Annyeong Haseyo
That is the first greeting to everyone
I've no problem remembering the phrase
Korean are very friendly people
We booked a trip to Seoul for 8 days
Costs us RM5000+ and allowance of 250000won
The flight was comfortable
It was Singapore Airlines (cheh no wonder)
So we sat in the plane for 7 hours from 12am
Reached Seoul at about 7am the next morning
Day 1 and 2 - Nami Island ♥ Shopping Street ♥ Daepuhang Fish Market ♥
Rise and shine
Found snowflakes alike ice on the window pane
When we first got to Seoul
Excited seeing those alien words
Exited the main extrance of Incheon Airport
I can see my breath right away
And we were fooling around for the very first time
We took a ferry to Nami Island
A place where Winter Sonata was filmed
Although it's winter the place hasn't snow yet
Leaving the trail yellowish in colour
Eating a sausage in winter was good and delicious
There was a bicycle rental shop nearby
But we couldn't make it as our time is limited
Even in cold we ate ice cream
Cool! It didn't melt at all after 15 minutes
The ferry ride was chilling as elderly people went into the ferry
Whilst youngster like me love to feel cold breeze at the balcony
How to get there on your own?
More information available
here
There are 2 options to reach Nami Island
You can enjoy the ferry ride (8000won)
Or via Zipwire (38000 won)
I wanted to try the Zipwire which is amazing
Our tour guide arranged us a ferry instead
So I'm a little disappointed :(
More information on rates and admission fees
here
Next we were at one of the busy shopping street in Seoul
Asked for the prices of goods but both parties couldn't communicate
Had a good laugh and lost directions haha
This is the first ever fish market I've visited
The biggest freshest seafood available here
I love looking at those Alaskan Crabs
I hesitated to taste them
Afraid of diarrhoea during vacation
First night at Han Hwa Resort 5 storey motel and there isn't a lift
And the room we stayed comes without a bed
They made us sleep on a Tatami
A korean culture sleeping on the floor
The next day the elderly people having backache
There are rooms with both Tatami and bed
To save cost ours do not have bed
The breakfast was good and acceptable
The view was good in the morning
Day 3 and 4 - High 1 Ski ♥ Seorak San ♥ Everland ♥
We spent half a day in the bus
Rented a pair of goggles, ski equipments
Bought a pair of ski gloves
Paid about USD 60 for the ski equipments
And here we go!
We weren't allow to ski on hill slopes
It was our first time skiing
Enjoyed the moments together
However, do not rent the goggles because it's useless
As our resort do not have mini markets
We bought korean noodles for late night supper
High 1 Resort not bad with a welcoming xmas tree
Delightfully lit up in front of the hotel itself
We came down to capture some nice pictures
And played with the snow for a little while
Starfish came alive in the middle of the night
And froze himself oh dear your hands hurt
We had fantastic breakfast
I usually go for western style food
After that we went out of the restaurant
Next to it there was a small garden covered in snow
Good for photography session
Next we went to Seorak San
It is the National Park in Korea
Home to the highest mountain in Taebaek mountain range
Fees applicable to the facilities provided
here
Therefore there is no admission fees
We did not climb the mountain
We took scenic photos of the surrounding
It was cool for winter season
Places weren't covered with snow
Amazingly stones were stacked at every corner
Didn't have the chance to pick up any stones to build one
The next day we went to Everland
One of the best outdoor theme park in Korea
Went downhill using gondola
Food kiosks were located conveniently around the park
We did not have quick bites and hot drinks
We were given free food coupon
But we chose to eat after coaster rides
So we headed to the small counter next to T-Express entrance
Got our tickets for the ride which was bout 45 minutes away
Ticketing booth located next to T-Express entrance
Strolled around the area which seemed like France/ Germany shoplots
If you are daring you can try T-Express
Experienced the second steepest ride in the world
Piques at a speed of 104 km/hour
Falls at 77 degree angle (wow almost 90 degree)
The most attractive part is that
It is a fully wooden roller coaster
We went to Zootopia but missed the Safari World Ride
Waited for the parade for more than half an hour
Which I found it to be ridiculous
I would have taken another coaster ride
The four season garden was covered with partial snow
No visible flowers around the garden during winter
Ticketing price click
here
Operating hours click
here
Before I forget and proceed to day 5-6
I will be sharing this coupon as below
Exclusive for tourists to purchase Everland ticket at 20% less
Remember to print a hard copy and show your passport
To purchase the tickets at discounted price
The coupon is available till 30 April 2014
Click
here for the coupon
Day 5 - Jeju Island ♥ Teddy Bear Museum ♥ Mysterious Road ♥ Underground Shopping Street ♥ Yongduam Rock ♥ Nanta Show ♥
We took a flight about an hour
Exiting the airport rapidly heading towards our bus
The wind was blowing ferociously strong
It was already dark when we reached Jeju Island
We had satisfying Korean style dinner
The seafood abalone soup plus delicious rice
Pity my dear he couldn't take seafood that night
Never mind, he got supper right after that
Visited the Teddy Bear Museum
Apparently it's a small hut
With dozens of bear bear inside
Managed to capture family photos
Owh beloved panda are here too
Initially wanted to buy a souvenir
Looking at those exorbitantly high priced bear
I was reluctant in the end and went on without one
More information
here
Proceeded to Mysterious Road
Nothing unusual if you stand on that road
Just a short distance bout 100m long
Displayed tricks with optical illusion
Left within 10 minutes
We headed to underground shopping street
Long stretch of shoplots selling products
From cosmetic, clothing to handphone accessories
Prices not that cheap though
Masks can be bought as low as 4750won/ 10 pieces
At night we visited the Yongduam Rock
Resembles a dragon head with its body buried into sea
Nothing spectacular but nice sea breeze
Elderly having difficult times climbing narrow staircases
Not worth visiting if you are in a hurry
Spent 15 minutes here enjoying night view
Proceed to Jeju Nanta Show
Served by Black Chef Team
First thought was "Will it be fantastic?"
