Brunch @ Wah Lok ; Carlton Hotel

Went to had brunch at Wak Lok last weekend.
Heard that the dim sum here is very good and we should try it at least once.
Booked the first available timing - 11 am (as it open at 11am)
We reached before our booking time, and there were people already queueing up to go in !!

I didn't have to chance to see the menu at all, but I believe what they order will be good, and they are really good. Maybe we are too big group, some able to have either one or non at all. Some wasn't even full after we paid !

I don't mind going back for second round but should go in a smaller group. As long as we do booking before it, there shouldn't be much queueing needed.

<Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant; 华乐酒楼 >
Level 2 of Carlton Hotel
Add : Carlton Hotel Singapore, 76 Bras Basah Rd, Singapore 059817

Opening time -
Monday to Saturday
Lunch - 11.30am to 2.30pm
Dinner - 6.30pm to 10.30pm

Sunday and Public Holidays
Lunch - 11am to 2.30pm
Dinner - 6.30pm to 10.30pm

Tel: (65) 6311 8188 / 6311 8189
or email wah.lok@carltonhotel.sg
Website : http://carltonhotel.sg/wahlok.html

Birthday dinner - Grandma 77th birthday

Dinner at Beng Hiang last evening as it was my Grandma's 77th birthday celebration
Booked 2 tables as this places are always full of people.
But maybe because it was a weekday, it wasn't that pack. 

For people with cars, it is best to go there earlier as there are limited parking area.

Although we were talking all the time but our mouth didn't stop eating too. They were slight shorthanded so the serving was slow too, but because we were busy talking too, its all right for us.  

As you can see [from my past posts], I don't really know how to use words very well. So I choose to let picture do all the talking instead -

Beng Hiang
Authentic Hokkien cuisine
112-116 Amoy street
Singapore 069932
Tel:  +65 6221 6695

Open : Mon - Sun
Lunch - 11.30am to 2.30pm (last order)
Dinner - 6 pm to 9.30pm (last order)
Website - www.benghiang.com

Food - Chocolate N' Spice muffin

Managers in my company LOVE to feed us!! (until 白白胖胖)
They love to buy different kind of food for tea break.
Today, we are having muffin from Shunfu
They bought 3 different favours today - chocolate chip, cheese & banana walnut

Chocolate chip muffin 

Honestly this isn't the first time we had this for tea break, and normally I would choose to eat the Banana Walnut muffin but this time thought of trying different flavours so I chose the Chocolate chip muffin instead.

This is one of the better / cheaper muffin that I had (some can charge $3 per muffin/cupcake !!). The size is better big that it worth your money, and the muffin itself is not dry ; moist enough, and is not very sweet that will make your teeth ache. Even if you didn't eat it warn, it is still taste good









<< CHOCOLAT N' SPICE MUFFIN >>
Address - #02-12, Shunfu Mart Food Center, 320 Shunfu Road
Open - Tue to Sat : 8.30am - 2.30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price - $1.20 per muffin
** NOTE : Muffins are sold on a while stocks last basis. Please come early to avoid disappointment

Website - http://www.chocnspice.com/freshlybaked.html

Food - old changi airport food court

My colleagues and I had been talking to come here and eat for a few week now,
Finally we had the chance to come and eat.
We even went to Google which store are the popular food that is a most try.

This time I decide to try the <Blanco Court Kway Chap>

Well for people who are not Singaporean, Kway Chap (Chinese: 粿汁) is a Teochew dish of flat, broad rice sheets in a soup made with dark soy sauce, served with pig offal, braised duck meat, various kinds of beancurd, preserved salted vegetables, and braised hard-boiled eggs

Queue is always long, but waiting time was not very long. Personally I think the waiting time is worth it, the rice sheets was very smooth, most importantly the offal was very clean (no smell). And chilli went good with the offal and beancurd, I just make can't stop putting it into my mouth!

Just that the portion is a bit small, big eater will have to order extra bowl of Kway Chap or more side dishes. (or can try food from other store too! ) :p . I will want to eat this again the next time I there (even though I like to try other food too!)

Is better to go there earlier as parking else is a problem as many will go there for lunch. But there is many seating, so no need to worry about seating. And some of the stores only open at night, some open in the morning, it is better to check out the timing of the shop before heading down and find out its not open !

