Seoul!!!

This is my third time to Seoul and it gets better each time. I covered a lot more places in this trip.

Always picked MyeongDong as the place for my accommodation as it is very convenient. There is no lack of food or interesting places there. We stayed at SkyPark III Myeongdong as it was affordable.

Day 1: Noryangjing fish market, Coex Mall, Gangnam and Dongdaemun

Noryangjin Fish Market

This is the seafood market where you can get fresh seafood and bring it to the restaurant for the chef to cook. We went there about morning and was walking around to see which stall could offer the best price. Of course, we picked the one that could converse in mandarin since we could not understand korean

Inside the restaurant 

This was the restaurant we selected for our lunch. Seriously we could only trust the seafood stall that recommended this place. But it did look decent enough as it was rather packed when we were there.

Seoul is easy to travel as all the tourist attractions are accessible by train. The train network is efficient as well. We had no difficulty making our way to the destinations we planned to go on this trip.

Directions: Noryangjin Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 1. Walk 100m over the bridge

After a very heavy lunch, we proceeded to Coex Mall which was near Gangnam but we didn't find anything really exciting. But we are impressed with the packaging of the Korean products.

There are many nice shops selling rather expensive stuff in the mall.

Baskin Robbins in Seoul is so different from elsewhere! I love this pooh cake!

Proceeded to Dongdaemun and went to a few fashion malls. Bought quite a lot of clothes and I love them!

Day 2: Nami Island

The following day, we headed to Nami Island. The train ride to the station to get to Nami Island was really long. We took the train to Gapyeong station and board a bus that is supposed to tour round the attractions. To reach Nami Island, we had to take the bus to the ferry terminal and then ferry to the island.

Nami Island is nice, with beautiful greenery. But it would have been much nicer if the leaves had turned yellow in the autumn. The winter scene would also be spectacular.

I caught it during the wrong timing. The leave were still green and weather was not cool either. Nevertheless, it is a good place to capture pictures and to have a quiet walk.

This is also the venue where the famous Korean drama winter sonata was filmed. However, I doubt I will return to this small island as the travelling time is really too long!

A walk in the green foliage

Photo captured from the Petite France

Delicious pancakes at Nami Island.

As we woke up late on this day, we didn't actually manage to visit more attractions around Gapyeong. Just going around the attractions from Nami Island to Petite France could have take up to half a day and these places are closed at night.

Day 3: Namdaemun market, Erhwa women's university, Honggik university

Namdaemun Market

The only thing that I like about this market is the food that is right opposite the entrance of the train station. This noodles is really good and soup is very tasty. Stall owners are super nice and friendly and they even give free appetiser as well as soup refill.

I bought some korean utensils such as the steel bowls and stenlock water bottle. What I am fascinated is that the steel bowl is double layered, so you can hold the bowl with hot soup or noodles. Since they are made of steel they are unbreakable and do not release BPA. Very practical!

The Erhwa women's university and Honggik university are famous for their fashion streets where you can get your clothings at cheap prices. MCM is popular in Korea!

There was a very long queue at the ice cream stall
that sells tiramisu ice-cream. Very delicious!

Cat Cafe

As we strolled down the streets of Honggik University area, we stumbled upon a cat cafe. It's the ycat cafe. I am not a fan of cats, more of a dog lover. But since we saw one, we decided to visit it and have an experience of how was is it like to sit in a cat cafe. 

The cafe is clean. Before entering the cafe, you are required to remove your shoes and keep them in a locker and put on their slippers. Hands have to be sanitised as well. After paying an entrance fee which includes a drink, we have to keep all our belongings in the locker as well.

 
My friend bought a small box of cat food which obviously lured tons of cats to us. I had to move away as there were too many of them! And they were eyeing the food so desperately. The cafe had a very strong smell of cats, of course... I was getting a headache from it.

This was my favourite cat in the cafe. She was so tiny and adorable!

After the cat cafe, we resumed our shopping at the Erhwa Women's Uni shopping street where we bought lots of socks and cardigans.

Day 4: Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong

Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional Korean Village and sits between the two palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. Unlike other hanok villages, Bukchon was not created for tourists but it is a living village inhabited by Seoulites, comprising about 900 hanoks spread across 11 dongs (administrative sections). 

The hanok houses are very well preserved and maintained and it's interesting to see the traditional houses set against a modern city backdrop. 

The reason there are so many traditional houses in this area is that many yangbans (people from the ruling class) lived here during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). 

We saw hanok gallery, craft workshop and hanok restaurant as we walked through the village and it is indeed a blend of culture, arts in and history this area.

