Saturday, November 23, 2013

Jagalchi market and seafood lunch in Busan

The jagalchi fish market is a signature attraction of Busan 
and also the largest seafood market in Korea. 
Lucky for us it's just minutes walk away from our hostel - Apple guesthouse.


Jagalchi market is a huge building easily spotted from afar

A bustling Jagalchi market

Plenty of shops selling seafood along the street outside Jagalchi market

It's HUGE inside the market with rows of live seafood and "ajuma" promoting their seafood

Inside it's like a aquarium with live sea creatures

Octopus and abalones

There's more variety of sea creatures here than the aquarium I've visited before

There's several floors in jagalchi market. 
The specialty here is to buy the seafood from the ground floor and bring them up to the restaurants  upstairs to be cook, so the seafood is extremely fresh. 
We didn't know how to choose seafood nor bargain in Korean so we just ordered them from the restaurants upstairs.


Love this pancake side dish!!
It was half way gone before our main dish got served. haha

Boiling seafood pot and lots of side dishes as usual.

The seafood pot was full of crab, mussels, prawns, octopus. Pure flavor and freshness!!
The first floor was full of restaurants and we had no idea which to choose.After walking aimlessly around for awhile, we settled at one of the restaurants by the window facing the sea.
Since we wanted to try everything we ordered the seafood pot which turn out to be a good choice~
The meal costs us KRW 30,000 (aprox. RM100) for 2.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Gathers Cafe @ Raja Uda, Butterworth

Was looking for a good hangout place in mainland when I came across Gathers Cafe.
Decided to pay it a visit after dinner.

Gathers Cafe exterior

Waffle and adorable desserts on the menu

Gathers Cafe specialty ~ bear face drawn on some of the coffee. 
which is what attracted my attention initially :p


 The cafe was decorated with white bird cages and duckling paintings

Satisfying our mille crepe cravings

 Garlic cheese waffle RM7
I'm not usually a fan of waffle but love this to bits...
The waffle is thinner & lighter, crispy round the edges. And the combination of garlic and cheese is just perfect !!

Oreo crush RM8

Latte RM7
Not really a coffee drinker, but ordered this anyway just for the bear....hehehe

Honey Lemon RM6

Lime citrus RM6

 The cafe has a nice atmosphere and we were able to enjoy a peaceful and quiet time there thanks to the "rules" in the cafe board specifically about not making noises.
A good place to relax or catch up with friends without needing to shout on top of your lungs. :D

Gathers Cafe
Address: 155, Ground Floor, Jalan Raja Uda, 
Pusat Perniagaan Raja Uda, 
12300 Butterworth, Malaysia
Opening hours:2:00pm - 11:00pm (Except Wednesdays)
Tel:  04-324 9657
FACEBOOK: Gathers Cafe


Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Busan Accommodation - Apple Guesthouse

Our final stop in Korea is Busan. 
We stayed at the Apple Guesthouse which is close to the Jagalchi fish market, 
BIFF square and subway station. 

It is kinda hard to spot since it's located on 5th floor of a building.
Even with directions we were actually scrambling around looking for the guesthouse.
I hope the directions section at the bottom helps. :)

Finally reach the guesthouse, checking in ~
  
Look for Tom n Toms Coffee instead,
 since it's on the ground floor and MUCH easier to spot

Stairways to Tom n toms coffee. 
Take the elevator to Apple guesthouse on the 5th floor

Entrance to Apple Guesthouse where we change into indoor sandals

Shared shower and restroom in the public area

 Love the space which is tastefully decorated with lots of movie posters 

Quick look at the restroom, clean and spacious
  
Upgraded from dorm to private room 
since it's our last night in Korea and we still have extra money to spend. Yayy!!
The room is simple and spacious. 
Only drawback is that it's facing the main road which is bustling with traffic, 
ear plugs are provided though.  So we still sleep like a log. :)

Directions:
From Gimhae airport:
1. Take the Airport Limousine Bus (direction to nampo dong)
2. Get down at Hotel Phoenix 
3. Cross the main street and make a left. Walk for 2 minutes and look for Toms & Toms Coffee. Go into the building and take the elevator up to 5th floor.

From the subway station:
Exit at Nampo subway station exit 2


Apple Guesthouse
Address: Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, PU, South Korea
Phone:+82 70-7379-5333

Friday, November 8, 2013

Jeju Accommodation - The Forest Hostel

For Jeju accommodation,
 we stayed at The Forest Hostel, previously known as HKjeju2.

The location is strategic and staffs super helpful. 
They helped from checking out car rental services, 
providing directions and suggestion on attractions and transport. Superb service!! 

Entrance to the forest

The park across the street when you get off the bus at Dongmun rotary.

There's an Isaac toast shop right around the corner, opposite standard chartered bank. 

Spot the "forest"??
It's impossible to miss, right on the same street as Isaac toast.

Plenty of brochures and information on Jeju attractions

Free international calls?Seriously?! 
We didn't try it though, too busy travelling... :p

Relief to know there's elevator so we don't need to carry our luggage upstairs :)

Where we stayed for 3 days in Jeju - the 4 person dorm. 
Around RM50++ per person
There's wifi, aircon and hairdryer. 
Besides the fact that the top bunks are too close to the ceiling, 
nothing to complain about. 


Dongmun Traditional Market right across the street

Black pork bbq street a little further down

 Jungang underground shopping centre on the main road coming out from the hostel

Directions/ How to get there: 

- From Jeju International Airport, take #100 bus, get off at Dongmun Rotary Stop
- Walk towards the direction where the bus came from, 
cross the first pedestrian crossing towards Sanjicheon Park.
Walk into the street between Issac Toast and Standard Chartered Bank
- Lookout for a building which looks like a forest, that's where you'll be staying


The Forest Hostel & Guesthouse
1331-1, Ildo 1(il)-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
+82 64-722-4147


Friday, October 25, 2013

Seoul Accomodation - J-Honor Guesthouse @ MyeongDong

Stayed at J-Honor Guesthouse which is located at Myeongdong during my Seoul travel.
 Besides the fact that it's a uphill walk, it's actually quite near to the myeongdong subway station.

Uphill walk to the hostel. 
Passed by a few other guest house on the way and kinda wished we booked them instead.

There's a large living room outside the bedrooms 
where you can use the fridge, TV or heat up water for instant ramen if you get hungry at night.
I enjoyed sampling different cup ramen supper most of the nights. hehe :p

Twin bed room, pretty spacious with a HUGE wardrobe. RM140/ night

Our stay included breakfast with toasts and tea. 
Loved the corn tea which is a Korean specialty.

 Kitchen corner to prepare your breakfast

Map with direction to the new J-Honor guest house
Go out from Myeong-Dong station exit 2 or 3.

All in all, it was a pleasant stay. 
The place was clean and comfortable, 
although the host is not so fluent in English he is super friendly and helpful 
(he actually came to guide us to the guest house on our night of arrival, because we got lost)
The location is good but get ready for approx.10 minutes walk uphill.

Address: 42-10, Hoehyeon-dong 2-Ga, 
Jung-Gu, Seoul, Korea