Lunch at Hansang Korean Restaurant

I often passed by Hansang Korean Restaurant at Novena Square 2, and decided to give it a try. Truth be knownst, other than the Korean BBQ lunch I had at Awon Korean Restaurant (Excelsior Hotel) years ago - which was supposedly a very authentic Korean restaurant, I seldom take Korean food in Singapore. 

Hence, I decided it was time for another Korean meal in Singapore. The traditional looking Hansang Restaurant is resplendent in shades of white and beige, light wood furniture and a cosy setting, is found at 10 Sinaran Drive, #03-32 Novena Square 2, Singapore 307506, its contact number being 6397 6752.

This restaurant serves meals from its ala carte menu (they have more than 100 items, rather impressive) or if one prefers, may choose the Korean BBQ instead. We chose ala carte.

So they served the appetisers / side dishes first - beginning with the platter of Black Beans, Potato Salad and Anchovies (Ikan Bilis) -  other than the anchovies, the other two items were not exactly traditionally Korean fare, were they? Nonetheless, these tiny bites were tasty.

Then an assortment of tiny side dishes such as tiny fried tofu cubes, marinated lotus roots slices and Kimchi etc - I understand they could  be refilled but we did not ask for any.

Finally, the Korean Pancakes - frankly, I could not tell what was in there other than flour - was it scallion? Green chilli? A little bland in taste, but I liked it this way; also I liked the slightly-starchy flour texture of this pancake.

Chicken Bibimbap came - served with a fried egg - the ones I ate in Korea came with raw / semi-raw egg which I could mix easily into the bowl of rice and vegetables. I loved the spicy Kimchi taste and large beansprouts of Bibimbap (hot stone bowl with rice and assortment of vegetables) but for the one served here, I did not get much Kimchi overture, so I had to add them from the array of side dishes. The overall combination when mixed together, still tasted pretty good.

Then the Korean Ginseng Chicken - very tender chicken flesh that was mentingly soft, and tiny grains of glutinuous rice reckoned into a hot Ginseng brew. The taste was very bland - we did not know if it was because it was meant to be so, or if our tastebuds were conditioned to enjoy the bolder Ginseng flavor in Chinese Ginseng brew. 

We spent SGD$20.00 each on our lunch here. It was not bad, actually - cosy environment, undisturbed solace, average service and rather lovely food items - and we were very full at the end of the meal. This is an ideal Korean restaurant for family meals or friends to enjoy a simple, healthy meal together.

Chilling out at KPO Cafe Bar

I have always been curious about this rooftop bar / lounge that shares the building with Killiney SingPost branch - KPO Cafe Bar. On nights that I passed by, I heard tantalizing music pounding from within - so inviting; yet I was reticent to head in because I'd also heard that it was a pickup joint for expatriates. 'Cos you know, I'm not that kind of girl... :)

Anyway, been there twice since last year - and other than the place being perpetually crowded, I have no complaints about this cosy chillout haven situated at 1 Killiney Road, Killiney Post Office, Singapore 239518. The number to get connected is 6733 3648.

Interestingly, its name, "KPO", does not stand for the Hokkien version of being nosey ("kaypoh") nor does it stand for "Killiney Post Office" - it is actually the initials for its location, being situated at the intersection between Killiney Road, Penang Road and Orchard Road.

So, this little cafe bar boosts of a totally chilled ambience - unpretentious, relaxing and simply-decorated. I always try to snag a seat on level 2 - the rooftop bar that looks more classic and romantic. The music may be a little loud though, but for the patrons, it was probably what we needed exactly - something to lose ourselves in. The DJs are pretty good. It provides the ideal place for friends to gather for drinks and bites,or colleagues to unwind after a long day's work.

That night, Sylvia* and I decided to chill out there, and we were fortunate enough to get a seat at the rooftop balcony that I preferred. Outside here, music was not as loud, and we could chat over drinks, food and a cosy alfresco ambience.

Besides my Mapu Cabernet Sauvignon and her Somersby Apple Cider, we shared a variety of snacks.

First there was a Wasabi Prawns - tasted like they were stir-fried? Succulent and bouncy in texture, basked in the tantalizing flavors of spicy-wasabi - this is a must have for prawn lovers. They made for the perfect snacks as each prawn was shelled and bite-sized. 

The Pork Cubes -coated lightly with flour / biscuits, fried to a perfect crispiness. The overall texture is crispy, firm, but not hard. The taste was a light saltiness that sat well on the tongues, and I loved the bite-sized cubes as well,  so easy to eat.

