#crystaltravelsagain: Busan x Jeju (Day 1 - 4)

Hello!!

So on the night of 23rd April, I ventured into a trip I've waited for a few years (4-5yrs?). Thanks to my mum and grandma for sending me off, and also my babe Atiqah for seeing me off. Much love hahaha.

Our flight was booked 7 months ago (October 2014) with AirAsia. We planned to visit Busan first, then Jeju and then lastly to Seoul, reason being I know I will buy a lot of things in Seoul.

One way ticket to Busan (transit at KL) + 15kg check in baggage: SGD$343

Travel insurance: SGD$15.45

Day 1

Finally reached Busan after 8 hrs of the aisle seat (hate aisle seats lol) at 8.30am KST and the headed straight to the apartment we booked to take a rest first. Lol first train we took already took to the wrong direction.

Accommodation (Busan/2nights): SGD$38

After washing up and putting some make up on, we headed to our first destination, Beomeosa Temple. The roads in Busan are all so steep but the buses there all damn steady can go up. But of cus I am very scared the bus to heavy will topple la lolol scary shit. But it also means I walked up a lot of steep slopes lol strong thighs now.

Selfie first.

One more cus nice make up no sweat.

Super nice place to be in because I love anything ancient cus it makes me feel like I am living in that generation.

There are many "houses" in there but this is the main entrance!

Another entrance inside the main entrance.

Lol don't know what we doing also.

Picture of the trip:

After that we headed for Nampo-dong for some shopping and dinner. We were famished because our last meal was 4am, on the plane.

Settled for a simple korean eatery that sells stew. I love korean stews!!

Price (for mine): 6000₩ = SGD$7.50

Shopping right after that and we tried not to get too many stuff because it would be difficult to transport it to Jeju then Seoul (although I still got). Anyway if you are in Busan, try the Ho Ddeok!! I dont have a sweet tooth but the Ho Ddeok in Busan is just.... major love.

(Note that I said Ho Ddeok in Busan because the ones I had in Seoul sucked. Lol.)

Price: 1000₩

The streets of Nampo-dong.

Daisies on the streets and they are so pretty and fake but it's real!!

Headed back to the apartment for a rest because we barely had any sleep on the plane haha.

Day 2

The next day we woke up pretty early cus it's our second and last day in Busan and we wanted to go to a few places. The first destination was the Gamcheon Culture Village and it is one of the places I very much wanted to go because it is beauuuuuuutifuuuuuul.

Headed to Paris Baguette cafe for breakfast first just right below the village.

On the way there....

Love the Paris Baguette there because the food is nicer and the prices are half of SG's prices. Not sure whether the cashier keyed in wrongly but I only paid 1600₩ for 2 pastries.. thats equal to SGD$2. And then we took a bus up there and again, the slopes are sooooo steep I am scared.

The view was so spectacular I was wow-ed when I saw this view with my own eyes. Its a residential area but it's also a tourist attraction. Haha can't imagine myself living in a tourist attraction, everyday got weird people come and see your house.

Anyway after taking pictures from the top, we walked down and explored the area a little bit more. there are alleys (the houses' corridors) where we can walk through. Every inch of the village is beautiful.

The steep slope I am referring to. This is just one of them. I can't imagine if I accidentally fall haha. Confirm die.

Then I spotted this nice and cute staircase and attempted to take an artistic shot when I heard a cat meowing so I ran away.

Walked down the village further and came across this cafe with a unique exterior! I think its a cat cafe and I am not a fan of cats but the exterior deserves a thumbs up.

Headed to Seomyeon first for some shopping and I love how almost all the train stations in Korea have underground shopping and the prices are pretty affordable.

Haeundae Beach after that and the original plan was to visit another temple but we couldn't find it so we gave it a miss. 

Awed by the beach's view too!!

So we stayed around for a while to take all the pictures we want before walking around the area.

Accidentally passsed by the Haeundae market and its like a traditional wet market that sells.... food. Mostly seafood and I am very disgusted at the sight of eels because I hate things like that (Snakes, eels, worms OMG YUCKS)

 All the octopuses swimming in the water, swimming in the water....

 Strawberries that look damn big and juicy and pretty!

Then went for dinner and we settled for a simple roadside stall because we didn't know what to eat. Had Ramen (instant noodles actually which is not picture worthy) and gimbap! I love gimbap.

