Itinerary: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Suggested itinerary on visiting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for 2 days:

Day 1

GENTING HIGHLANDS (http://www.rwgenting.com/en/themepark/index.htm)
How to get there:  From KL Central Station, take a bus that has set of packages going to Genting Highlands.  You may opt to take cable car as well, but make sure that you read the maintenance schedule so you will not get disappointed when it is not available.

SNOW WORLD (http://www.genting.com.my/en/themepark/snowworld/index.htm)
Fee: Adult RM16
Location: Level 2A, First World Plaza;
Rules: No bermudas or shorts. No slippers. Socks and long pants are compulsory
My favorite attraction at Genting Highlands in the Snow World.  You will experience a wide room in negative 5 degrees Celsius.

MENARA KL TOWER (http://www.menarakl.com.my)
Open: 9am to 10pm
Fee: RM8 (Adults)
Location: No 2, Jalan Punchak, Off Jalan P Ramlee
Directions: The nearest PUTRA LRT station to Kuala Lumpur Tower is the Dang Wangi station or take the KL Monorail and disembark at the Bukit Nenas station. Then you have to walk up the hilly road to the tower.

PETALING STREET
Known as the Chinatown of KL
Open: 7pm until early next day

Where is the love?

It’s the love month and it’s just timely to have this entry in my blog.  No, this is not about the romantic love that you might be expecting but this is about what I love doing – TRAVELLING! (need I say more?) and my continuous search for LOVE!


I saw it first in one of the photos of a friend when he was in New York.  Before I left for Singapore to meet my sister in year 2006 July, I researched on where can I find it in Singapore.  “Yey!”, my sister confirmed that it is in front of Plaza Singapura – this is my first photo with LOVE.

What is the story behind this LOVE? 
Although the word "love" contained much significance to 1960s culture, Robert Indiana attributes his connection with the word to an earlier, more personal source. Attending Christian Science church services as a child in Indianapolis, he was impressed by a small plaque over the reader's platform bearing the inscription "God Is Love." Indiana is no longer a practicing member of the church, but he insists that the message of LOVE be taken as a spiritual one.

Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations Ranking

(released: Jan 11, 2012)

Euromonitor International is pleased to release its latest Top City Destinations Ranking, covering 100 of the world's leading and most dynamic cities in terms of international tourist arrivals. After recording a decline in 2009, international arrivals to countries regained growth in 2010, positively impacting results for the top 100 cities, which saw arrivals increase by 7%. Star performers in 2010 were emerging city destinations located in Asia Pacific, thanks to a strong economic environment and growing travel and tourism dynamism. Most European cities lagged behind as a result of the weak economic prospects in the Eurozone, which impacted intra-regional travel.

Happy to share that I've been to 13 out of 100 cities posted on their site. 

City	Ranking	Arrivals        '000 2010	% volume growth       2009/2010
Hong Kong	1	19,973	18.0
Singapore	2	18,297	16.0
Macau	4	13,098	25.9
Bangkok	5	10,984	10.0
Kuala Lumpur	7	10,351	10.0
Shanghai	15	5,397	22.9
Pattaya	21	4,430	4.0
Taipei	33	3,224	11.4
Seoul	39	2,809	14.2
Ho Chi Minh	50	2,435	28.4
Hangzhou	76	1,744	10.9
Halong	82	1,581	28.0
Manila	100	1,250	25.6

For the complete list, please visit: http://blog.euromonitor.com/2012/01/euromonitor-internationals-top-city-destinations-ranking1-.html

2011: My Travels by the Numbers

Inspired by an article from StarStudio mag,

Travelling isn’t just about seeing the sights; its also about a  whlot lot of numbers, too!

These highlight my travels for the past year.  I truthfully acknowledge everything and everyone who made all these possible – to my team who allowed my leaves, to all my accommodations and airlines, to the drivers (airline, trains, boats, cabs, buses, tricycles), to the tourist guides, to those who accompany me in every step, to my newly found friends and to my family for allowing me on this addiction – thanks!

To all the challenges, for all those times of getting lost, of losing patience – lessons have been learned.  To the awesome scenes, to simply walking in the fields and seashore, to all the memories – all will be kept in my heart.

And praises to Almighty God for the safe travels I had and will have in the future.

2011 November: South Korea: Incheon Airport

How to kill time in the Airport?

1. Make sure to get a map of the airport in the Information Center, you can start by food hunting, shopping and looking for available entertainment (I was able to watch a musical show on their center stage).

2011 November: South Korea: Café in Seoul

One of the many descriptions I can tag to Seoul is it is the café capital of Asia.  If you are a coffee lover, this is a place to be – and you’ll be in heaven.  Below are just some of the cafés I have seen as walk along, this still not include one of my favorites: Café Bene.  Others in my must try list are:  Coffine Gurunaru, Angel in Us Coffee and Paris Baguette. 

2011 November: South Korea: Bukchon Village

What is 'Sanggojae' (상고재)?  It is the house used in the Korean drama Personal Taste (also known as Perfect Match in the Philippines).

Based on my online research, the original name of the house is known as 'Yeorangjae' (여랑재).  It is found in the middle of Bukchon Hanok area. 

The name, 'Bukchon,' which literally translates to 'northern village,' came about as the neighborhoods that the village covers lie to the north of the two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse in Korean traditional culture. [Reference]

2011 November: South Korea: Hawkers in Myeongdong

Myeongdong is not a cheap market, but it is a shopping heaven for those who are addict to buy anything and everything.  Aside from the high-end shops of Zara, Uniqlo, Lacoste, Nine West, Forever 21, Guess, etc; cafes like Starbucks, Coffee Bean, Café Pascucci, etc. that are success under the sun.

