Seoul's Hidden Photo Spots -

I often find myself snapping constantly throughout my trip(s) so I can capture every moment. I personally like one-of-a-kind places with cute murals and all that --

It has been a while since my last trip to South Korea -- the last being in 2013. I had no idea there are a lot of very distinct, full of character photo spots in there (Seoul, to be exact).


Ihwa Mural Village -

If you're a Korean drama fan, then I'm sure you'll be familiar with this village -- yes, it is the filming location of TV dramas 'The Girl Who Sees Smells' and 'Rooftop Prince'. Approximately 60 artists took part in the project of painting the walls and installing sculptures in the village.

This project was carried out in 2006 by the local Public Art Committee in order to improve the environment of this village.

Photo Credit: AirAsia

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

This village is located in Ihwa-dong area, Jongno-gu (Seoul). To get there, take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Hyehwa Station. Use Exit 2, walk for about 15 minutes and you will not miss it.

Naksan Park -

To get to Naksan Park, you will need to do a little 300m hike up the "mountain" -- this mountain is a solid granite bedrock located not far from Ihwa Mural Village. 

In 2002, it was designated as a park -- being in the centre of Seoul, this park allows visitors to have a magnificent view of the entire city. 

Photo Credit: TimeOut

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

You can get to Naksan Park easily by walking through Ihwa Mural Village. Just walk the same street up the hill for about 300m and you will arrive at Naksan Park.

Gyeongnidan-gil Road -

A 1-km long road, filled with all sorts of attractions, entertainment and cuisines from around the world. The liveliness of this place is unlike any other neighbourhood in Seoul. 

With N-Seoul Tower in the Northern side and Itaewon in its Southern side, Gyeongnidan-gil Road has now become well known among travellers and locals alike, who are looking for a unique place to chill out. 

Photo Credit: Visit Korea 

Photo Credit: Visit Korea

It is fairly easy to get to Gyeongnidan-gil Road -- just take the Subway to Noksapyeong Station (Line 6) and use Exit 2. Walk straight for about 3 minutes until you see an underpass. Use this underpass to get to the other side of the road and you're there.

FYI -- it is located in the Itaewon-dong area, Yongsan-gu (Seoul).


These certainly got me jumping on my feet to start shooting.
I know there are more of such attractions in Seoul; and perhaps other places too. I'm looking forward to find out and to add them to my list :)

Five Ways to Save Money on Your Next Vacation -

So, our economy may not be at the strongest point now. And that makes traveling quite expensive.
But, if you play your cards right -- there are lots of incredible ways to make the most out of your travels.

Cheap doesn't always have to be bad, right? :)

So here I've put down my top five tricks on turning my vacation into an affordable activity.


Be flexible with flights -

You see, a little tweak in your travel itinerary will save you a ton. I usually travel midweek instead of weekends; and if you're talking about long haul -- flights with transits always win hands down. Not only its cheaper than direct (80% of the times) but I find it more comfortable dividing my long journeys into two legs.

I don't mind being on transits for a few hours -- at least I get to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. And also, some airlines (mainly the Gulf carriers) offer free stopovers at their Hub -- so that is also a nice way to have 2-in-1 vacation ;)

Flying open jaw - that's flying into one city and out from another - is also a good option. Not necessarily the cheapest but will save you the needless costs of going back to your starting point if you're visiting a few countries at once.


Travel off season -

Summer is the best time to visit Europe; likewise spending winter in the Caribbean. But these will cost a bomb simply because everybody else think so and would like to experience the same thing at the same time.

So, opt for shoulder season instead (just before or after the peak season).

If you ask me why? Then I'd say why not --
Prices are low (even cheaper airfares). The weather is nice. Restaurants / Shops are open and happy to see customers. And, generally fewer tourist around so you mingle mostly with the locals.

Sure, it won't be the warmest or sunniest but the prices are much, much better.


Skip the chain hotel -

I rarely stay at big, expensive brand hotel (think Hilton, Westin, etc.) because personally, I think they have very little in value. A B&B offers double the warmth and half the price of what these hotels charge you. And I like the cultural intimacy prospect and the personality of it -

I have tried house-sitting during one of my earlier travels and this is also another unconventional option that could be explored.
You know, you get free lodging in exchange for taking care of someone's home while they're away -- help feed their cat, water their plant and whatever else.


Take free tours -

Sure, you can pay for standard tours along but in most major cities around the world -- you can also find free walking tours being offered. What is so special about them? Well these walking tours show you the city's highlight and also, teach you about the culture.
Another option is by using the hospitality site, Couchsurfing and PlayPlanet (the Korean version of CS) to connect with locals who would be happy to show you around.

You will also, at the same time, meet cool, smart and genuinely nice people.


Think outside the box -

Why are some of the more popular destinations pricier than the other? Well, of course they are. Because everyone wants to go there. Looking for a beautiful and less molested island but Maldives is too expensive? Try Raja Ampat instead.

Of course you can't substitute Paris for another city because, hey, it's Paris after all.
But there are plenty of European cities that are equally as gorgeous; full of their own charm and excitement. For example, Budapest or Dubrovnik -
Sure, they're a little less well known but definitely cheaper and special in they're own way.

And also. Take advantage of countries with lower exchange rates or slightly down economy (e.g. Greece).


Well -- a little more leg work will pay off. I'm sure you can also add on to the list :)
What are you waiting for? Go, travel!

