This Time in Seoul

Much love and care went into designing this hotel. Though it took some time before actually locating this oasis of cool, calm and chic in steaming Bangkok, damn, my nerves were calmed when they opened those awesome doors and revealed Seven Hotel!

This is a fantastic boutique hotel having only six bedrooms, each room has a specific color according to the days of week, an interesting twist in Thai culture. I was offered to experience the Pink Room (Tuesday) as it is deemed the best room. You know a room is great when you do not feel guilty for not going out to discover the city that you’re visiting.

I was a little apprehensive as I’m not a “girly girl” and could never imagine myself wearing pink, let alone sleeping in a pink room! This is not Barbie pink, folks. This particular room is subtle in color. I particularly love the sleek but not slick design of the bathroom. Dare I say that I felt sexier in this room as the shower is transparent.

Note to self: Must bring my Frenchman here next time!

Located on a cul-de-sac, this place is beautifully quiet, but not secluded. No, luckily it is in one of the toniest neighborhoods in Bangkok: Sukhumvit. Here you will find, spas, galleries, and of course great food and fashion.

I was shown the other rooms (just four floors) and I marvelled over the rich colors that were selected, the balconies, and of course the hotel’s knowledgeable and endearing staff.

I thank the gracious staff and those heavenly sheets and pillows at Seven Hotel!

A great surprise: A cell phone! You won’t have to worry the staff about making reservations or even calling a cab! Seven hotel provides you with a sweet little cell phone (local calls only) with important pre-programmed numbers.

For a fashionable treat without exorbitant prices (by Western standards) head to Seven Hotel!

Seven Hotel

Just yesterday I was asked by Anne, creator of Pret a Voyager to give her some tips or information about traveling to Thailand. Of course I gave her advice about mosquito repellant, proper attire when visiting temples, etc. but I also had to share a gem that I discovered just before traveling to this extraordinary country: Phranakorn Nornlen!.

This is such a wonderful hotel that I stayed there twice! Why? After my horrible time at Good Time Resort Hotel on the island of Koh Mak, I was praying that “P.N.” would have a room for me! They did and it was even better! It was like being a child at Grandma’s house in the country, complete with ceiling fans and waking to beautiful music! They treated me like a queen (they surprised me with a gorgeous birthday cake and sang for me as well!) and I occasionally ate dinner with the staff members at their favorite haunts around the city. They were so welcoming, helpful and kind. It really was like coming home, except these family members were of Thai descent! Ha!

The rate is reasonable, the decor will leave your mouth agape and your eyes wondering how a place this lush, this green and relaxing, can be in one of the busiest cities in the world! Upon entering you are surrounded by tall and short green trees, bushes and plants, the coolness that they provides envelopes you as soon as you take your third step.

Phranakorn Nornlen is built to remind you of an old Thai village. You will find vintage fabrics, lighting, etc. They also have their own boutique where colorful sarongs, blouses, etc. are sold. They also have a sweet little cafe downstairs as well.

I was allowed to peek at their latest creation: an organic farm that they will have on the rooftop!

Added bonus among many: They serve a hardy organic breakfast every morning that is included in the price of your hotel room! Perfect!

Before visiting my family in the U.S. in June, I plan to travel to Laos and Cambodia. I will also book the nicest room at Phranakorn Nornlen. It will be my home away from home whenever I’m in Thailand.

I will post the second, and in my opinion, the chicest hotel in Thailand, soon!

Bon Voyage, Anne!

I chose to lunch at Fifty (in Apgujeong) to see if it would be a good place to shoot for my next project. It is and on top of that the Mushroom and bacon pasta that I tested was an added delight! I walked up to the cash register ready to move on to my next “who knows what” and saw this box of old CASSINGLES! Yes, I think that I repeated “these are so old” about five times and then proceeded to laugh at my own astonishment. Look it, M.C. Hammer cheezin’ hard in my face, in Korea at a hip cafe blasting Mary J. Blige! WT?! This doesn’t happen everyday, folks.

