Seoul, Korea (Day 6)

After breakfast, in our itinerary is to visit Gyeongbok Palace. Built at the beginning of the Chosu Dynasty when the Yi Dynasty moved the capital to Seoul, this palace remained the main seat of power for Korea kings throughout much of the time to the present. Gyeongbok means Shining Happiness.


The main gate (Kwanghwa-mun) separates Gyeongbok Palace from one of the busiest areas of Seoul. Gyeongbok Palace was built as the primary palace of the Chosun Kingdom by its founder, King Taejo in 1395, the fourth year of his reign. The palace compound is very nice with its cherry blossom. With its cool breeze and serene scenery, its so nice to take pic.


After the palace, it is a walking distance to National Folk Museum - comprises three interconnected buildings. The three examples of traditional Korean architecture on the roofs are some of the highest buildings on the palace grounds, and can be easily seen from almost anywhere. Inside the museum are examples of the different periods of Korean history, from pre-history through the Japanese occupation. In addition to actual relics, replicas and paintings show various aspects of traditional life, including many ceremonies and festivals. Jungang Hall, in the center of the three wings, is used to showcase various exhibitions that change periodically

Next visit place is passing by Blue House - Office of the President of the Republic of Korea. Its the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea. We are not allowed to stop the bus or to take pictures because the South Korean is very strict with the security.

After lunch, we went to visit the Ginseng factory, their ginseng factory is fully controlled by their government biro so no bargaining as d products here is fixed price. Initially i thot there wud not be anything interesting there but we end up buying a promising Ginseng Mouisturiser for the face after the given tryouts.

Next stop is to the the Amethyst Factory, not much of an interest for me, didn't buy anyting here too. But managed to go the the food stalls juz outside d factory, took pics and tryout its puff-balls. Here its called 'Kaya Ball' but in Seoul, the filling is a sweet walnut paste. Not bad and its only KRW2000.

Another stop is to Namdaemun local market. Just a few minutes from Seoul’s ancient namdaemun Gate (Sungnyemun or South Gate) is an open-air market and is close to the downtown area and to deluxe hotels, which have the very best selection of merchandise in the nation. Namdaemun Market is also the Nation’s wholesale center and virtually anything you want can be found here.

Just opposite Namdaemun market is Myeongdong Fashion Square. Myeongdong has been the trend setting center for Korean Fashion. Here are more than 50 shops carrying apparel, shoes, cosmetics, jewelry, restaurant, etc… You go crazy with all these markets cos there's juz so much to shop here. If u come to Seoul, this is a MUST visit!!

Seoul, Korea (Day 7)

Our hotel, Seoul Palace Hotel is about 15-20 minutes by cab from Namdaemun or Dongdaemun. Nevertheless, its location is strategic cos it is near the famous underground shopping mall and Shinsagae Mall.

After breakfast, all of us took the time to rush to the underground shopping mall which is about 15 minutes walk (fast-walk) from the hotel. An interesting mall that has hundreds of shops selling everythings, u name it, from ladies stuff, men's stuff (clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, etc) to household stuff...best lah tis place.

We took pic with their local guide (Ms. Min and Mr. Danny). Min is a very knowledgable tour-guide. We are so lucky to get her cos she makes our bus-ride interesting and non-boring. We got to know that Min was featured in Astro when Mawi visited Seoul for their promotion.

We are satisfied with all the arrangements and everything went well. All the days were filled up with a balance of visiting and shopping. So far, i have no problem with them. I'm also happy n satisfied with the meals that they provide to the muslim people. Altho we get the chance to eat halal food like Indian and Pakistani food but i'm also glad that they gave us the chance to sample "Bibimbap" and also "Kimchi" which is so sedap.

At the airport, we simply took tis pics....konon-konon sedihlah nak tinggalkan kota Seoul.

I also took the chance to take pic with Korean Airline cabin-crew...she's so cute! The truth is, the service is very very good and the 'halal' food that they served us were simply delicious.

Weekend Retreat

Yezzz....today i get to go for a weekend retreat with mah beloved!! Its actually a surprise one from him. He'd actually made the bookings earlier but told me only yesterday. It came at the right time cos i really really needed the 'time-off'...thank you babe~

Bee memang loved to tryout new places...that goes for eating places or hotel stays. He came across an advert that promotes a new hotel in Putrajaya. Its a new hotel and its an international chain from the Accor group Its the first of such hotel in Malaysia. Bee mentioned that they have a few hotels in Asia Pacific namely Mercure, Novotel and Ibis but Pullman is one of their luxury line.

This is the clock tower in the middle of the hotel compound which is surrounded by the other wings. The significant thing about this tower is that it chimes traditional music every hour....that's something diffrent and unique.

Have u heard of Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside Hotel? Its located in Putrajaya and its newly opened, only a month ago. The hotel land and its compound is huge. They are supposed to have 5 eateries but at the moment only 1 coffee house (all day dining) is operating. They're supposed to have an exquisite waterfront restaurant. They've got bars by the lake (which offers snack delis till 11pm). They've got game rooms and water sports facilities and yet to open fitness centre.

They've got lovely beautiful indoor and outdoor sceneries. They are split into four wings each with a unique ethnic theme, namely ie. Malay, Chinese, Indian & Borneo. So, they're many options of accommodation that you can choose from. We've checked into the 'Borneo' which is one of the deluxe catagory that comes with a balcony. First class facilities eg. Wifi and satelite flat screen. I've never stayed in hotels which has multi-channel namely Astro Ria, HBO, Star Movies, HK Channel, French, German, Vision Four, including local and plenty of other channels. I must mentioned about its bed. Its very very very very comfy....you cannot feel your sleeping partner change position when you're sleeping...simply good to sleep in.

The place is so serene and windy becos its located by the shore of a huge lake. The hotel is partly hidden and the scenery there is simply breathtaking.

Altho only a one nite stay but it gave me a lot of de-stress factor....i get to see blue sky...lotsa green trees, winds (all the elements) which provide me with a lot of calmness. Not to forget the serene surroundings and the best of all is spending quality time with ehem... I needed the break and the retreat comes at just the right time.

Good dinner with good frens

After work today, meet our couple frens. Not a planned one but we gotta see them, firstly cos we need to pass the little souvenirs that i bot from Seoul. Secondly cos we both needed to have a really good dinner with good company.

We all meet up and Curve...as usual, we'll have difficulty in choosing the venue for dinner. We all went and check out Marche but decided TR instead.

There were ribs, schrimps, chicken and chicken burgers. There were plenty of re-fills, plenty of chit-chats and plenty of stories to share. As usual, after splitting the bills, we all went home.

Both of us has plans for tomoro pulak tu. We're going to Putrajaya while the both of them are going to Cameron Highlands.....to de-stress!!. I'm so happy for us and for them cos we get to get time off (at least for a nite) to get out of town and see the world with our loved ones.

Juz blabbing

I'm so got nothing to write about. I took leave today (again!). I'm stressed at work (again!). Need time out!! Went to OU (again!), had breakfast at SB, later went to watch movie - "Mall Cop" at GSC....supposedly to be a comedy but it turned out to be a so-so movie. Had lunch at N and shared a meal and a bowl of soup and a plate of toasted garlic bread.

I juz needed to get out of office....its been a very hectic week n i really really needed d short break, jalan-jalan with bee. Do some retail therapy.....and get things clear out of my head...juz pure peace...

I'm stressed!!

Took leave today. Reason being, wanna run errands and take time off work. I've been away for nearly a week, i guess i wanna 'jalan-jalan' and go for makan wif bee. Plus, i've been really stressed at work....yes before and after d trip. I'm soo tired after work and i'm so worn out. I need to de-stress myself with bee.

After running errands, went to OU, had lunch at DD, i had Spicy Thai Speghetti and bee had grilled chicken. Later went to TGV and wanted to check out any nice movies to watch. Decided to watch "He's juz not that into you".....cos Jason Bateman is in. The movie turned out to be a 2hours show....quite draggy but we both learnt something about 'relationship'.

Later went back home and lepaq. Had wholemeal bread for dinner with sardines in sunflower oil from Tesco UK (got my sis-inlaw to buy for me...its only 0.94 pence...cheap kan)...and taste really good.

On a short note to cousin F, thank you so much for the chocolates. She never fail giving me, my favourite Cadbury choc..., next time juz buy 1 bar cukup, okey. Thanks.

Short Break from Work

Me taking a break from bloging.... for awhile. Maybe for more then a week. Me going for company's incentive trip, Seoul, Korea.

People said i'm definately gonna enjoy myself but....come to think about it....i think we all DESERVED it.... I've been sloogging my arse up and having stresses and tensions....i think we all deserved this break. I'm talking on behalf of my department cos i know we've worked like he*l....really fellas...we should 'de-stress' ourself with this trip kan.

Oya, i was told that in order to have phonelines in Korea, you've gotta have a 3G handphone. Alhamdulilah, i had the phone since last year. And last minutely, someone told me that Digi Prepaid have no access in Seoul....true enough. So on saturday morning, i went to its customer service branch in SS2 and has officially changed my prepaid to postpaid (without any hassle). I'm still loyal to Digi, you know. Alhamdulilah i can still contact my LOVED ones via sms after changing it to postpaid.

So, I see u guys...when i see u guys hoh. Take Care!!

** I'm gonna miss u Bee....very much

Saturday Hi-tea

Last monday, bee called me and told me that Saffron Brassarie is having a promotion for their Hi-tea. Believe it or not, its RM9.90++ per person on saturday and sunday only from 2:30pm-4:30pm. But in order to secure the seat, you have to log in. That's what i did!! I booked for 10 pax. We immediately call Uncle Wan and family and invite them for the hi-tea but unfortunately they cannot make it, somebody has booked them oredi....i'm slightly late. Well....its too bad lah.

We still proceed with our plans but this time, we just go as 'anak-beranak'. After making bookings via on-line, the hotel confirmed my reservation via email. I did asked them to ensure whether the food is gonna be less or not since the price is cheap but they have confirmed that there will be 100 local and international food served. But we must bank in the money by Thursday to secure the place.

Today is a rainy day....heavy rain!! By the time bee & i fetched my parents at Kelanajaya, it took 45minutes to reach KL. Of course the place is running on full. Met my bro and his wife there.

I must compliment the hotel's chef, the food is really really tasty. And they were rite, food was aplenty. I enjoyed they nasi tomato, ayam masak merah (i had two rounds of it), they've got range of pastas, desserts includes apam balik, crepes, arrays of kuih-muih and cakes, ice-cream, ABC, selection of sandwiches and Japanese section, soup & bread, etc. The food is definately worth it cos its tasty and variety....i mean how much can u eat rite?!!

After hi-tea, went to Mid Valley, papa will never settle going home unless we go 'jalan-jalan' first. And then as we jalan-jalan we saw this sign.... Krispy Kreme is coming to town!! They took the 'closed-down' LJS shop.