Sarah's Travelogue - Korea 2015 Part 1 (Free & Easy in Jeju)

Just came back from our Free & Easy Korea trip 2 weeks ago. Been so busy with work that I can only start to pen down on the fun and adventure we had during our time in Korea.

First thing first, we booked our Flight tickets from Singapore Airlines. Honestly speaking, this is my first SQ experience, and I was quite excited about it. Tell me who's isn't when you kept seeing posts on Facebook about getting world class services on a SQ Flight.

Promotion tickets cost us about S$700/pax

We took the 0805 Flight which will take us to Incheon Airport by 1500 (local time) about 6.5 hours of flying time. 

First time getting a menu on board a Flight :)

 My first meal on board the SQ

Cleared the immigration within an hour, and we went looking for our Pocket WiFi. We booked it through their online website here. It costs us US$5.25/day (all around Korea, including Jeju Island) with a refundable US$50 deposit (in case you did not return them the router after using). It's quite reasonable-priced as we didn't want to change our SIM card to a local one. Singtel is charging S$15/day for unlimited usage for the data roaming package. So all in all, we decided to rent from the Pocket WiFi.

We took quite a long time to find them as we were expecting to collect from a counter. However, they're just sitting at the passengers seats with 2 luggage full of the routers.

To be precise in locating them, you can find them at Exit 7 on 3rd floor of Passenger Terminal in Incheon airport.

After which we made our way to Gimpo International Airport for the domestic flight to Jeju Island. Initially we wanted to buy our tickets online first, but after much considerations, I decided that we should buy over the counter. It might be more expensive but we didn't want to risk missing our flight due to unforeseen situations, like flight delay, cannot clear immigration on time, etc. 

Airport Railroad (AREX) is the most convenient way to get to Gimpo International Airport. They have 2 types of tickets, Express Train (Non-Stop all the way to Seoul Station) or the All Stop Train. Just need to be careful when buying the tickets if you're going to Gimpo International Airport. 

Fare Cost: 3,550 WON (S$4.45)/trip/pax

Once you reached Gimpo International Airport, all the airlines there will have flights to Jeju Island. We took the Asiana Airlines as they have the earliest flight out (7:25pm) and return tickets cost us 389,600 WON (S$243.50/pax).

 

50 minutes of flight time and we're in Jeju Island, temperature was quite cold around 3°C. We put on our coats and sweater and waited for the Shuttle Bus which will take us to the KT Rental.

Self-drive in Jeju Island is highly recommended, as the buses are on schedule and frequecy is about an hour. You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in order to rent a car there. Even though the Singapore Driving License is an international license, in Korea they do not accept that. You can always get the IDP from the Automotive Association Singapore. There is a validity period for this IDP, so I suggest you to apply an least 2 weeks before your actual trip. 

Shuttle bus is free services by KT Rental, about 10 minutes drive away from the Airport.

 

When you make the online reservations, you do not have to make any payment yet. Payment is made over the counter and they only take credit cards (no cash payment).

5 days of rental cost us 185,100 WON (S$236). If you calculate daily, it's around S$47.20/day. It's so much cheaper to rent a car in Korea! The rental comes with insurance & English GPS navigation to bring us around.

2736! We love this car so much! :)

 

We rented the Hyundai Avante (automatic) and we had a great time driving it. Both of us had our first time driving on the left hand side (opposite to Singapore) and initially we kept taking reference from the right side. It takes us some time to get use to it, and after that it's a breeze to drive around Jeju.

Our accommodation in Jeju for 4 nights is at Dreaming Forest Pension. We booked through Agoda and the rates are quite reasonable. S$348 for 4 nights for a standard double house. It's about an hour half drive from the Airport, located in Seogwipo (2nd city in Jeju Island).

GPS Coordinates: 738-1010

FYI, the telephone number is the GPS coordinates used in Jeju Island. Similar to our Postal Codes in Singapore.

 

 

 

This is not exactly the kind of hotels room that we booked. It's more of a 2-storey house with Kitchen, bathroom & living room. The bedroom is on the upper deck (with dressing table & hair dryer!) whereas at the lower deck, we have a living room, dining table, kitchen and bathroom.

We also have a small balcony to enjoy the scenery outside, sipping coffee and having breakfast. Kitchen comes equipped with pots and pans, utensils & even plates. So we can actually cooked our meals if needed. 

