Asia backpacking - Japan

8/11/15

Flew from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo.

1. Meiji Shrine



2. Shibuya



3. Gundam

 

8/12/2015

Took train to Ueno, visiting the outskirt of Tokyo. 

4. Ameyoko: The traditional city experience in Japan. Recommended to come here! 

5. Naritaya

8/13/2015

Mt Fuji. It was foggy this day, and we couldn't see the peak of Mount Fuji, and the person there told me the best time to experience Mt Fuji would on early February.



So we decided to go to Fuji Q instead. We chose this theme park instead of Disneyland. We even rode one of the fastest roller coaster in the world.



8/14/2017

We spent the whole day on the bus to Osaka. It took almost 8 hours. We should have taken the fastest train but we did not :(

8/15/2017

Nara Park is the the park full of dears. We can have active interactions with them. It was a unique experience.



Then we walked to Todai-Ji temple which is the most famous temple in Nara.



8/16/2015

This was a very unexpected trip. We decided to visit local attractions in Kobe. When I first arrived here, this place is not famous with tourists however, locals like to spent their time in Mount Rokko. We took a trolley to go up the mountain.
The most interesting place to visit on the mountain is their Musical Box Museum. They collected musical box from all over the world and from any era. It was so fascinating to see how music is created using mechanical tools. I even made my own musical box!
There are other activities to be done on top of the mountain too. We visited their botanical garden, and observatory.



8/17/2015

We took another train to Kyoto and explored the must visit places in Japan!

Fushimi Inari. It was a struggle to take this picture! This place was swamped with hooman!



Arasyimaya. The bamboo field.



And that's the highlight of my Japan trip. I would love to come here and explore the North side of Japan next time!

Najwa A

Asia Backpacking: Seoul, Korea

5/21/2016

Destination 8: Gamcheon Cultural Village

We took an early flight to Busan. And we took Taxi to Gamcheon Culture Village. We asked for permission to store our luggage at one of the store and that lady is so kind. This village is the street art village. We were given a map to visit all the checkpoint in the village and explore all the local arts. It was interesting. 

Destination 10: Nami Island, Seoul

In the evening, we took KTX to Seoul. It took almost 4 hours. We spent the night at Nami Island as we plan to spend the next day in Nami Island. The next day, we took ferry to Nami Island and pretended that we are Korean artist in one of their dramas. 

Fun Fact: Nami Island is famous because of the Winter Sonata drama.

Obligatory picture of Korean food.  

Destination 11: Hongdae

They called this place the 'Mecca of Asia'. People are everywhere, street food are everywhere. And of course, I have to stuff myself with this famous fishcake.

5/23/2015

Destination 12: N Seoul Tower

We freaking walk to this tower. And when we were lost, we saw a taxi and the driver told us to walk up a lil bit. Yes pakcik, yes, thank you for loosening more screws on my patella.

Destination 13: Myung-Dong

If anyone is crazy for Korean skin care, this is the heaven of shopping. Everything is inexpensive here. 

Destination 14: Itaewon

We were lost here again because why not. Hahaha, this is the outskirt of Seoul, and if anyone wants to experience the old city of Korea, visit Itaewon! 

 On my way back to the hostel, I accidentally met my friend who studied in Korea! He told me he is going to see the sunset at The N tower and asked us to tag along. As we did not have the chance to really go up to the tower, I agreed to join him. As he is the expert, there's a bus to go up there. A BUS!

5/24/2016 

And the last day of our trip is to visit all the historical places in Seoul. We visited this palace of course and watched the guards performance. 

And lastly, Hanok village. It's the only village that they still preserve and keeps the traditional elements in their houses.

 

Asia Backpacking: Jeju Island, Korea

5/16/2015

I took a flight from San Francisco to ICN airport by myself. I bought a wrong ticket and end up a day earlier in Seoul from all my friends. In the history of my life, I spent the whole day being a zombie in the airport and I really appreciate it.

