Travelogue : Korea With Love, Jeju Island

Good Morning Day 4! 

We woke up earlier than usual to catch the flight to Jeju Island. Again, foster parents made us breakfast before they dropped us at the airport. While leaving the house, mama dropped some Korean tidbits into my "Doraemon" bag. She was making sure we don't go hungry! She even gave us a bagful of steam sweet potatoes!! Sounds exaggerating? HAHA This is no joke le.. 

At the airport, after checking-in our luggage, went for a coffee at Angel-in-Us. 

 I am having my favourite Vanilla Latte. I just love the taste of Korean coffee.

It took us approximately one hour to reach Jeju Island. On-board with our chosen T-Way local airline. It was comfortable. I even manage to catch the glimpse of how the maintenance team really work. It's just like how we watch TVB Drama "Triumph in the Sky II where Summer and her team works. They gave a thumbs-up to the captain upon completing their maintenance check and bid goodbye before the flight departed. I even saw them doing the salute to the pilots. It's my first time seeing it for real (not drama) and they were indeed professional to me!!  HAHA

Anyone hungry now?? I am whenever I see these food pictures. This is our first meal at Jeju Island and we first settled the bill ourselves. Imagine we only starts spending money on 4th day here. Still counting blessing even today! <3

Upon arrival at Jeju International Airport, we quickly headed to the car rental with the free shuttle bus services available at the airport. Took our cute mini red KIA (think it looks like the Picanto we have here) and search around for food! 

We pick and point the nearest place and found a seafood restaurant. It was toothsome that I had two bowls of rice again! We were too hungry then. We were thinking, if we kept having such a scrumptious meal everyday, how much money do we have to spend in Jeju Island alone. LOL!! You know what!! This dishes you have just seen earlier, it cost us RM 180++(3 pax). We said "Pampering oneself on occasional basis is good" Muahhaha! 

Since we had so much food, we decided for a walk at the beach!! MC is super excited driving us around in the left hand drive car. Our first stop - Hyeopjae Beach It was super duper cold! We saw couple having pre-wedding photo shoot. We saluted them as the bride was in tube short dress in the temperature of 10 degree celsius LOL For the sake of beautiful pictures ya!! 

Before the sunsets picture!! It was a very clean beach. 

When the sun came down... 

I had my favourite dance post!! Had them during my Taiwan trip at Lovers Bridge and now in Jeju -- its like a must have post! :P

Getting dark like so fast!! And weather is getting cooler. But I forced myself not to wear extra jacket! Crazy fella who just wanna enjoy autumn!! LOL!! I am sure Emily gonna agree with me - Enjoy the weather!! :-)

We went to a nearby cafe for a drink before going to the guesthouse we booked earlier. This is COMMA Cafe. 

The lovely decoration at Island Guesthouse

We found Island Guesthouse with the help of the free GPS given when we rent the car. Although the instruction is in Korean, we do get little help from Google Map. Thanks to the free WIFI too!! Did not take much of the guesthouse picture. Anyway, do check out the website for more info. 

The lady at the guesthouse has been sharing information around Jeju Island to us. It was kind of informative and we can search the location/area with the telephone number and voila - GPS would bring us there!! But if you are like me 没有方向感, sorry to say Google Map in English would be a problem as well!! LOL So we must thank MC for being so good at directions! 

Since we had a car, going around Jeju Island is definitely not a problem. We went to the nearby 24-hour convenience store to grab some light food and tid-bits. 

Makgleoli is cheaper than a small box of milk!! T____T

Our dinner - Korean noodles and some Korean snacks. 

Since it was kind of late and dark, nothing much we can do.  We need to sleep earlier to catch the glimpse of the most magnificent sunrise view at 3:00 am the next day. 

上班都没那么早咯！LOL!! 

Anyway, let me continue in the next post. Gonna share lots of beautiful scenery picture of Jeju Island! 

Stay tuned!! 

Previous Korea Post - 

Korea with Love, Nami Island

Korea with Love, Mt Seorak & Yongmunsa

Joyful December

Happy past-another-decade-old to me Ten years ago this day seemed impossible to fathom and yet, here we are Welcome to the club if you were one of me :P

Look of the Day

As I walked down memory lane, I had lots of time to reflect on the good times, bad times and all the people/things that happened in between that shaped me into the woman lady I am today. Thanking God for all the beautiful people and things He has given me. I am always being reminded on how blessed I am. 

