Holiday in Seoul part 1 - Trash Panda Included!

Good end of November, folks! Had an internal job switch so was a bit busy running around for appointments. Those who go for appointments will know that the actual tiring bit is the travelling involved. 

Just yesterday I took 30 mins to get to Woodlands Industrial for one, the actual appt lasted all of 20 mins... And then trying to take Grab out was $48!! Even though I can claim from company, my stinginess decided that wasn't a fair fare (hee hee) and so I went for breakfast before taking a bus to Woodlands Interchange. The Grab fare went to a more fair fare (hee hee) of $17. 

But enough about work, it's boring. It's time for some escapism! On to SEOUL, baby!!

peeeewww (sound of plane flying)

We took a morning flight, so we had to get to the airport by 6am. Tiring... And we were once again the last to board, so there was running involved. Nothing new there.

Unlike most tourists, our priority in Seoul wasn't about shopping. Mainly because we are online shoppers, but also because the season there would be Autumn, and so the clothes might be too thick. And I perspire easy. We were even in thinner and lighter clothes on one of the (trash raccoon) days!

I have to say, I think Seoul is a really, really clean city, comparable to back home. Despite the lack of dustbins, you really dun see trash in the streets. And I have to give special kudos to the toilets. Even the toilets in the subway are amazingly dry and clean. This is very different from back home where even some shopping mall toilets are dirty. Colour me impressed. 

But on to the strolling around. So much cute stuff to see! 

I love Peach. Sickening face.

Fantastic things to see when we walk around in Myeongdong and Hongdae. Having soju while walking around makes it even better, cos when it gets cold, just take a sip and you'll be all warmed up.

I should have taken a picture of the subway map, it looks really complex but at the same time really easy to follow. The stations indicate what is the next stop, so you hardly ever take the wrong side. Oh and please download Naver Map when in Korea, it works far better than Google Maps.

And the view from Namsan Tower, or Seoul Tower for the sua-ku (uninitiated) people out there.

breath-taking

this photo is here cos i look slim

We also took time out on the warm day to find the cafe with a few trash pandas. They live in air-conditioned environment, and have ropes and places to climb. And their faces, so cute!!

my new bff

relak one corner

albino raccoon!

scratching backside

I really wanted to see raccoons up close, so this was absolutely enjoyable for me. They have a habit of washing their food, making sure it is just that food before they put it in their mouths, and they love eating ice cubes too! But to take note, they are much heavier than they look, and the fur is bristly instead of silky. But aiyo, so adorable!!

So that's it for now, the second post will be about the food we had. Cos damn shiok. Slurp and burp.


Signing off,
KJ
















Fun Fact: Raccoon cafes are not for raccoons to order refreshments and chill-out with friends.

10k followers already! Haha! April Fool's... Shit.

Now, April Fool's Day has come and gone. But do you actually know how it started? Origin story coming up:

April 1st is named FOOL'S DAY, after Steve April. He was born on 1st April 1579. He did 105 businesses in his lifetime. He lost all his father's assets, and so everyone started calling him father of the fools. At 19, he married a 61-year-old woman who divorced him after a year because of his foolishness. 

He used to read all kinds of fake stories like you are doing now. Ba Dum Tss!

Sorry, I'm not really bothered about the actual origins of April Fool's Day. It's simply a day where tasteless pranks are labelled as harmless jokes. Dude, licking all the forks and spoons before giving them out to your friends as an April Fool's joke? Not cool. Even until today, I have to keep reminding myself never to do that again, and to always send apology texts to my friends. It's been 20 years, but I think eventually they will start replying to my messages once more. Fingers crossed!

I actually tried it. Stupid onion cutting ninjas. Credits to 9GAG

Oh well, at least I will be looking to sort out my personal housing situation within the next couple of months, and will therefore be occupied with that instead of only the dating scene. Although, I am buying resale, and I very recently read about the news about not all flats being eligible for en bloc. Please please let the place I am looking at be eligible. I love PAP! Does that help?

I wish I had followed my Primary School friend's advice, and joined Financial Planning with her, that way I might have a lot more spare cash to afford better choices in the resale market. And I also wish I didn't add her on FB cos she keeps posting overseas trips. Sometimes to nearby short trips like BKK or Taiwan, but too many are in Europe and US. Tmd.

Of course, there are horror stories about pickpockets and robbers in Europe, and with the appalling economic conditions all over that continent, it's relatively understandable. Plus, with the major clamping down on PRC Officials and their dirty money, lesser tourists from Mainland China are travelling abroad, which means lesser rich people for Europeans to rob, steal and cheat. Wasted.

In fact, this has even affected popular touristy locations in Asia, like Korea and Singapore's own two casinos. I think the latest projected figures show a 70% drop in tourist spending for South Korea! Pardon my fixation with South Korea. The lady celebrities (whether plastic or not) are either Clara sexy, or super cute like TWICE.

Clara, the real Goddess of Nectar and All things Divine

Super cute right...

But let's get back to the traveling mishaps. The biggest tragedy of course, is the number of tourists trapped at popular attractions.

I feel for you guys

I told my friends to be careful there, I dun wish to lose friends in such a dangerous manner. Be safe guys, hugs. In fact, if it were me, I'll just visit popular eating places to try out all the local delicacies. Just make sure you learn their language so you get better service.

Guaranteed to work every time

To conclude, this was really a post about talking cock. And my weekend disappeared way too quickly.

Signing off,
KJ

Fun Fact: A blind man walked into a bar. And a table. And a chair.