Korea Day 1 - 16 Oct around 1200 hours
Weather: Fair + Cool
Time: 11 ish (Korea is 1 hour behind SG time)
The fligh from Shanghai to Seoul airport was about an hour close to two. we managed to reach Korea safe and sound. I like Korea's airport for it's Zenish design at the same time, the colour of the wood they use are not too dark or too light. it gives me a sense of calm.
We met our tour guide and he immediately took us to the bus. I thought he was rather old. A head of white hair but somehow, his features didn't equate the age of an elderly. In any case, his age was quite a mystery then. He introduced himself as Han Min Yin and we could call him MY for short. He also had an 'apprentice' whom we can address as 'Xiao Wen' who is about 25 years old? Anyway, MY made us felt better when he showed his empathy of knowing the fact that our first leg was an unguided tour but we ultimately made it safe to Korea. He was talking away but i think some of us fell asleep. I was busy taking photos and didnt listen lots, though he was talking a bit of korea history and he even gave us the 'itinerary' of the things he was going to say for the rest of the trip. Some time during the bus ride, i fell asleep..
So our first stop was to have lunch. We had to eat food coz we were all hungry by then. first day's lunch was stewed pork which was at a touristy place and the pork was cooked too long. though rice and seaweed was pretty awesome and so was kimchi. after having a satisfied meal, MY told us that we will be Everland first instead of going to the hot spring at Aqua world coz he felt that we will feel better if we soak our tired bodies the next day. Everyone was ok, and so we went to Everland. I also think it's because the entire tour group were all adults as such, the time we had left to spend in Everland should be sufficient.
I like Everland, for it's deco. It has such fairytale-ish decos and because it's Halloween, it had this magical feel! Even though we were tired, we managed to cover quite a few things. We also managed to catch an animal show as well as the grand parade. We had OTOT till 8pm where we were supposed to meet MY and Xiao Wen by then at the entrance.
Everland is designed such that when you reach the entrance, imagine you are at the top of a hill. As you move deeper, it also means that you are going down the hill. so to meet back at the entrance, we have to go uphill again. Although there is this cable ride up, the queue was quite long. In any case, this didnt occur to us whilst we explore this wonderful, magical and beautiful place. It only occurred to us when we were walking back up, it was indeed a tough hike given that we were all so tired!
Thank goodness we looked good enough to take nice pics during our time day. But as night falls, the weather became really cold, especially with the wind blowing. However, it's still not the kind of cold where it's like you are being spiked with ice. It was just chilly. With my jacket, it was pretty sufficient. I also wore a quilted dress and tights with half tights as well as boots. Not too bad.
I bought quite a lot of souvenirs from Everland. The stuff were so pretty and cute, it was hard for me to resist for sure! I heart heart Everland :)
After that, we headed to the bestest hotel for the entire trip. It's Alpensia Holiday Inn. It's actually a condo and it's so homey! Super lurve the hotel. Too bad there was no snow during this period else we can see the peak covered with snow and people skiing! Really happening.
By the time we reached the resort, we were so tired. We all fell asleep on the way. The next morning, we had to get up early and meet at like 630am, in the end i only slept around 12 ish coz was watching WGM with no subs and waiting for my hair to dry. The bed was so comfy and the floor was heated. Very very cool.
Had a good sleep that night but not sufficient.
PS: Uploading of pics function not working now. Will try to upload when the function is working proper.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Sunday, October 31, 2010
October getaway - 8 Days Korea + Jeju + 3 Days Shanghai
yes my blog is dead. completely! for two months i have not updated it. To restart the momentum, i will blog my Korea + Shanghai trip experience. Those who read my blog faithfully will know that i am a lousy travel blogger coz i never complete my travel logs. This time i will try since i did put up a summary in my facebook. See how it goes.
Day 0 - Oct 15 Friday night 1055pm
Reached Changi airport T3 and was quite happy for the fact that even though we were travelling by China Eastern, it is terminal 3 we are boarding the flight. i have not boarded a flight in T3 and was excited. Unfortunately, the experience of checking in was not a happy one.
