Asia Backpacking: Singapore and Indonesia

12/25/2016
I took a bus from Johor Bahru to Singapore. Checked in my bag and waited for my friends to arrive at the airport. We visited the Merlion!
Fun Fact: A Merlion is half lion and half mermaid. It was a myth saying that it is protecting Singapore. That's the reason why Merlion is located at the end of Singapore 

Red dot museum has a collection of unique innovation from all over the world that won multiples award. All the product designs are the original design from the innovator and get commercialized on the later on. It promotes creativity and encourages people to view these products from a different perspective.

We spent few more days in Singapore and visited cool places.

Then we flew to Jogjakarta. I really wanted to visit the Borobudur temple, so I decided to visit Jogjakarta instead of Jakarta. It was super crowded, but the view is so worth it. Then we walked around Jogjakarta and experience the local attractions.

Well, that's a short trip to these two countries in a week. I had fun but I did not take a lot of pictures.

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