Revise in Maybank Treat Points and Membership Rewards Points

This would be blogging on something different. I am from Malaysia and this post is mainly in relation to people from Malaysia. I really sorry for my oversea readers. Please bear with me for this one post. As some of you all had know, our national bank (Malayan Bank in short we call it as "Maybank") will be revising it's treat points and membership rewards points. 

Just a word of caution, this post is not to promote or selling any Maybank card I am just trying to spread this important news. 

Effective from 1st of March 1st of May2015, Maybank will be revising redemption rate from 250TP=RM1 to 400TP=RM1. Maybank has extended their revision date 2 months later!

This is a snapshot from Maybank website itself. 

Trying to make a comparison on the before and after the revision:-

previously was 25,000 TP = RM100

revision will be 40,000 TP = RM100

Imagine you have 160,000 TP, you will be able to redeem RM640 Aeon vouchers or any other vouchers. However in revision, with 160,000 TP will only enable you to redeem RM400 Aeon vouchers starting 1st March 2015.

                                         

This is a picture of the vouchers that I redeemed using my treat points. Just for your information, there are 4 outlets for on the spot redemption:-

Maybankard Centre at Menara Maybank Level 1, Menara Maybank, 100 Jalan Tun Perak,  Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 1300 88 6688

Maybankard Centre KLCC Branch Lot C–21–C Concourse Extension Suria KLCC KL City Centre 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 0320260239

S-208B, 2nd Floor, The Gardens Mall, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-22888988 

Maybank Centre at 1 Utama Lot G-341B, New Wing, 1 Utama Shopping Center, Petaling Jaya Selangor
Tel: 037728 5451

Please also do refer to their Online Catalog for other redemption items.

The date to remember is 1st March 1st May 2015! Hurry up guys!

~ciao~

Driving around in Jeju Island - Day 2

After a great night sleep in December Hotel (please do take a look on the post on my accommodations during my stay in Korea), we started our day with a great breakfast from Paris Baguette bakery Cafe. There are no direction there cause it is actually everywhere in Jeju island just have a walk around your resting area and you might find one! 

We continue on with our second day in Jeju island with visiting waterfall. There are a couple of waterfall in Jeju island namely Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (near Seogwipo), Jeongbang Waterfall and Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (at Jungmun resort). 

We then proceed to the so call "MUST-GO" places in Jeju island which are Teddy Bear Museum, Alive Museum, Chocolate Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum and etc. We did not manage to visit all of them due to time constraint. Therefore, we only went to Teddy Bear Museum and Alive Museum. 

We had so much fun specially in Alive Museum, we had thousand and one photos and we over spent our time there. Therefore, for those who really have a tight schedule please do set timer or something cause you will easily overrun your time there.

During our stay in Korea or Jeju Island, we did not really research much on food however some of the famous ones were mentioned during our research of places. Most of the time we will just pick whatever we think should taste good. Just go with the flow. 

Looks good? This was found near Teddy Bear Museum but I am really sorry cause we were so hungry and rush of time I forgot to jot down the name of the shop. If you did come across this shop please do leave me a comment as then I could amend the post. Thanks in advance!

Night time in Jeju was mainly shopping and very limited famous locations that are still open. As for us, we went to Loveland and Mysterious road. Loveland mainly for sexual education (it's website state that it is a sexual theme park) and because it closes at midnight, therefore we went there just to have a look. If it is your first time going to Jeju and would like to just kill some time during the night, do check out this place and let me know what do you think. 

For those who are wondering what is mysterious road, It has earned its name, as objects and liquid appear to roll and flow up the hill instead of down, when, in fact, such image of gravity defiance is an optical illusion rendered by the seemingly high surroundings. However, by the time we reach the place it was late and pitch black. Therefore, we did not manage to witness any of the mysterious things as claimed. Do let me know if you manage to witness them.

This ends our trip in Jeju island as we would be taking the morning flight back to Seoul the next day. Do check our my post on our arrangement for car rental including most of the famous destination phone number for GPS location in Jeju island.

