Our first long trip with Chan Brothers agency
8D6N Grandeur of Korea
People are asking us why we took package tour when the husband is a Korean? hm.. cause is cheaper and save the husband alot of trouble (the husband dont like to plan). i checked the air ticket from Sg to Seoul on the date we going is $1080. Our tour package is only $1550 include tax, hotel, transport, meals, amusement park ticket, guide and two internal domestic flight ticket (Jeju and Daegu).. it's a steal :) Following group wasn't as comfortable as free and easy but you got to travel and visit x2 x3 time more places than u were to go on your own... Food is only fair (maybe i am too particular), tour trip include of some high commission based visits but overall experience was fun..
29 & 30 December 2009
8.30pm, reach airport, met up with tour leader, the blur blur her mislead us, told us there is no food serve on night flight and herd us to get a quick fix before check in. I didn't eat much as i remember they do serve food even if it is a night flight.
P.S i think i got blacklisted due to my access flooding of complain email to them, even the tour leader know my christian name (not state in my passport). ops!
Last meal - Kiliney wanton noodle
Say bye to Chinese food and Hi to 8 days of Korean meal *Love*
The husband is excited to go back to his home country with me :)
Asiana flight is a 외국인 (foreigner) unfriendly airline, they only 4 english movie, 1 lame shit 王晶chinese movies, some 10 yrs ago antique varieties shows and all their latest Korean movie and varieties shows are not english subtitled! T_T
They serve Bibimbab! Oh~ this is the best on flight meal i ever taken~ 맛있은
Reach Incheon international airport at local time 6am
Given an hour for us to wash, brush and get changed to winter clothing. Temperature out there is freezing at -12 to -14 degree~
Grabbing a cuppa to warm ourselves
Dunkin Donuts got himself fermented in the land of Korea - Kimchi Donut!
Waiting for our group members behind
The husband is drinking strawberry freeze at wee wee hours!! -.-
The sun is still hiding.. On our way to Namido, winter sonata island
Korea phone we rent in the airport, unfriendly to sms
First outdoor photo we took, my hand is super shaky while taking this shot. Our body is still not getting use to the shivering temperature.. 추워요
The husband bought us some warm honey red ginseng drink.. really works..
Ticketing counter, getting the ticket for the 10min boat ride to Nami island
Queuing for the boat ride
There is a pair of late 60s year old couple in our tour group (see the brown color jacket behind, that's the granny), very shock to see old people traveling, my granny didn't even want to walk about.. and they are still so healthy!
Partially frozen river, i think the husband look nice in this photo, that chap is lucky to have a wify who loves photography
Nami island entrance
Tourist favorite spot.. heat station
Amazing goose, they survived under such weather condition
Another tourist photography spot,
Water features made with empty glass bottle
People queuing up to get Ho Ttok (winter specialties: Cinnamon rice cake)
The husband standing behind the famous pine trees scene in Winter sonata drama..
I am glad we came during winter~ :) Namido look so pretty in snow
Slowly getting use to the temperature and we are enjoying ourselves there
Best photo taken by the husband - illusionary i got long legs :) Muahahahaha
They mention Couple road on the sign board but we don't know why is it called that
Nami resort, like a motel thing for people to stay for a weekend getaway
Stack up the stones to pray for fate (姻缘）
Candles contributed by the crew from winter sonata.. imagine how many nights they camped in this place
Shop selling overpriced Bei Yong Jun copyright products for Japanese obasan, the husband says he heated up the whole Korean drama heatwave and bring in alot of money for Korea... true to say yes...
Erhhh... why are these birds doing here??
Hopping onto this cute little nami maid boat leaving Namido ...
As for lunch, we are having seaweed soup
and pan fried chicken in a restaurant not far away from the port. In order to cater to foreigner taste they didnt put much chili paste, got to self service :) Taste great!!! (after we add in extra Gochujang)
shop assistant add rice to our pan fried chicken and it become... bibimbab!
Bibimbab in Korea taste so much more spicy than those served in Singapore ... anyway it nice to keep our stomach warm with spicy chili :)
Next stop: Royal Pass Bukak Palgakjeong Tower uphill to enjoy bird eye view of Seoul city
Coffee house in the tower.. there are alot of telescope for you to view city view of Seoul at 100won for 2min..
We can assure you this is the coldest place we visited throughout the trip.. it's not about the degree, be it -14 or so... but the wind!! is chilled enough to gushed through your lung.. It's rather a pain than enjoyable experience.. Seoul cold!! btw there is nothing much to see.. everything look so misty and white during winter
Next stop: Changdukgung Palace, UNESCO world heritage site, well known for its secret garden which shows Korea’s distinct natural beauty through its exquisite pavilions
A stone turtle under the drain.. i remember it has some meaning for this
Korea king's seat, as we know that China have about 5000 yrs of historical background while Korea have about 4000yrs... Why their architecture and even King seats look similar? Can someone explain? Hm..
The husband cannot tahan the chill wind blowing and yes that is my shawl
We had an early early dinner at 5pm? which is like SG 4pm? Did dinner early in order to catch out flight to Jejudo in late evening~ Anyway the food look and taste horrible... so even though it's rude in Korean and Chinese culture to leave food unfinished, we didn't bother to finish it.. Don't waste your calories on yucky food say ieat philosophy!
Cabbage, tofu, straw - mushroom and pork soup that taste like hospital food, not even salty.. i only tried 2 spoonful and pissed, even me can cook 100 times better tasting one than this.. Very sian cause there isn't any other option for any extra orders... unlike the lunch restaurant, this particular place they brought us to only cater to tour groups... you cant order kimchi jigae or so.. Arghhh
Vegetarian Bibimbab with no sesame oil (bland), even a bibimbab can go wrong, not sure how this place can survive.
After which we proceed to domestic airport for our 1 hr flight to Jejudo
The Hwangs are Family D
Jejudo wasnt as cold as Seoul, usually it is 6-8 degree highier but they are known for their strong wind! Remember i mention is the wind that kill, well welcome to hell. We met the worst air turbulence before landing, my palm was so sweaty and i almost cried. The guide say we should considered lucky, there are times when the airplane only land after it's third or forth try... wind too strong, no way to land... imagine that as a roller coaster experience.. up and down and up and down and up and down~ Ewwww~
Guide recommend us to try Korea tomato juice on flight.. refreshing and tangy.. different from the european tomato sauce taste-a-like juice..
Jeju Oriental Hotel, our temporary home for 2 evening
Saw 4 types of corn in supermart..so colorful
The tibits and beverage supplies we bought for the 2 nights, saw the ginseng wine百岁酒? haha specially bought to climb the mountain the next morning..
My dinner/supper... Look at the hot oil! spicy!
Wanted to get jeju famous sashimi but it was too late and portion are huge (maybe for pax of 4), a platter can cost up to $70++ easily! Letting go, we turned in early... as day 2 is going to be a super hectic day ahead... we are going on a round tour around Jejudo...
