Bangkok, Thailand 2012 (Sneak Peek)

Sawatdee Kaa สวัสดี one more time again! (Just love to take photo with Ronald everytime visit Thailand)

Early of this year, I went Phuket with my girlfriends for an island getaway and this time around, I went Bangkok with one of my closest friend which I met during my study time in United Kingdom just solely for a shopping trip only. Just back from Melbourne, Australia for less than 10 days, I was flying off to "Land of Smiles" with the return airfare that I bought for just 20 cents (but after added up all the admission fee, fuel and airport tax, total return ticket cost RM147.20).

I did a bit of sightseeing besides wholly focus on shopping such as:

Went across the famous Chao Phraya River and visited one of the notable Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

And also Grand Palace which was once official residence of the Kings of Siam.

Experienced the floating market, which one of the things you should do when in Bangkok.

Throughout my 5 days in Bangkok, my friend and I went almost all the popular and recommended shopping mall/center such as:

Clockwise from left: Platinum Fashion Mall; Central World; MBK Center and Siam Paragon.

And also Chatuchak Market - one of the world's largest weekend markets. 

If you dislike shopping but love phototaking, then you should visit Terminal 21 which is a shopping complex but has different world-famous cities concept at different floor such as London, Tokyo, Istanbul, San Fransisco and more. This place is highly recommended if you love phototaking.

Last but not least, both of us totally couldn't resist ourself from keep shopping, shopping and shopping. We're definitely shopped everything from head to toe cause it is more cheaper and fashionable to shop in Bangkok than in China and also Bandung, Indonesia.

Bangkok is definitely one of the city that I love to go back again.

So, Bangkok concluded as my final trip for this year with my friends (after Phuket, Brunei, Philippines, Vietnam, Bali, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia). Currently, I'm feeling a lil bit exhausted due to extensive travel since 17 September till 21/22 October 2012 by taking 10 flights and visited 4 different cities/countries within that period. Therefore from now onwards, I'm gonna hibernate from travelling for almost half a year before continue for my next travel adventures. Till then, do check out all my previous outdated travelogue. 

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Plaza Premium Lounge at LCCT KL Airport

Too lazy to heading down to the city.
Tune Hotel was relatively so expensive.
Can't find any seats available in the airport.
Therefore, end up at Plaza Premium Lounge.

Yes, that's what happened when I was stranded in LCCT KL Airport for almost 9 hours before flying off for my another 8 international trip of mine for this year. I took midnight flight from Kota Kinabalu and I reached Kuala Lumpur around 2 am in the morning. Once I came out from the arrival hall, I was try to allocate whether any seats available but I was so surprised that all the seats are fully occupied. Before this, my friend did offered me to stay at her house but somehow, I don't feel like to troublesome her and I am so lazy heading down to town. So, at the end, Plaza Premium Lounge is my last resort.

I noticed about this Plaza Premium Lounge which just located beside the AirAsia International check-in counter when I flew to Seoul, South Korea last year. I always love to try it since I always heading to Kuala Lumpur for flight connection and sometimes might stranded in airport for few hours. Last week, I had stranded in airport for more than 6 hours for waiting my flight back to KK from Melbourne and yesterday was the longest record I ever had - almost 9 hours.

It operates 24 hours everyday for you to have comfort and relaxing zone before departing.

Plaza Premium Lounge provides number of facilities to all the travellers such as:

The workstations that equipped with computers comes with WiFi connection.

Plenty of comfortable seating area for you to choose from.

No worries of the seats cause it really a lot provided in the lounge.

And this is my area which I treated as my bed and slept before taking another flight.

You can even take shower to refresh yourself and make yourself look good and smell good. They even provide free towel upon request.

Last but not least, they even provide wholesome buffet spread which situated in the center of the lounge.

Authentic local culinary delights, hot dishes, bakery, salad, sandwiches, desserts, snacks and more is what you can find in their all-day long buffet spread.

Not just coffee, tea and fruit juices, you can even grab and take away their free flow of soft drinks and beer.

