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Seoul Searching in Korea - Itinerary (Completed)

2011-11-19T00:05:00.000-08:00


Cat Cafe in Myeong Dong

I hate detailed planning. So everything was a rough guide before I went to Seoul, Korea for a 8 days free and easy trip.

Day 1
Arrive airport: 9.55pm
SG-KL Flight: 10.00am-11.10am & 11.30am-12.30pm respectively
KL-ICN Flight: 2.45pm-9.55pm
Destination: Kimchi Hongdae Hostel

The hostel is situated in the quiet part of Hongdae. For those who loves partying, the location is great. There are also lots of shopping and great restaurants around the area. But just looking at the hostel, I wouldn't stay a second time. The bed and the cleanliness have room for GREAT improvement. Oh wells, I suppose what you pay is what you get.

Traveling via subway from the airport is easy and straightforward. I am budget conscious. Why pay more unless it is necessary?

Day 2

- Sauna
- Hongdae neighborhood
The neighborhood Sauna recommended by the hostel staff was great. Everyone should try going to the Sauna there. Its quite similar to Japan's onsen. But yet different in terms of the atmosphere. Knowing not a word of Korean, it was basically a case of monkey see monkey do. I hope my friend and I did not unknowingly offend anyone by not doing the proper steps.

Day 3
Morning
- Namdaemun (Market Place) (opening: 7am-5pm)
- Directions: Subway line 4, Hoehyeon Station

A touristy area that I would not recommend anyone to go. Everywhere I go, I hear vendors aggressively calling out in Japanese and showcasing their wares. Its an area that has adapted to the tourist scene. An area that has moved on with times to become what it is today - boring. Ended up visiting Myeon Dong at the spur of the moment.

Myeon Dong is the shopping district and its way more vibrant and interesting to explore. There are cat/dog cafes around the area. A must visit if you love animals. =DDD Ended up returning at night too to a totally different atmosphere in Myeong Dong. The street stalls at night with all the authentic fake branded goods are a sight to behold.

Late afternoon
- Namsan Seoul Tower
Opening hours for Observatory: 10:00-23:00
- Teddy Bear Museum
Opening hours: 10:00-22:00 (Last entry: 21:00)

We went up via bus. I wanted to hike up, nut my friend refused. =( But the bus ride up is comfortable and I get to experience riding a public bus in Seoul! Overall, its a wonderful place to visit. Sad to say, the teddy bear museum is dusty and neglected. The money could have been better spent buying a cup of coffee at one of the many random cafes around Seoul. I had more fun chilling and people watching. But the burger store at Namsam tower as really good. Highly impressed. Yum Yum.

Day 4
Morning
- Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon (Secret Garden) [UNESCO World Heritage]
*Regular Tour (Changdeokgung Palace) Operating Hours: March & November: 09:00-17:30 English: 10:30, 14:30 Individuals: Adults (ages 19-64) 3,000 won
*Huwon Course (Guided Tour only) Operating Hours: March & November: 09:00-15:30 English: 11:30, 14:30 Adults (ages 19 and over) 5,000 won

*Closed on Mondays! *Last admission is one hour before closing.
*Directions:- (a) Anguk Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 3. Go straight for 5min; OR (b) Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station (Subway Line 1, 3 or 5), Exit 7. Go straight along Donhwamun-ro Street for 10min.

Afternoon
-Insadong

The highlight of the whole trip for me is the secret garden in Changdeokgung. I adore authentic old palaces, temples and nature. Although they say the secret garden is a compulsory guided tour, we are allowed to simply walk around on our own. I grasped that opportunity and just took my time strolling and lazing around the area. The autumn scenery is simply spectacular. Doubtful? Take a peek at it below.

Day 5
Whole Day
- Demilitarized zone – Ask tour desk for help *Panmunjom (the village located on the ceasefire line), this part of the DMZ is closed on Sundays and Mondays. *A few other tour options to choose too. 3rd tunnel tour (Half Day) / Fence tour (Half Day) / Combined tour (Whole Day)

Looking at the day's itinerary for DMZ tour, we decided that the money could be better spend shopping. I am jaded towards places and activities that are clearly there to squeeze every bit of tourist money at sight. And spending time at a ginseng factory/amethyst factory isn't my idea of fun.

