3 months' break

I'll be starting my Europe travel next week. It's been a while since I took a long long break and I am looking forward to the trip. Will post pics here as often as I can..

Seoul & Jeju Dec 2015

This post is out-dated. Went with my mum, sis and bro-in-law. I prefer Jeju to Seoul for the nature and the sea side apartment we stayed at had a really good sea view. The guide/driver Mr Kim arranged our itinerary and meals really well. Although the sea side apartment is an hour away from the city, it provided a good respite for us holidayers. I would highly recommend staying 3-4 nights in Jeju, the apartment and Mr Kim. There was not much shopping to do in Seoul in December except for skincare and cosmetics.

Tips:
- this is the Jeju apartment with sea view https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/6148331?checkin=28-12-2015&checkout=31-12-2015&guests=4&s=UfwooIQx
- must-see sights in Jeju: the mysterious road, Seongsan Ilchubong (hike up), Cafe Bomnal at Handam Beach (very pretty cafe by the beach), eat black pork, eat fresh seafood eg. live abalone in hotpot, Jeongba waterfall (there are 3 waterfalls there but you dont have to hike or walk too far to reach Jeongba waterfall), teddy bear museum (there is more than one), take a walk in their local market eg. Olle market, visit the Manjanggul lava cave and hear the story about the Jeju female divers and why Jeju guys don't work
- in Seoul we stayed at the Yeungdongpo area which is opposite the Times Square Mall and near to train station
- in Seoul, must try fried chicken with beer, roadside tents (they sell almost the same stuff), korean bbq, the host pointed out that E-Mart is where the locals shop rather than Lotte Mart (more expensive), try ginseng chicken (there's one famous restaurant near the palace) and bingsu and don't buy cosmetics from Myeongdong (cater to the China tourists), if you are going to the Lotte Dutyfree make sure you plan it in the morning to avoid hordes of China tourists and visit the live seafood market and try the live octopus (apparently the like of korean young ladies) if you dare.

Yogyakarta & Borobudur Jun 2016

A short but satisfying trip. I find everything great apart from the spooky hotel room. Borobudur was indeed mesmerising; the immense size of the temple and the endless sculptures... It was very worth it to stay at the Manohara Hotel which has a connecting entrance to Borobudur and comes with unlimited number of visits to the UNESCO-listed temple.

Tips:
- in Yogyakarta, stay at the Malioboro area which is close to the shopping mall and market. Perhaps you can try the Ibis Hotel as it has a direct link to the mall. We stayed at the Pyrenees Hotel
- food in Yogyakarta is generally sweet. Try the "gudeg" - chicken cooked with jackfruit
- Wanderlust Cafe is a good chill-out place that offers good drinks and food
- the Batik Restaurant opposite Pyrenees Hotel has a friendly backpackers' vibe and is pocket-friendly
- the drive from Yogyakarta to Borobudur is 1.5hrs and costs between 250,000 and 350,000 IDR
- the drive from Yogyakarta to the airport is 0.5hrs and costs between 100,000 and 250,000 IDR
- stay for a night at the Manohara Hotel in Borobudur. It is more expensive but you can save time and the hassle of finding tours to bring you to Borobudur. You can explore Borobudur upon arrival in the late afternoon and join the sunrise tour the following morning. Walk up the hill for a bird eye's view of Borobudur

Die Gedanken sind frei

1. Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten, sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten. Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen mit Pulver und Blei: Die Gedanken sind frei! 2. Ich denke was ich will und was mich beglücket, doch alles in der Still', und wie es sich schicket. Mein Wunsch und Begehren kann niemand verwehren, es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! 3. Und sperrt man mich ein im finsteren Kerker, das alles sind rein vergebliche Werke. Denn meine Gedanken zerreißen die Schranken und Mauern entzwei: Die Gedanken sind frei! 4. Drum will ich auf immer den Sorgen entsagen und will mich auch nimmer mit Grillen mehr plagen. Man kann ja im Herzen stets lachen und scherzen und denken dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! 5. Ich liebe den Wein, mein Mädchen vor allen, sie tut mir allein am besten gefallen. Ich sitz nicht alleine bei meinem Glas Weine, mein Mädchen dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