Then went to Shinsegae but then it was selling branded stuff which both of us have not much interest in so we left after around 30 mins and went to Pusan University Shopping Street.

Then when I was walking and walking I saw this person in school uniform with blonde hair so I thought he look like a celebrity from the back so I walked faster to see his face. OMG HANDSOME OPPA but he walked off after that and I a bit sad hahaha.

After shopping we went back and prepare to fly off tmrw morning!

Day 3

Went to the airport right after we were ready to set off for our flight to Jeju! Had korean stew at the food court there because we had no time to go find food outside.

Flew with Jeju Air and the service is very good!! Although it's considered a budget flight (but also not really), they serve complimentary drinks.

Air ticket to Jeju (+15kg check in baggage): 77,800₩ = SGD$100

Reached Jeju a while later and headed for the guesthouse straight. We stayed in Yeha Guesthouse because we couldn't really find any thru AirBnb and since we were going on a tour with Yeha the next day, we 顺便 just book the guesthouse together. Anyway got a 10,000₩ discount for the tour if we are a guest in the guesthouse. I actually prefer living in a guesthouse because got complimentary breakfast hahaha. And we stayed in a 6-Bed Dorm and it was kinda fun because I get to meet new people and make friends from other countries! 

Accommodation (Jeju/2 nights): 38,000₩ = SGD$50

After we checked in we headed out to Jeju Folk Village which I saw in Miss Korea: I'm Mae and I was kinda excited to visit the place because from what I saw it was really beautiful. It was an hour bus ride there (Jeju has no subway) and I was so tired I fell asleep during the ride. Actually I fell asleep during all the rides haha. 

Read online that there were admission fees so we were expecting it would be a systematic kinda thing (like USS, one round can walk finish everything) but upon reaching there, we couldn't find any entrance not any ticketing counter. So we walked around aimlessly. The area was also a residential area so we were like trespassing into people's houses lol. Walked around and round and round hoping there would be someone entertaining us but no one did even if we stood in their areas for damn long. It was actually very hot so I was quite pissed off walking under the hot sun because I REALLLY HATE HEAT. Anyway we continued walking and then came across this house where I saw the words "会说中文". Means able to speak mandarin. So I walked in and asked the person how do we actually go about exploring this place.

Then this chinese lady came out and said this actually all are residential areas including the one we were at. But she offered to give us a tour in her area and told us that 大长今 was actually filmed in that area. Then she brought us to a small hut and let us try a tea that apparently has 5 different tastes and different individuals tastes it differently according to their health.

This is not at the village itself but on the way to take the bus there hahah. Cus Jeju has beautiful rocks.

At the village, we saw a lot of rock fences and I was wondering if it was man made or natural because I tried to push one of the rocks and it won't budge.

Basically how the houses in the folk village looks like! All the houses look the same from the outside actually.. haha.

Anyway feeling all lost and tired, we headed back to somewhere near our guesthouse for dinner. Settled for black pork bbq which also anyhow walked into because all the eateries we walked past are empty, so we anyhow haha.

 Ordered 2 servings of black pork and a serving of fried rice.

Price: 27,000₩ = SGD$34

Lol expensive hor. I am not a pork lover but black pork tastes soooo goood! And if you know me I basically dislike eating pork especially pork with fats but black pork is daebak.

Walked around later on and had the Korean 32cm ice cream for 2000₩ = SGD$2.50. Even the ice cream tastes good cus it's very rich in flavour.

Shopped around a little bit and then walked back to the guesthouse thinking its very near. So we walked and walked and walked until the point that we thought it is taking too long to reach. Did we overshoot? or not? So at this point both of us decided to turn back where we have just walked. But after we walked back, we realised we haven't even pass by our guesthouse yet so we turned back and walked again. Lol seriously right forever getting lost.

Picture of the trip:

Day 4

Woke up pretty early because the tour bus is gonna pick us up at 8.40am (SG TIME 7.40am). Breakfast was provided by the guesthouse except that we need to fry the eggs ourselves. 

Anyway as soon as the tour bus picked us up, I slept lolol. I love sleeping. The bus went to a few other destinations to pick up people who signed up for the tour but not living in Yeha Guesthouse so it took quite a while before actually heading to our first destination, Hallim Park.

Hallim Park, to me was an all in one park because we could see everything that we needed to see. The first theme of the park was the cave, and I thought it was pretty good because we actually planned to visit Manganggul Cave but gave it a miss because of time constraint.

As soon as we stepped into the cave, the temperature dropped and it was the perfect kind of temperature (although Priscilla say very cold) because it was getting very hot outside. We could hear water dripping and the sound of it is so relaxing haha.

One picture of the cave because every part of the cave looks almost the same.

Picture of the trip:

This is actually the exit of the cave haha.

Then as we walked on, we saw the folk village...... then I realised we just wasted our time yesterday....................................... Lol could've went to Hello Kitty/Innisfree museum.

See!!!!!!! It looks the same la wth. 

Then got a random bird park.

Then we saw this white peacock. Too beautiful!!!! Looks like snow. I think its called snow peacock. Lol anyhow one.

After that there were still many other themes but time was running out and we didn't want the bus to leave without us so we speed walk across them. 

After that we went to Suweolbong trekking and basically we just walked by the beautiful seaside. the water is blue and from far we could see different shades of blue which made it even more beautiful!

Haha I alread tell you Jeju got a lot of rocks because its a volcanic island (that's why we get awesome Jeju volcanic clay mask) haha.

We walked for dam far la until I want to die seriously.

Headed for lunch at Spirited Garden, korean buffet style lunch. Got black pork again haha but I forget to take a picture because it was too hot and I was half asleep.

After that we just toured around Spirited garden! It's like a botanical garden but much prettier than ours, duh.

Dol Haruebang all dressed up haha!

 I also want to be like this Dol Haruebang.

Anyway after that we headed to Mount Sanbang and there is a legend behind this Mountain which I forgot. We were supposed to climb 470 steps (I think) up then we can pray to the buddha on the top of the mountain and drink the natural mineral water. I didn't take any pictures when climbing la cus I want to die already what hello.

Then I reallllyy wanted to give up on the way but I also reallllyyyy wanted to go up and pray and drink the water. And so I did it.

 View from the top

There were scoops available and we were supposed to collect the dripping water in the scoop and not scoop from the pool of already dripped water cus the water that drip is fresher I think haha.

At first I thought like wth la damn dirty to drink water that drip from the cave cus the cave itself is dirty one what!!! But everybody was doing it so I did it too. The water tasted crisp, fresh, cold and delicious lolol.

After that I walked down another 470 steps and by the time I finished, my legs were trembling. Lol weakling.

 This is how the mountain looked like from below!

After that we just waited for the other people to come down (we were one of the first ones to finish going up and down) so we just slacked around before getting to the last destination, Cheonjeyeon Waterfall. We could choose between teddy Bear Museum and the waterfall but since many chose the waterfall, we followed. which means climbing and CLImbing and clIMbing again.

Shot took by Priscilla. I just passed her my whole camera to take pictures because I AM SO TIRED.

Then we climb up and down and up and down to see the waterfall!!

After we were all done, the bus brought us back to our guesthouse again. We rested a bit and headed out for dinner with our other 2 roommates from Indonesia. They brought us to Dong Mun market to get some Jeju chocolates at only 6 boxes for 10,000₩ = SGD$12.60.

Overall, I must say the adventure in Busan and Jeju was a super tiring one because of the climbing and climbing and climbing. But to get to see the scenaries we don't get to see here, it was worth it.

See you in Seoul in the next post!

Hong Kong x Shanghai x Macau

Hello!

As you've already known I went to Hong Kong x Shanghai x Macau for a short trip with my family! It was supposed to be only my mother going back to Shanghai to settle some of her leftover stuff there but we saw this as an opportunity to go on a holiday and since we spent so much time and energy moving house, we thought we deserved some time together!

I spent 5 days 4 nights there, but really, half of the trip I was just getting onto planes and travelling around the region. Also I did not take as many pictures as much as I planned to because everywhere was crowded and I was afraid someone will rob me hahaha.

Day 1

Our first stop was Hong Kong! Woke up at like 6 in the morning to go to the airport and reached there around 3 in the afternoon.

Off we go!

I did not even manage to catch a good sleep at all, because every single moment I was on the verge of falling asleep, somebody would wake me up. Ugh the frustration,

Upon reaching there, I was so thankful for the weather. So thankful. Its the perfect kinda weather that I love, not too hot and not too cold. I hope Singapore finds a way to import this weather. Anyway since we were hungry we went to a nearby cafe for a snack and boy, food is so expensive there. The average spending for a proper meal is SGD$12. I can get 3-4 meals here in Singapore for SGD$12 but I'm not complaining because the food quality there is better and also the weather makes me feel comfortable doing anything (so much love).

