Eating our way through Singapore and Malaysia.

China Town, Singapore

Singapore, what a glorious surprise. To be honest, of all the countries in the South East Asian peninsula Singapore wasn't really on the top of my list of places to see. This is probably because I really didn't know anything about it - other than that it was a city and a country in one. Within 10 minutes of landing in Singapore I could tell it was going to be a great experience. Just standing on the subway on our way into the city from the airport we were surrounded by people of too many different ethnicities to count, a welcome change from the homogenous setting in Korea. It was wonderful to suddenly be able to hear multiple different languages being murmured around us as well as discovering that Singapore's first language is actually English which would help us tremendously in finding our way around.The subway system was easy as pie to use and a mere 30 minutes later we emerged onto the brightly lit streets of China Town. We found our hostel with the unrequested yet appreciated help from a group of Russian guys, dumped our bags on our bunks and went out in search of our first meal and a cold tiger beer. A plate of Satays and Wontons and 6 beers later we decided to check out the 'kareoke' bar underneath our hostel. Although the place was maybe the weirdest, eeriest bar I have ever been in - we thankfully managed to score a couple of free welcome drinks (after realizing that tequila shots were going to cost $12 a pop) and made friends with an adorable Indian girl called J who insisted on a kareoke performance. We snuck out the bar soon afterwards and crawled into bed in our dorm WITH AIR CONDITIONER. ( We have been living through the hottest part of summer SANS air conditioner so when I say it was a treat worth mentioning - it really was!)

Sentosa Beach

So much Indian Food

Ganesh

We slept in a little and then it was on with bikinis and TO the beach. Sentosa is a 'resort island' just off Singapore which has some lovely beaches (even though they are exceptionally touristy.) We drank some fresh fruit smoothies and walked along the boardwalk snapping shots and then caught a bus to the beach. It was gorgeous and the weather was great. We did a triple combination of lay, tan and swim for most of the afternoon mixed in with some great burgers and cocktails at the BORA BORA beach cafe. We had to get back to the subway via a large shopping mall which came with a Forever 21 and supermarket with the best fresh food in the world so naturally, even in our sandy state, we bought a couple of cute dresses and devoured a bag of baby carrots and a big tub of delicious ready made guacamole as well as adding Salt and Vinegar chips and baby bell cheese to the shopping cart. We made a stopover in Little India for some dinner which was incredible. It actually felt like I was in India. Ganesh statues everywhere, loads of illegal liquor stores, scarves and saris, street stalls selling Pakoras, breyani, curries and Kingfisher beers and televisions showing Bollywood Dramas. We got a little carried away and ended up with a tray heaped with every kind of food which though delectable, was way too much to finish. After swigging down a Kingfisher strong, we needed to lay in a food coma. We relaxed in the pleasurable hostel airconditioning for a couple of hours laughing hysterically at the thought of going back to living without it while we waited for SARAH to arrive and as soon as she made it, 'we hit the town' - well as much of the town that could be hit taking into account the very expensive drinks and our tight budget.

Falafel Salad

Strawberry Margerita

That was one thing about Singapore that was unavoidable - the alcohol was Startlingly expensive. We managed to find ourselves a hookah bar in Clarke Quay where we drank a few margeritas and then when wandering to the bathroom Gillian and I discovered the road of dreams. A COVERED walkway lined with "express" restaurants. We almost melted when we saw the falafel stand. FALAFEL SALAD covered in yes, HUMMUS! I almost collapsed on the spot. It was mouth wateringly delicious. So delicious in fact, that we decided our night had reached the pinnacle and we wanted to go home.

Picnic!

We arose at a reasonable hour and went straight back to the beach. This time stopping in at the supermarket to pick up all the necessary ingredients for a picnic. Wholewheat wraps, chicken, cheese, guacamole x 3, carrots, spinach, tostitos AND fresh AVOCADOS...mmmmm!  What a perfect day - and finally our tans are starting to blossom. We explored the island a little and spent most of the day in the sea. On the way back into Singapore through the mall, we got a box of fresh sushi and more guacamole. (When I say we ate our way through Singapore, I really mean it.) We got ourselves together at the hostel and then headed into Clarke Quay for the last day of the Singapore SPICY FOOD FESTIVAL (Ummmm, really?) The food was delicious - hundreds of stalls with every kind of food you can imagine. After sitting at the lake for a while and coming out of our food coma we decided to take the subway to the zoo for a 'night safari.' I won't lie I was a little sceptical (being from a place where we can go on actual safaris with wild animals.) but it was an entertaining ride. We were able to get off the vehicle and walk to the enclosures, I can't say it wasn't rather creepy to be out in the 'jungle' at night especially as the glass windows seemed to disappear in the lack of lighting. We also got to see some baby elephants which are the cutest animals on the planet so that was worth it.

