Happenings in October - AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum + iVegan

Tuesday 8/10/24

I am already familiar with the AVENE Cleanance range as I am currently using Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel and Cleanance Comedomed. Hence, adding AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum to my routine felt like the perfect complement to complete my skincare set. Thanks Daily Vanity for introducing the product.

AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum is suitable for people with sensitive, blemish-prone skin. Its lightweight, watery texture infused with Avène Thermal Spring Water, feels incredibly soothing upon application. 

The serum absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving behind a hydrated, dewy glow without any greasy feeling. The serum is free from fragrance. I noticed it effectively soothed redness and did not trigger any breakouts or discomfort. It’s the perfect addition to my skincare routine.

Saturday 12/10/24

We went to Starbucks for dessert where I had Buttery Scone. It was crispy on the outside and buttery on the inside, with the Lurpak butter adding extra fragrance.

Sunday 13/10/24

Journey to east for iVegan at i12 Katong a health-conscious restaurant offering natural, delicious plant-based whole foods free of MSG and refined sugar. Their dishes use olive oil and pansalt.

Thanks GF for inviting me along to join her and K for the lunch, good opportunity for me to pass her recent overseas souvenirs.

The Crispy Veg Maki was the nicest among the dishes I tried, it does not lose out to the Japanese maki. Made with cucumber, carrot, red cabbage, nori, tomato salsa, vegan mayo and BBQ sauce, it was bursting with flavour.

With the growing demand for vegetarian dining, restaurants are getting more creative with their menus, and I would not mind eating vegetarian more often if it is this delicious.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 3: Nami Island + 12-Storey Daiso

Our last attraction was to Nami Island, which was just a 20 minute drive from Gangchon Rail Park. 

Our driver dropped us off at Gapyeong Wharf at 4.20pm where we took a 5 minute ferry ride to Nami Island. Since the island is not reachable by land transport, visitors can only access it by ferry or a zip line.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 3: Green Dak-Galbi + Gangchon Rail Park

Our next stop was to the lunch venue which was 40 minutes drive from Alpaca World.

We reached Green Dak-Galbi at about 1.10pm. Lunch was not included in the package, so we needed to pay the cost ourselves. Each group had their own table, allowing us to order what we wanted.

This was our first Korean BBQ experience in Seoul, we ordered chicken, spicy pork and two bowls of rice. We spent most of our time busy grilling and flipping the meat every few seconds. The chicken took quite a while to cook through.

We took a stroll outside the restaurant to shake off the lingering barbeque smell, but thankfully, it was not too strong. The weather was cooler under the clear sky, with no clouds to trap the warmth.

We returned back to the van at 2.10pm and moved on to our second attraction, Gangchon Rail Park, which was just a short 15 minute drive away.

I felt a rush of excitement as we waited for our turn to get on the rail bike adventure along the converted railroad track. Each rail bike can take four pax and we were paired with a couple from Hong Kong in our group. I took the seat on the right side, responsible for controlling the brake.

We got on the rail bike at about 2.30pm and started pedaling as a team to get it moving. We needed to maintain a safe distance from the bike ahead just like in regular driving to ensure safety. It was easy to get the hang of it.

As we pedaled, we were treated to a breathtaking view of the mountainous countryside, a visual feast that accompanied us throughout our ride. The serene landscape was captivating, while cycling, I took in the sight of the natural beauty.

This part of the ride was enjoyable as we went down a slope, allowing the rail bike to zoom without any pedaling. The sudden burst of speed brought a thrill, making all four of us feeling the excitement.

The rail bike offered an escape to a countryside untouched by globalization and accessible only via the rail track. It felt both exclusive and sustainable, immersing in its natural charm.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 3: Alpaca World

 I went to bed at 11.30pm and woke up at 1.40am. Due to tiredness, the next time I woke up was 5.45am.

It was 6am,  the sky was in a bluish tone as the sun had yet to rise. I did not went back to sleep as we were supposed to wake up at 6.10am to start preparing for the day. 

We munched on the grapes we bought at the convenience store yesterday and packed the gummy sweets in bag to keep us energized for the ride later.