We also had the Truffles Fries - crispy slims of potato fried to crispy golden shade, and always a delight to munch on. 

Overall, another great drinks and dining experience - each of us spent SGD$35.00 and enjoyed the overall ambience, views, music and food very much.

Butler Sky Dining (private capsule) - Singapore Flyer

All right, after sky dining in a cable car, let us now look at Butler Sky Dining (private capsule) in a giant Ferris Wheel - Singapore Flyer. The World's Largest Observation Wheel is located at 30 Raffles Avenue, Sinagapore 039803 and the number to dial is 6333 3311.

It was exciting to anticipate, no doubt - imagine dinner in a private capsule, being offered prestigious views of the city from 360 degrees - a private, exclusive and memorable event for sure.

This is a dated entry as I was there last year, 2012, as part of an incentive reward with some colleagues, for attaining certain targets. Hence, do focus on the experience and not the food items alone, all right?

Prior to boarding, we enjoyed sparkling wines or mocktails at the Flyer Lounge. We were supposed to gather at 7.00pm sharp, but anyway we had express boarding. Dinner would last for an hour - meaning, 2 rotations of the Wheel.

Our very own capsule came, lined with white table cloth, looking like a classy restaurant caught in space. The polite staff came to ensure we were comfortable, and then served us  Pumpkin Soup *in a cup) and Salad. We were busy chattering away, and admiring the stimulating night views that slowly changed with every upward ascend of our capsule. 

The soup was hot and tasty, though a little sweet for my personal preference. I had no complaints about the fresh salad.

We went around taking photos of the night scenes and with each other. After the first rotation, our main course of Fish Pasta was being served - scumptious spaghetti cooked in cream sauce and accentuated by tender fish fillet. A glass of house wine was being served with main course as well.

Desserts came next - chocolate truffle cake - something I enjoyed alot, and tea or coffee.

Overall, it was a delectable four-course meal with quality food and rather good service. The winning points were really the total privacy offered in an exclusive, elegant setting, enchanting views and great dinner companions.

The two major downsides were :
(i) The serving time was not well-paced, we felt. They allowed us 30 minutes to slowly finish our soup and salad, which was a little too much time (at least in comparison to main course and dessert) - we felt there was a lag so we filled in the gap by taking more photos and chatter. Yet, during the second rotation, they rushed our main course, wine and desserts. Many of us ended up not taking the tea or coffee as there was no time to.

(ii) I was extremely displeased at one point when I came back from taking a photograph with a colleague to find my dinner plate cleared. I was saving the best for the last-  my shrimp was left on my plate and I was about to devour it when my colleague asked to take a picture together. So I stood up to oblige - and returned to find the service crew had removed my plate without even checking if I was done!

Other than that, the overall experience was fabulous. All of us enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

Tackling Thailand - Provocative Pattaya

I visited Pattaya, Thailand, a few years ago, part of a package tour to Bangkok. Do bear with the lack of photos for now as I await Priscilla* to send me. Four of us girls joined a tour group as it was our very first trip overseas all by ourselves, and it was exciting of course.

Pattaya is a popular resort city about 100KM northeast of Thailand's capital, Bangkok. That is about two hours by coach or car. Then we were ferried to Coral Island (Koh Larn) beach - white sands, clear aqua-colored waters that looked ever so inviting.

Beach Activities

So what does one do on the gorgeous beaches here, besides lying down for a sunkissed tan or frolicking in the lovely waters?

We heard that the underwater diving or snorkeling there offered great views of gorgeous marine creatures, but we were not that adventurous. A couple of the guys took to it, I think.

Priscilla* and I got onto the Glass-Bottomed Boats so we wouldnt get wet, but yet were still able to indulge in the eye feast, watching schools of colorful fish swimming by, beneath our feet. The experience was fun and a little scary though - half the time I feared the bottom of the glass boat might give way; I felt vulnerable. But the views were well worth it; they alleviated all fears and worries.

Next, we tried Para-sailing. A powerful motorboat would travel around the island, bringing with it the parascender attached by a special parachute called the parasail. It was rather exhilarating, being up in the air and enjoying the magnitude of blasts of seabreezes all around us; we were literally soaring. Strangely I felt no fear of falling or the harness being loosened etc at all. In fact, I think we did it twice.

Night Activities

Want a drink or a companion? There are plenty of bars and pubs in Pattaya, filled with expatriates on the hunt, and an equal number of petite, sensual ladies on the prowl as well. Head to the hot club scene, Walking Street (Bali Hai)- a well known red light district in Pattaya. Some of these bars are Gogo Bars, where scantily-clad girls performed sensual dance moves and even S&M.