Though it was really weird to just SEE the animals sitting there waiting for us. We also accidentally took the wrong trail and ended up walking for about 3/4 of the trail that we were supposed to go on in the cart. By the time we walked out of the night safari and climbed into a taxi we were all so exhausted that we basically crawled into bed and passed out.

China Town, KL.

We woke up reasonably early and went in search of a dim sum breakfast before we had to check out and catch ourselves a bus to Kuala Lumpur. The bus to KL took a little over 5 hours including the 2 brief stopovers at immigration. After checking in to our hostel (which seriously is the best hostel I have ever stayed in) which was located nowhere other than China Town. We took a walk out to the main market street and eventually settled at a street style restaurant for dinner. We were starving and ordered EVERYTHING we could lay our eyes on: Sweet and Sour Pork, Lemon chicken, Asparagas and mushrooms, fried rice, spring rolls and Chow Mein all to be washed down with a bucket full of Tiger Beers. What more could we ask for? It was sensational. We spent the evening people watching and enjoying the food and trudged back to our hostel to get in some good sleep before our big day visiting the elephant sanctuary. 

The day started with breakfast and coffee at the hostel and then we hopped on a bus. We made a quick UNEXPECTED stopover at a place called deerland where we got to feed some deer - random?, hug a sloth bear - cuddly! and wrap a python around our shoulders - involuntary shiver.  We had lunch and then motored on to the elephants. We arrived and were shown a video of how the elephants are moved from places where their habitats are being destroyed to safer spots on islands nearby and the like. Absolutely traumatic to be honest, the poor creatures. Eventually we were allowed to walk down to the feeding ground and feed the elephants some fresh fruit. We then went on a little spin riding the elephant (when i say a spin - not even 5 minutes) and then we went in the water with them. Although it was kind of cool to be up close and personal with these beautiful animals, I can't say I wasn't disappointed as I really was expecting more of a wild experience with the elephants. I assumed we would be going trekking in a small group and then getting to spend a fair amount of time in the water with them. I guess we just picked the wrong place because this one was just a tourist hubbub with people EVERYWHERE.

We hopped back on the bus all wet a few hours later and on the way back into KL had a stopover at the 'Batu caves.' There is a temple in a cave at the top of a giant staircase where monkeys are supposed to roam free. There were a couple of funny monkeys but most of them had retreated for the evening. We did receive a blessing and a wish bracelet from who I think was a buddhist monk, took some pictures, played with some monkeys and got back on the bus.

We all got showered and dressed back at the hostel and then took a casual walk to a recommended Malayan restaurant called Bijan. The atmosphere was lovely, the food was great (once again there was soooooo much of it) and the cocktails flowed (especially since in comparison to Singapore - these drinks were cheap as anything.) After we were nice and buzzed we took a walk down a road with rows of bars on either side and settled for an irish pub where there were buy-one-get-one-free mojitos on offer. Safe to say that after 12 of those and a couple of tequila shots and a couple of hours dancing, I was more than ready to get home to my bed. But a great time exploring KL's night life.

The next morning we got up and went in search of a Subway (I was in desperate need of a Tuna Sub and a bottomless coca cola) Instead we found possibly the best coffee shop known to mankind which provided us with coffee, coca cola, chicken, cheese and guacamole wholewheat sandwiches AND real, delicious, leafy caesar salads. It was the perfect hangover cure and set us on a positive route to finding a bus to take us to Malacca. A few hours later we pulled into Melaka after a perfect nap on the bus.

Malacca

 Malacca is a small, cultural heritage town in South Malaysia. It is quiet and relaxed and ideal for a few days of chill time. We checked into Jalan Jalan guest house - the most relaxing hostel in the world also 'surprisingly' located in the China Town district and went exploring. The town is a photographers dream - full of interesting things to see, hidden in all unexpected places of the city.

