Shopping in Dongdaemun

Dongdaemun - just one sentence to describe this place: "Gals shopping paradise!" And guys, sorry nah..you will get your pocket burnt a damn big hole when your wife or gf is here. But dun worry..guys too can pick fashionable style here too! Time to have your wardrobe overhaul here if you have a boring closet! So guys and gals, I suggest that you should go shopping hunt separately to save time! :-P

Anyway, before you start your shopping marathon, do note that the price in Dongdaemun is relatively higher compared to Myeondong and of course, for the price you pay..you get better quality item, especially those "Made in Korea" (I strongly recommend that you should get at least 1 piece of "Made in Korea" clothes as they really have superb quality *thumbs up*). The shops around Dongdaemun differs in prices, from mid-scale to high end. And you know what's the best part of shopping here??! Most of the shopping malls here are opened from 10am to 5am daily!!! Isn't that wonderful where you can shop all night long till you are broke! LOL! 

There is a major street that goes through Dongdaemun Market, dividing it into 2 sections. See the map below where the yellow line is the divider.

Section 1 & 2 of Dongdaemun Market

Section 1 (the left hand side of the map) mainly features the retail stores. Major shopping malls in this area include Doota (located within Doosan Tower), Migliore, Good Morning City, Freya Town and Hello apM. Due to time constraint, I just managed to shop only in Doota :-(

Doota Mall

Doota, one of the many large fashion malls located in Dongdaemun Market, has a tax refund system enabling foreign tourists to claim a 10% refund on goods that you purchase here. When visitors purchase goods at shops displaying the "Tax-Free Shopping" signs, they can be reimbursed for the 10% VAT at the "Korea Refund" center located on the 3rd floor of the passenger terminal building of Incheon International Airport. Check here for more information of Tax Refunds in Korea for visitors.

Guess what is my shopping haul from Doota? Well..as the price is quite steep, just managed to get a vest jacket (which cost me about RM100+ after conversion) which I luv so muchie as I saw lotsa of Korean ladies wearing such fashion.

Me wearing the vest jacket the next day (really can't wait :-P) Alvina, the lady in my tour praised my vest is nice *grin* Nice bo?

Section 2 (the right hand side of the map above) mainly features wholesale shops. Like the shopping malls in Section 1, the shopping malls in Section 2 sell both retail and wholesale goods. However, unlike Section 1, most of the items are only available in bulk. The malls here usually open at about 8 p.m. and close at about 5 a.m. the next day. Do note that there is usually no dressing rooms available for the wholesale shops in this area.

Younger shoppers usually shop at Designer's Club, Migliore Valley, Nuzzon and Gwanghee Fashion Mall, while middle-aged shoppers tend to prefer shopping at Jeil Pyeonghwa, and Heungin Stardom.

How to get here?

Transportation: 

Seoul Subway Line 2 Dongdaemun Stadium Station, or Line 1 or 4 Dongdaemun Station. You can alight either at Dongdaemun Station (동대문역) or Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station (동대문역사문화공원역).

End this post with a photo of me in Dongdaemun :-)

Outside Doota mall

Remember to checkout my full Korea travelogue here.

Teatime in Coffee Societe @ Publika, Solaris Dutamas

Another post of coffee addicts in Coffee Societe @ Publika, Solaris Dutamas. It is located just a few steps from Coffee Stain. Checkout my previous post here about Coffee Stain.

Coffee Societe @ Publika

There are lotsa of wooden furniture in this cafe which gives a comfort and cosy feeling, especially the dim lightings.

The bar and cashier area

There are lotsa of wine bottles displayed at the rack. Forgot to check their menu..I think the should serve wine too?

Sorry..can't capture the poster which stated they offer Ladies Night every Thursday from 6-9pm. As long as you come in a group of three or more, you get free coffee. Too bad la for guys..no free stuff for u

The chairs also wrapped with traffic signs..creative!

Coffee Societe sugar

Coffee Societe Menu

My flat white coffee RM7.90

Boyfie's Picollo Latte RM6.90

A shot of boyfie acting cool..

And also a shot of puffy looking face of me

How to get here?

Coffee Societe @ Solaris Dutamas
Solaris Dutamas, Block D4,
Level G3, Unit 3A,
Jalan Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Tel: 03-6211 5523
Email: coffeesociete@gmail.com

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeSociete
Twitter : https://twitter.com/CoffeeSociete

Opening hours:
Monday - Friday: 8.30A.M. - 10P.M
Saturday - Sunday: 10.30A.M. - 11.30P.M.

