Event/Travel: Direct Flight from Korea to Kota Kinabalu??!

Toward the end of 2014, its been a very CHALLENGING year for me as MALAYSIAN, with the issue of missing airplane MH370, following with our airplane been shot in Ukraine, MH17. I thought everything going to be smooth as its already December, I was WRONG!! Yes its monsoon months for us, FLOOD is an annual year event for us especially living in east coast states of Malaysia but for this 2014, 3 east coast states been hit by massive flood!ㅠㅠ

Places that never been flood also had been affected! Even at my TOWN!!ㅠㅠ I had no mood to write any entry this week but I felt at least I should write even short notes. Flood issue is the main topic this whole week in mainstream media, then on 28 December we had been shock by a news of another missing airplane, Air Asia Indonesia QZ8501!! People simply point fingers on our country but they need to understand that this airplane is belong to Indonesian! The only connection is there is ONE Malaysian on BOARD and YES Air Asia CEO is MALAYSIAN! Only that, the flight was registered in Indonesia, the pilot is Indonesian, and cabin crews is Indonesian, and Malaysia only had 49% shares, the balance shares is belong to Indonesian, so please stop blaming our country, its been a very tough year for us, and with current situation, we were too worried about flood condition now! Please Stop point fingers on Malaysia..

Ok ENOUGH with those issues, lets back to my point of writing this week. When I was in Korea, many Korean were not aware much about Malaysia, its not that they don't know at all, they know but they know Malaysia by other name like KUALA LUMPUR or KOTA KINABALU! Whenever I answered I'm from Malaysia they need some time to think but when I said either Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu, they immediately said ahh yes, now I know. ㅋㅋㅋ  I guess these two cities were most FAMOUS among Korean so they known Malaysia by those two name!ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ  

We know that there is direct flight from Incheon to Kuala Lumpur via Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia, but now there is another BONUS for Korean who plan to visit Malaysia! wee ^^ There is direct flight from Incheon to Kota Kinabalu!! Why Kota Kinabalu??? Kota Kinabalu in Sabah is one of most POPULAR spot among Korean, as they love beaches!! Another attraction is Mount Kinabalu! Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in South East Asia, as I once wrote that Korean love to hiking they choose to hiking here too!ㅋㅋㅋ

Owh earlier I just mentioned that there is new direct flight but I didn't said which airlines right??O-o The direct flight is a NEW routes for JIN AIR. Jin Air is own by Korean and known as one of LOW COST carrier in South Korea. This first direct flight just starts on December 22, and expected to continues until March 2015. For more information and promotion about this new routes you can refer it here.

p/s: Happy New Year to all, lets pray and wish for a great year of 2015! Thank you so much for kept reading my blog and hope you guys keep looking forward my new entries! See you!^^ About the airlines incident, again it can happen to any airlines! Don't worry too much just pray to God!^^

p/s: Deep condolence to all friends, their family and love one whose on board. My prayer, thought and heart all goes to you. Stay Strong!~

Sources: http://www.jinair.com/HOM/Notice/NoticeView.aspx?page=1&seq=9463&num=55&keyfield=1&keyword=&mid=

Photo Credit: jinair.com 
                      Malaysianreview.com
                      airwaysnews.com 

Guideline: How to get WIFI connection for FREE in South Korea??

It's going to be end of 2014~ Ahh new year is coming soon, thinking about it makes me ㅠㅠ My age would be... However I can't wait for 2015! ㅋㅋ because I have to finish my 2014 annual leave this upcoming January! Wee ^^! When I look for airplane ticket, some of my office mate asking me, so where you are heading to? South Korea again??! I was like!!?? Wait give me a break!! I wanna go to somewhere else too, I wanna explore new places! I decided where I'm heading to this January but on my mind and heart, its keep looking for a chance to go to Korea again someday!ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Some of you might asking me what are the reasons I'm missing about Korea? Well I got so many!!ㅋㅋㅋ but one of my most missing part in Korea is their superb internet connection!ㅋㅋㅋDuring my first visit to Korea I was worried as I didn't do roaming for my phone! I wonder how can I search information via my smartphone when I don't have connection!?? As soon as we touch down, my phone automatically get connected at airport! Wee ^^

