Annyeong-haseyo.. (Good morning/afternoon/evening).
It was towards the end of fall and winter would be setting in soon. From November to March, Korea experiences cold winter with an average temperature of around -2 degree Celsius. This sovereign state in East Asia is approximately 6 hours away by flight from Malaysia with time difference of an hour ahead of us.
It was my first time to Korea and for most of us who followed the tour I believe. I would strongly put forward the idea of joining a tour for first timers for some blatant plus points; tour guide, daily food served, express entrance to attraction parks and more places covered. As for this trip, we travelled over locations within the areas circled in the map below. The schedule was undeniably tight; hence I fortuitously might have omitted some detailed information of the whole excursion. Nevertheless I will do my best to patch the bits and pieces to present a Korea holiday insight (the VVIP’s edition =)).
Accommodation:
Below are the hotels that we stayed while in Korea:
- Yong Pyong Resort
- Sorak Park Hotel
- Western Co Op
- Royal Incheon Hotel
The best place to stay which is in the district of downtown Seoul (the happening part of Seoul) will be Western Co Op.
Places of interests:
- Wolmido Island – For an exciting escapade of….seagull feeding! When you’re on the ferry, flocks of huge seagulls would be flying around the ferry. So take some prawn crackers with you and throw at them. You’ll be amazed to see how fast these birds snatch those crackers!
- Tiger World – A quick and enjoyable snow sled.
- Everland – Korean’s theme park which is divided into 5 sub theme parks namely Global Fair, American Adventure, Magic Land, European Adventure and Zoo-Topia. Recommended attractions to name a few are Pororo 3D Adventure, Hurricane, Championship Rodeo, Columbus Adventure and Safari World. It was a bit unfortunate for us since we had so little time to spend there (that is perhaps the downside of joining a tour). So we only did Safari World and one kiddie-attraction that I forgot what its name is. Reason being? All other rides had extensively long queue and we did not have the whole day to ourselves there! And that attraction was the only one without a single soul lining up. Coming back to Safari World, it’s something like Disney’s. Only that it has real animals so visitors have to get on the bus and the bus will take them throughout the park. THE VVIP’s PICK.
I missed roller-coaster rides in a theme park for the first time in my life.
- Kimchi Nara – Kimchi school where I have learned to make this unique Korean dish and dressed up in a traditional Korean costumes after that! Kimchi (fermented vegetables in seasonings that is normally cabbage) is served in every meal (it’s something like Malaysian sambal belacan or tempoyak la..). I’m a Kimchi Nara graduate (self-proclaimed). THE VVIP’s PICK.
- Yeoju Premium Outlets – Situated at the Yeoju province, there is the Yeoju Premium Outlets. Being second to Japan’s Gotenbar Outlet, this colossal shopping heaven lodges designer brands like Burberry, Coach, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Valentino and some Korean designers such as Kuho and Kim Young Joo. THE VVIP’s PICK.
- Daegwallyeong Ranch – Another class that we attended and this time was cheese making before feeding the sheep. It is an area of about 200 square kilometres consisting more than 200 sheep. Surely is a scenic atmosphere of the cloudless blue sky that is simply breathtaking. A must go destination if one goes to South Korea. I’m a Daegwallyeong; school of making cheese (express version) and feeding sheep graduate (self-proclaimed). THE VVIP’s PICK.
- Seoraksan National Park – It is named Seorak (or Sorak) because the snow would not melt for a long time keeping the rocks eternally white with Deacheongbong as the highest peak of this mountain. The cable car takes the visitors up to the mountain for a chance to take mesmerizing photos. THE VVIP’s PICK.
- Teddy Farm – Featuring creative ideas of exhibiting teddy bears in different themes allowing sightseers to snap some photographs.
- Nami Island – Anybody has seen the renowned Korean drama series called ‘Winter Sonata’? The drama was filmed at the Metasequoia path of Nami Island during winter surrounded by white birches and Korean white pines throughout the year. An added charming location for photo taking. THE VVIP’s PICK.
- Dongdaemun Market – an area surrounded with shopping malls and stalls that open from 10.30am – 5am. Here, popular items such as fabrics, clothing, women and children’s costumes, bedding, house ware, footwear and sporting goods can be found here. Modern malls would include Migliore, Doosan Tower, Hello apM, Cheongdaemun and Designer Club. Shopping again! THE VVIP’s PICK.
