Singapore Re-Discovered

No, no, I have not changed job nor started working at the Singapore Tourism Board. But I decided to share some of the photos that I’ve taken on my long walks doing street shoots… all thanks to a friend who has been helping me to improve my photography skills. These were some practice shots I took when I bought my new digital SLR Canon 350D and idiot proof Fuji F31.

No doubt Singapore is very small, but there are nice things to see and great photos to take if we open our eyes big enough ; ) Found this nice grafitti at the Red Dot Museum (above)... cool isn't it?

More pixes here: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sandyl808/album?.dir=86cdscd

Best Lunch of the Week

Just one week back from Korea and I could not believe how much I miss Korean food. So much so that I had to specially make a trip to Hyang To Gol at Amara Hotel to buy kimchi (unfortunately, it was too sour and not as fresh and sweet as I would have liked it). And I missed 떡볶이 (Spicy Rice Cake) so much so that I took a cab down to TOGI Korean Restaurant at Mosque Street (Chinatown) to try their 라볶이 (Ramyeon with spicy rice cake) as recommended by a friend. While the rice cake was a bit too soft for my liking (I still prefer the street food in Korea which were much more chewy), it was still the best lunch I’ve had this week. But this is getting me a bit worried… I can’t be dining at a Korean restaurant every week. Looks like I have to learn how to cook more Korean dishes ; )

Lunch tomorrow will be home-cooked mandu kimchi soup, asparagus namul and bean sprout namul. Will have to wake up specially early to cook my kimchi soup tomorrow. That will be a great start to the work week ; )

Back to Reality

[Top: Peak of Soraksan; Above: Jeju island - street lined with cherry blossom trees]

16 wonderful days in the Land of the Morning Calm. Spring time in Korea is really beautiful but cold. After studying Korean for one year, I plugged up enough courage to go to Korea on a free and easy – semi-backpacking trip. When some friends heard about it, they wished my girlfriend and I good luck. Everyones know travelling in Korea on your own is tough ‘cos majority of the locals do not speak any English.

Yet we decided to be adventurous and took up the challenge. The trip took us to Seoul, Jeonju, Pusan, Jeju and Sokcho (Soraksan). Main modes of transport included intercity bus and plane, and subway within the city. We even drove in Jeju… but had to spend half the time trying to figure out how the traffic system works and it was difficult having to read the Korean road names quickly while on the road.

Nonetheless, it was a really great trip -- I’ve learnt and discovered many things about Koreans and their way of life during this trip. Besides savouring many great Korean dishes, we also experienced not one but two demonstrations (over the Korea-FTA), the dreaded sandstorm and climbed Hallasan and Soraksan. Mountains, rivers, waterfalls, cherry blossoms, canola flowers, lava tubes and snow… we saw them all! Great, isn’t it?!

More details on my travel blog… 지금 신간이 없어서 기다리세요. (I don’t have time now.. so please wait.)