Tip 1: Bought a T-money card from the airport

5/19/2015

We took an early flight to Jeju Island from Gimpo airport. We arrived to the nearest LRT and it was not open. We called the tourist center from the public transportation and they advised to take the taxi to the airport. (UBER did not exist yet at this time). The taxi fees surprisingly is super cheap. We rented a car once we were in Jeju Island.

Tip 2: Get an international licence. It so much easier to drive in Jeju Island. The driver is on the left side.

Destination 1: Hallasan National Park.

The first destination that we chose would obviously be a hiking place. We were not prepared for the hike and were super shocked when everyone was wearing their hiking gear. But really, we do hike with our pretty clothes. Interesting fact, most of the hikers are locals elders and they are super healthy. Like seriously, stronger than us.

Our first authentic Korean meal. It was okay.

Destination 2: Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff

We drove to this cliff. If you squint your eyes, you can see that the rock is hexagonal shape. It was caused by the erosion of lava stone from the waves. The best part of visiting all these places in Jeju Island was that the entrance fees would be 1000 won ~ 1 USD for youth. 

Destination 3: Cheonjiyeon Waterfall

This is the famous waterfall here. Obligatory to come here too. We did not have the chance to meet up with the Dol Harubang that was said can grant all our wishes. No wonder my wishes did not come true yet. Hahaha

Dstination 4: Jeonbang Waterfall

Another waterfall because why not. It is bigger that the previous one. 

5/20/2015

Destination 7: Seongsan Illchibong Peak

Another hike in Jeju Island. Truthfully, I am a mountain person, and I do not mind hiking at all. The entrance fees would be 5000 won ~ USD 5. This hiking is a lot easier that Mount Hallasan and more people were here. It was crowded and you did not have the chance to stop walking as people was in line behind you. 

Destination 6: Manjanggul Cave

This is an overrated cave but it worth the walk. 

Destination 7: Udo Island

We did not plan for this one, we were lost due to putting too much trust on the GPS. We saw this ferry and they said it would be a day trip to Udo Island. Without any clue, we said yes to them. And I did not regret going here. We have no idea what to do here. We saw people rented bicycle and we decided to do the same. 3 hours rental is 10000 won ~ USD 10. 

So we basically explore the whole island on bike for three hours. I used my energy to the maximum. I felt like my legs are leaving me behind. 

After returning the bicycles, the owner told us to jump on the back of his truck so that we can catch the ferry. Now I can feel like a local Korean. 

End of our Jeju Island journey. Wait for the next part in the main land! 

Najwa A

USA Backpacking - San Francisco

Salamualaik,

I finished my finals on Wednesday, only Allah knows how relieved I was. But still, I am so worried about my results. I want to get all A's but He knows the best. Kerja kita, tawakal dan usaha selagi masih ada masa. 

So I took the 8.30 am to Chicago on Thursday, and have almost 10 hours sitting in the bus. I was so worried that I might miss my flight. But Alhamdulillah everything happened so smoothly. 

I thought my flight to San Francisco only took about 3 hours, but I was wrong. I forget to consider the time difference and it actually took about 6 hours.

I reach San Francisco at 11 am and I need to check in my hostel before 12 am, because that is their policy. So I called the hostel and said that I might be late. Thank God, she willingly to wait for me. 

The next morning, I strolled alone in San Francisco downtown. I went shopping, and such. I wonder why I never do this before. After doing some shopping, I went back to my hostel to rearrange my luggage, and I found out that I make a mistake by buying a duffle bag. I want to return it but I am too lazy to walk to the store and I thought maybe sometimes the duffle bag might have its use. 

I really fall in love with San Francisco, the downtown is so beautiful, but the living cost is so damn high. Other than that, San Francisco is full with migrates. Like almost every shop is owned by Chinese. Everywhere I go, I could spot Chinese first. 

