Friday 28 November 2014

[Singapore] - DBS Marina Bay Sailing

DBS Marina Bay Sailing| by Meheartseoul
As the largest bank in Singapore, DBS cements the Marina Bay area as Singapore’s new financial centre when it moved its headquarters to Marina Bay Financial Centre in 2012. 

In addition to playing an integral role in Singapore’s growth as the region’s financial hub, DBS believes in giving back to the community and is committed to making the Bay a vibrant locale with a series of initiatives – DBS Marina Bay Sailing, DBS Marina Regatta, DBS Movies by the Bay and POSB PAssion Run for Kids.  

In 2013, DBS became the first corporate in Singapore to offer complimentary monthly sailing to the public at Marina Bay which enables people from all walks of life to enjoy the Bay from a different perspective. 

The sailing programme has been immensely popular with allocations snapped up within minutes.  In view of the overwhelming demand, the bank extended the programme and with effect from January 2014, sailing is available to on a fortnightly basis on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

Registration is open on the second Wednesday of every month at 11.45am, and is available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please click here to register.

My husband is a DBS staff, he booked this sailing programme for us. Kids were so happy to have this fun sailing activity. It's our first time experiencing sailing~~~

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Take MRT to Bayfront.

You'll see Iconic Marina Bay Sands 
once you came out from Exit E.
 
Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 Turn to your right and walk to Marina Bay Waterfront...

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
until you see Marina Bay City Gallery on your left...

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
The meeting point is the pontoon opposite the Gallery.

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
The boats are coming on time...

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
  A safety briefing was conducted prior to departure.

Do arrive at least 10 minutes earlier, else your sailing slot may be 
released to other participants. 

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Wear your life vest before step in to the boat.

Ok, ready to sail along Marina Bay...

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 Be careful of your head, especially when the boat is going to change direction.

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 The kind instructor teaches kiddos how to control the boat.

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 and let them experience sailing the boat themselves.

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 Serious Captain Cheerry sailed us to Singapore Flyers...

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 Cool Captain Zhi sailed us to Citibank Building.

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
The boat sails slow or fast depending on the wind.

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
It was drizzling and we'd to go back...

Singapore DBS Marina Bay Sailing | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 That's ended our 45 minutes sailing experience :)

[Muju Ski Resort] - Let's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Snowy Hill~!

Not to miss thing to do in Muju: Let's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Snowy Hill~! | by Meheartseoul
Somehow, I feel really awkward writing this post because I couldn't find any good excuses for this long delayed posting. We visited Korea in Feb 2014, and now it's another winter in Korea!

Wow it's cool~! Wow it's so cold~! Wow I'm in panic mode~!!!

The instructor showed us how to clip our ski boots to the ski binders... Oh, that's quite easy! Where's all my energy gone?! I stepped with all my strength but still they didn't want to clip together! Finally did it after few attempts.

 et's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Muju Snowy Hill~! | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Muju Eastern Ski Slope.

et's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Muju Snowy Hill~! | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Please go to the slope according to your skill.
Green: Beginner Slope, Blue: Intermediate, Black: Advance, 2 diamonds Black: Expert.

et's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Muju Snowy Hill~! | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
We practice basic skill such as how to slide, to stop, to fall and get up 
on the flat snow before going up to beginner slope.

et's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Muju Snowy Hill~! | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
My clumsy 'Penguin style' walk~~~

  et's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Muju Snowy Hill~! | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Remember to put your ski lift card in your pocket.
It'll be auto scan by ski lift detector.  

The lift brought us to the top of Eastern Ski Slope. Though it's a gentle straight slope from below, but The moment I looked down the slope from the top, my whole body reacted strangely! My heart was pumping crazily fast, my feet were turning to jelly without my permission. Oh my goodness~!!

My instructor asked whether I'm scared?! 
With fake smile I answered him that I'm alright!

et's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Muju Snowy Hill~! | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
어떡해! 어떡해, Vera?!!!

Aigoo! sorry for that awkward V-shape position.

Should open both legs synchronous to make this V-shape position for stopping, but my stubborn legs totally ignored my brain command. I'd to forcefully stop sliding using ski poles. Sigh~!!!

It's too obvious I never exercise judging from my stiff inflexible moves. So, I'd no choice but to  admit that I didn't even exercise when the instructor asked whether I do exercise regularly.

 대박 Vera~!!! See... not bad, right?!
I can get gold medal for my perfect falling down skill.

