The Voice From Within

Japan Trip 2015: Day 4 in Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nishiki Market, Kamo River, Kiyomizudera Temple, Gion)

2016-04-14T07:58:00.000-07:00


Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto

Hey guys, sorry for the late follow up. Here's my second day's journey in Kyoto with my travel mates! It begins with a trip to Fushimi Inari Shrine, an important Shinto shrine. Many make a trip here to see the thousands of vermillion torii gates, marking donations by corporations and individuals to the shrine. At the shrine's entrance stands the Romon Gate, which was donated in 1589 by the famous shogun Hideyoshi Toyotomi (who also built the Osaka Castle).

The shrine practices free entrance for all visitors, making it a spot worth visiting for everyone, regardless of status. Fushimi Inari Shrine is located just outside JR Inari Station, the second station from Kyoto Station along the JR Nara Line (5 minutes, 140 yen one way from Kyoto Station).

Fushimi Inari was simply majestic

Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, therefore many fox statues can be found on the shrine's grounds. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, dating back to 794.

Preparations at Fushimi Inari for an upcoming ceremony

At the time of my visit in early October 2015, the shrine was getting ready for an upcoming ceremony. Offerings were being placed on many different levels in what looks like a little shrine, and many locals and tourists alike gathered to see the preparations being carried out. Offerings such as rice and sake are common and are displayed for all to see.

Wishing corner in Fushimi Inari

After short walk into the grounds, I came across a little wishing corner where another tiny shrine is located.


Wishing plaques

Here you can hang up wooden wishing plaques (purchased from souvenir counter) together with thousand others on a wall in the left corner of the shrine. If you have a moment, read the messages written in various languages from all over the globe, they will leave you in awe!

Mini shrines

There were also some mini shrines on the grounds as well, in the same vermillion theme. Everything is vermillion here!

Torii for sale

As with other Japanese shrines, souvenirs such as torii are available at Fushimi Inari. Locals and tourists alike form queues at the personalised souvinier counters here, where they write your wishes on the merchandise you have chosen.

Huge torii gate at the beginning of the uphill climb

If you are not into souvenirs, then uphill you go! There is a huge torii gate at the start of the uphill climb, so if you are not into climbing, then just climb up a short distance to get a glimpse of the torii gates and you're good to go.

Thousands of vermillion torii gates

Photo opportunities are hard to come by, especially with so many visitors milling about! If you want to have a good picture without anyone photobombing yours, make sure to hike up further. Remember, the further up you go, the lesser the crowd!

Maneki Neko for sale outside Fushimi Inari

After coming down from the torii gates forest (okay, that was a pun) it's time for some temple shopping! Being a shopaholic, temple grounds do offer some great goods for sale such as souvenirs, lucky charms and food! No matter where you find yourself in Kyoto, rest assured there will be some shopping to do! :)

JR Inari Station

Time to head to the next stop and I walked to the JR Inari Station which is a short walk opposite the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Even the theme at the station here is vermillion! That's enough vermillion to last me a lifetime!

Tokyu Hands at Shijo Karasuma Dori

We alighted at the Shijo Station as we wanted to get to Nishiki Market in the middle of town. A nice change compared to temple grounds, as far as the shopaholic in me goes, because you get Tokyu Hands in the middle of Kyoto!

Shijo Karasuma Dori

Walking along Shijo Karasuma Dori is like taking a walk in the 70s or 80s as the shops' architecture here are low and hark back to the past.

Nishiki Market

After navigating behind one of the alleys behind Shijo Karasuma, we managed to spot the Nishiki Market sign. Here we come, glorious food!

Food stuff on sale at Nishiki Market

I only managed to get a good shot of some dried food stuff on sale as I was too busy ogling at the food on sale, and not to mention the huge crowd of tourists in the area! The hawkers were busy yelling at the top of their lungs to sell their wares, and we were all busy eating and looking around. Food madness at it's best here!

Teramachi Shopping Street

Somehow we ended up walking into Teramachi Shopping Street (I swear that this is gonna happen everywhere you walk in Japan) and it was shopping madness again. Shoes, antiques, even cheap reading glasses are all for sale here. You bet the shopaholic me went around here in a daze!

Temple in Teramachi Shopping Street

Managed to get a picture of a small temple located smack in the middle of Teramachi Shopping Street. Rather surprised to see it at first, but there were many locals who came here to seek blessings. Those interested, can give it a go :P

Salt ramen for lunch at Teramachi

The highlight of Teramachi has definitely got to be my late lunch. I can't recall the name of the restaurant, but it was a small set-up, cozy with soothing background music that served the best salt ramen I've ever tasted!

The ramen was so springy and chewy, probably because it was handmade by the chef. A gruff looking guy was cooking when we entered, and it seemed that he was absorbed in his work. The broth was so fragrant here, it was probably the smell that brought us in... Hope you can find this great eatery when you are in Teramachi!

Le Plus 100 yen store

After lunch, it was shopping again at a local 100yen store, Le Plus in Teramachi. Never heard of this store before. Probably the only one I've seen in my travels in Japan. Some of the products were different from those you see in Daiso, and I got some really authentic looking sushi magnets from here. Worth checking out!

Kamo River; the blue skies and the river took my breath away

Next stop was Kiyomizudera Temple, and from Teramachi we took a bus from Shijo Dori straight to the temple. We passed by Kamo River and the scenery took my breath away!

The blue skies and the river (so blue!) was so beautiful I quickly whipped out my phone to take a shot. Even through the bus windows, the shot came out pretty decent and the moment is captured as it is in picture above. Beautiful, isn't it?

A look downhill from the Kiyomizu Temple entrance

We alighted from the bus and saw many pretty ladies milling about in kimonos. They are all so pretty and photo ready! If you have some cash to spare, don't miss out on renting a kimono and taking a ride up to the temple on a trishaw!

After about a 10 minute walk, we reached what looked like the temple grounds as there were many stalls selling their wares (food, drinks, souvenirs, etc.) around the area. Little did we know that there was another uphill climb ahead. At this point, we were really tired from walking too much. Since Day 1, we walked for more than 15 hours daily, and it was definitely 5 times more than we'd do on a typical day back in Kuala Lumpur!

We soldiered on, admiring the sweets and souvenirs slowly on the way up. There were many people on the crowded walkway, so that pretty much slowed us down too. Reaching the top, I was really amazed me and my travel mates could walk this far up with our aching feet!

Kiyomizudera Temple entrance

At this point, I was really tired and wanted to turn back, but seeing the vermillion (too much of red in a day) pagodas made me want to finish up this itinerary and head back to Gion for dinner. Dinner is waiting!

Kiyomizudera Temple admission ticket

We paid the 400yen admission fee to enter the temple grounds. The Kiyomizudera Temple is open 6am to 6pm daily, so make a note about it. We reached around 4pm, so we had some time to look around.

Sunrays on the side of Kiyomizudera cliff view at 4pm

At first after entering the temple, I didn't see why people had it on their must-visit and must-see lists in Kyoto. It was old (as is other temples in Kyoto and throughout Japan) and creaky wooden boards made me cringe as I stepped on them. I really thought I would make a hole if I stepped on them too hard :/

But it was really amazing when I walked out to the sun, away from the shield of the huge roof. Many tourists were hanging out at the edge, and I could see why. You'd feel at the top of the forest while looking out from the ledge. It was super sunny too, although it was already 4pm!

Ancient architecture marvel, Kiyomizudera stands on wooden stilts

Following the path markers, we walked around the mountain cliff paths and came to a halt opposite the temple structure. Here, you can see the full glory of the ancient architecture. How did they managed to built it on wooden stilts, I still can't understand it fully. It's definitely an awe inspiring moment for me!

Cleansing with mountain spring water

Coming down the mountain path, I saw a long queue of people waiting to cleanse themselves with mountain spring water. Haven't got time to spare, so we decided to skip it and head straight to Gion.

Fancy a climb up in your kimono?

After exiting the temple grounds, I came across girls clad in kimonos climbing up a steep staircase. Not sure which exit they took, but definitely try to avoid this exit route. They were panting and puffing away, poor girls...

A canal in Gion all lighted up

We took the bus to Gion and tried to spot some geishas, but it was pretty dark at 6pm already, and there were nothing much to see but menus and tourists (like us, they were there to spot the geishas too). I told myself at this point that I really wouldn't want to be a geisha because everyone would want to take a picture of me in a kimono and painted white face... but tourists are tourists... :/

Dinner at Yakitori Torisee, Gion

Finally we settled down for dinner at Yakitori Torisee. We chose the quaint and cozy restaurant because it was recommended by TripAdvisor. Alas, the food and ambience was great but the service was terribly slow.

We waited a good half an hour before our appetizers were served and another hour before we were served with the final course. They were probably short-staffed as they were very apologetic when we paid (our waiter was the cashier too). I really hope they can improve on their service lest I should decide to return here again.

Till then, please do look forward to my upcoming post for my travels in Tokyo. I'm going to take you on a virtual ride on the Shinkansen!

Check out my previous posts on my travels in Osaka and Kyoto:

Day 1: Shinsaibashi, Kuromon Market, Namba Walk and Namba Parks Mall

Day 2: Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi, Amerikamura and Dotombori

Day 3: Kyoto (Kyoto Station, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Tenryu-ji Temple, Seiryo-ji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Groove)

Osaka: Sightseeing, Shopping & Dining Attractions

2016-02-25T07:22:00.000-08:00

To sum up my visit to Japan in October 2015, I'm going to list down the sightseeing attractions, shopping areas and dining spots of each city that I've visited.

Osaka was my first stop and if you are getting here via air travel, you will be landing in Kansai International Airport (KIX). To get into central Osaka, which is where all the main attractions are located, you can opt to take the train or taxi. Train is the best option and you should take the discounted ICOCA and HARUKA package which costs 3,030 yen one way. For more information on this package, check out the West Japan Railway Company website.

Listed below are the top attractions around Osaka, the laid-back port city which has the second largest population after Tokyo, and is widely known as the 'Nation's Kitchen'.

Sightseeing

1) Osaka Castle

You wouldn't want to miss this! Choose to take the elevator or climb up the stairs (a note of warning!) to the 8th floor observatory to get a 360 degree view of Osaka city. It's pretty worth the 600 yen entrance fee!

2) Amerikamura

Located just adjacently towards the north of the Shinsaibashi shopping arcade, this area gives of the American vibe as soon as you walk along the streets of this little enclave. There is even a Statue of Liberty here! It was pretty hard to spot, so good luck in finding it! I was in the area around Halloween, so the decorations were pretty much in the Halloween spirit. Expect to see loads of American brands here, as well as inspired stuff. Great place for a change of scenery.

3)Ebisubashi Bridge

The greatest place to be at night is definitely the Ebisubashi Bridge. Not only do you get to catch a glimpse of the famous Glico Man signboard all lighted up, the area is lively and smells great with shoppers and diners walking about. The Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and Ebisubashi Shopping Arcade are located at the two ends of this bridge. Shopping madness alright! Not to mention, Dotombori is parallel to this bridge. Glorious food here we come!