- National Folk Museum of Korea – Here visitors can engross oneself in learning the traditional ways of living of the Koreans as well as cultural beliefs. THE VVIP’s PICK.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace – The grandest palace built by the Joseon Dynasty in 1395. Gyeongbokgung means ‘palace of shining happiness’ in English. THE VVIP’s PICK.
- Ice Gallery – Here, we attended the last class which was a lesson in ice carving. Subsequently after my masterpiece creation of a mug-that-turned-out-to-be-nothing-like-it, we took the pleasure in the cool ice gallery where the temperature was kept 5 degree Celsius below zero. It was so…cold! THE VVIP’s PICK.
- Nanta Show – Korean’s inimitable musical show with a simple story line of four cooks organizing a wedding feast. While at this, they turn all kitchen utensils such as pots, pans, knives and chopping boards into musical elements. You will find acrobatics, magic tricks, comedy, and pantomime and audience participation in the show. This is so THE VVIP’s PICK.
- Myeong-Dong – Korea’s trendiest shopping area of about 300,000 square meters of shop selling items like at Dongdaemun; clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories. Opens from 10am to 10pm. THE VVIP’s PICK.
Korean Food:
- Bibimbap – Korean chilli paste with steamed rice and vegetables.
- Bulgogi – Slices of marinated barbecued beef spiced with soy sauce and sugar.
- Samgyetang – Chicken ginseng soup.
- Japchae – Clear stir-fried noodles with veggie
- Tteokbokki – Korean savoury snack.
I did not try any of the above as finding halal food was quite tough, so we survived by consuming a lot of plain steamed rice, soup and veggie and..kimchi? However, worry not because there are several Middle Eastern restaurants suitable for Muslim visitors. To get halal authentic Korean food, ermmmm… (to find one in Malaysia is also difficult!). Pandai-pandai la nak hidup.
Shopping Items:
What one should really buy in Korea? Well besides Yeoju, Dongdaemun and Myeong-Dong that predominantly sell fashion goods, we were also taken to selected outlets selling Korean premium ginseng, local dry foods and cosmetics. In Korea, pursuant to the triumph of BB cream that has even been embraced by other leading make up brands, they have come up with CC (colour control) cream; the enhanced version of BB cream!
Other shopping and entertainment areas:
- Insa-Dong – known as ‘Mary’s Ally’; local food and traditional tea can be found here.
- Namdaemun Market – Korea’s wholesale centre.
- Ehwa Woman’s University vicinity – ‘The Street of Fashion’ where clothing stores are everywhere.
- Hongik University vicinity – clubbing alleys.
- Apgujeong-dong Rodeo Street – expensive designer and vintage clothing shops. Korean celebrities are frequently seen here.
- Sinsa-dong – chic lattes and foreign cuisines.
I don’t have FB, so I upload a lot of photos here =p.
Kamsahamnida (thank you)!
Listening to: Paradise by Coldplay
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Sources:
- www.visitkorea.or.kr/
- Malaysian Independent Tourists’ Guide to Korea booklet
- wikipedia
brother feeding seagulls!
welcome to Everland
on the way to Zoo-Topia
some interesting ice cream droplets
the post in denial of the cold weather
Daegwallyeong - cheese making class
I told you I graduated from cheese making class, didn't I?
eaten with corn chips, strawberry jam and a bit of salt
Shaun the Sheep?
blue sky
lunch time
mas-issge deuseyo! (bon appetite)
Seoraksan, here I come
..and Seoraksan we conquered...(partly..)
Teddy Farm - I can only read the header..(duh..)
the bears and the mother bear (standing next to me) cheered "Happy Belated Birthday, theVVIP! You rock!" =p
this is what we call creativity
Nami Island, here I come
..and Nami Island I have conquered..(almost)
ginseng soup - Malaysian version would be 'tongkat ali'.
survival 101
at a glance
haven't seen this in MY
this one also
we were so glad to find shrimp burger!
outside of Amethyst if I remember correctly
at a glance..again!
near the President's Palace if not mistaken
Within the area of Geongbokgung Palace
no they're not Koreans, they're Japanese.
in the ice gallery
Ice Cafe of the Ice Gallery
Incheon
