Saturday, May 21, 2016

Big World Big Journey-from BUSAN to JEJU ISLANDS-

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.”
Tim Cahill

6.30 am, decided to wake up since need to be at bus terminal to meet 3 new travel buddy i meet the night earlier. Since the Airport Limo Bus is just 10 minutes in front of my hostel, so i decided to take it easy. Felling lucky that time since no need to be rush. The Airport Limo Bus terminal is not a big terminal, it was just small stop in front of the only Casino Hotel in Heaundae Beach which is Paradise Hotel Busan. The bus stand is just right opposite the hotel which you noticed easily. 
Airport limo schedule. Source from naver.kor
I was the last to reach at the bus stand while Ivanka (Russian Girl) Tiff & Buff (Portuguese & American couple) been there since 6.40 am. Since the bus will reach only at 6.57 am, i walk outed from my guesthouse at 6.50 am. As usual, sharp 6.57 am, the bus arrived at it cost us 8000 won (if not mistaken) and it takes 45 minutes to the Gimhae Domestic Airport. We not talked much since we pretty tired from night before,so we toke a chance to take a nap. The bus driver turn the lights on as we reached the airport. But Buff and Tiff still in their dream. Ivanka woke them up since we only left 30 minutes to check in. As we arrived at the door, we run as hard as possible as we don't want to missed the flight. But i can say it was amazing, the staff at the counter saying that the check in counter and gate closed at the same time which is only 10 minutes before take off. 4 of us are weird how they handle that. But when we walked to the gate, everything make sense, as the counter and the gate is only 3 minutes walking and also this is only Domestic Terminal.

Gimhae Domestic Terminal
From the left: Buff,me,Ivanka,Tiff

Selfie Addicted

The little cute korean kid which playing with us 
The journey from Gimhae Airport to Jeju International Airport is only 1 hour. But we faced a delayed for almost half hour just because military exercise which Korean Military and US Military. Even we flying with low cost airlines, Jeju Air  still offer a snack and also famous Jeju orange juice, which i will show you guys maybe this entry or next entry.
Jeju International Airport Parking Lot

Jeju International Airport
We will stay in jeju island for 4 days and 3 nights. So, the night before, Ivanka made a decision to stay in the caravan, which is really new experience for me. So she decide to book a caravan hotel via Booking.com. The place name is Dome Leisure. But as we reach jeju, we found out to travel in jeju is really hard since Jeju Island is quite huge than what we expected. So we decided to rent a car. Here a tips, don't rent a car with rent company which have their booth inside the airport. Since i'm staying in Korea for sometimes, i have korean number which easy for me to call anywhere in korea. So as i'm using my friend Mr.Google, we managed to find a really good and famous car rent company. The company is SIXTH CAR RENTAL. Even-though the company is big and well known, the price is still far cheaper than all the company which inside the airport. What you need is, walked to Gate Number 5, then you will saw a bus with sixth car rental logo, just tell the driver bring you the office. Once you reach the office, the staff will welcomed you like you ever meet them before. Since 4 of us shared together, we rent a Hyundai car for 180,000won for 4 days plus insurance. It was way more cheaper. What you need is only your international license. Then pick your car. And they also will install the GPS with your preferred language. And also, in south korea, the GPS works even with the location phone number. Especially tourist area. So don't worry, in Jeju, even volcano had their own phone number(which is Tourist Information Booth phone number).

After we managed to settled everything, we straight headed to Cheonjiyon Waterfalls. If you guys want some info or history about it just click the place name since it was really long to explain. So we spend almost 2 hours since it also include trekking. And the view is really amazing. The weather also great(turn worst at night). After the trekking, we really tired, since we need wake up really early in the morning the next day plus our hotel is on the other side of the island, we decided to have an early dinner. We went to city center to find a food. We stop at fried chicken restaurant which turn the best fried chicken restaurant i had been. We just order 3 main dishes but  we got so many free food. Such popcorn,biscuit and also orange juice for free. Of course the cold water is free and you're welcomed to refill it so many times. We thought it was done, but when  all the food came, we got a big bottle of pepsi also for free. We really enjoyed the food and the hospitality which provided by owner of that restaurant, After our early dinner, we went straight to check in and called day off. We will start an early day tomorrow morning. To be continued............
Tiff and Buff Enjoying the fried chicken
All of us in rental car by SIXTH CAR RENTAL

Pork Knuckles

Hiking Down to Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls
Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls
Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls
Cheonjiyeon Stream
Cheonjiyeon Stream
Cheonjiyeon Selfie!!!!
On top of Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls
Caution!!!!!
Cross The bridge
Cheonjiyeon Bridge
Most famous Dol Hareubang. Touch the nose if you want to get pregnant!!!!
View from the bridge
Stream from the bridge
Temple next to waterfalls

Friday, May 20, 2016

Big Journey Big World-D Day-

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
Ibn Battuta

Finally the day that i waited for couple of month ended. 25th March 2016 my entire journey begin. Early in the morning from my house which is near Hongdae, Seoul i carrry all thhis 8kgs luggage (which is in the beginning) to the Seoul KTX station. Day earlier, i book my train via Korail which cost me 58000 won for only 2 hours journey. They have many other kind of train you can choose for such as Mugunghwa or ITX where is the price may slight or way more cheaper but it will cost you a time.  
Seoul Station
KTX
ITX

