My blog is FULL

Singapore - I have reached the limit of my blog and will add another one come 1st Jan2013.  I will put the link here....countrytravel2.blogspot.com

Gangwon Wind Park

Gangwon - After a hearty breakfast, we left the hotel @ 10am for the Gangwon Wind Farm and later for a good seafood lunch.   It took about an hour to reach the base of this mountain and it was fantastic that cars are allowed to drive up the mountain.   The highest peak 1,500m above sea level.

View from the base of the mountain

Yesterday, it snowed so it is still visible around the mountain.  In the background, are the renewable Wind Power turbines.

View of the Snow Capped mountain

This Korean movie was filmed here

My Korean partner car that drove up this mountain....

A close up view of the Wind Turbine

It is really good feeling to know that this province believes in renewable energy.  Up on this mountain, it is very windy and you can hear the wind turbine churning around.  This wind turbine is huge.

Byoung Kee levitating

As the wind mill turns, it cast a shadow on the group and Byoung Kee decided to 'hop' over the shadow.  This photo looks like he is levitating...cool

Nightime on the ski slop

Pyeongchang - We had to get some stuff for supper so we walked to the small mall in Pheonix Park and I saw a strange sea creature - it's a sea squirt.  Another oddity is that it was sold in a convenience store.

There are over 2,000 species of sea squirts, and they are found throughout the world. Some species are solitary, while some form large colonies.

Sea squirts have two siphons - an inhalant siphon, which they use to pull water into their body, and an exhalant siphon, which they use to expel water and wastes. When disturbed, a sea squirt may eject water from its siphon, which is how this creature got its name

I took some photos of the ski slope at night from my bedroom.  During this low season, the ski resort does not open for night skiing.

BBQ Beef and Pork

Up on the mountain very near the hotel was a Korean BBQ restaurant.  Not many people in the restaurant as November is not a peak season for Skiing in Korea.   But with good company, Soju and Beer it makes a very delicious meal.

The beef is of a good quality as it is marbled with fat...

We had 2 slabs of beef and in the middle is Tofu soup.   The beef taste tender and yummy.  After beef we had 2 servings of 3-layered pork.  I was really hungry as this is the main meal of the day for me.  No breakfast, Lunch was just Ramen (instant noodles).

The fats of the pork makes the meat delicious when BBQ.   As for the liquor mixing Soju and Beer, gives it a sweet taste to the drink and of course you tend to drink much more.

Snowboarding

Pyeongchang, Gangwon - After our quick lunch of ramen, we paid tickets for the ski lift, snowboard, and snowboard shoes and off we go to the ski slopes.  It was very cold outside.   Pyeongchang  was selected to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, where athletics the world over will converge to compete in this prestigious event.

View from my room

My room has a beautiful view of the skill slope.   I stood looking at the ski slope for a while as I was mesmerize by the beauty of snow and slope.  This is my first time snow boarding.

Beautiful ski slope

Snowboarding

My Snowboard

On the way to Gangwon province

Seoul enroute - Young Jin arrived and picked me up in his car and we left at 9am on route to Gangwon province - claimed to be the most beautiful place in South Korea. From Seoul to our destination is 180km and will take us 2.5hrs to reach.  Located in the central-eastern part of the Korean peninsula, the mountain ranges in Gangwon-do transform into a skiing paradise.  Claimed by many to be the land of hidden wonders and exhilaration landscapes.   Koreans love this location because it's blessed with natural beauty; snow falls of soft and powdery, hot springs to soak your tiring feet around Gangwon-do.

I am writing this blog in Young Jin car travelling at 110km/hr still connected to the Internet. Korea Internet is very stable.

We reached our 1st rest area to have some coffee, snacks, toilet break and pump petrol.  Young Jin wanted to hit some baseball and so joined him and have some fun hitting baseball - 1000won for 16 balls.

We finally reach our destination and checked into our hotel.  Our channel partner friends already waiting for us in the Lobby of the Hotel - similarly named 'The Hotel'.  It is situated in one of Korea's famous ski resort - Pheonix Park Resort.    It is a 5-star hotel but the rooms are spartan. 

Central Chidlom Department Store

Bangkok - Whilst waiting for our channel partner to turn up; Central Chidlom had a beautiful flower arrangement display through their departmental store.

Central Chidlom is a seven-storey department store with a modern, friendly ambience. Well-stocked, each floor has a straightforward layout dedicated to urban lifestyles, including beauty products, shoes, handbags, lady’s fashion, men’s fashion, home décor, travel, toys, electronic gadgets, books and more.