Cakes that were given to me

I had an extraordinary celebration this year. It was a Thursday hence got to be at the office. Found breakfast on my table upon reaching office ^_^ First blessing of the day.

Lunch - Had a simple celebration with the team. They took me to Tsuruya Restaurant for Japanese food. I always love Japanese meal and now even though I have new love - K meal, I still do love Japanese meal. Another blessing, a mini celebration with colleagues during tea break.

Thank you my beloved Zoe. She joined the team to celebrate with me ^_^

They were the people who pampered me like a princess for the day! Thank you MPT! Only you guys knew what's that means! HAHA 

They brought me to my favourite restaurant at the moment for a scrumptious dinner. 

Korean meal - side dishes are yummy 

I am hungry now!!! This is so toothsome I can't even.... Thank you for bringing me over to Daorae. Muah!! 

Korean Stew - Looks temptingly delicious right? 

My all time favourite Bimbibap

After meal, they gave me another surprise. Nana and Huey excused themselves to the ladies. Confirmed not telling the truth. They wanted to bring out the cake for me. It was a homemade mango crepe cake. Everything is just perfect that day! Blissful max!! 

They really wanna revealed my age!! I shouted at them the moment I saw the cake. What is this??!!! Why revealing my age? Bell even teased me.. Whoa, you thirty?? T______________T 你们看着瞧吧！！哈哈哈哈哈

After meal, ET mentioned he need to get something at CY's house. Since we carpooled, I have no other better choice but to follow them. They told me I have something at his house. I must search for it. Woah!! I were in total shocked! How did my car got it here?

My car was parked at the office compound and now it came here? So question is, how they got the keys? Well, they "hired" my colleagues to pick and drop the key back to its original place after mission accomplished. How smart!! 

The car then looked like a wrapped present. Ribbons at all side of the doors Oversize handmade cards with their childhood pictures and wishes written More than a dozen of colorful balloons filled up the car seats. Thoughtful presents were stacked at the passenger seat.  

What else can they not do? It took me a while to unwrapped this special present. It was a great surprise. One need to brainstorm and make time to plan all this. These guys were damn superb. I truly love all the wonderful wishes, the irreplaceable handmade cards and thoughtful gifts. I was completely overwhelmed and grateful I can't tell how much. 

Tadah!! They finally done decorating my car. It was mum car actually. My car wasn't with me that day! 

The making in progress... Thank you for sweating yourselves for all these!! Muah!!! 

Holding the handmade card.. Super cute card!! 

Unwrapping present!! 

Thank you thank you thank you I super love all the pressie too - Victoria's Secret, lovely dress, H & M, OSIM uGems, Vitamin Water and Laneige. 

Thank you for giving me such a wonderful moment!! I know you guys have been spending sometime for all this ^_^

<3 <3 <3

Christmas is just four days ahead!! ^_^ 

Blessed Christmas and may you enjoy the joy that He is always giving us!!  

Till then, buh bye....

December Love

It's mid of December already. Time really flies. December is always the happiest time of the year. Celebrations after celebrations to enjoy with ^_^ 

Looking back 2013 - What have you accomplished? How many of your resolution have been fulfilled? I definitely have many sweet memories to reminisce Not forgetting also those hard to deal time I take them as a learning ground 

Gonna share what I have fulfilled (promises to myself) for the past 12 months

 Learning Chinese Language 

Even though I speak Mandarin I don't read much I just love the language so much that I told myself I have to recognize those squarish character LOL 

I have accomplished them I managed to don an entry in my blog with Mandarin (simple one of course) 

Thanks to all my lovely friends who taught me, communicate with me in apps with mandarin ( it's not easy compare to English), correct my error, help me with translation Also thanks to Google translate LOL 

When there's a will, there's a way I don't stop believing because I believe that all things are possible in Christ ^_^

I will continue to learn as I'm still at beginner level Still lots of character to learn One word a day equals to three hundred and sixty five words a year 

Making Meals

I sucks at making meals I never like the kitchen that parents complained about it T_________T

