Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Seasons: Gift for Readers?? (^.^)

It's Christmas!! I didn't celebrate it however my Korean family, friends and my boyfriend celebrate it! ^^ I wonder for this year, what's in store for them?? Did they have whitey snowing Christmas??? Lets' take a look?? :P Here some pictures of Christmas Tree in Korea! ^^ I wish some of my friends go to Myeongdong and snap pictures for me! ㅠㅠ However its too cold and they were busy! Whatever it is here are some photos by them ^^. Thank you so much all!!










p/s: Merry Xmas to all my readers! ^^( whoever celebrate it) Wish all of you abundance of joys,love and happiness all years around & happy holiday! Thanks for always read my blog, keep it up! ^^

Photo Credit: My Korean Friends


  

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

My Korea Trip Journal: Day 13

After having almost 2 weeks Korean life, I felt so sad!!Owh this guesthouse feels like my home here!! I even have my hometown at Korea!! Gwangju is my hometown?? ㅠㅠ I wish I can stay longer here!!! However I can't!!ㅠㅠ I don't wanna go home!!ㅠㅠ

Last night I met one of my friend for a last time, since I have so many things to bring back to Malaysia, I asked him to post for me.. We had a nice coffee across my home. Even those two dogs knew me! ㅋㅋㅋ They didn't bark whenever I'm passing by. ㅋㅋ

I woke up early and checking my bag again! I don't know how many times I'm checking my bag. LOL, My flight is at 16:25 though. Before leave, I had my last lunch at guesthouse. My guesthouse staff help me to re-heat my rice and again I ate with my local side dishes. I let them tasted it and left my local side dishes with them. ^^

Since I stay there for a long time, guesthouse staffs were closed to me. ^^ They even felt sad as I'm leaving!
ㅠㅠ I check out at 12:00p.m and took my airport bus near to Hapjeong Station. After about one hour, I reach Incheon Airport.

I still got much time left, so I just go around airport and duty free shop. While strolling around then I realized that I haven't buy any 뻬뻬로 (pepero)  to bring back!! Not even sweet or candy! So I rushing to the duty free shop and bought 3 boxes of pepero, a pack of chocolate and rice cake??  

Then I check in my luggage. Really felt don't wanna go!! Then I pack some snack at Dunkin Donat and rushing to my flight gate! I stop by to get my last coffee! I just found Cafe Bene and can't think of any flavor! ㅋㅋ I look at my phone for the pictures and order that!ㅋㅋㅋ

When I reach at gate, there are about 10 minutes left?? So I just sat there and enjoy my coffee. ^^ It's time to boarding ㅠㅠ. Inside the plane someone asking me a favor for switching my seat. He ask me politely and trying his best to speak in English. ^^  I swap my seat with him. Next to me is a girl, and next to her is a guy. Both were Korean. ^^  In fact around my area, all were Korean?? LOL

At first we didn't talk much since I guess everybody is tired?? so three of us just slept.  After our meal, I start to talk with a girl next to me.^^ We share our thought and she asking about my experience while in Korea. At the end both of us watching English drama on her lap top!ㅋㅋㅋ. Personally from my experience Korean were hardly open up to strangers but once they did, you will feel very good!! ^^ They are very warm! That's one of the reasons why I love to go to South Korea!

my last lunch ㅠㅠ

Guesthouse staff ^^, Owh one guy is missing ㅠㅠ He only come during weekend.

Airport Bus Station

My snack

Last cup of coffee ㅠㅠ

My ticket ㅠㅠ

p/s: Even though Malaysia and South Korea is quite far, I do keep in touch with all my Korean friends and family.^^ Of course there is one main reason I should be back! My bf?? ^^~~~,My Korean family and friends are also the reasons! ^^ Wish to be there soon!! Love all of You!! ^^






Sunday, December 22, 2013

My Korea Journal Trip: Day 12

It's my last day for my 2013 Korea trip!! I feel bad but since it last day to enjoy, I wanna enjoy it to the maximum! I met my friend at Sadang Station (middle station) and heading to Suwon. ^^  Well, for entire journey I keep thinking what if I bum into someone??!!! I kept praying that I will not met that person. ㅋㅋ

What do we do in Suwon?? Visiting someone?? Hahah! No, No! We went to Suwon for checking a place named Hwaseong Fortress. Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is a Historic Sites No.3 been build by King Jeongjo. We reach there around 12:00p.m at Suwon Station, then we had our lunch first.