Less in the morning, but the place becomes a street of hawkers more at night!  Loving this night photography in one hand.

2011 November: South Korea: Lantern Festival

That late afternoon, it was starting to get dark.  I was walking from Myeongdong to Cheonggyecheon Stream.  Along the way, they started to open the lights, emphasizing the autumn leaves of the piles of the trees along the street.  So I started to shoot with my camera.  Upon reaching the stream proper, it started to rain, so it’s a choice between freely walking under the rain or holding the umbrella on my left hand and keeping my right hand steady.  Too bad I can’t use the tripod that rainy evening - so proud to say, all were taken by my steady hands under 10.5 degrees Celsius in Seoul.

2011 November: South Korea: Gwanghwamun Square

The road in front of Gwanghwamun had been referred to as Yukjo (six ministries) Street as it was lined with buildings of six ministries along with others in the Joseon period. Under Japanese rule, all the buildings were dismantled and the road lost its symbolic significance. With the creation of Gwanghwamun Square, Yukjo Street has been restored and various symbolic features (statue of King Sejong and Sejong Story Exhibition Hall, Haechi Madang, Waterways of History, and Haechi statue, among others) are on display, establishing the square as a restored historical site. [Reference]

2011 November: South Korea: Paju: BCJ Garden

That day’s challenge is to find where 49 days (Pure Love) and City Hunter were filmed.

From Myeongdong, it is around 80 minutes by train to reach Wollong Station.  If you notice, Paju is the address of my next destination but as advised in Trip Advisor, Wollong Station is closer to the garden.  After the station exit doors, on your left, you will see cabs on queue.  I gave to the driver the address I found on the internet.  It took him around 10 minutes to figure out with his GPS on where we are going.

Good thing he has GPS, or else it will make me freak out.  We were driving 30 minutes on the road with the thought of – Is this right? Is this safe? Will I still be able to get back?  There are very few buildings, huge area for fields, far-away mountains, less vehicles around and from very wide highway, we ended with two-lane road.

South Korea: Myeongdong Cathedral

Another plus on the location of my accommodation is it so close to Myeongdong Cathedral.  I can actually hear the bells ringing for its first mass.  Good thing that it is only drizzling that morning and I finally had a chance to take a photo of its façade - the church looks like a castle from outside, but feels old from the inside.

2011 November:



2016 November 13:

How to get there?

Line 4: Myeong-dong Station Exit 9, 10; Line 2: Euljiro 1(il) ga Station Exit 5, 6; Euljiro 3 (sam) ga 

Reference

 Mass Schedule

Reference

Filming Location

Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me (KBS2, 2017-18)

As seen multiple of times in Black Knight:

Episode 01, when Jung Hae-ra's time (Shin Se-kyung) was looking for an old tailor shop to get her dress.

Episode 02, when Hae-ra and her friend was looking for Sharon's (Seo Ji-hye) Boutique.

Episode 03, when Hae-ra together with Moon Soo-ho (Kim Rae-won) is on their way to the boutique.

And possibly in the future episodes as well. 

2011 November: South Korea: Coffee Prince

In acknowledgement to the site that is so helpful for making my journey possible, I’m sharing you this post: http://www.squidoo.com/coffee-prince-coffee-shop .

But I just want to add some corrections or possibly updates on the markers.  It is better to take Exit 8 (Hongik University Station), for you will see the Seven Springs restaurant which means you are on the right path.  Those I asked to help me find my way are not familiar on where the Coffee Prince is even if I show them the map.

2011 November: South Korea: Korea Pass

Surprise Event for Travelers to Korea!

Korea Tourism Organization is giving away 3,000 Korea Pass cards on a first-come, first-served basis to international visitors arriving in Korea between November 7th and December 15th, 2011.
The Korea Pass cards, each worth 20,000 won, can be used anywhere except for transportation and at Shinsegae and Hyundai Department Stores, E-Mart and Homeplus. [Reference]

2011 November: South Korea: Green Residence

I arrived at Gimpo Domestic Terminal, Wednesday, Nov 16 2011 11.55 am. I asked the information counter on which parking area will I be able to take bus 6001. It is on area #4-5 and was able to catch it after waiting for 10mins. The fare is 13000won (520php) for almost an hour travel time to Myeongdong (Stop: Sejong Hotel). On the street near Exit 8, I walked straight until I reached ABC shop. Behind the bank is a double glass-door, inside is the elevator going to 17F for the Green Residence.

Green Residence
Location: 17F Tae Heung Building, Myeongdong, Seoul
Website: http://www.seoulgreen.com/index.html (page no longer available)
Trip Advisor Reviews

I started my inquiries with them by July and finalized my booking on the same month for my stay on November. They also agreed that I can pay on cash upon arrival and there is no need to provide the credit card details. I again reminded them of my booking a month, then next, a week before my arrival.

Shoes are not allowed inside the hostel, so you have to change to their provided slippers. The lady was very good in letting me know their facilities, she tour me around and discussed some ground rules.

This hotel has very negative review on Trip Advisor but I still decided to book here because of:
1. weather: I think, since it is a cold Autumn, I don’t think I would need an air conditioner or fan; and
2. location: it is not on an elevated area and is on the center of Myeongdong
Good thing I did not feel suffocated on this very small box.