Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Korea -Seoul & Jeju Island 2013

Fly to Seoul via Korean air. It was a night flight. We went for lunch then fly to Jeju Island. Include the travel itinery in details and you can view my comment in red for those places that we visited.

Seoul

Sarangbang- The newly opened Cheongwadae Sarangchae, which opened to the public on January 5th, 2010, is a history center that gives visitors a chance to follow in the footsteps of presidents of Korea and gain insight into the history of Seoul.


Gwangwhamun Plaza- On August 1st, 2009, the redesigned Gwanghwamun Square opened to the public. With the inauguration of the square, Sejong-ro, located at the center of 600-year-old historic city of Seoul, was transformed into a human-centered space that harmonizes with the beautiful scenery of Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukaksan Mountain.



Jeju Island
Yongduam Rock – A volcanic rock that was created from an eruption about two million years ago, its looks like a roaring dragon rising from the sea into the sky.Arrived at night, it was so windy and at least can see the Yongduam Rock. More than 10 years ago, I was at this place and lot of changes. At least they got a pathment for you to walk and take pictures from the other side. Too dark to take Yongduam Rock, picture below is the introduction of Yongduam Rock.


Mysterious Road – To experience the phenomenon of going uphill with the car engine off.

Hotel : Robero - We went during winter - early March and the hotel got no air-conditioned and only heater. Therefore is so hot that eventually we request the hotel to off the heater. Don't expect alot from this hotel, most likely 2 star rating.

Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak – one of 360 parasitic volcanoes, the world’s biggest crater at seacoast where you can enjoy the spectacular natural surroundings.It was so windy and so difficult to walk up to the peak. We are so proud of ourself, we reached the peak. ha!ha!



Seongeup folk village, korea's folk custom material proctectorate, you can meet with island people who still live behind stone courtyard walls in thatched roof rock homes.





Cheomjiyeon waterfall, where water flow into the ocean passing by a small pond.

Oedolgae, a high outcropping was formed by volcanic eruption 1.5 million years ago. The famous Korean drama series "Jewel of the palace" was shot here.


Haenyo Museum- Haenyeo refers to female divers who dive into the ocean water to gather various shellfish, seaweed, etc, without using any underwater diving equipment. When diving underwater, a haenyeo carries only a pair of goggles, a round ball-like tube to keep her balance, and a basket to put her collections.

Go at the back of the museum, you will able to see the light house where the famous korean movie IRIS was shot here.



Jeju Glass Castle– Visitors to ‘Jeju Glass Castle’ will be entranced by its magical atmosphere. ‘Jeju Glass Castle’ is a glass art theme park . If you are not joining tour and wish to kill some time, then you can consider dropping by at the jeju glass castle.

O'Sullo tea museum- The o’sulloc Museum, located on Jeju-do Island near Seogwangdawon, teaches visitors about Korea’s traditional tea culture. The “o” in “o’sulloc”, means to appreciate and enjoy, and it also stands for the origin of sulloc, only sulloc, and of sulloc tea.It is famous for green tea ice cream and cakes. We bought alot of green tea stuff and it taste good. It also has green tea products such as shampoo, facial cream and etc. You can purchase cold green tea tubes.



63 City Big 3- sea world, wax museum, sky art. A modern skyscrapper that built 264 meters above sea level. Its basement designed as a gigantic aquarium that house more than 400 kinds of fish species. It is given a name of 63 Ocean World Aquarium. Besides, you would have a chance to take photo with global celebrities in 63 Tussads Wax Museum. You can enjoy a spectacular view of Seoul city at the sky art observatory.The sea world was ok, don’t waste time at the wax museum.



Nami Island-“Winter Sonata” shooting place– Visit famous Korean Drama “Winter Sonata” shooting place, by ferry.Worth visiting if you have watch Winter Sonata. We went and look for the place where "Winter Sonata" was shot, where the couple cycle or sat around to build the snow man.







Hotel : Soraksan Hanwha- Beautiful ski resort. Room is spacious. Inside the resort got a supermarket. Worth staying but I heard is fully booked during winter.



Teddy Bear Farm – Offers a glimpse into the unique lifestyle of sokcho through Teddy Bears.
Is waste of time and you would not be able to spend 2 hours inside the farm.  

 
Mt.Soraksan National Park(Shinheungsa Temple-The Bronze Buddha Statue)-One of the most beautiful national parks in Korea , visit Shinheung Fortress and sitting Buddha.
Certain part of temple is under renovation. We did not able to take the cable car to go up.





Hotel : Oak Valley
It is a beautiful ski resort and also the room is spacious. Inside the resort got supermarket.

Everland Theme Park (Incl passport ticket)- The large theme park boasting a Safari, snow sled, and botanical garden, some people also called it as Fantasy World. It really is a best place for family to have fun.
Not well maintained. Only the safari park is interesting. There are no new attractions or rides. Guess Lotte World will be better at least you can watch the Parade.





Dongdaemun market- Korea’s largest wholesale and retail shopping district.
Got to negotiate for better price. You need to spend alot of time looking for the right shop. Some of the owner still got attitude problem, you can't even touch their clothes.

Hotel : Co-op Residence Hotel - the location of this hotel is very convenient but the room is very small. Just walking distance less than 5 minutes is Dongdaemun market.

Gyeongbokgung Palace –Built in 1394 as the main palace of the joseon dynasty(1392-1910)by its founder king Taejo, it is the most comprehensive and grandest of the five palaces of the period.This is where the korean drama "Jewel of Palace" was shot here.



National Ginseng Shop- Korea famous healthy product shop such as ginseng, ginseng tea, ginseng candy.


