Haru bang at Akasaki Port

G.K Chesterton once said that "The traveler sees what he sees BUT the tourist sees what he has come to see". Previously, I do travel a lot around Europe but during my traveling journey in Europe I don't simply stopped by at any place but I just travel according to the sightseeing spot advised by the travel adviser. Maybe due to the fact that I used to travel with public transport, thus it is difficult to make a pit stop as you wish. 

Recently, during our family Golden Week's trip ; we ACCIDENTALLY found a nice place called Akasaki Port on our way to visit Tottori. When I saw the place, I immediately requested hubby to stop the car and spent some time to enjoy the breathtaking view there. 

 +- seashells at the entrance to the park -+

There's few statues called Dol-Haruebang at the park nearby to the Roadside Station(Michinoeki) Port Akasaki at Kotoura Town. Btw, Dol-harubang here means a large mushroom-like statues. They are considered to be gods offering both protection and fertility and were placed outside of gates for protection against demons traveling between realities. Dol hareubangs, also called tol harubangs, hareubangs, harubangs *sekali baca bunyi nya macam haru bang oiiiii eheh*. 

+- ni bukan harubang tapi harudik    sbb size dia kecik sikit *sama tinggi dengan SN je* -+

+- harubang ni lagi tinggi dari hubby, maybe around 2m la kot patung ni -+

The dol hareubangs are said to had been carved from volcanic rock and range in size up to 3m high. The statues' faces feature grinning expressions and bulging eyes without pupils, a long, broad nose, and slight smile and their hands rest on their bellies, one slightly above the other. In sets of two, one will have a higher left hand and the other a higher right hand. The hat is commonly referred to as phallic or mushroom-like.

+- ini bukan pose sakit perut, tapi pose tiru harubang. tengok laki I menjiwai watak sungguh..siap pejam mata dan buat bibir terjuih lagi -+

There's also wind turbine made out of rock at the park. Despite it is made of rock, it can spin better than those modern high tech wind turbine...how cool is that? Check out this video that I shoot while the 'rock' fan was moving.

This place is also known as the Japan-Korea friendly exchanges park : "Hill of Wind". I'm not sure whether the fan section of the rock wind turbine is really made out of rock as I can't touch it since it's quite tall but I still found this amazing.  I guess because this park is situated next to the sea, it is a good location to place wind turbines as we can see at the seashore along the roadside from the city to Tottori. 

+- left pic: rock wind turbine size besar. right pic : rock wind turbine size kecik -+

+- mommy dengan SN pantang nampak kamera, terus pose gedik -+

Besides those haruebangs and rock wind turbine, there's also small temple at the park. SN asked me "what's the purpose of the hanging wood there?". So I showed him how to move the hanging wood and hit the giant bell. I'm not sure whether it is allowed or not to do so..but I had to do what a mom had to do that is to answer every single questions that come out form her son's mouth...That's why its tiring to be mom these days, kids are getting genius and they'll ask all sort of questions that you don't even have the answer. So, the best way is to pretend like mommy-knows-everything...and answered all questions arises confidently *walaupun sebenarnya main bantai je bagi jawapan* .

+- meh kita tengok apa yang ada dalam ni -+

 +- tolak kayu ni bagi berdengung bell itu -+

Last pose at the Roadside Station(Michinoeki) Port Akasaki is with the carved stone that has some written explanations on it. We couldn't really read Japanese characters that we are not familiar with, so we skipped the reading parts and just strike a pose with it; pretending that this stones is as famous as the Stonehenge eheh.

+- anak dengan bapak posing sepesen -+

It's unbelievable to know that there are lots of things that awaits to fascinate us while we travel. All these traveling things that we have experienced has make us realize that there's so much more to explore in this world. 

Psssttt :  Subhanallah, Masya Allah...Allah is the greatest of all. Thank you Allah for this opportunity; please guide us to be your thankful servant.

~ Thanks for reading this (^-*) ~ 

 

Jalan2 di World's Best Airport : Incheon International Airport, South Korea

Kali ni I nak ubah sedikit tempat jalan2. Kalau selalu nya bawak u all jalan2 kat luar, kali ni nak bawak jalan2 kat dalam bangunan je, boleh gitu?. Kali ni untuk segment travel & living di blog Yatie Chomeyl ini, I bawak u all jalan2 menjenguk World's Best Airport : Incheon International Airport, di South Korea. Jom ikut I ..jommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Incheon International airport has won numerous awards since its opening, including :-

• In 1998, received ISO certifications in airport construction and airport services.