Shopping

1) Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade

Anytime of the day, the Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade draws in a huge amount of shoppers. A good mix of Japanese and international brands are located here, and so are the range of goods, from cheap to expensive. Shops are open from around 10am to 9pm, so plan your shopping trip well. I spent a few hours here and there during the 2 whole days I was in Osaka, and even then, I found it difficult to cover the entire length of Shinsaibashi. Definitely a shopper's paradise not to be missed!

2) Namba Parks Mall

A great mall with a great architecture, you'll be in awe with the mall's design before you step in. If the prices are a bit too high for you, come here for a stroll in the mall's Sky Garden, and look out to get a view of the city. Dining here is still affordable, unless you are on a really strict budget.

3) Bic Camera

The outlet located in Namba is very accessible as it is within walking distance from Dotombori. It is great to shop in Bic Camera, you'll never get bored! Floor after after floor of gadgets, toys, and house appliances, it's a great place for shoppers of all ages.

Dining

1) Dotombori

If you're in Osaka, Dotombori is the place to be if you want to see the food culture of this city. As much as I'd like to say that all the unique delicacies to Osaka can be found here (takoyaki, okonomiyaki, giant snow crab, etc.), do make sure to try the food here and compare with those located away from Dotombori. This was an advice shared by my local host, and I'm glad that I did not limit myself to only dining at the restaurants here. The okonomiyaki I had here was pretty great though!

2)Kuromon Market

For me, some of the best food I've tasted during my visit to Osaka were located in Kuromon Market. To get here, check out the Kuromon Ichiba Market's website for directions. It is best accessed via subway. Get off at Nippombashi Station, and it is right outside Exit 10. I tasted the most authentic ramen in the market here, in a store manned by a single chef. Good luck in your foodie adventures here!

3) Yoshinoya

As much I as I did not want to include this 'fast-food' chain from my list, it still made it here because the atmosphere and food served were at par with some of the more affluent restaurants I've been to in Osaka. The food is relatively cheap (great for your tight budget) and best part is, it is delicious and nutritious! Yoshinoya never disappoints for sure!

That is all for my list of attractions in Osaka, which are not to be missed. Check out my detailed blog posts to find out more of my travel experience in Osaka in the links below:

Day 1: Shinsaibashi, Kuromon Market, Namba Walk and Namba Parks Mall

Day 2: Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi, Amerikamura and Dotombori

Japan Trip 2015: Day 3 in Kyoto (Kyoto Station, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Tenryu-ji Temple, Seiryo-ji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Groove)

2015-12-29T06:28:00.000-08:00

Kyoto Tower view from Kyoto Station

Day 3 started off early since we did a day trip to Kyoto. Taking a train from Osaka to Kyoto is fairly easy, just make sure you get to Osaka Station and take the Special Rapid Service to Kyoto Station. The journey takes around 45 minutes to an hour. Just make sure not to get on the local service train, as it stops more often and takes longer!

Those who are unsure of which trains and stations to transfer should refer to Hyperdia as it offers a simple and hassle-free option to plan your train routes. With this website, I was able to get around Japan with trains and not think about where to change trains as it does it all for me.

One important tip is to know where your departing station is and destination station is. If all fails, Google up the place you are heading to, chances are, they will list the nearest train station. Hyperdia is available in English, Japanese and Chinese.

Kyoto Station

Once I landed in Kyoto Station, my first stop was to get to the Tourist Information Centre. Here you can get information and help on how to get around Kyoto. Although buses are the main transportation around Kyoto, there are also trains and rickshaws!

Kyoto Station bus stop

First itinerary on the checklist is Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavillion. To get there from Kyoto Station, we took a bus from the bus stop located outside the station. Make sure to check the bus numbers to get to your destination safely!

Kyoto Bus Sightseeing 2 Day Pass

I got a 2-day bus pass for sightseeing at 2,000 yen (adult) and 1,000 yen (child) since my travel partners and I were planning to do consecutive day trips to cover the Kyoto temples and shrines. Don't forget to get the bus map from the Kyoto Tourist Information Centre as it also lists all the bus numbers, attractions and bus stops.

I also relied on Arukumachi to get around and plan my Kyoto routes. This website is in English and lists all the available routes to your destination, either by bus or train. It is similar to Hyperdia, but more accurate and localized to suit Kyoto's bus routes.

Kinkakuji-michi, bus stop for Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion

After a half an hour bus ride (with all the heavy traffic and abundance of traffic lights), we finally arrived at Kinkakuji-michi, the bus stop for those heading to Kinkakuji Temple.

Signboard to Kinkakuji Temple

When alighting from the bus we headed in the direction the other tourists we going. That's when I saw the Kinkakuji Temple signboard. Look out for it to go in the right direction!

Entrance to Kinkakuji Temple

We took a short walk and came to the entrance of the Kinkakuji Temple. It was a shady place, with trees growing on both sides of the path. I took some time here to take refuge from the hot sun. Although it was early autumn, the weather was still a little warm, only when the cool breeze blows it was perfect...

Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion

When I first saw the Golden Pavillion, it was too beautiful. As the sun was shining brightly, the heat was unbearable but it made the pavillion twinkle under its rays! It was a great sight and a memory that will last me a lifetime. There will be many tourists surrounding the pond that the Kinkakuji was made on, so take your time to admire it and wait till you get a great spot to take a picture. You will be greatly rewarded!

Saga-Arashiyama Station

We had lunch after visiting Kinkakuji Temple and got lost while finding our way to our next destination. After asking for directions from locals, we got on the train at Enmachi Station and stopped at Saga-Arashiyama Station as were were headed to the Arashiyama area.

Map to Tenryuji Temple and Bamboo Forest

We wandered around the area after we got off at the Saga-Arashiyama Station, unsure of where to go. Finally we saw a map outside a shop which had the directions to Tenryuji Temple, one of the destinations on our list.

Tenryuji Temple entrance

We finally arrived at Tenryuji Temple! It had a grand entrance and there were many tourists milling around. We started walking into the main temple area.

Raccoon dog statue

There were many small shrines along the way to the main temple, and I began to get curious of a statue of a panda looking creature with a straw hat, holding a stick. I later found out it is a native mascot of Kyoto, the raccoon dog :)

Shrine outside Tenryuji Temple

There was also a small shrine in the same area as the raccoon dog, and I couldn't help but stop to take in the Zen energy of the place. So serene, so peaceful. Yeah, I did take a picture too!

Girls in kimono outside Tenryuji Temple

As we arrived outside the Tenryuji Temple, I saw some girls in kimono. I couldn't resist taking their photo. It really looks like a scene from the past!

Tenryuji Temple's Vegetarian Cuisine

I also saw a signboard that advertised the temple's vegetarian cuisine. If you are interested, do take note that it is served from 11am-2pm.

Trishaw puller

After we were done visiting Tenryuji Temple, we walked along the walkway outside the temple. It was a long stretch of road, where buses and rickshaw pullers plod along. I managed to get a good shot of how 'old school' Kyoto's transportation is right above!

Train passing by in Kyoto

We walked on and on... and it seemed never-ending. Until we came to this train crossing! I always remembered seeing people and cars stop for a train, but that was the first time I saw it with my own eyes. It was amazing! Sorry I am so over-enthusiastic... Thank you Kyoto, for all the memories of the past that you have to share with me!

Arashiyama map

We got lost again, and finally found a map that had some English (duhhh....). We wanted to go to the Arashiyama Bamboo Groove (remember that scene from 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'?) and realised we missed it while walking aimlessly from Tenryuji Temple. Turns out, we missed a turn!

Path of Bamboo, Chikurin No Komichi

We made a U-turn back and realized it was just opposite the place where we had stopped earlier to get an ice-cream! The place is named Chikurin No Komichi (Path of Bamboo). There is a signboard that leads into the path. Do keep and eye out for it if you don't want to miss it!

Kyoto Tower at night

We decided to call it a day and headed back to Kyoto Station for dinner. It was around 6pm when we reached the station, but it was already getting dark. Kyoto Tower looked pretty after it was lighted up. We weren't hungry yet, so we decided to walk around the station to take some photos. Apparently, Kyoto Station is one of the biggest stations in Japan, so we wanted to check that out too.

Staircase at Kyoto Station lighted up at night

The station was definitely huge! It was 12 floors high (if I remember correctly) with an open-air rooftop. The night breeze was super cold! I was not dressed warmly because I had consulted the weather app and it was pretty warm during the daytime in Kyoto (very spot on). I thought of travelling light, so I didn't have any long-sleeved clothing on. Bad move!

The view of Kyoto night skyline was breathtaking from the top floor of Kyoto Station. Do make a trip here at night to experience the beautiful sight!

Lipton Tea House in Kyoto Station's Porta Dining

After walking around the Ramen Street in Kyoto Station, we decided to skip it since the queues were long. We headed to Porta Dining outside the station, near where we boarded our bus in the morning. Upon entering, I saw the Lipton Tea House. LIPTON TEA HOUSE! Why don't we have this in KL? I will definitely make a stop every week! (For those not in the know, I am a huge tea fan and my favourite beverage to kick start my day: Lipton Milk Tea!)

But luck was not on my side. I could only look at the delicious sweet treats on display, and dream about sipping my tea on the soft pouf chairs in the cafe. Well, who sips tea for dinner right? :(

Chirashi, ramen and kimchi for dinner. Burp!

We had dinner at a ramen place and I saw that they had a set meal at only 1,000 yen. I had to have it since it was such a good deal. Usually in KL, the portions were small, but in Kyoto, the portion was HUGE! I had a huge bowl of ramen and a medium sized bowl of chirashi. With lots of rice... I'm totally doomed. No more Lipton cakes even for supper... My only consolation was that the refillable kimchi was superb! Ok, I had 3 refills of kimchi, and that was also pushing it!

3 Coins, upgraded version of Daiso

After dinner, we ladies needed some shopping time so we made a quick dash into 3 Coins, a chain outlet that sells everything at 300 yen (3 coins, get it?). Basically it's an upgraded version of Daiso, and the products are better in quality. I got some pretty good buys here as souvenirs. Bet they'll never know it only costs 300 yen... :P

And that wraps up my third day in Japan. I can totally live here!

Check out my previous posts on my travels in Osaka below:

Day 1: Shinsaibashi, Kuromon Market, Namba Walk and Namba Parks Mall

Day 2: Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi, Amerikamura and Dotombori

The author feels like she has stepped into the past when she landed in Kyoto. From the pretty girls in kimono to rickshaw pullers, ancient temples and shrines, old buses and steam trains, it really feels like time has stopped before the 1950s in Kyoto!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

Japan Trip 2015: Day 2 in Osaka (Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi, Amerikamura, Dotombori)

2015-11-15T23:36:00.000-08:00

Osaka Castle, former villa of shogun Hideyoshi Toyotomi

My second day in Japan kicked off by walking from the apartment to Shinsaibashi Station, which is just a slow 5 minutes walk away. I know it sounds dreary, but there's lot in store for today!

Shinsaibashi Station

That's because the first itinerary of the day is to visit Osaka Castle! We're getting off at at the Morinomiya Station, on the Nagahori Line, so do take note if you want to get here by subway too :)

Destination: Morinomiya Station for Osaka Castle

It's a beautiful and clear day out that Monday morning (apparently Kuala Lumpur was really hazy during that time frame) and we just couldn't get enough of the cool and fresh air until we came to a halt.

