Volunteering job in South Korea

*no photo post*

Hello peeps! I wonder if anyone ever waited for my new post lol been busy lately and here I am!

It's been quite a while since I'm back in Malaysia. My flight was 3rd April to ICN - KUL. I made a surprise to my mom and yeah it was a success 엄마 미안 ㅋㅋ 

Sometimes I do miss Seoul and Busan and the reality is here in Malaysia. Travelling...maybe not really my thing. I could say I didn't travel much when I was in South Korea (SK) but instead I was living there as a foreigner. Malaysian maximum stay in SK is 3 months or 90 days, I stayed there for about 81/82 days due to my last minute decision on family matter.

In this post I want to story a bit about what I did in SK for almost 3 months. I didn't spend a penny for accommodation but instead I did work exchange program, it means you need to do something in exchange for free accommodation which is a great deal especially for backpackers to save money (I'm  not a backpacker though) 

 

Few weeks before I landed in SK, I googled for a place to stay well yeah you can just google "free accommodation south korea" and you can get some option to choose depends on time, location and type of works. Some of them might require interview before they accepted you and some might just accept you depends on availability!

After discussion over emails we (me and my partner) got accepted in a guesthouse located in Gangnam. I'm not sure whether its okay or not to mention the guesthouse name anyway if you want to know please send me an email or comment. After we confirmed our arrival date only we bought the flight tickets which I could say..quite last minute. Btw, you need to give a specific date to confirm with the guesthouse, they won't decide the date for you. 

Once we arrived, our manager, B explained to us a little bit here and there about the guesthouse not much because its already night time and it was so cold that day so I guess he wanted us to get some rest first. First impression, everything was okay and we wanted to keep a positive mindset - which is very important when you're far away from your comfort zone.

The very next day B introduced us to the other staff who came from different part of the world. I could say this is my first experience to be surrounded by non-asian foreigners lol please excuse my jakun-ness. B explained to us about the job that we need to do which consists of bed making, cleaning toilets, recycling, laundry, vacuuming, and some other small job. We only need do one task per day (depends sometimes 2) and we can change task everyday (depends on which branch you're volunteering)

Basically what I did was housekeeping, I worked for 3 hours for 6 days in a week (a day off) and sometimes less than 3 hours, sometimes more than 3 hours depends on number of room to be cleaned.

I stayed in Gangnam branch for about a month and a half and then I moved to Busan, stay in the same guesthouse but different branch. Each branch have their own designs (of course) maybe a little bit different kind of work (more or less) but basically its almost the same which is housekeeping. 

Personally for me, doing work exchange program is recommended if you're going to travel for a long period and no rushing.

Oh, one more thing most of the guesthouse need you to stay at least one month. Not all of them but most of them. 

So I guess thats all. If you have any inquiry just send me an email or just google *wink*

Groceries shopping, E-Mart or Homeplus?

In Malaysia, we have Giant Supermarket where me and my family always buy groceries. Another option are Tesco Extra, AEON Big and etc.

Near my guesthouse there are 2 big mart which stated as above, 

E-Mart and Homeplus which is so close to each other.

At first I went to Homeplus because it is closer. 

But later on when I went to E-mart, I started to like E-Mart better.

Why?

Because they have variety of choices for each product. 

and E-Mart have their own products

It is the same with Giant (but I never buy Giant product lol)

So far, E-Mart and No Brand is the cheapest brand.

For example, milk, eggs, cereals are cheaper in E-Mart compare to Homeplus.

But of course depends on brand too.

I guess if you buy groceries in traditional market it would be cheaper.

But they didn't put any price so you need to ask the price.

Overall, it is my personal preferences. 

Maybe some people like Homeplus better, it depends :)

Night view in Nampo-dong.

We met a friend today, but I was sick and my mind wasn't so clear lol so I'm not sure where this place is..it is somewhere in Nampo-dong I guess..

Before that we had our dinner in Japanese restaurant near Jungang Station, the croquette was so delicious and that's all that my throat can accept lol

After the amazing view, we went to play bowling, my first experience play bowling in darkness lol anyway it was fun!

Anyway tonight was fun because I get to see the night view of Gwangan Bridge.

Thank you Yu-jeong :)

Paik's Coffee!

We planned to try Hanbok in Busan Museum but we came late, it was closed ㅠㅠ

So we just take a short tour in the museum.

...and the view outside is amazing...

From the museum, we walk to Kyungsung University (a VERY long evening walk)

to meet a friend..

The street view...or the sky view ㅋㅋㅋ

While waiting for our friend, we had coffee in Paik's Coffee which is headed by CEO Paik Jong-won (백종원) (the famous chef in korean cooking show : Home Food Rescue, Top 3 Chef King and etc.) 

As usual, Caramel Macchiato for life!

We're meeting Gizem!!! We met in Seoul and now we're in Busan!

I was so happy seeing her again!

We had dinner or maybe snack at my favorite place which sells Tuna Mayo Cup Rice (you can check my previous posts)

I love walking in winter season because of the weather of course ㅋㅋㅋ

생일축하 우리 친구, 린아! Happy Birthday, Lina!

새일 축하합니다~

생일 축하합니다~

사랑하는 우리 린아~

생일 축하합니다!

White chocolate cake from Paris Baguette.

One of the staff, LJ.

Tonight we had bibimbap. Our first experience trying delivery service in Korea! Hahahaha.

It was really delicious!!

Hwangnyeongsan Mountain (황령산)

I found my favorite place in Busan! It's Hwangnyeongsan Mountain. Just near my guesthouse and I got to know about this place from local people, not sure if it's popular for tourist or not. We planned to hiking that day in the evening (to see night view) because we finish work at 3pm, lunch, blablabla around 4 something we should go out. 

