Archive for the 'Vacation' Category

Celebrating Lunar New Year in the City of Seoul is Empty

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

It was the first time I traveled abroad and have visited the town empty. If Jakarta suddenly empty on the day of Fitr, the capital of South Korea is experiencing the same thing at the time of the celebration of Seollal (or the local term for the Lunar New Year).

I should have started to feel the awkwardness the previous day. When driving around town, subway crowded with people carrying shopping bags or a large travel bag back and forth like a man.
The shops along Apkujeong also sell gift boxes to take home village. The content of the package is different from a Lebaran parcel in Indonesia. One of the rather amazing gift box containing meat and ginseng are packed so neatly.

I know that tomorrow is Chinese New Year, but do not know if the new year according to the calculation of the solar calendar is the second most important national holiday in Korea, after the Chuseok (Thank You Day / Thanksgiving Day). I also do not know if at that time Korean residents in big cities can return home, visit their oldest families and spending time with family.
If at Lebaran, we stay in touch with each other, greet one to apologize. At this Seollal, traditions Koreans usually pay homage to the grandfather or grandmother by bending the upper body on the floor at once pronounce greeting the New Year.

At the time of day of Chinese New Year, I just realized today why everybody looks like a hurry at the train station. Apparently, they wanted to get home. Lunar morning it was, the train station was deserted. My train car is empty. I am only one. Samsoeng train station is located under the largest mall Seoul, Coex. Samsoeng road is still in the Kangnam area if such area in the golden triangle of Jakarta Jakarta (Brass, Sudirman & Thamrin) which is usually crowded with workers passing by. Now the area was deserted. I felt like I was exploring a ghost town.
I was immediately biting the finger because it intends to spend time at the Coex. I decided to rest in the hotel lobby is located in one building with Coex. From the description of the hotel staff, I was advised to go some place that can sense these Chinese New Year celebrations. If you intend to shop, there are no malls or shops are open, likewise cinema or cafes. Forthis Seollal celebrations, usually the government implement the bulk three-day holiday. Onthe day before and the day after as well.

Some suggested places to visit is Namsagol Hanok Village, Seoul Nori Madang and palaces had only the day before my visit, and Gyeongbukgung where I can enjoy a concertfeaturing fusion gukak Samulnori (traditional percussion music).
Jokingly, the hotel staff said if I visit these places by using a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), then I will not cost you anything. Hearing this, I just grinned, weather outside around 10 degrees Celsius. Using a super thick coat, I still feel cold. I wonder what would happen if I just use a hanbok around town for free.

I finally decided to visit Namsagol Hanok Village and Seoul Nori Madang. In Namsagol this Village, there are many activities take place. Among other kite making Korean style, calligraphy writing, and learning correct bowing in homage to the elders ceremony.

I chose to learn Sebae, bending the right way to honor parents. I think everyone knows there is a chance I did something like this sometime.

Oh yes, I also had the opportunity to try tteokguk, rice cake soup, which is a typical food during Chinese New Year.

After that, I went to Seoul Nori Madang to enjoy performances of traditional dances and their music. I am curious to see the show directly that I usually see only through saeguk drama (drama with an ancient setting) on television or movies. In addition, I enjoy their clothes are colorful.

Tags: celebrating lunar new year in the city of seoul is empty

Japan with a Limited Budget

Sunday, November 6th, 2011

Japanese charm often requires large and expensive cost, recent survey on the cost of living, putting Tokyo and Osaka as the world’s two most expensive cities. But the limited budget tourists do not need to fret; there is still a cheap way to travel to Japan. Here are some tips to streamline your pocket money.

Plan First
Travel expenses can be reduced with careful planning, such as the use of rail services and cheap domestic flights (using air pass). Some of this facility is only available to foreigners, and often can only be bought outside Japan. You can also save a lot of money by prioritizing what attractions you want to see (and what can be ignored).

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Tags: japan with a limited budget, limited budget on a trip to japan, japanese budget

Golden Triangle

Saturday, September 17th, 2011

The Golden Triangle is a popular area. Hear it, people immediately imagine the insurgents and rebels, secret army, a train transporting opium passing through the forest, triads, narcotics eradication of DEA agents and the CIA, the indigenous tribes in the mountains, remote villages and poppy flowers pink and white breast height of the source of opium, and its derivatives, morphine and heroin.

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General tips for adventure trips

Sunday, July 17th, 2011

General tips for adventure trips

Adventure tourism with a group of adventurers exploring the remote destination is exciting. Tokyo is great people can find entertainment. Everyone can go for adventure travel. More attention and effort is the key to great travel adventures. Travelers can also safety in mind. While traveling, they should be ready to accept a dangerous moment. This is a necessary precaution with which they are meant to prepare.

My friend, I learned from the adventure travel experience, I want to share travel tips.

Typically, passengers beautiful scenery, fascinating wildlife, foreign cultures, or abnormal prefer to explore. Jeep safari or boat trip probably will be used. Sometimes, a group of travelers to explore on foot in the area may be remote, and some do not have access to the vehicle. Thus, the fitness is important for all types of travel.  (more…)

Tags: tips, tips for adventure travelling, holiday, vacation, general vacation tips article, safety tips for adventure travel, travel tips, travel, adventure trips tips, tips needed for an adventure trip

Travel Safety in a few steps

Friday, July 15th, 2011

Travel Safety in a few steps

In some travel destinations and travel to the success of safety for tourists to help them cover the basics. Frequently, and the destination for the tourist card from the safe travel of all kinds of security, given the overseas trip. Travel safety, especially as this article shows the people who can run at any time for any unforeseen circumstances, remains important.

Travelers go on a trip he or she packs a hook, if any substantial travel safety is not an impossible dream. Theft occurs anywhere in the world, and people often have a gold watch with the decision he took when the travelers are considered. Travel during the holidays in order to reduce theft of valuables as possible attempts should not take.

He or she has to travel only a limited amount of material while on the duty of care because of the lightweight packaging of passengers traveling to a high level of security possible. He or she is a better travel documents because of the need to use hands-free people, then he or she is required only almost always recommended. Lost bags, a little too long to rest them for a short period of time after loading, leaving mainly those who own belongings is expected.  (more…)

Tags: safety and security guidelines for oversea travel, steps for safety travel?, holiday, vacation, travel, destination, tourism, steps to travel safety