Below are the list what we seach out that is a MUST try store when we are there -

Blanco Court Kway Chap

Blk 51 Old Airport Road #01-135

Old Airport Road Food Centre Singapore
-------------------------------------------

Cho Kee Noodle (for Wanton Mee)        

Old Airport Road Food Centre #01-04

51 Old Airport Road S(390051)
-----------------------------------

Chuan Kee Satay

Old Airport Road Food Centre

#01-85

6pm until sold out around 10pm

Closed Mon and Thurs

Sunday opened at 1pm

*Authentic Hainanese Pork Satay!
--------------------------------------------------

Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow

Old Airport Road Food Centre

#01-138

Opens daily

8am till 2pm
----------------------------------------

Fatman Satay     

Old Airport Road Food Centre #01-45

Block 51 Old Airport Road S(390051)

Closed on Tuesdays
------------------------------------------------

Freshly Made Chee Cheong Fun

Old Airport Road Food Centre

#01-155

8am to 10pm daily

-------------------------------------

Geylang Lor 20 Banana Fritters

Old Airport Road Food Centre

01-57

10.30am to 9pm

Closed when there are no bananas
-------------------------------------------------------

Hua Kee Hougang Famous Wanton Mee

Old Airport Road Food Centre (Renovated)

#01-02

Open 11am to 10.50pm

Monday Closed

96201543 Mr Voo
-------------------------------------------

Hougang Jing Jia Mutton Soup

Old Airport Road Food Centre

#01-123

11am - 11pm daily
-----------------------------------------------

Katong Ah Soon Fried Oyster

Blk 51 Old Airport Road #01-07

Old Airport Road Food Centre Singapore
------------------------------------------------------

Kallang Wanton Noodle

Old Airport Road Hawker Centre

01-61

10am to 11.30pm

Closed on Tuesday

* Kallang Wanton Noodles: Yellow Signboard Wanton Noodles
--------------------------------------

Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow

Old Airport Road Food Centre

#01-12
----------------------------------------

Meng Kee Foo Chow Fish Balls

Old Airport Road Food Centre

Stall 103 (Facing Main Road)

7am to 11pm daily

Closed on Sundays
----------------------------------------------------

Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee

Old Airport Road Food Centre (Renovated)

#01-32

7am to about 8pm when everything sold out

Closed as and when Uncle feels tired
-------------------------------------------------

Ru Ji Kitchen 如记小厨     

Old Airport Road Food Centre #01-37

51 Old Airport Road  S(390051)

Closed on Mondays
---------------------------------------------------

Toa Payoh Rojak

Old Airport Road Food Centre (Renovated)

#01-108

12pm-8pm

Closed Sundays
------------------------------------------------

To-Ricos Guo Shi

51Old Airport Road Temp Market

#01-136

11.30am - 4.30pm

Closed Mondays
---------------------------------------------

Wang Wang Crispy Curry Puff

Old Airport Road Food Centre (Renovated)

#01-126

11am to 11pm daily

Ah Wong 90907009
--------------------------------------------

Whitley Road Big Prawn Mee

Blk 51 Old Airport Rd Hawker Centre

#01-98

Tues-Fri 9am to 8pm

Sat-Sun 9am to 9pm

Mon closed except Public Holiday
-----------------------------------------

Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee

Blk 51 #01-116

Old Airport Road Hawker Centre

7am to 2.30pm

Closed on Thursdays

2013 Sept Korea - overview

Is being more than 2 month since my Korea trip
Till today, I'm still keep thinking of  that trip, I can't wait to go back there once again
Some review of the hotels / transport that I like to share.
If you have plans to go to Korea, Why not try out these hotel/transport ?

Review of the hotels 

- Boom tourist hotel
Address - 282-2 Oebalsan-dong (188 Nambusunhwan-ro), Gangseo / Gimpo Airport, Seoul, South Korea

If it wasn't because it's near the Gimpo Airport, I WILL NEVER EVEN LOOK AT THIS HOTEL.
Was totally cheated by the review on Agoda, the review given to this hotel was not bad, so I booked it and in the end ..

It was not convenient at all, there was neither subway (nearest subway is at least 2km away) nor bus nearby, the only way to go there is taxi. There is only a cafe at the first floor and no restaurant nearby (have to walk at least 20 min to a nearby small neighbourhood ) First level lobby look old but normal, but the moment we enter the lift lobby of our floor, we notice what kind of hotel is this. Is a love motel more than a hotel.