When we arrived at the house, we were too tired to go out for food, and were really surprised to find a basket with instant noodles & eggs in it. The owner prepared these for us and we were so glad to have something to eat. 

Had our dinner, cleaned up and fell asleep before a long day out tomorrow.

Penang 5D4N Getaway: Part 2 - Spice Garden, Helena's Cafe, Living Room Cafe Bar & Gallery

Kicked start our 2nd day bright and early! Since we didn't took breakfast in the hotel, we went out searching for some food first. Stopped for roti prata along one of the shop houses, about 3 minutes walk away. 

Mr Lin with his roti prata :)

Started raining heavily so we went back to the hotel to hide awhile from the rain.

First plan of the day was Tropical Spice Garden (which was listed #1 attraction on TripAdvisor). It's quite a distance from Georgetown, so we need to take Bus 101 from Komtar Bus Terminal (10 minutes walk from Hotel). The whole journey will take about an hour half to reach so you can enjoy the scenery along the way (or sleep).

You will be able to recognize the garden as many cars will park outside. You can just ask the bus driver to drop you right in front of the entrance.

At the Tropical Spice Garden

Each person cost RM35 (inclusive of entrance fee & guided tour). I strongly recommend guided tour as the guides are knowledgeable and you really can learn a few new things. 

The Tropical Spice Garden
Lone Crag Villa, Lot 595 Mukim 2, 
Jalan Teluk Bahang, 
11100 Penang, Malaysia

It's about 1 hour tour and after that we make our way back to Batu Ferringhi for lunch. Initial plan was to eat at The Living Room Cafe and Gallery. However, they're closed for the day so we dropped by Helena's Cafe (right beside only). 

They served mainly Indian cuisine, of course satay and penang food are also available. 

 

Our lunch, satay, Tandoori chicken and fries. 

The curry for the Tandoori chicken is homemade and awesome! I super like. Thick and fragrant. The satay comes with big chunks of chicken, unlike those in Singapore. Small pieces of meat with lots of fats. Ohh, it's actually ranked #5 on TripAdvisor. :) Not too bad, reasonably priced, will be back for other food too! :)

Helena's Cafe
43B Jalan Batu Ferrenghi | opp Yahong Gallery, 
Batu Ferringhi, 
Penang Island, Malaysia 

Took Bus 101 back to Georgetown as the rain keeps coming. Took a break before we leave for the Living Room Cafe again. Do take note that the traffic is quite bad in the evening time, so our bus ride was longer as compared to morning. 

We were quite lucky that we do not need to wait too long for a seat. That's the good thing about traveling as couples! *YAY!* 

Cosy atmosphere, and the furniture used are some old sewing machines and tables are craved straight from the wood. There's a live band that night, but I'm not too sure whether they're always there or happened to be performing that night. 

 Satay again! :) The sauce is slightly more watery.

Our sumptuous dinner :)

We ordered a stirred fried mixed vegetables and a thai-styled fried dory fish. The fish is quite similar to the normal Fish 'N' Chips, but it's the sauce that really make it very appetizing! :) We spent about RM49.90 for this meal. I would say it's slightly more expensive compared to the street food, and rest assured that freshness is guaranteed! 

Just so you know, The Living Room cafe is ranked #1 on TripAdvisor! :):):)

This is definitely my favorite shot at the cafe. 

The lighting just blend nicely with our smiles! *LOVE!*

The Living Room Cafe & Gallery

43 C Batu Ferringhi, 

Batu Ferringhi, 

Penang Island 11100, Malaysia

After dinner, you can continue walking towards the Holiday Inn Hotel, and right in front is the Batu Ferringhi Night Market. It's similar to our Singapore Pasar Malum, selling clothes and "branded" bags, etc.

Bus-ed back to our hotel, and we called it a day. Slow day, but it was definitely interesting because we sort of asked our way through the bus route and also getting all confused because the arrival time on the bus app is not quite accurate. *LOL!*

I guess that's what make budget traveling so adventurous.You don't know whether this bus you're taking is correct until maybe the bus driver make a turn and went into some wulu place. Of course, safety is number one, so make sure you're traveling with someone you can trust. 

