Korea (Jeju) 17 Mar 2015

Hotel: Jeju Oriental Hotel

As this is our first trip to Korea, we decided to go for package tour again.  This time we purchase our package from Hong Thai. We were booked on Korea air and flew out 1.30am.

They've got really nice food on board.  I opted for the porridge. Small packet but really filling. The inflight entertainment area comes with USB port to charge my devices...I made full use of it to charge my phone.

Upon arrival, we were whisk away in a tour bus to have our lunch. It was freezing cold so our tourguide told us that we are going to have Korean Bak Kut Teh (Gimjatang).  The taste, of course, is different from the Bak Kut Teh in Singapore.  But the boiling hot soup with huge chunks of pork ribs warms our hearts!

After a quick meal, we headed for Gimpo Airport to hop into a short flight to Jeju. Once we touched down, we were again bundled up into the tourbus and off to our first sight seeing.  First location on the itinerary is the famous Mysterious Road. What is so mysterious about this road is that vehicles can still move upslope with the engine switched off.  We had the engine of the bus switched off and experienced it first hand what it felt like.  The bus was first moving at a very slow speed but it started to gear up towards the end of the road.  We then got off the bus to watch other vehicle move on the road. It was quite an interesting sight.  Somewhere nearby, I even saw a stand giving out free Christian literature.

Lots of snacks available.  My first time trying the milk.  At first, I thought it was some yoghurt drink or a big bottle of Yakult.  Tried the one with black cap and realised that it's banana milk.  I never like flavoured milk but this taste nice.

After visiting the Mysterious road, we proceeded so something less mysterious. After a quick drive, we arrived at Trick Eye Museum and Ice Museum. Didn't take much viewable pictures in Trick Eye Museum.  Due to time constraints (yup, it always happen if you are on a tour), we had to rush through the exhibits. Took some pictures inside the Ice Museum. I especially like the igloo! There's a bed in bed that you can really sleep on. All alcohol are also placed in an ice shelve which acted to chill the alcohol.  Quite cool!  I was only inside for less than 15 mins and was already freezing. Gloves, boots and jackets available for those who didn't bring theirs.



Before our tourguide start to feed us dinner, he brought us to the Dragon Head rock. There's basically nothing here except for the black rock that is sculpted by nature to look like a dragon head.  However, the sea view is pretty. Doesn't need to spend a lot of time here.  Maybe about 10 mins max. There's also a souvenir soup nearby which sells Korean gifts. The shop is not huge but you can find stuffs that typical souvenir shops will sell. eg. keychain, pen, towels, mugs, socks (yes, for some reasons, Koreans are really fond of cute socks with cartoons)..etc.

Saw this Roll Hotto snack.  In Singapore, we call this flakey flour pastry as prata. In this case, they rolled the prata with egg and ham complete with vege. Kindda cool.

This is one interesting ice cream I got to try. I chose 2 flavors: Vanilla and Strawberry. Price is KRW3,000 or RMB20. It's kind of interesting to note that RMB is accepted in Korea as a form of payment. Nonetheless, the ice cream is yummy!

Next we proceeded for dinner.  We had hanjeongsik (Korea traditional set) for dinner and I so love the steam egg! The weather gets colder in towards the night, it's always good to have steamy stuffs for the tummy. Pork seems to be free flow coz the tourguide kept going around adding pork to our table!

Last on the list is bedtime!  We were booked into Jeju Oriental Hotel. A comfortable hotel with heater toilet bowl!  I know it's nothing big but if you are the winter season, this is a plus point.  Most hotel would provide shampoo and body gel but this hotel provides skin toner and emulsion.  I especially like the Enzyme Q10 emulsion. Felt good on my skin. Good thing about this hotel is that it is within walking distance to E-Mart, Jungang underground shopping mall as well as a whole row of restaurants that open till late.  So if you are hungry in the night, you can still go down for food.  Most restaurant have live seafood available.

More photos available here.

SEA Aquarium, Resort World Sentosa 25 Dec 2014

Had the chance to visit SEA Aquarium at a discounted price.  Usual entrance fee is S$38 but my ticket was only S$8.  We took the Sentosa express in which cost S$4 per person and alighted one stop later.  Upon reaching Resort World, we were greeted with lots of shop...follow the direction of the sign and you will see SEA Aquarium.

If you are going to drive in, do park at Tanjong or Palawan car park. From 7am-5pm, Sentosa entry per car cost S$6. Parking for 1st 8 hours cost S$3 and S$1 for subsequent hour.  Except 12pm-2pm, entry would cost S$2 per car (Rates covers all passengers in car).

 

Upon entering SEA Aquarium, you will be greeted by a whole lot of exhibits from different parts of the world.

Even Noah's Ark is here!

We came on the wrong day coz it was so crowded.  Makes it difficult to walk around or even take pictures.  Got to queue to take good shots.  On top of that, a lot of people were sitting and resting infront of the tanks, can't really get close at all.