Alternatively, one may choose to watch the famous Tiffany Show - one of the most famous transversite cabaret show featuring spectacular performance. I attended - the ladyboys were all svelte, long-legged, fair-skinned, with prominently sharped features. Think, porcelain-smooth skin, high cheekbones and fine brows. They sang and danced very well, decked out in really gorgeous dresses and gowns. It was delightful, though at some points when they actually came offstage to disturb the male audience - some of them got rather offended.

People are often curious about the Thai Girl Shows (not "Tiger Shows" as how they often sounded like) -we went to take a look as well, since it was always described to be wild and "happening". These shows are also commonly know as "Ping Pong Shows". Disappointingly, what unfolded onstage made us yawn in boredom - maybe the men would find it more fascinating? 

Naked girls took to the stage, performing various stunts with their groins - such as opening a can of Coke, slipping a goldfish into their vaginas and then extracing it, dangling a ping-pong ball down there, etc. Finally, a nude male came onstage and he would engage one of the ladies in sexual intercourse - there was nothing sensual or arousing about their mating - they looked expressionless and bored themselves. 

Cultural and Other Activities

I guess shopping would be more fun. There are a number of malls and outlet stores around - Central Center Pattaya, Fly Now Factory Outlet, Mike Shopping Mall, Royal Garden Plaza, P.S. Plaza etc.

There are also a number of traditional Thai massage parlours around for those who wish to relieve and soothe their tired, tensed bodies and treat themselves to a healthy indulgence. Personally I find Thai massages a little painful, especially the twisting, kneading and thumping (not to mention the masseurs stepping onto my body). 

For those seeking cultural penetration, do visit the Nong Nooch Village - renowned for its beautiful tropical gardens featuring many varieties of plants and plants. There are also cultural shows such as Elephant Shows, Cock Fighting, Boxing Matches, Monks Ceremony and Marriage Rituals as well, for visual enjoyment and foster understanding of the traditional customs of how ancient Thais lived. 

Conclusion

The above cultural activities were all included in our tour itinery but Priscilla* and I missed it - we were stuck at the Thai police station making police reports about money that was stolen from our seedy-looking Baiyoke Pattaya hotel room.  Oh yes, don't bother staying there- it is nowhere near the league of its sister outlets such as Baiyoke Sky or Baiyoke Boutique Hotel. Dark corridors, tiny rooms and creepy looking chambermaids with wary eyes and knowing smiles. We'd just left our room for about 20 minutes to head downstairs to buy some fried scorpions as snacks when our monies were stolen.

Overall though, Pattaya is an interesting tourist spot filled with a variety of activities and experience to suit different tourists, other than just the gorgeous beaches.

Sky Dining - cable car dining by The Jewel Box

For lack of a better, unique way to celebrate Mon Beau's birthday, I decided to go for the Sky Dining by Jewel Box - a four-course dinner served up in the air, in the cable car between Mt. Faber and Sentosa - how cool is that?

So it works this way - head to the Cable Car Tower at Harbourfront Tower 2. There, a Jewel Box Cable Car fetched us to Mt. Faber, where we lounged over sparkling wine or mocktails before our car was ready for boarding and dining in. Each trip would take about 30 minutes, so try to get to your destination by 7.00pm if not they may change your itinerary to a three-course meal instead, time permiting.

Meaning, a downgrade from the Diamond Set to the Emerald Set.

 The cable cars for dining purposes were specially altered to include cushy seats and a table lined with thick white cloth, of course. It instantly gave the tiny cabin a romantic and private ambience. The staff would fuss about us a little, ensuring that we were comfortable and the safety procedures. 

Once seated comfortably, the appetizers were served. For salads- it could be scallops with spinach salads or duck salad with garden greens; the menu varies yearly, and are different on special festive occasions as well. For soups ("warm brews") - it could be essence of chicken with quail egg or cream of wild mushroom with ravioli. 

A service crew or camera crew snapped photographs of us before the cable car took off. The food was rather delicious, and the soup warm. The darkening views were becoming breathtaking, but the cable car was a little rocky up in the air. 

In 30 minutes, having gobbled up the soup and salad during the stipulated time frame, the cable car has reached Sentosa. The staff would clear the plates and bowls, and serve the main courses of the season - steaks, seafood or pasta. We were a little chagrined to find that the entrees were not piping hot, perhaps they were prepared way in advance?

Here, each diner would be served with a glass of house wine too. I opted for the red one, of course.