My breakfast before I'm flying off again.

Well, I'm totally satisfied with all the facilities and services provided including the attentive service by the staff. Just that the amount of money paid for all of these are quite pricey. However, when I take into consideration between Tune Hotel, I will choose this Plaza Premium Lounge instead.

For more information about this Plaza Premium Lounge, do check out their official website http://www.lcct.com.my/facilities/plaza-premium-lounge for more.

NOTE: This is another pre-written post of mine. Currently, I might busy doing hardcore shopping around. Lol!

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Singapore Day 1 - Jetstar, Clarke Quay & Fullerton Hotel

Date of Visited: 26th September 2011

Since I had done fulfilling my own travel bucket list by travel 6 out of 8 countries and territories of East Asia (click here) - China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Taiwan & South Korea, I was thinking where should be my next destination. For sure, I would love to travel back to Europe again but it was way too far from my budget. Then, for Australia and New Zealand, I was putting my eye on cheap airfare by AirAsia but I need to wait during the promotion period. 

So after taking all the consideration, I was thinking why not travel around South East Asia countries or known as ASEAN in short form then? There are 10 of ASEAN countries and Malaysia is one of them. Hence, if not included Malaysia, Singapore is officially my first country to start my tour around ASEAN countries. The reason I picked Singapore it was not like I'd never been there before but I chosen it as my holiday with my boyfriend as he never went there before in his life. We went Hong Kong together in 2010 and therefore, we decided Singapore a year later cause I desperate wanna go to Universal Studio which had been widely spoken all over especially in Facebook and blog.

Two days after boyfie came to KL to pay me a visit while I was doing my professional accounting paper last year, we went to Singapore and flew via JetStar. I picked Jetstar because it departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) instead of LCCT just to fulfill boyfie's wish who never went to KLIA before. Plus, JetStar was having promotion where the return ticket from KL to Singapore cost RM242 for 2 pax which I thought it was relatively inexpensive and so I booked without thinking twice. 

Our Jetstar tickets and passport with the covers I bought from Everland, South Korea. Boyfie hesitated to use it but I forced him cause it was super duper awesome cute.

JetStar is a low cost carrier from Australia and it is a subsidiary of the prestigious Qantas Airlines. It's almost alike AirAsia where you have to pay for the seats selected, the meals and baggage allowance, which in short, its another type of no frill airline. 5 minutes before boyfie and I went on board, we received an international call which was surprisingly from Jetstar saying that the day we will be back to Kuala Lumpur had been delayed. Got not choice but to accept that.

The journey from KL to Singapore was pretty short, roughly around an hour we arrived this Lion City and we bought EZ Link Card to start our adventures around. EZ Link Card costs $12 for the first time being which included $5 for non-refundable and the remaining value of $7 for own use. We topped up another $10 in case we might travel more than that.

After done with the procedure of checking-in our hotel (which I will blog about it soon), we went to Clarke Quay to meet up with my close collegemates who were working in Singapore currently. Went Singapore few times before but I never went here. Therefore, I chosen Clarke Quay as our meeting point plus to have a look at this revamped buildings which located at riverside that turns into various of floating restaurants, nightclubs and pubs.   

How To Get To Clarke Quay:
Clarke Quay MRT Station (NE5) on the North East Line

Hooters, an American chain restaurant that not only serve delicious foods but you can also wash your eyes at the waitresses at the same time. Won't believe me? Just check out their official website, where the waitresses are wearing a tight white tank top with short orange sorts, exactly like what in the website. Regarding the price, well, you will know that the price of a meal in Singapore is quite expensive, if we convert it back to Malaysia.

A group photo with my close collegemates which we had been knew each other for almost 10 years.

Another group photo around Clarke Quay area.

After the dinner, two of my friends brought us strolled along Clarke Quay until we reached this marvellous and luxury five-star hotel, The Fullerton Hotel. When my friend told me the history of this hotel, I was damn shocked that it was previously a General Post Office Building before it turns into a luxury hotel. We did went it for a short toilet break and the interior of washroom is pretty amazing. Guess how much would it cost per night? Perhaps, I need to work and earn harder to stay here next time. *cross fingers*

Final group photo before bidding goodbye to my friends. Thanks for the amazing night that my boyfriend and I had.