Since I wanted to challenge myself I went Google for recipes 

Started off with simple meal Still not too bad as sis said there's still space of improvement 

Slowly, I made variety of meals 

This is kimchi stew 

Posted this on instagram Kimchi Fried Rice I am into everything K these days 

I am sorry if you dislike that Lol

Travelling 

I like travelling Yeah!! Who don't? Haha 

Promise myself to make at least a trip out of the country annually 

This year was just great Visited a new place Experienced autumn Learned a new culture and now it became my loved country 

Me at the subway station in Seoul 

I always believe we shouldn't stop having dreams and making resolutions 

I feel contended whenever I accomplished them 

It some how made us look forward for things Life would definitely be more meaningful in such way 

And now its time for 2014 resolutions!I have listed mine.. Have you? 

Thanking God for His abundance love and blessing for 2013!! And 2014, the year gonna start with greater blessing 

AMEN!! ^_^ 

What about you? Any resolution that you have accomplish? Share with me! It would definitely motivate us listening to yours :-) 

Travelogue : Korea With Love, Mt.Seorak & Yongmunsa

Annyeonghaseyo!! 안녕하세요 I am back with the second part of Korea moment ^_^

If you haven't read my earlier post on the country I still major miss, here's the link - 

Travelogue : Korea With Love, Nami Island 

Pretty autumn leaves

Waking up on Day 2 and found myself on another bed not my own. Feeling blessed. The foster parents have been so bountiful to us. We haven't been spending money till the day we bid them goodbye! They cooked us plentiful of scrumptious Korean meal, brought us around and made us stay in such a cozy home <3 <3 <3

Papa and mama prepared breakfast for us while we get ourselves ready for mountain hiking! It's rice again but I didn't ate it that morning as I was so full after having sausage noodle. Emily was telling me this is one of the many dishes she is craving for. After tasting it, I truly understand how she felt not being able to have it because I craved it badly too! I could feel my stomach crying for food now! 

Missing Korean Coffee 

Before leaving house, mama made us a cup of coffee each. I love Korean coffee as they contains more milk than coffee powder (I suppose) as I feel drinking latte!! Yummy!! 

It took us approximately an hour to reach the Seoraksan National Park from home. We are going to climb Mount Seorak. I googled and found the mountain was named Seorak ('Seol' meaning 'snow' and 'Ak' meaning 'big mountain') because the snow would not melt for a long time, thus keeping the rocks in a permanent state of white. 

We went up the hill with cable car. Since we were early and needed to wait for about an hour plus for the schedule, we kill time with picnicking and stroll around the park. 

That's us picnicking. The two ladies had their thumb glued on the phone. Yea thumb! I realized we both had the same way of texting here. I believe it's a "professional" way. LOL!! 

We had Tteokbokki and banana milk here. Tteokbokki is a Korean popular snack food made from soft rice cake, fish cake and sweet red chili sauce. I kind of like this only if not too spicy. LOL!! 

Yum Yum!! 

If you watched the TVB Drama - Triumph in the Skies II. You definitely know this drink. It's Summer's favourite and became mine too.. We had that in Korea :-) 

Strolled around the park and had some pictures taken.

Then, we got bored and we had a boring pose! T_______________T

After the long wait, we walked up towards the cable car entrance and saw these cutie pies. It's a school outing for the little ones. Cuteness level is max!! If I could went to any of them and give them a biggie hug! I'll end up in police station maybe?? LOL

On the cable car now! See how nice is fall season - yellow, crimson, red and green. Those leaves - I took back the few of these falling leaves. Can be used as dried leaves as book mark. 

The view from top. Credits to travel mate for all these awesome and interesting pictures. 

감사합니다  Kamsamnida!!

We need to walk the rocky trail in order to  reach the mountain top.  Mama is very fast! She is always in front of us. Confirm the younger one lost to her speed! 

I am feeling nervous and excited at the same time. I never hike a mountain back home. A stroll at the park has not been my usual thing to do too. How could I hike a mountain? 

But guess what? We made it to the top of the mountain. Oh yeah~~ *shake butt* We are the champion.. We are the champion....!! LOL

The trail may look steep but it was not too difficult to reach the top. It's getting cooler and I need additional jacket. Wrapping myself with 3 layers of top and two layers of bottom. Cooling and nice!! :-)

So what now? Going down the mountain is.......... a bit tricky!! LOL!! But we still must walk down. No other better way!! So brave ourselves, slowly and carefully we still reach the ground. Mission accomplished!! 