Ended up in Dong Dae Mon and shopped away. The shopping centers are side by side. With street stalls lining along the whole stretch. Visited the Cheonggyecheon Stream too at my friend's insistence.

Day 6
- Ewha women university street

We decided the day before to take a look at this street that is right in front of the Ewha women university. Great area to just shop and eat. And needless to say, the prices are student friendly. Went and took a look at the university itself. I would love to study Korean there when I have enough savings. Cost wise, its really affordable compared to other countries such as Japan and France (Learnt Japanese and am learning french).

Day 7
Last minute shopping in Hong Dae. Watched a movie too.

Day 8
To be at airport: 6 25 am
ICN-KL Flight: 8.45am
KL-SIN Flight: 5pm-6pm

Universal Studio Singapore, Halloween Horror Nights

2011-10-23T00:14:00.000-07:00

It was great fun getting utterly scared and spooked.

My throat was actually hoarse from the amount of screaming. Its highly therapeutic and relieved quite a bit of stress. Plus points for that. =)

And I finally get to ride the Battle Star Galatica - highlight of my FIRST trip to USS.
Tickets are at SGD60 per pax, and the event is from 7pm to midnight. I would say the whole experience is definitely worth it.

Welcome

I love the wings~

Err... Hi?

Passing by... Please make way. Thanks.

PADI Open water ダイバーになった！！！（＾＾）

2011-10-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

来年New Zealand へ行く時、Poor Knights Islandでダイブしたい。そう考えると、１１月Monsoon seasonが来る前、PADI Open Water Diver コースを参加した。わがままなので、結局一人でDeep Blue Scubaへ行って、そうした。　でもいい経験だった。

午前２時…船を待っている。結構苦しい。


Welcome to Pulua Dayangって


綺麗と思わない？

空を見るとちょっと心配…

運がよいか？（＾＾’’）　ダイブ時、天気は大体いいし、海もとても綺麗…　でも、やっぱり体力が足りないのは悔しい。前はAdvance Courseを参加しようかと思ったが、自分の実力を見ると本当に難しそうだ。無理にすると命が短くになるかもうぐらい。はは。ま～次回はNew Zealandへ～

F1 2011 Singapore

2011-09-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

The view was spectacular, that I have to concur. But I ceased to be amazed on Man in general gives in to excesses and indulgences when others suffer as a consequence. Wouldn't a simple yet happy life have sufficed? We seek advancements and improvements, claiming that that is the key to a better and "happier" life. Not just in the trading scene, people in general are just plagued with greed and fear. At least, that is what I thought at that moment.

Diving 123 + CFA + French Classes

2011-09-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

Finally took the plunge and signed up for the PADI Open Water Course at Deep Blue Scuba.

ALONE. Its quite liberating actually.

Pulua Dayang here I come!!!

If things work out, I would be completing my Advance Diver Course in New Zealand's Poor Knights Island. =DDD

Plus, I made the decision to continue as a candidate for CFA level 2.

Was at Band 10 the last time.

Although fail means fail, its honestly so near yet so far from PASS. Dammit.

I dislike giving up when the chance of succeeding the second time is so high.

On a side note, the financial market is really volatile now.

The way metals plunged in the past few days. Scary~

But I am looking to buy if silver goes any lower.

Patience is the key when it comes to trading.

So are placing stop loss (no one can be winning all the time) and trading withing your means.

But I digress.

French french. Trying to pick up another language. Wonder how this would turn out though.

Alliance Francaise is a good school though. Basically, the resources are there to support one through the whole learning processing. And I love how the classes are so interactive.

It makes learning so much easier after a tiring day at work.

I feel so blessed to have the financial freedom to fulfill all these dreams (whims?) of mine.

Life is too short to be procrastinating. Just go for it!

Ayuthaya - Memories

2011-08-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

The End... or Beginning??

