Close to drown

To much of distraction at a time. I could not concentrate. This song totally spell out my feeling now.

11th July 2010: Goodbye Korea!

It has been years since I last stayed up all night long. Song and I spent so much time together for the past hours.

Finally in the morning, we got ready for our last breakfast together....more kim chi for the last time :D. We finally departed for Incheon Airport at about 8.30am and arrived at about 9.30am. There were long queues at the check in counters. We quickly checked in our luggage. I was thankful for the extra baggage allowance. My luggage weighted 31.7kg and it was checked in straight all the way until Penang without additional charges on me....yahoo! We bid farewell to Kim and Song and headed to our gate. It was such a waste that we didn't have time for the KAL Golden Lounge or time to admire the world class airport.

We boarded MH067 and flew straight back to Kuala Lumpur. This time the business class was completely full but I was too tired and slept on most of the time. We finally arrived in Malaysia at close to 4pm. I bid farewell to the other folks and headed to the Golden Lounge. I continued my flight back to Penang and arrived home at close to 9pm.

These 10 days were very exciting. I got to see the world and enjoyed world hospitality.

For more photos,please refer to FB album

10th July 2010: Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty

This was my 9th day in Korea.

In the morning, we had a very satisfying breakfast prepared by 대모. Yummy cakes and buns...so much on the table :D. After the breakfast, we followed 대부 and 대모 to do some shopping at the local supermarket. The supermarket has all sorts of things and they were all so fresh. 대모 also showed me tips in buying Korean ginseng and Korean chopsticks set. Thanks 대모 for all those tips! My mother would surely love those ginseng and chopsticks.

In the afternoon, we learnt to cook Korean style vegetarian curry from 대모. There could be so many flavours of curry and I love them all. The Korean style was pretty much the same as the Japanese and Hong Kis style. So nice to cook, eat and wash up together.

After the meal, 대부 and 대모 arranged to bring us Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. I was so excited before our road trip. It felt like I was about to go for a family outing. I missed those days going out with my family members. 대부 and 대모 showed us around the world heritage site and told us about their legend. I enjoyed spending time with them and this ended my homestay experience in Korea.

Then we departed back to Seoul and checked in to Lexington Hotel. It was just a quick stop at hotel to drop our luggage. Then we went shopping at Namdaemun market again. I got a lot of souvenir there at a very good bargain but those guys were even better shopper than me :D

Later we walked to Myeongdong Market and met up with Soomin, Jisu and Cha Hee for another round of pizza as dinner. Another special treat for us again. This was the best pizza we got in Korea. I love their beef pizza. It has my favourite beef chucks and onions on it.

Later at night, we went to Hongdae with Jisu, Cha Hee, Song and Kim for supper. We ordered Shoju, 삼겹살 and another meat dish. They showed us how to make delicious fried rice on the pan. The oil and crust were excellent to make fried rice. The night was still young. We continued on our night walking along Hongdae area. We searched and searched for the ideal club for us but we finally changed to a bar instead. It was an ideal place for us all to chat. We were there until 3am and Park asked us to join him in the hotel.

Park bought us another round of drinks and we continued our night in the hotel room watching the 3rd place World Cup Play-off. This was a fascinating day in Korea with the Koreans. The Koreans really exhibited the true Asian hospitality spirit.

For more photos,please refer to FB album

9th July 2010: Cultural Exchange

This was suppose to be a very interactive day with a lot of focus on cultural exchange.

We have Yueun, Jisu, Inae, Seolah and Sehee joint us at the "Cross-cultural Awareness Programme" at Miseong Middle School. The school visit was very impressive. The environment was very conducive and with complete facilities, WEE room, art room, music room and all that I could name. The middle school students were very hyperactive too.

Our cultural presentation was not satisfying especially with the non Malaysian culture Chicken Dance and Fruit Salad. Perhaps this was my worse ever cultural exchange event. We have no Malaysian music, no Malaysian dance, no Malaysian food and nothing Malaysian other than 15 of us. I blamed on myself for not getting any posters or promotional items from the Malaysian Tourism offices.

The 2nd exchange program was cancelled. We continued our program with lunch at Mr Pizza Restaurant. This time we got a special pizza to ourselves...yummy bacon pizza but again the salad bar was better. Thanks Kim for the special arrangement!