Since we had no idea where is seafood or vegetarian restaurant we choose to grab shrimp burger at Lotteria. (I read at other blog saying Muslim only can eat this at Lotteria). This is my first time ever having fast food at Korea!ㅋㅋㅋ I have no idea that there is NO chilly sauce at their fast food restaurant instead of ketchup! Argggh, if I knew I will bring tans of chilly sauce from home (From KFC and MC Donald) ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

After quick lunch, we took a bus to Hwaseong Fortress. It didn't take a lot of time, I think around 15 minutes?? We reach at Paldalmun Gate. One of the main gate for Hwaseong Fortress. We paid for our ticket and hiking NamChi staircase. Owh two days on row hiking staircase!! @_@!! Really tiring! ㅠㅠ

We take some photos there and continue walking until Seongsin Temple. After a while we saw Hwaseong Trolley Platform. My friend asking me if I wanna ride on it, but I says it's ok, let's just walk. Then we go down using a small alley to Hwaseong Haenggung. Once we reach, there is marching there. It's in front of us! I didn't record it though!!ㅠㅠ I just snap some pictures. ㅋㅋㅋ He bought tickets and we go in Hwaseong Haenggung until the end of it.

Several area within Hwaseong Haenggung are famous for Korean drama shooting location such as Rooftop Prince, The Moon that Embrace The Sun, Tree with deep roots, Warrior Baek Dong Soo and The King and The Clown. I even took some picture with the actors' signboard?? LOL! Besides that, I also enjoyed folk play which is Tuho. I just manage to put it in once!! ㅋㅋㅋ

Then when we go out, there is a performance near to Sinpungnu. I try to record it but its quite hard..ㅠㅠ Then someone give me a space to record it. Lucky me! ㅋㅋㅋ Then we heading to Hwaseong Square where there are flowers exhibition. We snap some photos there and rushing to catch the bus. We decided to go to Myeongdong as I wanna look some cosmetic product for myself! ㅋㅋㅋ

We ride subway from Suwon (LINE 1) and transfer at Geumjeong to LINE 4 for heading to Myeongdong. It's almost dark when we reach at Myeongdong. We start to look for my stuff. We go in from one shop to another one. ㅋㅋㅋ Just name it, Nature Republic, Innisfree, The Face Shop, SkinFood, Tony Moly, Etude House and etc. ㅋㅋㅋ At the end I bought face mask sheet from The Face Shop, CC Cream and Mineral Powder at Innisfree, Blusher from The Face Shop and a bottle of mist spray at Etude House! Too many?? Hahah, well its not enough I think! LOL

One thing I like when shopping cosmetic products at Korea especially around Myeongdong is even if we didn't buy any, once we enter the shop they will give you bunch of free sample/stuff!!^^ ㅋㅋㅋ. Then I start to feel starving!ㅋㅋㅋ We go around, trying to look for vegetarian restaurant but we couldn't find it!! At last I found Arab restaurant!! Hahha instead of my friend introduce me to Korean food, I'm introducing him to Middle East food!ㅋㅋㅋ We had our dinner there! Very yummy!!

My first fast food in Korea with ketchup ㅠㅠ

Our ticket and pamphlet 

NamChi Stairs

Performance 

Owh I should act scared here instead of smiling! ㅋㅋ

Yay!! I made it!! ^^

Myeongdong

For myself ^^

Free gift I got! ^^

Our dinner! Yumm! ^^

p/s: For Green Tea Emulsion (Nature Republic), I bought it a day before (Day 11)

              http://eng.theskinfood.com/






















Friday, December 20, 2013

My Korea Trip Journal :Day 11

It's raining!!!! I woke up early as its too cold! Winter seasons is coming plus raining?? Very cold!! My friend katalk me, telling that he can't make it early as he suddenly had to go to the office! Normally he didn't work on Saturday but somehow his boss asked them to show up at office!ㅠㅠ

He says we will meet at afternoon, around 1:00 p.m. Since its raining, it is very cold so I just lay on my bed for a while. No need to rushing ㅋㅋㅋ At 11:30 a.m I get ready but the rain still pouring down. My guesthouse staff told me that the raining will stop at 3:00 p.m. Owhh that's quite late!!

