My Korea trip (Part 2)

Finally got the time to continue on my Korea trip b4 other posts, else I would forget in no time!

Korea Trip - 15 Jan 08 to 22 Jan 08
(Pictures here)

4th day
After breakfast of the same thing, we departed to some sightseeing again b4 heading for Jeju in the evening. We started off to Changduk Palace where they film the famous "Da Chang Jin" show. This palace was said to be about 600+ years old and suffered about 2 major fires and they still managed to rebuilt some parts. Most of the halls/ rooms were out of bounds coz they might give way anytime. It was really big and we took about 1hr just to briefly tour the place. We then had lunch at this Da Chang Jin like restaurant where they serve food like in the palace. There were lots of small dishes but not all were nice. It was also not quite filling as all these were shared by 4-5 people. There were also performances but obviously we cannot understand what they were about.

Next we were then brought to a shopping area but we only had about 1 hr so din get to see or buy much but managed to eat a long cone of ice cream. Quite shiok coz no matter what, the ice cream will not melt and drip. Passerbys were watching us, must be thinking we were mad eating cold stuff in winter!

An early dinner (steamboat with pork again) then awaits us b4 we boarded a domestic flight to Jeju. By the time we arrived, we headed straight to the hotel as most shops were closed by then. The hotel room was real small thus felt warmer (hot in fact). We were hungry and wanted to find food but thinking most shops were closed, we decided to have an early night after a short walk around the hotel. One thing that facinated us was that there was a casino but we were surprised that its almost empty. We had wanted to go in and take a look but was stopped by the receptionist and not speaking their language, we just smiled and left.

Had problem falling asleep as the room was really warm. Checked for windows but none could be opened. Luckily we finally surrender to the tireness and overcome the heat.

5th day
We met the tour group at 7am again and were glad we finally had a buffet breakfast! Although the food were somewhat similar, at least we have a choice to choose what we wanted to eat. Toasts suddenly became not so nice amongst the choices!

Started off the morning tour with a visit to the Yongduam-Rock where it resembles a dragon head. Although I cun really make out the dragon shape, let's leave it to your imagination.

Then came the ATV ride which really left a deep impression for me. We were all ready to get on to our individual vehicles when Web started his engine and as the person in-charge shouted him to stop, he couldn't and almost hit a few children who were in front and a couple taking pictures further up. He only stopped when he rammed into 2 stoppers tyres and fell to his right to the ground. All of us were stunned and just stood and look as the in-charge kept shouting. I then heard from Web that the brake was faulty. Everyone eventually was calmed down and ushered to get on a vehicle each.

I was then too scared to even want to ride on the vehicle but still got on. I drove damn slow, stopped as and when and kept looking behind. Tired to let the rest go 1st so I would be so stressed. When we finally reached the end point, I was really relieved.

Next we went to the Sungsan Ilchulbong Peak where we were supposed to head to the top of thr mountain but we stopped halfway aswe were not only feeling tired, we were damn cold! Imagine the wind at the mountains as the area was totally unblocked. We decided not to tire ourselves out since we were there to relax so took pictures around the area while the rest continued on.

We were then brought to this tangerine farm where we were allowed to pick 2 tangerines each. The weather made the tangerines felt almost like just out from the fridge and they were dam sweet and seedless as we ate 2 there and brought 4 back.

There was then this mysterious road whereby the vehicle will move uphill with the engine switched off. We tried that and indeed the coach continued moving uphill with the engine off. However, it was explained that this was due to illusion as the uphill was actually downhill but it looked like uphill. Quite weird as the slope indeed looked uphill but each vehicle was able to go up with the engine switched off. Guess some things just cannot be explained...

We finally had a good dinner - Ginseng Chicken, b4 we left for the airport to take a domestic flight to Busan. It was the best dinner so far as the chicken was damn tender and the soup fantastic. We also need not share as we have our own individual bowl.

Checked in the hotel and realised my luggage lock was gone. Actually the latch for the lock already broke on the 1st day upon arrival in Korea but did not notice until we checked in. We dun have the habit of checking on the luggages the minute we got them from the conveyor belt so could not ask the airline to compensate, which I only know until I told the tour guide about it the next morning. Koreans are really rough in handling luggages, or that my luggage was too cheapo. Even Web's luggage got some defects after we were back in Singapore.

The hotel this time was realy nice and the room nicest so far. The window can also be opened slightly to allow some fresh air and cool wind to make the room not so warm. The view from the room was quite good too as we can view a frozen waterfall and a semi-frozen swiming pool. The singing from the nearby pub however kept us disturbed for quite a while until I closed the window after Web fell asleep as I felt cold.

6th day
Woke up at 6am again and had breakfast at 7am, with the same old stuff like the 1st 2 days. Was surprised there was no buffet breakfast in such a hotel but we reckoned must be we were too early. We should be glad that they woke up early specially to serve us food!

The morning started off with tour to the Donghwa temple to see the giant Buddha and where we finally saw the 1st snowfall in Korea. Although it was brief and lasted only for a while, we were glad we din go in vain. Everyone was feeling so excited and the tour guide even commented were were lucky. She mentioned that there was a week of snowfall b4 we arrived and thought we would not be able to see snow.

