Autumn Traveler in Shanghai

Finally went to Shanghai. Too many doubts at first after hearing many reviews from friends about the hygiene in China. Autumn Traveler's mental has been well equipped. Literally not. It was Spring season, we hope to see cherry blossom in Gucun Park and we were too late for that. The flowers had fallen out and it was so hot that day. Our disappointment didn't end there.

We found it hard to communicate with the taxi driver about the location of our apartment. Thanks to our host - Rui whom had been very helpful during our stay in his LOST apartment in Shanyin Rd, Hongkou District. He wrote the Chinese letter of his apartment so it's easier to tell the taxi driver about it. For some occasion, it didn't work well because the taxi driver didn't know the place and we were rejected for a quite of numbers. Seriously the government should have educate the usage of GPS in their transportation and make Shanghai listed as a more tourist friendly destination.

Oh yeah, Autumn Traveler stayed at LOST apartment. It is so well designated by Rui's friends who are the  architect. Feel free to explore their apartment through here . The pictures are exactly the same

During the 8-days staying in Shanghai, Autumn Traveler have learn how to spit. Locals are just comfortably walking around on the path with full of spits whilst Autumn Traveler were busy tip-and-toe. We are not sure if ever step on one or two. *laundry the shoes*


Would Autumn Traveler going back to Shanghai? Yes! definitely - to eat those Szechuan noodles that is just beside our apartment, Xiao long bao, and Yang's dumpling.

Autumn Traveller Goes to Hongkong

This year. This autumn, I visited Hongkong. It was my second time. I was still in primary school when my mother took me here for school break. Yeah, it's been so long. Before coming to Hongkong, I've been picturing myself enjoying the local foods. Roasted pork, chicken, duck, porridge and DIM SUM.

Talking about the roasted pork, chicken, and duck. I was traumatized with the amount of meats that we ordered that night. Since that night, every time I passed a food stall that selling these foods, I wanna puke out. This is the most memorable moments when I was in Hongkong.

Oh yeah, almost forgotten. I also got myself into a shameful scene. That night, me n mom were tired of walking. So making our way back to hotel, we stopover a noodle stall for take-out. As I've been expecting. All the menus were written in Chinese letter (I couldn't read). I tried to speak in broken Canton with the owner at first "Ta-pao mien (with a little help of hand gesture to tell him the amount that I wanted to buy - one)". He asked me (in Canton. I still could understand a little but couldn't speak) what kind of noodles that I want with an unpleasant voice. Like didn't bother to serve me. Then I let my mom to read the Chinese letter menu which were hung on the wall and she picked one.

Now, at this point, we've made clear about our choice but the owner kept saying the other menu and raised his voice. I couldn't hold back my anger any longer then I scolded him with Mandarin. I scolded him back for being impolite. Then he shut his mouth as preparing our order.

The weather in October was just fine. Not too hot and too cold. I would like to go back to Hongkong when it's in winter.

Singapore 2012

These photos stored in my computer almost for a year. I always giggling whenever see my niece in these photos. She is no doubt very active, smart and always has an unexpected way to reply you. She is incredible and adorkable. Miss her so much.

Had some ramen - Aoba (at vivo city) for lunch with my sister because she sick of Chinese food which she always had in her family. As usual of my niece, she acted like a little monkey. Hop here and there. Insisted to drink my hot matcha. Whenever her mom forced her to eat some noodles, she would making herself cough in fake and said "but I'm coughing le (in mandarin)"

I wasn't in a good condition during that time. I had a pretty bad cough and lost my voice but they didn't stop me for food hunt. Perhaps too tired. Last year, I had too much wedding invitations from his friends and mine. We were dropped dead and sick of eating the same menu.

While waiting the rain to stop, we were having Ireland's Potato which located near Bugis. There were many sauce selections. Tried one after another, we chose honey lemon. Or you can go for ketchup. Fries would never go wrong with ketchup.

I got to taste kki cake for the first time by Jenny who had walked and bought several cakes to celebrate my 27th birthday. Then this time, I had a chance to dine-in in kki cake. Tiny space with few tables for dine in. It sells some stationary as well. The atmosphere is calm and nice for chilling in humid weather.

