Dun do thing that will make you regert

There are many times that I heard people's story about traveling, about living overseas, I always have the same expression, " Wow, so good. I also want." Everytime, people would talk about how fragile life is. People can be healthily talking to you today and left the next day. I don't want to be like that too. I still have many thing in life that I have not done yet. So, I'm not going to allow myself to feel regert anymore. I'm going to fight what I want and enjoy every single day. Do it first, decied later. If don't do that, I will not move ahead but keep walking on the spot.


Monday, October 28, 2013

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 
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.  


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 (용산동2)

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


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Grand Auntie 93rd Birthday Dinner !

Celebrated my grand-auntie 93rd birthday last week,
Because was 93rd birthday, they planned to have a big celebration.
They booked 5 tables at Peach Garden for dinner

We reached there before sun set, had to entertaining people a bit, said not nice to just sit down and stare. I rather be busy taking picture than entertaining people that I don't really talk to. (:p)

Knew that it will be a very expensive dinner, the food was better than I thought.
Wine, champagne and juice free-flow, we could order any drink we want. (I believe the uncles and aunties bought their wine from other place and serve, wine is a MUST for them),
Every dish is serve individually, we just have to sit there and wait for people to serve us

Children prepared some performance to make their great grandmother even more happy -
like Yoyo trick (eldest great grand son is one of the Yoyo champion in Singapore ), dancing and Taekwondo

Actually I was already full by the time they serve the fish, but the dish that they serve were so goods that I can't let go of my chopstick. In the end, I ate till the very last dish ! Oh my god, so sinful! Have to go on diet le for the next few days !!

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PEACH GARDEN @ 33 (OCBC Center)
OCBC center
65 Chulia Street
#33-01, OCBC Center
Singapore 049513
Website : http://www.peachgarden.com.sg/

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

main entrance 
Room holding the dinner
(6 plus) view before sun set


(7 plus) view of the sun just set


The dinner; damn good !






Monday, October 21, 2013

2013 Sept Korea - 10 days South Korea Trip - Day 6 ( Seoul)

DAY  6 - 18 Sept 2013 

Seoul - Gyeongbokgung Palace / Samchengdong / Insadong / MyeongDong  

Didn't have bread to eat (for breakfast) because woke up later, left with cupnoodle only.
Headed out to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Seoul - Gyeongbokgung Palace

It is one of the main and larget palace of the five Grand Palaces built in 1395. It is also commonly referred to as the "Northern Palace" because it is the furthest north when compared to the neighbouring palaces.

Add : 22, Sajik-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
          서울특별시 종로구 사직로9길 22 (필운동

How to go : Gyeongbokgung Palace Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 5. OR, Gwanghwamun Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 2

Is only after after we paid for the entrance fee then we knew that if we came tomorrow, entrance fee won't be free! (is free entrance during public holiday)

Walked around, took picture took us about an hrs and a half before we leave for our next destination


Geunjeongjeon
Gyeonghoeru

Our next destination is Samcheongdong, which  is walking distance from Gyeongbokgung plance. Followed this path (picture on the left) to go to samcheongdong to look for some nice place for lunch.

Seoul - Samcheongdong 삼청동


It goes through the middle of the city, but is a peaceful, quaint area. The street is lined with cafes, museums, antique shops and a number if famous art galleries. 

Since each art gallery building along Samcheongdong-gil has its own unique architectural design, taking a walk and appreciating the buildings is a journey in itself. Many galleries have their own cafes, restaurants, or craft shops, allowing visitors to enjoy art, shopping, and lunch all under one roof 


Add: Seoul-si Jongno-gu Samcheong-dong,
Seongbuk-gu Seongbuk-dong
서울 종로구 삼청동 ~ 성북구 성북동

How to go :
*Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 1.
*Go straight 100m and turn right onto the alleyway next to Pungmun Girl's High School.
*Continue straight along the road.


Maybe because the next day was their big holiday (Chuseok holiday), many are close. So angry, walked for very long and we can't find a place to sit down and have a meal ! In the end, we gave up and have dessert first.  
chose this shop as it looked more unique 
Not cheap at all - this plate costed us KRW 13000
Lot of places are closed in Samcheongdong, so we decided to just head to our next destination, with is Insadong. Tried to walk over as is just a station away, but failed (walked Gwanghwanmun instead ! ) So we headed back and took the subway (don't waste time and the weather was so hot!) 

