Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Froze in KoreaFact about Korea:
1) Korea's timing is 1hour ahead of Singapore.
2) Most Korean speaks poor English or don’t understand English at all. Some of them do speak Chinese. If they do speak Chinese, they can speak very well until you think they are chinese.
3) They walk fast.
(This keep them warm during winter?)
4) They don’t say “excuse-me” when you are blocking their way. They will just push their way through.
5) They love to spit on the floor! (Watch out on where you are stepping~!)
6) They are very friendly but love to stare at tourist.
7) The sun is always at low angle in winter. Even at noon, shadow is long.
DAY 1 (-6 oC, sunny) 11/Dec/2010
Incheon BridgeThe moment the bus dropped me off at Myeongdong street.....
“ahhhhhh....我一生中从来没这么冷过~~~!!!"
“一点都不好玩。我想回家啦！~~~”
Its beyond shivering. Pain and Numbness was all i felt. I became reacquainted with muscles and sinews I had never knew existed. They screamed for attention from the abuse I suddenly subjected them to.
Struggling in the cold, I have to look for the guesthouse. I couldn’t even hold the map properly.
The guesthouse was located up the hill! Every step I took, I felt as if I had walk a thousand miles. 真是要我的命!
Korea winter is really no joke!
How can those people survive in such a cold weather??
See! How little they wore. Letting their legs expose in this sub-zero temperature?! !
I stayed at
Namsam Guesthouse in Souel, 45 000won 2pax
Our first destination was to
Noryangjin Fish MarketTake subway and drop at Noryangjin Station, Line 1. Noryangjin Fish Market is just 5mins walk away.
63 building is beside Noryangjin Fish Market.
Viewing from 63 Building, you can see Hangang river. it’s a good place for panoramic view and it also has aquarium 63 Sea World.
This is
Cheonggye Stream. Its just like a BIG scale size of Singapore river. (100times longer)
Cheonggye Stream starts at the heart of downtown Seoul and eventually empties into the mighty Han River.
Stations in which the stream pass by:
City Hall station
Euljiro 3-ga station
Jongno 3-ga station
Dongdaemun Stadium station
Gwanghwamun station
Dongmyo station
Sindang station
Jogyesa TempleFrom Exit 6 of Anguk Subway Station (Subway Line 3), walk 50m and cross the road in front of Dongduk Gallery. Go 50m further and there is a path to the temple on the right (10 min walk).
They offer temple stay where you were giving monk's clothes to wear and experience the way monk’s live. Each morning, you have to chant prayer and do the 180 bows. Mediation session in the afternoon and have some lotus making, painting and traditional tea session. The food is blend and tasteless, all vegetable.
N Seoul Tower This is just right behind my guesthouse. My initail plan was to hike up the Namsan mountian to N Seoul Tower. However, in a cold weather like this, its better to spend abit more by taking cable car up (7000 won round trip).
For a great night view, visit N Seoul Tower between 7pm ~12am (illumination show).
The 236.7m high Seoul Tower built on the 243m Mt. Namsan has been known as the best tower in Asia.
Must See:
1)
locks of love2)
Teddy Bear MuseumThe locks of love, locked my heart with korea
Myeongdong (明洞) Myeongdong is just across the road from my guesthouse.
They say Myeongdong is just like Singapore’s Orchard Road.
no no no... it dosent look like one at all. It look exactly like 西门丁 (in Taiwan)!!!
There are quite a number of Faceshops, Artbox, Bodyshop, Etude, SkinFood etc etc in Myeongdong.
Namdaemun and Myeongdong are across the streets from one another.
Subway
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DAY2 (0 oC, sunny) 12/Dec/2010
Early in the morning, we went to church for Sunday mass at
Myeongdong CathedralFrom Exit No. 8 of Myeongdong Subway Station, walk 10 minutes.
The stairways to God's house.
A child holding a sister's hand.
Lunch at
Tosokchon (Yummy food)
This is a very popular restaurant selling chicken ginseng soup (samgyetang), located near the Gyeongbokgung subway station.
Look at the queue!!
The restaurant's signature dish is samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup) and is made up of about 30 different types of herbs and grains. In addition, glutinous rice, gingko nut, ginseng, garlic, and jujube are used to enhance the dish's unique and unmistakable flavor.
We ordered:
2 bowl of Samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup) - 13,000won
1 plate of Barbeque chicken - 12,000won
1 Pajeon (green onion pancake) - 15,000won,
There are 4 major palaces in Korea (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, & Deoksugung).