Train to Ayuthaya from Hualumpong station

Frozen


Bird eye view ~

Ebbing of time


***

機会がありましたら行きたいところ～

2011-07-07T04:31:00.000-07:00

行きたいところのメモを書き中だ。（以下）

女の子なのに、一人で旅行をしようとずっと考えている。
若いのうちにいろいろなところへ行きたい。
違う文化を体験して、冒険したい。
その夢は来年の3月を実際する。
New Zealandへのチケットを買った。　1週間一人で旅行する。（ドキドキ）

行きたいところのメモ
だんだん長くなるだろう。（笑）

マレーシア
Perhentian (LINK)

タイ

Elephant Stay (LINK)

Yoga retreat (LINK)

その他
House Sitting (LINK)

Bangkok 5 days Itinerary (Completed)

2011-07-07T04:11:00.000-07:00

~~Hope the following plan works out.~~
~~Looks great in theory though. Cause I planned it. XD~~

Ok... So things didn't go exactly as planned. But the overall trip turned out well.
For me, the most enjoyable part of the whole stay is the day trip to Ayutthaya.

Saturday

(1215pm arrives in BKK)
Check in Tango (LINK)
The hotel was great, considering that its around SGD 20++ per pax per night.

Spent the first day at Platinum mall. About 15 minutes walk there and people are friendly enough to point out the way if asked.
The night walk back to the hotel via Pratunam alley was scary... I wouldn't walk through there at night a second time even if someone paid me to do it. And slippers is definitely a must for days when it rains. Heavily. Floods are not fun to be in with proper covered shoes.
And I was seriously paranoid about pickpockets whenever I am in crowded areas.
Better safe than sorry I suppose.

Chatuchak
(Huge shopping market with thousands of stalls selling everything from animals, to wares, food, clothes, etc. Peak hours 1pm to 4pm, go early and wear light clothes, it’s gonna be HOT! Bargaining is a must here.)
~~-Opens only on Saturday & Sundays (8am to 5.30pm)~~
~~-BTS alight at Mo Chit Station~~
~~-MRT alight at Chatuchak Park Station~~
~~-Other alternatives includes taxi and tuk-tuk~~
~~Cabaret (815pm show) (LINK)~~
~~Asia Hotel. 296 Phayathai Rd., Bangkok 10400~~

Sunday

~~Morning~~

~~Grand Palace +Wat Phra Kaew~~
(Temple of the famous Emerald Buddha which is located inside the Grand Palace. Wat Phra Kaew is one of the most visited temples by Tourists. People come here to ask for good luck and prosperity and their requests often comes true.)-Located at the Grand Palace (East of BKK, near the Chao Phraya River)
~~-Admission fee 250THB~~
~~-Opens daily 8.30am to 3.30pm~~
~~-No BTS available at all~~
~~-River ferry/boat alight at Tha Chang Station~~
~~-Most taxi drivers will know where is it but always remember to insist on meter fares!~~

~~Afternoon~~
Chatuchak
Went to Chatuchak by taxi. There wasn't any BTS nearby the area where I stayed. Trust me. My friend and I tried looking for it in vain. It is best to request for meter before boarding the taxi. I don't like the idea of being fleeced unnecessary.
There are times the drivers when try to ask you to agree to going to places unknown just so he can earn some commission. Just refuse. Time is precious while you are traveling to be doing things like this. And simply alight if he is too pushy. There are MANY taxis around anyway. Though alighting and flagging down another taxi is definitely not fun during a downpour...
Ended up spending the later part of the day at Platinum mall again.

Monday
Attempted to go to the Grand Palace. Got laughed at by the taxi driver for insisting to brave the heavy rain and visit it. Gave up at the entrance though. I have better ways to spend my THB350.
Spent the rest of the day at MBK. Naraya in MBK is a lovely place to shop- all the bags, pouches and covers. So cute. (#^^#)

~~Morning~~

~~China Town~~

~~(This whole long stretch of road sells all kinds of chinese stuffs and food especially pork~~

~~floss and roasted meat. Other stuffs can also be found here. Some shopkeepers can speak~~

~~Mandarin. Ideal for anyone wanting to buy cheap dried food back.)~~

~~-Located along Yaowarat Road~~

~~-Best to go late morning or early afternoon~~

~~-No BTS available at all~~

~~-Most taxi and tuk-tuk will know when you say chinatown. Alight when you see all~~

~~those bright red chinese signboards.~~

Afternoon
Platinum mall

222 (Platinum) Petchaburi RD. Ratchathevee,
Bangkok, Thailand

(The best place to shop for clothing. A lot of shops here sells similar stuffs so be sure not to buy too early. Prices must be bargained down. The 3rd or 4th floor sells a lot of shoes for ladies. The food court at the highest floor is also worth visiting for a cheap bite and a nice experience.)