Smartphone Photography 101: Five Tricks For Taking Better Travel Photos -

Are you planning a vacation and wondering what camera to take?
While the image quality might be better on a DSLR, but carrying around bulky camera equipment in foreign countries isn't quite a good idea.

So, perhaps you should reconsider.

The purpose of travel photography is for us to document our memories and highly likely we will share them with family and friends (*cough* Instagram *cough*). So, smartphones win hands-down in terms of portability and convenience.

Have a look at the five important things (at least I think so ...) to consider to make your travel photos a much better ones ;)


Know the Rule of Thirds (and when not to use it) -

Image Source: Take & Talk Pics 

This, my friends, is the golden rule of photography.
Divide the canvas into thirds (and you will eventually have nine equal grid squares). The most interesting element should ends up where the interception of lines are.

You can place your element slightly to the left or to the right -- your choice. This will create a strong composition and focuses on the object.

This rule works 90% of the time. But feel free to also experiment.


Rethink the Cliche Shots -

Keep your eyes open for unique photo opportunities -- and don't be afraid to take a shot.
The best thing about smartphone photography: if you don't like the shots, you can delete them later. But if you don't take it in the first place, you'll have no idea how it'll turn out. Right?

Experiment with the angles and viewpoints. The last thing you need is shooting something the same way as everybody else.

Image Source: Mark Garbowski Photography

Shooting from low angle is one way to show the scene from a different perspective. Something one will unable to see at a standing height.

So leave the cliche shots to tourists and try something new!

And oh. Don't forget to look down, too ;)


Make Connection. Get Closer to People. Local People -

The sceneries might be beautiful.
But sometimes we tend to forget that the locals have their own stories to tell too. If you're shooting from a distance, no problem. But if you'd like to take a close-up shot of them -- please, please, please -- be polite and ask for permission first.

Image Source: Photographing the World

I find it interesting to photograph people in their own environment. It helps contextualise the portrait and viewers will be able to see what's there.


Don't Use the Flash -

Never, ever use the flash. Unless it is absolutely necessary.
It ruins the quality and will wash out your photographs. But instead, play with the dark. Use the contrast to create an amazing shot.

Hard to believe, maybe. But try it.


Let Your Photos Tell Stories -

A good photo tells a story. And that's what photography is all about -- letting viewers in to the experience while not being there physically themselves.

Sometimes the action of the subject tells a story by itself.

Image Source: Elle's Studio

The trick is: compose your subject well and take a shot at the right time. You need to often do this quickly so use the burst mode (simply hold the shutter down to take series of shots -- on an iPhone) and pick the best shot later.


There you have it -- some really simple tricks to help you during your next travel.
Be open to experimenting, too.

Enjoy!

When Best Friends Become Strangers -

Do you have that one person you used to be so close with, but so suddenly became nothing more than just, well, a stranger?

I do.

I have friends whom at one point I can't picture not being close to. I love them -- we bonded and connected so well. Then one day I woke up only to realise, they were no longer a huge part of my life.

I don't know what exactly happened. And how, in a short span of time, we drifted apart.

I don't know if I should feel bad. Or to feel like it is my fault.

Maybe I didn't reach out enough?  

Or maybe I've done something wrong? 

There's no clear cut answer to these questions. Maybe simply because our paths have changed along the way. Maybe because we didn't connect like we used to.

But I think it is okay. I'd like to believe so.
There is nothing wrong with having amazing people in life one day and simply going separate ways shortly after. Friends respect each other -- may it be decisions made, or even the journeys taken.

Friends don't judge each other just because the decisions are different.

Sometimes I hear people talk about how those who drifted as one who doesn't "value" the friendship. But is it really about "value"? Is it about making this friendship works simply because it was there at one point? Or is it possible that, just like lovers, we were in each others lives for a particular reason and once that reason is fulfilled, we move on?


People change. No big deal.
Change is what human do as part of being, well, human. It's a basic component of our basic and collective survival. But we fear this change. Maybe because it reminds us of our mortality.

We are always changing even when we hate to admit it.
We are all, maybe, the centre of our own universes. Sometimes this might overlaps with other people's and that small bit of intersection leave some parts of it changed.

The collision can: wreck us, change us, shift us. Sometimes we merge into one. Most other times, we resist.

What I'm saying is: if you're in that situation I once was, y'know, feeling guilty for drifting apart from very close friends -- don't. It happens, and it's normal.

I have made different decisions. I have taken different paths. Some of these decisions and paths taken are different than what my close friends would've decided upon. So it's harder for them to swallow.

Some might think otherwise but to me, this doesn't mean we can't remain friends. Simply because we change. Simply because we decided on different paths. It simply means -- it happens and it's okay!

I learned that holding on to that regret didn't do me any good.

I was blaming myself for something I had to respect -- their decision to leave because the path I've chosen is simply, well, different. Maybe they didn't fully understand why I did what I did -- but that's okay.

So, I move on.


We all start as strangers. The hope is to grow with our friends. But more often, we grow apart. And become strangers again.

So accept and respect how things have become. Remember -- you can't control everything and the past is the past. There's only so much you can do.

Given a chance -- I'm sure we all want these people to be back in our lives but at one point, we simply have no idea how to make it happen. Either we are too scared to be the one who reach out first or we just don't know what to say.


But maybe one day our paths might cross. And if that happens, do we try again?