PESTO PASTA - HELLO???

We did some shopping and then found ourselves sipping on red wine and pouring over the extensive menu at the streetside 'Geographers cafe.' Gillian and I shared a plate of BASIL PESTO PASTA, Fish and chips and Vietnamese spring rolls. It was heaven. After a couple of hours of chilling and chatting, making new friends with a multi talented traveler from Sweden, we decided to take a little walk around town at night. We obviously did a loop of the town becasue about 45 minutes later we realised we were right back at the Geographer's cafe. Another bottle of wine you say? Well I guess I could oblige. Once we were the last people still standing, we decided that we should just call it a night. However on the walk home (granted we were in the middle of the street) a car pulled up next to us, a man yelling "hey, why are you walking in the middle of the street at this time..." Before we could respond, he quickly added "you should be drinking with me..get in." And just like that we climbed in the back of the car and drove to a 24 hour street Dim Sum shop, with plastic chairs and tables all laid out and ready for us. After a few beers, we politely declined the man's invitation to go and dance to some R&B and pick up some ladies and decided to stroll back home for a hot outdoor shower and some sweet dreaming.

Malacca Fort

We wandered around the town square the next morning, taking lots of pictures and then decided to take a taxi out to the beach for the afternoon. The beach was nothing special but it was deserted and the sun was out in force. Only after about 2 hours of laying did we notice that we had been suntanning in our bikinis in front of a mosque. No wonder it was deserted. Oops. We came back into Malacca in the late afternoon and snacked on some traditional chicken and rice balls. We chilled out in the hostel for a few hours, danced a little to some folk songs, napped, laughed - the usual and then got all dolled up in our new dresses for dinner and wine back at the Geographers cafe. After about an hour of scrumptious food (calamari, spring rolls, pesto pasta, fish and chips and red wine) and listening and singing along to an acoustic set we realized how exhausted we were and settled on going back to bed.

DIM SUM BREAKFAST

Early the next day we snuck out for another Dim Sum breakfast - this time a lot more affordable than the one we found in Singapore, peaced out of Jalan Jalan and got on a bus back to Singapore. After finally getting into China Town and finding an overpriced hotel after all the hostels were booked up - we set out in search of dinner. A Thai street cafe won our vote and boy did it do the trick. Prawn Tom Khai Gai coconut soup, Green Curry, Pad Thai, Jasmine Rice and Spring Rolls washed down with a few too many Singha Beers - we couldn't have asked for a better technically 'last dinner.'   The Thai ladies were also adorable ( one of them was called Candy and was ecstatic when Gillian showed her Candy tattoo!) and the food was so authentic, I felt as though I was actually in Thailand. Singapore really was incredible in that regard - not only could you find anything you wanted from any country - there were about 20 different restaurants serving food from all over the world on any one block at any one time. Needless to say, we were thrilled. We decided to head out to Clarke Quay for some more drinks to celebrate our fantastic holiday but after a few puffs of hookah and some $20 margeritas - we were ready to pounce on a falafel salad covered in hummus and go home to bed.

Sun kissed

We awoke nice and early so that we could get to the beach and make the most of our last full day. We zoomed through the mall, ate a sushi breakfast on the run and picked up all the necessities for another picnic. We frolicked in the sea and added the finnishing touches to our tans, drank some fruity cocktails, ate some satays at the free beach barbecue and then trudged back to the mall to pick up some last supplies before heading to the airport accompanied by a Subway Sandwich.

Last Day on the Beach :(

Our holiday was so relaxing, the perfect break from the busy times in Korea. None of us really had a definite plan so we just kind of went with the flow and it worked out great. Both countries were an exciting adventure and of course the food in both made us melt. The ideal vacation: Beach, Sun, Sea, Guacamole....

The rest of summer coming soon....

Lots of love ...
Katie

Wanna get Dirrty?

READY, SET, GO!

In summer, life rarely slows down and who would want it to when the good times just keep on rolling..
The annual Mud Festival in Boryeong was next on our agenda of things to conquer and boy, did we do a good job of it this year.

Let's get Dirty!

