Thaipusam 2010 in Penang

January 2010. My last Thaipusam in Penang before relocated to KL. This year we get to experience coconut smashing for the first time which is different from past visits to Waterfall Rd Temple for Kavadi and piercing ritual on Thaipusam. My company setup a booth for the first time in front of it's new building at Macalister Rd. where the Silver chariot will passed by upon the return to Lebuh Penang. We visit the booth to give a support, and surely not miss the chance to witness devotee break the coconuts on this busy Macalister Road. The coconuts were placing on both side on the road. After the chariot passed, the devotees begin to smash the coconuts on the road hard. Some of them smashed it so hard that the coconut shredded pieces flying off everywhere and I got my toe cut and bleed a little due to this. Lesson learnt, it is important to cover up our feet and legs to prevent incident like this happen.

There's something we find it amused but also amazed at the same time~ which is how efficient is the MPPP (Penang Municipal council) clear off the smashed coconuts with bulldozer. When there are many smashed coconuts fill up the road, we heard whistle blow to call for a temporarily stop. Immediately two standby bulldozers begin to push smashed coconuts off the road to and forth. Then whistle blow again and everyone continue with smashing coconut again; then repeat with bulldozer run thru and clear off again haha! It amused us including the devotees are laughing and say "here comes the bulldozers again" lol. What a fun and unforgettable Thaipusam for us. 

Last day in Seoul~

January 2010. We spend our last 2 days in Korea in Seoul. We head to Seoul via a midnight express bus from Busan and arrived at Seoul Station before dawn. While waiting for the first subway train starts operate (we will take subway to our accommodation in Seoul Station, I saw McDonald's and Lotteria just side by side and was amazed with it. Oppa said lets have super early breakfast at Lotteria since I have been wanted to try Lotteria when we were in Busan. Lotteria is the biggest fast-food chain in Korea and it is like the Korea version of McDonalds as both have many similarity in their menu and packaging. Burges and fries, fried chicken, meals set with toys, ice-cream and even shake-shake fries (that we always eat at McD). However there are something Lotteria have that McD don't offer~ Shrimp burger and Hanwoo burger (Korean beef burger)~ and that's what we chose and it is really tasty!! 

Took the 5.30am subway to Jamsil where we will stay for one night. After sleep for 2-3 hours, we wake up and head out to Lotte world for lunch. Finally I am here at Lotte world~ I have been wanting to see the Carousel after watched the Korean drama Stairway to Heaven. Sadly, there's no way can be see from outside thru the glass window unless we buy tickets to enter the theme park. But it is really waste of money since we have no time for the theme park - it's a huge theme park with indoor and outdoor like Disney world. So I will leave it for next time then, I will be back someday anyway. We choose to have Dolsot Bibimbap for lunch and my Dolsot Cheese Bibimbap is so addictive~ never know gochujang and cheese can be such a great combination for Bibimbap! 

From Lotte world, we take subway line 2 for 2 stops to Samseong-dong COEX mall and look around at the central of Gangnam District. Snow pile up everywhere outside as it snowed heavily last night. Thankfully it stops snowing today so we get to walk outdoor more but not just indoor. 

From Gangnam, we take subway to Dongdaemun. A group of white Darth Vader is doing dance performance on Girl's Generation's Gee when we arrived, so cute! That's Cheonggyecheon Stream that flows through the heart of Seoul (from Dongdaemun to Gwanghwamun) and Dongdaemun shopping district / wholesale town behind me. Initially we wanted to take a stroll along the steam from Dongdaemun slowly to Namedaemum but our plan changed after we saw the snowy path. The fortress that guarded Dongdaemun since 1398 is Heunginjimun (also known as East Big Gate). There are also North, South and West Gate - Eight gates in total with four big gates + four small gates around Seoul. 

From here, we slowly walk to Myeongdong. When we reach Myeongdong the sky already dark at 5pm in Winter and temperature drop below 21 Celsius. This year happens to be one of the coolest winter for Korea, too cold to stay outdoor long hours, we then went for early dinner at Andong Jjimdak at Myeongdong 10-gil. Andong Jjimdak is Korean braised chicken dish where you can choose to add noodles (tangmyeon or udon). It's my first time trying Andong Jjimdak, I find similar to our Chinese braised chicken dish. After meal we went for quick shopping at Myeongdong and I managed to get Korean skincare products and clothing that is Made in Korea for myself and my family before we go back Jamsil. 

김천 울산식당 한정식맛집 과 직지 문화공원 Gimcheon~ Ulsan Restaurant's Hanjeongsik Lunch & Jikji Cultural Park

January 2010. Day 5 in Busan. Today we travel to Gimcheon for a business trip. It's our first time to Gimcheon - a city in North Gyeongsang Province. From Gupo station, we took the earliest Korail train to Gimcheon. It's snowing in Gimcheon~ finally I get to see snow again as Busan rarely snow due snow cloud will become dry when they pass over Jirisan in Jeonnam. Oppa said he can't recall when it is the last time Busan snowed. During the 2.5 hours journey, we dozed off for almost an hour at the beginning. When we woke up again, we saw snow along the railway, grounds and mountain. After arrived Gimcheon, we had hot udon & kimbap as breakfast at a cafe next to Gimcheon Station exit before we depart to our destination.

After the meeting, we were invited for Hanjeongsik lunch at a mountain town below Hwangaksan where a well-known temple Jijiksa is located not far away. Jikjisa is one of the oldest temple in Korea constructed in 418 during the Silla Kingdom, well known with it's temple stay. This small town in Daehang-myeon that covered with snow everywhere has restaurants and motels that accommodate people who came to visit the Jikjisa.

We have Hanjeongsik lunch at this matjib named 울산식당 Ulsan Restaurant. Hanjeongsik is a full-course traditional Korean meal served with an array of savory side dishes. It was served in the royal palaces for Kings and noble class during Joseon Dynasty. Side dishes can be vary according to the season or region. Main dish normally are meat or seafood. Here charcoal grilled bulgogi is served as main. There are 3 types of Hanjeongsik in their menu. Lowest is 13,000 won per pax and highest is 20,000 per pax. Except for the main dish (grilled pork and beef), the vegetable side dish are refillable. If you would like to try different types of Korean side dishes at once, Hanjeongsik restaurant can be the best choice with affordable price!

After meal. we take a stroll at the 직지 문화공원 Jik-ji Cultural Park which is just few miles away from the restaurant before head to train station and return to Busan. The park completed in 2004 has a natural steam running thru the park, surrounded by beautiful landscape, artificial fountain, sculptures and other facilities. Now it is covered in snow in winter so basically there is just white scenery everywhere. To get here: From Gimcheon Train Station, take bus No. 11 or No. 111 to Jikjisa Temple- The restaurant and Jikji Cultural Park is located few km before Jikjisa Temple.