Last thought "worth a ticket"
Admission Fees
VIP seats in the middle : 60000won
S seats at the side : 50000won
Running Time : 100 minutes long
For booking, click
here
Nice show potraying new chef helpers in kitchen
Helping out in the preparation for wedding dinner
Not much verbal speech
Action speaks louder than words
Day 6 - Jeju Island ♥ Seongsan Sunrise Peak ♥ World Car Museum ♥ Ice Sculpture Gallery ♥
3D Art Gallery ♥
Seongsan Sunrise Peak gave me a feeling of excitement
Seongsan a.k.a Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak
Also a UNESCO Heritage Site
My mind flew to New Zealand instead
The nice cool breeze and smell of grasses
It was a sunny afternoon but it wasn't hot
I understand that there is no sunrise during winter
So we went during noon which is non-peak hours
As we ascend the hill there was a shop selling drinks
Unfortunately there was no toilet on the hill itself
So we have to decend the hill to reach the toilet
Ascending staircases are harder as they are of bigger steps
Decending staircases are easier for me
Took us less than 20 minutes to reach the top
Descended even faster than we thought it would be
Next round if I ever come again
I will climb the Hallasan Peak
Next is the World Car Museum display
Asia's only private collection automobiles here
59 classic cars from all over the world found here
This is the same type of car used in movie
"Back Into The Future" car spotted here
Admission fees
Adult : 8000won
Juveniles : 6000won
Young children : 5000won
Operating hours
Dailt 9am - 6pm; last admission 5pm
Nothing much I can do here
I am not a fan of "cars"
The view outside the museum is awesome
Ice Sculpture Gallery was pretty awesome
We made our cups and enjoyed orange juices
Tons of good ice sculpture awaiting inside
We took some pictures around
Unfortunately my beloved fell down
Poor him but luckily no major injuries
No damage to the camera too
We spent very little limited time here
As time was running out very soon
Tik Tok Tik Tok
It flew without a warning sign
Soon we rushed ourselves to the 3D Art Gallery
It is located in the same building too
Posed a few pictures
Effect was awesome
Thanks to the photographer
Good job dear <3
Day 7 and 8 - Seoul ♥ Kimchi School ♥ Gyeongbokgung ♥ Lotte World ♥
The view above Seoul was pretty awesome
The place was packed with high rise buildings
Too bad it had just snow before our arrival
Pity those cars covered in white snow
Even plate number couldn't be seen
I bet those drivers will be having a hard time
To get to their cars wakaka
Lunch was the usual hot pot rice
Coupled with steamboat and kimchi
His first kimchi making class
Smelled like belacan but the taste yucky
We went downstairs to try out Korean wear
Not bad but I still can't name all of them
I looked like Korean too (giggle)
Let me introduce my dear (teddy bear)
Next we headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace
Located on the north part of South Korea
Started restoration since 1990 and still ongoing
Sitting under such a big calm tree
Feeling blessed to have such a good day
And it was winter for the first time
Look! Someone took my gloves (bleh..)
Come and hug me (*shy shy)
Night time we were drove to Lotte World
The view outside was filled with brilliant lights
So we decided to take a photo
Shop around the hypermarket
Lollipop alike ice cream available
Didn't order one as we were on the way
Rushing to meet the rest tour members
Time to say bye bye to beloved Korea
Polar bear at Incheon Airport looked real
Lunch on SIA not bad
Quite filling and was watching movies all the way
Monster University was a good show then
Didn't bring much home
Just few items already costs sgd 400
Till then, tata