Saturday morning whipped around after a lovely evening of hula hooping in the park under the beautiful full moon and we arrived at the bus terminal ready to rock and roll fully suited up with a 5 litre cooler full of soju mix, enough cups for the rest of the bus, refill for the cooler, coloured body paint a tent and the cuddle pillow. Ryan and I decided to be partners in a buddy system for the weekend - a dangerous duo - but at least we had our priorities straight from the beginning and bar about 4 or 5 hours at some point we managed to stick together for most of the debauchery.

SOJU!!!!

ALLLL ABOARD the ultimate bus of fun...

Party bus to Boryeong.

Not even 45 minutes into the 3 hour bus ride did we have every person aboard paper cup in hand and ready to revolutionalize the glorious invention that is a 'NORAEBUS' or in other words a bus with in-built karaoke. This concept certainly falls into the list of top 3 best Korean novelties.  Not only can you sing Karaoke 24 hours a day anyway but you can also do it on a party bus with 45 others drinking out of a 5 litre soju cooler and noone even bats and eyelid.

NORAEBUS!

Mud FUN!

..and so we danced and sang our way to Boryeong and practically leapt off the bus straight into the mud. Mud slides, mud painting stations, colored mud, mud obstacle course, mud prison and my personal favourite - the mud wrestling pit. After covering ourselves in mud, frolicking in the ocean, drinking soju from our cooler spot on the beach, re-covering ourselves in mud, having buckets of mud thrown at us in the mud prison and winning in the obstacle course - Ryan and I decided we were ready for the Wrestling pit. However, the line to get in over the waist high bouncy blow up walls and into tackling glory was winding further than the eye could see. We decided that was not going to stop us and so we devised a plan to invade. We patiently awaited our moment to skip the line and "sneak"into the ring (and by sneak I mean we waited for a new round of people to be let in, took a run up and charged with no fear, slid over the wall and wrestled our lives away.) We repeated this trick every 10 minutes for about 2 hours, not realising that we were causing quite a scene amongst the people waiting in the queue. In fact, I later found out that our friend Sarah had been patiently waiting in the line for about an hour around that time frustrated at the 'idiots' who kept barging in (ie us.) :

Mud Wrestling Pit

A conversation that took place:
Sarah: "Oh my gosh, all these people just cutting in over the sides are so annoying!! JUST WAIT YOUR TURN!"
Sarah's friends: ...while pointing at Ryan and I making a run up and diving over the side, stampeding our way in for the 10th time.."uh..Sarah, aren't those your friends?"
Sarah: "Oh, shiiiiiiit!"

Thank goodness for our lovable personalities, right?

But, did we have a wild time in there - sacrificing 3 pairs of sunglasses, an almost concussion, multiple bruises, and partial blindness from muddy eyes was a small price to pay - it was outrageous amounts of fun. We eventually stumbled out of the mud to get ourselves clean about 7 hours later and 'nourished' ourselves with convenience store Ramyeon and a beer to keep our spirits going and then it was back to the beach until all hours of the next morning watching some fun bands and stunning fireworks display over the ocean under a perfectly clear night sky. There were even stars to be seen and counted (and that's a rare sighting in Korea!)

Chaos, absolute glorious chaos.

We woke up after a couple of hours of rest and plunged straight back into the muddy gauntlet. Once mudded up for the second time, we attempted to get some snappy breakfast pizza at the only pizza spot in town leaving us with a two hour wait sitting at a table out in the sun, covered in mud. This sounds like a bit of rain on our parade but it was actually a great time just chilling, cracking jokes, singing songs, and drinking extra strength booze-in-a-bag cocktails bought from the cute korean girls just down the street (so cute in fact that I specifically remember Ryan proposing marriage to both of them!) After our pizza was gulped down we headed back to the beach and began a body painting bonanza, covering everyone in vision in rainbow colours. Though we stopped when parents began lining up with their kids - I felt a little inappropriate decorating kids after consuming multiple long-island-iced-teas with the words 'GET IT ON' written in large Green letters down the front of me.

The bus back to Gwangju, after 24 hours of being unruly.

We climbed back on the bus Gwangju bound still covered in paint and mud, cocktails in a bag in hand and fully intending on getting our party on when we returned to the good city. Our buddy system got us as far as the taxi ride back to Gillian's apartment where Ryan fell asleep after spontaneously yelling - "ya know, if I was any more fun I would explode!" He's right on that one.BOOOOOM, Ryan, out. I managed to drag myself up the lift and into the door before collapsing on the floor in a heap. BOOOOOOM, Katie, out.