I kid you not! It's important to master this technique too. My hubby's sliding skill is better than mine. But, he didn't know how to fall down properly. I screamed historically when he hits the red barrier pole because he didn't know how to maneuver or to stop himself in time. Though I also don't know how to control the direction or to stop in time, but at least I know how to fall down before banging to the barrier. :P

I just couldn't help to laugh out loud subsequently because my predictions were right! He really ended up kissing or hugging the pole (should I get jealous?). Luckily, he didn't crush to other person and rolled down like a snowball!

Actually I feel bad for him and our instructor. He'd to help my heavy hubby to get up from the slippery slanted slope. Yes, we still don't know how to stand up on our own...

et's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Muju Snowy Hill~! | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Resting for a while after 2 hours skiing lesson.

et's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Muju Snowy Hill~! | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Unbelievable! I was perspiring this much in 5°C cold weather. 
Maybe skiing is also a good sport to burn excess calories? 
or am I having cold sweat because too nervous?!

et's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Muju Snowy Hill~! | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Resting ourselves at refreshment area
in front of the Eastern Slope.

et's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Muju Snowy Hill~! | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Rehydrated myself with Ionic drink 'Pocari Sweat'
before our second round of skiing lesson.

et's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Muju Snowy Hill~! | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
My instructor suggested us to go to Intermediate slope...

Both of us didn't have enough courage to do that. Intermediate slope, Rookie hill is much longer and more inclined.. So, for 3 hours we just practiced at Eastern slope.

Thinking of it, I'm a bit regret though. We should at least try it once, since there's instructor guiding and taking care of us.

Ok, that's ended our unforgettable fun ski lesson with our skilled ski instructor, Mr Jun-Hyeong. He has more than 10 years experience in skiing. Oh yah, did I mentioned that he can slide up the hill? Awesomely cool! I wish to have such 'power' too.
We considered ourselves lucky to find the only English speaking instructor in Muju Ski Resort. He speaks fluent English, so we didn't have any communication problem to learn the ski techniques.

Too bad, he's in Military service from now until 2016. However, if you need ski instructor, he can recommend his uncle who is also a ski instructor in Muju. His uncle understands and speaks simple English.

Ok, stay tuned for our fun snow playing time...

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Sunday 23 November 2014

[Muju Ski Resort] - Mansun House

Must visit tourist attraction in Muju: Mansun Ski Resort | by Meheartseoul
We actually went to Mansun House to check our Winter Wonderland package and ski lesson before we had our lunch at Zephyr Coffee

Muju Ski Resort - Mansun House 만선하우스 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Manson House (만선하우스).
 185, Manseon-ro, Seolcheon-myeon,
Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Korea

Muju Ski Resort - Mansun House 만선하우스 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 Our package came with free lift coupon for daytime (08:30 - 16:30) or   
afternoon and evening time (12:00 - 22:00) or night time (18:30 - 02:00),

Our itinerary for the afternoon was to visit 33 scenic spots in Gucheon-dong. We emailed to KTO to check the available transportation, but they couldn't advise us as the website didn't stated the addresses. We also called 1330 using Skype when we're in Korea to check, but they were accessing the same website with no specific information on it. So, we shifted our skiing lesson earlier.

Muju Ski Resort - Mansun House 만선하우스 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
You can rent ski equipments and buy lift / gondola coupon here.

Someone approached us when we're exchanging our lift coupons. He asked whether we need skiing lesson. Then we said yes, and he called the instructor for us. 

The instructor came to Mansoon House after we agreed with 3 hours lesson for 100,000 Won /person. It's much cheaper than normal fees charged, maybe because our instructor gave us discount as it's off season. We also rented proper ski jackets and pants (10,000 Won / set).

We rented ski equipments from Manson House because we're entitled for 50% discount that came with the hotel package. 

After our lunch, we went back to Manson House as our gathering point. The earlier guy waited there and brought us our ski jackets and pants. 

Muju Ski Resort - Mansun House 만선하우스 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Ski Equipments collection center at Mansun House.
Turn left for Snowboarding collection and turn right for washroom.
  
Muju Ski Resort - Mansun House 만선하우스 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
First, measuring our shoes sizes to get our ski boots.

then go to the counter with the exact shoe sizes...

But, we didn't know that they need ID cards or passports for security deposit of ski gears rental. Great that they're quite flexible and accepted credit card with our hotel room number, else my hubby had to go back to the room again to get them, as we left our wallets, cameras and backpack in the room.

