I remember during our train station we got stuck in the station for 10 minutes. While I feel that this shouldn't be such a big deal, I mean helloooo here in Manila we sometimes wait for as much as 30 minutes before the train leaves, I still felt that this is uncharacteristically Japanese. Only then we found out that someone committed suicide, hence the delay! 

My reaction

But what's even more shocking is how nonchalant people are about it! I suppose they are very used to this😨😨😨😨

Then after that train debacle, we finally arrived at the bus station, where we had quite the confusion on what kind of bus to line up for. In the end we were able to hop in one, and paid almost ¥ 1,900 one way going there. Yep, it is expensive! So if you are planning on going there, better to prep some serious moolah for the transpo as well.

Since going to Gotemba coming from Tokyo proper will take you around an hour or two, and usually people are recommended to go way early, it is best to bring along some food that you can munch on in the bus. If you are like me, who has serious irritable bowel syndrome, donchaworry! Their buses have toilets in them, take about convenience! They also have electric sockets perfect for charging your phone!

Oh and by the way, all the seats in the bus each are provided a map of Gotemba, as well as some coupons to make your shopping time even more superb!



Since we arrived earlier than the rest of Imman's family, and we didn't know about the toilet situation in the buses, we decided to have our breakfast at the foodcourt. Take note, the food in the foodcourt are kinda pricier, so if you don't feel like spending that much, they also have a McDonalds there. I had these yummy pancakes, because I have always wanted to try the puffy fluffy pancakes in Japan, even way back during our Fukuoka trip. The pancake is good, but not really phenomenal as I was expecting.

Pilfered from Imman

I did not take that much photos during the trip, since 70% of the time what I did is too look for people hahaha! I had the device for the wifi, so it was quite a challenge especially when members of the group want to wander to different shops on their own🤔😅😂

You see, Gotemba has 2 wings, one with the basic brands, and the other one has the luxurious ones. To go to the other wing, you will pass by this bridge, where you'll see lush greenery, and below is a river! If you are afraid of heights, don't look down, and instead think of the amazing bargains you will score!

Eventually, I was able to score some amazing trinkets from The Disney store for ¥100 a pop, and even a Cath Kidston rucksack for ¥1,600 or rounghly Php 800! But that's pretty much what I bought that day, because I wasn't fully convinced with the selection of shoes at the Adidas store in there 😧

And there you have it! Our day at Gotemba! If you are planning to go there, allot a day, and do look for other transpo alternatives, because from what I know there's also a train line going there, I'm just not sure where it is from (check nyo nalang Google, katams 🙃🙃🙃)


Love Always,
Nicole 😚

I love books, I really really do, that's why I am more willing to spend money on a new novel, than splurging on other stuff like clothes. That's why when I found out about National Bookstore's Book Binge Book Fair, my world stopped for a minute, much like how Ewan McGregor's character felt when he first saw the love of his life in the movie, Big Fish.

At first, I was a bit hesitant to actually do some full splurging on this bazaar, since also in February there will be another book fair which is The Big Bad Wolf Book Fair. I actually set a meager budget, and even wrote a list of the books I have specifically intended to purchase- oh boy, how I have forgotten about the list when I get there.

 The book binge bazaar was last week, and until now, I still feel this certain high from being surrounded by amazing books at discounted prices! Waaaaah, I was in heaven back then!

Sooooo, I actually went to the book binge bazaar twice. One was last Friday, Feb. 9, right after I got off from work. I remember feeling sooo ecstatic, that I did not mind riding a jampacked bus just so I could go to SM Megamall faster- since the queue to ride the MRT is just plain unbearable.

Once I finally arrived in SM Megamall (after an hour and 10 minutes, because Friday night traffic is the worst), then the megatrade (where the book binge was at), I saw this:

Yup, there were a lot of human beings scourging through numerous tables full of good reads. It's not as crazy as I was expecting, but there were some few instances where I saw some assholes pilfering books from other people's carts while they aren't looking. Since I arrived pretty late already, I resorted to buying 5 books only that day; I bought 2 fashion books for Php 275 each (original worth of each book is Php 1,000 and above), 2 novels with one worth Php 175 and another one for Php 75, and lastly a children's book for my niece, which is worth Php 175. For the 1st night, my total bill was Php 975-which is good, but I thought then, I could do better, that's why I decided to go back again the next day... the moment the mall opened its doors.

Just imagine, I arrived at around 9:50 which is 10 minutes before the openining of the mall, and once the mall opened its doors I was the first one to rush to the megatrade, and yet there's a queue waiting for meeee! But luckily, it wasn't a looong one, and it moved pretty fast.

Since I was on a mission to get as much books as possible, I wasn't able to take a lot of photos. My eyes are focused on finding myself a copy of Ransom Riggs' Tales of the Peculiar, which I unfortunately wasn't able to get my hands on *cue sad face*. However, I did score a lot of books that were quite hard to find in that book bazaar.