Safe to say, it was definitely in contention for the best Korean weekend I have ever had or at least very high up there and even though my body (and my many lost belongings) still felt the effects in certain ways up to 3 days later - it was worth every bruise!

A truly unforgettable time.

Coming soon - our Summer holiday to Singapore and Malaysia.

Sending love,
Katie 

Summer in pictures.

Personally, I think life is an absolute hoot. I love it and I think it is my duty to do all I can with the opportunities I have to make the best of it. What better way to start than with Korean Summer.


Korean Summer is always a time full to the brim with trips, festivals, parties, friends and usually glorious weather. June 2011 has certainly been no exception. A friend of mine recently said to me once I realised that my life was fully booked for almost 2 months. "How on earth do you do it? You are so busy all the time. You must be about ready to lose your marbles" (I am certain - she didn't exactly use the expression 'lose your marbles' - that might just be a Katie addition - but it was definitely along those lines.) My response: "Yeah I know, I don't remember the last time I just had a night to relax and sometimes, I really do feel like I'm losing my mind. But I have been having so much fun that I just forget about that and just do it."  That's my motto for the Korean Summer and I fully intend to extend that into everything that I do - "Do it." This has recently become a catch phrase between our group of friends because of a ridiculous intoxicated '4 in the morning text' I sent out to a friend. The end of the text read : "energy burst, do it!" And there really is no better way to summarize our summer thus far.

Partying at Bubble Bar.

We started with a wild week of fun and games in Gwangju when Gillian's good friend from Canada, Leora came to visit. Her visit ended in Seoul where we wandered the streets of MyeongDong shopping district, drank at Aaron and Katelyn's and ate dinner at a superb classy Italian restaurant. The night ended, after going to watch a band play at a bar in itaewon, with most of lost in the big city and dealing with less than exciting hangovers the next day. At least there were hilarious stories to come out of it. Leora was a great addition to the Gwangju Party Crew. I miss her alot.

Silly Glasses in Myeong Dong, Seoul.

A New Love

What a fabulous way to kick off the summer..


The next weekend we were lucky enough to have Aaron and Katelyn down in Gwangju to visit us:) It was a weekend full of fun and games especially because it was Aaron's third last weekend in Korea and last weekend in Gwangju. We hit up all the favourite spots and knocked off many things including Aaron and My's notorious 'bad romance dance' which we were fully committed to despite a full house at Soul Train. I am sure the uninformed onlookers were most surprised and possibly scarred for life.  The weekend was also one of double pleasures because Ryan's parents were in town visiting from Canada. It was lovely to show them a good time in our beloved Gwangju and all the famous watering holes of course. Mr Song was lovely enough to cook us dinner at the German Bar which resulted in one of the best Sunday night karaoke bonanzas I have ever had including a dance group of Phillipinos and Koreans, one shots, love shots and even a locomotion train.

Night Hike.

All worth it at the top


We did another night hike which has quickly become a tradition..This time we somehow managed to get lost on the way down and ended up in a rice paddy, having to climb over a fence onto a highway and walk through a toll booth before we made it back into suburbia to catch a cab. We have done a couple more midweek night hikes since and it's been awesome. Not even the rainy season can stop us! It's such a great way to keep active and have fun at the same time.

Great Grupo.

.......the next weekend brought about something we have all been very excited about for a long time for multiple reasons: BEACH PARTY. Camping, day drinking, beach games, sun, bonfire, friends...What more could we ask for?

Wando Beach Party Couple Set.

5 of us road tripped the 2 and half hours down to Wando in Jo's car. Once our hangovers from the night before had gone to rest, the ride down was hilarious. Dancing to Kpop and making harmonies every time we went through a tunnel. We bought a boot full of fun from the Lotte Mart and surprised all our friends with a big water pistol fight when we eventually got there. We set up the tents, played ball games, frolicked about and just had a good old time enjoying the beach for the afternoon. By evening, a big bonfire was set up, people playing games, laughing and even hula hooping. It was just a big, great festival of fun. The next day was spent almost in the same fashion. It was utterly fantastic, especially because the weather was just perfect.

Beautiful Island.

boot full of fun.

Add caption

Beach games.

