Jeju Island.You probably heard about this island multiple times on Korean drama, k-shows or even skincare series. As famous as it is, I'm glad that I had the chance to refresh my mind here.
Jeju is also well known as South Korean's "Hawaii" , famous for its natural wonders. One of them is this place ; Seongsan Ilchulbong / Sunrise Peak.
Haven't really write a thing on this blog since new year. I guess it's because everyone's preference (including me) has shifted over to instagram than reading a blog. Thinking back, why am i letting this blog alive is solely because, it contains many memories of my life and happenings, It's just like my online diary from ages..and this year marks Ten years since the first time I started blogging,on this blog (even though the older posts already deleted). Well, I promised to myself that even though, no one would read my writings, i still want to write in this platform- at least for myself- as life-records :)
Last year's Korea trip was like a dream comes true for me, One of the place that I always want to visit in Korea is EVERLAND, which has seen in many Korean Dramas and variety shows as well.
It supposed to take around one and half hour from central Seoul to reach Everland by bus.Yet because it was a public holiday, it takes longer than usual..I just drop dead tired upon arriving there , the weather was no joke as well during summer. But when we're already passing the gate, my energy suddenly recharged.
welcomed by this aesthetic giant tree!
The last time that I went to theme park was Tokyo Disneyland in 2015.It was good to feel the vibes of theme park.I can barely hear the sound of music played around the outdoor area, surrounded by magical exteriors, people having fun here and there - capturing selfies.Such a stress relief place!
During my visit, they got this seasonal theme ; Summer WaterFun Festival. It was the time while the participant get blast of water sprayed,water dancing show,basically having fun to get the summer heat away. Yet, unfortunately , I miss the show. I just happen to see the latest part of it, while everyone is doing that kind of ' watergun war ' just like Thailand's Songkran festival.
The park itself is really huge,and has five themed zones ; Global Fair - Zootopia - European Adventure - American Adventure and Magic Land with many kind of attractions.Transferring to each zones can be reach by walking or cable car, yet i don't think it can be done in a day to explore them all. In the end, I was only able to try the cable car transfer and ONE attraction only,which is Rotating House in European Adventure zone .Yep, it's the risk that I have to accept of joining the a travel group, stick with the itinerary timeline.
Don't wanna waste my time, got myself a hug-gable shark plushie ,costed around 25000 won. Well at least ,It was a gift for myself ,paying regret not able to try the other attractions.
An hour left before meet up with my other travel mates ,I just spend my time, taking some snaps of the aesthetic picturesque exteriors. It kinda weird, but I'm enjoying doing this here rather than queuing for attractions...well I'm old already lol.
Till next time ,Everland. You've been such wonderful place to me.
While everyone are posting all about their christmas - and winter trip,here I am post all about my trip last summer to Nami Island, Definitely not winter sonata , but summer sonata lol.
Nami Island or known as Namiseom / 남이섬 is distanced around 54 km from central Seoul which took about 2 and half hour by bus.The island itself has unique shape of half moon and is owned privately not by government ,that's why it's also called as Naminara Republic .In order to get in, you need to get a certain 'visa'. They also has their own national flag, coins, stamp,passport, and telephone card.
It was a beautiful morning, I can feel the warmth of sun on my face.. little did i know, i am finally arrived at SEOUL, South korea. I always wanted to go this country after got hooked by kpop and dramas since 2009. All begin with a kpop music video ; SNSD - GEE .Since then, I always dreamed to land into this so-called heart of Asia. Yet , fate brought me here only by 2018, such a long period of waiting - but it was worth it :)
My first random Seoul's street picture taken from bus
We stayed for 1 night at L'Art Hotel Gimpo ,kind of suburb area of Seoul yet still near within the reach of Gimpo Airport - where we need to go to the day after for Jeju.I was utterly surprised when I woke up that the weather is such warm and nice. Unlike the night before when I was first arrived at Incheon airport ; freezing cold around 15°C ! Our local guide, said that this is what Summer in Korea really like : warm at day, cold at noon.
So after breakfast, we pack up our luggage, get in the bus and went straight to the ..National Folk House. Before that ,we passed by this iconic building...
The Blue House / Cheong Wa Dae
Here's a presidential house ,executive office and official residence of South Korea. Our local guide said this is the place where the South Koreans political protests mostly happen, including resignation petition for ex President ,Park Geun Ye.
NATIONAL FOLK MUSEUM OF KOREA
There is reason why this place was our first visited site in Seoul , is simply because you can literally know more about KOREA inside out. From culture, ideology, cuisine,language and everything else from ancient Korea till the end of Joseon Dinasty. This place totally broaden my perspective about Korean people and their way of living and so on .For example ; why there is so much scenes on Korean drama with noonas and dongsaeng romantic relationship ?You'll get the answer here
( well, our local guide explained so as we observed the historical replica)
GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE
I'm sure you know all about this place. This place is mostly seen in Korean period drama and in every Korea tourism promotional board videos . Gyeongbokgung is a main royal palace of Joseon Dinasty,it is also the biggest palace and most well-known touristy sites in South Korea. I still remember in 2011 when I watched 'Annyeong Korea with 2PM' ( you can watch it here ) ,an interactive movie about travel in Korea , there's a scene that my (then) idol bias, 2PM Wooyoung promoted this palace. Now even though I'm not that into Kpop anymore, I am still fond of this place and I'm happy to finally be there.
Spacious and Panoramic
Here you can also transform into Korean girl in Hanbok for a day. With perfect spot, perfect ootd, perfect weather, I bet you'll shoot some nice instagram -able photos ! Gyeongbokgung is such a place you shouldn't miss to visit after all!
Being here after a day, All i can say is there's difference of Korea from what I expected before. I used to 'know' it from, internet,K- dramas, and books before. Now after being there for real, I can see the true beauty and sides of Korea which is not shown in front of screen. This is, the true Korea and captures my heart.
That's all about my Korea travel post day 1.. I'll post the day 2, 3,4,5 soon on this blog.
Thanks for reading <3