But then when we were ready to go, our friend Luke offered to drive us to the top of the mountain! (yes can drive there) so we took the opportunity to not hiking lololol

..and this is the view at the first photo zone...

..and we decided to climb the peak of the mountain which is reallyy easy lol

...this is the spot where you can see sunset..

..too bad we didn't get to see the night view because Luke wanna go back but anyway we had so much fun here (especially me) lol

On our way home Luke stopped by a convenience store and bought us cofee!!

Thanks LUKE!! <3

when we came back, Pedro is cooking Tuna Kimchi fried rice...

I had a spoonful and it taste really good and spicy!

Today was fun too!

Beomeosa Temple (범어사)

Today I went to one of the famous temple in Busan, Beomeosa Temple.

Since I love mountain view, I really enjoy my visit here :)

No captions, just enjoy the photos!

(no editing because you know....I'm lazy)

We took both subway and bus to reach here.

From Beomeosa Station and then few metres from exit 5/7 you will see a bus stop, ride on bus no. 90

If you want to hiking make sure you have the whole day unless you're korean. Hahaha. Joking!

It took around 10 mins by bus.

After we came down, we went to one of the cafe to warm ourselves..

I asked Camille the meaning of the below phrase and she told me the meaning and the correct spelling ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

After coffee session, we had our dinner in the next few stores lol

It's just local restaurant and I ordered bibimbap (eggs and veges) which was really delicious (maybe because I was so hungry in the cold weather)

Today was fun!

카페봄봄 (Cafe Bom Bom)

Today we just took some walk in Seomyeon (like always) and we decided to try this cafe.

It turns out to be my favorite coffee shop in here!

I tried their Caramel Macchiato and that was the best coffee in my life and it is cheap too compare to other bigger cafes.

This one only cost 3000won - the cheapest large cup with whipped cream! (for me)

So please look for this cafe when you're in Seomyeon (especially)

It is only small store with 3 small tables usually people will take out so its not always crowded I guess.

As I check on their website, they only have 2 store in Busan which is in Seomyeon and Nampo-dong.

They also have stores in Daegu, Anyang, Incheon and you can check in their website for more info Cafe Bom Bom. But none in Seoul I guess.

Soosa (Sushi Buffet) in Seomyeon

Today I went to Soosa with my dormmates.

Overall it was really good and delicious! 

My tummy almost burst from eating too much fruits actually lol

1st round, some seafood based sushi (they also have meat based sushi) tempura prawn was really good! and octopus takoyaki and fries..

This is grilled salmon, they offer this for maybe 15-30mins once.

You need to wait and they will ring a bell which means salmon grill is ready. I queued twice for this, success!

This one also taste so good, it guess they put like lemon sauce on it and there is mashed potato under the salmon which is the best!

Time for dessert after resting for a while lol

the purple ice cream, i was expecting it will be yam flavor (which is very common is Malaysia - so silly of me) but it turns out to be Lavender flavor. My friends said it taste like soap but I think it taste good maybe a little bit like perfume-taste(?) lol and jellies behind is just so-so one is grapefruit flavor and another one is mango. Green tea ice cream always the best!

2nd round for fruit (fruit is so expensive in South Korea so take your chance people!) and my favorite is the pineapple!! It taste so swwwweeeeeeeettttt I felt so satisfied of eating pineapple lol and the passion fruit is actually frozen and I guess that is the best way to eat it. Frozen passion fruit for life!

<3

Haeundae Beach and The New York Guys!

Today I went to Haeundae Beach.

The sand is so fine and soft (?) ㅋㅋㅋ

The sunset view is amazing here.

It's on my right...

..and this is my left view...

Before I reach the beach there are a lot of restaurants and cafe. We came here early (to see the night view) so we just take a walk and decided to try The New York Guys near station Dongbaek which is one station before Haeundae Station (where the Haeundae Beach located at) we just walk there since its cold (no sweat) and to save out Tmoney lolololol

They have (if i'm not mistaken) 3 varieties of main dishes which are falafel, chicken and lamb.

The menu photo below is not helping ( yez i know haha)

..their logo...I googled this place have Halal meat so I give it a try..if its not please correct me!

...and my choice would be Trio Overrice which include all 3 main dishes lol.

Interestingly they have 2 kind of portions. Korean or US portion. The difference is, US portion is 2 times Korean portion and the price also times 2. So you can have US portion if you want to share and eat it on the same plate i guess.

This photo is before the disaster started.....

Look what I did to my poor meal......

What actually happen was a friend of mine thought that was ketchup (tomato sauce) and she put a lot of it (she can't handle spicy food well!) and I don't know why I just follow her and POUR the HOT SAUCE on my dinner. Our first bite was disaster lolololol.

We headed to a cafe to rescue our burnt tounge. There is Compose Coffee Cafe but it is just or take away so we decided to have a drink in Paris Baguette (famous bakery in South Korea)

I never try coffee from this bakery before so why not!

Of course, this is my Caramel Macchiato... 

The design is simple yet cute and it was really good!

After our sweet coffee time, we headed back to the beach...

This is all that I have lol

It is beautiful because of the light from the buildings.

Maybe you can google to get better photos :)

...and this is the night view near my guesthouse.

That's all for today! :)

설빙 (Sulbing) near Seomyeon Station.

Today I hangout with my new korean friend. We had rabokki and kimbap but i didnt take photo of it lol. But! The main thing is about Sulbing! Korean dessert cafe. It is one of my favorite cafe and it is because of their bingsu. Let me introduce...

I dont exactly remember the name but it is the combination of green tea and chocolate it is my favorite!! It was so good and i really recommend this one! The photo is a bit dark but trust me! Lol.

The first korean chingus i met in Busan xD

The most right is Hogi and next to him is his friend which i dont remember his name lol 미안해!

Nice to meet you guys!