Look at some interesting species of fishes I found!!!

Yellow leafy seahorse...I thought that's seaweed -.-"

Overheard one customer said that those fishes in the last photo (yah, those travelling in troops) must be really bored.  They don't have a targeted direction and would just follow the flow.  Actually, isn't following the flow also considered a target?

See the yellow stingray on top? That's a real performer!  Was told he would appear whenever there is a crowd near the tank and start performing his stunts.  Quite entertaining though.

The jellies are pretty.  Probably should have some classical music playing in the background like the one I saw in Manila.  

Nemo found!

Not a big fish lover but I love puffy fish.  Look at this cute little thing!

This puffy has heartshaped eyes....so adorable.

Sharks....many different sharks.

And that's the end of my SEA Aquarium tour. Might visit again when there's not too many people for better photography opportunity.



More photos available here.

SEA Aquarium official website here.

Phuket 13-14 Dec 2014

Hotel: JW Marriott, Phuket

Took a short trip to Phuket for my cousin's wedding.  Didn't have time to walk around much as it was a 2 day 1 night trip and I was helping to coordinate between some of the guests. We were booked onto Tiger. Thank goodness, there wasn't any hiccups this time.

Upon arriving at Phuket airport, we were taken straight to JW Marriott.  While the wedding planners checked in for us, we took the hotel transport out to Turtle Village for our lunch.

Wanted Thai Express but it wasn't open yet. Infact, the entire mall looks like a dead town in the day.  It comes alive only in the night. Since our preferred restaurant wasn't open, we headed for the Chinese restaurant next to it.  It took almost an hour for our orders to be served.  Considering the entire restaurant to be pretty quiet (including us, there were 3 tables occupied and 1 of the 3 tables have completed their meals), one hour is really not acceptable.

When the food came, we were more than disappointed. The portion was for kids.  But we were starving so had to gobble down the food. I regretted not taking pictures.  And of course, the price couldn't match the quality and the service.

 



Upon checking in, we were greeted by great surprises. The entire place gives the home away from home feeling.  There was even a brolly holder (near the entrance) with 3 huge umbrellas in it.  Also near the door, there is washing machine and dryer provided.

Once you walk in, you will be able to see the huge living and dining area.  The sofa at the living room can even be converted into a queen size bed.  Next to the living room, you will see a small balcony which is also connected to the master bed room.

It was a pleasant surprise to be checked into a 2 bedroom suite (arranged by the couple). The master bedroom is huge...its bathroom is every bigger! If you are not used to the bathtub, there is even a separate standing shower room. This room is the typical honeymoon suite kind of room. Perfect for the newly weds.

2nd bedroom has 1 single bed and 1 queen size bed in it. There is an ensuite bathroom but it is also a common bathroom (connected to the living room...meaning there is 2 doors so when you shower, need to lock 2 doors).

The kitchenette is one of my favourite place. It is fully equipped with everything a household would need.  From fridge to microwave to water heater to cooking facilities.

There are so many kitchen utensils that you don't really need to walk out to buy anything except raw materials to cook.  For raw food, you can basically purchased from the supermarket at Turtle Village (basement) which isn't too far from the hotel.  Just take the free transport out :)

And so, since my only purpose here is for the wedding, I need to put up some wedding pictures.  To be frank, this isn't the first beach wedding I have attended but this is definitely one that isn't burning hot. he seabreeze was really cooling. The romantic and beautiful sunset signifies the end of matrimony ceremony which also means, the eating starts!

We were ushered into Ginja restaurant...oh alright, we weren't ushered in. I went in myself! It was a nice and cosy little restaurant.  The ambience was perfect for mass candlelight dinner. The dessert was delicious especially the mango pancake...tasted more like soufflé than pancake. I tasted this white soup thingie that I didn't quite like.  To date, I still don't know what I drank but check out the cute chef who cook it for me :) The spread was sumptuous and staff were attentive. Great job Ginja gang!

And here's my little selection.  I had more but was busy enjoying the food and company that I totally forgotten to take more pictures.

The dining was interrupted with a super romantic cake cutting ceremony and followed closely with fireworks.  Who doesn't like fireworks right?  They are stars dancing in the night sky.  That ended the our eventful night.

We have a breath takingly green view.  I mean, it is really very green.  Nothing else but plants upon plants.  It's good for the soul coz it tends to keep the wildest person calm...just my take.  My super efficient aunty ordered breakfast for all of us...so we were happily eating while waiting for our transport to the main lobby to wait for another transport to the airport. 

Here's some scene at the lobby.  There's a Christmas tree because well...it's near Christmas.  The interest Thai touch on the tree was quite fascinating too.

Time to go home!  Though the trip was super short.  I felt that this was indeed one very fulfilling trip!

Oh...and thanks to JW Marriott for the beautiful bracelet!

More pictures available here