Seoul - Insadong 

It is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on displayed. Many people like to come here to buy Korean style souvenir back home [like traditional Korean craftwork, Korea's traditional costume, Lamps made from traditional paper]  

Add : 130-4, Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si
          서울 종로구 인사동 130-4일대

How to go : Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6.
                    Go 100m straight, then turn left.

[discount from the Korean tourism website (however I'm not how long will the offer last !) - http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_4.jsp?cid=708366]

Insadong

Despite it was a weekday, many people (local and tourists) were there shopping. So we joined in and did some shopping. It is a good thing that we compare the price of some of the shops before we buy as the thing selling here might be cheaper at other shops (So if you have the time, don't just start buying at the first shop. Do compare the price first, then decided which shop do you want to buy from)

As many tourists goes there to shop for souvenir, shop owner could speak English, some even hire Chinese speaking student to work here. Therefore no need to worry about language when you are here! 
   
We were still hungry so we went to have some food after the shopping. This was so much better than just now that dessert (below picture). Was so happy when I was eating this, like a small kid, smiling and eating 






cost just KRW 5,500

Seoul - Myeongdong 명동

This is one of the primary shopping districts in Seoul. Many brand name shops and department stores line the streets and alleys. Unlike Namdaemun or Dongdaemun, many designer brands are sold here (include of clothes, shoes, bags, cosmertic ). As is a MUST travel place for tourist, all shops have at least 1-2 sales assistance are able to speak another languang (either English, Chinese or Japanese) 
[http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264312 ]
Add : 30, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul-si
          서울특별시 중구 을지로 30 (남대문로2가)
How to go : Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 5, 6, 7, or 8


Myeongdong 
Maybe because tomorrow is a public holiday in Korea, there was why there was sure a crowd in Myeongdong during evening time. We just walked for a while and head back (see so many people, I headache *_*)

Thursday, October 17, 2013

2013 Sept Korea - 10 days South Korea Trip - Day 5 (Busan/ Seoul)

     
I was so lazy during the weekend that I did nothing but sleep and rot all days ! Left with 6 more days (of the trip) to blog and I took more than a month to write about it. HAVE TO STOP BEING SO LAZY !!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DAY 5 - 17 Sept 2013

Busan/ Seoul - Busan Station / KTX / Seoul Station / (Hostel )24 Myeongdong / Gangnam Underground shopping center / Banpo Bridge; Rainbow Fountain / LeeSsang’s 팔자막창 (Paljamakchang) 





My Breakfast; don't like to eat so much in the morning

Had simple breakfast at the hotel before leaving for Busan station to head to Seoul.
Breakfast was in buffet style, it served Asian (rice, kimchi, soup, pickle) and Western (bread, hotdog, eggs, salars).

We had some time before boarding time, so we walked to Busan station with our big bags . Took us 20 min to get to Busan station (if we walked without our bags, will reached even faster.)

Busan - Busan station

Add Busan-si Dong-gu Choryang-dong Jungang-daero 206
       부산광역시 동구 중앙대로 206 (초량동)

How to go : Busan Station (Busan Subway line1) Exit 8 & 10

Busan Station is one of the most important railway line in South Korea. It links Busan with Seoul in just under three hours, using the KTX line (Korea's High speed rail system)
Busan Station 
view of Busan Station
Glad that we bought the ticket online, the staff at the counter don't speak English at all !! They process our booking without saying anything to us. They passed our boarding ticket* to us and we went to shop around

*On the boarding ticket , some of the important thing showed in English, so if you even don't know Korean, you won't have to worry.   
view taken from Busan Station

another view of Busan Station


another view taken from Busan Station
WE TRUST YOU ! 


Thought since this is one of the biggest train station in Korea, there should be lot of thing to see, but got nothing much. T_T. So we just went around to take picture and enjoy our last view of Busan before heading to Seoul .

We waited for the our train number to be announce before heading to the gate. Was so surprise that they didn't check our ticket and just let us walk through.




Signs are everywhere, as long as you followed the signed, you won't get lost. There was a train stopped in front when we headed down. Cabin number are on the floor [- picture on the left], we followed and found our cabin very fast. There were not much space by our seat, we had to put our luggage at the end of the cabin, then we went to look for our seat.

