Korea Day 2...

Woke up quite early in the morning to catch Naminara Republic shuttle bus to Nami Island... which depart from Tapgol Park at 9.30am....Our itenary for today is Nami Island-Cheoggyecheon Stream and Dongdaemun for shopping... So very excited... we will visit the famous filming location in Korea.... a must visit place is Korea.... Asked the easiest way to Tapgol at the concierge desk.... and he gave us the map from the hotel to Tapgol Park...See...the hotel even prepare a guide map....complete...But we lost for half an hour...

Ready to go

High rise building

Map

Found this place while finding our way to Tapgol Park.....forgot to read the information of this park...  busy to find our way to the Tapgol park... and looked around for clue...

Asked one Korean lady for direction.... sign language...ha ha ha ha funny but 감사함니다...We found the park after walked about 10 minutes to the direction the lady showed us... A bit information on Tapgol Park... The reading of the Declaration of Independence was done here and this place is one the important part of the Korean independence movement (March 1st Movement 1919). It was once a Buddist temple, the site of 15th centrury Buddist temple and and gets its name from the Wongaksa  Pagoda (10 storied stone pagoda). There are lot of monuments can be found in the park, mostly representing or dedicating to the patriots and victims of Japanese brutality (Wikipedia, 2011).  

Tapgol Park Entrance

Insadong

Found our bus at the right side of the park... and walaaaaaa.... there's Insadong...<big grin>...Tips: Naminara Republic provides a daily trip to Nami Island from Insadong and  it cost KRW23,000 round trip (bus ticket+ferry+admission). Reservation is required at least one day before your trip... but please book early... since it is always full... Please visit their website or drop by Nami Island Seul Center office at Insadong.....

Salesman

 Sadly... we didn't get to go to Nami Island today... we've been told that our name is not in the list of passenger.... gosh... what happened... they had sent us confirmation on the reservation... Special thanks to Kim from Naminara Republic office Insadong... who came specially to meet us and explain what had happened... there was mistake from their side that they didn't record our reservation... He helped us to process our reservation for wednesday.... Because of this we change our plan to Everland.... and guide us how to go there from their office... It was lucky we had our itinerary ready... we can easily know what to do next...

To Everland

Greeted by Tulip

Everland

Went  to the nearest subway... then catch bus no 5002 to Everland.... Attraction at Everland will be animal safari (white tiger) and Tulip Festival  (March 18th - May 1st 2011). Everland is having their own festival all year around based 4 season theme.... they have rose festival in May and winter festival.... a lot more.... Information available at their website... Entrance fee for Everland is KRW38,000... but there is special discount coupon for tourist...can be downloaded from their website....

White Tiger



Then we went to Dongdaemum at night... The market is open until 5.00am in the morning... Took subway do Dongdaemun history abd cultural park station (line 2,4 and 5) from our hotel after took a bath and food....

Sculpture from recycle bottle

Can choose which shop you prefer... along the road... there's also shop that sell various item... including street food....

Street food

Yummy...But seriously don't know what it is...

At the end only the guys bought 1'shirt... The ladies just did window shopping. Went back to the hotel at around 3.00 am by bus no 11.... leglah..... subway only operating till 11.00pm or 12.00am.... can't remember...

Korea Day 1....

10th April 2011...finally the day arrived.... The flight from LCCT was at 1.45pm (D72682)....All of us decided to meet up at my place since it is easier to get cab to KL sentral. Or we can even take LRT to KL Sentral. Except Syed that will go straight to LCCT from his house. I did web check in for all.... so no rush to LCCT.... 

Departure hall

Arrived at Incheon International Airport half an hour earlier than the schedule time.... walaaaaaa...... we can take our own sweet time wondering at the airport... We opted to take airport limo bus because it will stop infront of the hotel... We waited for airport limo bus 6015 to Myeongdong at Gate 5A... This bus will stop at 2 gate; 5A and 12B... the hotel stop will be Euljiro 4-Ga (Best Western Premier Hotel Kukdo)... The journey took about 60 minutes...Bus fare is KRW10000...