I told him that I need to get off at 1:00 p.m, so he offered me an umbrella. Around 12:30 p.m I get off  and its raining heavily!! So cold!!!!ㅠㅠ I wait for him at Hapjeong subway station. People kept staring at me! I'm wondering "am I wearing my pants or shirt wrongly?? Then I just realized, "ahhh they just curious about me!" ㅋㅋㅋ

After a while I saw someone waved and coming toward me. Hahha! He looks so different compare to the picture and in real life! ㅋㅋ We both had our lunch before we met since we had many plan for today.^^ Then we ride on subway from Hapjeong (LINE 2) till World cup station (LINE 6). Are we going to watch football?? Hahha! No, No! we going to Haneul Park or well known as Sky Park by local.

It's up on hill!! So we gonna hiking! We can choose if we wanna ride by tram or hiking through stairs. Thank God, no more raining!At first we thought wanna take a tram, however my friend asking someone "ajushhi how long did you take to reach on top?" That ajushhi telling us its only take him 15 minutes to reach on top! He's very old compare to us! He told us just to hike on stairs! ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ. A bit embarrassing moment for both of us!ㅋㅋ

So we were hiking the stairs until we reach on the top. The view is very lovely!! From the top of Haneul Park we can see one of the bridge (Han gang), then at the other sight we can see the artificial lake and spectacular foliage! We also seeing Eulalia flower! ^^

After enjoying for a while, we decided to go to the other place. At first we thought of going to Ddoksum Island however since its quite late. We change our plan. We heading to Yeouido Park instead. We rent bicycles and cycling around the park! It was cold and it's been so long I haven't ride bicycle! 7 years??? ㅋㅋㅋ At first quite nervous! ㅋㅋㅋ However I envy seeing others enjoying riding, I try my best to start riding! It's not bad!! I still have the skills!! Even riding bicycle with free hands. ㅋㅋ

We rent bicycles for 1 hour however it getting dark and very cold! We just ride along for half an hour.ㅋㅋ! Then before we having our dinner, we stop over at cafe and grab some coffee. ^^ I don't know what should I grab so my friend suggest me. ^^ He choose "caramel machinto", bit sweet but its nice!! ^^ After we finish our coffee, we heading to Hongdae

Since it is weekend, Hongdae is more lively!! We kept looking for a seafood restaurant! After about 20 minutes finally we found it!! It's full but when we reach there a group of customers just leave!ㅋㅋㅋ Yay!! we get a seat! When they brought the set, I was @_@!!! Wow!! This is for two person?? My friend just laughing!LOL. I wonder how can we finish it!ㅋㅋㅋ. My friend also ordered dofu stew!!

Since I'm not used to it, my friend grill for me! ㅋㅋㅋ However he also taught me a little bit on how to grill seafood and ensure it was well cooked. ^^ Thanks "친구"(friend) I learn how to grill from you! The seafood is well cooked and good but it can't challenge with Busan seafood!! ㅋㅋㅋ. Owh how I miss that place!! ㅠㅠ I was so full and can't finish my dofu stew! Sorry friend, I can't finish it! ㅠㅠ

Then we go around Hongdae. I haven't buy gift for my mothers and little brother so I ask my friend to suggest me. ^^ We go around Hongdae and found those gift. ^^  My friend also bought me a gift. A very cute mask! ^^ It's getting cold and my friend is not feeling well.ㅠㅠ. Before we leave, I bought him a tea and myself a coffee! Hahah! I don't know how many cup of coffee I had in Korea!! 


Staircase to heaven??

Too tired! Resting for a while! ㅋㅋ

View from Haneul Park

Eulalia flowers

Our bicycles ^^

Caramel Machinto

My friend :)


For two person??