Central Department Store has several branches in Bangkok, but the flagship store in Chidlom is highly popular among affluent Thais, expats and regular visitors. It undergoes constant renovation to keep abreast with modern fashion and lifestyle trends, plus the location at the doorstep of the Chidlom BTS Skytrain ensures easy access from anywhere downtown.   It is about 10 minutes walking distance from our Hotel.

Lebua at State Tower Bangkok

Bangkok - I wanted to know what the whole fuss about this 'popular' hotel that was feature in Hangover II.

That was the scene at the top of the hotel.  So together with Lesley we took a taxi to this hotel.  It was not as impressive as many of the hotels in Bangkok as the Lobby is small and thus not grand.   Took the lift to Sirocco lounge and it's impressive bar with lots of people drinking and hanging around.

That's the stairs the 3 actors where sitting on taken from the Sirocco lounge.   The security do not even allow you to take a photo at the top of the dome explaining some stupid reason.  On the whole, it was a let down and too much hype but a good view from the top. Visit once and that's it.

Asiatique The Waterfront

Bangkok - In the evening we went to Bangkok newest happening establishment for dinner - Asiatique The Waterfront.  

We walked to the BTS that is behind our hotel to BTS Thaksin station and from there a free river shuttle from the ferry to Asiatique.   There were lots of people queuing to board the ferry and it surprises me that the boat operator allows passengers to stand as it was really crowded.

Asiatique Ferry on Chao Praya River

The sunset reflection on the Chao Praya River gives a idyllic feeling with the boat humming along.

Finally we reach the pier of the Asiatique....

Old warehouses were converted into boutique dinning establishments and shopping areas dotted with eye catching art displays.

Water tank art display

Entrance using container doors

After walking around, we went and found this Thai restaurant - Baan Khanitha.  When we approached the reception, one of the 'guest' approach me and directed me to the table.  I thought it was very strange and later found out from him that he is the GM and sitting with the owner of this restaurant.

Baan Khantika Restaurant



Complimentary appetitizer



Aspargagus dish

This Asparagus dish is stir-fried with grey prawns, carrots and slices of garlic.

Tom Yam Seafood

I had Tom Yam Seafood cause we will be having a Tiger Prawn dish.   This dish is not so spicy and filled with assortment of seafood - squid, fish, prawns and tasted delicious.

Green Curry Chicken

BBQ Tiger Prawns topped with fried basil leaves

Coconut ice-cream

After dinner we walked further and found more interesting art displays....

Town square clock

Thai Food court

Bangkok -   Recommended by our hotel staff, the best exchange rate in Bangkok offered by Super Rich exchange.  The exchange rate is really good - much better than in Singapore.  

Superrich Money Changer
67-69 Rachadamri Road, Lumpini
Patumwan, Bangkok
www.superrich.co.th

A short distance we walk to have our lunch at the food court. 



Instant noodle with Pig's innards

 This is a simple dish - mine was clear soup but Lesley's was spicy.  The only innard I don't eat is blood. 

Orange Squash in glass bottle

Durian Sticky rice

This is a different style of Durian sticky rice dipped in a sweet soup base.  It taste very sweet.

The Mango Tree Restaurant

Bangkok - In the evening we walked to this famous landmark - The Hotel Muse along Langusuan and had a drink up on their sky bar.  From the top of the Hotel it was a lovely view of the city and the Langsuan street.  I can understand why the rave reviews of this hotel.

Lobby of Hotel Muse



Near the Elevator landing



View from Hotel Muse Speakeasy Bar

We then took the advice of the Hotel Muse reception and proceed to The Mango Tree Restaurant for dinner.  

The taxi took us to the street and pointed us to walk down the street.  We walked and found no such restaurant so we ask one of the guards, who told us to walk further down.  Still cannot find - Lesley entered a hair salon and a Lady told us that it is across the street in the opposite direction.   So we walked in that direction, still cannot find we approached another restaurant guard standing outside and he told us it is in the next street (Soi) turn left - then we found it. 

The ambiance is casual with a traditional troupe Thai music outside.  The restaurant has outdoor and indoor dinning - we chose in door because we were persipiring from the walking, trying to locate this place. 




Kailan vegetable stir fried with mushroom



Creamy Coconut seafood soup

Plad Thai Seafood

Signature Dish - Chilli Crab

Singapore Chilli Crab is still the best as the crabs used in Singapore restaurants are Sri Lanka - much bigger and meatier.  

Tub Tim Krob

Tub Tim Grob, is a coconut milk based dessert that is my favourite. The small reddish/pinkish jewels are water chestnut covered with tapioca flour, served with sweeten coconut milk and shaved ice. Shredded jackfruit are added to this dessert to make it extra special.