Yeosu-Jeju Spring 2013 Excursion - summary

So this time I decided to take some time off from my routine.



Burnt out. Period.



Earlier in April...Feia, Lisa and me planned an impromptu trip; a 4 days 3 nights getaway to the southern part of South Korea - Yeosu and Jeju Island.



I have never been to Yeosu before, so I'm a bit excited to see the beach. Never been a fan of crowd so I am grateful that I don't go gaga over Yeosu Expo's hype back in 2012.



But the trip to Jeju Island this time was like saying farewell to my lover so it rained cry me a river sorta..hehe.



Just summarizing our trip expenses for your general idea. The rate may change in future so this is just for comparison.



20th April

Subway - Sinchon station to Express bus terminal station = 1,150 won (T-Money)

Snack - Paris Baguette and milk ~ 4,000 won

Bus to Yeosu = 33,800 won



Total = 38,950 won



21st April

1 night stay at Yeosu = 45,000won / 3pax = 15,000 won per pax

Snack from convenience store ~ 2,000 won

Tram ride at Udong Island = 500 won

Bus in Yeosu city ~ 4,000 won about 3-4 trips

Snack - Paris Baguette ~5,000 won

Lunch in Yeosu = 8,000 won per pax

Snack and dinner in E-mart ~ 6,000 won

Coffee at A Twosome Place ~ 7,000 won



Total = 47,500 won



22nd April

Bus to Mokpo = 13,000won per pax

Taxi from Mokpo bus terminal to Mokpo port = 5,800won per ride / 3 pax ~ 2,000won er pax

Snack at 7-Eleven ~ 3,000 won

Bus from Jeju Port to Jeju Airport ~ 1,500won (local bus, 1 transfer)

Car Rental from KT Rental  ~ 58,000 won for 2 days / 3 pax ~ 19,300won per pax

Lunch at Jeju city = 4,500won

Chocolate drink at ChocoArt = 4,500won

2 nights stay at Jeju Hiking Inn = 81,000won for 2 nights (triple bed) / 3 pax = 27,000won per pax



Total = 74,800 won



23rd April

Breakfast at Kimbap Cheongguk = 6,500 won

Bread and coffee at Tours Les Jous = 6,000 won

Umbrella from CU's = 8,000 won

Car Park at Seopjikoji = 500 won

Udo ferry entrance = 35,100 won for 3 pax + car entrance / 3pax = 11,700 won

Dinner and bun at Seogwipo local market = 10,500 won = 3,500 won



Total = 36,200 won



24th April

Breakfast Tours Le Jous = 3,000won

Petrol/gasoline refill = 49,400 won / 3 pax  ~ 16,500 won per pax

O'sulloc tea ~ 11,000 won

Flight ticket to Gimpo Airport = 54,100 won

Gimpo Airport to Sinchon station by AREX = 1,250 won



Total = 85,850



All total = 283,300 won  (~ RM849.90)

**conversion rate 1,000 won = RM3 for easy reference

**you might need to include 10,000won ++



There you go, 4 days 3 nights excursion to Yeosu and Jeju Island for less than 300,000 won or RM900!!

However, I didn't spend a single cent on souvenirs or splurged on shopping. Just bought the necessary stuff. So you might want to put some miscellaneous for shopping.



Ahhh..I miss this trip already and wishing for more chances to stroll Jeju beaches.



More pictures @ http://www.facebook.com/budgettravel2korea

Crazy Tteok in Hongdae

This restaurant was recommended by Feia and she brought me and her sister for lunch after a leisure walk on a cool and breezy winter day around Hongdae Graffiti stretch.

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Nadiah and Feia in front of the Crazy Tteok.

This was during winter 2013..around February.

The restaurant's ambiance is quite good, playing with red and yellow as the principal color of a pot of spicy tteokbokki. Nyammmmm!!

Don't forget to wear your apron!

The tteokbokki we had was quite delicious. The seafood portion was aplenty but somehow... lacking at least to my taste bud but Nadiah and Feia loved it. We ordered the seafood tteokbokki set and it came with tempura or twigim set.