Yummy!! ^^

Gift from my friend ^^

Tea & Coffee

p/s: It was very nice to cycle around the park even though its was so cold and we didn't wear our jacket!! ^^ ㅋㅋㅋ








Wednesday, December 18, 2013

My Korea Trip Journal: Day 10

Having a good rest while travelling is important! However when we travelling, 24 hours seems really short isn't it?? If you were having honeymoon trip of course you can rest a lot compare to back packing!ㅋㅋㅋ. For me when I'm travelling I don't bother much about resting instead I kept walking! ㅋㅋㅋ

My day start again! ^^ Before this I kept meeting my friends since I have so many Korean friends?? LOL For today I challenge myself to travel alone in Seoul!! Well of course I will meet friends for lunch but at morning I will explore Seoul alone by myself! ^^ Since I have two more days left, I need to do some souvenir shopping!^^

I brought my subway map and with a limited information from my friend, I'm heading to Hongdae.. I'm looking for souvenirs but why I went to Hongdae?? Namdaemun, Insa-dong and Dongdaemun is the best place for souvenirs lover but I choose Hongdae??? Have you ever heard about Daiso shop??? Yes it is actually a Japanese shop but still they selling some Korean stuff too. ^^

This is my second trip so I decided to get my family members something different compare to my last trip! Last time I get key-chain and lots of souvenirs stuff so why would I buy the same things for them?! I reach Hongdae and wandering around looking for Daiso shop. I thought it would be near to the main street but I couldn't find it!!

I try using my smartphone to locate it yet I failed!ㅋㅋ I asked someone but they also don't know where is it. Someone show me the direction but only near to the main road. ㅋㅋㅋ. Then I try to ask someone for the last time. The funny things is I automatically speaking in Korean??? Just short sentence but this is my first time ever having a conversation in Korean and I'm using proper sentence! LOL!!

Unfortunately she also have no idea where is the shop!ㅋㅋㅋ At the end I try to trust my gut, I just walk along the shop and finally I found it!!! Yay!!!! Then when I went inside, my eyes was @_@!!! I start picking stuff there for my family members and friends. Too many!! Hahhaha!! My basket were full with gifts for them! Quite heavy!! Then I realized its time for me to heading to Itaewon for meeting my friend.

I ride subway and contact my friend. He's Malaysian and living at Seoul as his wife working there. We met at Itaewon and having lunch together. He brought his wife, sister in law and their son. Seeing his son makes me miss my niece back home! ㅠㅠ We ate Indian cuisine and this is the first time I had chicken while I'm at Korea!! ^^

After having our lunch and conversation, its time for me to go. I went off and decided to go to Namdaemun. Once I reach there, again I take out my office mate list, (they ask me to buy for them).Some of shoppers try to attract me to go into their shop but I just smile and kept walking. When I saw things that my office mate listed, only then I will visit the shop. I do this because I'm controlling myself!! ㅋㅋㅋ!!

However yes I bought something too at Namdaemun. I failed to control my shopping lust!! LOL My hands were full with plastic bags and its heavy!! I forgot to bring shopping bag so I need to buy one. ㅋㅋ I put everything inside shopping bag and start shopping again!!! LOL .Finally I felt exhausted and its peak hours! I decided to go home as tomorrow I need to go out early for meeting my friend. :D

Daiso 

Some stuff in Daiso

with my Malaysian friends

with their son ^^

Namdaemun

Korean Traditional Candy, can't remember it name! >_<

p/s: Since I'm staying in Korea for more than a week, its quite familiar for me to getting around. No more nervous! ㅋㅋㅋ Some of my friends telling me "wow you going around without doubt..like a Pro, seems like living in Seoul for a long time??" I just laughing hearing that!!! ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ






Monday, December 16, 2013

My Korea Trip Journal: Day 9

Having a nice day with my love is simply one of the greatest moment during my whole trip!!^^ I wish I can stop the time and spend whole day with him again, unfortunately time kept ticking. It time for us to say goodbye to each other.ㅠㅠ I wish this goodbye is just for a while, I kept pray to meet him again someday!!

We were aware that we live far distance. Anything can happen but we will do as best as we could to protect our love. ^^ Everyday we kept pray that this love kept growing and stronger despite of distance and uncertainty. Thank God, ^^ so far nothing bad happen to us, we kept contact each other everyday even though within short period. Trust is the most important key in relationship!! ^^

Back to my story, we get ready to go to Busan Station (train station) as I will take Mugunghwa train to Daegu first, for meeting my friend, and he will take KTX to go back to Seoul. He bought the tickets while I'm waiting for him. We will depart from a different platform. His KTX will depart at 9:20 a.m., while my train will depart at 9:25 a.m!

