s the company and the fun that counts! We had a great dinner and enjoyed! My two boys are there also on the side 🙂

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January 10, 2012

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Lotte Hotel, Seoul

By Heart2Heart | Accomodations, Travel | 3 Comments

Lotte Hotel knew Heart2Heart was coming!!!! Just kidding! I think that is their slogan and I love it! 🙂

Our room. It was quite spacious but it felt old. And we had problems with internet! There was no wifi as they were fixing it at the time we were there.

Extra bed for Javs which he used for one night only, the rest of the stay he slept with his cousins 🙂

Nothing compared to the photos from their website which looked much better. We should have complained and asked about their rooms

All the lights are controlled from this touchscreen device

Bathroom with a clock! 🙂

Location is central which is why this was recommended to us. All means of transportation is accessible. Myongdong district is a few steps away where there is night shopping and local korean shops

I believe that most hotels in Korea offer this service because of the language barrier

Click below to go to their website:

Another hotel recommendation from our friend Grace was the Westin Chosun Hotel which is a few steps away from the Lotte Hotel, and I trust Lauro and Grace on their recommendation. We had already booked at Lotte when we got the recommendation

Click below to go to their website:

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January 9, 2012

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Hari Raya Restaurant

By Heart2Heart | Travel, Yummy! | 6 Comments

Whenever we are departing from NAIA, We always stay at the Club Manila lounge and order food from Hari Raya coffeeshop!

Specifically the GYOZA! That gyoza has been there for many many years for as long as I can remember. My 3 boys love it so they always order it!

Other things on the menu

4th Level Departure Area Terminal 1

Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City

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January 9, 2012

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Preparing for Korea

By Heart2Heart | Travel, What's New at Rustan's | 4 Comments

Korea was super freezing with temperature ranging from -10 to -3!! So we made sure we prepared for the cold!! I went to Marks and Spencers and they have everything you need for winter!!! What is important is to protect your head, hands, feet, neck and chest!

Definitely they had winter socks available

we got the heaviest and warmest they had

They have scarves, hats and gloves!

Cute heart fleece pajamas!

Thermals!!!

I wore 2 layers!! and Long sleeves! which is more than the usual sleeveless ones I wear in the cold

and the pants as well is important or else the cold will go through your clothes!!

and they have nice traveling raincoats and umbrellas as well!! I love M & S!!!

and James bought the Seoul Luxe Guide which is very comprehensive and very applicable and accurate for us

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January 8, 2012

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Lucille’s Homemade Cochinillo

By Heart2Heart | Celebrations, Christmas, Foodie | One Comment

Lucille invited us once again to her home…It seems like she is doing it every other year 🙂

Previous Entries: From the Kitchen of Lucille December 17, 2007

Lucille’s Birthday Treat January 8, 2009

Here she is welcoming us as we arrive and take note of the parol on top of her. She is part of the group from St. James Parish in Alabang who sold these beautiful parols last Christmas

She is always proud of her two children who are presently studying abroad

Our group photo taken by Lucille’s Staff 🙂

She had different cocktail drinks for us since we all had dietary requirements – buko juice for me, orange and apple for the others

It was Lucille’s birthday and we made her cook for us again! WE LOVE IT!! 🙂 Quoting here a note from Det who said it very well:

Dear Lucille,

Many thanks for being the usual gracious host!

Each year, as December comes, I always look forward to your birthday lunch! What I most love about visiting your home (apart of course from the very good food) is how I feel the warmth of your hospitality; how each year you have transformed into an Oprah a Martha Stewart which you do so well with your own personal touch and style! The only downside is, each time I leave your beautiful home, I always ponder about having a sabbatical even just for a month so I get to learn “your favorite things.” It has always been my dream to become a home maker but sometimes life takes you to a different path which of course I can’t complain!

Cheers to you birthday girl and cheers to loving company and a friendship which will forever be in our hearts!

Always,

Det

And Mother Butler Lucille says our grace before the meal

The buffet

This was the highlight of our meal. Lucille’s homemade Cochinillo!!!! YUMMY!!!!!! It was half a piggy and it was really really good!!!!!

Here it is again up close

and we had other Filipino dishes

Luzanne insisted on having her cochinillo with Mang Tomas sauce!! It’s a good thing Brenda had some with her. Luzanne can finish almost half the bottle 🙂

LOOK AT THAT YUMMY COCHINILLO!!!! Homemade dishes are more meaningful and taste much better!!! And Lucille’s cooking is always WITH LOVE! 🙂

And dessert

Happy Birthday Lucille!!

And Lucille shares with us her FAVORITE THINGS

Her waring smoothie blender! We all want one!!!

and she made a fresh strawberry smoothie for us using fresh Holly’s yogurt

previous entry: Lucille’s Smoothie Recipe June 10, 2011

Fresh super sweet Mangoes from her farm in Cebu!!!

Fresh super sweet pineapple with champoy powder

and her Viking oven where the cochinillo was cooked. It has to be big enough to put the little piggy in

And we all exchanged gifts for christmas and we all support our very own

Brenda from the commissary she works in

Triumph underwear from Det

Lucille will always shop at Rustan’s! Forever Rustan’s loyalists just like all of us!

Golden Spoon from me 🙂

Taken with an

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January 8, 2012

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Be Thankful… A Good Reminder

By Heart2Heart | Today's Quote | 3 Comments

I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE

WHO SAYS IT’S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,

BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND

WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER

WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING

I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT

I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF

IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURSBECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MANY E-MAILS BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

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January 8, 2012

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Uncle Mike

By Heart2Heart | For kids | No Comments

I don’t have many photos of my brother in law, Mike, but I have many of him with my kids. Through the years, I have been able to collect photos of him with my kids. And Uncle Mike is like their Dad or big brother who takes care of them and watches over them. If it is one thing we will miss now that we have moved houses, it is Uncle Mike whom we have lived with for sixteen years.