The tour we signed up since Feb's Natas tour was with tour agency Super travels. We sealed the deal primarily because it was pretty cheap. for 8 Days in Korea + Jeju and free 3 days Shanghai, we only need to pay $1510 at that time. Subsequently, as the date draws nearer, there were additional taxes to be paid due to the change in airport and dunno what tax. The tour package amounted to about $1688 which was still reasonable.
This being my first time on tour, i always thought that there's the privilege of group check in. However, we were told to join the normal queue by this ah pek who stood there to 'welcome' us. We were confused but continued queuing. When we saw another tour group using the group check in, we were puzzled though we were told that even if we do group check in, we will have to check in family by family, individual by individual. Quite crap shit actually. When we completed our check in, somebody popped out of no where and asked to check our arrangement. We asked who he was and he said he's with Super. So we made our complains to him and ask why our seats were different for our Shanghai to Korea leg, he just said not to worry, when we reach Shanghai, he asked us to go to the counter to request to change. We then challenged what if cannot change, he said sure can. In the end, we complained and say how can the agency ensure that our seats can be changed when we reached Shanghai, what if cannot, then how?
The person then say that he's just a freelancer with the travel agency, that made us even more pissed. However, in the end, we had no choice. Boarded the plane and headed to Shanghai about errr.. 6 hours ride i think? China Eastern sucks coz they don't have any online entertainment, so just try to sleep our way through the flight. Somehow we managed and reached Pudong airport.
It was cold that morning and Pudong airport is pretty huge for the fact that we had to take a bus to the immigration area. We were possibly grouchy and that some persons were quite rowdy and just shoved their way in the bus. When we reached the immigration area, we were faced with more confusion.
We didnt know where to go, lucky we can read mandarin and can speak mandarin and can understand mandarin. We realised there that even though we were transiting Shanghai, we still need to go through immigration and then re-check in again. Imagine our irritation in the chilly morning as the whole process was not detailed to us. We were also pretty helpful coz we also informed the rest of the tour folks as to what needs to be done.
In the end, we managed to check in to our flight to Korea and spent 4 hours of transit time in Pudong airport. We hope that when we reach Korea, things would be better.
Took some pics whilst waiting.
Day 0 - Oct 15 Friday night 1055pm
Reached Changi airport T3 and was quite happy for the fact that even though we were travelling by China Eastern, it is terminal 3 we are boarding the flight. i have not boarded a flight in T3 and was excited. Unfortunately, the experience of checking in was not a happy one.
The tour we signed up since Feb's Natas tour was with tour agency Super travels. We sealed the deal primarily because it was pretty cheap. for 8 Days in Korea + Jeju and free 3 days Shanghai, we only need to pay $1510 at that time. Subsequently, as the date draws nearer, there were additional taxes to be paid due to the change in airport and dunno what tax. The tour package amounted to about $1688 which was still reasonable.
This being my first time on tour, i always thought that there's the privilege of group check in. However, we were told to join the normal queue by this ah pek who stood there to 'welcome' us. We were confused but continued queuing. When we saw another tour group using the group check in, we were puzzled though we were told that even if we do group check in, we will have to check in family by family, individual by individual. Quite crap shit actually. When we completed our check in, somebody popped out of no where and asked to check our arrangement. We asked who he was and he said he's with Super. So we made our complains to him and ask why our seats were different for our Shanghai to Korea leg, he just said not to worry, when we reach Shanghai, he asked us to go to the counter to request to change. We then challenged what if cannot change, he said sure can. In the end, we complained and say how can the agency ensure that our seats can be changed when we reached Shanghai, what if cannot, then how?
The person then say that he's just a freelancer with the travel agency, that made us even more pissed. However, in the end, we had no choice. Boarded the plane and headed to Shanghai about errr.. 6 hours ride i think? China Eastern sucks coz they don't have any online entertainment, so just try to sleep our way through the flight. Somehow we managed and reached Pudong airport.