Just visit any of the four palace will do as they look very similar.
If people will to ask me on which palace should one visit if they only want to visit 1 palace. I would recommend Changdeokgung. Because Changdeokgung contain secret garden! A very awesome garden.
Palace is extremely beautiful during winter with snow covered root-top.
Peaceful~
Gyeongbokgung Palace Subway: Gyeongbokgung Station, Line No.3, Exit No. 5.
Admission fee: 3,000 won
so many 大人~
那里来的书生?
Have the opportunity to take photos while wearing the traditional costumes.
Waiting for our turn to get dress up....
Changing~
We got to choose on which costume we perfer.
Tada~~~ lol
大人小的不敢了~~~ 你别生气~
Standing by the frozen lake..
Child play
Changdeokgung's Secret GardenFrom Exit 3 of Anguk Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), walk 5 minutes.
Changdeokgung's Secret Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. If you have the chance, you need to see it once in your life. The garden is complete harmony with nature. Its a magical place full of history and nostalgia.
Changdeokgung can only be visited by guided tour (11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm Tue-Sun)
The highlight of this 2.5km, 90mins tour is the Secret Garden, a magnificent forest with some of the city’s freshest air and the Royal Library majestically overlooking a pound.
Jongmyo Royal Shrine (15mins walk from Changdeokgung)
Insadong Exit No. 6 of Anguk Subway Station (Line 3), walk 2 minute.
Insadong is the largest market for antiques and artworks. It will be boring if you don’t like antiques and artworks.
On weekends, the main street is blocked to vehicular traffic, allowing the throngs of people to mingle without fear of being run down by Seoul drivers taking a shortcut.
Cha Massi-neun Ddeul (secret little tea house)
This tea house was secretly hidden in the Samcheon-dong area, close to Anguk/Gwanghwamun station.
This secret little tea house is located up the hill. It is a small get-away from the city area. Viewing from the tea house down the buzzing vibrant city of souel, you could see stream of lighted car winding through the road.
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DAY 3 (-5 oC, Rain-Snow) 13/Dec/2010
Everland (Korea Disney land)
Gangnam Subway Station (Line 2), Exit 6 → Take bus 5002 (takes 50 mins / bus fare: 2000 won)
The journey to Everland was a nasty one. It started to rain (mix with ice). All outdoor ride are closed due to the bad weather. Thus we aim for all indoor games and have early lunch.
Touching the magic tree
White
We are going to the zoo zoo zoo~~~~
Bare tree everywhere
The rain stop late afternoon and the rides resume. Thus we rush for all the remaining rides that we haven’t tried yet.
摩天轮
旋转木马
海盗船
T-Express- This roller coaster is made of wood! Very awesome when view frm far. Look how tiny the buildings are.
Maple tree
Enchanted land
Night view of Everland
Dinner inside Tentage~
Its a good experience eating inside a tentage when you are at korea. It feel so different from eating in a coffeeshop or 路边摊.
The noodle in soup is good.
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DAY 4 (-11oC Sunny) 14/Dec/2010
Korean Folk Village (KFV)Suwon Station (line 1), take a shuttle bus to the KFV (30mins)
Don't miss the Folk Perfomance in the village. The shows started at 11:30 at the village. There were sequential shows displaying traditional dancing, see-sawing and a wedding ceremony. Sometimes the wedding is with actors, our day it was a real bride & groom. Don’t miss out the wedding celebration!!
Arena
Wanted
During lunch, we ate at the market area. Bought tickets from the little huts, each of which has it's own specific set of dishes, then take your ticket to the relevant food outlet.
Red "been" porridge
A cluster of traditional Korean villas
Studying~
Straw house
There are farmers living here
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (SHF)KFV is close to to SHF: Just take City Bus 37 (40mins journey)
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress wall, is a World Heritage Site. Changryongmun, Hawseomun, Paldalmun and Janganmun are its four gates. In the center of Hwaseong Fortress is the Hwaseong Temporary Palace, where the king sought refuge during times of war and relaxed in times of peace. If you're not interested with walking, you may take the tourist train that will travel between Mt. Paldalsan and Yeonmudae. The trains makes round trips between the 2 locations.
The Hwaseong tourist train doesn't operate on Mondays, rainy day and snowy day.
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DAY 5 (-18 oC, Sunny) 15/Dec/2010
Everyday, i try to wake up early so that i can reach my place of interest early and have more time there. However, everyday I always shout the same line:
“ahhhhhhh.. its already 8am. Back schedule liao! Schedule 很 tight! 快点!快点!”