~ciao~

Teddy Bear Museum - Adults 8,000 won / Teens 7,000 won /  Children 6,000 won
Alive Museum - Adults 9,000 won / Teens 8,000 won / Children 7,000 won
Loveland - Adults 9,000 won

Driving around in Jeju Island

I have been talking a lot about my time in Jeju Island, but it is not possible if we did not rent a car to drive around there.

Prior to going over to Korea, I did my homework in searching for the best deal for car renting in Jeju Island. There are plenty of companies dealing with car renting in Jeju island e.g. Hertz and Avis. It is a well known Sime Derby subsidiary company call Hertz. 

But after doing some homework I realized to go ahead with KT Kumho as the rate is reasonable together with their cars are really new. Don't really have a full picture of our rented car but manage to find one of it as below:-

I can really say that I am very satisfied with what we got which is Hyundai Avante. Total damage is 94,600 KRW which includes 65% of insurance for our 3 days 2 night stay. 

There are a couple of things if you would like to drive in Jeju Island. There are plenty of speed track along the highway. Do take note that speed limit is about 80km/h over there unlike in Malaysia we even complained about 110km/h. 

Something to take note about during car rental in Korea is that some of the car rental services only provide Korean GPS. Not to worry about that cause the Korean GPS is designed easy to be used even by people like us. By just clicking a few buttons, you are able to key in the last 7 digit of the destination and it will lead you directly to there.

Below is a compilation of some of the famous destination in Jeju Island. Please use it at your own risk as some of it have not been verified.

Manjanggul Lava Cave: 7834818

Gimnyeong (also spelt as Kimnyeong) Maze Park: 7829266

Yeomiji Botanic Garden: 7351100

Jusangjeolri (Jungmun and Daepo Coast – Columnar Jointed Lava or called Jungmun Cliffs): 7381521

Mount Sanbang: 7942940

Oedolgae Rock: 7328027

Chocolate Land: 7381197

Chocolate Museum: 7923121

Teddy Bear Museum: 7387600

Teddy Bear Safari: 7994820 (this is NOT the Jungmun Resort Teddy Bear Museum – it is nearer to Jeju City)

Dongmun Market: 7523001

Jeju NANTA theatre: 7238878

Hello Kitty Museum: 7926114

Loveland: 7126988

Mysterious Road: 7103314 (This number is NOT accurate – to get to the road – key in the number for Loveland: 7126988 and then when you are nearing Loveland, follow road signages saying Mysterious Road and follow big tour buses and vans – they will likely be going there)

Sangumburi Crater: 7839900

Hallim Park: 7960001

Jeju Folk Village: 7874501

Jeju Glass Castle: 7727777

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (often misspelled as Cheongjiyeon Waterfall – this is the waterfall near Seogwipo City): 7331528

Jeongbang Waterfall: 7331530

Cheonjeyeon Waterfall (often misspelled as Cheongjeyeon Waterfall – this is the waterfall at Jungmun resort): 7381529

Alive Museum (a version of Trick Art Museum at Jungmun Resort): 8050888

Black Pork BBQ place (popular among locals): 7628588

Recommended Ginseng Chicken place near Feliz Telcon Hotel: 7623319

Yongduam Rock (Dragon Head Rock): 7283918

Black Pork BBQ Street: 7217869

Raw Fish Street: 7583945

Pork Ramen Street: 7277056

Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak): 7830959 or 7107923

Recommended Lunch Place near Seongsan Ilchubong (Black Pork Tofu Kimchi Hotpot): 7841794

~ciao~

TGV Cinema Movie Club

Hey guys,

It has been some time since I had last blog. Was busy with Christmas celebration and job trips. Anyway today would like to share another movie deal. 

I know this club has been in the market for some time but only until now I have time to blog about it. There are a couple of ways to sign up this card:

1) Through TGV website.

2) Buying over the counter.

The cost of this card is RM28 but it comes with a lot of other benefits. Stay tune and continue reading then you will understand why do I say that it is worth buying! By signing up you will get 2 free movie tickets and a regular popcorn set. Confirmed with TGV staff in One Utama the free tickets can be used to redeem tickets from normal seats to even couple seats which cost RM38! Don't you think that it is a steal?