It was cold that morning and Pudong airport is pretty huge for the fact that we had to take a bus to the immigration area. We were possibly grouchy and that some persons were quite rowdy and just shoved their way in the bus. When we reached the immigration area, we were faced with more confusion.
We didnt know where to go, lucky we can read mandarin and can speak mandarin and can understand mandarin. We realised there that even though we were transiting Shanghai, we still need to go through immigration and then re-check in again. Imagine our irritation in the chilly morning as the whole process was not detailed to us. We were also pretty helpful coz we also informed the rest of the tour folks as to what needs to be done.
In the end, we managed to check in to our flight to Korea and spent 4 hours of transit time in Pudong airport. We hope that when we reach Korea, things would be better.
Took some pics whilst waiting.
The expo design China Eastern plane
Declaration counter as per signboard
the official mascot for the expo
still wondering why the interior architecture is as such in general, the airport is pretty clean and looks pretty new. My impression of the airport was quite good.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
An eye opener - check out this blog on food in Taipei!
i was searching for cheap and good food in Taipei when google presented this blog.
and it is such a gem!
i already found some places which i wanna go!!!!!
Can't wait!
My list if we can find the places!
1. Saveurs - value for money french food!
2. Crepes! Crepes! and more Crepes! - CREPERIE LA BRETAGNE; SUZETTE
3. Japanese - Either DOZO or SASHI-MIYA
4. Desserts! - 85 DEGREES CAFE; PATISSERIE LA DOUCEUR; PATISSERIE SADAHARU AOKI PARIS
hmm... actually, just check out her strongly recommend list..
there are so many to choose from!!! Gosh! :D
and it is such a gem!
i already found some places which i wanna go!!!!!
Can't wait!
My list if we can find the places!
1. Saveurs - value for money french food!
2. Crepes! Crepes! and more Crepes! - CREPERIE LA BRETAGNE; SUZETTE
3. Japanese - Either DOZO or SASHI-MIYA
4. Desserts! - 85 DEGREES CAFE; PATISSERIE LA DOUCEUR; PATISSERIE SADAHARU AOKI PARIS
hmm... actually, just check out her strongly recommend list..
there are so many to choose from!!! Gosh! :D
Things to do in Taipei - Laundry list
1. Go 鼎泰丰 for XLB!
2. Watch Ip Man 2 in a local cinema
3. Go Beitou for hot spring
4. Go PG mall to look for cheap bags
5. Buy Tie Dan and the milk flavoured Tai Yang Bing for Cece
6. Check out Jay Chou's 不能说的秘密 themed restaurant
7. Check out the school where they shot the show
8. Go for pedi and mani @ Jolin Tsai's shop
9. Go for a hairstyle/colour revamp
10. Go somewhere to chill
11. Go Karaoke at Party World
12. Check out more night markets
13. Go Wu Fen Pu for cheap buys
14. Eat Mister Donut!!!
15. Help Tristian pick up his crystal chicken which is near sogo
16. Help Sharon pick up her skin care items
17. Find dress for AK's wedding
18. Go eat the steamboat recommended by Tiffany
19. Help bro buy 牛肉干 which he mentioned that is supposed to be super dry??
20. Go 85th floor in Taipei 101 to eat Big Tom ice cream for a good view!
that's all for the time being.. will add on if i remember more..
2. Watch Ip Man 2 in a local cinema
3. Go Beitou for hot spring
4. Go PG mall to look for cheap bags
5. Buy Tie Dan and the milk flavoured Tai Yang Bing for Cece
6. Check out Jay Chou's 不能说的秘密 themed restaurant
7. Check out the school where they shot the show
8. Go for pedi and mani @ Jolin Tsai's shop
9. Go for a hairstyle/colour revamp
10. Go somewhere to chill
11. Go Karaoke at Party World
12. Check out more night markets
13. Go Wu Fen Pu for cheap buys
14. Eat Mister Donut!!!
15. Help Tristian pick up his crystal chicken which is near sogo
16. Help Sharon pick up her skin care items
17. Find dress for AK's wedding
18. Go eat the steamboat recommended by Tiffany
19. Help bro buy 牛肉干 which he mentioned that is supposed to be super dry??
20. Go 85th floor in Taipei 101 to eat Big Tom ice cream for a good view!
that's all for the time being.. will add on if i remember more..