That's the end of my first day adventures around Singapore. Can you guess where we're heading to on the next day?

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8 Days of Seoul & Jeju Island, South Korea Itinerary (2011)

For this 8 days of Seoul & Jeju Island trip, it took me more than 4 months to come out with total of 4 pages of itinerary including the estimated budget for accommodation, meals, transportation and admission fee throughout the trip. My friends didn't assign me to in charge of handling and drafting the itinerary and programme but I just love the feelings of doing so. At that moment, I still remembered I was more motivated to search for all the information regarding Seoul & Jeju Island trip instead of focusing on my professional accounting papers where I did research until 3 o'clock in the morning.

This South Korea's pamphlet, tourist guide, tourist map were not from South Korea but were actually I brought all of them to South Korea with me. I prefer to read these instead of boring Lonely Planet. It's too dull for me. Most of these I took for free from Matta Fair which I went August last year (click here) and not forgetting, thanks to my close friend for pass the info above once he returned from his South Korea trip.

UPDATED:

As I found out my Seoul & Jeju Island's itinerary has been misused and transmitted without my permission, hence I am NO LONGER able to share my itinerary. Hope you guys will understand this. But anyway, most of information such as direction, admission, opening hours and more are being share here. If you still have any doubts and queries, you are welcome to email me. And because most of you don't have the time to read through all my blog, hence I had simplified all my South Korea travelogue for you guys in this post.

Here is my complete itinerary throughout the 8 days in Seoul & Jeju Island of South Korea:

Day 1 (8 September 2011)

First Footsteps In Seoul 

T-Money card - 2,500 won deposit and it's non-refundable. You can purchase at any convenience stores; such as 7-Eleven, Family Mart or any subway stations. This card is very useful especially for the travellers and foreigners to pay transportation fares on public buses and subways around Seoul and Gyeonggi area and helps to prevent from all the long queue and hassle.

Accommodation in Seoul: Namsan Guest House 

Out from the airport, heading to the gate 5B to wait for the airport limousine bus to arrive. The bus number we're taking is 6015 and we'll get off at the last station, Sejong. Namsan Guest House is divided into 3 different guest houses -1,2 and 3 and we prefer to stay in Namsan 2 and 3. This guesthouse is highly recommended especially for its excellent and great location.

Day 2 (9 September 2011) 

MyeongDong, Seoul's Shopping Haven

How to get to Myeong-Dong: Subway line 4, Myeong-Dong Station, Exit 8

Dongdaemun, 24 Hours Shopping of Seoul 

How to get to Dongdaemun: Subway Line 1 or 4, Dongdaemun Station 

Namdaemun, My Favourite Souvenirs Market

How to get to Naedaemun: Hoehyeon Station, Subway Line 4 – Exit 5, 6 or 7 (You can get off either one of these exit to the market)

Cheonggyecheon Stream

How to get to Cheonggyecheon Stream: It is just located at the center of Dongdaemun area, therefore take subway Line 1 or 4 to Dongdaemun Station and exit 1. 

Day 3 (10 September 2011)

How To Get To Everland Resort?

Overview of Everland Resort & 5 Different Theme Areas


Gangnam Station, The Stopby Station


Day 4 (11 September 2011)

Nami Island, The Winter Sonata Island

How To Get To Nami Island (By Subway & Cabs)
Start from Myeongdong Station, Subway Line 4 and we have to interchange the following stations:

1. Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, Subway Line 4
2. Gunja Station, Subway Line 5
3. Sangbong Station, Subway Line 7
4. Gapyeong Station, Subway Line Gyeongchun.
5. Upon arrive at Gapyeong Station, can opt either to take bus or taxi. But the local recommended taxi cause it cost less than 3,000 won for a trip. You can walk if you want but I warn you, it is so far away.