• From 2002, won for three consecutive years, the Best Airport Award according to IATA and ACI.

• In 2002, was rated second in the Best Airport Worldwide category according to IATA and ACI.

• Incheon International Airport Corporation became the first in the world to receive ISO certification in airport services.

• In 2005, won the Best Airport Worldwide 2005 award from AETRA Service Monitoring which was jointly conducted by IATA and ACI.

• In 2006, received the ATRS' Top Asia-Pacific Efficiency Award after achieving a residual variable factor productivity efficiency value that was 57% higher than the average of those in the region.

• In 2006, was awarded as the world's best airport based on a passenger survey conducted by the IATA.

• Was named Best Airport Worldwide at the first Airport Service Quality Awards

• Received an ISO certification in the environmental category.

• Was awarded the "Best in Service Award in Class" at the 1st International Conference on Airport Quality and Service by the IATA and the ACI.

• The airport ranked second in "Best Airport Worldwide", behind Hong Kong International Airport, and tied with Singapore Changi Airport.

• Won the GT Tested Award for Best Airport in the World in January 2007.

• Named by Global Traveler (GT) as the Best Airport in the World for the second straight year in January 2008.

• Has been named World's Best Airport for 2009, in the World Airport Survey results published by Skytrax.

• In 2010 it was ranked the second-best airport in the world by Skytrax, behind Singapore Changi Airport, based on a customer satisfaction survey.

*source: Wikipedia*

Sikit punya banyak dah award yang di sapu bersih oleh Incheon International Airport bermula dari pembukaan rasmi airport ini pada 2001 hinggalah sekarang 2010. Incheon International Airport menggantikan Gimpo International Airport yang sekarang cuma handle domestic flight sahaja.

Pendapat peribadi I pulak setelah 2x menggunakan airport ini ialah I memang sangat seronok sepanjang berada di Incheon International Airport. Basic facilities kat airport ni almost sama lah dengan International airport lain.

These are the things yang buatkan I rasa Incheon International Airport ni best ialah kerana :-
1) Museum of Korean Culture

Traditional Cultural Experience booth ada beberapa location kat dalam airport ni. Salah satunya kat Concourse 4F. Macam2 info pasal budaya dan adat negara Korea ada kat situ. Yang bestnya ialah, ada jugak pertunjukan dan segment istimewa untuk pengunjung2 di situ bagi lebih mengenali budaya masyarakat Korea.

=- Korean culture show @ IIA -=

Masa kami transit hari tu, siap ada perarakan ala2 raja melawat rakyat di zaman silam. Memang real diorang wat lakonan semula tu, siap dengan segala pengawal dan isteri sekali.

2) KIDS ZONE

I rasa nama KIDS ZONE tu patut di tukar ke KIDS & PARENTS ZONE sebab seriously, I had so much fun stay there...ehehe. Memang best sangat children playground kat KIDS ZONE tu sampai I pun join sekaki dua kaki main2 kat situ dengan baby SN.

=- mommy yang 'terpaksa' temankan baby SN -=


=- video mommy + baby SN @ Kids Zone IIA -=

3) FREE PHOTO ZONE

Kalau bertuah, kadang2 Pororo akan datang berkunjung kat airport ni untuk mengadakan sesi fotografi percuma dengan pengunjung2 airport ni. Pororo ni ialah karaketr dari kartun penguin chomeyl yang terkenal di Korea.

4) NURSING ROOM

Sebelah je dengan Kids Zone tu ialah nursing room yang sangat luas siap ada kerusi sofa panjang. Sempatlah jugak I baring tergolek2 kat atas sofa tu sambil menyusukan baby SN. Siap tertidur lah jugak sebab syok sangat dapat baring2 atas sofa empuk tu.

=- baby SN menyusu gaya bebas -=

5) WI-FI & FREE INTERNET AREA

Bukan semua international airport offers free internet and free wi-fi kan?. Few years ago masa I transit kat Heathrow Airport pun, internet kena bayar baru leh guna..but sekarang I tak sure la..mungkin dah free.

