Journey of A Lifetime Together

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

More information here

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

Kuching is a less busy city

Everyone moved at slow pace

On arrival, we were brought to a decent restaurant

Fried Ee Mee with Lobster

Crunchy Fried Pork

Broccoli and Abalone

Durian Crepe

After all the delicious food, we walked passed the Waterfront of Kuching

Dine at Hotel Magherita for its Heritage Cuisine of the Month

Seats were reserved at that noon itself
Surprisingly not many occupied the restaurant

Desserts

Meat ('.')

Fried Fish

Fruits amazingly poking onto the honey dew

Sarawak is famous for their layered cake

Before movie, we walked across to the restaurant

Namely Life Cafe but not many people in this shop

Half way movie marathon felt hungry :D

He ordered fried gyoza but unfortunately it was tasteless

I ordered Kaya and Butter toast but the bread was too thick and hard

So i decided not to finish it

Overall Life Cafe is bad and terrible
Located opposite the new mall

Kuching's Laksa

Kuching's Kolo Mee nice

Matter Horn Dessert

White Lady Drinks

The Summer Mall opened on the night we are almost leaving
Went for a cup of Starbuck instead after searching for half an hour
The signage on the main road wasn't very clear
And to reach the Mall, we passedby 5 roundabouts