MUGUNGHWA

I leaved Seoul Station sharp 5.15am and reach Busan Station sharp 7.52am. To be honest public transport in South Korea is really punctual. They will not delayed even for 10 seconds. But if you missed your train, don't panic, just go back to the the same counter that you claim or buy your ticket, they will arrange the next train for you. But of course, some small penalty will be charged. As soon i reach Busan station, picture as below, I straight to my hostel which locate in Haeundae Beach. There is 2 way to go there, either by subway (which i'm not suggest as you need to change station) or you can walk out from the station, right in front of it, you will see a kind of big bus stop which you need to look for bus number 100 and tell the driver heaundae beach if you first time in busan. It will cost you around 2000 won (if not mistaken). If you lived in South Korea for quite sometimes, you should buy T-Money as it can be used in whole South Korea even in Family Mart.
BUSAN STATION

BUSAN STATION BUS STOP

DIRECTION TO BUS STOP
 Soon i arrived at my guesthouse, Story Guesthouse Busan, they allowed me to early check in. Which i was really happy with that. And yeah, i really recommend Hostelworld since you only need to pay 12 to 15% of deposit which is maybe 1USD which i think reasonable price. In some situation, you might get a promo discount which is they will pay for you the deposit as you only need to pay the remaining balance to the property it self. Which is my case, i received 10USD for my birthday gift and another 10USD when they send me a link about survey. So there i got a discount almost 20USD.(of course terms and condition applied). Since i will go different places, i only booked for a night, which i reach early morning, i try to fit all the places that i want to go into my schedule. It was easy for me since I've been to Busan more than 2 times. 
GUESTHOUSE BUILDING
GUESTHOUSE NAME

GUESTHOUSE LOBBY

GUESTHOUSE ROOM

 And yeah of course the view is amazing since it just 5 minutes walking distance to most beautiful beach in South Korea which is Heaundae Beach. As mentioned earlier, i did visited Busan more than 2 times, so i don't have any specific places to go. But when speak about Busan, food is a must. Since Busan near the sea, you should try the Grill Eel, picture as below. Also. they have a famous Dakgalbi restaurant which the name is Yoogane Dakgalbi (SPICY CHICKEN AND CHEESE) and also the fried chicken. Cheap and clean too. Since night life in Busan not as happening in Seoul, but still they have a few bars which is open till 4-5am in the morning. My highly recommendation is Thursday Party Bar Heaundae. It's all about the vibe and also staff. Was a good place to chill and socialize with local Busan people. Even you might see a lot of foreigner since it Busan is one of the biggest US Navy base in Asia. 
YOOGANE RESTARUANT
DAKGALBI
MENU AND PRICES

FREE REFILL SIDE DISHES
GRILLED EEL

GRILLED EEL

THURSDAY PARTY BEER PONG TABLE

THURSDAY PARTY MENU

 Since I will start my early day tomorrow for my Jeju Islands, i need early sleep which is still 2am since meet a few locals and foreigner to hang out with which i meet Russian girl, Portuguese and American couple that end up also to Jeju on the next day, so we decided to travel together in Jeju. So we called night off around 1.45am that night so we can meet at 7am at the bus terminal to the airport. Another exciting day for tomorrow which a new places and environment for me.

Hope you guys will wait for the next chapter which i will update soon. See you guys in the next entry.

*P/S: AS THIS ENTRY WRITE,I'M STILL TRAVELING AND I'M IN LAOS. 





Big Journey Big World-Introduction-

“The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.”
  Sir Richard Burton

INTRODUCTION

December 12th 2015, is the date that i will remember for the rest of my life. First, one of my closed an best friend passed away. Was really not in the mood for a week and feel empty as for the past 10 years we living together and shared almost everything together. I made a decision to make a huge step in relationship. Me and my girlfriend have a discussion about our future. I also mention to her  that i will be away somewhere for couple month. Even she's not agreed with my decision, but as for me that is the best for us. 

JANUARY 2016: Finally submit a form for a month holiday to HR Dept. Manage to find a replacement at least 2 doctor from same department(ER & Trauma) to replace me when i was away. The same month also i book a ticket from Seoul to Busan via cheapflights.com. That was my initial plan to have a vacation in the country. Which is on the 25th March 2016. But after 5 day i made a booking, i decide to go more further. Instead staying a month in Busan(which been there every summer) i change a plan to go to Jeju for the first time. And at the same time i also made a plan to go to Bangkok via Beijing and Kuala Lumpur which i pay really cheap price, As for Busan to Jeju return, i only pay 36 Euro by Jeju Air . Which i got free 15kgs of luggage. Then from Busan-Beijing-Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur-Busan-Seoul via Air China and Malindo Air (which i can say the best and cheap compared to airasia) i did pay 358 Euro. Everything was done according to my plan(without let my girlfriend know). Just waiting the day to come!!

p/s* as i'm writing this i'm still on my travel which is currently in Laos.(Out of the route)


ORIGINAL ROUTE

Seoul-Busan-Jeju-Beijing-Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok-Busan-Seoul

*All plan is change. Please wait for more entry.