Procrastination!
Getting to Yongpyong Ski Resort from Seoul:
Myeongdong station → Gangbyeon Station (Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal)→ Hwenggye interchange → shuttle bus to the ski resort
More detail direction:
Take subway frm Myeongdong station to Gangbyeon Station. Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal is just across the road from Gangbyeon Station. Take Express Bus from Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal to Hwenggye interchange (Gangneung 江陵市) (2hrs 30mins). At Hwenggye interchange, catch the free shuttle bus to the resort.
(Because we missed the 1pm timing for the shuttle bus, and the subsequent timing was 4pm, thus we had to take Taxi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
We reach Yongpyong ski resort very late! At 2pm!!!
Obviously we don’t have the time to ski. Only manage to poke around abit.
Furthermore, it was too cold to stand out in the snow for long!! The wind was very strong!
Bad day! Even the sight-seeing gondola was closed as it cannot operate on winding day (for safety reason).
Daddy~ not so fast plz~
There is language barrier when travelling around in korea. Most of the drivers or people there don’t understand English. So it is important to write the name of the place that you wanted to go on a piece of paper in Korean words. Just show the bus driver or taxi driver that you wanted to alight at this place.
From Yongpyong ski to MT SORAK: Yongpyong ski resort → Hwenggye interchange → Sokcho intercity bus terminal → Take bus 7-1, 7 to MT SORAK.
More detail direction:
Take free shutle bus from Yongpyong ski resort to Hwenggye interchange. From Hwenggye interchange, take express bus to Sokcho interchange. From Sokcho interchange, take bus 7-1 or 7 to MT SORAK.
Its easy to see how long your journey will take from one place to another. The higher the ticket price, the longer your journey time will take.
The guesthouse i booked is just walking distance from Sokcho interchange.
TADA~~~ My guest house in Sokcho.
The rate is CHEAP!!!!
30 000 won for 2pax.
40 000 won for 3pax. WAH WAH WAH~~~ Cheap like siao lor.
The reason why the rate is so cheap because it is located further from MT SORAK.
Most people would prefer a hotel or guesthouse as close to MT SORAK as possible for better view and save time travelling. Furthermore most accommodation provide free-shuttle bus service to MT SORAK but our guesthouse don't provide.
It doesn’t matter. Taking bus 7-1 is just about 20-30mins to the foot of MT SORAK.
This is a very cosy and beautifully decorated guesthouse. The Owner, Mr Yeo is extremely friendly. He welcomed us with open arms and even helped us to plan our itinerary and recommend us on which best budget food to eat.
That night, we went to eat Japanese buffet at the cost of 7000won (SG$8) only!!!! Of cause the verities is not that much as it was in Singapore buffet restaurant. But there are more than sufficient choice to pick on. We eat until bloated!
SG$8~~~ SG$8~~~ SG$8~~~ SG$8~~~ WOOT ^^
Left side female toilet, right side male toilet. Separated by a piece of cloth only.
After a heavy dinner, we stroll to
Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory. Took us around 30mins
Local bus No. 7-1 or 9-1 can reach that place.
The Sockcho Lighthouse Observatory provides fantastic views of the nearby Seoraksan Mountains, East Sea and Sokcho area. The most breathtaking views are the ocean vistas.
The white lighthouse has a romantic atmosphere to it. Inside the lighthouse, binoculars are available to view distant points of interest. This area is also famous for its sunrises.
Those light blinking across the ocean are not the lights of ships or boat. They are lightings used to attract squids.
Sokcho is very famous of their seafood. There are many fisherman here. Everywhere, i see seafood restaurant / eatery.
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DAY 6 (-20 oC, Cloudy) 16/Dec/2010
Seoraksan National Park雪嶽山 (MT SORAK) I woke up at 8am again despite of my alarm clock setting at 7.30am. i dragged my foot out of the bed and went next door to knock at hawk's room. After knocking for a long time, he didn’t answer. i told PY that maybe he was sleeping like a pig. Later i went down for breakfast. Hawk was already in the kitchen making breakfast for us ^.^
Bad day again. The sight-seeing gondola cannot work on this windy day =(
So we have to hike another route "up".
The hiking was a worthwhile for its beautiful scenery. For the first time in my life I am experiencing this distinctive moment. Hiking in a bitter cold weather with leafless tree surrounded me.
The view was really amazing along the way. Before long, my attention turned to just putting one foot before the other. The hike path is rocky-iced. It is slippery to step on the ice. I held my camera cautiously with both hands. If I happen to slip and fall, the first thing I will save is my camera.