Maybe suitable for couples but TOTALLY NOT SUITABLE for family with children!!
As Condom were given along as complimentary gift, s*x toy vending machine at the lift lobby, and in the room itself too. If you keep quiet (off TV, don't make any noise), you can hear what is going on next door !!

OMG, thank god I'm only there for a day !!!

- Good December stay hotel
Address - 260-58, Yeon-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju International Airport / Jeju City, Jeju-do, South Korea

It was introduce my friend who went there to stay a few month before. So I didn't bother to look for other and just booked with this hotel. And I was happy I listened to my friend.  The front desk can speak very good English, and is very friendly. Lift is available and it feel totally like home, room was very big and cozy. Is a room that you don't mind staying in for the whole day.

Airport limousine bus is located 2 street away only, that is very convenient for us as we didn't book taxi to bring us around. (But taxi in Korea is cheap, so even if take taxi also ok.) Shopping street and many restaurant were located near the hotel, so no need to worry can't find a place to shop or eat.

Is a hotel that I really like and don't mind coming back again too.

- Tokoyo Inn Busan station 2
Address: 22-4,1Ga　Daechangdong jung-gu Busan Postal Code: 600-101
Website - http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00178/

I was looking for hotel that is near the Busan station as the next day we are to head off to Seoul. Because the Tokoyo Inn Busan 1 is fully booked, so I booked with Busan 2 which is a location a station away and the airport limousine stop at the door step of the hotel.

The moment I step into the hotel, I nearly forgot that I'm in Busan !! as it totally feel like Japan when I was in there. There were Japanese at the waiting area and some were chating with the front desk japanese. Lift is available, room is pretty small but cosy, (2 big luggage is not able to open at the same time unless one on the floor and the other one on the bed ), their bathroom is the Japanese style version bathroom

Check-in timing 4pm (no early check-in), so is better to plan somewhere inbetween will be better.
But next time I will try Busan 1 (which is next to Busan station) the next time I'm in Busan

- 24 Guesthouse hostel
Address - 24guesthouse Myeong-dong 14-1 Namhak-Dong Jung-Gu Seoul Korea
Website - http://myeongdong.24guesthouse.co.kr/about/?lang=en

I don't want to be too far away from town, so I chose this hostel which is a station away from Myeong-dong. It located near the subway and there is the most important of all as subway will be the main transport I will be taking for the everyday when I'm there

Didn't know that there was no lift around, however the guys at the front desk can help you to carry your baggages up to your room (and the highest level is 3rd floor only) . Room are not very big (size of 3 single bed), there is private bathroom with bathtub but no sink. It's still consist not bad but you don't want to spend too much on a room that you are rather staying in.

It involve free breakfast ; which they serve bread and cup noodle. If you don't want to have cup noodle for breakfast, I advice to go up earlier as normally by 9 plus, it left with cup noodle ! Actually is not a bad place, if there is no other interesting hostel that I want to go, I don't mind going back to this hostel

Reviews of the airline / trains

- Eastar airline
Actually I wanted to book with Jeju Air but their website are not very (English) friendly , only have Korean. So I gave up this airline and go with the airline that my friend took the last time she went to Jeju.

Because is domestic flight, the plane was very small, the leg space between are not very big. My height is around 1.63m, the space is all right for me, but for people taller, will feel uncomfortable. For the first 10 min after it depart, it feel like I was on a roller coaster ! It was going up and down , so scary, but after that is back to stable.

As it's just an hour flight, they serve 1 drink only. And the flight attendant was playing games with us. Because I can't really understand what are they saying (they speak in Korean), but I'm guessing they were playing scissor paper box

- Air Busan
As Estar has no flight from Jeju to Busan, so I booked with Air Busan instead. They are just a small counter at Jeju airport, baggage are to check in with Asian airline counter.

It's very similar to the plane of Eastar Airline, leg space between seat are all right for me but for taller people, it will be uncomfortable for them.

- KTX
Many said it is must try when you are to travel around Korea, so I decided it to give it a try. As it take 4 hours from Busan to Seoul, I booked with seating instead of the free seating. Ticket with reserve seating are slightly more expensive than the free seating, but I don't think I can stand for 4 hours with no seat! So I rather pay for it.