Then when we stayed at guesthouse at Incheon and Seoul, we don't have to worry about it as they provide WIFI connection for us! The problem is what if I need to search for something while we were in public area??! During my first day, when we were at public area, I try to search for WIFI connection on my smartphone! Guess what??!!!!!! It's turn up a lot!ㅋㅋㅋ I mean there are few free WIFI connection! I'm happily connecting and browsing for information!^^ My other two travel mate find its quite difficult for them to get connection via their phone! They use IPhone and I'm using Samsung Galaxy, so whenever they asking me why I can get connected, my answer is "owh my phone was in its hometown"!~ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Anyway, for those who plan to visit Korea, do not worry if you don't roam your phone! (Roaming cost will be expensive!) or if you didn't have plan to buy their sim card (their sim card size is different than certain country phone) There are plenty of free WIFI that allow you to get connecting with your family or loves one at almost everywhere! Inside bus, subway, taxi, or even inside ferry/cruise!Another hot spot for free WIFI  is their bus stop! ㅋㅋ Here are some free WIFI that you can use  but I can't guarantee you 100% its works but you can try it because last time its work for me! ^^ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

WIFI spot                                                          Password

SK   = a123456789
Tbroadnet  =      a123456789
KT SSID, KT_WLAN  =    1234567890 / 123456789a / 1234567890c
Egg 택시 (Taxi) =             SHOW3382
KWI-B2200T, KWI-2200  = SHOW3382/ password
HellowD (헬로우디) =  534f4b4354
Hellowireless, SO070VOIP  =   534f4b4354
세븐일레븐 (7-Eleven)  =     2127393302
맥도날드 (McDonalds) =  16005252 (McDonalds Delivery number)
tobis                                =1234
스타벅스 (Starbucks) = (phone number of Starbucks branch you at; check on their receipt)
myLGnet, myLG070   =  123456789a/987654321a/1234567890/MyLGNetfe07
iptime, anygate,zio, linksys    =  No default passwords

p/s: Owh I didn't mentioned why their internet connection was superb right? Well their speed connection is super fast!! More than twice faster than in America!!ㅋㅋ Korea internet is the most faster in the WORLD yet my Korean friends still complain sometimes that their internet speed is slow which is I really don't get it! ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Can you imagine, for uploading about 30-40 photos takes less than 4 seconds?? You can refer list of country ranking for internet speed here . 

Sources: http://seoulistic.com/quick-tip/how-to-get-free-wifi-anywhere-in-korea-2/
               http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Internet_connection_speeds

photo Credit: souqamal.com
                       amalfiresort.com.au
                       

Seasons: Snow Flakes falling down! ^^~

Entire my life, I never had a chance to experience snow!ㅠㅠ I wish I will get a chance to experience it someday. ^^ On last Friday, it was snowy day in certain part of Seoul and Incheon. They have snow flakes, while in Southern part of Korea, they have heavy snow!! Burrrr must be so cold!!ㅋㅋㅋ If only I'm there to see the snow falling down while sipping cup of coffee!~ Nyum!ㅋㅋ Anyway here are some photos and a video by my friend on last Friday!~ I hope you guys enjoy it!~ ^^

p/s: I envy them! Grrrr >-<!~ My friends says let's wait for all white land! Will they have whitey Christmas this year?? O-o

Photo & Video Credit: My Korean Friend

Heritage: Top Ten Clan names in Korea???

For any foreigner who living in Korea, when you first arriving there have you ever encounter the situation where there are few Kim, Park or Lee in the same workplace?? Do you think they are related to each other?? Well you got it WRONG!ㅋㅋㅋ

Kim, Park, and Lee are most common surname in Korea. These names are almost half of entire Korean population who living in South Korea.ㅋㅋㅋ According to recent studies, there are 75 million Korean living in South Korea, and about 7 million live in global diaspora.