Clear and blue skies at Osaka Castle Park

Right up in front of us was this huge flight of stairs! Well, in Japan, you'll have to do as the Japanese do. Start that engine and rev up!

Dense forest in Osaka Castle park

After a short walk through some dense forest, we came to a open area where we walked further till we reached a moat which surrounds the castle grounds.

Moat that surrounds Osaka Castle

After another bout of walking, we saw something from afar. Ahoy! The beautiful Osaka Castle is spotted!

Osaka Castle from afar

We walked heading towards the castle (notice I'm gonna say this often in this post) and came to a open area where there is a food store cum souvenir booth is located opposite the entrance to the castle.

Food store just opposite Osaka Castle entrance

Matcha and chocolate ice cream at 350 yen

I had a matcha and chocolate soft serve ice-cream here (350 yen, approximately RM12.50) and my travel buddies took the opportunity to rest their legs too.

Osaka Castle entrance

Food trucks in the open area just in front of Osaka Castle

After that, we walked past the entrance till we came to another open area where the atmosphere was like a carnival. Food trucks and souvenir shops galore!

The Osaka Castle was just in front of us here and we couldn't wait to enter it. But before we did, we had to pay 600 yen (approximately RM21) for the admission fee. At this point, I decided to treat 100yen as equivalent to RM1. Otherwise I won't be able to part with all the yen I have brought with me! :P

Osaka Castle admission ticket at 600 yen

After the ticket counter, we proceeded to an area where we had a choice to queue to take a lift straight to the 8th floor observatory (super long queue, no way I'm gonna wait) OR take the stairs up (no queue AT ALL). Why oh why??? The obvious answer is to take the stairs up 8 floors since we were pressed for time... but don't say I didn't warn you!

After 3 floors, breathless, panting and with throbbing legs (I'm so unfit I tell you) we had to take a breather by going around the floor while looking at the exhibits. At least there was something to do while catching our breaths. But I digress, because I couldn't think straight already. For future climbers, please do take a rest every floor. You will thank me for sure :D

After countless steps, and floors (I think I lost count, my legs were like jelly) and also thinking how did the shogun Hideyoshi Toyotomi ever lived there without any lifts, I managed to reach the 8th floor. I practically held the banister like an 80 year old when I reached the top. Probably that's why the other Japanese tourists were looking at me funny :/

Osaka city view from 8th floor observatory

I couldn't wait to open the doors to the observatory outside, and the cool wind that whipped my face was a huge welcome after the stuffy staircase!

Osaka city view from 8th floor observatory

The observatory allows visitors to see Osaka city from 4 different angles, and I guess that's the view that greets the shogun every morning as he wakes up. Beautiful views of the city from all angles. Suddenly climbing 8 floors up seemed so worthwhile!

Osaka city view from 8th floor observatory

We got a bit lost trying to find our way out, so we headed towards the nearest subway station, Osaka Business Park, after much asking for directions from old ladies manning some food stall (note to self: find some young chap for directions next time!).

Crossing the river to Osaka Business Park

Along the way, we met a nice lady walking her son back from pre-school, and gestured to us to follow her to the station. Although she did not enter the station, we appreciated the effort and time she took to guide us on her way elsewhere. The Japanese hospitality knows no bounds!

Udon for dinner at Yoshinoya. Yup, that's a Pablo cheesecake in the background all right!

Next, we headed back to Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade for a closer look (you know what I mean) at the shops. It's madness here I tell you! After shopping and dinner at Yoshinoya, we walked across the street to Amerikamura, which is the American town in Osaka.

Evil pumpkin at Big Step Mall, Amerikamura

Once you enter the area, suddenly the shops and atmosphere feels so 'American'. Even shopkeepers here are able to speak good English, though they are mainly of African descent.

Starbucks in Amerikamura all ready for Halloween

Thanks to some kind soul, we were directed to Dotomburi since we wanted to get a night shot of the famous Glico Man signboard at the Ebisu bridge.

The famous Glico Man signboard at night

The nightlife around the Glico Man signboard is exceptional! Millions of signboards lighted up in all directions, you wouldn't know where to look first.

Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade view at night from Ebisu bridge

Kani Doraku restaurant in Dotombori

Puffer fish (fugu) restaurant in Dotombori

Takoyaki restaurant in Dotombori

All I got to say is you should soak up that moment, take some awesome pictures (with the Glico Man of course!) and don't forget to stroll around the whole area with your heads up! The memory will last you a lifetime as it had for me.

That's all for Day 2 and do stay tuned for my upcoming posts!

Day 1 in Shinsaibashi, Kuromon Market, Namba Walk and Namba Parks Mall.

Day 3 in Kyoto Station, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Tenryu-ji Temple, Seiryo-ji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Groove.

The author is living her dreams. Osaka is a food paradise, but what does Kyoto has in store? Geishas... perhaps?

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

Japan Trip 2015: Day 1 in Osaka (Shinsaibashi, Kuromon Market, Namba Walk, Namba Parks Mall)

2015-10-22T07:52:00.001-07:00

Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade in the morning

I'm finally in Japan! (Well, I'm actually back home, but my mind was left back in Japan, so who cares...) It's been a long time since buying my air flight tickets from AirAsia 14 months ahead, so there was plenty of time for research and cash stashing before the currency plummeted badly.

So, I landed in Kansai Airport in Osaka on Oct 3, 2015 and my great Airbnb host, Kevin, picked me up and my travel buddies (we travelled in a group of five) at midnight from the airport to his apartment in Shinsaibashi. We paid around RM150 per night per pax for a great stay in his apartment located in the heart of Shinsaibashi shopping arcade. Two thumbs up! If you are interested to rent his apartment, check out the link here.

Onigiri from Family Mart

Had this onigiri bought from the nearby Family Mart for breakfast. Oh, did I mention that there were THREE Family Mart stores near to our rented apartment? Breakfast and snacks are super convenient with Japanese kombinis.

Buns, cakes, and ham for breakfast. All from Family Mart!

For the course of our stay, we relied on 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson, and Mini Stop for all our breakfasts and quick snacks.

Fresh milk and Lipton milk tea with Halloween packaging

Before I move on to the rest of the trip, let me praise Lipton for having a great range of teas in Japan! Coming from a tea lover, I thought I would suffer as I did in South Korea, but I guess not :D

I love their line of Halloween packaging across the board for all their products. I probably visited at the right time since Halloween seems to be quite fun among Japanese!

River near Shinsaibashi

The sun rises around 5am in Osaka, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the clock on the first morning. 6am and here I am thinking it's 8am! I'm not usually a morning person and I was quite bothered to be up so early. I had breakfast and got ready in super slow motion.

The weather that morning was cool, around 15 degrees. Nice weather to be out and about, I'd say! Osaka people seemed laid back and since it was a Sunday morning, the city was still waking up at 8am when were started our first day in the city. The river we passed by was so still... I guess nobody's up yet?

Kuromon Market

First stop was Kuromon Market, where all the ladies (and tourists) go crazy sampling pickles, fried food, sweets, and whatnots... almost everything edible on sale seemed to ready to be sampled, except the famous Kobe beef of course!

Kobe beef at Kuromon Market

Some of the goods on sale looks pretty delicious. Come here on an empty stomach if you want to try them all!

Croquettes at Kuromon Market

There are also some sweet treats for sale, for those not into savoury stuff or heavy meals. These strawberry mochi were yummy, not too sweet. Sorry, but I'll just have to treat you to a photo of the mochi. For the real thing, make sure to stop by Kuromon Market! :)

Strawberry mochi at Kuromon Market

Here comes another picture of the galore of sweets found in Kuromon Market!

Sweet goodies for kids and all the young-at-heart grown-ups!

I know I've just been spamming food pictures ever since I started on Kuromon Market, but bear with me because I'm gonna show you my buckwheat ramen from a little shop in the market.

I had a great bowl of ramen under 300yen (that's a steal, considering it's around RM10) and I had the experience of ordering it through a vending machine! Sorry no picture of the process though, got too excited and forgot about it :p

Buckwheat ramen with a huge helping of kombu on the side!

After brunch, my travel buddies and I took a walk to Namba Walk. Over there we had some little surprises in store for us...

Malaysian flag spotted in Osaka!

We spotted a banner with the Malaysian flag in the shopping arcade! What are the odds of seeing our country's flag in Japan? I think Malaysia is calling us home already... I guess not since it's only Day One!

Bicycle parking

Along the way, I saw some bicycle parking. I have never seen a nation so taken into the cycling activity, since we Malaysians are practically in our cars all the time. But be warned when walking, because some cyclists just seem not to brake at all!

Vending machine drinks all at 100 yen!

At first when I passed by these vending machines, I didn't understand what is the hype all about over 100 yen (approximately RM3.50) drinks. I came to find out most drink costs around 130 yen to 200 yen in the kombinis and vending machines, so I guess it's something to shout about... we poor Malaysians resort to drinking plain water only :(

Menu banner outside a small restaurant

Time to hunt for lunch! Everything starts looking good, and every banner warrants some scrutiny. Too many restaurants to choose from, each one looks better than the last!

Ebi curry for lunch

Finally we settled down in a cafe off the shopping arcade. Upon entering, we realised the cigarette smoke smell was strong but only came to realise it was a smoking cafe after sitting down. Too bad, we didn't dare to leave but opted to order and eat our food fast for a quick escape! The ebi curry was surprisingly good, and the young waitress was quite fluent in English as well. Would have given two thumbs up if not for the smoking factor!

Star Wars merchandise in Bic Camera

After lunch, we made a stop in Bic Camera and we found lots of good stuff in there.

Figurines at Bic Camera

From electronics to gadgets to model car kits, and even Star Wars merchandise, you name it, they've got it. Definitely stop here if you are into tech stuff or toys! :)

Namba Parks Mall

Soon, we made our way to Namba Parks Mall for some departmental shopping. The mall's architecture is simply stunning, (no box-like structures) which makes it different from standard Japanese architecture. Check out their Sky Garden though! Don't want to put pictures here to spoil all the fun.

Prices here are a bit high though, so we did some window shopping and had dinner at one of the restaurants upstairs in their food court area. Later, we headed home via subway after a long day of walking just because we couldn't take it anymore. Salute all the Japanese for being able to do this day in, day out!

Read on for updates on my epic trip to Japan!

Day 2 in Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi, Amerikamura and Dotombori.

Day 3 in Kyoto Station, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Tenryu-ji Temple, Seiryo-ji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Groove.

The author is extremely happy to be in Japan! So much so she's been having a sweet binge buying any sweet goodies she lays her eyes on... here goes her diet!

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Cameron Highlands: A Cool & Green Escape From KL City's Heat

2015-08-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

Time for another update! This time, my family and I decided to revisit a popular haunt of ours for holidays, Cameron Highlands. The last time I came here was 5 years back, and boy, the place has changed a lot since my last visit.

This trip was absolutely different from the rest. Usually we stayed at apartments, but we decided to book at Century Pines Resort instead. The stay was comfortable, clean and quiet. I'd love to come back again, definitely! While on this trip, we also tried not to travel during peak times as the traffic snarl up and down the mountain can be terrible. A short 10 minute ride can easily take up to 30 minutes or more!