Do any of you still have cassingles? Do any of you still have a cassette player?

P.S. George Micheal was rockin’ the hell out of that Caeser cut!

Hello!

This photo is another one of my photos chosen (full page) for another edition of Seoul Selection magazine! Out of the 300 or so that I have of Cafe 62-16, this one is one of my favorites. If you want to see my photos for April’s issue, just click on the site and click the PDF for last month’s magazine. I photographed Gahoe Museum, Robert Koehler the editor, wrote the piece as I did not have time, had to jet to Thailand! Shout out to Robert!

This second one I was hoping for as a cover but didn’t make it. Newsflash! It’s going to be on the cover of something else!!! Will fill you in when everything gets settled!

Have a great weekend! Thank you for commenting Pret a Voyager!

Ciao!

While on the metro this Sunday morning, my phone rang and lo’ and behold it was my mother! She simply said that I’d been on her mind (we’re always on each other’s minds and hearts) and that she had to hear my voice. I really needed that and it’s feels so good to know that we are still here on this earth together, laughing and surprising each other as the days go by.

Mama, these flowers are for you. They almost match your beauty. Almost.

Love you always,

Your loving daughter

After having a great time with Anna of Annamatic (She’s so cool) at Cafe 62-12 today, I spotted this lovely deviation from the norm. Ladies and Gentleman, I bring you the Giggle by Yamaha!
In person this scooter seemed well built, solid, sweet and petite. It’s sits slightly lower and is wider, because of this design perhaps it hugs the road more than your average scooter. I particularly like the large side-opening boot! I can just imagine myself riding around Hongdae or Sinsa-dong, Macbook Pro on board, livin’ la vida loca!

I’ve just read about its features and it gets even better folks:

“Taking the accolade of being one of the world’s greenest scooters, the 2008 Yamaha Giggle minimally environmentally harmful as well as highly practical - and good looking to boot! With naked handlebars, boxy bodywork, and bright colour schemes you won’t fail to stand out from the crowd on this smart Yamaha scooter.”

Sounds good to me! Here they are in black, and yellow:

P.S. If you’ve already purchased one, please share with me and other readers how it performs. Thank you!

P.P.S. I also found some groovy videos featuring the Giggle on youtube, of course.

The quote above was taken from: P&H Motorcycles

I couldn’t resist. I have a lot more but will not bombard you will endless brilliantly hued tiles. Enjoy.

Also, please go to

I don’t really care for carpets unless I’m in an old stone farmhouse in Bourgogne.
Thailand has the most amazing colors and most of the time you’re walking on them. Tiles in the temples, in beautifully weathered restaurants or hotels, everywhere.

Hello everyone!

First I’d like to thank Heather of Heather On Her Travels for thinking of me and nominating me for a Best of Blog Award. I love her website as well, I always learn something new and exciting from her and not always about places I’d think of traveling. Thanks for broadening my horizons Heather! Check her out!

I was nominated in the Best of Travel/Leisure Blog category! I’m really honored. Thanks to The Best of Blogs for informing me of my nomination! You guys and gals really put a smile on my face!
There aren’t so many websites that feature the city of Seoul and I’m happy that I’m representing it well enough to be nominated. I am sharing my photos of my assignment/vacation in Thailand but it’s strange how it makes me view Seoul in a different way now. Don’t worry, it’s all positive! I’m glad to be back in Seoul and glad to be inspired by many cultures and points of view via other fantastic blogs.

Vote for me if you think kindly of my blog! Ha! Voting begins April 14th!

Ciao and Thank you!!!

Felicia

Walking around Dongdaemun, I saw this vision, so determined, so quiet, she made everyone’s head turn, even her own as she wafted through the crowd with a takeout order sitting on her head. Clearly the dish had already been eaten, but to witness how swiftly and effortlessly she moved on a corner of hundreds of people (it’s that crowded!) made me stop and stare. When I came to, I snapped away then smiled as she walked away, oblivious to us all.