Seoul - To Do 17Oct25 Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall (Naturally Man made)

Seoul -To Stay
Seoul - To Do
Seoul - To Eat 

Seoul - To Do
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Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall

*Come at different seasons to enjoy a completely different view.*

You maybe interested in these other iconic scenic walks known all over. 
- Philosophers walk for Sakura in Kyoto
- Japan - Mount Fuji Maple Corridor

*Local wildlife looking for bites*

The Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall created in 2009 was part of the restoration of the Hongjecheon Stream. The space was designed to be a serene urban healing spot in the city. The lounge chairs as well as renovated area really allowed for the place to serve just that whilst enjoying a cuppa. 

*Enjoying coffee indoors whilst enjoying the scenes outside. The place really reminds me of beautiful tea houses in Narita Village Click here for hidden spot.*

*Small little stalls on the lower level withthe reflective background accentuating the man made waterfalls.*

The Waterfall also leads nicely to the barely scratched, multitude of hike tracks which the Ansan Mountain offers. 

*Young at heart*

Red Clay walking path

*Do as the Koreans do. Walking barefoot on red clay paths is a popular wellness practice believed to improve circulation, relieve stress, and reconnect the body with nature. I must say it was quite a liberating experience. Give it a try!*

You maybe interested in these other scenic hikes that don't take too much time are are hugely rewarding with their view. 
Hong Kong - To Do Garden Hill urban hike and amazing Braemar Hill Peak best enjoyed during sunset. SUPER IG worthy.

Hong Kong - To Do Dragon's Back, one of the most scenic hikes in Asia.

Seoul - To Eat 17Oct25 Gomnaengmyeon (Cold Noodle Restaurant)

Seoul -To Stay
Seoul - To Do
Seoul - To Eat 

Seoul - To Eat
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Gomnaengmyeon
(Cold Noodle Restaurant)

A very local joint that specialized in Cold Noodles. The staff are super friendly and there's English menu available. The place was filled only by locals. 

Ordered On:
17Oct25
Cold Noodles with raw Fish 12,000Won

*Apparently a fairly common dish that can be found in Korea especially enjoyed during the summer time. Served in a not so spicy sweet gochujang-based sauce with some seafood in this case. Excellent and highly recommended to give a try. Not too spicy and refreshing with Korean pear, cucumbers and a dash of mustard and vinegar to add some pop. A really enjoyable, refreshing order and overall positive experience.*
Big Short Rib Soup15,000Won
*Pretty standard fare to be enjoyed.*
Food 4/5
Service 4/5
Ambience 3/5
Value 4/5

Total Fed 2 at 27,000Won

There's so many food options located within Numdaemun itself to explore one doesn't really need to go anywhere really. Click here for ABBA writeup on last visit to Numdaemun in 2016. 
Click here for ABBA location of Gomnaengmyeon

Los Angeles - To Do 09Oct25 (Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2025)

Los Angeles - To Do
Los Angeles  - To Eat

 LA - To Do
Halloween Horror Nights 2025
Opens from 7pm-2am Check with Universal for official timings.

ABBATip:
- If you wanna avoid dealing with lockers for some rides, leave the backpack behind.  Worried about carrying your water bottle, there are plenty of drinking spots around the park.
- Consider having glow stick wrist bands. You can get lost in the crowd pretty easily when travelling in a group moving from location to location. 
- Download the Universal App. It really does help in planning which ride you wanna go. 
- Purchase your shopping on exit. The stores within Universal remains open till closing time.
My first time ever attending a Halloween Horror Night event and where best to enjoy it than in the city of Angels. We were really fortunate to visit on a Thursday night. Pleasant weather of 17degree C or so to wait in queues, and lesser than full wait lines mostly!

*Chainaw Clownz Scare Zone*

*One of Four Scare Zones. Murder of Crowz*

*Photo-op*

*Pictures from the Terror Tram ride where you actually
get to disembark the tram and walk the grounds.*

*Photo opportunities with horror celebs*

*A mini scare zone on the Terror Tram Ride.*

*The scariest scare zone by far at Noche de Brujas. Latin American legends scaring you.*

We accomplished in one night on a general pass: SGD115 purchased via Klook
- 5 of the 8 Haunted Houses. Wait times were 10mins, 15mins, 20mins, 30mins and 35mins 
- Terror Tram Universal ride and walk about. 20mins wait.
- All the four scare zones
- Watch The Purge: Dangerous Waters stunt show. No wait. 
- Rode 2 of the 5 rides available: Jurassic World and Harry Potter. No wait and 10mins wait.

Why pay and go to be scared?
Its not as scary as imagined and there's a little something for everyone of different scare tolerances.

The entire vibe of the place is amazing and even for common long running show like Water World, it's rethemed and rechoreographed for a much older audience which makes it amazing! Well worth to explore in a familiar space but dressed up for the seasonal fun. 
I am chicken (scared) of these kind of things, should I go? 

- Surprisingly even for myself not being a major fan of the horror genre and easily scared, the scare factor wasn't terribly high and there's varying degrees of fear from the variety of attractions and options available. Not all haunted houses are equal in scare levels. 