Sunset

It was really impressed me, when the driver was helping the passenger to load and unload their bag...attached tag... just like at the airport when you check in your luggage....The dressing is also very smart... with coat and tie...Even before he started the journey, he will greet the passenger.... Perrghhhh.....salute....smile never leave their face...except while driving... and don't worry.. there is annoucement in Korean, Japanese and English to announce the stop and next stop... So you won't get lost unless you sleep...

  

My bro at hotel bus stop

The hotel

We did not dare to close our eyes... scared that we will miss the stop....After abut 60 minutes... we reached our hotel stop....It was just few steps away from the entrance... best...best.... best.... First word came out from our mouth was......"Sejuknya................." But posing is a must to capture the moment....

Check in

The queen bed

LCD TV

 Next check in and get something to eat... hungry....!!!!! The staff at the hotel are very friendly.... to those who wants to visit Korea... Tips: Pay in advance is a policy for most of the hotel in Seoul... So be prepared with enough cash or credit card... But my stay here was wonderful and pleasant.... you can even ask the staff to check for next arrival of airport limo bus...and very accurate wooooorrrrr.... if they said 15 minutes... just wait.... at the bus stop... it will arrive on time....

Mini Bar

Bidet and toilet

Bath Tub

Checked our room... Nice ah....can easily fit 3 of us.... no additional bed required.... For the guys... they chose 2 single bed... (Sorry guys they could not provide additional bed for the rest of our stay)...Very clean.... no stain at all... especially bath tub.....  But there is no sink in the bathroom... it is at the mini bar.....Recommend this hotel for your stay in Seoul... other hotel nearby is Biz Myeongdong hotel... about 10 - 15 minutes walk from Best Western...and it is cheap compare to  Best Western...

Holiday.....휴나....Korea....한곡....

Korea.... here I come....I have planned this holiday for a year.... Bought the ticket from Airasia when they launched Seoul as the new route in 2010..... So I had enough time to do research for information and plan for the itinerary. Search for hotel and mode of transportation...food and also any festival during the period.... 6 days 5 nights (10th - 15th April 2011)....not enough actually... should booked for at least 10 days to cover area out of Seoul....like Busan...Jeju Island... Maybe next time...

Namsan Tower

Am very excited to visit to Nami Island(Winter Sonata filming location)...Namsan Park (WGM and few others)... Traditional Hanok Village, Everland, UNESSCO heritage and many more....There are a lot of places of interest... We like.... wow!!!!!! So many places to visit but we have so little time... But it was spring season....cherry blossom and tulip festival... yahooooo.......

Creamy Butter Crab...

Another recipe to share... Love to eat this with mantou or chinese bun....

Ingredients:

Butter
Curry leaves
Evaporated milk
Water about 3 tablespoon
Bird's eye chillies - lightly poubd 

Garlic

Sugar and Salt to taste
Crab
Corn starch

Method:
1) Heat wok, melt the butter
2) Add birs's eye chilies and garlic
3) Add crab and stir continuously, it will slowly turn colour
4) Add evaporated milk and simmer about 5 minutes with low heat
5) Add corn starch to thicken the sauce

Holiday.....휴나....

My first ever holiday or vacation (oversea) was in 2000... to the land of white elephant.... Phuket Island... It was a company trip and it was after 2 months I joined as permanent staff.... All paid for except shopping expenses....What a lucky...it was a great holiday....will share the photo once I get it scan.