Fried pizza which is just across from Bossini store (People's park). As I was waiting for my friends who were doing their last minute shopping. I was tempted to this pizza. Once I saw the amount of oil that were being used, I didn't want to have those oil filled in my body. But it looks good right?

These food that I would like to eat but couldn't. Blame to the cough!!! Nice to see yet couldn't taste.

A little treat despite of my worsen cough - Monster Curry. hahahaha… It was rich flavor and has various spicy selection. We chose an edible spicy. Afraid of upset stomach later. Sure will come back again in future visit. Ok time to say goodbye to Singapore.

Bahrain

What did you do during the long flight? watch in-flight entertainment, doodling, or sleep for the whole trip? I usually write journal, watch movies and take picture. I was fortunate to sit by the window though I ever read some article that sitting by window (flight) isn't the best place. But it helps me to killing time.

The Land of Churros

I couldn't believe that I visited Spain but didn't get a chance to eat churros. Shame on me. It was real easy to travel from Morocco to Spain. We took a 45 minute ferry but I never be a fan of the sea. I had seasick. Though our tour guide told us we might have a chance to see the changes color of the sea as we were approaching Spain. I didn't bother to move around. 

The only churros I ate during my stay at Seville. It would be perfect they had a richer and thickest chocolate to dip in. On the other hand, the chocolate tart is superb.

Believe me. This salad is so fresh and sweet even without any dressing. For 10 days, I didn't workout and I gained zero weight because mostly I was fed with these salads and meat. 

I didn't like their beef though. It didn't taste like one. Prefer my home country beef.

Besides churros; tortilla also put its name on the list must eat.

It was winter but it didn't stop me to have this ice cream. LOL. I still remember the tallest ice cream I successfully made my friends to eat when it was the most windy and cold in Seoul. We were freezing cold and forced to finish the ice cream because couldn't find a trash bin and we weren't allow to get some heat in store with foods on our hands.

Morroco

This is an overdue post. I had a business trip to Morocco and Spain last March. I should be blessed to get a chance for the trip. As a matter of fact, I did not have much fun. I prefer an independent trip rather than wasting too much time sleeping in a bus. Other reasons; perhaps I don't have families or friends to go with me. A two weeks trip, felt like a month.

So from Jakarta straight to Casablanca. I can tell you, it was a tiring flight. My body was worn out. A sprinkle of water on my face was a treasure. Morocco is part of  Africa. Yay~ I've been in Africa continents too. Surprisingly Indonesia passport holders doesn't need to apply for visa. I just knew it. I always find it tiring to apply visa from my home country. There are so many terms and condition to visit one country. 

I visited a few city in Morocco - Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakesh. The first night in Morocco, I took a saddle from Kenzi Menara Hotel to local restaurant. It was windy and freezing that night. I hate when the horse jog too fast. I only put on a thin windbreaker and successfully froze me well. The ride took approximately 20 minutes and it was fun except for the smelly horse's dunk.

I didn't find much difficulty with the food. I could eat most of its local food though it can't make it to my one of my favorites. Most of their foods has this distinctive spices.

The food was set in buffet and all of them were served cold. Since I'm starving, I just ate everything to fill my tummy. Didn't care much about the taste. Glad that it was just a salad.

Here comes the main course - kebab. I would say my last day in Morocco have been completed by having this kebab. It is the best kebab I had. It was so flavor and tender.

There weren't much activity in Morocco. Most of my time wasted slept in the bus. And when I reached their tourist sites, there were closed due to our late arrival.

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We tried to catch a free shuttle bus to Everland and I think that we had just missed the bus so I came out with the idea to take a taxi instead. Since there were 6 of us, we need to take 2 taxis. I sent 4 of my friends successfully. I and with the other friends; encountered a little duck-&-chicken conversation with the driver. What surprises me that not all the taxi driver know about "Everland" which they need to state out its precise location. To tell the truth, I did not know that Everland is located at Yong-in. So, when the taxi driver said," Yong-in Everland?"; I just answered it "YES". Lucky that I was right HAHAHHAHAHA~

I never thought that I would have much much much fun in Everland though I was not riding any rides in there. Curious what I was doing there? I walked, ate, walked, ate, walked, ate, walked, and ate. The weather was just right. Not to hot nor cold and I could enjoy ice cream again. By the way, I really like Pino-stick; a sweet potato stick. It is sooooooooooooo goood. 