Then I get hungry, I tried to google for halal food and while walking, the google maps seems to bring be to a weird place. So I decided to get back and find something vegetarian. While walking back, I decided to off my gps and start walking where my legs lead me too. And Allah knows I haven't eat anything since the morning, so He leads my legs to a halal cart. I am so grateful to meet the truck. 

Sebabkan tangan Najwa dah nak patah, tarik bag macam hape je tadi, so I will only upload a picture for you. This is the famous tram in San Francisco. 

USA Backpacking - New Mexico and Texas

It's been a month since I had my spring break and finals are approaching, but I don't have any chance to update about my trip. So here we go.

March 20, 2015

I had an exam that evening, and after I had finished with it, I took a bus to Kansas City. My first destination is to Denver, Colorado because I was joining my friends trip. 

March 21, 2015

I took the first flight and arrived Denver at around 7.50 am. My friends took me from the airport and we started our journey to New Mexico. We arrive Albuquerque around 6 pm and check in the hotel. We went to the Old Town after we settled down and the town is really like one of the Mexican movies if you ever  watched one. 

March 22, 2015

The plan for this day is to go the Sandra Peak Mountain by tram. We basically went up there by a huge tram and it was quite a nerve. The weather was hot at the bottom of the mountain, but you could still saw snow at the peak, just to give you an imagination of how high the mountain is. But the view is a catch. 

Then we went to the Balloon museum. Albuquerque, New Mexico is known for their hot air balloons. Every year, there will be a season for hot air balloon festival and people around the world would gather here to participate in the hot air balloon competition. Even while we were on the road, you could see many hot air balloons in the air. 

March 23, 2015 

We spent the night in Roswell, New Mexico. Our next adventure is at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It is a natural limestone cave and we have the opportunity for spelunking. Here's a picture of the inside. 

March 24, 2015

We move on to our journey to Texas. Our first stop in Texas in San Antonio. Early in the morning, after we checked out from the hotel, we went to Mission San Jose. Basically, it is the historic building where the Spanish influence the red Indians to join them fought against the Europe. We could see that people actually living in a house made for the wall that protect their city. 

Then we went to The Alamo, which is a mission too. But with more tourist as is is located near the downtown. When we were at the Mission San Jose, we could not find any young people, so we declare "We are the oldies". Just kidding :D Then we walk to the Riverwalk. Riverwalk is located across the Alamo. We walk from The Alamo to the Riverwalk. Riverwalk is the reincarnation of Venice, Italy. Hahaha. It is so beautiful with many restaurants across the river, and we ride the boat.

Told ya, I'm in Venice. 

March 25, 2015

We were in Austin. Our activity in Austin is burning ourselves while water biking. The weather today is quite hot, and I have stomach-ache, so I did not have any tourist mood that day. I was wearing track-suit and you could imagine, I was like a school kids who missed her bus.

That's me who looks really unsettling with the nice view of Austin city.

This is my favorite part of this trip. The Hamilton Pool, The view was so magnificent, that I can't even shut my mouth. I feel like living here and smell how fresh the air is. SubhanaAllah, He created it so perfect that nothing could ever duplicate it. Being here, made me appreciate more what I have. Made me have this weird dream of traveling my whole life. 

We have two more trips, but I'm too lazy to write in this post. I''m going to post it in the next post. 

Najwa A

Well, make dua' everyone!

What's one reminder that gives you hope?

"Call into Me, I will respond to you"- Surah Ghafir, 40:60

"I think we have this unavoidable tendency to assume that if our duas are delayed, they'll never be answered at all. And we begin to lose hope in our dua' and tawakal starts to fade. But when Allah SWT says He will responds, then it means He definitely will. And the difference between our Lord and mankind is that Allah SWT doesn't break promises. Always somehow, in some beautifully mysterious way, He will answer our prayer. Or maybe He will save it for the Akhirah, and it is better for you."

Happy enough?

What is the purpose of living if you are not alone? 

Well, you should just go straight to hell