As we had done the booking online, when we reach there, we just had to pass the reservation letter to the counter will do.  Luckily we done it online, the lady at the counter seem to don't understand English!!

There are a lot of leg space but it was not big enough to put our baggage, our baggage has to put at the end of the cabin. There is food cart going up and down the cabin, you could just stop them to buy if you are hungry. Table are able to pull down (like the table on planes), if you need to put the foods down/ to write thing. I like the best is they are on time, train reached Seoul as per the time that stated on the ticket when we buy.    

last min trip - 3 day BKK trip (30Nov - 2 Dec)

Was pretty stress this few week.
Stress about work, about future, about life
If this go on, I seriously think I will go mad
So I decide to take a short trip out of my comfort zone

I decided to go and look for my friend in Thailand
Budget airline to Thailand at this period is pretty cheap
And I can just stay at her place, no need to spend money on hotel(can save abit)

All had been booked and getting ready,
but recently news reported on the riots in Bangkok make my family worry.
"Is it even safe to go at this period?"; "Cannot don't go?" ; "Later you can't come back how ?"
This trip is to help me to relax but in the end it brought even more problem :( .

I seriously can't bother so much, I really need this trip so I am going for this trip. Even if it mean that I need to stay in whole day, I need a getaway.

Food- Yayoiken @ 313 somerset

Always wanted to try out Yayoiken @ 313 Somerset, finally had the chance to try it out

Yayokien is a casual dining restaurant that serves a wide variety of fine, delicious and affordable Japanese cuisine. Each set menu comes complete with Japanese imported rice and miso soup for a well-balanced and nutritious meal, based on the traditional Japanese principle of "Ichiju sansai". The restaurant prides itself in producing "home-made" food that reflects the wisdom of Japanese culinary tradition. With a selection of more than 100 items on their menu and 24 different set meals to choose from, diners are spoilt for choice ! 

With an iPad sitting pretty at every table, you can select your dishes via touchsceen and order whenever you are ready, rather than someone standing there waiting for you to place order.

As the hamburgers were served on hotplate, the foods was still hot and that you could still taste the juice of the  meat when you were chewing on it. The salad might look normal but it go so well with the whole meal, it help to balance out the meat, so you won't get sick of the meats ! This is one place, I will confirm come back again !!

beef hamburger set 

mix meat hamburger set

Pork hamburger set

Address - 313 Orchard Road, 313 @ somerset #B3-33/34 Singapore 238895 

Tel - 6884 7550 

website - http://www.yayoiken.sg/ 

AFA 2013

Finally this day have arrive!! 

Like I said, although I'm not a hardcore fan, but I like to see all the cosplayer and new animes' 

My cousin cosplaying 

I chose the wrong timing to go over. By the time I reached Suntec, ton of people were already there and many more were coming in. Just to look for my cousin, took me more than half an hours.

My cousin were there since morning as she was cosplaying for the very first time that day. She kept complaining that she need to work harder on her make-up, but to me it was good enough for a first timer. I never thought that walking with a cosplayer can be so a difficult thing! People keep come up wanting to take picture of her / with her. (Actually I will go up to them and ask if can take picture of them :p )

So after lunch, I went around for a walk (without my cousin). Finally was able to look around, many were introducing new animes , drawing system, new games, there was even games area for people to sit down and play games. Lot of store selling all kind of anime things (wooden swords, hats, T-shirts, figuring) But what amaze me the most were still the work pieces/art works/figuring, and they were really fantastic !

Well, It will be easier to show than writing in words, picture below are what I took at the event. If there is any chance, please do go to at least one anime/cosplay event , is really really interesting !!

one of the cosplayer

SO MANY PEOPLE

EVEN MORE PEOPLE !!!!!!

poster that normally can't be see or buy !!

Maid / Butler cafe 

2014 anime event in Tokyo !!

My favourite anime 

anime figuring

Anime posters everywhere 

From drawing to anime

Painting; look so much like print out !!  

2013 Sept Korea - 10 days South Korea Trip - Day 9/10 (Seoul)

So disappointed with myself ; took me 2 month to finish blogging of my 10 days trip to Korea. Today will be the day I complete blogging my 2013 Korea trip!

