Our Trip To Korea

Oh my!  Time really flies!  I can't believe that my last post was dated more than 3 months ago!  I've been so caught up with the daily stuffs and I dunno, somehow, I just lacked the energy to blog...  However, this trip is something memorable to me(us) and I want to jot it down if possible, so here I am, heeee.

 

Those who knew us well will know by now that our trips(due to hubby's work commitment/schedule) have to be planned 'last minute' and this one I must say, was really super last minute - it was only planned, confirmed and booked just a few days before we depart!(hopefully our next one won't be soo last minute)

 

We took the midnight departing flight and so the kids slept on the plane... :D.

 

Whilst waiting for our flight(we had tim sum whilst Rae fell asleep and Ne self-entertained, lolz)

 

Arrived! Waiting for our stroller
(cheh cheh had gone with Papa to look for the stroller but the staff brought
ours, together with some others', to where we were waiting, heee)

 

We first stayed at Polaris Hotel at Bucheon as it's nearer to the Incheon International Airport and was recommended by papa's business associate.  The room was very spacious(due to upgrade), with a platform for beds, a living area, etc... It was raining when we had settled in the room and so, we didn't explore much further and had only the nearby restaurants to try our luck with. We really had some difficulty placing order for our lunch!  Luckily, a young man who came into the restaurant later understood abit of English and helped us with our order - but, we still ended up with 2 claypots of this popular ginseng chicken due to miscommunication, hahaha:

 

Their kimchi seem to taste different(better) this time, perhaps it's becos we got to taste them at non-tourist area restaurants, unlike our 1st trip there, when we'd joined the tour group

 

Our 1st 3D2N at the Polaris Hotel

The Jaccuzzi tub where the 3 Tohs had their bath, together, every night there, :)

 

There wasn't much around for us to explore around this area, so we didn't get to buy much(as it's not in the shopping belt, which is in Seoul, and the things there didn't look any good to us), but since it's only the 1st day, we weren't 'worried', heee.

 

 

It was better in the evening, we 'strolled' out further, found more eateries and finally settled for 'Mr Pizza'.  The food tasted really good! lolz, but with Renee being a small eater(unless it's her favorite food), we had to pack some of our pizza back to the hotel.

Gearing up for the evening outing 

 

 

Look how nicely they've packed up our 'un-finished' food!

 

This was what Rachel would ALWAYS do whenever we got
indoor(and she felt warm) - Fussed to have her jacket taken off!

 

And this, was what she'd do whenever we need to put the jacket on her whilst still indoor!

But, once we're outdoor, she'd freeze in action(try to watch out for her 'frozen' look in the pics), lolz

 

 

Day 2, we woke up early to go for our breakfast so that we could be ready on time for papa's Korean counterpart to pick us up. 

Cldn't resist this shot when I went to wake them up after I've gotten myself and stuffs ready, :) 

Honestly, I was prepared and hadn't minded to stay-in at the hotel as the kids really enjoyed playing in the room(climbing up and down the platform was Rachel's favorite pastime[used to be Renee's], hahaha) but from the experience we've had at lunchtime the day before, papa was worried and wanted us to go with him - a pretty long ride to the factory! but well... another experience for the kids, :)

Hey, the staff was even allowed to bring her puppy to the office!

They took us to a sumptous lunch and when the kids(errmm, actually it's Rachel, haha) started to fuss, one of them turned on the cartoon on his mobile phone for some kiddos' distraction, hahaha:

 

 

We were brought back to the hotel after the visit/meeting at the factory so that they could continue with the meeting at their office, and the kids could have a rest/break.  In the evening, not wanting to go through the same search for a restaurant within the area, we decided to go back for more pizza but this time round, we even had to pack the whole plateful of chicken wings/tenders appetizer back to the hotel, :P.

 

Self-entertainment whilst waiting for papa's return to the hotel, :)

 

Yes, we're back at Mr Pizza, haha, with a food-fussy kid and one whom's too young

to be too adventurous with food, we have no choice and daren't take the risk... 

Just look at what this notti girl has done with cheh cheh's shoulder/neck rest? lolz

 

Her signature posture when out in the cold and she'd not move even
an inch when u fuss around her during those moments, hahaha

 

 

With a cab on call(taxi fares r really ex in Korea!), we proceeded to and stayed at the N. Four Seasons Hotel(where Namdaemun market is near to) from day 3 onwards, and right after our lunch at a nearby restaurant(surprisingly rather cheap and good), we went shopping!

 

The room @4 Seasons was smaller, as compared to the Polaris' but it's
super new and clean, so I like it! :D (we dun need e space, I had a hard time watching over Rachel at Polaris'! ) 

This is the result of not drinking enough water, haiz....

They sell these paos freshly steamed and seeing the crowd waiting,

we couldn't resist but to give it a try.  It's nice and got us returning for more another day, :)

Rachel wanted a try-on too, seeing cheh cheh enjoying her new box
of rings(and she lost this particular one she's put on!), lolz

 

Day 4, and it's fun time @Lotte World!  There didnt seem to be much changes to this place since the last time we've visited but Rachel was frightened by the parade which started right when we got in!

 

 

We had only just entered Lotte World when papa said we had to go out(more choices)

for lunch 1st, oh man! hahaha

 

Renee's enjoying the parade whilst Rachel got frightened, lolz

 

 

The only 2 characters that Rachel's not afraid of, :)

 

Saw Renee looking at this big carousel but she didn't ask for a ride, so we didn't join the que...

 

 

The que to the 'hot air' balloon - our kids got to experience what we've had before! :) 

 

To kill Renee's boredom, we left papa + Rae at the que and went for some games but

we didn't know how they work mostly(incl this...), hahaha

 

Trying to figure out how this game works, hahaha

 

Back at the que, I saw a young guy(whom we later shared our contacts with, after

chatted with him further) came back with ice-cream cones and I asked

him where I could get them - wanted to cheer Renee up 'cos dunno

why, she didn't seem to be up to the holiday mood yet

 

Boarding the Gondola

 

View from the hot air balloon

 

Some of the rides from bird's eye view, lolz

Look at the que for the Viking! (wonder how long was the que to the mini indoor roller coaster!)

In the que for some Tea in a Cup!

 

This is a shorter version of their 'tea-cup' ride.  See how Renee was wondering at e speed

of the other tea-cups? hahaha, Papa was busy video-ing his girl that he forgot to figure out

why their cup was the only slow moving one, hahaha!

 

 

It was total darkness inside the Mirror Maze but some TV screens were made available

outside for companions like myself to watch what was going on within and I saw Renee

doing really well in the 'laser' section - she's managed to avoid all laser rays, unlike Papa, haha!

 

Not sure which of my girls will be the 1st person to use these clips, :)

 

On reminder, we even managed to get her specs customised the same evening!

(though I wonder if she'd really get to use it at all since it'd be school holidays by the time we got home, hahaha)

The original plan was that we spend our 1st day in Seoul shopping at the nearby Namdaemun market, Lotte World the next, Everland on the 3rd and more shopping on the 4th.  However, upon learning that it'd take us 2hours(either by taxi Or by train + bus) to and fro, to Everland, we decided against it on the last minute of that morning.  We felt it'd be such a waste to spend 4 hours on travelling to get to a 'fun land' where all we could do was merely 'sight-see' ('cos from what we remembered, most of the rides are for older kids/teens) and so, we went shopping at Dongdaemun market instead...  But before that, we stopped by their History and Cultural Park :

 

Since the time she was asked to collect leaves for an artwork @Nafa Arts and thereafter by her current school, she's always been keen to collect leaves...

 

Having a break in-between more shopping!

(although I was afraid that so much of cheese, coupled with caffaine

might trigger my migraine but I simply cldn't resist!...)

 

After shopping, we went to catch a glimpse of their lantern festival

 Their X'mas Light-up along the way

We thought to give this a try but not sure how to go about it and being tired from a whole day outing, we decided to spare ourselves the language barrier agony + crowd squeeze and give it a miss, hahaha 

 

 The slope that led to our hotel and it's what helped burnt our calories, hahahahaha

I really loved this rice ball!  Even tapao-ed to the airport, heee

Papa's biz associate'd bought a bag of these(he chose walnut type) for Renee,

when we stopped for a break on the way to the factory, it's nice! 

 

Saw some local ladies taking pic of this - just see how high this man can stack his stock on his bike!

 

We spent our last day shopping at Itaewon.

On our own, we got to travel around on their subway, which is a better experience

for the kids & their fares are cheap too! Many hadn't bothered to buy tickets even, geez!

(we got a shock initially when they simply followed us through the wider gates[for strollers/wheel chairs] when they were seen to be making phone calls standing nearby and we were actually wondering why they were on the phone talking whilst still inside the station instead of getting out 1st)

 

 Can you spot it? - Pigs can Fly!

We try to make it a point to try out the known fastfood outlets in other countries

(we managed to try McDonald's and KFC there, amongst their local ones, heee)

 

Lazing around...

 

 

Managed to find these shoes last minute!

 

 Were greeted by this 'scene' when we arrived @ the airport for our return flight home

 

cheh cheh pre-occupied, so mei mei had to find her own entertainment...

 

 

 

I know, and in fact, I've told myself not to get these 'cakes' cos they're rather common in Singapore these days, but when I saw these fish shaped onest at the airport, I cldn't resist, hahaha

 

Cheeky Rachel trying to wake a napping in-transit passenger!

Enjoying her in-flight 'Men in Black III' movie(whilst papa & cheh cheh were sleeping...)

 

This trip reminded me of how I dislike what the cold/dry weather does to my hair - makes it flattened!  My hair became super manageable after we came back! hahaha.

 

*Hope I've 'captured' most, if not all, from the trip...(there r of cos more pics/buys than what're shown here, :D)

The Birthday Dinner with Fireworks!

This year, after having experienced a birthday stay-in at the Marina Mandarin couple of years ago, we decided to return to the restaurant where we had our 1st spectacular 'live' view of the fireworks.  Reservation was made weeks ago and with no other plans to replace its arrangement, we confirmed its booking.

Unlike the last time, we took our time(left home @4pm but shopped at MSq and snacked at KFC) to arrive at the restaurant this year and I felt that it is not a wise move 'cos we were just 'rushing' to the restaurant when the choppers were carrying the Singapore flag across the sky - almost miss the action...

We were ushered into the restaurant itself this time round when we were seated(I think it was because we have made that option then?) right in the open then.  Some changes noted too, the open area's much smaller this time round but with 'roof' over the diners in case it rains like before, :).

When the favourite dish of chilli crab was served, sparks of fireworks began but they were merely those that 'popped' after some performances, so we were still allowed to enjoy our crabs to the full, heeee.

Although we were indoor(maybe they had put us there knowing that we have a young toddler and a kid) this time, the view was still great and Papa said, "it's well worth-it" when the bill came, hahaha.

 only managed to capture pics on these dishes
('cos papa said "don't take lah" which made me felt awkward doing it, haha)

The damage

Watching the fireworks

This is the last video captured, Rachel, influenced by the cry of an older boy

from a nearby table, also got abit frightened by the loud sounds(fireworks)

Pre-Birthday Outing II - A Simple but Pleasant Surprise

Despite the unpleasant encounter earlier today, we were 'lucky' that Papa was able to bring us out to town, alittle earlier...  We had a simple dinner at SushiTei and with nothing in mind for my present, we headed home straight away...

After my shower, I had opened but closed the bathroom door instantly('cos I've forgotten something) and this act, must have misled Renee to think that I'm ready and out, because I heard her playing the happy birthday song with her violin! hahaha.

When I was out of the bathroom, a cake, lighted with candles was placed on a small table and Renee played the full song again, :).(needless to say, papa was video-ing the 'happening', hahaha).

Although Papa's gotten the wrong 'brand' of cake(I've told him I wanted 'eggless cake' from Emicakes this year, so our kids could share them!) and he's also gotten me a bottle of perfume which both Renee and I had commented 'hmmm, not nice huh?"(and it's costly!) when we passed its brand roadshow earlier, this simple gesture's(not forgetting the hugs and kisses from my girls) enough to create a smile in my heart... :).

The Gift - wrapped and unwrapped, :)

Found this envelope last night when I went in to check on Renee.  No wonder she'd asked

me for the envelope after I've removed its content.  Times like this reminds me that she's a good girl, who wouldn't waste or pester us to get her stuffs - a pack filled with different types of envelopes and letter notes were then placed on her bedside table... :)

 This is what's inside the envelope, :)

This is the new note she wants to replace the old one with,

when she found the nice ones I gave her :)

(but I insisted that I liked the 'original' one...) 

Pre-Birthday Outing I - An Unpleasant Encounter

School ends early at 10:30am today and I asked if papa's ok that we all go fetch Renee from school(instead of her coming back on school bus) and we went for a brunch , :).

We had wanted a Macdonald's breakfast(Renee refused tim sum) but as we were late from running some work errands, we had to do with an early lunch instead.

2 'not so nice' incidents occurred thereafter..  1st, Renee almost lost her mobile phone!  Fortunately, we managed to recover it - an old nice couple had found it and answered the call we made to its number, phew...

We were heading back from Bukit Timah Plaza(where we usually go to buy our groceries) when the 2nd unpleasant incident occurred.  A Caucasian lady wanted to enter the elevator we were on, just as the door was about to close.  Although there was still enough space for her and her trolley, it would nevertheless, be very cramp for everyone.  I moved in as much as I could, whilst pressing onto the button to hold the door for her.  But my, this was one rude lady!  She obviously had seen our trolley, 'cos she paused, just that mere seconds before she decided to burge in regardlessly.  She pushed her trolley harshly in and it hit Rachel's legs!  Without a simple thanks to me for holding the door, she didn't even apologise to us when she knew that her trolley had hit Rachel(her facial expression told us that she knew!)!  It was only after papa and I had uttered "my goodness" that she said, unapologetically, "sorry legs", GEEZ!  You call this an apology?  You bet, anyone would be angry at that!  Anyway, guess what she did?...

Rude Lady : "I didn't see her", *period*

Papa(upset): "You can't see her? are you blind?"

Rude Lady : "Well, she seems ok, isn't she?"

Papa          : "She's only a baby, you should have been more careful.  What if I banged onto your tummy and say sorry tummy?"

Rude Lady : "Well, I apologised, didn't I? Are you gonna just stand here and shout or you wanna move on" (mind, we didn't even raise our voice, let alone 'shout' as she'd claimed)

Wah, that was really too much!  I really almost flared : "your apology wasn't sincere at all! you're such a rude person!" and she retorted, facing me she said "you could have moved in more" and papa told her it was already so cramp and I reminded her "I was trying to hold the door for you!".  At this point, she just kept quiet but showed us a very unhappy face and acted all high almighty, like she's the queen and we were the ones in the wrong, my goodness.

Papa muttered, but still audible(that's the purpose anyway) "all these angmos... so uncultured" and I quickly added "exactly, wonder why they're here".  Now, such incidents really tell us, it's not why we Singaporeans do not welcome foreigners(whichever country they come from), it's them who made it difficult for us to accept them.  Just look at their attitude, their behaviour towards us and we are the lawful/rightful citizens of this country!  Even after we gave way to them, gracefully...  Honestly, if they're unhappy about not getting their hauty way here, we would all be much happier if they do not stay...

The 4 Incisors

Although we've been advised by dentists(both the Consultant at NDC and the school's) to leave nature to its work but, for the sake of oral hygiene('cos Renee's afraid to brush on the 2 loose ones), we decided to call upon the school dentist to extract Renee's 4 baby incisors since 2 of her adult ones are already out!  Actually they've been out(in full size) for quite a while now but like her other 2 bottom ones, these 4 simply refused to bulge(with the 2 middle ones still going strong! that's why I decided to have them extracted) - I guess that's the result of good dental care(and the fact that she didn't take juices/outside drinks when she's younger)since she was very young, hahaha.

I phoned up her school and when her form teacher returned my call, I learnt that 2 of her close classmates had also gone to the dentist this morning, :).  Soon, the school dentist phoned me and upon some discussion,  she said she'd administered upon the loosest one on the right(of the 4) first since I preferred her to have her lunch before the extraction of the other 3.

We dropped by BT Plaza to grab our groceries and was alittle late when we arrived at the school.  Renee was sitting outside the library reading the books waiting for us and we(esp. me) were disappointed to find the food stalls had already closed for the day(forgot that it's a single session school!) and I missed the opportunity to try out the school's food...

There were some older kids at the school dental clinic when we came back after lunch and, not sure if it's due to my pressence, Renee was suddenly frightened.  She even cried in the clinic, when she didn't flinch during the earlier extraction when only anesthesia cream was applied.  She wasn't even afraid when she went for her little surgery last year...

I was still with her, holding her hand when the dentist gave her the 2 injections and apparently, either the cream wasn't applied enough or it was simply not strong enough, she cried and Rachel was frightened(I hope she won't remember this episode when she's older), she even tried to 'stop' or 'beat' the dentist 'cos she tapped(gently) her hand once, on the dentist's arm(she didn't 'hit' hard, so I think she's probably trying to stop the dentist from administering the jabs...).  In order not to cause any trauma for her in the future from witnessing the extractions, I decided to bring her out when the injections were completed, using 'get papa in' as an excuse, heeee.

When I returned to the clinic, the extractions were already done and the older girls whom were inside the clinic earlier, were there again.  This time round, they tried to comfort Renee and it's heart-warming to see such nice girls around the school.  One girl even patted Renee on her back like a little baby and told her "it's ok, Renee"(they must have got her name then & there), then she turned to me and said "the 3 teeth are extracted already".  She even made Renee a promise of ice-cream on my behalf and when I joked with her "hey, don't make promises to her on my behalf", she got alittle frightened for a moment, heeee.  Papa told me that there were some girls outside the clinic too(when I've gone into the clinic to check on the extraction) and they've greeted him politely.  Such nice girls!  Hope our Renee will grow up to be this  nice too! :)

Following the teeth extraction, Renee's exempted from practice and she's very happy, hahaha.