Since my last trip here, a few new attractions have sprung up, and one of the better ones is Cameron Lavender. To get here, take a drive heading towards to Boh's Sungai Palas Plantation from Brinchang and from there it's another 5 minutes drive.

While the entry fee may be a little steep (RM6 for adults, RM4 for children), rest assured there are many attractions worthy of photo opportunities in this attraction. I for one, thought it was an extremely worthy price to pay for the upkeep of the place. Don't forget to stop for a picture with this cute Beetle!

And when you're at it, make sure to try the Hokkaido Lavender ice cream flavour (imported from Japan)! Priced at RM5.90, there are many other flavours to choose from, such as strawberry, chocolate etc. but do make sure to try the lavender flavoured one! You won't regret it!

I saw some plants that looked so much like the lavender, but have a lighter green shade, as if it's been bleached. After doing some research, turns out the plant is a relative of the common lavender, also known as the Spanish Lavender. You'll never know what you'll learn by going on a trip!

I initially wanted to check out the Rose Centre attraction at Kea Farm, but since it was near closing time, it wasn't worth it. Judging from the leaflet though, there are many attractions in this centre as well. Do check it out if you happen to be at Kea Farm. I did manage to get a shot of this repainted jeep which was recently decommisioned in Cameron Highlands at Rose Centre though. Gone were the days where these jeeps ply the mountain routes daily for deliveries, as they were now replaced by the white Toyota Hilux.

Last but not least, the highlight of my trip was the short hike from Century Pines Resort to Parit Falls. To get to the waterfall, take a small slip route from the side of the resort (there is a orange signboard that says Parit Waterfall 400m) and walk through a dense jungle before coming to a opening where the entrance to the park where a recreational spot is located. Near the entrance a view of the waterfall is visible. Take a short walk and you'll see the waterfall. The walk takes about 30 to 40 minutes, and it's great to feel the cool air on your skin and breathe in the fresh unpolluted air.

This trip is a nature-filled one that made me see Cameron Highlands in a new light, from the tourist attraction it has evolved to be over the years. I will definitely come again in a few years time, and hopefully gain new happy memories.

Ever the traveller, the author is preparing for her trip to Japan in a few months. Stay tuned for updates on my coming trip to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo!

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Time For Some Lip Service

2015-04-10T07:10:00.001-07:00

It's been a long time since I've last wrote... it's been a long 8 months of silence, and I'm glad to finally find some time to blog about something that's been on my vanity table for a long time.

Guess what? Not cosmetics, but lip products! Hahaha... caught some of you unawares right?

Alright, not gonna talk long and shall get to the point. I don't use lipstick because I have sensitive lips, dry and chapped skin easily form after an application of lipstick, which could lead to blisters :(

I have never showed much interest in skincare or lipcare but since my trip to South Korea I've begun to take more care of my skin and lips. Korean women look young for their age, and I think it's partly because of the care they take to preserve their youthfulness.

In the picture above, only the Lip Smacker (in my favourite Strawberry Fanta flavour) and Maybelline coloured lipbalm were purchased in Malaysia.

The rest were bought in South Korea, and before you think that's an awful lot, let me tell you that I can easily buy back more if I didn't resist myself :p

The Prestige Snail Lip Treatment, cherry and blueberry lipbalm were from Tony Moly, I couldn't resist picking the lipbalm which were packaged cutely like a real fruit! I was pleasantly surprised when I found out they threw in a small bottle of Cat Chu Wink liptint as a free gift :D

From Etude House, I bought the 'It's Fine' and 'Don't Worry' coloured lipbalms, as well as Sweet Recipe Cupcake All Over Colour and Juicy lipgloss. Of all the products from Etude House, I loved the 'Don't Worry' coloured lipbalm the best. It has a light mango scent and a peachy-pink colour, and my lips feel moisturised after each use, definitely my best buy so far.

Lastly, the Vaseline Lip Essence in Cherry flavour is a must-buy if you're in South Korea during the harsh cold months. As I was in Seoul in November, the chilly wind made my lips super-dry and even the most moisturing lipbalm couldn't help. This tube of Vaseline worked like a charm, and boy, thank goodness I decided to stop in a drugstore in Edae, where I bought this. My lips would have cracked by the time I came home had I not found this then.

Looking forward to my trip to Japan in the second half of this year. Wonder what goodies do they have in store for me over there? Stay tuned for updates on my coming trip to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo!

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JYJ Shows Their Real Selves Through 'Just Us' Album

2014-08-18T00:16:00.004-07:00

JYJ is back with their latest album 'JUST US' after a hiatus of 3 years! In this second album, we get to hear the evolution of their music to a more mature and sexy sound.

I was actually surprised that they came back with a mellower sound compared with their previous album, where songs such as 'Get Out' and and 'Mission' are more fast-paced dance songs. Even 'Unnamed Song' was particularly different because it was written to express pent-up frustrations.

The title song 'Back Seat' is a sexy R&B song that shows that JYJ are now 'officially' men, no longer sweet poster boys. Personally I like this song very much, although Engrish is all over the place. That's JYJ for you!

The music video is equally sexy as well, and I think they shot it that way since they knew it wouldn't make it past the Korean broadcasters anyway. Why waste time when they can please all their global fans? I particularly think the video is fresh especially the light show part at the end. It's like as if they have broken free from box sets (ahem... which a certain agency favours for music videos) finally.

My other favourites off the album are '2.30AM', 'So So', 'Dad, You There?', and 'BaboBoy'. I love listening to their harmony in '2.30AM' although the song is so sad, since it's talking about not being able to sleep because of an ex. Though I can't sleep after listening to it in the wee hours in the morning too...

'So So' is a ballad littered with many English phrases that is quite easy listening. I find it quite uplifting, though it's actually talking about loving someone without much dedication... hence the title, 'So So'. I love how the English phrases gel with the Korean lyrics in this one very much.

'Dad, You There?' is a song written by Yoochun for his late father. It's a mellow song but instead of making me sleepy, it actually gives me a chance to unravel after a long day. I can totally listen to this song all day. Their voices in this song will definitely melt your heart!

'Baboboy' is actually a mid-tempo dance song, and I didn't really like it till I listened to it a few times. I died when Yoochun whispered 'Hello beautiful, is anybody home?' :p Too bad they don't have a music video for this song, but you should check out the fancams of their performances in their concerts. Hip trusts way to go!

Each member's solo songs also have shown evolution since their last album. Junsu's solo is musical-inspired, Jaejoong's rock-inspired and Yoochun's hippie-inspired. Just joking!

Yoochun's '30' is as fresh as his previous 'Unnamed Song' since this round he is addressing the worries (and gratitude?) in turning thirty. I think they will forever stay young in my memory although they have reached thirty... But anyway, he slow-raps in the song, almost as if telling a story by talking. He inserts bits and pieces of people who have been special in his life (eg. Junsu, Jaejoong, Yoohwan and Dong Hee), which I think was pretty clever :D

I have never been disappointed in a JYJ album so far and I wish it will stay that way. They will soon enlist in the military once they finish their world tour, and I will still be waiting for them even after that. Always Keep The Faith, yo!

The author is happy yet sad that 'JUST US' signals the impending military enlistment of the members. This album is definitely precious to all fans!

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How To Cook Yukgaejang (The Simplest Way)

2014-08-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

If you're a fan of Korean food, chances are you've heard of Yukgaejang, a spicy beef broth that will sure to leave you craving for more.

During my trip to South Korea, I chanced upon an instant Yukgaejang soup base from Ottogi being sold in a grocery store. Since I loved the spicy beef soup so much, I decided to buy one pack to try back home.

Bought the Yukgaejang instant soup base in a box with another foil packaging inside. I think it costs around 3000 won (approximately RM9), but mianhae, my memory might have failed me since it was some time ago when I bought this.

Inside the foil packaging you will see 2 dried soup base and 2 sachets of oil. You can opt to use one pack each for a single portion, but I decided to use all since I was cooking for two persons.

The instructions were in Korean, so I had to take a wild guess on what fresh ingredients to add. Meat (beef or chicken) is a must, to give the soup more flavour. I used chicken since I couldn't find fresh beef :(

I also added mushrooms, some spring onions and some fresh chillies which I sliced to thin strips. Bring all ingredients and soup base together to a boil, and voila! Instant Yukjaejang awaits you!

Overall, my instant Yukgaejang tasted good, but would have been better with beef slices I think. I have yet to come across the same Ottogi instant Yukgaejang soup base in Malaysian stores, but if you have, do drop me a comment on where I can get it.

Hoping to try cooking this again in the future, whether from scratch or with instant soup base. But the latter probably warrants a trip to South Korea again... ;)

The author regrets not having the foresight to buy back more instant soup bases home. Cooking Korean food for comfort would be so much easier then!

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Korean Beauty Show: 'Get It Beauty' with Yoo In Na

2014-05-07T07:56:00.002-07:00

'Get It Beauty' is one of South Korea's top beauty television programme which is currently hosted by actress Yoo In Na and Jaekyung of idol group Rainbow.

As South Korean women are obsessed with beauty and flawless skin, this programme will show you how to copy the latest looks in Korean dramas and K-pop music videos.

In South Korea, the programme is widely known to conduct blind tests on beauty products, and whenever you see a product in a skincare or make-up store with the 'Get It Beauty' recommendation, rest assured the product will not disappoint on its promises.

I was shopping in Myeongdong, Seoul and I came across many of 'Get It Beauty' recommendations in the plethora of make-up and skincare stores. I bought Etude House's Moistfull Collagen Cream which was recommended by the programme, and surely the cream worked wonders on my skin! :)

I hope those of you who are interested in better skincare and make-up will benefit from watching the show!

To watch the show with English subtitles, click on the link here!

The author did not regret buying a product recommended by 'Get It Beauty' programme. She hopes those who are shopping in South Korea will use it as a benchmark to buy products worth-for-your-money in the future.

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High4 & IU Breaks Norms in 'Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms'

2014-04-16T08:34:00.001-07:00

Rookie group High4 debuted with a sweet ballad track 'Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms' featuring IU, the nation's little sister.

Though they looked more like the typical idol group, they can sing well and harmonize well with IU, creating a wonderful melody for the cherry blossom season.

Though the song isn't about falling in love, it is rather about feeling lonely when everyone is out enjoying one of the most beautiful times of spring with their loved one.

When I looked up the English translations for the lyrics, the lines below caught my attention:

Everyone but me is in love, singing spring songs
Flowers bloom and sway before my eyes
But I want to hear something else
Something to sweep away everything
Not spring, love or cherry blossoms

Check out the music video for 'Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms' below!

Looking forward to listen to their next release!

The author loves the cherry blossom season when all the streets are lined with pink blossoms, and intends to at least see it in person once in a lifetime!

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Park Yoochun, The Elite Bodyguard in 'Three Days'

2014-04-01T08:25:00.005-07:00

It's been awhile since I last posted about a K-drama here... So to make a grand comeback, I've decided to write about the K-drama 'Three Days' starring JYJ member Park Yoochun (whee!!), Son Hyun Joo, Jang Hyun Seong, among many others.

‘Three Days’ is a drama that centers on the race to find the South Korean president, portrayed by Son Hyun Joo, who goes missing at his holiday villa.