The haunted houses are scary, only especially if you're right at the front or strayed from the group. However, because there's so many people moving through these houses, you can see the scares from a distance and where they maybe coming from.

The production value is high, but for for some the story telling behind it is lacking. We missed one of the haunted house as with some of the houses, the jump scares were repetitive. Same style just with a different thematic skin. 

The experience overall is really amazing and well worth especially if you can squeeze in more rides and houses. The scare zones really aren't that frightful but really enjoy the amazing production value and costumes! Perhaps mix up the horror house visits with some rides and shows so there's varied experiences. Download the app to guide you to optimize and get the most bang for your limited time there.

Souvenirs can be bought on the way out (but still within Universal Park) prior park closure by 2am this day. Staff were really helpful to find specific things that you maybe looking for. 

Amsterdam - To Eat 11Sep25 (Salvo Basement)

Amsterdam - To Do
Amsterdam - To Eat
Amsterdam - To Buy

Amsterdam - To Eat
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Salvo Basement

Nice little minimalist cafe giving off  some light 70s vibe that sits by the river, serving up some nice coffee and great pastries.

Ordered On:

11Sep25
(24yrs to this date since 911. Click here for Ground Zero Memorial Pools in NYC)
(Click here for 911 Memorial Museum in NYC.)

We ordered the Pistachio Cookie and Cheese Cake which were very much comparable to Van Stapele Cookie (AMS) and the similar San Sebastian burnt cheese cake in Istanbul, less the hazel nut drizzle. Coffees here were excellent too with cuppas around the €5 range.  

*Cookies absolutely fantastic. Huge sized and a perfect cup to have by the river side. Seating is very limited so most come in to purchase for to go. A dessert and a coffee would set you back €10*
Food 4/5
Service na

Ambience 3.5/5
Value 3.5/5

Nice stop over for dessert and coffee before heading on to the rest of the shopping street. 

Click here for ABBA location of Salvo Basement

Jakarta - To Eat 06Sep25 (The Chinese National)

Jakarta - To Do
Jakarta - To Eat
Jakarta - To Buy

Jakarta - To Eat
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The Chinese National
(Buffet)
*Special price of IDR295,000net*

Finally getting to try this famed buffet in a really elegant and beautiful setting. Everything was spot on less the dessert which surprsingly missed the mark. Caveat: Apparently the spread is much better on the weekends but its still a hell of a deal. 

*They offer some great of the menu selections which keeps the buffet dining experience exciting and fresh!*

*Dim Sum were all excellent*

*The smoked beef is amazing.*

*Nice sides with local Indonesian salad to enjoy.*

*Roast duck was excellent with the hoisin sauce. Crispy skin and you choose the pieces you want.*

*Looks pretty but fails to deliver in flavor*.

*Interesting but the ice was not finely shaved enough*

Food 4/5
Service 4/5
Ambience 4/5
Value 4.5/5 with crew discount

Super worth it and did not disappoint. All the dishes, less the desserts were pretty much home runs and what was most enjoyable were the periodical specials. Small individual portions which were all fantastic to enjoy and great to keep things interesting. 

Don't miss out on giving this place a shot for what you pay would be almost the same as dining in the restaurant at the mall next door. 
Click here for ABBA location of The Chinese National

Singapore - To Eat (M&T (French Restaurant), Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie)

Singapore - To Stay
Singapore - To Eat
Singapore - To Do

Singapore - To Eat
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M&T
(French Restaurant)

Nice location with a little play about area. Pretty picturesque with Pinnacle @ Ducton (Click here for views from the park area at the Pinnacle) in the background and Oasia Hotel (Click here for staycation at Oasia) as well. 

The place is most known for cheeses but that kind of fell flat. The winners were the lamb casserole as well as the beef cheek pasta which were a hit with the kids. 

Ordered On:
04Sep25

*SGD16 sampling of desserts was a fantastic treat. Highly recommended*
Food 3/5
Service 3/5
Ambience 3/5 
*The alternating displays were a little distracting and overall the place not too brightly lit.*
Value 3/5 
Fed 4. Total SGD175

Where they were most known for fell kind of flat. The cheese explanation and flavors weren't really there and could have done with dry crackers to go along with. They were however very generous with topping up of condiments to be enjoyed with the various cheeses.  

Click here for ABBA location of M&T

Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie
SG60 special. Adults SGD60+. Children SGD30+

Located right beside Ikea at Alexandra, the Verandah gives picturesque views of the iconic Interlace. A quaint infinity pool together with a really nice bar look out. Great views, not over the top with a nicely curated selection of SG60 special eats. 

Ordered On:
25Aug25
Food 4/5
Service 4/5
Ambience 4/5 
*The alternating displays were a little distracting and overall the place not too brightly lit.*
Value 4/5

Maybe at regular retail price, depending on what was offered, the selection lacking the usual raw fish selection maybe a little of a let down. However those into local cuisine and elevated dishes would have very much enjoyed their selection. A small but curated buffet featuring local flavors. Their roast beef however was on the medium side which was a disappointment.

Great views, different location and a quaint setting for celebrations. 
Click here for ABBA location of Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie