I think it is normal for snow or even hailstorm during early spring. Been through a few hailstorm the size of golf balls. Thank god car window didn't break.

Anyways, I will be going to Korea tommorow. Hope the weather maintains cool, I really hate the hot and humid weather in KL nowadays. How can live with no aircond?

Just stay at Itaewon area, all the halal restaurants are located here, I would say more than 10 restaurants are located here. Please visit Korea Plaza (in KL) to get the special discount coupon book. You get up to 20% discounts

You have turkish, pakistani, bangladesh, indian and whatnot. All within walking distance of the subway. If you prefer trying any Korean halal dish, then walk towards the mosque, you will find a few Korean restaurants aim for muslim tourist.

There are a few cheap motels not listed on the web. If you are on a relaxing holiday I would recommend staying at the hotels here since it can be a bit noisy at night. A lot of muslim tourist would recommend Hamilton but I would recommend Doro Hotel. It's cheaper compared to Hamilton and the room is ok too.

At night there are halal kababs sold by minivans hawkers. 4000 won get you one kabab with free soda drink. Don't forget to ask for the hot sauce, very nice one if you like spicy food. The strawberries and grapes are cheap and nice too as desserts. Didn't try the Korean melon since didn't bring any knife to cut open. I was really surprise to find a box of pringles imported from Malaysia. Why do we get pringles manufactured from Thailand then? So weird.

If you own a ipod touch or iphone, don't forget to purchase the metro app. You will constantly use this to navigate the subways. For people with digicam and videocams, please visit Yongsan Electronic market. I purchase a 16GB SDHC at 10,000 won only! That is not even RM30, can you believe that. It's cheap because it's the Korean made brand.



The new KIA Sportage spied in front of the Itaewon mosque. Rumored to enter Malaysian market this October.

This post has been edited by gyver: May 29 2011, 08:36 PM

Not so troublesome. The train ride is ok all the way to Gangnam, but the bus ride is quite long to wait. It states that the interval is every 15 minutes but we had to wait near 45 minutes. Maybe just my luck. The bus fare is only 1,800 won and it takes near 1 hour to arrive at Everland Resort. Then when you arrive there have to take a free shuttle to the main entrance. Please be aware that the bus drivers are like F1 racing drivers so hold on or wear your seat belts You can keep you bags at the locker near the entrance.

When I was there early May, the tulips were still blooming at the 4 seasons park. There were still some cherry blossoms around. But as expected the rose garden were all barren. Been to Lotte and Everland and we all agreed that Everland was much more fun so don't miss it.

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Added on May 30, 2011, 8:57 pmThat's why I only scouted Korea cars, mostly Kia. Here's a hatchback Forte... it was speeding away so this is the only shot, sideways...



Here are the latest K5 Hybrid...





I photograph these at the COEX Mall, so enjoy...

This post has been edited by gyver: May 30 2011, 08:58 PM

Some people are messaging me about the coupon book from Korea Plaza, so for the benefits of all, here are some tips for theme park travelers

1) Everland
- you can use discount voucher from the coupon book
- not only do you get discount, you can skip the long ques at the entrance since you will be buying the actual tickets not from the entrance booth but from the group booking booth at the side
- they might ask for your passports

2) Lotte World
- you can print the tourist coupon from the website, use the coupon book or go to the info booth at the courtyard
- try the english speaking booth window and they will give you a map with the discount voucher,you might need to sign a logbook

3) Sea World
- use the coupon book for discounts to Seaworld, the 63 Building Sky deck, IMAX and etc
- please be wary that the digital signboard is in Korean only so try to get help from an english speaking guide there, you do not want to buy tickets to places you do not want to visit like the art gallery

Another thing is do make use of the Korean Tourism guides scattered around Seoul. They usually wear red uniforms with "English speaking guide" sign. I stumbled upon them at Dogdaemun, Namdaemun and Itaewon. They will issue you specific and detail maps of the area and help you navigate.

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Added on June 1, 2011, 1:37 amFor the Day 2... the trip to 63 Building can be push further down so straight after that you can catch the Hangang River Cruise since the ferry station is in the vicinity. Wow staying at Lotte World Hotel, we got a big bucks player here... hehehe

The Namsan Tower tickets to the observatory sold out quite early. I was there by 1pm and they were sold out. Maybe becuase I was there on the children day holiday and with all the school trips. Only left was the restaurants tickets. BTW Namdaemun is just nearby, walking distance or a 2500 won trip on a silver taxi, and 4000 on a black cab. Dongdaemun is further away from there.

BTW there is also a Mr Kebab in Itaewon. Don't forget to try the turkish ice cream and you will get a surprise. They also like Malaysians and the chap is quite friendly.

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Added on June 1, 2011, 1:51 amBTW no one mention here about the Safari in Everlands.

You do not want to miss out on the white tigers, standing walking bear just next to your bus. For an extra 120,000 won for the big bucks players here, you can opt for the personal experience riding in the new Sorento safari vehicle and the tigers coming to jump at the windows. Hahaha that is quite a rush I tell you, I only watch from the bus, hahaha... yes I am cheap. I guess they train them to do the stunt. I don't know why but the tigers are more active and fierce here, fighting like cats and not just sleeping around. Watching them on tv is something else, but seeing them fighting next to you is another story.

This post has been edited by gyver: Jun 1 2011, 01:51 AM

I travel the subways cash only. It's easier for me because the iphone metro app plots my course nicely. But for you travelers who just want to go with the flow, just pay for 1 stop and do a fare adjustment at the exit. It's same like the subways in tokyo.

But I read in the K-Rail booklet that if you use them, you get like 10% discount per trip. Furthermore the K-Rail pass has specific discounts for tourist, mostly for attractions and theme parks. I didn't bother with it since I already got the coupon book. But this option might suit you more. Get the K-Rail booklet guidebook from Korea Plaza.

prime time news show really teribble flood. are you sure it has cleared already? can somebody else reconfirm?