Seoul baby

Our final stop on our Asian Adventure was Seoul, South Korea. We went from a high of 35C to Seoul’s -5C, 40 degree drop, ouch, worse than a few years ago going Oz to Beijing!

After wrapping up, we did a fun walking tour round Bukchon Hanok Village, with the old style buildings.

Duck egg bread!

Seoul is all about the Palaces so we took in a couple, first off Gyeongbokgung.

 We squeezed in a spot of Christmas shopping, Korean style!

We had all sorts of treats at Gwangjang market: sushi, dumplings, mung bean pancakes washed down with rice wine, sat on heated seats outside!

We took a cable car up to the North Tower for great views across the city as it got dark. 

So many padlocks!

We had super tasty bibimbap after in the park.

Copying Daddy's expression!

On our last day we went to Changdeokgung Palace, with its lovely hidden garden.

The last piece in the jigsaw was a 24 hour journey home, via Istanbul with Turkish Airways. Their admin was a bit ropy and it felt a bit like we wouldn’t get out of Seoul even though we were sooo early. We ended up having to jump check in and get a fast track through security, but just made it!!

Home sweet home for Christmas. Phew!

George Town, Penang

We had a quick weekend back with Uncle Mejar, taking in the Batu Caves, while trying to avoid the over zealous monkeys, and celebrating Karam’s birthday with tasty Korean, including mixing the vodka-esque Soju with beer using a chopstick, more of that in South Korea please!

Then on to Penang in the north for more great food: Keuy Teoy, pork bek teh, dumplings, lobak...

Blue Mansion was impressive.

As was a walking tour round the UNESCO protected centre, including art on Armenian Street and looking round Kongsis.

Biryiani and butter chicken with mango lassi in another Little India was fun.

The Hop on Hop off tourist bus meant we could go further afield.

Gurney drive had great street food and the worlds smallest National Park was a nice deviation.

with some lovely beaches!

Snoozing on Batu Ferringhi beach

Then back to Klang for a couple of our favourites, banana leaf and a meal at Mejars club with super keuy teoy meehun and black pepper lamb. Then on to our final stop, Seoul...

KL & Singapore

I’ve always pestered Selina to take me to Malaysia where her Dad was born. Made it at last!

We were there for Olive's first birthday.

We stayed with her Uncle Mejar, in Klang, near Kuala Lumpur. We had a lot of VERY nice food: Roti canai with condensed milk, curry puffs, teh tarik, roti canai, banana leaf lunch, daal, mutter paneer, roti canai, dosa, chicken satay, rojak and ....yup, more roti canai. 

I. Love. Roti. Canai!

We also squeezed in some sightseeing around the eating! KL tower was impressive.

It was really clear when we arrived

......but soon clouded over and began to rain!

Biggest Christmas tree ever!

Twin towers

Shopping for bargains at Petalling Street market

We also visited the factory where Malaysia’s famous Royal Selangor is made (tin/copper based products). We even bought some!

We took a coach down to Singapore to stay with more family and meet up with Selina’s Pooaji and Foofooji. Again we were looked after so well, really made to feel like part of the family. 

Olive playing the tabla!

We saw Marina Bay Sands, with its crazy ship at the top.

We saw the light and laser show.

And Gardens by the Bay and its supertrees.

The amazing view from Jas’ office.

We had a fun afternoon round Little India and lost our lives in Mustafa’s rabbit warren of shops! We also made it to one of the Gudwaras.

Then back to KL to see Mejar again...