Day 9 & 10 will be post together as there was nothing much left on day 10 (we didn't go anywhere on day 10 ; coming back only). I will share my itinerary with all once I had done all the amendment to it

DAY 9 / 10 - 21 / 22 Sept 2013

Seoul - Ewha Women University / Hongdae / Paris Baguette cafe 

Today plans was super relaxed of all, as it was already the second last day in Korea, I just want to enjoy as much as possible. So we can sleep in a bit later than past few days.  

Seoul - Ewha Women University  (이화여자대학교)  

The Ewha women University area is one of the most popular shopping districts in Seoul. Clothing stores in the area sell affordable and stylish fashions for your people. Restaurants in the area cater to the tastes of your women, and many international dining chains have branches there. As well as the main street leading to the school, many of the alleyways are worth visiting. There are filled with accessory shops, small clothing boutiques and many more other stores! 

[cut and paste from - http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=749914]

Address - 

11-1, Daehyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul-si 

서울 서대문구 대현동 11-1

How to go - 5 mins walk from exits # 2 & 3 of Ewha Womans University Station (Subway Line 2)

This is my favourite shopping place of all !!! The last time I was here, I spent at least 3 hours non-stop shopping here. But this time, I had done alot of shopping at other area, and there is a possibility that I might come back soon, so I have to stop myself !

Noticed that there were more tourist than local. Maybe local were still on their holiday period where they all went back to their hometown. With that, not many people were on the street. We were able to slowly and take our time to look at all the shops.

Actually we thought of walking over to Sinchon but we got lost and we had been turning round and round in Ewha's alleyways. In the end, we gave up trying to find out where were we and how to go Sinchon. We just see thing where our legs bought us too, then train to Hongdae after that.

Ewha Women University shopping street

Ewha Women University 

Seoul - Hongdae (Hongik University Street) (홍대)   

A area which is located in front of Hongik University. It's a neighbourhood known for its youthful and romantic ambience, underground cultures, and freedom of self-expression. Unique cafes, cozy galleries, accessory stores, fashion shops, live cafes and clubs, art markets, and gourmet eateries make this a popular hang-out for locals in their 20-30 and a fascinating place to walk around
[cut and paste from - http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1326972 ]

Address -
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul-si
서울 마포구 서교동 일대

How to go - Hongik University Station (Seoul Subway Line 2 or Airport Railroad)

Actually after Ewha, did too much shopping and we were too lazy to walk any more, we just went to a cafe,sat down & rest and looking about the crowds walking around. Hongdae are better of at night; because of the club and bar. Personally I don't like bar & clubs, so is all right for me to skip this place (and I had been here before!)

After a long rest, we decided to head back to Insadong instead as there were some things that we missed out the last time we were there. The place were still full of people [like always], but this time we knew what we want to buy, so didn't take much time.

Didn't do much today but very tired, maybe because of the thought we were heading back home soon and too much shopping for the past few days. So we decided to just head back after dinner. Went into a ransom shop and sat down, thought of the cheese pork cutlet that I saw on the first night (There was this small boy next to us were having cheese pork cutlet which the cheese was like taking pizza.). Ordered a pork cutlet set , thinking it would be the same, but wasn't (there was not much cheese)      

Dinner - Cheese Pork cutlet rice 

After dinner, we headed back to start packing. Have to pack 10 days of shopping and dirty clothes into the luggage and with our room so small, is going to be a hard work and long night. [luckily tomorrow morning, I didn't planned to go anywhere.]

Today is the day that we are going back to Singapore. We choose not to eat hotel breakfast but to walk out and have Paris Baguette for breakfast (actually the bread that we had for breakfast every morning were from Paris Baguette too !)

Paris Baguette [ 파리바게뜨 ] 

It is a division of SPC group, an international food and food services company based in Korea. It ranks as the top brand - based on brand recognition and brand power - in the highly competitive Korean bakery market. Paris Baguette presently supplies fresh bakery products to customer through 2,900 stores in Korea, 50 stores in China & 22 stores in US.
(It's everywhere of Korea, confirm see it; even Incheon airport itself, they have at least 4-5 stores )
website - http://www.paris.co.kr/main/

Paris Baguette cafe 

part of bread choices 

There were so many choices of bread for us to choose from, all looked so nice that we don't know which to choose.

And they even state down the calorie down on the tag, letting you know the bread that you choose, how much calorie are there. [so good for girls that we on diet!]

