Thaipusam 2010 in Penang

My last Thaipusam in Penang before relocation. 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, cover up our feet and legs if we were to join the coconut smashing event again lol.

There's something we find it amused but at the same time amazed~ 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 stop. Immediately two standby bulldozers begin to push smashed coconuts off the road to and forth. Then whistle blow and everyone continue smashing coconut again, then repeat with bulldozer run thru and clear off again. haha It amused us even the devotees are laughing and say "here comes the bulldozers again" lol.  

Hanjeongsik~ Gimcheon Ulsan Restaurant & Jikji Cultural Park, Gimcheon.김천 울산식당 한정식맛집 과 직지 문화공원

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. Oppa said it's snowing in Gimcheon. Yeah finally I get to see snow again as Busan doesn't or rarely snow due to it's geography. He said he can't recall when it is the last time Busan snowed. During the 2 hours and 15 mins journey, we dozed off for almost an hour at the beginning. When we woke up again, we can see 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 to have Hanjeongsik lunch at a mountain town below Jijiksa. Jikjisa is one of the oldest temple in Korea constructed in 418 during the Silla Kingdom, located at the bottom of Hwangaksan, 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 for lunch at this well-know 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.

How 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.

Third & last Jjajangmyeon in Busan~ Beomtae Yetnal Sonjjajang, Seomyeon 부산서면범태 옛날손짜장

As Seomyeon is an interchange station, either metro or bus when we go somewhere, we came to Seomyeon almost everyday. Seomyeon is one of the most crowded and busy commercial district in Busan with Lotte Department Store, Lotte Hotel & Casino, underground shopping malls, retails, medical centre, plastic surgery clinics, tuition centre and etc. Today we came here to shop a little at Lotte Duty Free located inside the Lotte Department Store, also have late lunch / early dinner before go back. Since it is duty free, the items I purchase only can be collect at Lotte Duty Free in Incheon Airport on the day I return to Malaysia after I check-in.

After shopping, we have late lunch at 범태옛날손짜장 Beomtae Yetnal Sonjjajang famous with old school taste Jjajang with handmade noodle, located next to Lotte Department Store. This is my third and also last Jjangmyeon in Busan. The handmade noodle texture is different from the previous 2 Jjajangmyeon we had before. However I found their Jjim-mandu (steamed dumplings) is way more delicious than the Jjajangmyeon. Can't stop eating the steamed mandu once started and one basket seems not enough for 2 persons haha. We also wanted to try the famous 별난씨호떡 Byeolnam seed hotteok (a Korean style pancake with brown sugar filling and seeds) which is just around the corner but the queue is no ending, we end up give up.

Tteokbokki~ Da-li-jib, Namcheon-dong, Busan 부산 수영구 남천1동 떡볶이 맛집 다리집

Day 4. We walk from Gwanganli until Namcheon-dong. Decided to stop by this tteokbokki place that many celebrities will came over for tteokbokki when they are in Busan. Our choose set meal A @ 3,500 won which consist of 2 pieces of tteokbokki, deep fried dumplings, deep fried fishcake and deep fried squid. Operate since 1980, this tteokbokki place is run by father and his two sons for over 30 years now. Just like other matjib, this place become well known after being interview and introduce by TV programmes. Korean celebrities who visited the place who left their signatures on white plastic plate are display at a wall at the corner. There are quite a numbers of Japanese cosplay figures display around that corner too - guess it is the owner's personal collections.

Gwanganli Beach & Gwangan Daekyo, Busan 부산 광안리 과 광안대교

Beside Haeundae, another beach worth to visit in Busan is Gwanganli. Gwanganli is more well-know with Gwangan Daekyo (Gwangan bridge) - a suspension bridge that connects Haeundae-gu to Suyeong-gu - which can be view from any part from the beach. Gwangan Daekyo also known as diamond bridge, as it bling and shine like a diamond at night. Just like Haeundae, Gwanganli is filled with hotels, restaurants and cafes along the beach. Gwanganli is also well known with sashimi restaurants and seafood market at Millak dong - upper side of Gwananli. From Milak-dong, we slowly walk to the other side of Gwanganli - Namcheon-dong. This part of Gwanganli is the closest point to see Gwangan Daekyo from the coast. Besides that, the Samik Beach Town Apartment complex next to the coast is a popular spot for cherry blossom during spring.

How to get here:

Take Busan Metro Line 2 - alight at Gwangan Station, Exit 3 or 5. Walk for approx. 10 min towards Gwangalli Beach.