**CLICK HERE for more COFFEE PLACES we’ve visited

Flights To Jeju Island From Seoul

For those who are planning a visit to Jeju by yourself from Seoul, there are couple of ways to go there. One of the most recommended ways for sure is by taking flight since its fastest rite? Why do you want to waste your time in the train or ferry as when you are traveling, you try best to cover as much places as possible rite? And if you take flight, its only about 1 hour journey long.

There is quite a number of domestic flights from Seoul to Jeju Island. However, you will encounter language barrier as some of the online flight booking websites are in Korean and some only accept Korean Credit Card for payment. Perhaps you can use Google translator or get someone who knows Korean to translate and help you in booking the flights.

Here is the list of airlines flying out from Seoul city to Jeju Island:

(Note that you are supposed to fly from Gimpo Airport and not Incheon Airport to Jeju Island. Dun go to the wrong airport..lolo).

* If you need info on how to get to this airport, check the link here.

Can you see all the airlines listed here?

1. Asiana Airlines 

Website: http://ea.flyasiana.com/Global/EA/en/index

(Asiana Airline formerly known as Seoul Airlines is one of South Korea's two major airlines, along with Korean Air.)

This is the flight which I took for my last trip to Jeju. The website is available in English, so no problem in booking it.

ASIANA AIRLINES

2. Korean Air

Website: http://www.koreanair.com/

*NOTE: Website is available in English. 

(Korean Air is the largest airline of South Korea)

KOREAN AIR

3. Jeju Air

Website: http://www.jejuair.net/

* NOTE: Website is available in English.

(Budget airline)

JEJU AIR

4. T'Way Air

Website: http://www.twayair.com/

*NOTE: English language not available in website. 

(Budget airline)

T'WAY AIR

5. Jin Air

Website: http://www.jinair.com/Language/ENG/

*NOTE: Website is available in English

(Budget airline - fully subsidiary of Korean Air)

JIN AIR

6. Eastar Jet

Website: http://www.eastarjet.com/book/index.htm

*NOTE: Website is available in English

(Budget airline)

EASTAR JET

7. Air Busan

Website: http://www.airbusan.com/AB/airbusan/english/main.jsp?loc=en

*NOTE: Website is available in English

(Regional airline which is a subsidiary of Asiana Airlines)

AIR BUSAN

Before booking online, some of the above airlines will require you to register as a member first. 

If budget is a constraint, check the budget airlines (which I have tagged above) like Jeju Air, T'Way Air, Jin Air and Eastar Jet. These airlines might offer the best deals especially if you book few months ahead. You can probably get KRW77,000 (which is ~MYR218+) round trip tickets inclusive of taxes. I read couple of bloggers post before who recommended Eastar Jet as the first choice for cheap flights to Jeju. Perhaps you should check that option first?

That's all. These are our Asiana Airline boarding ticket

Hope this post is helpful for those of you who want to plan a trip to Jeju Island from Seoul.

*Remember to check here for the summary of my 2012 Korea+Jeju Trip itinerary.

Coffee addicts in Espresso Lab

A quickie post on boyfie's coffee addiction. Did I ever mentioned in any of my previous posts, that occasionally we would love to scout for a new “yum cha” place, particularly somewhere that spells COFFEE aromatically. Well..since boyfie is a coffee addict (oppss..he will be piss when he sees this *grin*) and he always need to re-energized with a nice cuppa of coffee after meals, so on that day before our Man Of Steel movie in TGV 1u, he need to have his energy boaster again! So we decided to try out this new place : Espresso Lab which is in 1U old wing.

It's just a stall in the middle of pathway (not the kind of nice fancy place) and with tables and chairs in front of some shops. Doesn't look like a v nice place to hangout or chill out..but if you in a need for a booster while shopping in the mall, this is one of the nice coffee place you can try. See the photo below..you can sit at the espresso lab bar tables there..where they served you directly too.

Boyfie looks happy to get his booster of cappuccino

2 cuppa of cappuccinos and 1 slice of tiramisu

Personally I dun really like the tiramisu here as there's too much of cream on top of it.

Heart shape art cappuccino matching with my heart shape cardigan?

**CLICK HERE for more COFFEE PLACES we’ve visited

How to get here?
SK108, 2nd Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre (Old Wing), 
Bandar Utama City Centre, 
47800 Petaling Jaya, 
Malaysia
Email: perfectchemsb@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Espressolab-One-Utama/168609139961257
Website: http://www.espressolab.asia 

Gardens by the Bay

Have you ever visit the new Singapore iconic super groovy trees? This is my first ever visit to Gardens by the Bay to check out these gigantic super groovy trees.

Super gigantic super groovy trees in Gardens by the Bay, rite?

Here is a shot of us before we start go up the super groovy trees behind us. It's so freaking hot weather..so sorry for the unhidden umbrella from this photo..