We wanted to sit there to eat but it was full of people so we takeout and have a walk. We took a walk to Sejong Hotel ( where the Airport Limousine bus to Incheon Airport is )
to see how far is it from our hostel to Sejong Hotel as later we will have to pull our luggage over.

Is not very far but the floor is totally unstable, thinking that it might take a longer than than it seem. It will be better if we left earlier.  

 Name tag of the bread [they even have the calorie stated !!]

We pulled our luggage to Sejong Hotel (which was 2 street away ) to take the Airport Limousine 6001 or 6015 to Incheon Airport. The bus ride was about an hour long, I just looked out and enjoy the last bit of Seoul before heading back to Singapore. 

Before we headed the SQ counter to do check in, we went to weight our luggage first. As we were able to check in 20kg only, we have to make sure our luggage are not over weight or else the extra fee are not cheap. And we were so right, both our luggage were over weight, and that we had to open up and repack !!

We looked for thing to eat after we had settle our luggage and finished with checking in. But because we are had a few bags with us (the extra thing that we took out from our luggage so it can get check in), is pretty hard for us to walk away if we don't have the trolley; took us very long to decide where to go for lunch. Since is our last meal in Korea, we decide to have some Korean food; I ordered Seafood noodle 

Lunch  - Seafood noodle 

still have to take skytrain to our gate !!

plane that bringing us back to Singapore

We followed the signs to our gate, we had to take skytrain to head to our gate. Luckily we had enough time or else we have to run like crazy !

There was a slight delay on the boarding of the flight. We just sat there and surf the web (airport has free Wi-Fi !) . After 15 min later, we are finally able to board the plane.

Onflight TV at my seat, was unable to use. I tried to ask the staff to come and take a look, but they were busy serving so I gave up and watch my IPad. Is only after the onflight meal was serving, is working again !

Thought there won't be any problem left, in the end even luggage was delayed. Was thankful it was delay for 10 min only, by the time I reach home and settle down was almost 1am! Have to force myself to sleep as tomorrow have to go back to work

Dinner on the flight with "Running man" [tonight's meal is better than the meal I had when I went ]

First draft for 2014 Japan trip

I'm horrible.
I haven't even finish blogging about my Sept Korea trip,
I'm already starting to plan for my Jan trip !!

Although said starting to plan, but actually I'm just deciding where to go when I'm there
When am I going, spend how long there, how to go - totally haven't think off it at all !!!
And this trip, I had an elderly (grandma), a half elderly (auntie which only know how to follow) and 2 cousins ( teenager but like princess; waiting to be serve only ). I will be the only one doing everything !!! Anything happen, it will be my problem.

It will be a headache trip but WHO CARE !!! I'm so going to make this work and make it a wonderful trip !!!

So back to the first decision I made,
As the accommodation is not booked by me (thank god!), adult don't want to waste energy on change hotel everyday, we will be staying in just one hotel for that 6 night in Hokkaido. Therefore, I will have to plan trip not too far away from the hotel (or else we will have to spend a lot of time on the train)

Picture took from - http://www.ease.com/~randyj/rjjapan6.htm

For now, these are the places I had decided to visit -
* Sapporo
- Mount Moiwa
- Historical village of Hokkaido
- Sapporo Factory shopping mall
- Nijo Ichiba fish market
- Odori park
- Kokusai resort
-狸小路

* Noboribetsu
- Edo park

* Asahikawa
- Asahiyama Zoo

* Otaru
- LeTAO
- Steam chime clock
- Otaru Canal
- Kitaichi Glass
- Otaru Music Box Museum

This is just my first draft, I will show the elderlys' first then I start doing, if later suddenly say change,  I think I will faint !!!

2013 Sept Korea - 10 days South Korea Trip - Day 8 (Seoul)

DAY 8 - 20 Sept 2013 

Seoul - Dongdaemun Stationery Store Street (동대문 문구거리)   / Dongdaemun / Namdaemun market / Lotte World 

Second day of Chuseok holiday, there were still a lot of shops not open. We chose to gamble and see if any shop at dongdaemun stationery store street will open for business.   