The next stop was to the spa valley but both me and Web did not join is. I was already having itches and rashes since the 1st day due to the cold weather and did not want to make it worse. Web did not bring his swimming trunk and did not want to soak naked so he kept me company. We did try the Doctor fish which will eat away the dead skins around our feet when soaked into the pool. It was quite gross looking at the fishes biting our feet and felt abit ticklish but still bearable.

Lunch was Fried Pork Cutlet with rice and seemed like everyone quite enjoyed it. It was still porl but probably the different way it was cooked and we dun have to do it ourselves finally! After days of steamboat or bbq pork, at least its something consoling.

It was then a ride of about 2 hrs+ back to Seoul while we napped and watched DVDs on the coach. The bad thing was both shows they played, they kept stopping at the ending part as we arrived some point for toilet break. When some people feedbacked to play back the ending, the tour guide said its almost ending and continued with the next show... *many lines*. I had to searched youtube for the endings for 2 shows when I was back in Singapore. There was one other show which I refused to watch anymore coz its frustrating to miss the ending.

Dinner was some pork again then followed by shopping at Dongdaemun. As usual we had not much time to comb the big shopping area so did some speed shopping along the pasar malam area, the underground mall and the "Doota" mall with over 7 stories of shopping. The clothes there were either winter stuff or too ex thus we only bought some snacks there.

We then checked in the hotel and the room was still so-so. Bought some instant noodles earlier thus we had some b4 hitting the bed.

7th day
Breakfast was porridge and youtiao with weird tasting soya bean milk. Cun complain much coz at least its not western anymore. Too bad the stuff were quite tasteless or too oily. I think no one can cook better breakfast than Chinese.

It was snowing quite heavily by the time we finish eating. We stopped by the president place for some snow throwing and photos taking b4 our 1st stop at the Ginseng showroom. We bought quite some stuff there and got them to pack in boxes so its easier to check in. We then witnessed a fight when our driver got hit by the building in-charge. We were already on the coach but still waiting for someone but the person in-charge got impatient and had an arguement with the driver, as no vehicle was supposed to park at the entrance at all times. It was then said that the driver pushed the guy then the fight broke out. When we mentioned this to my brother and Peggy who picked us up at the airport, they said they also saw the same thing last year when they went to Korea. I guessed its their culture, fight 1st then say.

Next was a visit to the Kimchi making house and we were taught how to make kimchi. Not quite fun to me as I dun eat them at all. We were then allowed to put on their traditional costumes and took pictures b4 leaving the place for the Amethyst Factory. Din buy anything too as I found the design not so nice. Lunch was bbq pork again b4 we left for Nami Island, the main attraction to why we chose this tour.

A short boat ride to Nami Island and we walked almost 15 mins+ b4 we reached the location where they film the show "Winter Sonata". It would have been nicer if it was snowing but too bad. We managed to take a video of the place and quickly ran around taking pictures as we dun have much time left. Actually one thing bad about tour like this was that there was always a time limit and we have to rush through like mad. After travelling so far to Korea and to this place, we only have like less than 1 hr there. Anyway that place is already like a tourist spot with so many people around so it still looked better in the show.

We were then dropped off for some shopping at Coex Mall and it was speed shopping again. Managed to get some gifts from a shop there b4 we left for dinner. It was once again bbq pork and by now, we ate not that much although the taste was still ok.

Next was to Lotte World as we spent about 3 hrs there. Timing was still not quite enough but good thing was we were supposed to get our dinner so no more pork for us. After finishing some rides, we got some snacks to share b4 meeting the group again. This last night was at the Ritz Carlton but the room was disappointing. Other that the quite comfi bed and nice towels, nothing looked like 6 star to us.

As most of us did not have a proper dinner as we had to make full use of the 3 hrs there at Lotte World, 5 of us met for dinner on our own after checking in. We combed the place after quite a while to finally find a place that serves food we know - fried chicken! Most of the restaurants got menus which we cun read so we really had a hard time. Other than a big plate of fried chicken to share, we also ordered chicken cutlet with fries and fruits to share as well as a big jug of beer. Had wanted to order a mug each but thought would be more worthwhile but ordered the wrong size - too big!

After a fulfilling dinner and chitchatting, we walked back and took turns to shower. As there was a player with classical CDs there, I actually fell asleep while waiting for my turn to shower! The bed was really good and it was probably the best night sleep ever but obviously not enough!

8th day
Had to wake up at 6am again and left the room quite unwillingly. It was snowing again and breakfast was at some buffet place out of the hotel and the food was eastern-western, finally a change! I guess this was the best breakfast so far.

We were then taken to this Ladies street but nothing much there as most shops were not opened yet. The good thing was it was snowing heavily and we took the opportunity to enjoy the snow and took pictures as its the last day in Korea b4 our flight at 4pm.

Due to high demand, we had Ginseng Chicken again for lunch but this meal was not as nice as the 1st one at Jeju Island. Nevertheless was still an enjoyable meal without pork again.

Finally back to Singapore ard 9pm+ and brother and Peggy came to pick us. Its nice to be home again but we really missed the weather and the snow!