Hong Kong Trip: Avenue of the Stars

When we travelled from Seoul to Jakarta, we had to transit at Hong Kong first. We intentionally pick a long transit time (about 7 hours) so we can had some time to getting to know Hong Kong. Both my sister and I never visit Hong Kong before, so with limited time that we had, we wanted to visit the most popular place in Hong Kong which is Avenue of the Stars.

To get to Avenue of the Stars, we took an airport express from Hong Kong airport to Central station. From there, we continue using MRT to Tsim Sha Tsui. We took exit J, then we cross the Salisbury road and arrived at Avenue of the Stars.

View of Nathan Road after crossing Salisbury Road

When entering Avenue of the Stars, we're welcomed by HKFAA statue. Then the first view of avenue of the stars is the high rise at the Hong Kong island.

the HKFAA statue

view of the building at Hong Kong island

Fortunately when we're looking to the building at the Hong Kong island, there's a boat with red sail crossing our view which make the view even better.

The boat with its red sail add some magic to the view

When you're in Avenue of the Stars, don't forget to check out the stars's hall of fame with their hand prints, movie attributes, descriptive milestones, and the famous Jet Li statue.

with my favorite mandarin star's hall of fame

movie attributes

the milestones

the famous Jet Li statue

During our walk along Avenue of the Stars, we smell something so delicious, then we found out that it was shredded squid. We walk to one of the squid kiosk and buy one shredded squid for HK$30.

Shredded Squid kiosk

my sister and the shredded squid

From Avenue of the Stars, we continue our walk to Clock Tower. Before arrived at Clock Tower, we found a newly wed couple, complete withe their bridesmaid and groomsmen. Such a lovely view. Near Clock Tower, there was a Korean Forest Products festival, We have no interest to visit since we just visited Korea by our selves.

the newly wed

the Clock Tower

Korean Forest Products

Nearby the Clock Tower, we can find the Star Ferry Pier, but before then we bought an ice cream near the pier. The weather that day was so hot. Really contrast to Seoul weather.

one ice cream please

Star Ferry Pier

Star Ferry Pier entrance

Next to Star Ferry pier, there were ocean terminal. At the ocean terminal, we can spot two huge cruise ships. They're look amazing. Along the street from Star Ferry Pier to Ocean Terminal there's a Christmas ornaments which make the street looks bling bling.

the amazing cruise ships

Christmas ornament along the street to Ocean terminal

Since our feet already too tired to walk, we decided to come back to the station and take a train to airport. During our walk to the station we found a double-decker bus (it seems like most bus in Hong Kong is double-decker), and we also met with the newly wed wedding car with Homer and Marge Simpsons at the front.

the double-decker bus

cute Simpsons-theme wedding car

From Tsim Sha Tsui, we took MRT to Central Station and continue with Airport Express to Hong Kong Airport. From inside the train, we could see that Hong Kong is never stop building. Like the apartments complex that are still under construction at the picture below.

Airport Express ticket

inside the express train

the view from inside the train

Finally we arrived at Hong Kong airport again, and its time to come back home. But before then, we had our last dinner in Hong Kong. My sister bought a bibimbap while I just enjoy a desert.

Last dessert I enjoyed at Hong Kong airport. Like a mix of panacota, strawberry jam, orange peel candy, and chocolate crust at the botom. love it!

XOXO,
The Tourist

South Korea Trip: School Food, Twosome Place, and Rio Cafe

During our trip in Seoul, we visited some restaurants and cafes. From them all, I had three recommended places to visit during your stay in Seoul:

1. School Food

We visited School Food at M Plaza in Myeong-dong. It was at lunch time and we just finished our hanbok photo session. We ordered toppoki, kimbap, and tofu ramen.

School Food

toppoki

Kimbap

Tofu Ramen

Massida!

All the foods were delicious and the taste was not too spice nor plain. The atmosphere was right for lunch time and it was not too crowded. We also saw some young girls at there too, which seems like a favorite lunch place. The price was affordable and we was really happy to fill our stomach there.


2. Twosome Place cafe

We visited Twosome Place near our hostel in Myeong-dong. The first reason why we visited this cafe was because it has Lee Min Ho picture on front of the cafe. My sister is a huge fan of Lee Min Ho, so we entered the cafe and ordered a coffee and desert. I forget the name of the desert, all I remember is the dessert was delicious, not too sweet, and just right. The coffee was good too, I forget whether we order cappuccino or mocha latte, but it was in the right composition too.

it looks good and taste good!

my sister and her Lee Min Ho :P

The consumer who entered the cafe are various, but most of them are in the early 20's or late 20's.