The clock ticks as his elite bodyguard, portrayed by Yoochun, hunts for him in the short span of three days.
Directed by Shin Kyung Soo (Tree With Deep Roots) and written by Kim Eun Hee (Ghost, Sign), the drama shows lot of promise to be stellar in terms of production and cast.

The drama is currently airing in South Korea and has been getting good ratings and reviews. Although it may seem like a drama that will appeal more to the male audience, many females have been interested in the drama, probably mainly because of the main lead, Yoochun (and there's where I come in too!).

‘Three Days’ will be premiering on ONE HD (Astro B.yond, Channel 393) starting April 2, 2014 and airs every Wednesday and Thursday at 8.55pm. Don’t miss out on this cool action-packed drama!

The author is excited to catch 'Three Days' on air soon. Although she had already watched it online as quick as the fan-subbers subbed the Korean broadcast of the drama. Tee hee!

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Tous Les Jours at WOLO, Bukit Bintang: Cozy Korean-French bakery in the heart of KL

2014-03-27T09:15:00.002-07:00

Tous Les Jours' Berry Berry Tiramisu overlooking the busy Bukit Bintang street

I recently had the chance to visit the Korean-French bakery Tous Les Jours at WOLO, Bukit Bintang. I just couldn't resist walking in as the cozy ambience attracted my attention.

The name Tous Les Jours (pronounced TOO-LEH-JOO), which means 'everyday' in French may have some thinking that the bakery is a French chain, but in actual fact the chain originated in South Korea. During my trip to South Korea, I did manage to see a few of these outlets, but did not have the chance to try their products.

Now that I'm back in KL, I wish that I can visit the bakery 'everyday'... Or whenever I miss South Korea. Sigh....

So back to my visit.... Although I went in mid-afternoon, the bakery was quite full, and there were a few empty seats left.

Tea break time at Tous Les Jours while people-watching

I had a Berry Berry Tiramisu (RM8.90) and a Mango Yoghurt drink (RM10) while my brothers picked up a few buns.

The tiramisu was smooth and creamy... Yummy! And not to mention there was a little macaron to sample too... My stomach was full after one cup but instead my mouth still wants more. Guess I gotta come here 'everyday' huh? :p

My brother loved their signature Milk Bun (RM3.80), which was expected since he was a milk lover. One bun just wasn't enough, he said, so we had to take-away more home!

Tous Les Jours' Mango Yoghurt drink

I wanted to have their Iced Flakes (patbingsu), but sadly they were not available. Instead, their Mango Yoghurt did manage to help me cool down from the blistering hot outside. It wasn't overly milky, yet not too sweet, so I'll give this a 3.5 out of 5. Could do better though if they had stirred the syrup at the bottom before serving.

Tous Les Jours' pastries selection

They also had some French pastries on sale too, which I have yet to try. I'll make sure to try it the next round!

Tous Les Jours' buns on display

When we entered the shop, we were overwhelmed by the bread and pastries on display. Everyone seemed good and we couldn't make up our minds!

Tous Les Jours cakes and desserts on display

Their cakes and desserts, especially their tiramisu and macarons are so irresistible. I couldn't help but pick out a tiramisu to try, even though I wanted to try their pastries in the first place.

Tous Les Jours' country-inspired decor

I loved their country-inspired decor and also the cozy ambience where you can relax from the hustle and bustle of shopping in KL's Golden Triangle, grab a drink and some buns and pastries while resting your tired feet.

Tous Les Jours' WOLO: the upstairs felt like a huge reading room

I sat upstairs and I felt that the decor gave me the feels of sitting in a huge reading room, where I can have my drink and cake at the same time.

While relaxing, I heard the strains of K-indie band Busker Busker's song playing in the background. That moment just transported me back to South Korea again because most cafes there loved Busker Busker's songs...

Tous Les Jours buns for breakfast (wait... somebody stole some of my madeleines already!)

We brought home some buns for breakfast the next day, and the buns were still (gladly) soft like the day before. The Chocolate Madeleines (RM3.90 for pack of 3) were awesome (dipped with coffee), and as you can see in the picture above, some were already stolen the night before!

Even my elderly grandparents loved the Red Bean buns and madeleines, so it's quite safe to say they cater to our Malaysian tastes as well.

I'll definitely make Tous Les Jours a place to stop by whenever I'm in the vicinity next time!

The store address is:
WOLO Bukit Bintang
126A-C, Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur
Tel : +603-4065 0088
Opening Hours : 8AM – 11PM

They do have a store in Bangsar as well:
39-41 Jalan Telawi 3 | Bangsar Baru | 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : +603-2201 3526
Opening Hours : 7AM – 12AM (Sun - Thurs)
7AM - 1AM (Fri, Sat & Public Holiday)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TLJMalaysia

Pic credits: TLJ Malaysia

The author is glad to have finally found a place where she can visit whenever her 'hunger pangs' for South Korea comes.

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2NE1 Finally 'Come Back Home'

2014-03-03T08:03:00.003-08:00

I have been looking forward to writing this piece over the last 2 years. I can't believe it's being posted on my blog at last! With this, it signals the return of YG's hip hop/dance/electronica girl group, 2NE1!

I never particularly loved 2NE1 for their style and sound during their debut days, but ever since the release of 'I Am The Best' I have been a converted fan.

Imagine my excitement when 'I Love You' was released late 2012, ahead of their album's release. After many of waiting, the album never came. Fans like myself were frustrated, but remained loyal and calm.

Then in 2013, we were teased by the release of 'Falling In Love', followed closely by 'Do You Love Me'. Speculations of an album release was in the air.

And then the long wait began again... this time many were already calling YG a troll... until the release of the slow-tempo number 'Missing You' in November 2013. They even performed the song during the 2013 MAMA Awards in Hong Kong!

Then came another long wait. We were being left in the cold after being all teased up! Then around January 2014 rumours which led to confirmation of a new album were all around the internet.

After a superbly long wait, their music video for 'Come Back Home' and 'Happy' are released on March 3. Their album dropped on the online stores on February 26, on CL's birthday. As expected, they achieved an all-kill on the music charts!

Check out the music video for 'Come Back Home' below!

In their latest album, 2NE1 managed to keep their sound fresh while experimenting with a more hip-hop/swagger style mixed up with some mellow ballads.

While 'Crush' reminds me very much of 'I Am The Best', 'Come Back Home' is a mid-tempo track which brings out the best in every member, in terms of vocal and individual colour.

Another track which I loved was CL's solo 'MTBD', also known as 'Mental Breakdown', which is a mind-blowing track full of CL's signature swagger and rap. While the bass proves to be an addictive element, the lyrics itself is another story.

The lyrics revolved around karma and revenge towards a former lover, but the part which I liked most was the reference to Bob Marley's famous hit, "Karma karma karma is looking for you/ Watchu' gonna do when they come for you"!

Their latest album 'Crush' certainly did not disappoint me the very least and to sum up what it's done to me, let me borrow a line from one of their songs, 'Boom, boom, boom!"

Check out the music for 'Happy' below!

The author is totally relieved that the long wait is over. Now let's look forward to 2NE1's upcoming 'All Or Nothing' concert in Malaysia this coming May!

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CNBLUE: They 'Can't Stop' Surprising Us

2014-02-28T07:11:00.000-08:00

CNBLUE is back with a new album a year since their last, titled 'Can't Stop'. Are you readers excited?

Their past albums have centered on a pop-rock sound, but this time CNBLUE returns with a mellower sound, more of a soft-rock sound.

Although I have always listened to their songs, this particular album captured my interest since I'm a fan of ballads.

My 2 favourite songs off the album are 'Can't Stop' (title track) and 'Sleepless Night'. While the former is a half-ballad track which picks up pace in the chorus, the latter is a soothing number that will (ironically) soothe your restless mind on a sleepless night.

Check out the music video to 'Can't Stop' below!

Can't wait to see them perform their latest hits on music shows soon!

The author is in a good mood lately, what with new releases from CNBLUE, Girls' Generation and 2NE1 being released back to back!

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Korean grocery buys in Kuala Lumpur: Beverages

2014-02-25T07:25:00.004-08:00

Green tea latte & Honey citron tea

I haven't gotten over my Korean fever just yet, so currently I'm still very into products made in Korea ;)

Recently, I went grocery shopping in Aeon and found some Korean beverages that might interest some of you.

I bought a pack of Green tea latte for RM15.90, which contains 15 sachets. I also bought a bottle of Honey citron tea for RM30.90, weighing 1.1kg.

While a green tea latte might sound normal to those who often frequent cafes, I think they honey citron tea is something most would like to try.

It's an Asian twist on lemonade and the plus point is, it is taken by Koreans as a herbal remedy to reduce the common cold!

If you're interested, you can get these products at your local Aeon store :)

The author is excited to have found a new haven to stock up on Korean snacks and beverages!

I will try to keep up with my postings on Korean-related culture in Malaysia, so keep yourself updated by following me on Twitter!

In Between Crossroads

2014-02-20T08:37:00.004-08:00

Pic credit: http://beyondthebunker.com

It's been awhile since I last wrote about my life and thoughts and I figured that now is the best time than never to do it. One day when I re-read this post, I hope it will bring back some memories...

I'm actually in the midst of waiting for my thesis to be reviewed and to be called for a viva voce. It's something every student dread, but as much as I do dread it, I can't wait for it to be done and over with too.

After I get my thesis done, it's back to the working world again for me. I last left the corporate world 3 years ago when I had a crisis and decided to pursue my master's degree.

Time flies and I'm back here again. Soon, I'll be looking for a job, like many other graduates, and I really hope this time round I will get job, or better still, a career, that suits me.

Writing has always been my passion but I am always afraid that my experience will be a hindrance to my career advancement, therefore I have lowered my expectations this time round on my job scope.

My family members have been questioning what organization do I have in mind when it comes to applying for a job, but in my mind, the organization nor position does not matter.

As long as I have a chance to learn and climb up the corporate ladder to get to my dream career (and own my dream car and house at it!), I am willing to try out any job scope pertaining to writing or editing.

I hope that when I'm old and retired, my first choice will not be one I will regret. After all, we wouldn't know what lies at the end of the road not taken, right?

At this moment, I still have a long way to go...

Here's the source of my inspiration and strength, JYJ. Hope you don't mind the K-pop twist to my post!

The author is in between crossroads and hopes to make the choice that she will never regret with a path less taken.

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

Korean beverages on the streets of South Korea

2014-02-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

Latte drinks at Hello Kitty Cafe

While walking on the streets of Seoul and Busan, I've encountered and tried many different beverages, whether sold in cafes or in convenience stores. In this post I'll document some of the beverages I've managed to try out during my trip back in November.

Caffe Bene's lime & mint drink, hot chocolate & strawberry smoothie

Drinks from cafes can be more attractive in their packaging and wide range of varieties to choose from, but they cost the most. A drink in a cafe can easily cost you from 6000 won to 8000 won (approximately RM18 to RM24) for a regular sized drink. But the ambience of cafes can be so cozy inviting, and proves to be a great pit stop when you are feeling cold while shopping on the streets.