I emphasized 'quite' there just because I still prefer 먹쉬돈나; the one in Samcheongdong area. Other 먹쉬돈나's franchise in Myeongdong or Sinchon were not that delicious as compared to the one in Samcheongdong.



As you know, taste is pretty a subjective matter. Some people like it, some people don't. However, you should give this restaurant a shot if you ever have a craving of tteokbokki and happened to be around Hongdae area.



If you come during lunch hour and choose the set menu, fish roe fried rice with cheese is on the house.

Don't forget to try the Coolpis juice (쿨피스). Pineapple flavor is a great complement of this dish.



Ooopss..before I forget, you have to choose the spiciness level (from Level -1, 0 and 1 as told by Feia...weird level though..hehe). Trust me, level 1 is spicy enough.



매운 단계는 일 단계로요.

Meun dangye nen il dangyeroyo.

Spiciness level is level 1.



As usual, the magic sentence:



고기나 햄을 빼 주세요 / 고기나 햄을 놓지 마세요

gogi na ham el pae juseyo / gogi na ham el nochi maseyo

Please remove meat or ham / Please don't put in meat or ham





How to go to Crazy Tteok?

Go to Hongik Station, Line 2, Exit 9. Right after walking out from the exit turn left and walk until you find a small park and you might see some youngsters busking their own music.



Then take a right turn and make sure to look at the stretch of shops on your left just before the main road, Crazy Tteok is situated on the second floor above 'Oleavage'

North Korea Nuke Issue 2013

Source: Korea Times ( 11th April 2013)

So many has been asking repetitive questions to me on the safety of traveling to South Korea especially when the peninsular has been bombarded by countless threats from North Korea in the recent event.

I, personally could not guarantee your safety. Period. 

But, what I feel right now is not anxiety or alarmed by the same old story. 

People who live outside of South Korea were scared by the everyday news displayed by the media in their countries but truthfully, the Koreans and that includes me; we live life as normal as it can get. 

Heck...even the video shown in the news was the old one and repetitive. Media, please update yourself.....*sigh*

No one knows the future for one is not God. 

As a Muslim, I believe in God's Qada' and Qadar which means destiny and divine foreordainment. I just pray for everyone's safety and mine too.

If you are in South Korea now, let your embassy know your details:

1. name


2. phone number in Korea 


3. address in Korea 


4. reference (someone in your home country) and their phone number

For Malaysian embassy, you may contact:





Address:

129 Dokseodang-ro ( Hannam-dong)

Yongsan-gu

Seoul

140-884

Republic of Korea  

 

Telephone: 

+82-2-795 9203 (General Line)

+82-2-2077 8600 (General)



Fax: +82-2-794 5488/ 5480

Email: malseoul@kln.gov.my

How do I proof that there's only peace in South Korea now and not a single trace of chaos in sight?



Pictures!! ^^



Look at these pictures, I just had a cherry blossom picnic YESTERDAY dated 13th of April, 2013 at Yeoido Park with my friends: Feia, Saddam, Zuruel, Lisa and Jun Yun Jae.

We had nasi lemak, chicken rendang, nasi himpit, serunding,

Mister donut and Baskin Robbin's ice cream for Yeoido Cherry 

Blossom gathering! ^^

Look at the crowd going for the Yeoido Cherry Blossom Festival 2013!

This was in front of National Assembly Station, Line 9, Exit 1.

After the picnic at Yeoido Park, me and Feia went to Sinchon to appreciate spring festival under the cherry blossom which is just right in front of my house.

The view in Sinchon last night on 13th April 2013.

If that is not PEACE, what is? *look at my hand gesture? ^^*

Pray for peace in South Korea, your safety and ours. There's nothing to be afraid of.

War Memorial of Korea

Syahir and his family

Guys would definitely like this place. I am kinda tomboyish at heart myself...so I prettttty like War Memorial of Korea. There are so many tankers, fighter jets, helicopters... to check out. Awesome!!

Nadia and her parents

If you don't have time to explore everything..just marvel at the pretty displays outside of the museum. I feel that kinda enough at least for me.