The Super trees are AWESOME! They are 25 to 50 metres, 16 storeys high, with large canopies that provide shade in the daytime. 

I can't help but be awestruck by the presence of these giant structures. This is the tallest, 50 metres tree that has a Supertree-top Bistro that provides 360 degrees view of the garden

Two of the 25-meter Supertrees are connected by a canopy walk known as the "OCBC Skyway"

Spot the tiny humans on top of the walkway behind boyfie?  We are going up there now!

You can go up the OCBC Skyway via the elevator inside the trees for S$5/person. The best time to go is before the sun is about to set so its not so freaking hot.

OCBC Skyway

OCBC Skyway

Rates:	From $3 - $5
Hours:	Daily 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Last ticket sale at 8:00 PM Last admission at 8:30 PM

Spot me walking on the skyway? Actually I was sooo..freaking scared tht I keep pinching Rin's arm that she got blueblack after tht..haha!

If you have height phobia like me, you really need to brave up before start to venture on the OCBC Skyway. As you venture out to the middle of the walkway, you will start to feel the movement of the path, swaying gently… needless to say, I freaked out hoping to go back..but I got no choice but to brave up and continue ahead.

While walking on the skyway, on one side you could see Marina Bay Sands and another side of it is the garden view of more groovy supertrees view.

View of Marina Bay Sands from the skyway

Another view of more tiny groovy supertrees up closer

A shot of myself that I finally survived the phobia of finish walking the skyway. Yeay!

A shot of boyfie with different view from the skyway

From top of the skyway, you can also take a shot of the cupid angel too. Saw the white angel there?

A shot of Rin with her signature smile : wan to smile but dun wan to

If this is your first visit here, the entrance to the skyway is worth a visit!

How to get here?

Take the Circle Line MRT. You have to go down at BAY FRONT MRT Station (CE1) and take Exit B. Follow the underground link way and you'll exit near the Dragonfly Bridge into Gardens by the Bay.

GARDENS BY THE BAY is directly across Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. You just have to walk across the Lion Bridge that connects to the Dragonfly Bridge.

If you want to explore the gardens more, I will recommend you to pay for the Garden Cruiser (S$5), which is a golf cart-like mini bus that takes you around and let you hop off at the Visitor Information Centre where you can just walk to the Supertrees area. It has audio guide that explains on the different heritage gardens and attractions, explaining their significance to the colonial heritage of Singapore.

GARDENS BY THE BAY
18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Facebook: Gardens by the Bay
Telephone: +65 6420 6848
Email: feedback@gardensbythebay.com.sgWebsite: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg - See more at: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2013/05/gardens-by-the-bay-singapore.html#sthash.9Ll0lExE.dpuf

GARDENS BY THE BAY
18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Telephone: +65 6420 6848
Email: feedback@gardensbythebay.com.sg
Website: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

Lastly, a more nicer shot of my floral pinafore dress from Twenty3 online website that matches the background of Gardens of the Bay bo? This is one my of fav online shopping site now as the pretty owner Sherlyn always brought in the latest and hippiest fashion trend at affordable price.

Happy Sunday!

Remember to check out here for my travelogue in Singapore. 

Collection #4: Hello Kitty & Melody Pad Lock

It's been some while since the last time I share about my Hello Kitty collection.

Btw, have you all heard about the Helly Kitty Fairy Tale craze last month in Singapore? If you have not, check out this link here. This really reflect Singaporeans really kiasu! Sorry, I did not meant to scold Singaporeans but I just can't stand them selling it for so freaking high price just to earn money from loyal kitty fans. Shesh! And it's so crazy that the ugly kitty..they are selling it for $126,000 in ebay! My goodness..if that really can fetch so high price..I can buy a condo already la in Malaysia. *fainted* I will treasure my beloved kitty collection that I have...so precious.

Anyway, below is a short photo post on some of my collection. I will share later on my whole set of Hello Kitty Fairy Tale set soon :-)

Thanks to Rin for adding this cute Melody and Kitty pad lock to my collection. Both padlocks are from Singapore. Could not find it in Malaysia tho.

Kitty pad lock

Melody pad lock, which one nicer?

Oh..show you as well my 2012 birthday gift from Rin, which is a Hello Kitty lunch box. Luv it so much but I find its kinda small a bit as a lunch box. I used it as breakfast box instead to keep my bread :-)

2012 birthday gift from Rin: Hello Kitty lunch box

The lunch box comes with a pair of chopsticks on top

That's all. DO NOT look forward for Monday blues tmrw...*sigh*

Wanna see more of my Hello Kitty Collections? Checkout here.