The admission fee for Nami Island is 8,000 won which included 5,000 won for entrance fee and 3,000 won for round trip ferry. 

MyeongDong After Dark


Day 5 (12 September 2011)

Gyeongbokgung Palace

How to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace: Gyeongbokgung Station, Subway Line 3 - Exit 5

Admission Fee: 3,000 won per person but because the time we visited here, it was Thanksgiving day in South Korea and it's free admission. This is where my friends and I got to experience wearing hanbok for free.

 
Insadong Street

How to get to Insadong Street:  
1. Anguk Station, Subway Line 3 - Exit 6; or
2. Jonggak Station, Subway Line 1 - Exit 3; or  
3. Jongno 3 (sam)-ga Station, Subway Line 1,3 or 5 - Exit 1

Lotte World

How To Get To The Lotte World: Jamsil Station on Line 2 or 8 - Exit 3

Day 6 (13 September 2011)

Arrived Jeju Island

All flights to Jeju Island depart from Gimpo International Airport. Because our flight was in early morning and the train and subway hadn't operated yet, we had to take the shuttle service from our guest house that costs 30,000 won for a trip and it can fits up to 4 pax and the journey took less than half an hour.

List of Airlines To Jeju Island From Seoul 

We flew with Air Busan and Eastar Jet for our trip to Jeju Island. If you want to know more information about airlines to Jeju Island from Seoul, you can check out here. 

Accommodation in Jeju: Jeju Hiking Inn 

How To Get To Jeju Hiking Inn: Take limousine bus from Jeju International Airport (Line 600) and get off at Seogwipo Bus Stop which located opposite of Sunbeach Hotel. Walk ahead in the direction of Cheonjiyeon Falls and it's on the right hand-side. The journey from airport by bus took 1 hour and 10 minutes and the fare is 5,000 won. Not recommended to stay in this inn.

Cheonjiyeon Falls, The God's Pond

Situated just 10-15 minutes away from our lodging in Jeju Island. The admission fee for Cheonjiyeon Falls is 2,000 won for adult and 1,000 won for children. If for group of 10 or more, you might get discount.

Teddy Bear Museum

Admission fee for adult is 7,000 won whereas for children, senior and disabled person is 5,000 won per person. We took taxi ride that cost us more than 10,000 won (approx. RM30) from our lodging cause there's no any sign of the bus coming.

Day 7 (14 September 2011)

We hired a local driver around Jeju Island which he charged us for 120,000 won for 9 hours drive. We also need to pay for his lunch as well.

Seopjikoji & Seongsan Ilchulbong

The admission fee for Seongsan Ilchulbong is 2,000 won for the adult where as for children and youth is 1,000 won.

Seongeup Folk Village & Yongduam


Jeju Love Land

The admission fee for Jeju Love Land is 9,000 won and this park is strictly for adult from 18 years old and above to enter.

Day 8 (15 September 2011)
- Last Day In South Korea & See You Someday

Extra Features

• 2011 Seoul & Jeju Island, South Korea (Sneak Peek)
• It's My Haul From South Korea 
• Travel Expenses

UPDATED:
If you plan to hire a local tour guide/driver in Jeju Island, here is the detail and contact: 

Mr Won - Email: maarooii@yahoo.co.kr

He charged 120,000 won for 9 hours drive and this included petrol and parking fee. 

Before I completely ended my South Korea posts, hereby I would like to thanks to Tommy Ooi (a luxe traveller which I met online) for the advise given and he even willing to share his whole South Korea's itinerary with me and Siti Nurbaya for helping me and answering all my doubts and enquiries towards my South Korea trip. Thanks so much to both of you. Not forgetting to Biqque for your informative South Korea posts which I did referred to when preparing the above itinerary. So, that's conclude the end of my South Korea travelogue. An-nyoung-hee-ga-seyo!!!

NOTE: I have tons of travelogue in pending status - Singapore, Jakarta & Bandung, Phuket, Brunei, Philippines, Ho Chi Minh, Bali, Hong Kong & Macau and the latest one Melbourne, Australia. Deng!

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