Dongdaemun Toy market 

Seoul - Dongdaemun Stationery Store Street (동대문 문구거리)  

Addess : 36, Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 

서울특별시 종로구 종로52길 36 (창신동)

How to go : Dongdaemun Station (Subway Line 1), Exit #4 (5 min on foot) 

Located within the Dongdaemun commercial zone near Cheongyechoen Stream. Stores on the street are open from 8am - 7pm from Mon to Sat (closed on Sun & Public holiday)

There are more than 110 stores in this street. Is one of the most popular places for those seeking both cute and functional stationery. You can find everything from note cards, crayons to party items at prices 30-40% off of regular retail prices (50% off certain items). Those buying in bulk can expect even bigger savings.  

[website - http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1241248&nearBy=shopping]

It was very quiet street, not many people around (maybe because of the holiday period). Only a few stores was open, but there were a lot of thing to see in a shop, we spent more than an hours there as TC need to buy toys as gift for her young cousins. I have no young cousins, so there no need for me to buy toys. We proceed to Dongdaemun after that.   

Seoul - Dongdaemun 

How to go : Subway line 1 Dongdaemun Station exit  8

It's a area that specializing in wholesale clothing. A full range of fashion items that covers from head to toe, all can be found in Dongdaemun market at inexpensive prices. There are more than 20 shopping malls, shopping street, is a place you can find the thing that you want. So the market is also always crowded with retailers, foreigners, customers and tourists. 

[ Website on more - http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2_5_1.jsp]

Dongdaemun

We wasn't really in the mood of shopping, so we went to look for food instead. Went to a few shopping centers' food courts. Since we can't find food that we want at food courts, we went to the street and found this store 

the place where we had lunch 

Lunch !! - Budae jjigae 

Picture menu was available so we chose this store. Thought I won't have the chance to eat Budae jjigae during this trip (TC can't really eat spicy and normally this only serve for 2 and above, but this store has 1 serving).

Was disappointed that the the side was not very nice but the Budae jjigae was good and eat until very happy :) !!

The helper was a Chinese, so we had a small chat while waiting for the food. She even asked if we are interested to stay and help in the store as she hiring. We were like giving each other the " what the hell is her thinking " look, we just act stupid and laugh her off. LOL
 

Seoul  - Namdaemun market (남대문 시장) 

Address :  21 Namdaemunsijang 4 gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
How to go : Hoehyeon Station (Subway Line 4), Exit #5
Closed on Sunday

The largest traditional market in Korea with variety goods. It sells accessories to toys, kitchenware to ginseng. Most tourists simply enjoyed the ambience of the traditional market.

[ More - http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=273760 ]

I been here before so I wasn't really interested to come back as the thing selling here, actually we were able to find it at dongdaemun too. But is TC first time in Korea, so I just bought her here to look around and shop. As we had some time after Namdaemun market, we head back to rest before heading out again to Lotte world

Seoul - Lotte World (롯데월드)

Address : 240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul 

서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 240 (잠실동)

Theme Park that is located in the heart of the city, it's the perfect spot for entertainment and sightseeing. There are thrilling rides, ice rink, different kinds of parades as well as folk museum, lake and trick museum. And it's open all year round regardless of the weather 

How to go - Subway line 2 Jamsil Station exit  8

[offical website - http://www.lotteworld.com/ ]

night entrance fee is much cheaper ! 

As TC don't dare to play the thrilling ride, we chose to go in after 7 pm to see the parades and the museum ( entrance fee is also cheaper ).

The parades for " Happy Halloween party " was about to start when we entered, so we just joined in and watched. Is a very colourful and happy show, people were dancing to the music and they even let kids join in to them dance with them (near the end of the parade).

After that, we went around and see the other rides and of course go to the trick museum (That why I didn't plan to go to the trick museum in Jeju Island and Hongdae )

Before we leave, Magic Island is a must go ! Magic Island is the outdoor rides and castle (something like the castle in the ticket - on the left  )

waiting for the show to start

let the show begin !

Lotte world skating ring

the famous merry go round 

By the time we finish, we were so hungry that we just have dinner at Lotte world then go back.

dinner at Lotte World 

2013 Sept Korea - 10 days South Korea Trip - Day 7 (Seoul)

Day 7 - 19 Sept 2013 

Seoul - Children Grand Park / Lotter World - lunch  / Seoul Tower 

A lot of places were closed today, because is a very important day for them -  their Chuseok holiday.

So we decided to just head to 1-2 places will do 

First place we went was Children Grand Park. 

Seoul - Children Grand park      

It covers a total of 530,000 square meters and is an ultimate leisure facility for families. They have a zoo, botanical garden, amusement facilities and performance events.  

