Heyyy pple!

My heartiest thanks to all who sent me birthday greetings yesterday via sms, msn & facebook, and also to those who personally hand-delivered their birthday gifts to my house. I am really very touched :)

Unlike previous years, this year's birthday celebration was just a simple affair, a small dinner gathering with family members.
We had home-cooked food, pizza, kfc etc....
&& dark chocolate truffle birthday cake! My fave! :)



Korea Trip
23 November:
DEPARTURE

Met up with Alaine, Aijia, Zhilin and Joscelin at the airport at 10pm.
Darren and Kailer came to send us off.
After checking-in, proceeded to the departure hall for our 11.50pm flight to Seoul.

24 November:
"NEW HAIR"

Arrived at Seoul's Incheon International Airport after the 6-hour plus flight, and Sky was there with her father to pick us up.
After checking into the International Seoul Youth Hostel, we had lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Walked around Myeong-dong for a while before meeting up with Rachel for our appointment at the hair salon.
I had my hair trimmed and permed while Aijia, Joscelin and Zhilin had theirs rebonded. (: hahas.
The hair services in Seoul were real cheap.
Mine cost only about S$40+.
Rebonding also cost about the same. maybe just a bit slightly more.
After we were done, took a train back to Myeong-dong and had dinner.

As our hostel was located in the Nam San mountain, we had to 'climb' up a steep slope to get there.
The surrounding area was also dark and quiet.
Of course, it took us quite some time to get back to the hostel but it was good exercise. Hahas.

This is the entrance of our hostel.


Back in our hostel room, we realised that we had problem charging our phones because of the plugs.
Some of our chargers didn't fit into the plugs.
In the end, we resorted to using scotchtape to paste our chargers onto the plugs.
So problem solved.
Hahas!
Chatted for a while, then lights out.

25 November:
AMUSEMENT PARK~

Had our breakfast at the hostel's rooftop cafe/self-served kitchen.


Then we set off to Lotte World.
We were there for almost the whole day, 12 noon to 7pm.
Most of our time was spent on the Roller coasters and Bumper cars.
And ya, we also went on the Viking which nearly killed us. Lol.
The Christmas celebration there was awesome too :)


Dined at Han's Deli in Myeong-dong, then back to the hostel.
Snacked and watched "My girlfriend is an agent" on Sky's laptop.
Turned in at around 3am.

26 November:
OWN SWEET TIME

Visited the N.Seoul tower and Teddy Bear Museum.


Shopped at Myeong-dong before heading back to the hostel.
As usual, slept at 3am.

27 November:
DAY OUT IN MYEONG-DONG

The six of us tried finding a sauna in Myeong-dong, but most were too ex.
One of the saunas actually charges foreigners about 6000won more than locals.
LOL.
So we abandoned the idea of going to a sauna and went shopping instead.
While shopping around, we saw long queues of guys outside a shop.
We thought that they were queueing for some sale stuff or something but later realised that it was actually Girls' Generation (SNSD) making an appearance in a shop there called SPAO and were giving out autographs -.-

Met up with Henry, Mingwei, Edmund and his bro.
Helped them with their gift shopping XD
Before heading back to the hostel, ate dinner at Han's Deli(AGAIN).
Snacked, chatted and watched a movie (G.I Joe-the rise of cobra) till around 3am.

28 November:
SEOUL GRAND PARK ^^

Trip to the zoo. Lol.
I love the sky lift.



29 November:
CHANGED HOSTEL-SEOUL OLYMPIC PARKTEL


Changed to another hostel, Seoul Olympic Parktel.
This time, our room was smaller but the facilities were much better :)
At least, we were able to charge our phones.

After settling down in the new hostel, we took a stroll around the nearby Olympic stadium and park before heading for lunch.
Sky's parents, together with their friends, treated us to bbq lunch.:)

Finally we found a sauna which wasn't too ex.
Sky guided us on what to do inside the sauna.
It was great to be in a warm/hot place with the weather so freezing cold. XD

After that, strolled(and at times JOGGED) back to the hostel.
*No more steep slopes~!
Watched Korean Drama/Variety shows on television, snacking at the same time (:
Then went to bed at around 2am

30 November:
FIRST TIME SKIING

Went to Coex mall.
It was quite warm and stuffy in the mall, and we were all perspiring!
Went back to the hostel as Sky's father was waiting there to bring us to a ski resort (which is not in Seoul) for night skiing.
Reached there after about an hour, rented skiing equipments and clothes, and started to ski.
We fell quite a number of times, and Sky's father had to help us up. Lol.
It was fun!
Got back quite late and we were all so tired that we went to bed right after chatting.

1 December:
SCARY~~~!

Visited the Seoul Olympic Museum and Coex Aquarium (marine zoo).

Seoul Olympic Museum~



The Coex aquarium at Coex Mall~



After that, we went to the Royal tomb-Seolleung and Jeongneung.
Leading to the 'temple' were 2 stone paths, a big and a small one.
At first, Sky stepped on the big stone path but later switched to walking on the small stone path with us.
After viewing the 'temple', we descended by a stone staircase.
Someone who had been observing us asked us whether we were foreigners and explained that the big stone path and stone staircase were for the late king's spirit to walk on.
The small stone path was for the 'current' king to walk on.
OMGGGGGGGGGGG!!!

Back in the hostel, we started packing away.
Halfway through our packing, a group of teenage boys started banging on our door and shouting at us to open our door in korean.
We ignored them at first, but they kept on knocking on our door and that really irritated us.
After a while, we got so scared that we kept silent and armed ourselves with glass cups and filled water bottles (in case something happens). LOLS
Minutes later, our room phone rang.... but we didnt dare to answer it =X
Sky called her parents and informed the hostel reception.
It was then we learnt from the reception staff that the boys were from a countryside school, here for some kind of immersion trip.
They were staying on the same floor as us, and probably thought that we were their friends?
Later, the reception staff came up and told us that they had arranged to transfer us to another room.
It turned out to be a SUITE ROOM, with sofa, queen-size bed.......NICE! HAHAHAHHA
Free upgrade.
But so sad, we could only enjoy the luxury of the suite room for one night as we had to leave the next morning =.=

2 December:
BACK TO SINGAPORE

We took only a short nap before waking up to catch the 4.30am shuttle bus to the airport.
Slept through the bus ride...

At the airport, we discussed our views on certain things (like how people react to situations) while waiting for the counters to open.

Weighed and checked in our luggages when the counters opened.
Aijia nearly exceeded the 20kg limit, her's was 19.9kg. Lol.
If not, she would have to pay for the excess weight.
Lucky for her :D
Hahas.
Boarded the plane for the 6-hour plus flight back to Singapore~

I slept for 15 hours straight after I came back. Hahas.
Like a pig!

For more photos, check out my facebook album. It's still not complete though coz of com prob.
**album will be updated when I am free :)

Will update about Korea trip soon.... XD



*something wrong with my computer now ):