~~-Located beside Phantip Plaza~~

~~-Opens daily from 11am to 8pm~~

~~-No BTS available nearby~~

~~-Taxi and tuk-tuk are the only option available beside walking there on foot~~

Tuesday

From Hualampong Rail Station

Ayutthaya

- Phra Mongkon Bophit

- Wat Na Phra Men

- Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana

- Wat Yai Chai Mongkhol

- The Royal Palace Ruins

- Wat phanan choeng

Wednesday

Morning
Massage & Spa

Health Land Asoke Sukhumvit

Just 5mins walk from the Asoke skytrain station. Exit 2, turned right and walked along the road until the trafic lights at which turn left. As you walk along you should see it on your right hand side. Almost opposite is 'Big Mamas Pizza'.

Address: 55/5 Sukhumvit 21 Rd. (Asoke),
Khlongtoeinuea, Wattana,
Bangkok 10110

Telephone : 66-2-261-1110

Airport
I realized its really easy to get to the airport via train (and vice versa). THB40 one way. So cheap as compared to the THB300 that a taxi would cost. Plus the train is really clean and comfortable too. Its the topping to the icing considering that the station was a five minutes walk from Tango. A quick 20 min ride and we safely reached the airport. From Basement 2 all the way to level 4 ~ home sweet home.

Alternative view on Greece Crisis- Its quite enlightening

2011-06-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

CFA level ll - results waiting in progress

2011-06-07T05:23:00.000-07:00

Halfway through CFA level ll preparation, I begin to question the whole purpose of putting myself through it.

Yes, I am in the finance industry.

Yes, there might be some relevance to the job I am doing.

Yes, I suppose it looks better in my resume if I am able to eventually become a CFA charter holder.

But still...

Is it worth all the weekends and rest time spent studying.

Tremendous mental strength is really needed to pull the whole thing true.

But am I glad that this June's exam is over.

Short break. For now.

50-50 chance between pass and fail I suppose.

2 months wait. Yikes.

And I just heard that there's something called CAIA.

Quotes I like ♥

2011-04-22T06:50:00.000-07:00

Gold is the money of kings, silver is the money of gentlemen, barter is the money of peasants, but debt is the money of slaves

-Norm Franz, "Money and Wealth in the New Millenium"

If you don't trust [G]old, do you trust the logic of taking a beautiful pine tree, worth about $4,000 - $5,000, cutting it up, turning it into pulp and then paper, putting some ink on it and then calling it one billion dollars?

-Kenneth Gerbino

Been reading up on Gold and Silver trading. Its fascinating how the market is moving nowadays. There are underlying problems everywhere. Ticking time bombs. I suppose it is now a matter of which one goes off first.

１級は合格したわ～

2011-03-05T21:31:00.000-08:00

去年受けたJLPTN1検定は合格した。

でも、今の私のの能力はまだまだと思っている。

特に会話と聴解…

会話の時、言いたいことがはっきり言えない時や相手の意味が分からない時はすごく悔しい。

できればもっと上達したいな。

努力すれば、できるだろうね。

そのため、来年の春、また日本へ勉強に行こうと真剣に考えている。

Yamasa　Instituteはよい日本語学校みたい。

そのうちにHomestayも参加しようかと思っているが、前の経験はまあまあなので…

考えなきゃ物は山ほどだ。

はいー頑張ってしなきゃ。

Rawaaa (Part 2)

2010-10-03T06:16:00.000-07:00

The endless sparking blue blue sea =D

Welcome to Rawa!

Rawa sighted. Land ahoy... (^^)/***

One of the many peacocks roaming freely on the island

Nap time　お休み~

Rawaaaaa

2010-10-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

Went on a trip to Rawa over the weekend. =DDD
Love it!
Its an island paradise in Malaysia.
No television and internet though. And apparently, I discovered that me phone has no auto roaming. So my phone signal is nada too. Not that these matters.
There is fresh air, beautiful skies, clean water and fabulous food.
Life can't get any better.