Category: Travel

We went to Gamcheon Culture Village on Day 3. Took the subway to Toseong station and come out at Exit 6. Walk to a junction and turn right. Walk until we reached a bus stop in front of a hospital (more like a cancer centre). Took a bus no. 2-2. Alighted when we reach the entrance of the village. The entrance is located right in front of a primary school. In fact, there were many people alighted here. That’s why we didn’t miss it.

The tourist information centre

Outstanding artwork found around the village

Colourful steps

Too many spots for photo snapping.

Never forget to lift even when you travel! 🙂

Cute fox and a boy

This place is all about colours!

We looked for a tourist information centre with the help of an English-speaking volunteer tourist guide and bought a map (2,000 won) there. This map shows the whole structure of the village. With this map, you can actually collect stamps at certain spots around the village and there are two locations which you can exchange for postcards. Without this map, the fun might not be as great. Tips : Wear sports shoes because travelling around this village requires a lot of walking and hiking. To return to Toseong subway station, just walk across the road at the entrance just now and wait for the bus (no. 2 or 2-2).

Get this map from the tourist information centre (2,000 won each)

Chop! Chop! Chop! Collect stamps around the village

Mission accomplished! Tadaaa~~~

3-D art

There was a room where visitors can doodle on its wall

Mein’s masterpiece

As we did not want to tire ourselves too much, we took the subway back to Nampodong area and went to the Busan Tower in Yongdusan Park. Entrance ticket to the observatory deck was 4,000 won per pax. We went up to the deck and viewed Busan at 360 degree. Here, an employee spoke with us and pointed out some attractions around.

Busan Tower

A view from the observatory deck. Our hotel is the building at the lower left corner

Colourful locks with love wishes

One of them which caught my attention was Gukje Market. So wait no more! We headed towards the direction and reached Gukje Market. It was located plus minus 10 minutes walk from the tower. Too many things to see in this market. And many street food around.

Street food and snacks

Such a cute puppy… Does it understand Chinese? Hmmm…

Enjoying ice cream in the cold. Too good to be true!

Walking and sightseeing around Gukje Market leaded us back to the Christmas Tree Festival street. We had a very special dinner there. A restaurant where you BBQ your own squids. I loved it sooo much! Must try for those who love new experience.

A recommended restaurant for dinner

If you don’t read Korean, recognise this big picture on its door

Self service! 🙂

This meal cost about 22,000 won for two pax. Comes with the squids, some side dishes (refillable) and rice

Also, we went to Lotte supermarket nearby. Bought some souvenirs and to our surprise, they actually give discount of 500 won for bringing our own non-woven bag. Great initiative to encourage people bring their own bags and save mother Earth.

This is how they sell durian and mangosteen in Korean

View related posts :

Busan Trip (Day 1)

Busan Trip (Day 2)

Busan Trip (Day 4) – Final

In the morning of Day 2, our destination was Hae Dong Yong Gung Temple. Just take a subway to Haeundae station and take a bus (no. 181) to the temple.

Upon arrival, you will see this big rock sign

Cute little pines along the way…

After alighting the bus, walk up a hill before you reach the temple. We saw a beautiful cafe along the way. It was like those little coffee house we see on Korean dramas. It was still early for business. Mein and I agreed to return for a cup after visiting the temple.

You will see this cafe on the left before arriving the entrance of the temple

More pines… 😛

Upon arriving the temple entrance, there were so many stalls selling souvenirs and local delicacies on both sides of the road. We were among the early birds. Therefore, not many stalls were open at that moment.

Greeted by souvenir stalls

… and local delicacies. Try this. Something like hot crunchy fried mochi with red bean paste

The temple at the background

Hands as seats… hmmm… in a temple…

Walking around the temple area needs a little of stamina as there were a lot of stairs and steps going up and down. But I must admit that I admire the scenery and view from the highest peak.