Then we went back to the hotel to get a little rest first while my family waits for my uncle (who is permanently working in Hong Kong) and I wait for Oppa Lam who is back at his hometown for a holiday. And so my family and I went seperate ways for dinner. They went to have a big crab feast while Oppa Lam brought me to try the street food of Hong Kong since we couldnt really decide on what to eat. Whoop. Never regretted choosing street food, they all taste soooooo good. Anyway I eat like a pig when I am overseas haha please do not judge me.

He first bought me this mango drink from Hui Lau Shan and it is sooooooooooooo freakingggggggggggggg gooooooooooooood I've been craving for it ever since and there is nothing like that here in Singapore unless I make it myself.

Its like sago at the bottom (which is my favourite component in a dessert) and mango and mango puree on top (which is my favourite fruit to go with dessert. I swear if I were to go to Hong Kong again one of the reasons I go there will be this and I swear I will get a cup a day for as long as I am there because it is that good.

And then we walked walked walked and he got me these noodles in a bag which I find really fascinating because we don't see anything like that here.

Its like we can choose what kind of noodles we want (original noodles, spinach noodles etc), then we choose the ingredients (?). We have a variety to choose from like cuttlefish, squid, octopus, duck tongue (lol wtf) and stuff like that. I chose cuttlefish but idk why I found squid in there haha I think Oppa Lam added it for me. But this one again tastes soooo good although I think the flavouring is a little heavy. But I think its because I prefer bland food to heavy flavoured ones so yup its all up to personal taste.

He also brought me to have curry fishballs which I forgot to take a picture of but you can imagine fishballs with curry gravy over. We followed what the locals did: stood at the side of the street to eat but I was so paranoid that someone will rob me (HAHA) and also cus I have a very mild phobia of crowds so I literally wolfed down everything although it was burning hot and spicy.

After that we did a little shopping where he brought me to a place that looked so much like Bugis Street and I didnt take a picture also la because it was so crowded and squeezy and all.

By the time I was half full (only) already so for the main dinner we didn't order a lot. I believe by this time if it were my girlfriends they would have been 150% full. We went to some eatery and he ordered 叉烧烧肉。I was totally acting like a mute there because I couldn't comprehend what they were saying and I also couldn't speak a single word of cantonese. Anyway, pictures.

Haha so cute how the milk tea is served.

If you know me you would've known that I am not a meat lover and meat is always my last choice if I get to choose. And also in SG, I have never once ate 烧肉 (roasted meat) before because the fats in between the skin and the meat grosses me out.

I kept telling him that my appetite is super big as compared to my gfs so he brought me to have dessert although honestly I could do without it. But hey holiday = eat.

By the time we finished it was getting kinda late already so he sent me back to the hotel.

Thank you for half the day Oppa Lam (:

Day 2

Brought grandma for breakfast first with mum while my sister sleeps her ass off because sleep > breakfast.

Meanwhile, a mandatory shot of Hong Kong Streets. Best time to take because it wasn't very crowded but that's because the roadside stalls weren't opened yet.

Headed to take a bus to Shen Zhen airport to fly to Shanghai. Woah, super long and hectic journey because the people there are so rude. When we reached Shen Zhen custom, we weren't sure of which bus to take because there were so many. Amd so we asked them but they either just ignored us or shooed us away. Verdict: Hong Kong people are nicer than Chinese from China.

Nevertheless Shen Zhen airport was beeeaaaaauuuuuutiful!!

Reached Shanghai in the evening so we headed straight for dinner. This dinner I have been craving for 2 years. It's the best teppanyaki I've ever had so far called 小山铁板烧。Its located inside a Food Republic so it is not considered luxury food but then again luxury food in China is much more affordable than in here.

Meaningless soup.

Meaningless rice.

I shall not do much talking on the food unless there is a need to. HAHA.

Oyster is my favourite dish because firstly it is my favourite shellfish and this china oyster is suuuuuperrrrr big!! The ones we have in the fried oyster omelettes is sooooooo...... down there.

One more shot because I don't think I'll get to it it for the next decade lolol.