Why these three common surname hold the top record compare to 287 registered family names??O-o The history of it began almost as long as civilization in Korea peninsula itself!ㅋㅋ Some of you might know right that there are three ancient Kingdoms in Korea peninsula?? They are Goguryeo, Bakjae and Silla. During the best period of those Kingdom some of the ruler choose surname as to show their nobility.

Founder of Goguryeo Kingdom (고구려, 37BCE~668), Jumong took Go (고) as his family name. While founder of Gaya Confederacy (42~562) choose Kim (김) as his surname. According to the legend, Kim Suro was born from a golden egg (Chinese character for Kim means "gold"). During those three Kingdom period, Hangul is NOT invented yet so they were using Chinese handwriting system and this influence many of their surname.

In ancient time, technically family names only been used by nobility which most of them bestowed upon by royalty. However as times passed, people start decided to using family names as to distinguish themselves. During Joseon Dynasty, (19th century) the caste system had been demolished, so early 20th century almost all Korean have their surname. When lower class earned their right to have family name, many of them adopted the name of revered royalty, and these three names was the most chosen. Below are top ten list of family name in Korea:  

p/s: These days even some foreigner who living in Korea start choosing their Korean name and those three most common surname is their favorable! Your surname were NOT listed in the list??ㅋㅋㅋ Don't worry you can refer here for full family name registered ranking!~^^  

Sources: http://blog.korea.net/?p=7082
               http://m.blog.naver.com/petechung822/10077002678
               My Korean Friends

Photo Credit: literacythroughphotography.wordpress.com

Korean Food:Winter Treat!# Hobbang

Winter officially starts in Korea wee ^^ and yesterday they had snow, second snow for this season!!^^Two years ago in one of my entry, I suggested Bong eo bbang as one of snack that should try if you come over to Korea during winter. Today, I will suggest all of you another snack that taste good and its only available during winter.^^

This snack known as Hobbang (호빵). Hobbang can be found at convenient store like CU, GS25, 7-Eleven or supermarket. Long time ago, this snack were available at the street as its one of famous street snack(during winter) in Korea. Due to enforcement of licensing program, illegal street stalls are hardly to find these days unless at touristic place like Myeongdong and Hongdae.

Hobbang were made from rice cake. However for Muslim and vegan travelers, you should ask first before buying! Some of hobbang filling with curry, might consist of meat (chicken, beef or pork)(Yes Muslim can eat chicken or beef but it must be slaughtered in Islamic ways) otherwise Muslim traveler can't consume it. If the filling are red bean or vegetables, then Muslim and vegan have no problem with it. ^^

Certain countries in Asia have the same snack but of course the name is different and the filling are various!^^ After some research, I can't found where Hobbang originate as its looks the same, and most countries claimed themselves as its origins.ㅋㅋㅋ Anyway here are the countries that have the same snack!~

China =   Baozhi
Malaysia= Pau
Japan= Nikuman
Philippines = Siopao
Mongolia= Buuz

호빵

Pau (Malaysian Version)

p/s: At Malaysia, this snack are very cheap and available 365 days!~Wee ^^ㅋㅋ We can get it either at the street (street food), restaurant or supermarket (instant pau)where you have to steam it at home. Plus the filling are various too compare anywhere else ㅋㅋ, our fillings are red beans, coconut sprinkle, coconut jam, strawberry jam, custard, curry,vegetable, meat,chicken, pork (for non-Muslim) and sweet corn. However, in Korea they said this snack is expensive,only available during winter and their filling is limited, only red beans, pizza, curry, pumpkin and vegetables. ㅠㅠ

Sources: My Korean Friends

Photo Credit: baby dragon
                      samlipgf.co.kr
                      kraze.tistory.com
                      segye.com
                      

Throwback# Places: Jagalchi Market

Heading to the most top seafood paradise in Korea??!Which province I'm talking about?? There are so many places in Korea that nearby to the beach or an island! Any place that nearby to the sea were famous for seafood heaven! The question is which one is the MOST TOP?? Jeju? Busan? Incheon? Tongyeong? what else?? Keep make a wild guess!ㅋㅋㅋ

Anyone get the answer? Too hard?? Alright, I will give some clue thenㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ. The clue is its famous slogan is "Dynamic City". Anyone got a correct answer??O_o O-0............ The answer is BUSAN! ^^ Why am I saying that Busan is the most top seafood paradise in Korea?? Busan have the largest seafood market in Korea! It's Jagalchi Market! 