Hollys Coffee's Iced Lemon Tea

Fret not as cold drinks are still served during the chilly autumn season. Since I don't fancy coffee and I'm stuck in a country that loves coffee, I had to resort to smoothies, teas or fruit juices. I did managed to survive without consuming coffee in South Korea (is that a feat?), but I can't really recommend good coffee joints for those of you who are planning to go on a trip there (sorry!).

Angel-in-us Coffee's ready made coffee sold in convenience stores

My travel partner bought an Angel-in-us Coffee's Caramel Macchiato from a convenience store for breakfast, and it was surprisingly cheap yet good. It only costs around 2000 to 3000 won yet it was satisfying good. This is a good alternative to those who want to drink coffee without racking a huge bill at a cafe.

Banana milk and Chocopie for breakfast

Another beverage I would love to introduce is the famous Binggrae banana milk! I had this for breakfast almost every morning since I loved them so much. It's available at most convenience stores at about 1500 won (approximately RM4.50) each, and I will buy them and store them in the refrigerator for my morning breakfast milk drink :)

Strawberry milk and Ottogi slimming cup noodle

They also have the strawberry version of the banana milk, but even though I'm a huge fan of strawberry milk, I still felt more drawn towards the banana milk. Psst... the Ottogi slimming cup noodle in the pic above is a good way to have breakfast to save more money on breakfast sets at cafes while keeping your calories in check since it's only 120kcal per cup!

Blueberry yogurt drink

Another great breakfast drink option is getting a yogurt drink. I got this blueberry yogurt drink at the local convenience store but it didn't taste sweet at all. I guess it's healthier than the sweetened yogurt drinks back home? But it probably isn't for everybody since it wasn't spectacular (according to my tastebuds, that is).

Maeil yogurt drink

If you are looking for a good yogurt drink, I'll recommend you to try Maeil's yogurt drink. It's sort of like Yakult, and it's great for your stomach. I had a bottle of Maeil yogurt drink while looking out to the sea on Haeundae beach.... ;)

Apple flavoured probiotics multifunction yogurt drink

If you are having a little trouble with your bowel movements, do try this apple flavoured probiotics multifunction yogurt drink. It's a great solution that helps you ease your bowels in no time.

Vita 500 drink endorsed by miss A's Suzy

I also had a great encounter with the Vita 500 drink. It's actually a vitamin C drink, I saw the ad on television while in the hotel. While out walking, one of my travel partners complained of a sore throat and wanted a cool drink. We teased her to try Vita 500 since we just saw the cute ad by miss A's Suzy.

Surprisingly after she drank it she didn't complained much anymore. The sore throat went away the next day miraculously. Then when the same thing happened to me, I immediately looked for Vita 500 and drank a bottle. The next day the sore throat disappeared too! Yeay! :)

Etude House's Pink Pong collagen water

Just because I was in Etude House and was thirsty at that time, I bought a bottle of their Pink Pong collagen water to try. It has a peach flavour although it's like clear water. Not sure whether it does what it's supposed to since I only drank a bottle...

Daily C vitamin water: Skin Glow

A great thirst-quencher is the Daily C vitamin water. They have many variants and I tried the Skin Glow variant which has a slight citrus flavour. It's easy to find and I drank quite a number of different brands' vitamin water to quench my thirst while walking around the streets of Korea.

Pocari Sweat

Another thirst-quencher is Pocari Sweat, the local alternative to 100 Plus or 7Up Revive. It's an isotonic drink that will boost your energy and replenish your lost body fluids.

Brown rice tea drink

If you're looking for a drink with a more Korean 'feel', you can try the brown rice tea drink which is a more pungent drink compared to green tea. It has that burnt smell but it does not leave a bad aftertaste in your mouth. It's also an healthier alternative compared to many other sweetened drinks.

Mojito Lemon & Lime with Mint drink

Last but not least, I did try this great mojito drink which helped to soothe my sore throat before I had my dose of Vita 500. It's a sweet-sour drink with a minty aftertaste, which I think will be a great drink in the summer heat.

That's all for the beverages I had while on the streets of South Korea peeps! I hope you'll have your share of fun in exploring Korean beverages!

The author missed her breakfast drink of banana milk so badly she had to stock up on them from local supermarkets even when back home!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

South Korea Trip 2013: 8 Days Busan & Seoul Itinerary

2014-01-21T06:33:00.004-08:00

To round off my posts on my South Korea trip in November 2013, I'll do a compilation of all my related posts which works as an itinerary guide for those who want to visit both Busan and Seoul within a week.

My self-guided South Korea trip itinerary is as follows, with KTX being the mode of transportation between the two cities.

Day 1: Busan Nampodong, BIFF Square and Gwangbok Street (Busan)

Day 2: Seoul Chungmuro, Namdaemun and Myeongdong

Day 3: Seoul Edae, Hongdae, D-Cube City and Dongdaemun

Day 4: Seoul N Seoul Tower, Namsangol Hanok Village, Garosugil and Go-To Mall

Day 5: Seoul Gyeongbukgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheongdong, Changdeokgung and Insadong

Day 6: Seoul to Busan (KTX and Busan City Night View Tour Bus)

Day 7: Busan Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, Haeundae Beach and Seomyeon

Day 8: Busan Pusan Int'l University Street, Oncheonjang and Busan Trick Eye Museum

On a side note, here are some of my previous posts that might interest some of you who are curious to learn more about South Korea before you head over there.

Korean beverages on the streets of South Korea

K-pop album haul and Korean souvenirs

Beauty buys from South Korea

Grocery buys from South Korea

I hope my travel itinerary might have given some ideas to those that will be visiting South Korea in the future.

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions, and I'll be more than willing to share with you whatever knowledge I have! :)

Update: Check out my latest account of my trip to Japan in 2015. Stay tuned for more updates on this trip!

Osaka: Sightseeing, Shopping & Dining Attractions

The author might have missed some places of interest since it was a tight schedule of 4 days in Busan and 4 days in Seoul. Someday she wishes to return and visit many more beautiful places in South Korea.

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

K-pop album haul & Korean souvenirs

2014-01-13T08:42:00.001-08:00

K-pop album haul from my trip

Finally it's time to showcase the K-pop albums and souvenirs I managed to cart home from South Korea!

I bought JYJ Kim Jaejoong's WWW album for myself, CNBLUE's Re:BLUE album for my first brother, and G-Dragon's Coup D'etat for my youngest brother. Possibly the lightest and slimmest souvenirs, but yet the most expensive ones!

I bought my albums from the Music Korea outlet in Myeongdong. To get there using the subway, stop at Myeongdong Station, and take Exit 6. You'll see a Nature Republic outlet. Enter the outlet and go up one floor.

Music Korea is just upstairs and they have an extensive range of K-pop albums, both old and new releases.

Korean souvenirs

I also managed to buy some souvenirs for myself and friends back home. I bought a unique key holder from the gift shop at the Namsan Tower observatory deck. There are also plenty of other unique finds here that are not sold at other shops in Seoul. I managed to get a paper cut-out of a hanbok from the gift shop there too. It's going to be a great memorable souvenir to frame up as a remembrance of my maiden trip.

I also managed to get some fridge magnets in Hongdae (not pictured above), as well as a bookmark and postcards from Insadong.

Insadong is a good place to buy cultural souvenirs, but if you are not heading there then you can find them at Namdaemun or Myeongdong too. Insadong has more authentic souvenirs, but prices can be on the pricey side. For a more upscale souvenir hunting spree, try Ssamziegil. I got my cute postcards there from a small stall vendor :)

That's all for my K-pop album haul and Korean souvenirs. If you have yet to, check out my previous posts on Korean beauty buys and Korean grocery buys!

The author is grateful that she managed to get a copy of Jaejoong's WWW album before it was sold out!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

Beauty buys from South Korea

2014-01-08T07:27:00.000-08:00


Etude House beauty haul

After arriving in Myeongdong, I finally experienced what everyone was talking about Korean make-up or skincare brands. It's everywhere, and you really can't resist walking into these pretty shops all inviting you to come in. If you are looking for Korean cosmetics, Myeongdong is the place to go!

While some promoters are a little pesky (they pull your hand and try to drag you into their store), some are quite friendly and talk nicely, just enticing you to go in and take a look around. Some offer free gifts (samples mostly), but once you enter, you'll most likely not go out without buying something.

Stepping into Etude House was like stepping into a princess' room. Everything was pink, my favourite colour! :D

I managed to get their masks at a 10+10 promo price of 900 won (approximately RM2.70) each, which comes down to 450 won each pack. Which is really cheap! But be wary though, I went to other Etude House outlets out of Myeongdong too, but they do not have the same offer. I bought mine at the outlet opposite SPAO in Myeongdong, so make sure you make a stop there if you're in the vicinity.

I bought many other stuff from Etude House too, considering I'm not much of a person who spends much on beauty products. I'm more of a skincare person, but they have a good range of skincare apart from make-up too.

I also got a leg mask (leg peeling yo!), hand creams, lip gloss, lip balm, a few products from the moistfull series, as well as a cute cupcake lip colour. I probably spent nearly 100,000 won in Etude House, but that's great because nearly everyone back home gets some really lovely face masks and hand creams! :)

Free samples from Etude House (given after purchase)

I really felt my money was well spent although I blew a huge portion of my shopping budget at Etude House. Look at all the free samples I got after my purchase! It's really nice shopping at Etude House because they really want to make their customers happy and they are always willing to give advice on the products!

Clio, Tony Moly and Innisfree skincare haul

I also bought a few products from Clio (2 face packs), Tony Moly (lip balm and snail lip treatment), and Innisfree (olive cleansing tissue and volcanic clay mask).

I really regret not buying those snail masks from Tony Moly since I thought I had bought a lot from Etude House. After giving most away, I am now regretting not buying more...

I felt Clio was more into make-up products, while Tony Moly was more upscale in their range and prices while Innisfree uses more natural ingredients in their products, with a huge chunk originating from Jeju. Etude House meanwhile focuses on pretty packaging.

Each brand has its strengths and weaknesses but hey, life's all about trial and error eight? I hope to find something I like among the huge chunk of stuff I brought back. Hopefully on my next trip I'll be able to explore more Korean make-up and skincare brands!

If you have yet to, do check out my previous post on my Korean grocery buys!

The author never felt attracted to enter beauty or skincare shops in KL, but in South Korea the calling was just too great to resist!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

Grocery buys from South Korea

2014-01-06T08:29:00.002-08:00

Korean groceries

As promised, I'm writing this post to document my grocery buys from my trip to South Korea. I did most of my grocery shopping in Nampodong, Busan since it was my last stop before I fly back home to Kuala Lumpur.

I bought my groceries from a shop nearby my hotel, and I think most of the prices are quite cheap compared to those at convenience stores. I bought some kelp, roasted seaweed to sprinkle on rice, some yukgaejang soup premix, gochujang paste from this neighbourhood grocery store.

I got 2 stone pots (dolsot) and a ramyun pot for 3000 won (approximately RM9) each from a Daiso outlet. I also bought some steel chopsticks and spoons for 500 won (approximately RM1.50) each from a vendor who was clearing his wares in Namdaemun. My cheapest deal by far :)

I also managed to get some icing decorating tubes in different colours from Namdaemun!