We plowed through the meal with little conversation, trying to enjoy the sweeping views of the luscious city beneath us, and tried to relax at the same time (given 30 minutes). Frankly, a fair portion of our time was spent holding onto the stems of our wineglasses to try to prevent the wine from spilling. Soon, we reached Mt. Faber again.

The doors opened and the service crew came to clear the plates and replace them with desserts of lovely cakes and a hot cup of tea or coffee. I opted for tea. 

Our cable car went off into the dark night again, and we dug into the delicious pastries while trying to hold onto the cups to prevent spills again. We had to take heed when sipping the hot drinks too, since the ride was not exactly smooth, and we feared scalding our lips or tongues.

It rained along the way, and the gale shook the cable car even harder. The night views were replaced by diamond drops studding the glass windows of our cable car, and the ride became every more unstable. I feared a little, truth be known.

Overall, it was a lovely, exclusive fine dining experience - different from the norm. It offered a unique experience that was romantic, secluded and fun - something to remember. The sights were breathtaking (before the rain shaded us from the views) and the food was rather tasty, really.

The downsides were the time - I found it a little rushed as I am someone who prefers to slowly savour my food over conversation and wine. Also, the fear of soup / drinks spillage was present, hence edging off some level of total enjoyment. This is also not recommended for people with fear of heights or motion sickness - Mon Beau was feeling a little ill at the end of the rides (it might also be due to lack of air-ventilation?)



The three-course set meal (Emerald) goes for SGD$176.55
The four-course set meal (Diamond) goes for SGD$256.59

For reservations, contact 6370 8855.

Cruising China - Scenic Shanghai / Suzhou

After hearing stories from family and friends on their China expeditions - climbing the Great Walls of China, marvelling in the exotic beauty of Terracotta Warriors, enjoying the lovely Guilin falls, warming up to Harbin's ice sculptures etc, I was almost persuaded that I should plan a trip there.

Almost, but not quite yet - maybe after I've gone through the Top Three Countries in my list first?

Anyway, I did get to go to a part of China eventually - its largest city, Shanghai, a modern-esque beautiful city - as part of my Korean tour package. So, the good news is, I could write about my China experiene. The bad news is, there are no photos as the camera was lost during the same trip. It was just a 3 Days 2 Nights Shanghai trip anyway.

What was I expecting - dilapidated buildings, inn-like restaurants and lots of temples? Well, not for Shanghai - a city bustling with commercial activites and businesses by day, and bursting with night life and blazing lights by night. There were many shopping malls, bars, cafes and skycrapers, surprisingly. The Shanghai-ese (people of Shanghai) dressed very stylishly and were literate and rather poised.

15th October 2008 (Wednesday) - we reached Shanghai's Pudong Airport from Seoul. Here, another tour guide by the name of "Xiao Xiong" (small bear???) greeted us. Then we were coached to People's Square (Renmin Guang Chang) to tour the bustling, posh malls and commercial district. Heard it was converted from a very old village. We had Haagen Dazs ice creams there - surprisingly, the weather there was relatively warm compared to Korea's chilly climate.

We had dinner at some Chinese restaurant- I noted down in my manual diary that while all dishes were tasty, the most remarkable was the Pig's Trotter. You'd be surprised I still recall how the posh restaurant looked like - a stage at the front, red tableclothes, posh maroon carpeting and slim waitresses clad in traditional Chinese dresses (cheongsam). We were divided into two tables - big round tables- and seated somewhere in the middle of the restaurant.

After dinner, it was shopping again, this time at some shopping strip at the large City God Temple (Cheng Huang Miao). It was bestirred with many people walking about the magnificent temple - some offering prayers, others crowded along the shops and eateries. Yes, there were plenty of shops around the vicinity peddling souveinrs, keepsakes and interesting foodstuffs thats some of my tour mates dared to try - delicacies like duck's necks, tongues of some other animals etc. 

                                               Sorry I just had to borrow a photo from www.trekearth.com to emphasize 

                                              on the grandiose of this temple and its vicinity. Yes, this photo was exactly it - 

                                              how it looked that night in question, taking us by awe.

I managed to purchase some souvenirs from some of the shops before we proceed to check into our hotel. I did not record the name down -  but it was a rather dingy-looking serviced apartments kind of concept. They split us up into different floors as each level could only accommodate 2-4 rooms I think. 

16th October 2008 (Thursday) - After a decidedly-awful buffet breakfast, we journeyed into Suzhou City's Couple's Retreat Gardens ("Ouyuan") -  a famous Chinese classical garden filled with series of pavilions, halls, towers, mountains and water scenery.

There is a famous saying that goes, "Suzhou chu mei nu" in Chinese that basically translates into "The beauties originate from Suzhou", so we were curious and keen to see some great beauties soon.

We visited a large house supposedly owned by a very wealthy Chinese gentleman, and took in the traditional Chinese architectural designs - colored glazed roofs, large courtyards, windows with exquisite applique designs and exquisite flower patterns on pillars. They explained to us how and where the houseguests were entertained, and we saw some pretty impressive furinture and antiques around the mansion. 

Next, we were being entertained with a song and dance performance by the Suzhou ladies - using umbrellas and colorful sash. Frankly speaking, besides the tall, slender figures, we really did not spot any great beauties among the performers - we saw more eye-candies in Shanghai. It was a lively and lovely performance nonetheless, exposing to more cultural indulgence. We were transported out by boats.

The next stop was the Silk Factory, where they showed us how silk was obtained from cocoons, and how they were spun into silk fabrics. Silk was lovely, of course, considered a luxurious fabric - and silk bedsheets and comforters could retain temperatures so they helped enhance sleep. Plus, we were told they were good for skin if came into constant contact (eh?), so we were persuaded to make purchases. You would be surprised most of us bought something - myself included.

Lunch was served at another Chinese restaurant - this, I totally had no recollection of what we ate or how the restaurant looked like.

Our next stop was Tong Ren Tang - a producer and retailer of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and pharmaceuticals needs. We were seated and given lovely, hot foot massages to ease the foot fatique of long treks during the trip itself. The masseurs and physicians were going around telling our fortunes and talking to us, trying to sell us their services and products such as expensive herbs, remedies etc. Most of us managed to resist.

Dinner was consumed in another posh Chinese restaurant, this time with fascinating performance onstage. 

                                       Photo source: www.chinatourguide.com - river cruise on the Huangpu River 

                             overseeing electrifying views of the city and also the prominent Oriental Pearl Tower.

After our meal, we embarked on a river cruise on the Huangpu River, all of us either sitting silently in awe watching the enchanting night scenes unfolding before us, or jostling to the edges for photos and videos. I never thought Shanghai's night scenes were so glorious - every building was lit up opulently, some buildings even had images that changed within seconds. It was electrifying, almost spell-binding to watch.

We also saw the famous Oriental Pearl Tower (Dongfang Mingzhu Ta) lit up in its glory, stretching all 1,500 feet up towards the night skies. It is a TV and Radio station, but there's observation deck, karaoke and dance floors, and restaurants in it as well - it is Shanghai's most prominent building.

I don't think we got to scale that tower, or did we?

17th October 2009 (Friday) - We breakfasted and left for Jade Factory, where we watched the jewelers at work, and were once again persuaded to make purchases. As beautiful and glorious jades were - especially when they came in different blue-green hues, I did not think of wearing them. Not yet, anyway, but managed to get something here for the mom as well.

Then we headed to the Pudong Airport, had lunch, and flew back to Singapore.

It was an enjoyable trip in Shanghai overall, finally satisfying my curiosity about a city once made famous by the Hongkong period drama TV series "The Bund" (Shanghai-tan) in 1980 - often referred to as "The 'Godfather' of the East".

Kaptivating Korea - Soulful Seoul

I visited (South) Korea shortly before K-pop and K-drama became popular, so some of these may be a little dated. It was in 2008, October, and we'd followed a group tour since we knew no one there, nor did we understand the language. I did not know what my expectations there were, only that I was going to a new country with a culture I had yet to explore.

Sadly, for this trip, we lost the camera during a fight, so most of the photos were gone with the wind. I am writing this entry (re-writing, actually, since it was mentioned in a Xangan Blog that has since been shut down no thanks to the upgrade) based on my manual diary and a couple of photographs that I purchased from the tour guide's photographer (smart, eh? A photographer who followed us on the trip, took pictures for us, developed them into physical copies and sold them to us on the last day!)

OK, this is basically the only post-able photo that doesn't contain the entire tour group of 17 of us! This shot was taken at the Daegwallyeong Wind Village cheese factory at the sheep ranch, where we were divided into groups to learn to make cheese from scratch. That was our creation - our group consisted of a really nice couple, and a leading flight steward and his paralegal brother - all very friendly people.


The Trip Begins

10th October 2008 (Friday) -  Met the tour mates at the airport, and the tour leader from Singapore who would be accompanying us over there. Took the night flight to Seoul's Incheon Airport (with layover at Shanghai's Pudong Airport). So one could say that the trip began officially on 11th October 2008 (Saturday).


11th October 2008 (Saturday) - After the slumber on the flights and coach transfers, we finally stopped for lunch somewhere in Seoul. It was freezing cold, a slap in the face from the hot humidity in Singapore - but the winner was that they brought us for Korean Ginseng Chicken lunch. It had tasted ridiculously delicious at that point in time - piping hot, tender chicken meat, aromatic Korean Ginseng soup with tiny dots of glutinuous rice at the bottom. Our tour guide in Korean was "Michael" whom we nicked "Big Sweet Potato" for some reason.

Our tour group mates comprised primarily of a group of 5-6 very elderly ladies (in their 60s to 80s!), a family of four, 1 other couple, the two brothers aforementioned and their mother, and us.

After satisfying our tummies, we were brought to Sinchong (Ladies Fashion Street) to shop. I did not remember getting much stuff there, but was fascinated by the concept of the EWHA Women's University opening up to the public to shop. Korean fashion, especially wintry collection, was not really for me, I realized - even though the clothes there were relatively cheaper if purchased there (half price, thereabout). I bought a top or two, and some skincare products.

Then we embarked on a four-hour journey to Mt. Seorak, where we would spend the night. Along the journey we stopped for dinner at a food-court styled eatery, where we were served Bibimbap (Korean stone bowl rice mixed with vegetables). Bearing in mind that I was never a fan of anything Korean, this was the first time I was eating Bibimbap, and I thought it was rather interestingly tasty.

Reaching Mt. Seorak was a relief, after the long journey. It was very cold, but we were brought to our mountain resort rather efficiently. The views might have been beautiful, but it was nightfall and we turned in after a couple of drinks, so that we would be fresh for another long day tomorrow.


12th October 2008 (Sunday) - We woke to a very cold morning, but even though all I had on was a dress, leggings and denim jacket, I did not feel cold. We breakfasted, and were guided through Mt. Soerak National Park. It was gorgeous, imagine clean streets, trees with sparse red leaves, like how one saw in Korean movies. I made the climb halfway up the hill but decided to stop because of the steep steps and my heels.

Then we were coached to a temple (the name eludes me / wasnt captured) to see some magnificent Buddha-esque statue. I believe it should have been the Shinheongsa Temple, a historical monument constructed during the Shilla era.

Next, we were transported to where we boarded a romantic train ride and travelled along the scenic coast from Jeongdongjin train station to Pyeongchang. The train ride was lovely, sights of majestic waves and elegant beaches. We were told that a six-hour ferry ride across the seas (the one we were overlooking) would bring us right to the shores of Japan.

After lunch of soupy steamboat, we visited the Daegwallyeong Wind Village, where we hand fed the sheeps in the ranch, and could try to milk the goats if we dared. We entered the cheese factory next, where a female instructor, using simple English and the help of our tour guides, taught us how to make our own cheese, in groups of 6-8. The ingredients were surprisingly simple - cow's milk, vinegar, sea salt water etc. Within an hour or two, we had our own homemade cheese and we either ate it clasped between slices of corn chips, or dipped into the strawberry jam. We had red wine there as well. It was a hearty experience.

Dinner was Korean BBQ - greasy, hot and very meaty. They kept changing the grill for us as it turned black pretty fast.;

Another long coach journey brought us to Yongpyong Resort, where we were to spend the night. We were given time for a bit of self-entertainment - spa, hot springs, water theme park at Alpensia Ocean 700 or bowling etc. Despite the cold, indoors was warm. Most of us chose to amuse ourselves at the water theme parks - long water slides (lit by colored lights) etc. I loved the man-made hotsprings tremendously - they came in so many different flavors- red wine, fruits, coffee, herbs etc. In this freezing weather, the hotsprings were the perfect spots to warm ourselves and give our bodies a health boost at the same time.

After two hours of fun, we headed for a walk around the resort. Despite it being a mere 4.8 degrees, the gentle mists and emptiness of the vast space made the place almost enchanting, magical. I stood in the cold for a long while, lost in space, taking in the oddly serene beauty of the entire experience. Then returned to Dragon Valley Hotel for a good night's sleep after a long, tiring day.

                                                       Photographs of Namsan Tower / N Seoul Tower - sources:                          
                                            www.theworldsbestholiday.blogspot.com and www.evanbleker.com.


13th October 2008 (Monday) - We kissed the lovely Yongpyong Resort goodbye after breakfast and were driven to Everland Theme Park. I remembered it was a huge theme park but the rides were rather limited. We asked one of the tour mates to join us (a lady in her late 20s or early 30s who was the daughter of one of the elderly ladies), and we took some rides together - roller coaster, giant "water cup" ride, rotating house etc. Lunch was free and easy, so we ate the equivalent of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) here, fast-food fried chicken.

The next destination was a large Korean house owned by a very wealthy figure. The name eludes me - all I remembered were magnificent structures around the house, ornate Korean designs and vast space. There was a very huge courtyard where we were fortunate enough to witness a very traditional Korean wedding - traditional wedding garb in lieu of the white lacey wedding dress, praying to the Sun rituals etc.

Afterwards, we travelled to the Seoul Global Culture & Tourism Center, where we viewed some Korean historical displays and tried on the traditional Korean costumes to take photos. We also leaned how to make Kimchi - fermented vegetables in spicy and sour seasonings. Got our gloves and hands dirty rubbing the reddish seasoning (garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper and other spices) onto the cabbages and radishes. It was fun, but no one wanted to try their own creation, so we were told these Kimchi would be stored and donated to charitable organizations with meals.

I managed to buy some souveinirs - just some keepsakes and tiny gifts.

Next, we headed to the COEX Mall, a very huge underground mall containing malls, convention halls and exhibition centers. Here was where I bought a fair bit of skincare products, cosmetics and some accessories.

Dinner was hot pot, which was again delightful during cold nights as such. We also stocked up on some Korean instant noodles in bowls for supper - Korean instant noodles are nice! After dinner, we visited N Seoul Tower located on Mt. Namsan, for paronormic, beautific and glorious sweeping night views of the city.

We checked into Stay Seven Hotel Seoul, which would be ours for the next two nights in this city.


14th October 2008 (Tuesday) - We had a Chinese breakfast, after which we visited the Ginseng Monopoly Show Room and Amethyst Factory. These were the spots where the hungry salespeople hassled the tourists to buy something, so I bought some snacks for family, friends and colleagues. The leading steward travelling with us (who became a friend eventually) informed us not to buy the Korean ginseng here as it was commercialized, hence the prices were jacked up. If we were keen, he could show us the spots where we could buy Ginseng at better prices.

We visited some rather touristy places - the Presidential Blue House and a Palace (I do not recall if it was the Gyeongbok or Changdeokgung Palace). All I remembered was that I marvelled at the intricate structures and beauty of the place, immersed in the culture and could almost feel the energies of the people who might have stayed here - weird feeling, but this is what culture does to me.

We stopped by a Police Museum for a short visit, before proceeding to Lucky Seven Casino. I played the Jackpot mainly - had some small winnings but greed got the better of me and I fed all my winnings back to the casino at the end of it all. It was then I realized that we would not be visiting the larger, more popular Lotte World.

The final destination for the night was MyeongDong for shopping. I loved the streets filled with rows of boutiques and shops. Even as I was being jostled and pushed by the surprisingly rude Korean people who didn't bother apologizing for knocking people around, I had a fun time picking up dresses and glamorous accessories. These were not cheap at all, but pretty. I loved the skincare shops here as well - Laneige, Skin Food, The Face Shop etc. All the sales staff were so friendly, and kept thrusting free samples at passerbys - I collected a bagload of them, and also made quite a few purchases since the prices were very low.

If I am not wrong, dinner for that night was free and easy, since I'd recorded in my manual diary that we had turkey breast sandwiches and red wine.


15th October 2008 (Wednesday) - We packed our luggages after a Udon breakfast. Then we shopped at some store where I bought some spicy chocolates and other snacks. We were driven to the airport where we would continue the tour in Shanghai, but then that's for another blog entry about my China tours.

Overall I rather enjoyed the trip because of the cultural infusion and overall experience. I also loved how the streets were clean and lovely, the weather was cold, and the lovely tour mates we were lucky enough to have. My only complaints were the Koreans being a little brusque overall, and that we did not get to visit the gorgeous Jeju Island or Namdaemun market for more shopping.

Chilling Out at Dubliner Irish Pub

Set in a Colonial-style building and emitting the traditional charm of an English pub right down to its interior furnishing and paintings, Dubliner Irish Pub transforms you into another part of the world, whether you choose to sit outdoors on on high tables indoors. On weekends, one may be very much entertained by the live band performance; on weekdays, one may be very much pacificed by the quiet, undisturbed environment. 

The exact location is 165 Penang Road, Singapore 238461 and to get in touch, dial 6735 2220. 