The card also comes with a lot other benefits. You will also get birthday freebies which is 2 free movie tickets and a regular popcorn set again! There is another RM38 for tickets again! How can you say no to such a deal?

The regular benefits would 10% rebate in form of MovieMoney which you could use to redeem your future tickets! 

The tickets I redeem using TGV MovieClub, totally worth it! For those that haven't got their card, head over to the nearest TGV outlet and get yours now!

~ciao~

Driving around in Jeju Island - Day 1

During our stay in Korea, we also had the chance to Jeju Island one of Korea most popular vacation spot for both Koreans and foreigners. It also known as the "Island of the Gods" and remains one of the top honeymoon destinations for Korean newlyweds.

Sorry for the blur picture but however this is the full map of Jeju Island

There are 3 airlines that fly into Jeju from Seoul mainly Eastar Jet, Jeju Air and Air Busan. While for me we manage to get Air Busan as we wanted to fly in on a certain timing. We flew in at 7.00 am as due to our tight schedules we would not want to waste so much time just for traveling. Flight to Jeju Island will depart from Gimpo Airport so please make the correct arrange with your taxi driver or your hotel arrangement as you don't want to miss your flight.

Even before we depart for Korea, we already made all the arrange for our rental car. Please read my post on our car rental experience during our stay in Jeju. First in our itinerary is Manjanggul Lava Tube. 

Manjanggul Lava Tube

Gimnyeong (also spelt as Kimnyeong) Maze Park
Next is the nearby Gimnyeong (also spelt as Kimnyeong) Maze Park. This is the smaller maze park in Jeju as compared to the one filmed by running man - Maze Park. There are a couple more other maze in Jeju but we think this is sufficient as we just want to have a feel of how maze looks like.

 Getting ready to enter the maze.

 An overview of how the maze would look like. The brushes are of course taller than you.

Our main aim of the whole maze. To "ring" that bell.

Sangumburi Crater A big crater created 12,000 years ago. You can see beatiful scenery around.  During fall, you can also see magnicficent silver grasses all over this place.   A very unique designed bench of the name of the place Sungsan Sunrise Peak The day is getting colder and colder as night is approaching. Next, we went to Sungsan Sunrise Peak. A peak formed by volcanic eruption 100,000 years ago. One of the 7 wonders of nature. One of the best attractions in Jejudo. I am sure you all have some how saw the volcano picture, it was even on the advertisement for World Cup Japan & Korea. I think most of us saw before this picture right? Although this is a sunrise peak. But you can never miss a beautiful sunset.

Jeju Nanta
You will never want to miss this show in Korea. There are a few it showing around Korea, both in Seoul and Jeju Island. Because we find that we have more time in Jeju, therefore we decided to watch it in Jeju instead.Please always pre book your tickets through their official website Nanta Jeju and do check out if there are any promotions that are ongoing. I bought my tickets with a 10% discount due to early bird.

A word of advice, please do sit at the center side as you might have a chance to be called up stage and join in the performance. =)

And let the show begin

Black Pork Street
Jeju Island is famous of it's black pork. There is a street of it together with many many shops selling black pork BBQ. I not sure of which restaurant is the best because they all seems alike to me. At last we chose the shop with the most award and media interview.

 The street title. *translate as black pork street*

 The sizzling sound of black pork 

This ends our first day in Jeju. Stay tune for the next post on the second day together with other tips about traveling in Jeju Island.

~ciao~

Manjanggul Lava Tube - 2,000 won per entry
Gimnyeong (also spelt as Kimnyeong) Maze Park - 3,300 won per entry
Sangumburi Crater - 6,000 won per entry
Sungsan Sunrise Peak - 2,000 won per entry
Jeju Nanta - 60,000 won (VIP seats) & 50,000 (regular seats)

Complimentary tall size Frappuccino

Currently there is a promotion by Starbucks Malaysia. For all the coffee lover out there. Please take note of this Starbucks promotion to enjoy a free complimentary tall size Frappuccino.