Travel guide

Tips for holiday preparation, especially if you are travelling without travel agent;

• Airplane ticket - booked earlier as early as one year. Airasia is always having their promo, this is a good bargain to lower your holiday cost. But plan in advance where and who will tag along with you.
• Lodging- when you booked your airplane ticket early, you will have enough time to browse for lodging; choices from backpackers type of room/ dormitory to 5 star hotel. Always look at your budget and the most important thing is location.  My preference will be a decent hotel/ motel with attached bathroom considering that I'm a Muslim and I don't really like to share bathroom. Location wise, easy accessible by public transportation and also near to shopping area. My bet you will never get bored if your hotel is within walking distance with shopping area... Find a place that you can use your bus no 11 (leg) to nearby tourist spot in the event you want take a night out to nearby attractions (trust me it will help)....
• Official document - do check if the country require official document for entry....VISA....
• Food - do your research for halal food to full your stomach. Each country have their own Islamic Society, you can get info from their website. Be prepared to pack some snack/ dry food... e.g.'rendang', maggie...just in case you can't find any halal restaurant/ food... This will also cut down your expenses... Otherwise... try to find bread or fruits... or vegan food.... 

Itenerary book

• Itinerary - prepare your itinerary in advance especially for holiday more than 3 days. Research and research....get to know the tourist attraction... where, how to get there, entrance fee, and arrange the itinerary.... Can always refer to itinerary from any travel agent for guidance then get more information online via blog or trip advisor or even from the tourism agency...Do get info if they have special service for foreigner.... like free tour guide...and discount given to foreigner for entrance fee and shopping....
• Transportation - check the public transportation available...Any subway or bus? Any transportation card? Any map to download e.g. subway line.... very handy and useful... Public transportation is always the cheapest way of travelling....Do search if there is any special service for foreigner... like hop on hop off bus... or even daily trip provided by the tourism agency e.g. South Korea provide special bus trip for foreigner for day trip to outside Seoul and some of it free...

Sample discount coupon

• Money - check the currency exchange and check for any money changer that gives you the best rate. Prepare a budget for the whole trip... And bring extra money... *Tips: activate your ATM card for international cash withdrawal... but withdrawal will be charge and can only withdraw based on Malaysia time...means you can't withdraw after 12.00am midnight (MY time) e.g. MBB.
• Tel number - check for roaming services... very useful during emergency. Be ready with all important telephone numbers in your itinerary. You wouldn't know what's gonna happen during your trip...  
• What to pack - check the weather forecast for the whole trip... this will help you on what to bring based on the weather. Bring  enough cloth or else you can always grab cheap shirt during your stay there...Bring medicine e.g. paracetamol, pil chi kit tek eun for stomach ache. If you are going to 4 season country.. remember to bring lotion or even baby oil to prevent dryness which will lead to rashes due to sudden change of weather..... For Muslim do not forget your Qibla compass...  if you have smartphone, you can download the apps.

Hope this will help you to prepare for your vacation/ holiday...This is just a guide... will share my experiences in my next entry... Stay tune.....

Hobak Jeon...호박전....

Hobak jeon or Zuchini fritter is one of my favourite korean side dish.....It is very easy and simple recipe....It goes well with any korean dish or even Malay dish...

Recipe:

Ingredients: Zuchini, Salt, Egg, Flour, Oil, Pepper (optional)

Preparations:

1) Slice Zuchini

2) Beat egg, add salt and pepper

3) Coat zuchini with flour and then coat with beaten egg

4) Saute zuchini until slightly brown

5) Serve

Serve it with basic sauce of light soya sauce added with vinegar.

* Can use the same recipe for carot, pickle radish, spring onion,lotus root and even hotdog. 

Whoever interested to learn korean recipe, you can go for a free cooking classes provided by KTO Malaysia but sadly it is conducted during working hours. 

안녕 하세요!!!!! Welcome to the blogging world....

안녕 하세요!!!!! Hello.....

Finally this blog is up.... My 1st day in the blogging world... Been contemplating for a while and finally here it is...This blog will be my place to share ideas, experience, thought and interest...also a place for me to improve my English and Korean (beginner stage only)....

또봐요.......