By the way, I wasn't able to mention, you see most of the books sold at the Book Binge were Young Adult Novels and Children's books. There were some fiction books, but not as abundant as Levithan's Another Day, or the Bane Chronicles. Majority of the books sold were retailed at Php 175, while lifestyle books are at Php 275, which is the ceiling price of the books sold-the imported ones that is. So, just imagine how seeing people pushing carts bulging with books is just a natural phenomena that day.

I suppose, the ultimate tips/advise I could give to people, just in case the Book Binge Bazaar would do an encore, are:

1. Opt for the plastic basket/cart/trolley type instead of this metallic piece of shit. You see, there are a lot of people milling around desks cluttered with books, where if you decide to also have a look while pushing this you'll definitely have a hard time checking out desks after desks. Unlike if you use the smaller ones, you can still go to the narrow bookshelves without rolling onto other people's feet.

2. If you see something interesting, grab it! There's a big chance that if you go leave it on the desk, you wouldn't find the same copy again. 

3. Find a small nook near the corners where you can sift through the books. Let's be realistic here, we really don't have all the money in the world to purchase everything we see (unless you do, you lucky asshole, skip this one), hence the reason why you have to re-evaluate whether all the books you have dumped in your basket should be given a chance to proceed to the check-out counter.

4. Shop with a friend! I noticed how this is really helpful, since 2 pairs of eyes are definitely better than one pair in finding a certain title. Also, with a friend, you can easily ask him or her to guard your basket while you try to check out the nooks with less spaces. However, in the event that you go there alone, it won't hurt if you make friends with a fellow bookworm, which I did! In the end, I did not only scored amazing books, I also gained new book recos and a friend. Win-win 👌

5. Go early! Even though the staff do stock new books by the hour, it's still best to go early since there are definitely more choices in the morning.

6. Eat something light! It's never fun shopping if you are feeling hypoglycemic!

7. Be very patient! Always check the weird nooks, because most often than not, sought-after titles are hidden in the most unexpected places.

After 2 shopping trips to the Book Binge, I have acquired a total of 25 books which cost me Php 4,500+, which I think originally would have cost me more than Php 10,000. Now, excuse me as I pay my credit card hahaha!

Love Always,

Nicole 📚🎈

As I have mentioned in my previous post, please do not forget about your Octopus Card, because you can have it en-cashed in the airport and have dolla to buy whatever shit your heart fancies. However, if you have plans to go to Hong Kong within the year you went there, might as well just keep it in your wallet and have it reload. Aside from the Octopus card, I've also mentioned about shopping in the airport. I think it is pretty much common sense that things in the airport are usually more expensive than those sold outside or from the city proper. For instance is food, a McDonald cheese burger meal with regular fries and drink is sold for HKD 23-27 if you're going to have it in HK proper, but in the airport it goes as much as HKD 28-35. Anyway, here's a list of tips and things to note when you go to HK (from my experience, of course hahaha!):

1. Mong Kok is where you can buy all the inexpensive goodies, and booking for a room there in major hotels can be pricey, however there are cheaper options you could also check. Check Airbnb, because there are some hosts who are very hospitable and will guide you to the best spots in HK.

2. On that matter, before being carried away with the low prices of hotels, check first where it is located, and how accessible it is from the main roads and the MTR stations. 

3. On the subject of location, please PLEEEEEASE avoid going to Chung King Mansions, unless if you really want to have a slum time in HK, then go and enjoy hahaha!

4. The night markets are the bomb! They go as late as 12mn, and that also goes for the numerous food booths and street foods! Just bear in mind that if you go to night markets, expect pushy Chinese vendors who will literally chase you just so you'll buy their merch.

5. Not all the things you see in the night markets are more inexpensive than things you could have bought from home. For instance, here in Manila my boyfriend bought me a lemon bag for Php 499.00 or roughly US$10, but when I go to HK, I saw that same bag being sold for around $30, in one of the stalls in the night market. 

6. Go check out different supermarkets, particularly Taste! If you're in a budget, they sell yummy meals like yang chow rice with beef stew, and even sushi for a price of HKD 20-40. The prices also drops before the store closes (which is around 11pm).

7. Don't be afraid to get lost! Wifi is abundant in HK, and you can usually connect to high speed internet in malls and cafes without the need of passwords. 

8. THERE'S A MALL IN EVERY CORNER! Check 'em if you've got the time, because they are all pretty, and somehow you'll bound to stumble upon sales!

9. Don't ride taxis, walk and take the public transpo instead! Walking in the streets of Hong Kong is fun, because there's a lot of things you can see in every corner, and it's safe too!

10. Bring/wear comfortable shoes! 

Lastly, here's the most important tip I could give you:

11. First, check Langham Place Shopping Mall in Google maps. Coming from Shan Tung Street, turn right to Portland street where you'll see a KFC. From there, just walk until you see the 360 store, where you'll find the mecca and get to buy this:

Hoard, I tell you.

Basically, that's it hahaha! On to the next adventure: Bangkok, Thailand *wink*

Love Always,

Mochi Ice Nicoco

P.S.