These are steamed eggs in an eggshell and it is sooooo yummy with the fish roe on top except for the foie gras found inside it. Lol hate anything that is an internal organ.

After dinner we headed to the hair salon where the best hairstylist is. It's a cafe salon so the concept is pretty cool and the service standards aare too damn high its not acceptable. They asked me 5 times if I needed any drink even though I rejected them every time.

I didn't do anything much cus my hair was too damaged so I was stoning most of the time while my mother snips her tail off.

Checked into the hotel after that and our hairstylist brought us to a gathering with his friends at a pub. What did I drink? Orange juice.

Selfie with nice hair!

And I also found out I lost my retainers.

Day 3

早上海 (LOL Pun intended. If you get what I mean)

Followed mum to the salon AGAIN because she's a vainpot who wanted to dye hair. I had nothing to do so I went to the mall opposite for some shopping.

That ball is my destination. 

Shopping in China is honestly not cheap as compared to here in SG so if you are thinking "China things very cheap", you are right if you are referring to TaoBao. But the day before I passed by the mall and I saw Hello Kitty Cafe and also Banila Co. so I definitely wanted to go over.

Went to HK cafe first because I was so fascinated by the interior and we dont have it here! Went on for a snack (breakfast actually) and then headed to walk around aimlessly because Mum needed 3 hrs pfffft.

I had the strawberry tart which I think was mediocre although it was their signature.

Even the cup was so cute.

The cafe was pretty empty cus I went there kinda early in the morning but by afternoon when I walked pass again it was full house, lol.

After she was done we went to eat lunch at a Thai Restaurant. Woah Thai food is my favourite cuisine of all cuisines and the price is sooooo affordable.

Every single dish was delicious. Lol. The whole steamed fish costs SGD$20. What part of a steamed fish can we get in SG for SGD$20? oh the sauce.

Cabbed to the airport to fly to another part of China. Woah finally one non-budget flight. I am happy.

Anyway when we landed we had to take a cab to Macau to reconcile with my sister, grandma and uncle. Travelling makes me sick. Travelling makes me wana puke.

Day 4

Its my second time in Macau and both times I havent been excited during my time there because I am underage so I cannot enter the casinoes. And I dont really like to gamble so even if I am legal I still find Macau not my dream holiday destination.

In the morning we headed to have Dim Sum breakfast and seriously it's just meh. Then we went City of Dreams to get tickets for the famous stunt show because my uncle say it is a must watch when we're in Macau but woah the tickets were super expensive?????????

Selfie because good make up all day everyday.

Pictures cus the walk way was tooooo pretty.

Then we went to the famous street in Macau and it was crazy crowded I wished I could just vanish everyone there.

On a side note, I saw my goddess there HAHAHA.

Squeezed with everyone through the streets until we finally reached the wall that everybody knows. Too crowded so I did not bother going up there.

Then we headed back to nearby our hotel to The Venetian. Probably the only place that I wanted to visit even though I visited before because Kim's been there before HAHAHA. Sooooo beautiful as it was the last time I visited the place.

Met my friend Shrek on the way there hahaha.

So grand even from the outside.

Even the toilet is very beautifullllllll!!!!

Found a LUSH shop there so I went in to buy a bath bomb because there was a bath tub in the hotel and I havent used a bath bomb before.

Looks like orange juice lolol.

And then we went for a round at the shops there but honestly there was nothing to buy except that I bought a meaningless 3CE mirror hahaha ironic that I am going to Korea later in the month.

Headed for the stunt show and it was not as good as I expected but the stage setting was definitely something worth the watch :) Its called "The House of Dancing Water" if you're interested and heading to Macau haha.

After the show, we went for dinner. Had Sharks Fin soup for the first time in............... uncountable years. Please do not hate me I do not really mean to kill the sharks :((

Day 5

We are finally going homeeee! But we had to take a ferry to Hong Kong first because our tickets were bought for 2 way. And again, travelling makes me sooo tired.

Reached Hong Kong airport around 11pm and we just ate and do nothing for the few hours before our flight. Ate mcdees for lunch and I gotta say that Macdonalds in SG are currently the best I've had so far in my life.

Went to the Disneyland shop to get a neck pillow because the thought of travelling and sleeping and waking up to a strained neck makes me wana vomit. Haha not literally but I just hate waking up to a strained neck.

And then home sweet home.

6 more days to Korea though, I am so excited!