I like their uniform. A hat is worn as well but these two might have their time break. Its uniform delivers a fairytale vibe. I would have one more picture with a male guard if my friend did not failed to press a shutter *seriously wanna choke her*.

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I think Korean people love to express their affection to their love ones with message. As I walked the whole building of Ssamziegil, all of its wall are covered with messages. 

 
If there is padlock messages on NSeoul tower, there is "what should i call for this?" message. All the messages were hung all the areas, fences, tress, benches or anywhere that you would like to place it.

I was so tired and wanted to roll my body back to the hostel. My legs were about to fell apart so I randomly entered cafe around Ssamziegil. Another message cafe. So many papers under the table and some are hung on the fences. And I did mine. I am not a good in drawing though graduated in design. *shame*

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I really fall in love with Samcheong-dong. It is a quiet neighborhood with lots of unique store. Not only of their products but also their way in decorating the stores. Every single store will attract your eyesight and would like to go inside to have a look. I wish I have more cash and would have bought many many many things from each store. Will go back there if I visit Korea in future.

I found this car was parked in a unique way. The owner might be an interesting person. Wish to know its owner.

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Right after our DMZ tour, I and with some friends supposedly to meet the other friend at "Anguk station exit 2". None of us had a proper meal since morning, hungry, tired and more depressed to follow when we could not meet our friend. 

The other friend already waited for us in anguk alone.

Waited near Dunkin Donut to get a free wifi.

When I saw a subway written "130 jongno-3-ga". I asked my friend who leaded us to these place; I ensured her that we might get off to a wrong place as I pointed to the signage. She insisted that we were on the right track and taught me what the signage meant - "it means 130 meter to jongno-3-ga"

Disbelief of what she said; I asked an ajusshi nearby and YEP we got off to a wrong place. 

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"uwaaaaaa~ it is teddy bear!!!" no no no, I am female but not a fan of dolls since a kid. Perhaps I always play police and thief with my little brother so I am more on the action type. We went to Teddy Bear Museum to enclose our Jeju trip. Had no idea why there is such museum. 

They are dolls with the same expression, different clothes and different setting. s.t.i.l.l. they are dolls. Will I get a punch because of my comment? *oops*

In its souvenir shop, I planned to buy some for friends and families. I was holding a  keychain *krw 7,000 made in china*. Then I found out only left KRW 10,000. Tried to seek some money from friends but they were still busy with the dolls upstairs. So I keep my cash in wallet hoping it will double up. 

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It has been only for few days, and my legs were in pain already. Day and night, we walked, walked and walked. At the point, I fell like I was not walking anymore but dragging my legs to move forward. It will not happening if I wear a comfort shoe.

Bought a pair of shoe - Babara. It is a Korea local brand. Though a little expensive but I am glad to buy it. It is comfy yet stylist isn't it?

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And the Jeju adventure has begun. Decided to hire a private taxi to explore the island. The first stop was Manjangul cave. In there, it was dark, chilly and the path is stacked with peebles or rocks so a comfort shoe for walking and light jackets are recommended. 

I might not have a good time down there if I was not walking with my friends because I not a fan of rocks. Since we are foreigners, we did not afraid to sing a song or talked in a loud volume.  The probability for others to understand our conversations were very very very low. 

The wind blew strongly at Seongsan Ilchulbong. If you are under 40 Kg, you might gone with the wind. Ok, I am joking. hahaha~ but it is true that that I had a hard time to walk against the wind. When I loose myself, I would walk according to the wind direction. 

I had fun with the stairs because I like sports. Another version of my friends who drained out who seldom doing sports. As I hiked, my stomach growled. Lucky there is a mini mart and had this pork sausage. A great snack to give it a try. 

A little panting and it is a great achievement to see this beautiful view. No other voices but the whisper of winds (ok~ lots of people chit-chating as well). But it is so relaxing up there. 