During my 2013 trip, when I was in Busan, my guesthouse located at rooftop of Jagalchi Market! ^^ The view is stunning! There are so many sea creatures at this market but sadly I've got NO chance to eat baby octopus alive!!ㅠㅠ I was too busy running around with my Ex at that time. ㅋㅋㅋ Not only haven't get a chance to eat those unique creatures, I even didn't snap any pictures at Jagalchi Market! Thank God, I can get pictures from the internet!ㅋㅋ

Jagalchi Market is located at Nampodong. This area is one of  MUST visit in Busan!For Muslim traveler, over here you can eat so much because its all seafood!! Grab your chance to filling your tummy with those fresh seafood at cheaper price compare to any other Korea cities! Me and my Ex having our simple dinner at here as it was quite late! We didn't snap many pictures though as too starving?? ㅋㅋ Anyway here is a video made by Korean introducing Jagalchi Market in Bahasa Indonesia/Malay. Hope you guys can enjoy it! ^^ 

p/s: If you visit Jagalchi Market, don't forget to try baby octopus alive! Nyum! If I got a chance to visit Busan again, that's will be on TOP of my list! ^^ ㅋㅋㅋ

p/s: Direction to Jagalchi Market: Jagalchi Station (Busan subway line 1), Exit 10.

Turn right onto Jagalchi 3(sam)-gil Street.
Walk for 5min, then turn left to arrive at Jagalchi Market.

Video Credit:  Kang Taehyeok

Photos Credit: journals.worldnomads.com
                        gypsynester.com
                        foodietopography.net

Sources: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264168

Coffee Addicted: Espresso Cafe

Before this I reviewed about Roti Boy right? Place that I start to get addicted to coffee while I'm in Korea!ㅋㅋ Today I'm gonna review about next coffee brand that I've tried! Well this coffee shop is just a small cafe at downtown Gwangju. I forgot to snap picture of their cafe name though ㅠㅠ

However I did snap their coffee cup!ㅋㅋ If I'm not mistaken they stated their brand on it.ㅋㅋㅋ This cafe located at downtown Gwangju, but I can't give a correct direction to this cafe as we also found it accidentally.ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

After dinner, me and my Korean friend were walking back to our guesthouse, then we spot the cafe. ㅋㅋㅋ We stop by to grab our coffee! My second coffee for today! ㅋㅋ We had latte ^^. Even the cafe is very small, the interior is nice! ^^

While we waiting barista brew our coffee, we snap some pictures there! So here some pictures of the cafe!

p/s: The latte were not bad and staff were friendly too! This cafe is privately own not franchise.ㅋㅋ   Sometimes trying coffee at small cafe like this is good too and their price is cheaper but taste good! ^^         

Seasons: Bye Bye lovely Autumn!

November starts, meaning its about a month left before we say Hello to new year again! Time flies so fast! Autumn will finish soon and white winter will come along. A year ago, I've been to Korea alone for the first time during autumn, even its already a year, those memories still fresh on my mind like it was yesterday!^^ Same date this year I was sitting at office all the time, busy with so many works and document!ㅠㅠ Owh I miss Korea so much and how I wish to get away soon!ㅋㅋㅋ Even I'm not at Korea for this autumn, I'm such a lucky girl as some of my Korean friends sent me photos of lovely autumn foliage! Here are some of it! I hope you guys enjoy it! ^^~

Photo 1-3       Jeonbuk, Muju

Photo 4          Olympic Park

Photo 5-8       Anyang City

Photo 9-12     Seoraksan 

Photo 13-20   Mudeungsan Park

Photo 21-22   Namseoul University

Photo 23-24   Seoraksan

p/s: Too much??ㅋㅋㅋ but its just lovely! ^^ Till we meet again wonderful autumn! ^^~

Photo Credit: Babydragon

                      Song Gyeong-Min

                      Rose Lee

                      Park Seungsik

                      Jin