Category Archives: Korea 2016

Food Report: Kalguksu and Mandu at Myeongdong Kyoja (Seoul, South Korea)

Piping-hot kalguksu and freshly steamed mandu, with a limitless supply of spicy kimchi on the side. Nothing better for warding off the winter chill after a long day of sightseeing in Seoul.

Field Report: The Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs, Seoul, South Korea (09 February 2016)

Much has been sacrificed – unwillingly or otherwise – in the name of Seoul’s rapid development, with sacred grounds and historic sites that have survived war or occupation unable to withstand the Korean capital’s virtually unstoppable drive to expand. Yet here and there, one finds pockets of seemingly untouched architectural treasures and natural beauty inContinue reading “Field Report: The Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs, Seoul, South Korea (09 February 2016)”

Field Report: Warming up on a winter day in Seoul, South Korea (08 February 2016)

The experiences I’ve chronicled in this post took place exactly one year ago, but I still remember that day quite vividly. It’s amazing how fine architecture and tasty treats – with a drop of hot soup in between – can work in concert to render a tiny episode in one’s existence almost indelibly memorable.

Field Report: Ancient by day, modern by night in Seoul, South Korea (07 February 2016)

Seoul is one of my favourite cities in the world, not least because it offers such incredible historic and architectural rewards for the minimum of effort. Even a simple walk in the park can turn into an archaeological expedition, as I discovered one chilly winter’s day almost exactly a year ago.

Field Report: An Afternoon Stroll around Dongdaemun, Seoul, South Korea (06 February 2016)

I’m off to Seoul this coming weekend, which makes today’s blog post especially timely. Come along as I relive the sweet – and bitterly, bitterly cold – memories of another winter holiday in the Korean capital that took place almost exactly a year ago. Today’s mission: an afternoon stroll around Seoul’s historic Dongdaemun gate.

Flight Report: MNL-ICN-MNL on AirAsia Z2 884 and Z2 85 (February 2016 edition)

Unless an airline does something so phenomenally stupid that I slap them with a personal travel ban, I’d happily fly with them again – even on the same route and schedule as before. That’s why I found myself taking a third round-trip journey on Philippines AirAsia (Z2) this past Seollal weekend, between Manila’s Ninoy AquinoContinue reading “Flight Report: MNL-ICN-MNL on AirAsia Z2 884 and Z2 85 (February 2016 edition)”