Andrea • Golden Art Gallery - Visit to South Korea's top international fashion designers and jewelry art gallery. Waste time!!

Kimchi Making Session –Experience how to make Kimchi and and opportunity try Korean traditional dress and take a posture photo. They will assist you to pack the kimchi into the box and deliver to the airport.



Drum Cat show - is the first percussion team, consisting of only women which is unique not only in Asia but also in the world. Must watch, highly recommended. Better than Stomp.


Myeongdong & Lotte Duty free shop - one of the primary shopping districs in Seoul. Many brand name shops and departmental stores line the streeets.


Additional attractions :
1. Cheese Making
 2. Picking of Jeju oranges
3. Daepohaeng fish market- all kind of species of fresh seafood.

Type of worms - only koreans know how to eat
sea urchin


Food that we ate :


Famous jeju orange

famous jeju chocolates

famous jeju oranges

Banana milk

Grilled black pork


Grilled squid

Korean ja jiang noodle

Ginseng chicken soup

Kimchi dumplings

Roadside food stall




Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Danang, Vietnam

Visited Danang in January, weather was ok and lucky it did not rain. Danang is a well-developed city not that congested compared to Hanoi.  Danang is famous for beaches.  Among the trip, I love Hoi An Ancient town.

I booked my private tour from Sunway Travel (http://www.sunway.travel). Our English speaking guide known as Le was very helpful. He caters to our last minute request.

My itinery are as follows :

DAY 1: DANANG – HUE               

Our flight delayed one hour, upon arrival we went for a cold noodle famous in Danang known as Quang Noodles. Then we drove to Hue.  Hue was the capital of Vietnam, from 1744 until 1945, when the last emperor abdicated.
Overnight at Park View Hotel.

 
DAY 2: HUE – HOIAN   

Morning, enjoy city tour to visit the Imperial Citadel – first built by King Gia Long in 1805. Here you will visit Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, The Mieu Temple, and the Nine Dynastic Urns and Khai Dinh tomb _ It is the result of the interminglement of many architectural trends: European and Asian, as well as ancient and modern.

Afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Perfume River. Enjoy this romantic cruise and visit the Minh Mang Tomb. Finish up at Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue.

Late afternoon, depart Hue for Hoi An via Hai Van Pass for whole view of Pacific Ocean and famous Long Co fishing village. Hoian ancient town _ lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Hoian was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999
Overnight at Hoi An Beach Resort 

 
Hoi An Beach Resort

DAY 3: HOIAN  - MYSON - DANANG  

Morning, meet our guide at hotel and transfer to visit My Son - Vietnam's most important Cham’s site. My son becomes a religious center in the late 4th century and lasts till 13th century – a longest period of development of any monument in Southeast Asia.
 
We had our lunch at Morning Glory at Hoi An Ancient Town, it was a last minute request.

Afternoon, continue to visit Hoian ancient town - one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. There are  plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are  the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda. Transfer to Danang city - the fourth largest city in Vietnam

Overnight at Sandy Beach Resort

day 4: Danang
- departure                             
Morning, take time to visit the Cham Museum_ The world's foremost collection of the sculpture of the ancient King-dom of Champa, the China Beach and the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe.

We visited the Han Market at Danang.






Overall the trip was great, we had great fun. We did not able to see the night view of Hoi An ancient town due to our tight schedule.  I will definitely visit Hoi An again.




 

 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Sekinchan


We tried to explore the new highway to Sekinchan instead of using the Sungai Buloh road to Kuala Selangor.  Unfortunately we still need to use Sungai Buloh and exit to Ijok. Sigh!! 

We only found the highway after we returned from Sekinchan which is exit from Rawang and there is a turning to left to Kuala Selangor. To reached Kuala Selangor only half an hour.
Sekinchan is famous for padi fields.

We had lunch at a Chinese restaurant, we waited for more than one and half hour due to one of the chef had a minor accident.  Sorry can’t recall the name. It was a famous restaurant for locals.

Mostly home cooked food. We ordered shark meat soup, fried shrimps, fried brinjal, stewed cat fish, fried stingray and their famous deep fried squid  (apparently this squid is with hard bone and no cholesterol according to the chef)  It was worth waiting for the food.  
Fried Shrimps
 
Stewed cat fish
 

Stir fried stingray
 
 
Boiled shark meat and fish ball soup

Deep fried brinjal
 
"Similar to Squid" but with hard bone
 
 The end result from the squid - "deep fried squid"


After lunch, we visited the beach front. We bought a kite at RM15 and the wind was so strong that the kite can easily fly.   There is an old tree house where you can seat at the hammock to relax.

 


On our way back, we stopped by the Cendol Bakar near Ijok.   We always passed by and were curious what is this cendol bakar.  There is a drive thru lane for you to take-away the cendol.  We tried the normal cendol bakar and durian cendol. The durian cendol is a lot better.
What do you mean by cendol bakar? It is the gula Melaka@sugar which was roasted to give better aroma and taste.

 
 
Feel free to explore Sekinchan. Day trip should be sufficient.
 

Happy New Year 2013


Time flies…ending of 2012 and soon we will usher the New Year. Every year we will look back and we will questioned ourselves, what did we achieve this year?? Isn’t it a common question?

So what’s your new year’s resolution for 2013? Everyone must stay healthy and fit. Money can’t buy health. Also learn to take a break when you know that you are too stressed from work. Work is not everything in life. Spend some time with your loves ones and families.

Yeap, I have not been travelling much this year due to my tight schedule in work.

No worries, I will start planning my holidays and will definitely update with exciting travel information.

Wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!