The beautiful scenery from the highest peak

When we were about to leave the temple, we stopped by the cafe just now for a rest and our daily dose of caffeine. Mein loves the place very much.

At the entrance of the cafe

So many bunny plush toys in the cafe

Mein loves them to bits

Next stop was Haeundae beach. Just walk back down the hill to the place we alighted the bus just now. Take bus no. 181 back to Haeundae subway station. From this station, stroll along the road to the beach. You can see many direction boards to the beach around that area. So no worries.

Something worth sharing was a piece of crunchy cookie ball coated with chocolate called Schneeballen. Go down to the subway station and you can find this stall opposite the washroom. This snack comes with various flavours. Try one. Being a chocolate lover, I bought the chocolate one, of course!

Schneeballen of various flavours

Mine, crushed with a hammer. Ask the vendor to crush it for you.

Munch, munch!

Dropped by the Haeundae market for a moment. We saw something very special – charcoal smoked eggs. Exciting look, with not-so-exciting taste. Hahaha. Tasted like normal eggs loh.

Welcome to Haeundae Market !

Charcoal smoked eggs for sale

Read this for more explanation

The egg white is brown

Fruit stall with super large fruits

Look at those strawberries!

Variety of kimchi and other preserved seafood & veggies

Upon reaching the Haeundae beach, we visited the Busan Aquarium. It was school holidays. Many school kids that time. However, we managed to catch some of its performances and feeding demo. And it was my first encounter with penguins. I love penguins so much. And not forgetting sea turtles.

A shark welcomed us at the aquarium

Cute jellyfish – but poisonous

Mr Shark

Huge stingray

After snapping some beautiful photos at the beach, we head to Shinsegae Centum City, the largest shopping mall in Asia, certified by Guinness World Book of Records, via subway. We also managed to dropby the Busan Cinema Center where the Busan International Film Festival is held yearly.

I want to thank the crew, director, producer, my family and most of all, my wife!

The Best Actress award goes to…

Before calling it a day, we went to Spaland located in Centum City!!! My favourite spot among all. Tips : enter after 8pm as the price is very much cheaper. Just 7,000 won per pax (weekdays) / 9,000 won (weekends)! If normal hours, 12,000 won (weekdays) / 14,000 (weekends). What’s so special about Spaland?! Well, go and try it. It will amuse you in many ways.

Rendam kaki… aaahhh… leganya…

Our locker keys

Camwhoring in one of the therapy rooms. This is a SEV light therapy room. The light changes colours every few minutes.

View related posts :

Busan Trip (Day 1)

Busan Trip (Day 3)

Busan Trip (Day 4) – Final

Our long awaited trip to Busan has finally arrived and gone. It was a 5D4N trip via Air Asia X, started on 5 – 9 December 2013. Mein has been preparing the itinerary since the first day buying the flight tickets. Hahaha…! Kiasunyerr… But I am too lucky to have her. Without her well-planned itinerary, our trip would not have gone so smooth. Thanks, dear! 🙂

As for the hotel part, I did the booking direct with the hotel itself – Elysee Motel, located near Yongdusan Park and Nampodong area. Its location is quite strategic as it is very near the main shopping road in Nampodong and it has 2 subway stations near it – Nampodong station (Exit 7) and Jungangdong station (Exit 1).

One thing very special about this hotel is that each room has its own sauna room. Cool right? I know! 🙂

A private sauna in our room

Special thanks to Jo for his hospitality and kindness

Mein’s friend, Jo, received us from the airport and he brought us to our hotel by taking the subway. We bought a Cashbee card each (4000 won) and reloaded 20,000 won each for our whole trip. And that’s actually more than enough for us! You can travel by subway and bus with this card. Just tag in and tag out at each entrance and exit.

Christmas deco along Nampodong street

It was such a great moment to be there in Busan as it was the Christmas Tree Festival along Nampodong street. The whole street was brightly lit and decorated Christmas-themed ornaments.