Yang best kat IIA ni ialah dah la ada free wi-fi untuk yang ada laptop sendiri, pastu banyak booth yang sediakan komputer dan internet for free kat Concourse 4F. Pastu kat cafe2 dan lounge pun ad di sediakan laptop dan internet for free. Pendek kata kalau kena transit berjam2 pon, boleh update blog tanpa segan silu hehehe.

=- online YM sambil makan udon -=


=- free laptop + internet @ cafe -=


=- desktop + internet + webcam -=

6) REST AND SLEEP ZONE

Kalau rasa tak nak bazirkan duit tidur kat Transit Hotel, ada banyak bench dan sofa yang empuk2 di sediakan untuk passengers yang transit dn perlu bermalam untuk menunggu next flight. Kerusi tidur tu siap ada bentuk body contour lagi, memang tidur berdengkur2 tak hengat lah bila baring atas kerusi tu hehe.

=- syok titun -=

Amacam, best tak IIA ni?. No wonder IIA ni dapat award World's Best Airport untuk beberapa tahun berturut2 kan?. Plus, kedai2 duty free banyak yang best2. Sebab asyik masyuk duk keluar masuk kedai2 kat airport tu, so I tak ambillah gambar2 kedai *window shopping jer lah pun* eheheh. So, next time kalau ada peluang..jangan lupa ambik transit flight kat Incheon International Airport ni ye ;)

Traveling in Seoul for 5-6hours

This week's travel & living segment for Yatie Chomeyl's blog, I will bring you guys to explore the heart of South Korea i.e Seoul. The three of us had the chance to tour around Seoul during our transit flight from KL-Fukuoka. We purposely choose the longest hour of transit as we have planned to do a short sightseeing trip in Korea for "free"; just like what we've done for our Hong Kong trip few months ago.

As for this time, we opt a guided tour service offered at the Incheon International Airport (IIA). We decided to join the travel tour which cost $50 per adult which also include lunch meal. Though we realize the fact that a group guided tour means that less independence for our time and activity, but we have also need to consider baby SN's condition at that time. After the 6 hours flight from KL-Seoul, baby SN is not feeling well + sleepy + tired so I guess we have made the right decision.

=- kat belakang I tu, ahli2 lain dlm group tour kami-=

This English guided tour lead by Jane as the tourist guide were also joined by a newly wed couple from US + 2 families from Philippine and China + 3 other people. During that 5 hours trip we were given the chance to went to 3 famous tourist spots in Seoul.

=- Hi there, we are your tourist guide for today -=

(1) Gyeongbokgung Palace
This is the first place for the tour which is about 1 hour journey with car from the IIA. Gyeongbokgung Palace is a royal palace located in northern Seoul. The name of the palace, Gyeongbokgung, if translated in English mean "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven."

=- the entrance ticket -=

=- the entrance area -=

=- on top of the roof -=

=- surrounded by other modern high-rise building -=

The premises were destroyed by fire at the time of the Japan's occupation of Korea during 1592-1598. However, all of the palace's 7,700 rooms were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun in the years of King Gojong (1852~1919) .

=- inside view of the palace -=

There were Five Grand Palaces built by the Josen Dynasty. It is advised by the travel guide to spend 3 hours around the Royal Palace.

=- guard changing ceremony -=

The main palace building Geunjeongjeon is an ornate two-storey building. Gyeonghoeru, a large raised pavillion resting on 48 stone pillars, is the second one. This building is located on the left of the main building. On the right is the large living quarters for the primary queen which is called Gyotaejeon. On the eastern side the quarters for the crown prince Jaseondang is located. *sila tak perlu kagum camne I leh ingat nama2 panjang dlm bhs korea melainkan info di cilok dari sini, I tak dengar sangat pun masa Jane explain hoho*

To be honest, hubby and I feel excited to see the palace only for the first 30 minutes. Lepas tu dah agak bosan sebab bagi kitorang lebih kurang je design untuk setiap palace tu. Plus, baby SN is being cranky and grumpy due to the hot weather and lapar. Since this is a group tour, I couldn't really have the chance to take a break for a while to BF budak kecik yang dah kelaparan tu. The only chance that I have to BF him is when we were inside the car.

