Archive for ‘July 2010’

Lebron is heading to Miami

Posted on 7/9/10

It was the most expected news in NBA during summer. Lebron James's contract was expired with Cleveland Cavaliers. He was going to make his decision that where he is going to play next year. Knicks, Bulls, Nets, Heat were some of the options as well as staying home in Cleveland.

So, the King made his decision and headed to Miami. He decided that Miami is the best place to get a ring.

Nobody knows how the team dynamics will work in Miami Heat with 3 stars. Wade, Bosh and the King Lebron James will try to get the ring next year in Miami.

Since Lebron James made his decision to play for Miami, Lebron fans in Cleveland is very angry at this decision. The team owner Dan Gilbert wrote an open letter to Cavaliers fans says "I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE" with capital letters.

I don't really know how possible to keep this promise. I was expecting Lebron James to try to get the ring in Cleveland and be a real hero like Michael Jordan. It's more likely to be a champion in Miami.

Next year we will see how the things will go in Miami with 3 stars.

Destination South Korea

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It hasn't been a long time after I wrote about North Korea and I had a chance to see South Korea while I was coming to Turkey on the way.

My flight with Korean Air stopped over South Korea and Korean Air provides 1 night accommodation in a hotel. It was the biggest incentive to choice Korean Air with the cheapest fare option among all airlines that fly to Turkey from New Zealand.

Korean Air is not the best airlines for long distance flights. At least both planes (Auckland - Seoul), (Seoul - Istanbul) that I took didn't have a screen in every seat that allows you watch movies or play games. Fortunately I bought an iPod just before I left Wellington from Cash Converter for NZD 120$ and I had something to entertain myself. Good shoot ha = ) Korean Air Cabin Crew is extremely helpful and nice. Food is ok.

After we landed in Seoul, I got my hotel voucher and meal vouchers from Korean Air information desk and headed to Hyatt Regency Incheon. I felt that I was in Asia when I went out the airport. I could feel the mixed of humidity, warm weather and smoking smell.

Incheon Airport is almost 1.5 hours away from Seoul city center. So, that's why the hotel was just 5 minutes away from airport but 1.5 hours far from Seoul city centre but anyway I wanted to go to Seoul city center to see around. I was in S.Korea first time and didn't want to miss this chance. However after I talked to lady in the reception I found out that cabs are the only way to get to the city center and takes about USD100$ one way. For this reason Korean Air tours was the only chance to visit the city center.

There were a couple of options to visit in Incheon city, Seoul city tour options takes at least 5 hours and I didn't have enough time. I wanted to take the Incheon downtown tour. However other attendees want to take the tour to a temple. So, it was the only chance and I said ok.

We passed through the 5th longest bridge in the world according to our tour guide. Even though it's the 5th longest bridge according to them it says 19th in Wikipedia. They should have different standards. Anyway tour takes almost 1.5 hour and coasts USD10$.

Impressions About South Korea

Korean people are very respectful and nice. Especially in the hotel when you add Korean hospitality to Hyatt Regency hospitality there were quite funny moments. Whenever I made an eye contact with any hotel stuff staff they were bowing till the ground. So, I was trying to not make any eye contact with anyone
The Hotel was very nice and all the stuff staff speak English well. We can't say it the same for the rest of Korea but everyone is nice and helpful even if they don't speak English.
It takes almost 20 minutes to drive on Incheon Bridge.
Maybe more than 70% of cars are Hyundai and Kia
Incheon Airport is very nice. It looks like the bigger version of Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Korean Duty Free shop is cheaper than Istanbul. I bought a Tequila for USD20$ and Marlboro for USD18.$
According to our tour guide 1/4 of people are Buddhist, 1/4 are Christian and rest is atheist.
Incheon city looks like a huge construction area as its keep growing. Incheon Airport was opened in 2005 and the city is the 2nd biggest city in the country now.
If you stop over in Incheon Airport don't attend to the Temple 2 tour. There is basically nothing =)

Goodbye the Youngest Country on Earth

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Posted on 7/3/10

Last week was full of the mixed feelings. If everything goes right, 4 nights in a row I will be sleeping different cities. After my last night in the MC flat yesterday, today I'm in a backpackers in Auckland. Tomorrow I'll be sleeping in a hotel in Korea and finally, the end of the marathon in my bed again.

I spent my last week with awesome people in Wellington. Thanks to all of them. Yes, I was always doing my lasts in Kiwiland.

I ate my last dinner in Lone Star. It's an amazing Kiwi restaurant. I was always searching for Kiwi food and found it in my last day. Anyway it's good to finish with Kiwi food instead of Asian or Turkish food. Even though I don't really eat pork loved ribs there. Jai and Charles accompanied Jaz and me there. We even celebrate my fake birthday and ate free desert.

Thanks Sri for giving me a Wellington Phoenix scarf. I can add one more part to my scarf collection. Also Sri became a Besiktas fan after I gave a Besiktas jersey to him.

Jaz and I spent most of our time touring around Wellington, trying to do stuff that we always wanted to do or we like. Wake up late, driving without directions, visiting Parliament building, fish and chips by the beach, picnic in Mount Vic ...

I ate my last Burger Fuel with Jaz, Anna and their cousin Jack.

Last time in Wellington airport today. Then, I'm in Auckland now, waiting for my flight tomorrow at 9am.

Thanks everyone who were part of my experience.