I have been here for dates, chilling out with friends and business discussions before. The service crew are usually friendly and efficient. Patrons usually come here to relax, gather, watch soccer or engaged in soft conversations.

Whether one is having drinks or discussion at Dubliner's Irish Pub, this quaint European bar offers the ideal location for a composed, insouciant night of unwinding. In fact, even in the daytime, there are patrons sitting on the high bar stools or outdoor seats enjoying a cold beer or two, as well.

The drinks are not pricey as well. Wine, beer and bottles of spirits aside, they always take the trouble to decorate the cocktails and mixers beautifully - see above examples of my Mojitos, Long Island Tea and Strawberry Daiquiri, all adorned with fruits fruits to enhance the colors.

I usually spend around SGD$15.00 a drink here.

Dinner at Mitsuba by Yurine Japanese Restaurant

Once again, the interesting gathering between Edison*, Katherine* and myself - always dinner followed by drinks, with these two.

The chosen destination for the night was Mitsuba by Yurine Japanese Restaurant at 6 Eu Tong Sen Street #03-88 The Central @ Clarke Quay, Singapore 059817, and the contact number is 6227 0388. This restaurant is the third one opened by Chef Peter, and boosts of a lovely, enchanting interior, resplendent of both traditional Japanese design combined with sleekness of western touch.
  

We loved the setting already, stepping into the lovely interior of this sleek restaurant set against the Singapore River, offering breathtaking views that alleviates enjoyment of the meal itself. Whether for business meals, intimate meals between couples or gastronomical treats between friends, this place embraces all patrons warmly.

Once settled, we ordered our food and drinks, discussing our chill-out location after dinner.

The polite service crew brought our dinner to the table shortly. 

We started with Jellyfish - spicy, crunchy, chewy strips of tender jellyfish that set our teeth and tongue singing in merriment. Squishy, and thicker than the usual fine strands served in some other Japanese restaurants, this tiny plate of appetiser was snapped up within seconds.

Then the main course came - and all of us chose the same item coincidentally - Salmon and Swordfish Sashimi Rice (Don). Well, perhaps this shows that great minds choose alike, or friends of the same (great) taste flock together!

Look at the fresh, lovely hues of the raw slices of fish atop the rice. To our utmost delight, the food tasted every bit as tasty as it looked. The sashimi was fresh - bouncy in taste, rightly flavored with the metallic sweetness of fish, and thick, succulent. We relished every bite in delight.

Each of us spent SGD$30.00 on the meal here, singing praises, and would come back for more.

Dinner at Lenas Restaurant

Lenas is a modern, eponymous American-Italian fusion restaurant under the Ministry of Food line. I liked the adorable signboard and comfortable interior decoration the moment I set eyes on it,  and have been there at least thrice for delectable and affordable meals.

The large Lenas outlet at Bugis Junction is no longer located at level One, Bugis Junction; it has merged into a hybrid outlet with its MOF restaurant branch at 200 Victoria Street #02-45 Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021. The contact number is 6336 7630. 

The outlet has long row of couch and square wooden tables, furnished in soft lightings and comforting hues of brown and beigh. The service crew was friendly but took some time to notice customers when they wave.

The first time I went here, I had some Salmon Pasta that bode really well with me, hence I did not hesitate at all when Edison* suggested that we do dinner here for our mini gathering.

Katherine* had the Fish Pasta in Cream Sauce - golden-fried dory fillets with springy strands of golden pasta cooked in a sumptuous, light cream sauce - this dish was simple but pleasing to the senses. The dory was firm-fleshed, with the slightly-saccharine taste of white fish flesh enhanced by the near-crispy trimmings of the fried fish skin. 

Edison* had the Mushroom Pasta with an egg, and a Hoegaarden Beer, as depicted in the next photograph. The mushroom penne in creamy sauce tasted good on its own - leaning on the strong essence of mushroom flavor and the light cream balances the richness of the taste to a gentle, tasty rhythm. Stirring the sweetness of the egg into the pasta set the dish on another level of sapidity.

I had the Smoked Salmon Baked Rice - another yummy dish by Lenas. The rice were baked to an almost-crisp dryness, but the cascading, gently-melting cheese seeping through, did well to blend and transform every morsel into an amazing tantalizer. The smoked salmon was soft, and set the flavor of the dish to perfection. I had a glass of House Red to go along with my meal.

We spent SGD$30.00 each on average here, and it was money well spent for an evening of delightful food, merry chatter and a cosy, carefree atmosphere. Whether you choose to come here for casual dates or gathering between friends, this place provides a good, insouciant ambience.