Lunch was Ginseng Chicken Soup!

Insadong was yet another place which I love. It is a place where the artistic side of Koreans are being displayed, where you can find creative artwork and handicrafts.

Day 5: Shopping in lotte and myeongdong

All we did on the last day was shopping for cosmetics and facial products in lotte and Myeongdong. It is what most female tourists will do in Myeongdong because there are just too many choices available! Brands span from local like Laneige, Nature Republic, Innisfree to international brands in the lotte duty free. I was lucky I was there during the thanksgiving week and there were so many sales. Definitely had stocked up my 1 year's supply of face masks and facial wash.

Port Dickson

Since it was a long weekend, I decided to make a trip to Port Dickson on the Jubilee Weekend.

It turned out to be a bad decision, as the jam was so terrible that we took 12 hours to reach PD. Half the time was spent waiting in the jam between Singapore and Malaysia customs.

Once we reached the Avillion chalet, we had to order room service as we did not have a proper meal throughout the journey in the coach.

The next morning, we had a hearty breakfast and I immediately booked my appointment for the signature spa treatment at avispa. The spa resort is really cool and the massage was soooo good. There is a lounge facing the sea for relaxation after the treatment.

Avi Spa

Main pool beside dining area.

It was a relaxing trip. As there was nothing great in the town to be explored, we spent all our time in the resort. All meals were taken in the resort, including high tea and the BBQ dinner. Aside from swimming, there is a tennis court which we could have played tennis at. However, we did not bring our tennis gear and the court was empty most of the time. There are also pet farms where kids can feed and pat the animals such as rabbits and chickens. We were actually quite amazed by the peacocks roaming in the resort as they did not seemed to have any fear of humans.

Finally, we left in the late morning on the third day via coach back to Singapore. I think Port Dickson is a great place to chill, but at the same time I think visiting this place once is enough for me due to the long hours of travelling. I would recommend Avillion chalets to anyone who has not visited Port Dickson as the choice of accommodation.

The Jubilee Weekend

There was so much hype about the SG50 celebrations for the Jubilee Weekend. I am so honoured and proud to be part of the special generation who is able to see Singapore celebrating her 50th year of independence. Many shops have come up with SG50 discounts, corporations giving their staff SG50 privileges on this congratulatory year. SMRT has given free bus and mrt rides on 9th Aug and places of interests are giving free entrances to visitors. There were breath-taking performances put up our airforces (Black Knights) and flabbergasting fireworks display.

The only regret was... our founding father Mr LKY, has passed on, leaving behind a miraculous legacy. The country that was forced to separate from Malaya, which had no military defence, no natural resources and is so tiny that people today refer to as the little red dot. This little red dot had nothing but the brightest and most capable leaders, human capital and determination to excel. Today, we are so blessed with a high security forces, efficient and non-corrupted government services, sparkling cleanliness and talented pool of human capital. This successful story of a small nation is indeed worth celebrating. When I was young, I do not feel much about being a Singaporean as it was an unheard of country. Today, the victorious story of Singapore is heard and shared by many politicians. Having seen the SG50 NDP, i feel truly blessed to be born and bred here. God bless Singapore and the generations to come.

Hua Hin

Just came back from Hua Hin. Took a short break with hubby and auntie to this beach in Thailand. It is just 2-3 hours car ride away from Bangkok and stayed at Intercontinental Hua Hin. It is a fantastic hotel...  My hubby was so impressed with the service, the ambience and the comfort of our room.

The main pool area

Bathtub!

I really love how they design the pool and the resting areas. I had my lunch at the poolside.

Took a stroll along the beach. This is a very tranquil and refreshing walk.

Happy dog playing at the beach.

Went to the night market for dinner and shopping. There is so much food here!

Croissants

I learnt how to bake croissants! Oh my it is really tedious but the results is fruitful!
Here is the recipe.

Ingredients
100 g plain flour
50g bread flour
1 tbsp yeast (4g)
16g sugar
12g butter
1/2 tbsp salt
90g water or milk
80g croissants margarine

Baking:
First 10 min 200 degree celsius
middle shelf fan
Subsequent 5 min: 170 degree celsius

1. Combine plain flour, bread flour, yeast and sugar in a mixing bowl

2. Use a peddle attachment, maxwell while adding in the water and salt. Continue mixing until dough is formed.

3. Mix in the butter.

4. Put the round dough in a plastic bag and leave it in the refrigerator for 15min.

5. Prepare the croissants margarine by placing it between 2 plastic and beat it with a rolling pin until it reaches the size of 7cm x 7cm. Bend the margarine back and forth till it is malleable but still form. Leave in the chiller until ready to use.