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I am not a beach type (I like mountain more) but Jeju is the exceptional. Not because Jeju is part of Korea then I like it. Will cover it later. Sadly I did not have plenty of time to explore the whole attractions in here. 

Everyone who crossed the yellow line is an aggressive type I assumed. Ah~ I remembered that I encountered to line up for flight check-in in Jeju. Mostly the Jeju ajumma would cut the line and proudly stand before you - with zero guilt. And I was like "er~ how could you…". I was not angry about it. More like a kid whose sausage being snatched away by the bullies. Same goes with the ajumma, you will understand what I am trying to describe these ajumma.

Not forgetting to mention that I experienced something that you might not have the chance to - losing a passport. No, it was not mine but my friend.  Basically the first day in Jeju, I explored Jeju International Aiport……….and airport police bureau. The officers in there are helpful compare to ours. Though their english is not that good but they really showed a great effort in trying to find the lost passport. Glad that the passport still can be found on the day. phew~

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Heading back to Hotel PJ for check-in and rushing to bring our luggage to Studio41 hostel at Hongdae before we left for Jeju the next day. We wanted to visit the flea market (every saturday till 5 PM). Lucky was not on our side; reached the hostel just right on 5 PM, so maybe next time visit. 

It was my first time to stay in hostel and collected a great experience during my stay in there. During morning, everyone were busy preparing a breakfast. No, they were all residents in this hostel. Without hesitation, I greeted everyone a warm smile and "good morning" and they will reply in the same way or maybe in a way better than mine. Seriously I have fallen in love with this hostel which the hosts are all very friendly, attentive and helpful. No worries, they are all well english spoken. 

You can check their website page. 

http://www.studio41st.com/

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Finally I went back to Korea for vacation. I was expecting autumn season but it was not at its peak yet. Could see some leaves were already in red too. It is very beautiful and romantic. We reached Seoul in the morning, bought our T-Cash and headed to Hotel PJ (Chungmuro Station).

We were all drained and need to walk stairs up-&-down dragging our luggage. It was pretty tired. So my recommendation, if you have a big luggage, don't ever use subway. It will be much much much burden.

Reached hotel but were not allowed to check-in before 2PM so it's time for shopping at Myeongdong. It is not far from our hotel. Walked about 5-10 minutes and it's already a shopping mecca. I was not in the mood of shopping yet because the next day we had to depart for Jeju. As the rest were happily shopping, I without a guilt to eat more street foods.

JjinPPang - Chinese red bean paste bun. This is sooooooo good. Besides its cheap price (KRW 1,000) and a palm size, the bun is soft, the fillings is rich, moist and not so sweets. The weather was windy and had this steamy bun is heaven. I wish to go back there to have this buns again. yummmmmmmmyyyy

OUT OF TOWN

I went to Brastagi last Sunday with a bunch of friends. It was a nice weather when we reached at there but the weather is no longer mild how it was used to be. Perhaps more and more tall buildings have been constructed at there. I wish the local governor would keep its cultural heritage. Somehow it is a good thing they set a policy to not allowing trucks for accessing the road during Saturday. That might one of the reasons, we could reached at top of Brastagi in an early hour.

Soon we were finding an orange farm by asking the locals here and there. Though the farm is quite small but still we enjoyed it. The entrance fee is so cheap IDR 3.000 and you can eat as much as you want. And if you would like to buy some home IDR 9.000 / kg. Instead of buying some home for families, we had a mini game by shooting each others with orange seeds. *we are so childish ha ha ha~

It was almost lunch time, we headed to Bukit Kubu; reminiscing the good childhood. I still remember coming to this park every Sunday with my family until I was sickening of it he he he~. The park is still clean and crowded just like the old days.


You can do anything in this park - play kites or ride a horse.

I never get bored with Europeans design.

The kimbap is not that bad and so thankful to Eva who had to wake up in an early morning to prepare our lunch. 

The weather was not as friendly as we thought. Suddenly, we saw a black cloud over our heads. Quickly we packed our things and headed down hill.

Never forgetting to stop over to have some grilled corn or steamed corn.