Korean snacks

Finally, my snacks haul! I also bought all these from the nearby grocery store, since they have the cheapest prices for Pepero and Market O chocolates.

Peperos were going for 800 won (approximately RM2.40) each and chocolates were between 1500 won to 4000 won.

Dried seaweed were also going for 500 won (approximately RM1.50) and I shared a box of 40 packs with my travel partners.

Also bought a box of Lotte Chocopie from Daiso which costs 1500 won (approximately RM4.50), much cheaper than in KL! :)

That wraps up my Korean grocery haul and hope to see you soon in my next posts!

Check out more posts on my Korean beauty buys, K-pop album haul and souvenirs, as well as Korean beverages on the streets!

The author has devoured all the snacks within less than a month since returning from South Korea. Time to hunt in the local grocery stores again...

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

South Korea Trip 2013: Day 8 in Busan (Pusan Int'l University Street, Oncheonjang, Busan Trick Eye Museum)

2013-12-26T07:39:00.000-08:00

Busy crossroads with more than one zebra crossing is common in South Korea

It's finally my last day in South Korea, and it's a pretty much packed one, what with all the sightseeing and shopping packed into a full day. Since we have yet to explore many of Busan's shopping districts, our first stop of the day is Pusan Int'l University Street.

Big breakfast at Whoever Coffee and Herb

But before we head off on our journey, breakfast is a must. My travel partners and I decided to try breakfast at a cafe nearby our hotel, Whoever Coffee and Herb. Weird name, I must say, but their western breakfast was a huge portion and above average.

My favourite was the garden salad. It came with a huge orange in it, something I've never tried. It was pretty delicious, and I savoured the whole bowl. The breakfast set comes with a coffee, garden salad, soup, and toast for 4500 won (approximately RM13.50) if I recalled correctly. Pretty decent price by me though some might say it's a bit expensive just for breakfast.

Pusan Int'l University entrance gate

After taking the subway from Jungang Station to Pusan Int'l University Station, I arrived at Pusan Int'l University street. The atmosphere here is similar to that of Edae and Hongdae since they cater more towards the youth market.

Shoe shopping at Pusan Int'l University street

I saw plenty of boots on sale here, and thought of buying one home. I didn't buy one in Seoul since luggage space was a problem, apart from mobility getting onto the KTX. Nothing caught my eye, but in general, the clothings and shoes sold here still can't beat those in Seoul. So much for fashion forward me.

Post box looking thing on the street

Anyway, I came across a few of these post box looking things on the street. I'm exactly sure what these are, but it sure does look like some sort of box for mails. If anyone knows what are these, please do share with me! :)

Yoogane's artsy wall deco

We had lunch at a Yoogane outlet located on one of the main roads in Pusan Int'l University area. It looked pretty decent, so we just gave it a go. After entering and seeing some familiar K-drama faces, then I realized that I might have heard of the restaurant's name somewhere...

Yoogane fried kimchi rice and ramen

Anyway, my travel partners and I had 2 portions of ramen and one portion of fried kimchi rice. It's pretty much a one to one ratio per person at Yoogane, but you can always call for more. The helpful staff will help with all the frying work, so you only have to enjoy the meal. I can't remember the prices exactly here, but it's pretty much affordable. It's even cheaper than having a set meal at food courts I think :)

Cute little take away cafe

After lunch, I walked around to do some more shopping. There was a cute little take away cafe along one of the main streets, and I couldn't help but wonder why we didn't have these type of cafes in KL. There are plenty of them in South Korea, but none to be found in Malaysia.... maybe a sign to open one of these in KL? :p

M.A.C. store selling clothing. Now that's a first

There were also plenty of stores in South Korea bearing names of famous brands. I saw a clothing shop with the Twitter logo, and also a M.A.C. store selling clothing. Copyright infringement anyone?

Charlie Brown Cafe at Pusan Int'l University street

And the highlight of my trip here to this street is the Charlie Brown Cafe! I actually stumbled upon this cafe though, since it was located way deep in an enclave which is connected to one of the main streets. Look out for the banner which they set up along the main street!

Charlie Brown Cafe's tiramisu

Of course I had to stop for a tea break over at Charlie Brown Cafe (it's like Hello Kitty Cafe all over again) and I shared a tiramisu. We were still quite full but nothing beats having Charlie staring back at you from the tiramisu :)

Hotel Nong Shim, of the famous Korean noodle brand

We took the subway and stopped at Oncheonjang Station since we wanted to visit the Busan Trick Eye Museum. After a long and tiring walk, we arrived at Hotel Nong Shim (yes, it's the famous Korean noodle brand, but it's definitely legit, not a ripoff) only to be told by the counter staff that the museum has moved to its new location in Nampodong. What?? Looks like they have to step up their up-to-date information more!

Nevertheless, although we felt cheated since we went so far just to be told the museum is just a walk away from our hotel, we just have to cool ourselves down because we wouldn't want to spoil all the fun on our very last day!

Map to Busan Trick Eye Museum in Nampodong (latest location)Pic credit: http://busanhaps.com/events/trick-eye-museum-saturday-nampodong

To get to Busan Trick Eye Museum in Nampodong, look out for the CGV building. If I recall correctly, the best way is to get to BIFF Square and find the Artbox outlet located on the street towards the left of the main entrance. The CGV building should be opposite the Artbox outlet, across the street.

Busan Trick Eye Museum greeting

Once you enter the CGV building, you will see a sign at the lobby to lead you to the lift up to the museum. The first sign you'll see is the Trick Eye Museum greeting board.

Trick Eye Museums in South Korea

If you are not planning to visit Busan, fret not because there are also Trick Eye Museums in Seoul and Jeju as well.

One of the many 3D portraits you can take pictures with

After paying the entrance fee of 7000 won (approximately RM21), we kept our bags in the rental lockers provided before heading into the exhibit room.

The actual entrance fee is 10,000 won for adults, but thanks to the staff at Busan Tower Hill Hotel where I stayed, I got a discount coupon for a cheaper rate. Thank you! :)

Art Toys on display

There was also a little space where you can come and paint these porcelain dolls and take them home as a souvenir. They are called Art Toys and although I didn't have some time to spare, I saw a few couples drawing on the dolls. Great place to spend some quality time with your loved one!

Art Toy

So apparently the fee for the Art Toy is 5000 won (approximately RM15) according to this tiny banner above. Quite affordable for a day's outing instead of going to the cinema. Plus you get to keep the doll and take it home! :)

Seoul Samgyetang for dinner

For the last dinner in Busan, my travel partners and I headed to Seoul Samgyetang, since it was on the walk back from BIFF Square to the hotel. I find that it's ironic that we're having Seoul Samgyetang in Busan. Anyone knows of a Busan Samgyetang outlet?

The samgyetang was just pretty much like our Chinese ginseng chicken back home, just that it was served without salt. Luckily we only ordered one portion to share, though I must say it was a welcome to eat hot food in superbly cold weather. The meal came with rice and ginseng liquor too. We paid around 17000 won (approximately RM51) for it though!

As we were leaving the next morning, we bought all our groceries from a nearby grocery store just opposite the hotel. The shop was named Big Sale or something similar and the proprietor was a friendly ahjussi who nodded at my choice of Bokbunja (6500 won), Peperos (800 won), kelp, and some yukgaejang soup bases.

So that ends my 8 day trip to South Korea and I hope you have enjoyed my recollections of the places I have travelled to. Look out for more mini-bites of my trip (I'll post more on my shopping hauls once I get some time off my busy schedule)!

Read about my experience in Nampodong, BIFF Square and Gwangbok Street (Busan) here!

Read about my experience in Chungmuro, Namdaemun and Myeongdong here!

Read about my experience in Edae, Hongdae, D-Cube City and Dongdaemun here!

Read about my experience in N Seoul Tower, Namsangol Hanok Village, Garosugil and Go-To Mall here!

Read about my experience in Gyeongbukgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheongdong, Changdeokgung and Insadong here!

Read about my experience in Busan (KTX and Busan City Night View Tour Bus) here!

Read about my experience in Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, Haeundae Beach and Seomyeon here!

The author is planning another trip to South Korea in the future, and is contemplating the cherry blossom season or the hot summer where the sales are bound to be crazy!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

South Korea Trip 2013: Day 7 in Busan (Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, Haeundae Beach, Seomyeon)

2013-12-17T07:32:00.001-08:00

View of the port from top of Jagalchi Market building

It's been a week 'living' in South Korea and I think I can get used to some things Koreans do everyday here. Public transportation is a like a gift from the heavens (compared to KL's train and bus services) and the weather is fine on most days (unlike the unpredictable rain in KL). A quick check on the daily forecast to decide on how warm to dress is a habit I've adopted, and I sorely miss that ritual once I'm back in tropics.

Houses up the hill in the distance near Gukje Market

After a quick breakfast near the hotel, I ventured to Gukje Market to get some pots and pans to bring home. It's pretty much like Namdaemun Market in Seoul, but with far less hustle and bustle and variety merchandise for sale.

GM Music store in Gukje Market, arguably the cheapest shop to get your K-pop albums in Busan

I managed to find a gem in the middle of Gukje Market as I strolled along. In the middle of one of the main intersections of the market you'll see this K-pop CD store, GM Music. It's quite difficult to miss since they are the only shop selling CDs (I think) in this market. The prices here are also lower than that of CD shops in Seoul. I really regretted buying my CDs in Seoul and lugging it back all the way on the KTX...

Jagalchi Market, seafood haven

From Gukje Market, it's just a short walk passing BIFF Square before crossing over to Jagalchi Market. If you are a seafood lover, you must make a stop here when you are in Busan. Sea creatures, alive and dead, are for sale and also for on-the-spot consumption.

Ladies selling fresh catches from the sea outside the main Jagalchi Market building

Since I love seafood, I wanted to visit this place very much. But, I really dislike going to wet markets since young (bad experience, yo) and I really tried my best not to get my shoes wet. You can see ladies selling fresh seafood even outside the main Jagalchi Building.

Huge mussels on sale

I'm a huge of mussels and I see them selling huge nets of them! So tempted to buy but how would I cook or bring them home? Just walk past, just walk past...

Sea squirts

Wriggling live seafood are displayed for sale everywhere you look once you enter the first floor of Jagalchi Market.

Huge snow crabs

A Korean couple who manned a stall wanted to sell some snow crabs to my travel partners and I. Thinking we're from Hong Kong, they asked for a really high price for one snow crab. I think they mentioned around RM200+ for one snow crab, inclusive of cooking fee in their food stall upstairs. We waved them off, saying we'll look around. They were quite friendly even when we didn't make a purchase, and gave us their name card before we walked off.

Live abalones!

There were also abalones on sale, all wriggling away. I felt it was cruel to see them displayed for a customer to come and buy and send it for the cooking pot, yet I was fascinated to see a real live abalone for the first time. I'm a city girl at heart, no doubt!

Fresh huge scallops

I also saw these fresh and juicy scallops that really made me want to eat them on the spot. They were so huge I think I could only fit 2 of these on my palm.

Oops... here's the octopus!

And don't forget those huge octopus swimming in the tanks! The only octopus I see daily is those small and cute little ones sold at Japanese sushi joints in KL...