Couple sets:)

Another weekend in Seoul fitted into the mix next - It was Aaron's last weekend in Korea and time to give him a proper send off. We did so by going to a classy chicken restaurant and as soon as the chicken was demolished turned it into a riot. Dance offs, Soju bombs and from then on hazy memories of nothing but love, sexy dancing, not-so-sexy dancing, pouring rain and a night of pure fun. We woke up in the morning however, feeling not so kosher. In a joking manner whilst lying in bed and discussing how the last thing we want to do is get on a 4 hour bus right now - Gillian casually mentioned - "hmmm, I wonder how much it would cost for a flight back to Gwangju." In that moment, 4 sets of eyes popped out their sockets. YESSSSSS! With a "Oh, I'd totally do that..." from me and a "I'm on it" from Ryan sitting at the computer...suddenly we had ourselves a plan and there was no going back. Once we discovered that the tickets were just $80 and it would take us just on 30 minutes to get to Gwangju. Gillian even spent 20 minutes on the phone to a call center spelling out our names to book the tickets.  It was all worth it even just to hear Aaron at a later point in the afternoon say.."so, what time is your, uh flight?" Such a joke but it was hilarious and worth it even if just for the story.

On the plane back to gwangju from Seoul

Silent Dance Party on the bus to Busan.

...and finally the pinnacle of the June part of Summer...BUSAN! Feed the Boats were supposed to be playing a show at a bar which is how the idea sprung up but it was cancelled at the last minute..however a group of us decided to go anyway and celebrate our good friend Blair's last weekend in Korea. And what a celebration it was. Gillian and I bused down late on Friday night, leavin Gwangju at 10-30pm after a dinner and Margeritas at TGIFs.  The bus ride was hilarious as we listened to our earphones, drank aoju and had a silent dance party.
We arrived and headed straight out to meet up with Mitch (...and so the glorious three muscateers were formed!) We partied with tequila at a bar right on the beach which turned into a 6am dip in the freezing cold ocean covered in seaweed, sand and giggles as well as returning home sans my shoes. Gillian and I stayed with David, a friend of hers who lives in Busan. We all stayed up until 9am just being silly, eating Ramyeon, drinking chocolate milk and chatting our lives away.

Post 6am swim at Haeundae Beach.

The weather on Saturday was just perfect for laying on the beach and so after a delicious mexican feast (two bowls of guacamole inclusive) that is exactly what we did. All our friend met up with us and we had a relaxing afternoon of soaking up the sun and enjoying the free feeling that comes with the sand and the sea.

Beach bums

Blairs last weekend in Korea:(

laying.

Gwangju Party Crew!

The night brought about debauchery of a dangerous level (and by dangerous I mean AMAZING.) We started out playing games in the hysterically decorated love motel rooms and eventually ventured out onto the street once sufficiently liquored up. We came across a building with a bar called Rock and Roll on the 14th floor overlooking the beach. We were sold, it was incredible. Beer Pong tables, pool tables, cheap drinks, rocking music - everything we wanted in a night of fun and love and the perfect send off location to party with Blair.


Sunday was a bit of a right off, though we did manage to sneak out of the apartment long enough to eat at a cute little Bistro-style restaurant where Shepards pie was on the menu. We watched a movie and then Gillian and I began the long trek back to Gwangju (me still shoeless.) It took a lot of will power not to carry on the tradition and book a flight back to Gwangju.

Lady love

It was my first time in Busan and I had an absolute blast. The city has an electric atmosphere - from the beach and the carnival like games along the pavement - to the rocking bars, great restaurants and happy ocean air. I will certainly be back there as soon as the next opportunity arises. A BIG Thank you to everyone involved for a superb time.
...and so that has been the first month of Summer in Korea. As you can tell, it has been an absolute blast. It has been sad to say goodbye to a trio of close friends of mine. aaron, tal and (soon to be) Blair - I miss you already and wish you were still here but I am thinking of you and wishing you only the best for what comes next.

July brings with it only more excitement which includes a weekend in Gwangju involving a Feed the Boats gig and a rooftop fiesta, the Boryeong Mud Festival and theeeeeeeeen I, gillian and another good friend of ours - Sarah are heading to Singapore and Malaysia for our Summer Vacation. Life is certainly good, great in fact. Let's keep on living it up.


Lots of love,
Katie