Every breath I drew brought a blast of cold air into my lungs. And my mucus flow down uncontrollably. I stuffed tissue inside my face mask to catch the dripping mucus. haha
It’s look a enchanted hiking trial.
Small frozen rivers snaked around the bare trees which shook off clumps of snow as the wind rushed through.
When the roaring wind came rushing through the trees, I would hide myself behind an obstacle. The wind in the mountain area was no joke. It could almost blow me off my balance. Especially when hiking, it would be dangerous. 一不小心就会被风吹走~~~
Characters embossed on the rock.
Our hiking end with a photo of MT SORAK behind me ^^
Next, we proceed to
Abai VillageWe took bus7-1 there and walk 10mins to the boat station.
Abai Village is reachable by boat.
Abai Village is now the hometown to many people of North Korean ancestry. The word ‘Abai’ comes from the Hamgyeong-do Province dialect meaning ‘an aged person.’ Many elderly people fled to Abai Village from North Korea during the Korean War; the large number of older residents resulted in the town’s current nickname.
The simple nature of the town and quietness of the sea make for a unique atmosphere in Abai Village.
This area became extremely popular after the Korean drama "
Autumn in My Heart" was filmed here. In the drama, the lead actress often took a boat, which has now become a popular attraction for tourists.
Holding up to 35 people, this ‘Gaetbae’ boat operates on manpower (people pulling on ropes moving the boat across a waterway) and can be taken from downtown Sokcho to Abai Village.
At Abai Village they had their specialities sanchae bibimbop (Squid filled with glutinous rice - delicious) and Pig Intestine skin filled with glutinous rice and beef). Another local specialise is Ojingeo Sundae 오징어 순대. It's squid stuffed with veggies and rice, grilled and sliced.
We stop by a shop selling seaweed candy. The owner, a petite woman in her 40s with rosy cheeks and who spoke no English came out and greeted us.
She claimed that her squid dish is “best” in the village.
Thus, we went in and to try the local specialities.
Sokcho BeachClear water, white sand and the pine forest is beautiful, and the nearby bus terminal makes transportation very convenient. The white sand beach is 2km long, extending through Cheongho-dong, Joyang-dong, and Daepo-dong.
To the left of the beach, there are many places where you can enjoy hwaleo hoe (fresh sashimi). You can also enjoy sea fishing by taking a boat to Jo Island in the open-sea area by the beach
Located on the southern most point of Sokcho are the many raw fish restaurants and dried fish shops of Daepohang Port. This bustling port has become one of the most popular tourist spots for those in search of the freshest raw fish restaurants.
At Daepohang Port, the port is filled with raw fish restaurants and a live fish market containing eel, flatfish, flounder, yellowtail, and plethora of other high-end seafood. Furthermore, the abundance of local dishes that can be found lining the streets includes ojingeo sundae and Gamja Songpyeon. For raw fish lovers that are in the Sokcho area, Daepohang Port is the place to be.
Nearby tourist attractions include Seorak Sunrise Park and Tourism Submarine. These are all great places to stop by while visiting the Seoraksan Mountains.
Seorak Sunrise ParkThis park has become well known for its incredible scenery of the sunrise from the East Sea. Seorak Sunrise Park stretches over 20,952㎡ with beautiful coastal vistas. Views of the sun rising between the pine trees are especially famous.
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DAY 7 (-12 oC, Snow) 17/Dec/2010
Nami island (Namiseom)
Nami Island is located between Mt Seorak and Seoul.
Nami is a crescent-shaped island in the middle of the Bukhan River. The city in the upper right is Gapyeong (가평).
To get to Nami island:
Method 1 (expensive)
East Sea Train Ride to Nami island: Romantic ride along the beautiful seashore with all seats facing towards the window enjoying the beauty of the East Sea without craning your neck. Jeongdongjin Train Station is recorded in the Guinness Book of World record as the world’s closest station to the sea.
Method 2 (Budget)
Transport from Mt Seorak to Nami Island : take bus from Sokcho bus terminal to Chuncheon, about 3-4 hours
Nami island wasn’t too long ago when there was nothing on what is now considered one of the most scenic island in Korea.
This island shoot to stardom after the drama of winter sonata. Especially the
Metasequoia trees. 2 straight rows of trees.
Metasequoia trees
Stepping in the 10cm thick snow was no walk in the park.
The view was magnificent as snow fell gently all around.
There was quiet serenity about its beauty. As Singaporeans are so used to a concrete jungle, the woods were a refreshing respite.
