First family vacation overseas

Hi blog! It's been a long time since July was my last post. I've been well till now. Recently went to Seoul for my first family vacation as an adult who earns money. hehehe.. Being the person in charge for this vacation (and most of the vacation) I came up with the budgeting and itinerary. Please take note that I'm not saying mine is the best or whatsoever I'm just sharing.

I chose MAS rather than Air Asia which at that time there's no missing plane or plane shot by missile but I'm not regret. Air Asia is too cramp for me which I flied last year so this time changing to comfy. Bought the ticket for RM1,600 approx. Accommodation, I chose the same as last year.

Last year I stayed at Namsan 2 VIP this time Namsan 3 Guesthouse. Why? For a simple reason Namsan 3 has a lift therefore I won't need to carry my luggage up till 4th floor. Namsan guesthouse location is very strategic which is opposite of the shopping district Myeongdong so does the subway station. They even provide kitchen and laundry area. For a 2 pax room it cost you 65,000 KRW per night. For more details you can check out their website : Namsan Guesthouse

I still remember the excitement of my sibling upon arriving in Korea. Everybody wide awake and watch every scenery that is too see. Unfortunately, I misread the arrival time and reserve the airport pickup an hour late. End up we were very tired and sleepy.

Arrived at the guesthouse, we still had to wait because check in time at 2pm but thank them for giving the rooms early (not that early though). Our next schedule later that evening buying groceries at Itaewon. Some people might not know that there are couples of Halal mart in Itaewon. What I love the most was the THAI rice sold for 7,900 KRW 10Kg = RM24.

Curious for the location? Take the subway Line 3 and stop at Itaewon. Exit from exit 3and walk straight till T-Junction. You can see Fire Station opposite the road. Turn right and walk up the hill. You will see lots of Halal restaurant mostly Pakistan or Indian food. Walk straight up till you see FOREIGN FOOD MART. Across the road and you are there! If you're lost, just ask people the way to the mosque.

The next day I went to Gwangjang Market! Went to same ahjumma store who fed us with generous. Her fishcake soup and kimbap was the best. I'm happy that my family really like it. I saw sales on going at the vegetable store so bought various kind of vegetables and apples! Nothing beats the taste fresh from farm.

I recommend you walk around Dongdaemun before walking to Gwangjang Market. To go to Dongdaemun ride subway Line 1 or 4 and stop at Dongdaemun station out from exit 8. From Dongdaemun if you want to go to Gwangjang Market, walk towards the Cheongyecheon stream till you find the bridge Baeogaedari and cross. You can see the Gwangjang Market right away.

There are 2 lanes if you stand in the middle. Choose the right lane and look for this stall as seen in the picture below. The ahjumma are very friendly.

Next I went to Namsangol Hanok Village. Take subway Line 4 and stop at Chungmuro. From exit 4, across the road in front and take left then right. Less than 100m is Namsangol Hanok Village. Advise to come at 2pm because that's when shows start. Then I took the Line 3 to Gyeongbok Palace. The area is so wide and I just walk around a few areas. I've been there already so just showing around to my lil sisters. If you not sure what to do before exit the subway station you will find voluntary asking if you need their help. Don't worry it's free.

I don't want to write such a detail blog because I've done it the last time. So if you have any questions you can just PM or comment here. You also can check out my facebook Layna Haslina Hassan.

Till the next vacation.. adios!!

Leaving you peeps with my latest favorite song.. MC MONG!!! He is back!!!!

130322 Joyful Korea Trip Day 2

Morning! Morning! Morning! Fresh smell of Korea cold wind, 2^nd day itinerary will be shopping. We went to Namdaemun and shop for souvenirs. Namdaemun is suitable for souvenirs shopping as most of the price is cheaper than other places. After bought some souvenirs we cross over dragon beard stall. Watch the video below and see how he promotes his dragon beard.

Done shopping souvenirs, we head back to the guesthouse. As usual before I enter the house, smoking is a must. Since we aren’t allowed to smoke inside the building, our best hangout place for smoking is Izzo Expresso Café located in front of the guesthouse.  One of the staff saw me and invites us to the guesthouse party at 6pm.  Before that, we went Itaewon for a good dessert. Do you watch variety show call Runningman? If yes, you probably know Tartine Bakery where they shot episode 71 which Jaesuk came to the owner and asked for an exchange. Two years later, Runningman came back and shot nearby the bakery in episode 137 which Uee & Noh Sa Yeon is in it. 

If you love pies and desserts here serve yummy ones.

Directions:-

From the Itaewon station walks out through exit 2 and straight towards Homestead Coffee. Turn left into the narrow street and walk straight till the end. Turn left and straight till you see Scrooge Pub & Grill Restaurant on your left. Turn left and walla you can see Tartine Bakery both on your left and right side.  

Done dessert, it's time to get back to the guesthouse for party but before that we stop by at Paris Baguette. OMG! The pastries are like heaven. Seriously in Malaysia, we don't really have a good pastry except the expensive ones. Check out and bought pastries for supper? 

Party at 6pm, yes they start on time. Like all normal BBQ Party, we eat, talk and drink. But what makes it different is people from MBC Broadcast came and recorded the party. The best part was I did the interview.  I really did have fun at the party. Meet new friends, tell stories about each other and laugh out loud on stupid stories. It went on and on till my mom message me saying did we lost our way back to the room?