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Preview of the upcoming trip! - Hotel
thanks to the ever resourceful sook, this hotel was found though we had a prior arrangement with another hotel! It's near to Shilin night market and i think it's superb!
Check out Trip Advisor about Grandee Taipei Hotel. You'd see the lovely pics!!
Awesome!! Can't wait for the trip to begin!! :D
Looking forward to 05052010!!
Check out Trip Advisor about Grandee Taipei Hotel. You'd see the lovely pics!!
Awesome!! Can't wait for the trip to begin!! :D
Looking forward to 05052010!!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
blabbers
just wanted to write but dunno what to say. as usual there seems to be some kind of block. heading to taiwan on 5th may and i am really excited! i know it was because of the travel hiatus last year, i think or seem like i will be traveling with a vengeance this year. trying to fit a couple of countries and with limited budget, i think it's very ambitious.
i know that the trips made this year are primarily for pleasure purposes, but i want to see if there would be work or biz opportunities overseas. frankly, overseas work opportunities is a very appealing thought and it has always been on my mind. in any case, i probably won't be doing it in the near one or two years, but i will keep it in mind.
anyway, i am looking at shanghai, japan and korea. Actually, korea and shanghai are already done deal... erm as of that time when we booked the tour package during the travel fair in feb. but i want to head to shanghai before the world expo ends. hmm.. we'll see how.
life has been a little bit interesting of late and i hope it to get even better. i've overlooked April's mon-solution due to work and not sure if i am going to start on May's anytime soon. perhaps it's out of habit that i have been doing certain stuff quite regularly since the 3 months effort, which is quite cool.
Well, may is just a couple of days away and my plans involve learning korean and keyboard and probably take up yoga soon.
first of all, need to fast for the coming week and get ready for the yummilicious food in taiwan!
to close, i've uploaded a blurred picture of Mr Gordan Ramsay whom Elena and i saw on our impromptu dinner in Jones @ Mandarin gallery. It was OMG OMG OMG and he was sitting only two tables behind us. neither of us mustered the courage to go up to him to request for a photo together.. ahh.. but it was quite a rush!
Aside to E, yes.. he's opening a restaurant in the Sands.. that explains why he was here that day :D
i know that the trips made this year are primarily for pleasure purposes, but i want to see if there would be work or biz opportunities overseas. frankly, overseas work opportunities is a very appealing thought and it has always been on my mind. in any case, i probably won't be doing it in the near one or two years, but i will keep it in mind.
anyway, i am looking at shanghai, japan and korea. Actually, korea and shanghai are already done deal... erm as of that time when we booked the tour package during the travel fair in feb. but i want to head to shanghai before the world expo ends. hmm.. we'll see how.
life has been a little bit interesting of late and i hope it to get even better. i've overlooked April's mon-solution due to work and not sure if i am going to start on May's anytime soon. perhaps it's out of habit that i have been doing certain stuff quite regularly since the 3 months effort, which is quite cool.
Well, may is just a couple of days away and my plans involve learning korean and keyboard and probably take up yoga soon.
first of all, need to fast for the coming week and get ready for the yummilicious food in taiwan!
to close, i've uploaded a blurred picture of Mr Gordan Ramsay whom Elena and i saw on our impromptu dinner in Jones @ Mandarin gallery. It was OMG OMG OMG and he was sitting only two tables behind us. neither of us mustered the courage to go up to him to request for a photo together.. ahh.. but it was quite a rush!
Aside to E, yes.. he's opening a restaurant in the Sands.. that explains why he was here that day :D
Sunday, September 27, 2009
nature shots
Like this shot a lot. took it just with 1 try. the white stands out from everything else.