6. Turn the dough onto a floured work surface. Flour the dough and roll out the dough into a square, 12 cm x 12cm.

7. Place the margarine in the centre of the rolled out dough but at 45 degree angle to the dough. Fold the flaps of the dough over the butter so that they overlap and meet at the centre of the margarine. Press lightly to seal the edges of the dough.

8. Flour the dough and roll out into a rectangle, 45cm x 15cm. From the length, fold the bottom third of the dough up, then folder the bottom third of the dough up, then fold the third down over the first fold. Give it a quarter turn. Place the dough in a plastic bag and leave it in the freezer to rest for 15min.

9. Repeat the process for 2 more times. After the 3rd time, rest in the chiller for 15min before using.

10. To form the croissant shape, roll out the ready pastry to 15cam x 60cm. Cut into the triangle with base 9cm x height 15cm. Cut a slid at the centre of the base and roll up to form the croissant shape. Egg wash the tip of the triangle before resting it beneath.

11. Proof for 50min till double in volume. egg wash before baking.

This recipe can be reused for making danish by replacing the bread flour with plain flour. So easy right!

Surabaya - Ijen Crater - Mount Bromo

Mar 2014: We arrived at Surabaya Airport, feeling apprehensive about hiking on volcano. One of the volcanoes, Mt Kelud, near Surabaya just erupted last month (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26183880) and we were rather close to cancelling the trip. Surabaya was affected and the city was covered in ashes. It took 2 days for the ash to clear. 

The tour agency (Eco Adventures: http://www.adventures.com.sg) which helped us arrange the trek assured us that it would be safe to travel to Mt Bromo and would cancel the trek if there was a slightest danger. It was one month later that we arrived and this Indo city was already back to normal with business operating as usual.

Day 01 / Arrive Surabaya
We were welcomed by our guide at the airport and boarded a mini van specially arranged for us.

It took around 6.5 hours via Pasuruhan and Probolinggo regencies, through scenic landscapes until we reached Ijen plateau. We stayed overnight in the middle of caldera and world's famous coffee plantation in a comfortable and charming hotel called "Arabica" (build by the Dutch colonialist as the headquarters of the coffee plantation).

One of the houses at the coffee plantation, Very quiet and quaint area.

Day 02 / Ijen Summit
We awakened very early for our Mt. Ijen (2,400m) excursion. This volcano offers a savannah landscape, ruggedly beautiful panoramas, grand hiking, and a placid, brightly yellow crater-lake. Near the summit of Mt. Ijen is a gorgeous crater filled with a haunting turquoise-blue lake with its surface streaked in the wind blown patterns of yellow sulphur vapour. By the crater lake edge, there is an evil-smelling sulphur where local people digging and carrying 60-70 kgs on their bare shoulders for 2 miles ascending and descending the steep Mt. Ijen slopes. 

After Mt Ijen, we headed for Mt Bromo where we stayed overnight at the Lava View Lodge.

This is the livelihood of the people here. They transport the sulphur down the crater.

Baskets of sulphur

Breath-taking view of the crater

Our favourite Indomee Lunch

Day 03 / Mt Bromo

Again we rise early to transfer to Mt. Pananjakan (2,750m) by a 4WD. At this famous view-point located on rim of the Tengger caldera we watch the sunrise breaking over the volcano cones, including Mt. Bromo and an active Mt. Semeru in the background. The views are breathtaking. We continue across the sand sea to the active Mt. Bromo volcano and climb  the 245 steps to visit  the crater rim (2,500m). The 4WD will bring us back to the lodge for breakfast. At mid morning we drive to Malang City.

We were freezing cold waiting for the sunrise.

Beautiful sunrise

When the sun was up...

Our transport

These are the steps leading to the crater of Mt Bromo 

where the locals would pray and throw in flowers.

Mt Bromo in the background

 

I love this picture. It looks like a unicorn in paradise.

The 3 of us.

Day 04 / Malang - Surabaya 

We went to Malang after Mt Bromo and had a good night's sleep at the hotel.

The next morning, we went to the adjacent bird/flower market, town square, Pasar Besar, Eng Ang Kiong Chinese Temple, colonial architecture along Ijen boulevard. 

Flower market

After a short tour around Malang, we headed back to the Surabaya Airport and ready to set off home. Overall the trip was relaxing and not too tiring. It was a great trip for anyone who just want a short nature getaway.