Every step I took sank into inches of snow.
To tour the island, use bicyle, a tour taxi or venture around the island with foot.
The island is not so big... All you need is about 3-4 hour to see the entire island by foot.
Dongdaemun market (东大门 市场) - Great East Gate, wholesale markets (Cheaper than Myeongdong)
Dongdaemun is great if you want 'genuine fake' clothes, bags, shoes, etc. Excellent quality.Fantastic to walk around at night. Korean love to shop here.
Namdaemun market (南大门 市场) - Great South Gate, wholesale markets (cheaper price)
Take Line 4 to Heohyeon Station and get out at either Gate 4, 5 or 6.
Namdaemun Market shops on the streets are open year round, and hours vary by store.
Korean BBQ restaurants are everywhere! You can simply look inside the restaurant and see if they have a grill on the table. Or, look for a sign "갈비 (Kalbi/Galbi)" or "불고기(Bulgogi/Pulgogi)".
Bulgogi Brothers in Myeongdong is suitable for those who cannot speak Korean. It's a Korean BBQ restaurant with a touch of Western (in terms of ambient).
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DAY 8 (Sat, 18-Dec)
Actually, this day was planned for Panmunjeom DMZ tour (tour of North south korea boarder). Since the tension between these 2 countries is getting very tight, the idea was drop off.
Korea people love HOT stuff. So its easy to find sauna, BBQ meat everywhere!
Traditional Sauna (Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa)
From Yongsan Station, Exit 1, walk towards My Wedding Hall Buffet (마이웨딩홀부페), located next to the buffet
Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa is a charcoal sauna permeating an oak fragrance created by heating the facilities through traditional techniques. The jjimjilbang and spa facilities offer a sweating room, open-air bath, salt room.
Massive ice-skating rinkMassive ice-skating rink that appears in the City Hall Square, near Seoul Plaza along with some of the most beautiful Christmas decorations.
Inwangsan Shamanist Hillside Walk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ice fishing
- Pyeongchang Trout Festival
- Hwacheon Sancheoneo ice Festival
- In the city of Inje, South Korea (Gangwan-do Province) a yearly Ice Fish Festival is held from January 30 to February 2 on Soyang Lake.
Inje, a scenic mountain village located deep in the mountains of Gangwon province, is host to the Inje Ice Fish Festival.
Inje country麟蹄郡 – it’s the lowest population country in korea
Lotte World, Lotte Mart.
The 9/F of Lotte Department Store is a duty free shop with many Korean brands of cosmetics at a 5-15% discounts. The ginseng face cream from a famous Korean brand costs about 40% less than in Hong Kong.
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DAY 9 (Sun, 19-Dec)
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Uijeongbu Budaejjigae
Exit 1 at Uijeongbu station on line 1, catch bus 8 or 1-5 and get off in front of the Street of Uijeongbu Budaejjigae.
From Uijeongbu station it is 15 minutes away by foot and three minutes by taxi.
The leading The Street of Uijeongbu Budaejjigae (의정부 명물찌개거리) is where local restaurants began to be built in 1998. Here you can taste budae jjigae (부대찌개, ‘army base stew’, a thick Korean soup), which is made by boiling Western ingredients such as ham, sausage, canned American beans, and mixed with kimchi (traditional Korean pickled dishes made of vegetables with varied seasonings) and hot pepper paste. Budae jjigae is one of Korea’s leading fusion dishes as well as a dish that embodies the memories of the Korean War; it was named budae jiigae because it was most commonly found nearby American army bases. The soup was also called the ‘Johnson Tang’ after former American president, Lyndon B. Johnson.
Incheon Bridge Songdo Observatory
Direction: Incheon Metro, Incheon University Station
Tips on staying warm.- Keep the hands, feet and neck warm. They are usually the first to feel the effect of the cold.
- Wear headgear. 70% of the heat is lost through head.
- Look for jackets that are waterproof and windproof. Buy winter wear made of wool, sheepskin, down feather and fleece-these are good insulator. Avoid cotton because it does not retain heat well and loses its insulating properties when wet.
- A good pair of boots (with fur lining inside) is a must!
- Stuff your pockets and shoes with heat packs. These handy-sized packets provide extra warmth against the biting cold when your gloves and socks are not enough.
- Wear a mask (optional) to protect your nose and mouth. This does help however, water tend to condense inside over time and get wet! Bring spare mask along. For those wearing sceptical, water vapour tend to condense on it. It just depend on what mask you bought and how you position your mask.
- Wear your winter wear indoor to trap as much heat as possible.
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