I can't remember if this is fennel. But just caught it coz of the snail
Courgette flowers.. something you wont see in SG.
rose red standing out from the many whites..
and the fragrant lavender in front of Sagrada Familia in Spain.Thursday, February 26, 2009
perish those travel thoughts
somehow my mind's rather psych that i am so not going to do any traveling this year until towards the end like november or dec. the period where friends want to go travel, i'm blocked out for my projects. today's morning huddle session, it was mentioned that airfares are selling at uber low prices in that if you don't grab, machiam damn lugi like that.
unfazed as i am, i went to check out the travel sites. still, heart's not all fluttery with the intention to go buy a ticket and fly off.
i started this year with the intention of going to two countries. repeated destinations i must say but both have their appeal. not sure if it's too ambitious, but i might just head to these places during my long break.
looking at November. i wanna head to Japan (Osaka) either head to tokyo or kyoto or both, so depending on which part, i may either move up north or south. hmm.. so far i've asked 1 person who sounded keen, cited that it's a preferred destination to visit, sure hope the interest keeps up and like me look forward to a destination to go to.. hmm would be good if there's a travel buddy. somehow, i kinda think that even if there's no one who can make it, i might just head there by myself. like i said, it's going to be interesting.
then i wanna head to taiwan. wonder if possible to catch a concert there. i'm so not over with the shopping, the makan, the interesting sights and weather. i think i might have fun.
hmm.. to be able to handle the above two destinations on my own if ultimately that's the sad future, then i better ensure that i know how to read maps, buck up on my japanese and leave the rest to nature and fate.
feels a tad excited, just hope that travel fares continue to be really low towards the end of the year man! that will be excellent! :D
unfazed as i am, i went to check out the travel sites. still, heart's not all fluttery with the intention to go buy a ticket and fly off.
i started this year with the intention of going to two countries. repeated destinations i must say but both have their appeal. not sure if it's too ambitious, but i might just head to these places during my long break.
looking at November. i wanna head to Japan (Osaka) either head to tokyo or kyoto or both, so depending on which part, i may either move up north or south. hmm.. so far i've asked 1 person who sounded keen, cited that it's a preferred destination to visit, sure hope the interest keeps up and like me look forward to a destination to go to.. hmm would be good if there's a travel buddy. somehow, i kinda think that even if there's no one who can make it, i might just head there by myself. like i said, it's going to be interesting.
then i wanna head to taiwan. wonder if possible to catch a concert there. i'm so not over with the shopping, the makan, the interesting sights and weather. i think i might have fun.
hmm.. to be able to handle the above two destinations on my own if ultimately that's the sad future, then i better ensure that i know how to read maps, buck up on my japanese and leave the rest to nature and fate.
feels a tad excited, just hope that travel fares continue to be really low towards the end of the year man! that will be excellent! :D
Monday, February 09, 2009
Gambler's luck
well... i realised i have none to speak of..
hmm.. maybe the weekend wasn't mine or i simply do not have focus to win money. hahaha coz i find it so tiring to sit in front of the jackpot machine and keep looking at the almost similar combis which doesnt yield me any additional free games or more money. i was, as anyone would say literally feeding the machine and i couldn't stand the smokey casino, made my eyes heavy and i feel my lungs utterly congested. i must really go for my walk to BTNR this weekend. my internal system is so polluted man!!
thank goodness that my losses were in ringgit and i kinda didnt lose much. max $200 SGD. I won some but decided to continue, lost coz i didnt win big so, no point. anyway, we had much fun spending time and talking about one another's win and losses and how some had their share of good luck etc.. i guess it's the company that was important.
we went karaoke and k-ed for only 3 hours. so we or should i say kev piahed so many songs and it came to a point where we were worried that he may lose his voice, but he only said 我刚刚才开声而以。For R13, it came with tidbits and a drink. not bad for that price!! we wanted to sing the next day but apparently the feel not there anymore. hmm.. now so want to K again.
