Pre-Trip Travelogue

Having travelled to both Seoul and Jeju for 10-days I could say that I barely skimmed the surface. Frankly it wasn't even enough since there was just so much to see and do. But given the limited time and budget, I think I've managed squeeze in some of the recommended and must-see places and activities and create an itinerary that me and my friend will enjoy.

I didn't really plan to go during spring when we booked our flight, it just happened, which was perfect as besides being a great weather to travel, we get to escape from our hot and humid weather here. One of the reason we moved our trip to mid-April from our original late-March was due to the difference in ticket prices (I can't remember how much but it was a pretty sum).

My trip to Seoul was honestly rather...sudden - for the lack of better words. No doubt that I've wanted to travel but it had been a rough idea, a general plan of sorts which I'm sure most people have at the back of their minds. The thought of travelling to Korea hasn't even occurred to me (on my own) - not even after watching gazillions of Korean drama. Unbelievable right?! 

I had the assumptions that Korea would be a challenging destination due to the language barrier, expensive and that I would need to follow a travel agency which would complicate things. I mean travelling to a foreign country where you can't speak the language can be rather intimidating don't you think? However, my uncle who is well-travelled, regaled us with how amazing and tourist friendly it was there. The plus point was the fact that travelling within Seoul was surprisingly safe and convenient. You could reach most places by subway and everything was pretty much interconnected.

HOW WE GOT THERE 

Being from Malaysia, we decided to fly with Malaysia Airlines. Contrary to popular believe, Air Asia wasn't the most affordable as no doubt it was slightly cheaper but after the extras it would be nearly the same. I would rather pay slightly extra to ensure my peace of mind to not be caught unaware of unexpected expenses. It doesn't help that my previous experiences with Air Asia = delays.

ITINERARY

Making our own itinerary was really easy thanks to numerous bloggers who have blogged about their trip. VisitKorea website was also very helpful as it contains detailed information. In preparation for my trip, I've read countless websites and blogs to compile some of the places I think we would both enjoy. However despite my planning, its really impossible to predict what was going to happen and all we could do was to adjust and make the best out of it. 

TIPS

I believe that my trip would be much more enjoyable if I were to be able to converse in korean or at least read some hangul. The people that I've met there were so friendly though much was lost in translation and I think that I could have gained much more insight if I could converse more with them.

Right now, I'm still having a 'hangover' from my trip as it was really that epic and although school begins tomorrow, I would look forward to blogging each and every one of my misadventure and probably some of my hauls too since I did quite a bit of shopping ^^ Ciao~

Back to Reality

Seoul was absolutely amazing :D It felt unreal now that I'm back but It was definitely an experience to remember. I realised was that choosing your travel partner is very important. A heads up to future travel mates, I am the type to burn myself out during a holiday. I came to experience the locality. I'm not paying a bomb to sleep in. But for all its worth, I'm glad that I went with a close friend ^^ We didn't really match well habit wise but well enough to make considerations for each other.

This is just a quickie since I'm busy. There is just so much to tell that I can't possibly blog about in a single post. One of my highlights was shopping - clothes, shoes, cosmetics, accessories and even their local supermarket~!! I thought I went trigger happy but after unpacking I realised I hadn't bought that much. Actually I did since I returned home with 24.3kg (which is amazing since I can't even carry my own bag). Once home I felt I should have bought more stuff. But then again its not physically possible for me...You can't imagine how it was like trying to get to the airport.

I'm especially crazy CRAZY about skincare and lip cosmetics. I had always had a weak spot for lipsticks and glosses since I could never have enough of them. This is especially if I see a pretty colour or a colour that I don't have yet. I have tons lying around and I have recently bought three new colours to add to my collection. Of course I justify my purchases by convincing myself that I use more lip products since I really do favour them. 

I get more eccentric since I feel like I'm thrown into a whirlwind of hustle and bustle. Right now, I'm in the midst of college entrance. There is so little time as classes begin this Monday but I can't get any of the paperwork completed without an offer letter. What's most important is the dateline for the ptptn and my offer letter is still 'under consideration' due to me being a credit transfer student.

I've called them a few times and I was told that I have been accepted for my 4th choice (BA Hospitality Management) but the delay is due to them needing to work out my exemptions. For all this delays, I'd better be able to skip all practical since they have made me miss my orientation. I hope I didn't miss too much. I'm really excited to begin classes. 

Birthday Lunch @ The Manhattan Fish Market, Pavillion

What you see may not be what you will get~ Technically there was nothing wrong but I can't help feel a little disappointed by the food presentation and quality. The image on the left is what I was served compared to the promotional image(right).

My brother had always wanted to try the Flaming Platter @ The Manhattan Fish Market. Since I wasn't going to be around, we decided to take opportunity of the groupon promotion and celebrate his birthday a little earlier. Usually price for the Platter alone is usually RM55.90 and with the groupon it was discounted to RM47 with complementary 'chowder' and salad.

Before I bought the groupon, I called up the Pavillion outlet to enquire if we could use it on Good Friday because it was stated in the t&c that it is not valid on a public holiday. It had to be on this particular day because it was the only day before my flight where his school is off. It was a simple question but the phone was passed around with the employees mumbling and giving me mixed answers. (If they had said no, I would've gone there anyway. The only difference is that I wouldn't waste my money for a groupon that I cannot use.)

I was quite annoyed but luckily the Manhattan Facebook Team had some sense and quickly clarified this issue. During my visit, the service was quick and efficient but the quality of the meal was....well it's not that it taste bad but it leaves something to be desired. The salad was still crunchy and crisp but it had already begin browning. I didn't think much of this but on our way out, there was salads in the display counter. I don't even want to think how long it has been there. 

I didn't ask but I believe we were served Mushroom Garlic Soup since it taste like mushroom but with an overwhelming garlic flavour - kinda like melted garlic bread. It wasn't bad and it was rather thick and filling. However, I was looking forward to being served 'chowder of the day' since that was what printed in the groupon. According to the dictionary, it refers to a rich soup usually containing seafood but if there was any in it I couldn't taste it.

The main meal after over looking its appearance was actually really delicious. They brought the pan over and flamed in front of us before serving. My brother particularly enjoyed the fried oysters and my favourite was the Mediterranean fish. What that was surprising is the rice beneath the seafood! I'm not one who would choose rice as my side dishes as it would usually turn out dry and taste-less but this was simply divine. 

My brother and I was practically bloated by the time we finished it. If you're a small eater, this set could probably feed three as opposed to two and I'm telling you my brother is NOT a small eater. But of course individual appetite applies. 

To digest our lunch we decided to walk around a bit before picking up his dessert (a promise made earlier). He decided to have Gelatomio Fruito and even though we selected the smallest cup that dude serving us really packed up the cup. (Now I know how they make money) It cost me about RM15 for it which is rather expensive to me. My eyes were practically daggers when he looked like he couldn't finish it since he was still stuffed from earlier. 

He managed it in the end with me helping out a little (chocolate still isn't really my thing) and look rather tortured :P We had a great day but I doubt he would want to stuff himself like this for a long time. But then again, its only his birthday once a year. And at this point of writing he still hasn't have the slightest inclination for his dinner.