Miss Traveler » postcards 2013

Happy New Year from Singapore

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:05:18 +0000

Heyo,

back in the tropics of KL and Singapore, it was tremendous to catch up with friends and family. Headed down to Singapore to check out the sights, count down to the new year and get my flight back to Australia. Also the last time I was there I didn’t check out the Gardens by the Bay, Marina Sands and Universal Studios. As far as weekend trips go – this was a blast. Singapore sure knows how to build ‘em, everything was just super-sized. And another fantastic roller coaster at Universal Studios. A lovely local brought me to live music bar in Holland Village, with European beers, chicken wings and pizza. And the New Year countdown and the view was something to remember for sure.

Here’s wishing you a great 2013!

Big love,

Shi.

Solo in Seoul (Part 2)

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:01:56 +0000

Second part of my trip,I armed myself with a metro card, a metro map and a rough plan – it was time to experience Seoul. In Seoul I put my skills of pointing and smiling into great use. It was pretty much, walk past, oh that looks nice and go in. Google maps was in Korean so finding places was a little hit and miss. I must say that at this point of the trip I was badly needing a stomach transplant. I love spice, sour and meat but I must have been made a wuss by my stay in Australia (haha) and my stomach was crying uncle. Despite this, at the Noryangjin Fish Market I had to try Sannkji – live octopus sliced up and eaten raw with sesame oil. The tentacles are still moving and it’s the first time I’ve thought “Darnit, tasty morsel, stop clinging to my plate and get into my mouth”. It had a great suction grip on my plate and sometimes stuck to my teeth and wriggled going down. It was tasty but I couldn’t bring myself to eat the octopus head and eye, the skin still writhing and shrinking. There are also the markets and shopping streets, I was in Myeongdong and Nangdaemun market and got lost wandering and gazing at the neon lights and christmas decorations. I had lots of street food which was delicious and mostly meaty and spicy. At the Gangnam station, there was a Gangnam Style platform there! Couldn’t bring myself to dance on it, my natural modesty (heh). But with presidential elections in the next few days there was flash mob dancing for candidates. Finally the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. South Korean men have a compulsory 2 year military service and there are US forces posted in Seoul and Seoul itself is within striking distance from North Korea, so tensions run high. Add to that, 3 tunnels have been discovered from the North Korean side to South Korea – the 3rd tunnel is 1 hour distance from Seoul and can take 30 000 soldiers an hour with light weapons. There are 20 tunnels expected to be existing but undiscovered. The 3rd tunnel itself is 73m below ground and the whole experience (no photographs allowed) was a little daunting. I enjoyed discovering Seoul. Ski and hiking trip next time, I reckon. Next stop, a brief stop in KL and then Singapore. Shi ps: The descending life line from my room – I’ve seen similar ones in Tokyo, but it’s always interesting because there are so many health and safety issues in some countries. That, and I get a mental image of old Asian people (socks in bedroom slippers) abseiling out of their hotel windows, commando style with explosions and flames behind them.

Got Seoul? (Part 1)

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:59:19 +0000

Whee! Happy new year! Hope that you had a good time during the end of year festivities.

So before Christmas I was in Seoul, Korea – good time to go before it got really cold, it was only 0 celsius and only once went to -13 celsius and I..had..a FANTASTIC time. Arriving in Seoul, I didn’t know what to expect. Let me first say that Koreans are a tough bunch. Historically, Korea has had long periods of war, political instability and freezing winters. There is a distinct Korean identity with Chinese and Japanese influences, and a grittiness and willingness to persevere under tough conditions.

Ok, now with the tourist talk. There was a formal tour itinerary for the first half of my trip and one of the highlights was Mount Sorak outside of Seoul. There is hiking even during winter (kit up with spikes), Buddhist temples, meditation and a giant buddha. Also the ski resort! Powder snow on the slopes, awesome time and sadly, too little time. Good reason to come back to Seoul. Next day Everland Theme Park - steepest and longest roller coaster in Korea and an overall christmassy feeling with churros and hot chocolate.

And a teddy bear farm, kimchi making and a lot of shopping to places selling Korean cosmetics, ginseng and semi-precious stones. Back in Seoul, Gyeongbok Palace and the Korean Blue House (residence of South Korean head of state).

Next part. wandering solo in Seoul.

Shi.