Greetings! (part 14)
Posted by special_child at 11:38 PM on May 7, 2007 as a favorite post.
After all this time... I'm still wondering about Kuala Lumpur.
The people there were so nice, that the last two weeks were really met by boredom. I
so miss the people there. Good thing, one of the people I worked with went to Manila the same day I went home. And the week after that, she was followed by another colleague. So there wasn't really an ultimate missing part, but it's kinda different.
So, as promised, here is the Top Ten List.
Top Ten Realizations: Kuala Lumpur Style
10. There isn't much difference between Bahasa and Tagalog; it's more of replacing the
u with
o. Example?
Tulak and
tolak.
9. Racial composition: Malays, Chinese, Indian.
8. The Petronas Twin Towers isn't really that tall... since you can only reach the 41st and 42nd floors of it. Those are the floors of the Skybridge.
7. They also have a communication tower that's high - Menara Kuala Lumpur... also known as KL Tower.
6. Transportation is really good, especially the taxis and trains. Buses aren't quite efficient; there was a rerouting that time.
5. Always bring an umbrella. When I was there, it rained everyday.
4. For the year 2007, there is an attraction in Lake Titiwangsa called Eye On Malaysia. My suggestion? Don't go there after the rain. The frost will build up on the gondolas, and you won't see a clear view of Petronas at night.
3. Stay near KL Sentral so you can have an access to all the transportation you need.
2. I missed the Sepang Formula 1 race! But at least I got pics of Sepang's front.
-and... (drum roll please)-
1. Petronas is pronounced as
PEH-tro-nas and not
peh-TROW-nas. That's how they do it.
Time for boarding in a few minutes... on to my next business trip.
Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud
P.S. See ya in my next entry!
Currently enjoying airport's PA.
Currently deciphering chat windows from my friends.
Currently checking Huawei's light blink.
Currently feeling sleepy.
Greetings! (part 15)
Posted by special_child at 05:57 PM on May 14, 2007 as a favorite post.
Goodness... I never imagined this series of posts would reach quite a number.
For the past two months, I have been very lucky and very blessed to get a two-country vacation and a business trip. The thing is, there was another business trip, and I wasn't able to anticipate that it would fall under the two months I'm talking about. Today, I am in Manila. But exactly seven days ago, I was rushing through hell making sure that my business trip went smoothly. I was sent on a mission to... Seoul!
Yes, it's my first time to be in Korea. Before, it's just these Koreanovelas and such, but now it's coming to life right before my eyes. Incheon Airport, downtown Seoul... everything's fantastic. Even the weather was cooperating. Summer just started in Seoul, so it's not that hot and not that cold... Baguio weather at its finest.
From three countries which are as hot as the Philippines, I went somewhere north to perform the scanning implementation on IBM Korea. I went there Monday night, arrived Tuesday morning, got to work a few hours after (and that's without sleep), and got to explore Seoul that night.
Due to limited time, I wasn't able to see any palaces reminiscent of those in Koreanovelas even I watch. I also wasn't able to see any celebrities. I wasn't even able to go up Seoul Tower. But that week was already enough to experience what Seoul can give a tourist. The rest I will share with you through
my Multiply account (pictures: go add me if you have a Multiply account; just let me know who you are) and through the Top Ten List.
Top Ten Realizations: Seoul Style
10. Incheon Airport is the international gateway to Seoul. But it is very far from downtown Seoul, about 60 minutes plus. Just like KLIA, there is an expressway made for airport access.
9. Korean food is generally spicy, and almost every meal comes with kimchi. Even American restaurants have a Korean menu set with kimchi. So it's true: it's unimaginable for a Korean table to lack kimchi.
8. Seoul has a huge subway system, which can get you to majority of the places around the city. They also have English translations, which makes it a bit easier to navigate through.
7. Hotels are your first line of defense in asking for directions. So be loyal to your hotels. Or just come inside one and ask.
6. You'll get more money if you do your currency exchange in the airport. Would you believe that?! Hotels and banks have surcharges still.
5. On the contrary (and as expected), goods inside the airport are 100% more expensive than those of their counterparts outside the airport. I recommend that you go to markets for your shopping. There's one (Namdaemun Market) that can be compared to Divisoria because their prices are cheaper than others.
4. Most of the tourist attractions in Seoul are the imperial palaces and historical sites. There are also a number of amusement parks and shopping areas. And they also have tours specific to Koreanovelas (where they did their shooting and stuff) and even the DMZ.
3. This is funny, because I just noticed this when we were in the airport. Majority of couples that travel together actually wear the same clothes! As we arrived in Manila, I counted 26 couples wearing the same shirt and pants (sometimes down to sneakers and caps). So CUTE. Hehe.
2. If you haven't heard, Seoul is on the Top Ten List of Most Expensive Cities (in terms of costs of living). And I assure you, this is true. Everything is pretty expensive. Check this
website for price comparison. Suggestion? Don't convert to peso, because you'll hesitate buying.
-and... (drum roll please)-
1. If you don't know the language and you're not part of a tour, I suggest you explore with caution. Utilize free translations. You'd just need courage and a map with English and Korean translations. Plus, refer to number 7.
Seoul is really a beauty of its own. Experience it for yourself! I assure you you'll have a good time. Getting lost in translation is also part of it.
Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud
P.S. I am thinking of starting a travel blog because of all of these...
Currently enjoying "To Love Somebody", performed by Jordin Sparks.
Currently deciphering my blog's posts.
Currently checking none; just turned the TV off.
Currently feeling exhausted... lacks sleep.