Not much sightseeing on the 2^nd day but more to hangout and get to know people.  3^rd day will be a date with Seul Gi and her family.  

Lastly, I always promote a video or song that I like. If you guys want to say that I'm totally into K-stuff I don't mind. If you want to say that I'm totally obsess about them you may so. I'm fine with it because I fall in love with their talent. Check the video if you agree with me. Mnet Voice Kids participants really wow me! Their age is 16 and below if i'm not mistaken.

Good night all~

130321 Blissful Korea Trip Day 1

crdt: Air Asia

I’m very anxious about the Korea trip as it is my first time walking around by my own. If you ask me how long I did the researched, it really took me a lot of effort. Most of it I refer to blog for places but I double confirm by checking their map in NAVER. Naver really helps if you need to find your way in Korea. I plan this trip for 6 months or more. Before I start to summarize my trip let me gives you tips on purchase lower price air plane tickets. It’s best to plan your trip one year ahead so you can save up money. Usually the flight schedule will out for 6 month period. Choose your date wisely, it’s recommended to fly on Tuesday or Wednesday because it’s cheaper and not only fly but purchase the ticket on weekdays is better. When I bought mine, it cost around RM1200 which include 20kg & 25kg plus meal for both ways (Air Asia). 

My flight is on the 21^st March at 1 am but I already apply leave a day before to settle my luggage packing and others. We went to LCCT by Airport pick up service [LCCT/KLIA Limo] which cost us around RM140. Then, goodbye Malaysia and Hello Korea! We arrived a little bit wait not a little but quite late than our estimated time. Thank god the driver who are picking us up still there with my name on the paper. *suddenly feel like an artist* Step out from the airport, the wind really hit us and it was cold! *but I like that weather* me and my sister wanted to smoke before we continue our journey but the driver straight bring us to the car and as a result straight to the guesthouse.

NAMSAN GUESTHOUSE

I’m staying at Namsan Guesthouse which located at Namsan-dong opposite Myungdong shopping area. I’m totally recommending you guys this guesthouse. Check out their website [Namsan Guesthouse].

Check in, unpack and rest. We got some sleep before going out for sightseeing. First, we hiked to Namsan Cable Car Station. For Korean it’s normal for them to walk up the hill because they have lots of hill it. For us Malaysian, it’s totally drained our energy. FYI, Namsan Cable Car station located nearby the guesthouse but due to the steep hills, it took us more than 10 minutes.

 Directions from Guesthouse:-

How to get there? Just walk straight up the hills till you reach dead end. On the left, there’s a stairs take that stairs up and you can see cable car station is on the right. From here, if you walk straight further up, you can see Kim Sam Soon stairs.

I bought return ticket to Namsan Tower or N Seoul Tower which cost at 8,000 won. Once you reach at the other side, you need to walk up the stairs and you’re there. The alternate way of walking up to the cable car station is by bus. Walk down towards the subway station or bus stop station. There is a bus going to Namsan tower but it will stop nearby the peak. So you need to walk up wait similar to hike up the hill. So basically, you still have to hike the hill.

We don’t really spend a long time there. Look around, took some pictures and search for hot guy(?) hahaha! We didn’t go up the tower because it’s basically nothing plus I’ve been there before. So we got down and head for lunch but have no idea where should we go. TwoTwo chicken restaurant saved our hungry stomach. Not to mention the smell of tteokbokki and odeng (fish cake) was really tempting.

Since we will be going to ride the subway at night, we decided to stop by GS25 and inquire about T-Money. T-Money is similar to Touch N Go in Malaysia. 

You can buy this in GS25 convenience store and ask for T-Money. The T-Money card cost 2,600 won (if i'm not mistaken) then you can top up 30,000 won (삼만원 sam man won).  I top up for 50,000 won but there's a lot of balance left. So it's advisable for 30,000 won top up. Next if you have smart phone or phone which can detect wifi, you can also ask for Olleh Wifi Prepaid.

You will receive a receipt like the above. Once you connected to Olleh Wifi, open your browser and you need to key in the 12 numbers, your name and passport number. Once you key in you have to wait for a few minutes before you can surf happily.

At night, we went to Dongdaemun but a little tip for everyone please don’t go to Dongdaemun at night because there’s nothing except for shops closing. From the Dongdaemun station we walked for a few minutes before we arrived at Gwangjang Market. Thank god that Market is open. We ate our dinner there. We had small size Kimbab or if I translate from Korean is Drugs kimbab?, tteokbokki and odeng. The ahjumma very nice to us and we even pack back with us plus with extra of everything she gave to us. Really encourage you guys to come here. It will be perfect if we come here during the day. Compare to Malaysia, I think they close their shops quite early. 8pm in Kuala Lumpur everything still open and crowded. 

Then, we scroll down to Cheonggyecheon stream but there’s nothing. So frustrated!!!! If you have a date it’s nice to walk around that stream as you can talk and get closer to your partner. **A note to myself, next time visits Dongdaemun during the day** 

After the stroll, we got back to the guesthouse and hangout at the cafe. Inside the Myundong Subway station has a cd shop. I bought my friend album orders there. Seriously, compare buying in my country here in totally cheap. See ya for the 2nd day post. Good night! 

Here I want to share this B.A.P One Shot dance cover by St. 319 from Vietnam. They are totally awesome!!