Once we get our ticket, we went to a shop. We want to get something such small token as remembrance for our sweet memory!^^~~ If you read one of my entry before, you will have the idea what am I talking about. ㅋㅋㅋ Read here for more information. He asked me what I want as couple set. Since we were running out of time I just take a look at bookmark but I don't read much!ㅋㅋ Then we saw a couple set of smartphone ear cap.

We decided to get that.^^ He also bought the bookmark that I saw earlier. ^^  After he gave me the ear cap and bookmark, we say goodbye as he need to rush off! I went to my platform without realizing I miss something! Near to the train I saw an old lady struggling to get in so I help to carry her stuff inside the train. Right after I sat on my seat and about to look for something, I realized that my bag!! My handbag!!! Owhhh no!!! My bag is with him!

I felt very panic! Look at the watch and its about 2 minutes before 9:20 a.m.!! I got my phone and cash however my passport is inside the bag!!!! I took my bag pack and run upstairs, I have no idea where to run to!! I don't know his platform! While I'm looking here and there I hear someone called my name!! Aisya, Aisya!

Thank God it was him!! He gave me the bag and we both run downstairs to our train! Phewww!!!!! A very challenging moment for my whole trip! I can't imagine what happen if I can't get my bag! He will back to Seoul and went to somewhere where he can't bring his phone! Lucky me!! ^^  (Hahha, phrase that he love to says to me) He always tell me that I'm such a lucky girl! Almost every time, everything turn out well for me) ^^**

I slept for entire journey from Busan to Daegu. Well its not take much time though, around 1 hour 35 minutes. Once I reach Daegu, I met my friend. She bring me around Daegu downtown. Daegu is one of special place for oriental medical. We strolling around row of oriental medical shop. Then we went to Oriental Medical Museum. While we walking, there is a group of ajushi asking me "From Malaysia? Kuala Lumpur??" I felt proud as some Korean knew my country! ^^ Lots of Korean know more about Singapore and Indonesia compare to Malaysia. ㅠㅠ

We enjoying the oriental medical environment as well trying Korean ginseng drink?? Bitter yet felt re-fresh!ㅋㅋ Then we went for our lunch. My friend brought me to one of famous restaurant in Daegu, (sorry I can't remember the name) There we had bibimbap. Yummy!! We talk for a while and snap some pictures. ^^

As we run out the time, we went to Daegu Station as I need to take my second train to Seoul.  As we bought the ticket on the spot, I got a double seat. Meaning at one station I need to change my seat.It was a pleasant memory I had in Daegu! I wish to come back again and explore more about Daegu. ^^

The journey from Daegu to Seoul took 3 hours 45 minutes but I had to change my seat at Cheonan station. I try to get to my seat but I get stuck as there were too many people! End up I just stand with lots of people until I reach Seoul Station. Very tiring!! I take my subway to Hapjeong Station (I stay at the same guesthouse)

It's already dark and I forgot which exit I should get off! I get off at exit 4!!(which is wrong!!) I kept looking for a way to my guesthouse but I can't find it! LOL.. I gave up! I realize that I went to the wrong exit! Exit 4 is at Gwangju! LOL Then I ask someone to show me the direction to my guesthouse. ㅠㅠ He check using his smartphone and he try to locate it but failed! Then he asked someone. ㅋㅋㅋ

Actually while we walking, at one point I remember the way back to my guesthouse as I used that alley everyday while I'm at Seoul! I told him, "thank you so much, from here I know how to get to my guesthouse.However he kept showing the direction until we reach in front of my guesthouse!!ㅋㅋㅋ Very good guy! ^^ Thanks to him! I should take a picture with him but I forgot! ㅋㅋㅋ Owh my boyfriend will get jealous later! :P

After arrived I busy pack my stuff. I get the same room! LOL just different bed. I slept at Maya bed (my Japanese friend) ㅋㅋㅋ and I got new room mates. A girl from Busan, a Japanese, a girl from Jeju and a Malaysian!^^ I shared stories with Malaysian girl! She's very nice but I forgot to take pictures!ㅠㅠExhausting so I went to bed.ㅋㅋㅋ

Our first couple item ^^~~

Busan train Station

My mugunghwa ticket

Oriental Medical shop

Daegu most famous traditional restaurant

Bibimbap

Oriental Medical Museum

My Daegu Friend ^^

My Mugunghwa ticket


p/s: Even though that journey were really tiring, when I'm thinking back I just smile and laughing! Really had a good experience! I wish to do it again someday