Portia

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Hello Australian Perfume Junkies and friends, Scent Diary is a fantastic memory tool. Looking through some much earlier Scent Diaries over the 2025 Xmas break reminded me how good our life is. It also inspires me to live life as fully as possible so there are things to talk about. This is a win.

Your involvement is key. Hope you enjoy it and will let me know what’s happening in your lives too. What I really loved about original Scent Diary was the interaction with perfumistas around the world, and their interactions with each other. Scent Diary became a friendly conversation hub and it was epic. We can disagree but keep it nice and try not to give or take offense. Right now the world needs a web of friendships and connection more than ever.

Jin and I have made so many friends, near and far, through perfume. So let’s reunite the old and welcome some new friends too.

Scent Diary: 23.2-1.3.2026

Monday

Morning: DIOR Bois d’Argent Esprit de Parfum. Jin is wearing Creed Delphinous.

Up and showered we met Anna Maria in the hotel lobby. Johnny wanted a sleep in.  Off we walked for local hawker market breakfast.  I’m a food princess, none of it appealed. They loved it and I had a Singapore Iced Coffee.

We have a lazy morning planned, going to our mate Rose’s restaurant DOMO for lunch. It’s her birthday so she won’t be there. This is good, we might be allowed to pay.

it turned out Jin and I walked down to Arab Street. A vibrant, foodie part of the city. We had some sweet ginger chai marsala and bought an oud perfume each. Very Middle Eastern but with modern feelings. Mine is amber oud and Jin’s is a minty pine medicinal oud. Both super interesting.

Lunch with the crew at DOMO. Mindblowingly delicious, again. Let me know if you’re off to Singapore and I’ll facilitate an introduction.

Train trip! So local.

The Fullerton Hotel for afternoon tea. I’m a little sad they stopped doing sandwiches and the refill policy BUT it was delicious and in such beautiful surrounds. Anna Maria and Johnny shouted, so thoughtful. We loved it.

Wandering the bay

This should be a food blog! Late that night we snuck out for a quick snack at Lau Pa Sat. About 50 satay sticks later we rolled out of there and back to our hotel. So good.

Caught the train home!

Tuesday

Sleep in! Got to hotel breakfast at 8.30am. Filled myself to the brim.

DIOR Balade Sauvage.

Jin and I wandered out for Singaporean coffee and a stroll around and through a nearby local food mall. Five stories of very different little restaurants with between 10 and 40 seats. All offering wildly divergent cuisines. Mainly from Asian countries . It was interesting to see which ones were busy.

Here is an example of how intrigued I was. Did not take one food or restaurant photo. DID take this stupid photo of those drop games that two of our mates love. Sorry all.

We packed. Late checkout from our hotel.

Went to the airport. Did you know if you’re flying Singapore Air you can drop your bags and check in up to 24 hours ahead?!? So we dropped that stuff off and went to the Jewel. Straight to the food. Listeria, then the very posh hawkers market. Then Rose came and met us in the Jewel for a few beers. Seriously! So cool.

Once we made it inside we wandered, hit the lounge and chilled till our flight.

Wednesday

I’m so sorry. Everything got too exciting and I’ve neglected the week. It’s a photo montage with minimum explanation. SOZ!

Arrived in Busan. Straight to the seaside temple Hae Dong Yong Goong Sa. We bring everyone here on their first visit because it’s so visually spectacular. Then I forget to take photos.

Then we did the mini train cars that I’ve been longing to do for over a decade but we never have time. It’s even better than imagined.

Jin’s Auntie bought us Clam BarBQ lunch. I don’t eat seafood so got to be the chef. HEAVEN!

Jin got us AirBnB apartments in LCT Towers. 94th floor, three bedrooms. Mum, Dad, Aunty and the two of us in one room. Anna Maria and Johnny in another. It was freaking awesome.

Delicious Pork dinner. Yum

Thursday

Our first job of the day was to visit Jin’s maternal grandmother. She has long had dementia but they are coming to the end. She’s frail, not eating, needs oxygen. Pretty soon it will all just stop. Jin is heartbroken. A farewell needed to be said.

MORE delicious food and laughs with the family.

The view from the 94th floor is breathtaking.

Anna Maria and I wandered up the beach to the Westin Josun for a couple of cocktails. P O S H!

Jin wanted ell. He loves it. For me, EW!

Friday

Managed to take a photo of my SOTD this morning. Amouage Jubilation XXV Man. Jin rocked Guerlain Oud Khol. We smelled awesome.

Took Anna Maria and Johnny to Umma and Uppa’s apartment. Umma brought out old photos.

Jin down front

Jin with Paternal grandma.

YES! We hit McDonald’s and had strawberry soft serves.

Saturday

Maybe you know about Paris Baguette. They have contributed to my worsening neuropathy for nearly 15 years. WORTH IT!

Spent a fascinating morning revisiting Gyeong Ju. It’s a cammercialised recreation of an ancient town built next to and extraordinary valley of kings tombs. We even entereed a museum within a tomb, the only major one left untouched by graverobbers. VERY busy. Long weekend families doing crazy. Still, it was a wonderful and very Korean adventure.

Jin. the superstar, wanted a Bulgogi Burger. Who am I to deny this gorgeous man.

Sunday

HA! Yes, we are back at Paris Baguette

Grabbed the crew and went to Jin’s parents allotment. Here they grow their fresh vegetables and run away 40 minutes from their town apartment.

Lunch was Eon Yang Bulgogi. It’s beef done so deliciously.

After, we wandered around the town a bit. Found this remnant of ancient city firtifications. They are in the middle of a renovation but no less interesting for that.

I can’t believe this is the only photo I have of the Eon Yang Amethyst Caves. It is a living mine that has been turned into a fun, fabulous and super photographically interesting playground. It’s [pretty dumb but we had a fantastic time wandering the near endless caverns. We went on the river cruise. Then we hit the Amethyst shop. Jin may have bought me a beautiful amethyst trinket worthy of royalty. Seriously beautiful.

We had some Korean Fried Chicken for dinner. Wandered some shops and have to be in bed early. FIVE am pick up for the airport. we are going ho,me.

Please leave a comment with what you’ve been doing, smelling of or purchasing. I’ll be back home Tuesday and get to them ASAP.

hugs and love

Portia