Walking back to get parents car. We managed to take some beautiful view and road map.

I need to repeat this again. The autumn made the landscape even more beautiful. Look at those fiery autumn shade. Super love!  

Foster parents said we gonna have a scrumptious meal at the wet market. We were heading to have sashimi - The Korean style. 

The market had various seafood available and we can pick and choose the choice we like and would served to the table for us.

Foster parents ordered us squid and fishes. They were so fresh. I don't think I ever taste such delicious sashimi back home. 

This is how we ate them. Wrap in vegetables and dipped it with sauce or wasabi. Yummy!! 

Kimchi is a must on every meal. 

We had so much of the raw seafood that we turned them into steamboat. Haha. Still taste so good! 

My portion. Sorry if I made your saliva dropped! LOL

The place we had our meal. It's getting dark when we finished our meal. Parents said we should walk around that area before heading home. We went to the nearby beach. It's  kind of dark and super cold. But it was not too long that we headed home after that. 

One hour later after reaching home...

We were feeling hungry again. Mama was so tired that she went to bed early that night. Papa insisted that he cooked for us. Tadah.. Korean Maggie Mee and with kimchi for sure.

Korean noodle must accompany with Makgeolli. The top bowl belongs to me and bottom belongs to travel mate. The differences is way too obvious - I know!! I can't drink much... :P

Our mind were filled with lots question marks during supper. Papa keep sharing stories and we ended up looking at each other and laughed. His conversation to us is in Korean as he don't speak any other language and mama,the translator is asleep. Our travel mate (who understand a little better than us) tried to understand papa's sharing and translated to us. Considered a great achievement as I am very sure these were duck and chicken conversation! That's include the international sign language - pointing at things when talking.. (Only if you understand what I am trying to explain here) LOL!!! 

We ended the night with snacks again!! That is why I mentioned earlier, no hunger!! We were always full when papa and mama were around. 

Yep.. We were going to Yongmunsa Temple the next day! 

Breakfast before we head out on Day Three. We had rice accompanied with eggs, potatoes, vegetables and kimchi. 

Selfie in the car while waiting to reach the destination. Haha!

Finally here! We lost count on how long and far we have walked to reach the event area as mama was walking with me and her speed was 1,000,000 fast! I suspected I stop breathing for a second. I literally lost my breathe. So exhausted and feeling tired! Anyway, I still managed to make it and capture this picture with the Asia's largest ginkgo trees behind me. It age between 1,100 to 1,500 years. They were old but were stunningly beautiful trees! 

Reaching the event area and we saw a band rendering a few hit songs I believe. Everyone were enjoying their performance. Both of us tired till .................. Speechless!! Need to rest for a while and selfie. LOL!! 

Foster parents took us a different route to go back. Literally a good exercise. My whole body has started aching since Day 2 and my hamstring were yelling OUCH every time climbing the stairs! That's the consequences when you don't exercise regularly. :P

Happy us strolling around beautiful Yongmunsa <3 <3 <3

I were still feeling full when we had this Chinese style lunch. But still eat.. Hahahahaha... They tasted so good. These were fried biggie noodles and fried pork. 

We need to go back earlier as the foster brother is coming back to visit the family. Hence, papa dropped us back first before he picked bro. We told mama we would like to see papa garden. He harvested the big land on his own. All the vegetables that we had for the last three days were all organic! Thank you papa!! 

Anyway, it was too dark to capture anything to share with you.

It was getting dark already and I am shivering like.... Took away travel mate jacket! Haha.. I am sorry but I can't help it! The wind is killing me that I kept pestering them to go back home. LOL!! 

It was not too long that papa and bro came home. We ordered delivery that night. Fried chicken Korea style that comes with radish! We served with Makgeolli again! :-)

We had a good chat with the family that night. We have mama and brother the translator. So no duck and chicken conversation that night. LOL!! 

We have to wake up very early the following day to catch a flight, hence we need to rest early.

Can't wait to share on my Jeju Island trip.. Till my next post, enjoy this video from 2NE1. Super nice song !! <3