=- muka budak kecik adalah sangat masam mencuka -=

(2) National Folk Museum
Located inside Gyeongbok Palace, the National Folk Museum comprises three interconnected buildings. Inside the museum are examples of the different periods of Korean history, from pre-history through the Japanese occupation.

The National Folk Museum of Korea is the only national museum devoted to the history of traditional life, and most of the collection is closely related to the daily routines and occupations of pre-modern Koreans.

The diverse range of items includes wooden kimchi containers collected during a folk survey of Gangwon Province mountain communities, the skirts and jackets worn by newlywed brides, Joseon-era ornaments unearthed from graves, farming implements, and records of real estate transactions and many many more. *yea, sekali lagi info di cilok dari sini, mak tak kuasa nak hafal apa yang Jane dok pot pet explain ekekekeke*

(a) Exhibition Hall 1 displays the representative materials of everyday life and customs in Korea from prehistoric to modern times.

(b) Exhibition Hall 2 illustrates how Korean life of the Joseon period (1392-1910) revolved around the cycles of nature central to an agricultural society.

=- upacara untuk anak yang baru lahir -=

(c) Exhibition Hall 3 traces the major events in the life of a Korean born into the upper class of Joseon (1392-1910) society.

(d) The Donation Hall was established to honor those who have donated family heirlooms permanently to the museum. In so doing, they are sharing personal property with the public and making it available for research

(e) The Open-air Exhibition on the grounds of the National Folk Museum of Korea offers many items that remind the Korean viewer of traditional rural life. You can also see the stone piles and carved wooden birds atop long poles that were objects of village worship. Also of interest are the stone guardians of the twelve directions, with their humanoid bodies and animal faces.

(3) Insa-dong
The next destination for our tour is to the street of Insa-dong which is a narrow street lined with antique stores, art galleries and secondhand bookstores. This street is the most reliable place in the city to purchase antiques and reproductions, especially on the different types of Choson Dynasty chests. Traditional teahouses and art galleries are also concentrated in this area. *info cedok dari sini pulak*

=- along the Insa-dong street * I je tak berpayung, sebab tak bawak payung daa* -=

Since it was Sunday, the main street is blocked to vehicular traffic, allowing the throngs of people to mingle without fear of being run down by Seoul drivers taking a shortcut. It was raining cat and dog and chicken and duck upon arriving there.

We were given only 20 minutes to walk down the street,so tak cukup masa lah untuk shoping apa sangat. In the end, we just bought a Korean traditional sweets i.e Korean court cakes: KkulTare. Kkultarae are made with honey. Thick, firm honey is stretched and pulled into strands, dipped heavily in cornstarch to keep the strands from sticking together, then wrapped around a filling of ground nuts. The finished product is made with 16,000 strands of very fine honey!

=- tengok muka hubby yang bersunguh makan KkulTare yang sungguh2 lazat -=

The kkultarae is dry and sweet, with a bit of a nuttiness to the inside. At first we bought the almond flavor. Since the taste of KkulTare is so tempting; we bought another box of KkulTare of peanut flavor at the airport *which cost higher price than the one sold in Insa-dong uhuhuhu*. Here's a video that I shoot on the making of the KkulTare. The vendor man is so funny and entertaining; he even used dual-language (Korean & English) while explaining the process.

The tour ended at a Korean restaurant where all of us were given the chance to taste Korean meal. It is more or less similar to Japanese food, with an addition of kimchi + seaweed on top of the rice. The rice is put in a claypot bowl and served together with miso soup. The taste is OK..not so bad yet not so delicious..biasa2 jer lah kan, nak expect apa sangat makan nasi dengan sayur je pon hehe.

=- nama restoran tu tapi I tak tahu baca eheh -=

=- rice + seaweed + veggie -=

=- kimchi + veggies -=

Okeh, ni I nak buat promosi sikit. Sambil2 I tulis entry ni, ada keluar promosi dari AirAsia kat Nuffnang ads I. So, cekidaut *click the image* for those of you who was thinking of going to Seoul (*sebab-terus-rasa-teruja-lepas-baca-entry-ini*) at cheaper and affordable flight ticket price.

=- 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo: goodbye) KOREA -=

Psssstttt : banyak lagi gambar2 kat Korea untuk di share, kalau rajin I buat lagi satu entry..kalau malas, takde la jawabnya eheh