After the great meal and dropping off the Korean youth delegates, we headed to the Goyang City. It was almost an hour ride to the city. We arrived at the Goyang City for the Home-stay program. We were a little early so we got some time to do shopping. I bought a jacket there...hooray!

Finally back in the city council, we were assigned to our homestay. I was with Gangga and Ain. We were picked up by Mr Jung. Mr Jung and Mrs Jung were a nice mid age couple. They have 2 children but both were not at home. I was really impressed to see how this couple able to show their affections. Mr Jung told us a lot about their family. They have a cosy and comfy home.

Later in the evening, 대모 was so kind to make us home cooked meal despite her busy day at work. She purposely made us vegetarian bibimbap. She mentioned that she did a lot of research online about our eating habit. She cracked her head over the appropriate menu for us. Thanks her for the excellent meal and for teaching us how to make a simple Korean meal.

After the excellent meal, 대부 and 대모 brought us to nearby park. for the nightly Water and Light Show. While waiting for the show to begin, we walked round the park. It was a huge park with numerous theme garden. The locals enjoyed exercising in the park. We enjoyed the show very much. According to 대부, this was the largest scale Water and Light Show in Asia. It lasted about one and a half hour.

We got back to home and retired to bed early after a short chat. This was the earliest day I was on the bed.

For more photos,please refer to FB album

8th July 2010: We could be better

This was one of the worse day I had in Korea. Firstly, my attire wasn't that appropriate for formal calls. It could be better if we were given the program earlier so I could plan my luggage. Secondly was the silent rooms during official meets in which I was stuck right at the middle and being the attention of both parties. Thirdly, being an interpretor wasn't such an easy job. I would said I did a great job but it was just not enough to please some people.

Our program today started with courtesy call to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. We arrived early at the ministry building and have some time to stroll around but I just wasn't in mood despite the beautiful Cheonggyecheon Stream right in front. Anyway the time was just too short for any enjoyment.

In the ministry office, we were led into the conference room and greeted by the Korean officers, led by Mr Jeon, Director - General for Youth Policy. The meeting officially began with welcoming speech by Mr Jeon. Then it was the speech by our NL in our national language and direct Korean translation by Bryanna. Thank god for our brilliant cooperation, the translation went well and without the awkward and puzzle stares over NL's pantun. I couldn't recall the complete pantun but it began with "Ayam siam .....". I dropped the words from the pantun but still able to deliver his message well :D

After the speech, it was policy and update on youth development in Korea by Mr Jeon. It was very impressive to see how much effort the policy maker team put together for the benefit of its people. Then it was the most embarrassing question and answer session ever. Some less brilliant guys tossed me a paper filled with a lot of less brilliant questions and commanding me to ask them due to his incompetence to speak in English. I refused and did translation for him instead. So at least I was the one who actually ask those less brilliant questions.

After the meeting we headed straight to welcoming luncheon hosted by the ministry. It was a Korean traditional course. One dish after another...there were so many dishes. However being the translator, I could not get to indulge the meal. I could only swallow quickly, clearing my throat to translate for NL and Mr Jeon. One of the most remarkable statement mentioned was "Anak adalah kurniaan dan takdir Allah. Kita hanya perlu berusaha".

Mr Jeon shared a lot on history of Korea. Being translator was good at time. Just an advice for all national leaders to be, please read up about our national history before heading out. Translators or interpretors should equip yourselves too, just in case your bosses have not done their homework. Thanks to all my pass history teachers or else we would embarrass ourselves!

Later in the afternoon, we attended a courtesy call to the Embassy of Malaysia in Seoul. We were greeted by our ambassador and officers. We had a speech by our NL and ambassador both in Malay. So this translator got a breakaway for a moment :D After all the official stuff, we were served with tea. They got us yummy mee goreng and some kuih. Those were good but to be honest, I didn't really missed those as much as compared to the others. I could survive months without Malaysian food, just like when I was in India with those roti all the time.

The last official program of the day was the visit to the Seoul Youth Media Center. I was really very exhausted by then but have no choice to hang on, to listen to every word by our kind presenter and make lines of notes in preparation to fill the Q&Q slot. So I asked my questions and did another round of translation of the less brilliant questions. Anyway the visit to the center was interesting with the photographing session and news broadcasting.