I know I can count on my boy to bring me back safely. :):):)

Penang 5D4N Getaway: Part 1 - Arrival

:) This was a last minute trip as Mr. Lin needs to clear his leave before embarking on another new job. Initial plan was to drive up to Port Dickson and laze around at the beach side. But we decided to change to Penang as we heard lots of good feedback from friends. 

We got our air tickets from Jetstar Asia during their Friday Frenzy Sale. Return trip cost us $226.44 for 2 pax with checked in baggage. Definitely cheap cheap! :)

It was an evening flight, departing 6:55pm and arriving around 8:20pm. So we can't plan much for the 1st night. 

 On board flight, waiting for the plane to take off! :) 

PS: It's been a long time since we our last trip together, just the both of us. So we're very excited!

Upon arrival, we found an airport taxi which cost us RM44.70 to get to Georgetown. It's about 20 minutes drive from the airport (depending on traffic) to our hotel stay at Sunway Hotel Georgetown, which was just newly renovated

I definitely recommend this hotel because of it's location and also there's a night market just outside the hotel. The night market has one of the best street food there. :)

After settling in with our stomach crumbling, we made our way down to the street market. 

Lots of local food there, Chee Cheong Fan, Wan Tan Mee, Poh Piah, Fried Carrot Cake, etc

 Something light first, egg pancake. Nothing fancy, taste so-so

The poh piah has different fillings as compared to Singapore's. Here the auntie add mashed tofu together with the normal poh piah must haves. The overall taste is good, soft tofu and crunchy peanuts together!

Most of the shops and malls are closing so we didn't explore much. Right after the supper, we turned in for the night as we wanted to kick start early the next day! 

Spice Garden on the list! :)

[Contest] Win a FREE Family Trip to Korea this Winter!

:) This is my first time sharing information on a contest on my blog. 

I super excited about it because the prize is definitely going to get you jumping around!

Proudly organized by the Korea Tourism Organization "Win a Family Trip to Korea" for you, you and you to participate.

Tons of activities waiting for you to do during the winter season! I, myself can't wait to get back to Korea just to roll on the snow, get my butt freeze off! :)

I MISS THOSE WINTERS DAYS WHEN I WAS IN KOREA!

Get you really excited about it?
 It's just a simple step away from taking part in this contest!

All you need to do is to SHARE this information on any social media platform!

TEMPTING! So why are you waiting for? Get it going, and you might be the lucky one! 

GOOD LUCK! :)

For more information, please refer to the official website.

Also, you can refer to my Korea post early this year, where I get to kick start the new year! :)

:) Part & parcel of life

I believe decision making is part and parcel of life. Whether or not you make the correct choice will sort of path your life along the way.

Wrong choice, and you need to prepare to pay for it. It's alright though, because everyone makes mistakes. You just need to wake up, and step-by-step, make it right again.

I guess the road down is not gonna be easy. But what's waiting in front is definitely worth going through this pain once and for all.

Yes, the future is worth this pain.

One Altitude Bar

:) 2 months back, the Strawbellies group decided to have another outing. Usually our outing is to drink and of course good food. 

Our choice: 1-Altitude at 1 Raffles Place.

Heard lots of good review about the place, especially about the roof top bar. It's the world's highest al fresco bar, which serves unique cocktails and beer. The choices are quite a long list and of course, to go with the drinks, they also serve both light savory and sweet food. 

Skyline view from 1-Altitude roof top bar

Expect this kind of view to greet you once you stepped onto one of the highest roof top bar. :) That's the Marina Bay Sands. It's just opposite of us, yet when you're right on top, MBS seems so small. :)

Beautiful landscape view

 My housepour: Moscato with our pizza to fill our stomach! :)

 It's been a long time since we dressed up to go out :)

Watching the sunset while sipping a drink is pure relaxation :)

:) The early birds

One drink is definitely not enough, so we ordered buckets instead! *Laughs!*

:) There's lots of security officers at the rooftop bar to look out for any weird behaviors people. You never know how one behave after drinking nonstop. They will also look out for any changes in weather especially lightning and rain.

Should there be rain, we will be ushered down to the indoor bar, where you can play those simulated golf game or just sit around and watched soccer. Cosy place, and you still get to see the night view.

Opening Hours:

Friday, Saturday & Eve of PH:
6 - 9pm: $25 nett (inclusive of 1 standard housepour)
9 till closing: $30 nett (inclusive of 1 standard housepour)