Wednesday, November 19, 2014

What to buy in Korea

Before embarking my trip to South Korea, I did a bit of reading up to find out what to shop in Korea. Shopping choices in this country is indeed wide, I was quite overwhelmed actualy to the extend I do not know how to start and end. 

Myeongdong is known to be the cosmetics district in Seoul, after visiting this place for the second time. In my opinion this area is way too busy, especially all the shops sales attendant are a bit too aggressive in makIng a sales and they just won't stop asking what you want. Anyway this is no doubt still a 1-stop district for cosmetics shopper.

Another area I went for my shopping is Hongdae, this is a student area, other than shopping there are also lots of night life and food spot as well. Given this is student area, you might also be able to find good bargain too. Take your pick and enjoy your shopping spree!

Sharing of my shopping list:

These moisturizer gel are great for keeping my skin moisture without the sticky feeling. however I have yet to know in terms of whether it is as good as those regular cream moisturizing lotion. Now using the Nature Republic 92% aloevera tub, shall try the Faceshop 98% tub after that. I got these for KRW4,400/tub
Fragrant hand lotion from Too cool for school at KRW7,000 for 2 tube (buy 1 free 1) guess I'm attracted to the packaging
face mask from E-tude and Beyond, each at approximate RM1.50, bought in Incheon airport and a random mall in Jeju city
Argan Oil going for KRW10,000
Too Cool for School CC cream compact with compartment for lip gloss and is going for KRW32,000
Too cool for school egg mouse face pack, KRW12,000
Fun face mist from Tony Moly
Skinfood eye cream KRW15,900 and neck cream KRW6900
Free mini packs from the trip

Now, food stuff:
Seaweeds - the ready to eat on the left is going for KRW2990 for 2 pack, Ottogi cut seaweed is KRW3250/pack
Nicely packed seaweed sheets is at KRW14,000 bought in airport

These energy bars is big time yummy, i love them. Bought them in mini mart, at KRW1,000/bar

The infamous Market O brownie 
Non food stuff:
Socks! I bought a total of 75 pairs, some given away as gift, remaining kept for my art work collection

Now, some of the cosmetics shop issue tax exemption receipt, please don't forget to ask for it and get the return at the airport, due to time, I did not have the time to clear, such a waste.  Anyway, I had lots of fun shopping there, wish to back with friends some day.


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Gone walking in Hallasan

After a 3-full days at the Jeju Olle walking festival, I was honest feeling very lazy and was tempted to stay in bed when my alarm goes off at 6am. Anyway, I did drag myself up in the end to get ready for the hike, and here's how it turned out to be.

As I have read that there is strict hiking time in Halasan, so to avoid not making it to the peak on time, my aim was to start hiking up the hill as early as possible, and since the park entrance opens by 7am, I therefore decided on to make my way early to reaxh the park by 7.30am, and thank God the bus ride to the park was less than 30mins away from the Jeju main bus terminal, so I do not need to wake up at ridiculous hours, also I was so pleased with the fact that I'm staying so near the bus terminal.

Now to reach the Hallasan peak, there are 2 trail: Seongpanak (9.6km) and Gwaneumsa (8.7km).

My hike of the day was from Seongpanak > Peak - Baengnokdam > Gwaneumsa. Total time spent was approximately 7hrs (7.30am - 2.30pm).

the grand entrance of the Seongpanak trail
you will see these signages that tells you your location
The summit climb has time limitations, from both trail you are required to reach the mid point of the whole trail before 12noon, any time later, you will not be allowed to continue your hike up. Here's the details: 

Seongpanak > Sokbat shelter > Jindallaebat attended shelter (you are to reach here before 12noon) > summit

Gwaneumsa trail > Tamna valley shelter > Samgakbong shelter (you are to reach here before 12noon) > summit

so, I was timing myself, approximately 10 40am at Jindallaebat

Seongpanak trail is relatively easy to hike, cos there is hardly any steep slope, only a short stretch before reaching the peak (like the one in below pic). The steep stairs start here and end at the top of the hill ahead.

one of the steepest slope you can get from Seongpanak trail, the only challellenge would probably be the chilly wind that can get quite strong and disturbing
here you go, timimg myself again at the peak, made it at approximately 11.50am
some of the turn out that morning, it was a Sunday
It was actually at the peak only I realise the 2 different route leads to the same summit spot. I came up using the Seongpanak then descend via Gwaneumsa. The hike down was way tougher than ascend, it generally has steeper path, it has many sliperry surfaces, there mixes of stones and wooden path. 

the Unattended Samgakbong shelter, you must reach here by 12noon if you uses the Gwaneumsa route
some of the path were quite muddy, so it can get quite messy

the neat mountain view
we were tailing each other, eyes all cannot leave the floor
The same type of signages to tell you where you are at the Gwaneumsa trail

At the entrance to the Gwaneumsa park centre

The bus stop to catch the public bus to the Jeju bus terminal, before coming here to wait for the bus, I stop by a convenient store across the road to get some hot drink, the lady at the shop told me there is only 1 bus herear. I therefore confidently proceed to sit at the bus stop and wait, it took me more than 30mins, I started alone then many others join me later on.
There is no direct bus to Jeju bus terminal from here, get on the bus and ask the  driver to drop you at a bus stop that you can catch a nother bus to town. A map to show the driver where you want to go will help, especially thise with Korean.


Really glad to have drag my lazy body up that morning to do this.