Inside the museum is pretty neat too but what set this museum off from the rest of the museums in Seoul or South Korea are the tankers, fighter jets, helicopters. I love them!! If only I have one for display at my hometown...*sigh*



The admission is FREE. ^__^

Closed every Monday though.



How to go War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)?

If you are from Itaewon, you can take the blue bus number 421 (the bus stop is near Hamilton Hotel, in the direction towards Noksapyeong)  which will stop right in front of War Memorial of Korea.

Otherwise you can stop at Samgakji Station, Line 4 or 6, exit 12. Walk about 5 minutes from the exit.

More information from KNTO is here.

Hongdae Graffiti - 벽화거리

I admire how Korean love and appreciate art in their society or rather.. how there's consciousness to educate the public on appreciating art.



They give a lot of details in intricate design and made it a point to be shared for people of now and the future to see. Countless of art galleries to visit and I love it.

One of the places worth visiting is Hongdae where self interpretation and fresh art meet.



Although I live nearby Hongdae honestly, I don't know the place well. Every time I visit Hongdae, my curiosity remains hungry. Say if I follow one alley, I will see something intriguing. If I stroll another alley it offers another mind blowing picturesque view.



Never never... get enough of Hongdae.

Top: Kang Mu Gyul's house from Marry Me Mary Korean Drama

Bottom: Featured in Marry Me Mary Korean Drama

I have discussed this too many times with my friends that Ewha, Sinchon and Hongdae are worth a visit. They exude different vibe. Definitely.



Among the three, IMO Hongdae gives me kinda magnetic pull like fresh energy.

I have been questioning myself, what's a good reason to visit Hongdae? I'm not into clubbing so that's outta question.



For me, not the Hello Kitty Cafe', Coffee Prince Cafe' or even the Trick Art Museum.



I came to Hongdae strolling its alley looking for the tiny changes.

Today.... might be different than yesterday.

Someone told me that if I start to appreciate blooming flowers on the road side, that.... could be a sign of me getting older. Omo! O-O hehehe..



Recently, I went to Hongdae Graffiti Street or in Korean 벽화거리 (Byeokhwagori)

벽화 = mural

거리 = street/road



I went there 3 times - on my own, with Feia and Nadiah and recently with Min Young.

Each visit surprised me.



How to go to Hongdae Graffiti Street (벽화거리)?

Courtesy: Chupa Chups

Take the subway to Hongik Station, Line 2, exit 9. Walk straight out of the exit unti you find a traffic light and turn left, walk up the hill until you find the entrance of Hongik University.

Feia and her sister; Nadiah with a volunteer

for donation. Surprisingly he was collecting donation for

a school near Batu Caves, Malaysia O-O

If you're not too familiar with Korean Language..Hongdae is actually the abbreviation of Hongik Daehakgyo (Hongik University) 홍익 대학교 abbreviated to 홍대. I prefer to call the place as Hongdae rather than Hongik.

This alley is just next to Hongik University's main entrance. Walk 

from here and you will find many of the graffiti.

Nipong Naepong Restaurant at Ewha University

On my last hunt for Jjamppong in Hongdae, I found another worthy restaurant to try near Ewha University through Naver (Korean search engine).



Being a freelance tour guide, it's becoming a situation for me to vary the restaurant that I will visit. This is because the problem is with me! ^^ Hehehe..



My guests would find it an amazing experience to savour Korean dish but for me who had the same meal like once a week at the same restaurant?? A big big issue. Hot issue. ^^



I was even asked by the cute waiter in Gosami "Aren't you sick of our food?" That made me think...hmm..kinda, but Gosami is good!! Two thumbs up!!



This time I found a gem. Nipong Naepong.

They serve fusion jjamppong and pizza.

They also have set menu:

Set 1 - 2 types of jjamppong, a pan of sweet potato pizza and a soda for 21,900 won

Set 2 - 2 types of jjamppong, a pan of garlic pizza and a soda for 20,900 won



Tip: The jjamppong serving is huge. I think it's better to share the set menu for 3 to 4 pax.