I had the scone (₩3,900) that we bought yesterday for breakfast. It was quite nice with light and crunchy exterior, the inside was buttery and not too sweet. 

A black 12 seater passenger van came to pick us up at 7.55am. We got a big group today with exactly 12 passengers. We set off at 8.05am after everyone arrived. Our first destination was Alpaca World, which was 1 hour 45 minutes from Myeongdong.

After 45 minutes of drive, we passed by the mountain edge where we were almost on the same level with the cloud. I was amazed at how far we had came to just by driving. Slowly after that, I began to lose concentration and doze off.

We reached Alpaca World at 9.50am, just 10 minutes before the opening time, giving time for toilet break and explore the surroundings.

Despite the sunny weather, the cooling breeze made it the perfect time to visit the largest forest farm in Korea. It was a nice way to begin my day at this enchanting destination.

We were ushered into the Alpaca Playground for the 10.10am show where a pack of alpacas ran down from their enclosure to greet the visitors. It was such a cute scene.

As we entered, the staff handed out some feeding snacks, giving us the opportunity to interact closely with the alpacas. It was fun to watch how quickly they noticed the snacks and made their way over to us. 

After several minutes, the alpacas exited from the playground and returned back, allowing visitors to follow and visit them in their habitat.

We walked up hill and climbed the stair to where the alpacas were gathered. This alpaca looked so cute and making its way towards me, how I wish I could bring this one home.

I always loved interacting with animals as it was not a norm in my everyday life. The experience was amazing especially since these alpacas were quite tamed. When feeding them, simply place the food on your palm, they gently took it without biting.

Alpacas have small heads and long necks, they are actually part of the camel family. It was fascinating to learn and observe them up close rather than through photos.

The sight of alpacas set against the backdrop of the forest mountains brought us to a serene countryside, temporarily making us forget the fast paced city life. Once in a while, I long for such life, being in a farm with friendly animals under the cool breeze, far from the hustle and bustle of urban living.

After spending 40 minutes with the alpacas, I finally finished feeding then the snacks I was given and moved on to explore other parts of the farm.

The farm felt like a tropical haven, brimming with natural beauty and fresh air. The expansive greenery was a visual delight, creating a serene escape.

We passed by a few enclosures from the goat to peacock and now to the sheep. They looked lonely over here as they were located further away,  lesser visitors came here as most of the crowd gathered around the alpaca section.

After seeing the pony, rabbit and owl enclosure, we made our way towards the entrance as we needed to report back at12.20pm. We had 25 minutes for long toilet break and light bites.

We stopped by the souvenir shop to browse at their items but I did not buy anything. Looking back, I now regret not picking up a souvenir from the visit. Next time I visit an overseas attraction, I will remind myself to bring back a little souvenir as a reminder of the experience.

With only 10 minutes left, we went over to Alpaca Cafe which was beside the souvenir shop to find a quick bite to eat.

We bought a bag of Alpaca Bread containing 7 pieces of custard cream puff for ₩4,900 (or S$4.82). They were too cute to eat, each piece stamped with the letters "PACA."

We reported back to our driver at 12.20pm sharp for our next destination.

Alpaca World

310 Pungcheon-ri, Hwachon-myeon, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Operating hours: 10am to 6pm daily

Seoul (South Korea) Day 2: Namsangol Hanok Village + Namsan Seoul Tower

After returning our hanboks, we walked back the route toward the Ginseng Chicken Soup area, trying to look for suitable places for lunch along the way but none caught our eyes, so we ended up back at Seochon Hanok Village for a late lunch. 

It was already 2.40pm by the time we settled down for Salon de Donkkasu. This small yet popular eatery was nearly full and we were lucky to get a table immediately.

We were given a complimentary soup after placing our order, it was creamy and tasty.

The menu was simple with only seven options, most of which were pork except two with fish. I got Pork Tenderloin Cutlet at ₩11,500 (or S$11.31). The cutlet was coated in a crispy crumb layer that provided a satisfying crunch, revealing lean meat inside. It paired well with the sauce and rice.

Salon de Donkkasu (Tonkatsu Salon)

20 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Operating hours: 11.30am to 3pm and 5pm to 10pm from Mon to Fri, 12pm to 10pm on Sat and Sun

It took us 20 minutes to walk to Gwanghwamun Square to see the statue of King Sejong. He was the fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty and regarded as one of the greatest rulers in Korean history.