This promotion is valid from 1st December 2014 to 31st December 2014 at all Starbucks Malaysia store. For those that are accumulating numbers of drink to exchange for the 2015 Starbucks planner, this is your best chance to get the most of it!

For just load or reload RM50 into your Starbucks Card using ATM Debit Card you will enjoy this promotion!

All Participating banks can be seen in the photo above including AmBank, CIMB, Maybank and etc. Remember guys, it is applicable for debit cards. =)

~ciao~

Autumn Sonata @ Nami Island

I am sure many of us either heard or even watch one of the most popular Korea Drama of all times.

Winter Sonata (冬季恋歌) some of us can even sing or at least heard the song of this drama before. It is currently playing in my head. LALALALA~

Well some of the scene or I can say most of the scene are actually shoot at this very place Name Island (南怡岛). During our days in Korea my girlfriend and even my colleague were very much looking forward for this day. For this visit.

Namiseom Island was formed as a result of the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam. It is a half moon shaped (462,809㎡) isle, and on it is the grave of General Nami, who led a great victory against the rebels in the 13th year of the 7th king of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejo (reign 1455 ~ 1468). Namiseom Island is 63 km away from Seoul in the direction of Chuncheon, and is famous for its beautiful tree lined roads. The island is 30 minutes away from Chuncheon and an hour away from suburbs of Seoul. Since it is not far from Seoul, many couples and families come to visit. 

A special feature of Namiseom Island is that there are no telephone poles. This is because all electric wires were built underground to keep the natural feeling of the landscape. The complex is 553,560 square yards with chestnut trees and poplar trees around the isle. In the middle of the isle, there is a grass field about 316,320 square yards. It is composed of education and training facilities, camping sites, swimming pools and water-sports facilities for motorboats and water skiing. There is also a theme park with merry-go-rounds, a shooting range, roller skating rink, and there are lodging facilities such as resort villas and bungalows.

(credit to visitkorea website)

Early in the morning we got up and head towards Gapyeong Station. Get a map on which station your homestay going to be as then you could try arrange on the route to reach Gapyeong. Check out my post on our accommodation during our Korea trip. 

Picture taken while waiting for train to Gapyeong. It was a long journey as we need to change to different lines just to get there. *thumbs up* for my friend who planned all these things.

Once you reached the station, there would be plenty of cab waiting at the taxi stand and the trip to the ferry wharf would take about 6 minutes costing KRW3,000. For those who like to venture into more places such as Petite France can take the Gapyeong tour shuttle. For more information can visit the tourism center when you reached Gapyeong station.

Found this cute little photo stop during our wait for our ferry. We bought out tickets and the ferry would be 30 minutes intervals. So you would not expect to wait long for your turn to be on the ferry. 

Having to be a tourism attraction, you would expect people from all over the world. See if you could spot Malaysia or your own country from here. They say that you will regret if you did not visit Nami Island if you were there during Autumn. The best place to enjoy and have a feel of Autumn is here in Name Island. Don't believe? Take a look at these photos.

Don't worry if you would get lost in the island cause there is a huge map when you reached the island.

Getting Here: 

Subway (cheaper but more transits)
Please go to Sangbong Station (line no.7) and take Gyeongchun Line. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Gapyeong Station (1800 won one way). Get off at Gapyeong Station, take a taxi to Namiseom parking lot (travel time: 10-15min, 3000 won). Take the ferry from Namiseom Dock to Namiseom Island. (travel time: 5-6min)

Shuttle Bus (From Seoul to Namiseom Island)
* Bus Stop
1) Insa-dong (Jonggak Station, Subway Line 1, Exit 3): Next to Tapgol Park
2) Jamsil Station (Subway Line 2, Exit 4): In front of Lotte Mart

* Shuttle Bus Schedule:
Insa-dong, Jamsil Station → Namiseom Island: 09:30
Namiseom Island → Insa-dong, Jamsil Station: 16:00
※ Advanced reservation required. (Inquiries +82-2-753-1247)

*Fare
7500 won one way trip
15000 won two way trip
23000 won round trip+entrance visa to Nami Island+ferry ticket.