Add: 216, Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 

         서울특별시 광진구 능동로 216 (능동)

How to go : Children’s grand park station – (Line 7 / exit 1) 

Open : 9 am - 7 pm  

Entrance Fee: Free 

[ more information - http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1051832 ]

Children Grand Park 

so relaxing 

outside of botanical garden

Music fountain 

damn nice !! ice-cream drink 

Is really a relaxing place. Although many of  kids were playing around but was not very noise (maybe because the place is very big)  

Weather was so hot that I went around looking for ice-cream. Read about an ice-cream drink before coming to Korea - picture beside, so happy that I got the chance to really tried it. And is really good that I was like a baby, holding and keep sucking it while walking around    

We spent around two hrs there. Visited to their zoo, botanical garden and watched their music fountain only (as the other area need to pay, these places were free entrance). Actually we wanted to have lunch there before heading to our next location but the restaurant were full, so we change our mind and just have lunch at Lotte World. 

Original plan was to spend the rest of the day at Jamsil Station (Lotte World Underground shopping mall & Lotte world). Thinking that since Lotte world is not close, the underground shopping mall should not close too, but I was wrong, almost all the store are close   

Luckily the food court is open. The food court is very different from the food court that we have in Singapore. They have the menu outside (in both Korean & English), after we order & paid outside, they passed a buzzer to us. We sat down and wait for the buzz, then we go over to the counter to collect the food.

I ordered cheese pork cutlet - My lunch  

Since the store in the shopping mall are close, we thought we should just go in to Lotte World. We are not playing the ride as TC(my friend) don't dare to play trilling drive at all, we are going in to look around only, so we decide to buy the afternoon ticket. We can't buy the ticket as is too early (afternoon ticket can buy after 4pm only.) So we don't want to waste time and wait, so we change plan and go other place instead. Went back to rest for a while then head to Seoul Tower 

Seoul - Nansam Cable car (남산 케이블카) / N Seoul Tower (N서울타워) 

Seoul Tower sits on top of Namsan Mountain (243m), It offers panoramic views of Seoul and the surrounding areas. Their night view are one of the most beautiful view of all, is very nice place for couple to go there for dating.  

[ more information here - http://visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264550 ]

Fee: Round-trip - 6,300 KRW one-trip - 4,800 KRW 

Open : 10am - 10.30pm  

Add : 105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 
           서울특별시 용산구 남산공원길 105 (용산동2가)

How to go : 

(To cable car station) From Hoehyon Intersection (Myeongdong & Hoehyeon Stations, Subway Line 4) walk towards Namsan Tunnel #3 and take the free Namsan Oreumi elevator (glass lift) to the cable car station

Seoul Tower from far 

queue to take the lift 



Or you can walk up 

while waiting ; cable car

Read from some tourist book and found out there is this glass lift that we could take to the cable car station. Instead of walking/ take the bus up, we thought is a must try, since we are here. Many people were queuing up at the glass lift when we reached there. Not just tourist, many local was queuing with us too.

While queuing to take the lift, I can guess there should be a lot of people up at Seoul Tower  and I was right !! There were so many cars and people when we reached the cable car station !! We have to queue until outside.

We queue and queue and queue, waited from sun setting to sun settled. Took us 2 hrs before we got the chance to board the cable car.

queuing 

More queue 

Seoul Tower 

After so long of queuing, finally we got to see Seoul Tower. So many people were queuing to buy the ticket to the observatory, so we decided to just stayed on the ground floor. 

Key locked fence was the most popular view, many people took picture of it and with it. But the surrounding has no lights, so is hard to take picture of it (so if you are interested to take picture of it too, please go in the day), 

But to me, the night view was much better than the key locked fence. Although many people were around taking picture and blocking the view but we were still able to see very very nice view. 

After that, went for a walk in the souvenir shops before we headed back to take the cable car. 

Night view 

Going back also need to queue 

No way we were able to have dinner at the food court there (TOO MANY PEOPLE EATING THERE!), so we though just go back and have simple dinner (like cup noodle; hehe). To go back, we had to queue some more, but thank god this queue was much faster.

When we reached back the cable car station, the queue to go up Seoul Tower was still damn long and the queue down via glass lift were also long. So this time,we just walked down instead of waiting for the lift