1.Thoughts are free, who can guess them? They fly by like nocturnal shadows. No man can know them, no hunter can shoot them with powder and lead: Thoughts are free! 2. I think what I want, and what delights me, still always reticent, and as it is suitable. My wish and desire, no one can deny me and so it will always be: Thoughts are free! 3. And if I am thrown into the darkest dungeon, all these are futile works, because my thoughts tear all gates and walls apart: Thoughts are free! 4. So I will renounce my sorrows forever, and never again will torture myself with whimsies. In one's heart, one can always laugh and joke and think at the same time: Thoughts are free! 5. I love wine, and my girl even more, Only her I like best of all. I'm not alone with my glass of wine, my girl is with me: Thoughts are free!

The above translation is from Wikipedia.
Fischer Chor's version (in YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzbicnNZUtc

Fly!

I was reading the blog I wrote when I was doing Work N Travel and I found it really inspiring! The writing style, the things I wrote about and how I wrote it are amazing. I can also read the comments my friends had left at that time.

http://christina05summer.blogspot.sg/

This week's about dreams and future. Wohin soll ich gehen? *scratch head*

We all deserve to be happy

I chanced upon the article on "What to Do When Your Job Is Seriously Stressing You Out". I think their tips are very useful which focus on 3 main areas - our physical health, mental health, and sense of purpose. Number 3 is missing in my life though now I'm trying to fit more activities into my life. I thought exercising and trying to do more creative things work but who knows, it might also be that I'm so occupied now that I don't have the time to think I'm stressed out.

Read the article:

http://www.msn.com/en-sg/health/wellness/what-to-do-when-your-job-is-seriously-stressing-you-out/ar-BBrY966?ocid=spartanntp#page=1

Perth

It was a last minute trip with my then-colleague and we booked everything through Expedia/ Agoda. I can’t remember which. What I recalled most from Perth was that I puked in the trip and that I felt I was very under-dressed. Perth was surprisingly “warm” for a winter and now I finally understood why it is the warmest city in Australia. There was no snow and no need for snow boots or thick outer jackets though you do still need a jacket to keep you warm. Our hotel location was extremely convenient (you pay a premium rate for it) though it would even be better if breakfast was included.

A few of my takeaways from the short trip:

• One café which I thought was rather good was The Tuckshop Café. This was one of the recommended cafes. It was crowded both times when I went so expect to wait for a table. Their pies and coffee were good. Huge portion too. We went there on the first day we arrived in Perth and having had such a good lunch there, I returned to the café again on the last day of my trip. Another café is the Negro Café which was next to our hotel. I have to say that their breakfast and coffee were really really good (closed on Sunday)
• Love is love. It was raining and I was out exploring on my own. On the bus ride back to the hotel I saw this group of people holding rainbow-coloured umbrellas. I got curious and alighted. The event was people advocating for same-sex love. It was later broadcasted on the news. Something which stay etched in my mind was this phrase – Rain is the start of new beginnings. I thought how apt
• Talk about under-dressed. My impression from my previous trip to Melbourne and Sydney was that I do not need to dress well or pay particular attention to my attire in Perth but I was wrong. I think they are “dressier” than people in Melbourne or Sydney? I felt so out of place and embarrassed as I was in sports shoes with going-out attire but everyone around me was wearing either sneakers or pretty boots
• Kings Park. It was a really pretty park and there was plenty to see. We had a good walk and I recalled many birds chirping away wherever we turned. You can take the free ETZ bus 37 to get there. Swan River is also nearby if you are looking for another good walk/stroll
• Fremantle market is also a good go-to
• We signed up for a winery tour. It was rather different from the other winery tours I had been to as you really have plenty wines and beers to try. I guessed I drank too much that I puked at the end of the tour. =( I hope I didn’t scare my colleague
• Anyway, all the shops close very early in winter (around 5pm) so do plan your shopping early
• There are many free ETZ buses from the city to most of the attractions. I also think they are convenient for families with baby strollers