Muju Ski Resort - Mansun House 만선하우스 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Rear view of ski boots.

Muju Ski Resort - Mansun House 만선하우스 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Collected our boots, ski bindings and poles.
We're ready to start our first skiing lesson~!

Muju Ski Resort - Mansun House 만선하우스 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com 
Can you make a guess what's total weight of these 3 ski equipments?
You must think that they're quite light judging that I 
carried them effortlessly with smiley face.

No, they're not light... Total weight of these 3 ski equipments maybe up to 12 kg or more! 

Time to change our ski outfits and ski boots. Paid lockers are available in Manson House. So, we stored our jackets and shoes there.

Tralala~! We're all ready?! Really excited, but frankly I was a bit scared to start our very first ski lesson... hahaha! 

It's so hard to walk with heavy and hard firm ski boots, especially need to carry 2 long and heavy ski binders. I walked like a robot and very slow. Luckily our instructor was kind enough to help me carry my ski binders (and also carried his own ski binders). It's much better that I only need to carry 2 sets of poles with me :P

Muju Ski Resort - Mansun House 만선하우스 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Take the escalator from Manson House to access to Manson Base Course.

Muju Ski Resort - Mansun House 만선하우스 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 There are Beginner, Intermediate, Advance 
and Expert slopes at Manson Base.

Muju Ski Resort - Mansun House 만선하우스 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 And we started our ski lesson soon (to be continued...)

Monday 17 November 2014

[Muju Ski Resort] - Zephyr coffee (제퍼커피)

Recommended Food and cafe to chill in Muju: Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | by Meheartseoul
Time to feed wormies in our tummies before go for skiing lesson...

Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 Found this spacious cafe around Carnival Street (카니발 스트리트).

 Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 cozy and spacious feeling with simple wooden chairs and tables.

Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
This cafe is selling Traditional Japanese food such as Katsu, Udon, Ramen.

I think they're sharp in doing business. Customers more likely choose hot and filling food than bread or deserts to fight the cold and to have more energy for winter sports.

Happy with their friendly staff and his awesome service. He suddenly popped out from nowhere when we stood in front of the food banner. He simply introduced the menu in English to us, as if he knew that I got a bit hard time to read and translate everything to my hubby.

Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
 Crispy breaded Donkatsu (돈까스) with mashed sweet potato inside.

Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Fish katsu with rice ball, miso soup, salad, cucumber and radish pickles and dipping sauce.
Perfect golden-colored crispy skin outside, but juicy inside!

I tried to zoom in the photo to check the price, but it's too blur to see whether it's 4,400 won (super cheap!) or 9,900 won (very reasonable price).

Maybe because we didn't order drink, the same staff also came to our table to let us know that drinking water is self-service, and pointed that we can get the cups beside the counter. Wow~ indeed a very alert staff, no need asking!
Please don't under estimate the taste because the above photos shown nobody inside this cafe. Yes, we're their only customers when we dined there. It's because it's on Thursday and end February was already off peak season for winter leisure in Korea.

To be frank, I don't really remember the taste, but I do remember the food didn't disappoint us. We're satisfied with the price, the taste and great service.

Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
We quickly finished up the food, maybe because we're 
really hungry and excited to start our ski lesson :P

My hubby had to go back to our room to get cash, because the ski instructor not accepting credit card. I decided to hide myself here from freezing cold air outside. As if we booked the whole cafe, I really utilized almost every corners to take photos... ㅋㅋ :P


Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com 
This big half round window is my favorite spot.
Nice to sit and gaze out from there, maybe it's even nicer to read a book,
chit chat and have a cup of hot tea / coffee there.

Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Small flower pots give lovely and romantic atmosphere,
and old-fashioned coin telephone added a bit of vintage touch to it. 

"여보세요~?!" Yes, hello~?!! Ups, the phone was not working. Well, I didn't intend to make a call.... just wanna snap some photos with it! Hahaha.

Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Pretty orchid!

Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
OMG! more random selfie poses inside the cafe!

Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Great that wifi signal was quite good inside the cafe and around
Carnival Street.

It seemed that not the whole resort has internet connection, or has very poor signal. Our pocket wifi not connected if we're around Kookmin Hotel.

Muju Ski Resort - Zephyr coffee 제퍼커피 | meheartseoul.blogspot.com
Tel: 010-5362-6901
Operating Hours: 07:00 to 23:00 
전라북도 무주군 설천면 심곡리 산43-15번지
(around Carnival Street - Muju Deogyusan Resort)
Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Korea.