Next was the shopping time at Namdaemun Market, one of the many traditional market in Seoul. It was a quick 40 minutes shopping spree there. I only manage to get 5 pairs of chopstick sets and scouted around for the best souvenir price. I got to do it quick purchases on the next visit :D

After the quick shopping, we went back to Lexington Hotel for a quick refresh then it was dinner at VIP restaurant next door hosted by Mr Yu, Ms Park and Mr Park. We enjoyed the delicacies of the buffet and another chat session with our great host.

In the evening, we got together with Song for drinks. She introduced us to Shoju, local berry wine and local beer. We diluted the Shoju with orange juice and yogurt drink. It was such a great combinations. With the drinks on hand, we talked for hours until wee hours again. Thanks Song!

For more photos,please refer to FB album

7th July 2010: Everything above expectation

Again we started our day with special customized breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast and checking out, we got on bus and headed to Daejeon Youth Simmer.

We arrived at Daejeon after about an hour and a half. Daniel was so nice to make up to us again. The visit to Daejeon Youth Simmer has been very meaningful. The center provided shelter, food and education as well as counselling service to the run away youth. As this nation practices more open and confrontational discussion, problems are always addressed earlier and solutions are being made in time. The policies and facilities in placed really benefiting the youth. This was how things can be improved and better over years. We surely have a lot to learn from them .

After the field work visit, we went over to the Pizza Hut for lunch. The pizza was good but the free flow salad from the salad bar was better. I love the sweet potato salad and the pumpkin salad as well as the noodle salad. 1 slice of seafood pizza and a big bowl of salad made my day. The other Malaysian delegates really enjoyed the meal...1 slice after another. :D After meal, we got another round of shopping spree. I got more facial product from Etude House and Skin Food.

In the evening we were back in Seoul. We visited the futuristic Samsung C&T Corporation Raemian Gallery. It was an eye opening gallery. From the bathroom to the outdoor garden, everything was so advance. They even shared with us their future living space model in the sky. I love the idea and hope that it could be a reality and hope that it can get proliferated to Malaysia.

For dinner we got to a local restaurant which served us black soya tofu with purple rice. A healthy main course with lots of traditional side dishes. One of the dish, raw crab was interesting. It was very juicy with little punch from the chili and was very salty. This dish was only bearable when it was served with rice.

After the meal, we went to the Lotte World to catch the Korea top break dance performance. It was the "The Ballerina who Fell In Love with a B-Boy" by Last for One group. It was a humorous performance with great skills and techniques both in break dancing and ballet.

At night, we 3 LIMs and Ganga went out for supper at a nearby road side stall. We have difficulty to make our order but luckily the 2 LIMs could read a menu in Chinese characters and we just pointed on 2 dishes. Later we learned that it was a cut throat hawker when she charged us RM90 for a plate of egg omelet and spicy fried squid. Well none to blame than ourselves. We should have also asked for the price prior to ordering them. Next time I am gonna flash my calculator.

After returning to my room, I got a long pillow talk with Sung. We have so much to talk, share and prank about. It was really great that we have build up so much trust and friendship shortly after days knowing each other. I treasure our differences and may our friendship stay strong forever!

It was another great day in Korea despite the cut throat hawker. Everything else was beyond expectation. Korea has so much to offer, from the laid back temple to the futuristic gallery.

For more photos,please refer to FB album

6th July 2010: Essence of Tourism in Central Region

So much of cultural highlight in a day.

Our day started with a customized breakfast for us the 3 LIMs. Thanks Kim for being so thoughtful. The eggs and bacons were good but it would be superb if we got to try local style breakfast :D

After the breakfast, we were on the bus heading to Maisan Provisional Park, the Horse Ears Mountain. This was an inspiring Zen park with multiple tapsa or pagoda. No doubt about the attractiveness of the physical appearance of the park but the myth which I just discovered while writing this was even more impressive. It was believed that the pagodas do not fall or sway even at bad weather, the temple was build by a monk with the help of tiger and if one put water into a bowl during the winter, the water freezes into a pole reaching for the sky.

Oh I also learnt some common religious practices in Korea. Never enter a temple using the main door if there are other options, no shoes in the temple (this was not strictly practice in all Buddhist Temple in Malaysia) and drinking the holy water. I wish to be able to join in a Temple Stay in Korean when I come for the 2nd time. I will surely make another visit to this park to see how it transforms between season.