Train left on time, we just sat back and relax as we have 3 hrs to reach Seoul. My friend chose to sleep, I chose to watch running man and snack.
View when travelling to Seoul 
watched running man, eat snack on KTX 
Seoul Station 
It reached on time. We have to start looking for ways to our hostel. Took the subway, although I already know that there will be a lot of stair, but it was really really too tiring. I used google map to find the location in Singapore, we just follow the map, and found the hostel in no time.

Seoul - [Hostel] 24 Guesthouse Myeongdong 

Add : 14-1, Namhak-dong,Jung-gu, Myeong-dong, Seoul, South Korea
How to go : 
Subway - Chungmuro Station exit 4 (go straight after exit 4)
Incheon airport - Take 6001/6015 bus in Incheon airport and get off at Sejong Hotel (around 60 min)

We chose this was because it is location near subway and is in the central area. And the most important, it not very expensive and there are private toilet. Didn't know that were doesn't have a lift as it didn't mention in the website but the front desk guy helped us to carry our luggage up to our room. So there is no need to worry if there is no lift !
[website of the hostel, you could read more - http://myeongdong.24guesthouse.co.kr/about/?lang=en ]

Is in a small ally but there is a police station outside so no worry 
Our room for the next few days
train station nearest to our hostel 
Rested for a while before we headed out again. We went Gangnam Underground Shopping Centre. I didn't went there the last time I was there, my friend told me that this is a MUST go place for girls who love to shop

Seoul - Gangnam Underground Shopping Centre(강남 고속터미널 지하강가)


Add : Yeoksam 1-dong, Gangnam-guSeoulSouth Korea 

How to go : Express Bus Terminal Station on Lines 3, 7 & 9

It is a perfect place to get all the Korean style items without breaking a hole in your wallets. The prices here are reasonable that it could be called at 5,000 KRW to 10,000 KRW (depend on what are you buying). Located under one of Seoul's major bus terminals, it is easily accessible by subway too. The places is super big that you will need at least 3 hrs to take a look of all the shops
[ read more - http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=506804]

We started our shopping, walked here and there. I was surprise by the ranges of things was selling there! There are shops selling clothes, shoes, accessories, flower, painting, luggages, foods, imported food, phone covers and more other more !! We stopped for some food before we leave here.

Because we are going to eat again later, we chose something light. The auntie heard that we are not Korean, they gave us free Toboekki !! So nice of them !! I will come back and eat here again the next time I go back there for shopping !!
Our late lunch - ramen & kimbap (free toboekki)
We were too tired to go on shopping, so we decided to head to our next destination earlier. I checked online how to go to the place, but actually there is really no need for it as many people were heading toward the park too, so we just followed them.

Seoul - Banpo Bridge, Rainbow Fountain - Water show  

Add : Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul-si 
       서울 서초구 반포동

How to go : 
*Express Bus Terminal Station (Seoul Subway Line 3,7 or 9), Exit 8-1.
*Go straight for 250m, and turn right at the Express Bus Terminal 4-way intersection.
*Continue going straight for 400m and cross the street at the crosswalk. 
*Go straight through the underpass to arrive at the park
Well, according to Korea tourism website, Banpo Bridge Rainbow Frountain is the world's longest bridge fountain. There are a few timing of shows during the day(12pm) and night (8pm & 9pm) [different season different timing, pls check below website for more details -  http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1011983 ]

Hangang river, Banpo rainbow ridge - before sun set  
Hangang river, Banpo rainbow bridge - water show 
By the time the show finished, we were starving, headed straight to Leessang's shop for late dinner.  Tried it 2 years ago and I can't forget the taste. I always told myself I will come back for the second time if I'm in Korea. So there is no way I will miss it !

Seoul - (LeeSsang)’s 팔자막창 (Paljamakchang)

Add : 서초구 서초동 1309-8 (강남역점) 서울특별시
How to go - 
*Take line 2 to Konkuk University Station, Exit 1, go down the stairs and turn right. 
*Walk straight and turn right again after you see Cafe Bene. 
*Go straight and turn right again (at the first junction when you can turn) 

The shop is very near to find, we found it in no time. There wasn't much people in (maybe because is weekday), so in no time they served. This turn wasn't happy with the food, I believe the waiter off the fire way too early, and the serving are small. Should go to Haha's shop at hong dae to eat again !
Leessang's shop 
FOOD !!! - pig intestine & pork belly