We were at Gwanghwamun Station (Purple line) and needed to head toward Chungmuro Station (Orange line). We purchased EZL Card for public transportation at a convenience store for ₩5,000 (or S$4.92) each and topped up money to take train.

It was nearly 5pm when we reached Namsangol Hanok Village. Since it was along the way to Namsan Tower, I decided to drop by here and explore.

Namsangol Hanok Village is a recreated village featuring historical traditional houses, pavilion and  garden from Joseon era, giving visitors a glimpse into Korea's past. Admission was free which attracted many tour groups to visit.

It was a relaxing spot, allowing us to bask in the ambiance of the recreated village, which felt like stepping into an ancient garden surrounded by natural beauty.

The village would have felt more charming place if I had not already visited the palace. After the palace, the buildings here seemed quite similar. Hence, I decided to skip the structures and focus on exploring the beautiful garden instead.

We just stayed for 15 minutes in the village and quickly made our way out for next schedule.

Namsangol Hanok Village

28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea 

Operating hours: 9am to 8pm from Tue to Sun

We boarded bus 01B in front of Daehan Theatre at Chungmuro Station Exit 2, heading to Namsan Tower. The journey was just five stops with a fare of ₩1,400 (or S$1.38). The entire bus was packed with people heading to the same destination as us, we stood throughout the way.

We arrived at Namsan Seoul Tower at 5.35pm, just in time for the sunset. Being an iconic location that appeared in many K-dramas like Boys Over Flowers with its memorable cable car scene, it was a popular attraction among tourists.

Even before reaching the tower, the view was already spectacular with the entire city in a panorama. At every turn, the scenery was breathtaking.

We spent a few minutes admiring the stunning view of the city, dotted with many buildings, before heading up the slope toward the tower.

Namsan Seoul Tower is a communication and observation tower, standing at a height of 236m. From restaurants and cafes to souvenir shops, there are plenty of ways to spend your time here.

There was a staircase with love locks hanging along the railing, creating a charming spot where many visitors loved to take photos. With Namsan Mountain’s peak in the background, it was a picturesque scene.

Being one of the highest points, we had a soaring view of the city's outline. The sweeping, uninterrupted view took my breath away at the perfect golden hour.

I had Strawberry Milk Latte at ₩5,500 (or S$5.41), a smooth blend with sweetness from creamy condensed milk and bits of strawberry adding a nice texture.

It was 6.50pm by the time we were at the observatory, the sun has completely set and night had fallen. The entire city was glowing with lights while a dark patch marked the silhouette of the mountain.

Even the restroom offered a breathtaking view of the city, one can admire the skyline while using the toilet, hoping none will be able to see you in from outside. 

I'm not someone who enjoy looking at night view so I felt the observatory was a waste, we only spending only 15 minutes there.

We stopped by GS25 convenience store and picked up some grapes, sweets, and cookies for munching during the trip.

We were happy when we spotted Dunkin' Donuts, thinking we could settle our dinner here. Unfortunately, their selection was limited at this hour.

We picked up two plain scones and two cookies at ₩13,600 (or S$13.37) for our breakfast tomorrow as we will not have time to hunt for food in the morning.

With limited options for a light meal at 9pm, we ended up at A Twosome Place again, visiting this cafe twice in a day. I skipped on street food because I needed a place where I can sit down to rest while having the food.

I had Egg and Ham Muffin at ₩3,900 (or S$3.83). It was like a classic breakfast muffin which was simple yet satisfying, just perfect for a late night meal.

There were a variety of seating options for both small and large groups. We chose seats on the same level as the counter, making it convenient to take and return our tray. It was a relief to sit down and relax, we ended up chilling here for 40 minutes.

A Twosome Place 

Myeongdong Daeyeongak Tower, 97 Toegye-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

Operating hours: 7am to 11pm from Mon to Fri, 8am to 11pm on Sat and Sun

We were back at our hotel after 15 minutes walk. It was a tiring day with lots of walking, can't wait to head back to the room and rest.