we ate lots too. Debs recommended the bah kut teh which was good and yummy, we also had dim sum at ah yat. din was at the some restaurant which served my kway tiao with so much chives. we also had zi char at the canteen for dinner on another night which was really cheap and good too. we had starbucks coffee daily and BR ice cream as well.
i spent the last hour of the last day in genting shopping whilst the rest continued clocking their hours in the casino. i bought 3 pairs of shoes from Vincci and can finally get rid of some of my old and worn out shoes. Happy with my shopping coz i got discount from signing up for membership for the casino. it came with lots of vouchers and you get a free room when you upgrade to the green card which only requires 1 Genting point (GP) which u can easily earn by sitting for at least an hour or more at the slot machine.
didnt take many photos on my cam this time as kev brought along his slr so he took most of the pics. now waiting for him to upload. hehe. everyone was talking about the 10 mil toto too and were pretty eager to know if any of our dreams can come true. hah.
just made 14 people quite happy. Well, they each have at least 700K to spend out of the blue.
i bought $35 worth of system 7 at one of the winning location. my numbers
I got additional $90 to spend minus the $35 i have like erm $55 to spend? Woah.. imagine if i had 5 numbers and that would make such a lot of diff!! Argh if only it was 28 instead of 38.. man.. i have to dream on again.
this coming thurs is 1.5 mil, i am so going to try again!!
hmm.. maybe the weekend wasn't mine or i simply do not have focus to win money. hahaha coz i find it so tiring to sit in front of the jackpot machine and keep looking at the almost similar combis which doesnt yield me any additional free games or more money. i was, as anyone would say literally feeding the machine and i couldn't stand the smokey casino, made my eyes heavy and i feel my lungs utterly congested. i must really go for my walk to BTNR this weekend. my internal system is so polluted man!!
thank goodness that my losses were in ringgit and i kinda didnt lose much. max $200 SGD. I won some but decided to continue, lost coz i didnt win big so, no point. anyway, we had much fun spending time and talking about one another's win and losses and how some had their share of good luck etc.. i guess it's the company that was important.
we went karaoke and k-ed for only 3 hours. so we or should i say kev piahed so many songs and it came to a point where we were worried that he may lose his voice, but he only said 我刚刚才开声而以。For R13, it came with tidbits and a drink. not bad for that price!! we wanted to sing the next day but apparently the feel not there anymore. hmm.. now so want to K again.
we ate lots too. Debs recommended the bah kut teh which was good and yummy, we also had dim sum at ah yat. din was at the some restaurant which served my kway tiao with so much chives. we also had zi char at the canteen for dinner on another night which was really cheap and good too. we had starbucks coffee daily and BR ice cream as well.
i spent the last hour of the last day in genting shopping whilst the rest continued clocking their hours in the casino. i bought 3 pairs of shoes from Vincci and can finally get rid of some of my old and worn out shoes. Happy with my shopping coz i got discount from signing up for membership for the casino. it came with lots of vouchers and you get a free room when you upgrade to the green card which only requires 1 Genting point (GP) which u can easily earn by sitting for at least an hour or more at the slot machine.
didnt take many photos on my cam this time as kev brought along his slr so he took most of the pics. now waiting for him to upload. hehe. everyone was talking about the 10 mil toto too and were pretty eager to know if any of our dreams can come true. hah.
| 6 | 14 | 15 | 28 | 37 | 43 |
additional number 24
just made 14 people quite happy. Well, they each have at least 700K to spend out of the blue.
i bought $35 worth of system 7 at one of the winning location. my numbers
| 6 | 14 | 15 | 20 | 37 | 38 |
additional number 39
I got additional $90 to spend minus the $35 i have like erm $55 to spend? Woah.. imagine if i had 5 numbers and that would make such a lot of diff!! Argh if only it was 28 instead of 38.. man.. i have to dream on again.
this coming thurs is 1.5 mil, i am so going to try again!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)