Oase Seafood Buffet at Jagalchi Market

Probably the most lunch I've ever eaten in South Korea is my buffet lunch at Oase Seafood Buffet at Level 5, Jagalchi Market. Some friends recommended this place to my travel partner since they had a bad experience with the seafood served by those small little stalls (Level 2) which cooked the seafood bought straight from the market (Level 1).

Lunch is served from 12pm to 2.30pm and since I went there on a weekend, I paid a higher price than for weekdays. The buffet lunch costs 37,500 won (approximately RM113) for adults, but for that price I get to taste all types of fresh seafood as opposed to only 1 type if I buy it straight from the marketplace downstairs.

Assortment of seafood and others served at Oase Seafood Buffet

The variety of food served is quite vast and better than most buffets I've been to KL. The seafood was very fresh, but apart from the sushi counter, other counters served the seafood cooked for hygiene and health purposes. Their kimchi variety was quite good, but still lacking in terms of taste compared to those served at traditional Korean restaurants.

Butter grilled abalones! Yums!

The chefs served the butter grilled abalones around 1pm, when most guests have had their fill of almost half of the variety served. Although most diners were full, there was still a long queue at the counter where they grilled the abalones on the spot. It's super yummy, so obviously people kept going back for more.

Grilled prawns and snow crabs

The grilled prawns and snow crab were just so-so compared to the abalones. I so did not regret for not buying the snow crab at the stall downstairs earlier. Imagine how much crab I would have to eat in a meal... and how many hours I would have spent eating!

For more information on Oase Seafood Buffet, do click on the link.

Exiting Jagalchi Market

After lunch, I left Jagalchi Market and walked across to BIFF Square. You can see it from the picture above. The umbrellas in the distance is where BIFF Square is from Jagalchi Market.

All types of octopus / squid ready to be grilled

My travel partner just must have her grilled octopus since we were in BIFF Square. A cup of grilled octopus like in the picture above costs 5000 won (approximately RM15) and it's really a great chewy snack as you stroll along people-watching or goods-buying!

Busan Tower in the background at Gwangbok Street

After BIFF Square we walked back heading towards our hotel, passing by Gwangbok Street. The street has a lot of upmarket brands and strolling along during the day is as exciting as during the night since all the shops are open for business. The prices here are quite high though, so I did not purchase anything here.

Charles & Keith store along Gwangbok Street

Even Singaporean brand Charles & Keith has a store on Gwangbok Street. It really is a 'global' street in terms of brands as they have a good mix of renowned local and foreign brands here.

From Gwangbok Street we took the subway to Haeundae Beach. It's a really really long ride during peak hour without seating the whole way! My travel partners and I were tired by the time we reached our destination.

The tagline says 'Sun & Fun' at Haeundae Beach, but there is none during autumn

And we realised that it's no 'Sun & Fun' at Haeundae Beach in the middle of autumn. But that doesn't stop us from visiting the famous beach to revel in all it's glory!

Haeundae Beach

Although summer is over and winter is on its way, there are still people lingering around on the beach. Locals and tourists like myself came just to get a glimpse of this famous beach. In autumn, one of the best activities is going shopping at the nearby Haeundae Market, sipping coffee at one of the many cafes facing the beach, or even try your luck at the casino at Paradise Hotel, as pictured in the background above.

Not sure what it is, but I guess it's Bbopki (caramel sweet)

I passed by a stall selling sweets carved into shapes, but there wasn't anyone manning the stall so I couldn't buy one. I guess it's called Bbopki? I'm not 100 percent sure but it looks pretty similar though.

Haeundae Market

Next up is shopping at Haeundae Market! My travel partner found some tin lunch boxes similar to the ones we had at Miss Lee Cafe for 5000 won (approximately RM15) each at a shop selling pots and pans. There are also many shops selling groceries, seafood and vegetables in the marketplace, as well as fried snacks to keep warm.

A replica of Trevi Fountain in Lotte Dept Stores, Seomyeon

From Haeundae Beach, I took the subway and decided to stop at Seomyeon for dinner before heading back to the hotel. If you take the subway, stop at Seomyeon Station and you'll be connected directly into Seomyeon Lotte Departmental Stores and Daehyun Underground Mall.

Youths relaxing while on their mobile phones near the Trevi Fountain

I realised that when Koreans do stop walking and take a rest, they'll definitely flip their phones out, scrolling away. They are really so into online surfing that I finally understand why they are such a fast-paced nation since information gets disseminated really quickly.

I didn't really buy anything at the Daehyun Underground Mall since I've done my fair bit of shopping (and the luggage bag looks like it's gonna burst already) but I managed to get a Hello Kitty tumbler at 12,000 won (approximately RM36) from Lotte Departmental Stores. It's quite a steal compared to those sold at the Hello Kitty Cafe in Hongdae, Seoul.

That ends my seventh day in Busan, South Korea and look out for more posts on my travels in the Land of the Morning Calm!

Read about my experience in Nampodong, BIFF Square and Gwangbok Street (Busan) here!

Read about my experience in Chungmuro, Namdaemun and Myeongdong here!

Read about my experience in Edae, Hongdae, D-Cube City and Dongdaemun here!

Read about my experience in N Seoul Tower, Namsangol Hanok Village, Garosugil and Go-To Mall here!

Read about my experience in Gyeongbukgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheongdong, Changdeokgung and Insadong here!

Read about my experience in Busan (KTX and Busan City Night View Tour Bus) here!

The author is already missing the daily Banana Milk and Chocopie she takes for breakfast, and is wondering when she'll be able to return to South Korea again.

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

South Korea Trip 2013: Day 6 in Busan (KTX, Busan City Night View Tour Bus)

2013-12-12T08:31:00.001-08:00

View of Seoul city from Seoul Station

It's time to head back to Busan after spending 4 nights in Seoul. But before I head back, nothing beats a round of last minute shopping at Namdaemun Market since it's nearby Chungmuro Residence.

After checking out the hotel at 12 noon, my travel partners and I headed towards Seoul Station for lunch before boarding the 2.30pm train bound for Busan.

Spicy grilled bulgogi set for lunch at Seoul Station's food court

I chose to have spicy grilled bulgogi set for lunch at the food court in Seoul Station. It's actually my second time eating lunch here (the first was when I arrived from Busan) but yet there were lots of food that piqued my interest. My bulgogi set cost me 7000 won (approximately RM21), which was pricey but looking at the huge portion and the side dishes, it was worth it. It was super yummy too for food court standards!

Lotte Mart is just next to Seoul Station

If you have time to spare before your journey, there are plenty of shops for you to pass some time. Lotte Department Stores is in Seoul Station, while Lotte Mart is adjacent to the building. Just don't get too engrossed in shopping till you miss the train...

KTX train

It's a 2 and half hour's journey from Seoul to Busan, so I tried to sleep on the train to conserve some energy for the night's activities. Since coming to Seoul, everyday is pretty hectic since there are many places to see and go to explore.

At Ulsan station en route to Busan via KTX

There were a few stops along the way from Seoul to Busan, and I managed to capture a picture at the Ulsan station. I noticed that there were many men in military uniforms taking the KTX on my first trip and also on the return trip. I guess taking the KTX is a way of life for Korean soldiers since they have to travel back home or vice versa to their camps.

After landing in Busan at around 5pm, I headed straight back to Busan Tower Hill Hotel, where part of my luggage was stored. I only took a light carry on to Seoul since it was easier to travel via train with it. Thank goodness I did not decide to bring my 30'' luggage bag to Seoul as it would have been difficult to walk up and down stairs with it.

Since I booked a night view tour bus with the tourism staff at Gimhae International Airport upon my arrival, I quickly headed towards Busan Station before the appointed meeting time at 6pm.

To book a seat on the night view tour bus in Busan, you have to make a call. For more information, click on the link to learn more about Busan City Night View Tour Bus.

Kimchi fried rice for dinner nearby Busan Station

I had a quick dinner at a small little shop just right outside Busan Station. The ahjumma was friendly and although the set-up was small (only 2 tables), business was brisk. I guess she relied on take-outs as the phone was ringing every few minutes although I was there for less than half an hour.

I had a simple kimchi fried rice set for dinner which only cost me 4500 won (approximately RM13.50), and probably will be the cheapest meal I had so far in Korea. It was very filling although it was simple, and the home-cooked stamp was written all over it when it was served. Somehow I feel like at home although I'm away from home...

The Busan City tour bus

After confirming my reservation, I paid the 10,000 won fee (approximately RM30) to the bus tour staff. The night view course was conducted in Korean since the majority of the visitors on the bus were Koreans (except me and my 2 travel partners). Do Koreans love the night view tour too?

Aboard the Busan City Night View tour bus

The bus was almost full and thank goodness the conductor was good enough to provide earphones and helped us to switch on the screen where information in English will be disseminated throughout the tour.

Screens where information on the night tour is provided

Our first stop was to be Gwangalli Beach, but along the way it was pitch black so I couldn't see much. It was only 6pm yet the night seems to be like 9pm back in KL.

Gwangan Bridge from afar

Our conductor (and bus driver... and also photographer) stopped for us to have a quick 5 minute photo session of the famous Gwangan Bridge, also known as 'Diamond Bridge'. It was so pretty, the way it illuminated the night sky with LED lights.

To make up for the lack of English commentary on board the bus, our conductor tried to explain the sights to us everytime we had a stop. I really appreciate the effort on his part, otherwise I'll be absolutely clueless.

Busan Aquarium at Haeundae Beach

We had another short stop at Haeundae Beach, and there were many things to see here. I went to the Busan Aquarium but of course did not enter, saw the pretty Gwangan Bridge again, and also took in the long rows of shops (cafes, cafes and more cafes) facing the ocean. A great place to stay in the summer, for sure!

Brightly lit buildings along Haeundae Beach at night

Because it gets dark very early, the night seems long here in Korea. I guess everyone takes dinner then chills at places such as the beach, go shopping or even sit back and relax while sipping hot coffee in cool cafes.

Another form of Korean humour; a stingray as Superman

I find Korean advertisements lacking in terms of huge billboards as opposed to the plenty billboards lining the streets in KL. Advertising in South Korea is more below-the-line on streets, but TV ads are aplenty. Maybe Koreans are TV addicts? But I love their sense of humour. They have the knack of turning a normal thing into something memorable, take for example the picture above. When I think of stingrays, I'll think of Superman from now on. Don't you think they look alike?

Gwangan Bridge view from Geumryonsan

Our last stop was Geumryonsan, a hilltop where we could see Busan city from above. The city was illuminated with lights, but the main attraction was of course, Gwangan Bridge.

That ends my night view tour and after I landed back in Busan Station at 9pm, I went to BIFF Square for supper. Plenty of great food here!

My next adventure to Jagalchi Market awaits in the next post!

Read about my experience in Nampodong, BIFF Square and Gwangbok Street (Busan) here!

Read about my experience in Chungmuro, Namdaemun and Myeongdong here!

Read about my experience in Edae, Hongdae, D-Cube City and Dongdaemun here!

Read about my experience in N Seoul Tower, Namsangol Hanok Village, Garosugil and Go-To Mall here!

Read about my experience in Gyeongbukgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheongdong, Changdeokgung and Insadong here!