Definitely will stop by if I found a Twosome Place cafe again nearby.


3. Rio Cafe

We visit Rio Cafe at Hangang Bridge. Originally we just want to visit any cafe at the bridge that has futuristic look. This idea was inspired by a korean series called "Missing You". We were so amuse by the look of the cafe and decided to visit such cafe when we travel to Seoul.

Even though the original cafe that was in the Missing You series is not Rio Cafe (it was Gureum Cafe), but it still amazing for us to see how sophisticated the look of the cafe.

Rio Cafe

the cashier

our cups of coffee

I ordered tiramisu cake as desert, cappuccino, and a unique coffee name that I don't remember. The coffee was good, the ambiance was calm and peaceful, and the view from inside the cafe was good (but not stunning).

I recommend you to visit any of the cafe nearby Hangang, Banpo, Hannam, or Jamsil bridge. The looks of those cafe will amuse you or at least make you feel like you're going to the future for a while.



XOXO,
The Tourist

South Korea Trip: Everland Theme Park

Travelling to Korea won't complete without visiting Everland theme park. So, the last day before leaving Korea, we visit Everland. We stayed at Seoul 24 Guesthouse, which's really close to Seoul Station. After breakfast, we walk to the station. Even in early morning, we could see some people exercising in the park. I wish I have such park near my house so I don't have to go to the gym for just some stretching.

Park with Gym Equipment

kids playground nearby our guesthouse

Everland is located in the far south of Seoul. Therefore it took us about an hour to arrived at Eveland using Yongin Ever Line (train). From Everland station, we follow the guidance at the street then we arrived at the Everland bus stop. The bus that took us from the station to Everland is free of charge.

Everland Bus Station

inside Everland bus

After arrived at the Everland, we bought the entrance ticket for 37,000 won each. It accept credit card if you don't bring enough cash.

the entrance ticket

another side of the ticket

Everland entrance gate

The first thing we did after entering the gate was having a brunch. we haven't had our breakfast yet, so we stopped by at the nearest restaurant, whose name Venezia. The taste was so so, but because we're hungry it become a bit delicious.

Venezia Restaurant

our brunch menu

After loaded our stomach, we visit the nearest attraction, which is K-Pop Hologram. It was the time for 2NE1 show. I almost shed a tear when watching the show, it looked and felt so real and they're so beautiful as well.

in front of K-Pop Hologram

The next destination is the Magic Tree. This giant tree is famous, since all my friend who went to Everland always take a pic of this tree. Fortunately there's a LINE store in front of the Magic Tree, since I really love LINE characters and wanted to buy one of its authentic product in Korea.

the Magic Tree

under the Magic Tree (yes, it was this huge)

Brown, Cony, Sally, and me

The main attraction that we wanted to try was T-Express. T-Express is the world's ninth fastest, fourth tallest, and sixth longest wooden coaster. The queue for this attraction is so long, because it's the most famous attraction in Everland.

me trying to capture T-Express from far away

it's really made of woods

Actually I wanted to try the other roller coaster too, the Rolling X-Train, but it was closed due to maintenance at the time came there. There also plenty of thrilling attractions, but my sister was too afraid to try. So the other 'thrilling' attraction that she dare to try was Racing Coaster, which was only really thrill for kids :(

in front of Rolling X-Train

In front of Racing Coaster

queuing among children

Besides attraction, it also has a music show to entertain the children at the Carnival Square. I also ate some snacks during my time in Everland including the Minimelts ice cream (I did not remember it was really Minimelts or just its wannabe).

Show at Carnival Square

our Minimelts

The topography of Everland is like hills and valley, once you go to the valley (where T-Express located), you will have to go through a climb a steep road to get back to the hill (the entrance gate). Luckily there's a travelator that can help you overcome this. Such a great idea.

my favorite travelator

Another famous icon in the Everland beside the giant tree is its garden. When my friends came there in October, the Four Season Garden and Rose Garden were covered with flowers including tulip. But since I came there in mid November, the flowers already gone and replaced by beautiful lights! The garden was so big, and it's all covered by little lamp. A really romantic ambiance if you went were there with your love one.

beautiful lights at Four Season Garden

Blue lights at Rose Garden

another view of the Rose Garden

That night was quite cold and the nicest thing was the park provided a room to warm up your body. It's located in several places and really useful especially if you bring little children in that kind of temperature.

the warming room at Carnival Square

Before leaving the park, we passed by the giant tree again and it looks more beautiful since it's already covered with lights.

XOXO,
The Tourist