A very tall Christmas tree at the centre of the junction

Baskin Robbins cakes of various designs and sizes

Despite the cool weather (average 10-13 degrees daily), the streets were jostled with people and hawker foods can be found everywhere! My personal favourite was the fried mochi with chunks of peanut and grains. Thanks to Jo for introducing this snack to us, before bringing us for dinner.

My favourite street snack. Must try! 🙂

A Korean chicken dish

View related posts :

Busan Trip (Day 2)

Busan Trip (Day 3)

Busan Trip (Day 4) – Final

At first we thought we wanted to go to the beach and sunbath in one of the island in Sabah. However, do to the level of fatigue and tiredness, we decided to save that plan for another time. Subsequently, we signed up the Mari-Mari Cultural Village tour package which brought us to venture and explore into the life of the aborigins of Sabah, 5 ethnics to be exact – Dusun, Rungus, Lundayeh, Bajau and Murut. Each of these ethnics has their own culture and lifestyle.

We signed up the afternoon session which start at 1.15pm with the coach transfer fetching us from our hotel. The journey took us about 30 minutes and rain started pouring along the way. However, the tour still went on.

Welcome to Mari-Mari Cultural Village! First, we arrived at the Dusun house where we were welcomed and demonstrated the process of rice wine fermentation, the local way. We were served with some samples too! Cheers!

The white coloured things are actually chunks of processed rice powder, shaped into round balls, tied up with a string to hang around the house to dry. After drying, they will become one of the main ingredients of the traditional rice wine.

 Outside of the Dusun house, near the kitchen area, we were given a chance to try out, mixing some local ingredients to be cooked in a bamboo. Mein was my chef that day. Hehe…

The next stop was at another booth of rice wine making demonstration. The wine made here are with higher alcohol content and we got the try out some samples too! But the dilluted version, of course…

At the second house, we were welcomed by a Rungus girl. Here, we were served with some locally produced honey. Genuinely and purely made by bees in the nature. The honey was real sweeeeeeet!!!

In the Rungus house, a “fire-making” master awaited us. He demonstrated on how to start a fire with only dried bamboos. It was really impressive and great for learning as we might need it as a survival skill one day. Who knows?!

The third house was the Lendayuh tribe’s. A Lendayuh man performed the way to make clothings and strings using only tree barks! OMG! Who could have such patients to make one?! But it was really warm after wearing one.

We have heard about the Bajau tribe during school time. Bajau was divided into the land gypsies and the sea gypsies. Also Bajau was the richest tribe of all as they were mostly traders and businessmen. We were welcomed with a type of Bajau’s delicacies – kuih jala and also some pandan drink.

In the house, there was a platform for Bajau’s wedding ceremony. So, we waited no more and camwhored… Hahaha!

The final destination was the Murut house. It was very special as we must queue up while entering the area. And the tribemen came out and asked our group leader some questions before letting us in. At the entrance, we were given a chance to try out a long blowpipe used by the Muruts to hunt.

In the house, there was a springy platform which was very interesting. The Muruts dance and sang on it while jumping up and down. Mein also got a chance to dance along with the group.

After the dancing, a Murut artisant drew some inai artwork on our arm. It was the traditional way of body art and decoration, something like a tattoo… but the natural way.

The last stop was at the main stage where the dancers and performers graciously danced and performed the traditional dances of the tribes.

Still remember the mixed ingredients Mein did at the Dusun house? It’s a mixture of chicken meat, chillis, lemon grass, garlic, pepper and others. It was served at the end of the tour where we had our simple hi-tea, served with some snacks like fried bananas, tapioca, fried meehoon and hot drinks.

Also see our tattoos before the inai dried… After it dried off, we washed it off and it became like this :

It lasted for about 1 week.

Both of us loved this tour so much. And we really think the Government should have come out with tours of this type to help boost up tourism Malaysia. It’s definitely educational and memorable experience for everyone, be it local or foreign tourists.