Next was the savoring of my favourite Korean dish, the Bibimbap. I just loved the mixed rice in the stoneware. It has a strong aroma from the formation of thin rice crust at the bottom. The jelly made of the green bean was yummy to go with other vegetables too. It was a perfect meal for the day :D

In the afternoon, we got to craft center where we get accessed to the traditional paper fan making. Each of us were given a paper fan and some raw materials to decorate our own fan. I made a Korean Flag (*with the moon and earth interchanged) on 1 side and simple flower motive on another. It was an interesting session in a Hanok.

After the craft session, we were on foot round the Jeonju Hanok Village. As the name suggest, this small village has 800 traditional Korean house. All unified in the same wood frame and pillars with white wall and earthy tone roof tiles. We also spotted many stoneware used to made and store Kimchi right outside of the house. Kimchi is the must dish all year round for Koreans.

We made stop overs at the Folding Fan Museum, 韩方文化館 which showcase the traditional herbal and medicine, Gyeonggijeon Shrine (did't have time much time. Only manage to pass by the study place as well as the bamboo garden), Jeondong Catholic Church and the Nambu market.

For dinner we got to taste a simple yet tasty bean sprout soup with rice. I always dislike bean sprout due to it's rawly taste but this was nice. The soup was crystal clear and has got the natural sweetness of the bean sprout. The eggs made it thicker and gave the smooth texture while the seaweed and the fermented shrimp gave the saltiness to the soup.

After dinner, we went to the nearby shopping haven with Daniel and JihYun. I managed to get some facial products at Missha and Innisfree...so cheap. 2 other LIMs bought more than me :D Facial products are the best souvenir one can get from Korea. We enjoyed shopping in Korea.

my travel companions...enjoy shopping here...look at my bags

For more photos,please refer to FB album

5th July 2010: Another day at Amusement Park

We woke up pretty late today. Quickly we got ready and checked out from our hostel and headed to the Caribbean Bay.

There was so much in the water park. No wonder the water park is the world biggest indoor and outdoor park. Needless to say this place was an eye nourishment for our fellow delegations. But for me the park was another entertaining place for me. With the company of my Korean friends, we enjoyed few exciting rides in the park. We spend 2 hours in the pool and again I wished that I could have longer time in the park. Oh...not to be missed to mention, the open bathroom was a norm here. I did the same too but in a much quicker pace :D After the quick shower, we had lunch in the the park. I got a noodle soup with eomuk. Yummy!

Then I was a long bus ride to the Saemangeum Sea Wall en route to Jeonju City. The Saemangeum Sea Wall is one of their mega development project. It involves 400 km² reclamation land. The was ready but the land reclamation is still under process. Even in mid of the project, the Koreans have placed much effort on branding and beautifying it. There are numerous stop-by site for the leisure of the locals as well as for the admiration of the foreign tourists. Bravo!

We finally reached the Jeonju City at about 5.30pm. Our first destination was at a local restaurant where they served really yummy noodles. Kim prepared noodles with fish stock for us. Noodle was my all time favorite. Needless to say, I enjoyed it very much. I loved the mild spicy thick fish stock base. I championed this round. I could finished it despite the serving portion was extra huge and I was the fastest too :P

After the filling meal, we walked to the nearby Gyodong-dawon Traditional TeaHouse. The tea has mild tea scent. It was calming and refreshing to enjoy the tea in such a peace and laid back environment. According to the owner, the tea was best served with wheat cracker but I found it a little too hard. Anyway thanks Kim for showing us how to make and serve the tea!

Finally at close to 8pm, we went and checked in into our hotel for 2 nights, Jeonju Core Riviera Hotel. After days in Korea without connection, finally my room here was connected. I got a PC in my room and I enjoyed facebooking again while watching Korean tv channel :D

After many dry nights in Korea, we finally broke the spell. For the first time we were out at night for a drink. We were introduced to the traditional rice wine called 막걸리, 'Makgeolli'. We took the wine with some Korean dishes and 1 of them was the silkworm. I like the worm's texture. It was unique and tasted much like fish roe. I did tried out the cashew nut ice cream too...

Everything seem so different and I am eager to experience and see more of the differences.

For more photos,please refer to FB album