Warning: Just avoid Alaska ppong as it contains meat.

Sweet potato pizza, cha ppong, Italia ppong (like carbonara) 

and Thailang ppong (like fried udon).

The Chappong (Chinese jjamppong) is kinda spicy and have level of spiciness from Level 1 to 3. My advice is to stick to level 1. It's spicy enough. Trust me on this one. Hehehe.



I love the ambiance in Nipong Naepong Ewha University's joint. Feia had been to Myeongdong's joint but the ambiance was not as great as in Ewha she said.

With Feia and Syahir's family. See that huge portion? I ordered

one jjamppong each and we couldn't finish everything. T_T

So far I had been there with 2 groups of my guests and with Feia too and all of them vouched the food was quite good and I think they suit Malaysian's palate.



From the 6 types of jjamppong served, one of them contains meat - Alaska ppong. I asked the waiter to exclude meat if they cook it but she was kinda reluctant. So I just stick to my five other menus which she told me contain no meat, just seafood.



My favorite: Spanish ppong - cause it's not spicy and Thailand ppong - cause I just miss Mee Goreng Mamak. T_T

Huda, Acik Salamah and Baby Fateh couldn't keep

his eyes off from the delicious sweet potato pizza.

However as usual, you have to remind them these secret passages:



고기나 햄을 빼 주세요 / 고기나 햄을 놓지 마세요

gogi na ham el pae juseyo / gogi na ham el nochi maseyo

Please remove meat or ham / Please don't put in meat or ham



How to go to Nipong Naepong?

Ewha University joint - go to Ewha University subway station, line 2, exit 3. Walk down the main road towards Ewha University and turn right on the first junction. Walk up the hill about 20 meters and the restaurant is on your left.

Myeongdong joint - go to Myeongdong subway station, line 4, exit 8. Walk on the junction on your left until you find Basic House clothing shop on your right and then turn left into the alley in front of the shop. Nipong Naepong is on the second floor.

Mouse Rabbit Super Junior Yesung's Cafe

Love..love..love..*can I just sing?* lalala...lalilulila...

Such pretty voice Yesung has and such a pretty cafe'.



Thanks to Feia's suggestion, we went to Yesung's Mouse Rabbit Cafe' after visiting Seodaemun Prison on a bright snowy day. Wait...the cafe' and the prison are not related by all means. Don't get me wrong.

But Yesung can always imprison me in that cafe'. I'm all yours...hahah. 이 아줌마 참...ㅋㅋㅋ



The location might not be so classy like Apgujeong or Sinsadong but the cafe' speaks for itself. Once I'm inside, I didn't want to leave.



Seriously. Especially the basement.

The basement has a fireplace (not real) and rose petals covered floor. Such a detailed man. Feia told me Yesung personally threw in the idea for the interior design of Mouse Rabbit Cafe'.

Anyway, what is it with that cute name for a cafe'? Aigoo...such a cutie.



There was no sight of Yesung but I saw two elderly managing the counter. They could be Yesung's parents, no? Another two young ladies were helping them. Maybe they are his relatives. If Yesung was the one taking our orders, I could be out of my mind. Thank gawddddd...hehe.

Cappuccino, green tea latte, Crepe and marble cheese cake.

Thanks Feia for this delicious treat!!

As usual, I had my cappuccino, nothing too great but I kept raving about the ambiance to Feia. I hope she didn't get bored due to my relentless compliment on Yesung.



Wait a minute..I have only known one Yesung's song that is from Cinderella's Sister's OST. ^^ 더 찾아봐야지...ㅋㅋㅋ



How to go to Mouse Rabbit Cafe'?

Go to Konkuk University Station (건대입구역), Line 2 or 7, get out from exit 2, walk towards your left and go straight. The cafe' is after you pass three alleys on your left.

Once you found this building (like SangSang building in Hongdae), 

walk through this alley and Mouse Rabbit Cafe' will be about 10 meters away.

This Naver blogger: Woni, caught Yesung in action at Mouse Rabbit Cafe'. She's so lucky!