Been There – Barranquilla

Starbucks Been There – Barranquilla is a mug for a bustling city with a rich history situated on the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia. Its name is believed to originate from the Spanish word “barranco,” meaning ravine or cliff, and “quilla,” a term from the indigenous Muysccubun language, possibly referring to a stone wall. Founded in 1629 by Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés, Barranquilla initially served as a port for the transportation of goods, becoming a crucial hub for trade in the region.… Read more

Been There Christmas – Philippines 2

I am finally adding Starbucks Been There Christmas – Philippines 2 here, so you can have a proper understanding of the Special Edition mugs from the Land of Smiles. This particular release was spotted during the 2023 Holiday season. It resembles the Summer Edition which I’ve reviewed recently, except instead of black, Starbucks used gold color to outline the elements of the design. When compared to the Philippines Christmas v1, this new version doesn’t have any Holiday-themed elements, except for the red cup right next to the palm tree.… Read more

Been There – Australia

Five mugs from the Land Down Under were released about a year ago. They are available in stores but are still harder to get for collectors in Europe or the Americas due to high-cost shipping. But if you’re a true hardcore fan, that should not stop you, right? Let’s start with the Starbucks Been There – Australia mug.

Australia, known colloquially as the “The Lucky Country,” boasts a rich history and cultural diversity. Indigenous Australians, believed to have settled the continent around 65,000 years ago, possess one of the oldest continuous cultures on Earth.… Read more

Been There – Boracay 2 – Summer Edition 2023

Starbucks Been There – Boracay 2 – Summer Edition 2023 is the fourth and final mug from the last summer batch release. I wonder if there is going to be a new version soon. Let’s keep an eye on that.

Boracay, often hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful islands, is a tropical paradise located in the Philippines. This small island, measuring just under four square miles, is famous for its powdery white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant marine life.… Read more

Been There – Tokyo

It has been a while since the release of the Japanese mugs, and Starbucks Been There – Tokyo was one of them.

Tokyo, the vibrant capital of Japan, is a bustling metropolis renowned for its modernity, rich history, and cultural heritage. With a population exceeding 13 million people, it stands as one of the most populous cities globally. Originally known as Edo, Tokyo became the official capital in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration, marking a pivotal moment in Japanese history as the country transitioned towards modernization and opened up to the world.… Read more

Been There – Aruba

Let’s move to South America for a second and review Starbucks Been There – Aruba mug.

Aruba, a Caribbean gem renowned for its pristine beaches and vibrant culture, boasts a rich history that spans centuries. Believed to have been inhabited as early as 1000 AD by the Caquetio indigenous people, Aruba later became a Spanish colony in the 16th century before falling under Dutch control in 1636. Its name is thought to derive from the Spanish phrase “oro hubo,” meaning “there was gold,” reflecting the island’s once thriving gold mining industry.… Read more

Been There – Cebu 2 – Summer Edition 2023

Starbucks Been There Cebu 2 Summer Edition 2023 is the third mug from last summer’s batch release. Similar to others it has the design of the regular mug outlined in black. Do you see how the Starbucks reusable cup is not red? This tells us that the mug is not a Christmas edition, but rather something else.

Cebu, the bustling province located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines, is a vibrant tapestry of history and culture. It holds a significant place in Philippine history as the site of Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in 1521, marking the beginning of Spanish colonization in the archipelago.… Read more

Been There – Manila 2 – Summer Edition 2023

In one of my previous posts, I mentioned that last summer there were four Philippines mugs released in the scope of a mini sub-series. Starbucks Been There Manila 2 Summer Edition 2023 is one of them.
As you can see from the pictures below, it resembles the regular mug very much, with the only difference being the black outlined design.

Here are some points of interest that can be seen on the sides of the mug:

– The Manila City Hall, an iconic symbol of governance and history, stands proudly in the heart of Manila, Philippines.… Read more

Been There – Philippines 2 – Summer Edition 2023

What you’re seeing is the mug that popped up last summer and caused some confusion. At first glance, Been There – Philippines 2 – Summer Edition 2023 looked like the Christmas mug, outlined with black only. However, after a quick search, I found out that the somewhat official name of the new four Philippines mugs (see the last photo in this post) is “Summer Been There Series”. The cover is not different from the regular version and has no additional writing, however, the actual box is black.… Read more

Been There – China

Starbucks Been There – China is probably the best-looking mug from this series that I’ve seen. The designers did a great job while using bright red and shiny gold colors. This, however, comes with the inconvenience of not being able to use it in the microwave or dishwasher. Please note, that there are dozens of Been There city mugs from China that I will be adding soon, stay tuned!

There are many symbols and points of interest from China that can be seen on the mug.… Read more

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