Thanks to Korean dramas, K-pop, Korean fashion and cosmetics, this country was a 'must-go' on my list! I was definitely looking forward to checking out the places where Winter Sonata was shot and to indulge in Korean BBQ. Not forgetting shopping for both clothes and cosmetics (which Korea has surpassed Japan to be number 1).
Once landed in Seoul airport, I couldn't help feeling as though I was part of a Korean drama. Everyone I looked at on my left and right looked just like in the dramas, which I had once watched 40 episodes back-to-back! I somehow felt that although both the Koreans and I are Asians, we were so different in looks and mannerism.
Day 1 - Thur, 4 April 2013
Arrival at Incheon Airport, Seoul.
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| Very well furnished - ample lavatories in the airport right after you touch down. |
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| First stop, lunch at a Chinese-Korean restaurant. |
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| Some art deco displayed outside. |
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| The cutlery we were given somehow looks kiddish.. |
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| See the sichuan style tofu? The food felt more Chinese than Korean. |
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| Sundry shop outside. |
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| Bridge built by Samsung. |
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| Spending our first night in the Secret Hotel. |
Day 2 - Fri, 5 April 2013
Jeju Island
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| Catching the plane to Jeju Island. |
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| They look like hardened scoops of ice-cream but these are actually cookies. |
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| Samsung is everywhere. |
The Mysterious Road
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| So what's so mysterious about it? |
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| Bus demonstration. |
| Drivers are asked to switch off the engine from the starting point to the end point but the bus moves by itself although it looks like it's going uphill on the slope. |
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| Green barley bread with red bean paste inside. It was quite chewy. |
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| Korean 'Fellowship of the Ring'? |
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| Banana milk. Available everywhere in Korea. |
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| Cherry Blossoms by the road. |
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| Jeju oranges. |
Yong Duam Rock
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| Can you see the dragon's head and its tail? |
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| View of the city from Yong Duam Rock. |
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| Hats for sale. |
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| Krazee for K-pop? |
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| Pictures of the children from Jeju Island pasted along an underground tunnel. |
Tapdong Shopping Street
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| Korean stew with potato and fish. |
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| An orange tree. |
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| Our hotel for two nights at Jeju Island. |
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| Instant Starbucks. |
Day 3 - Sat, 6 April, Jeju Island
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| Hotel breakfast spread. |
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| Seaweed soup and Kimchi soup. |
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| Random petrol station. |
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| Saw this random ship on the road to Seongsan Sunrise Peak. |
Seongsan Sunrise Peak (Really it's a crater)
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| A Unesco Heritage site. |
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| View from above. |
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| Amazing how these old folks managed to climb up. |
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| It was pretty windy. Saw this China lady dancing around with the scarf for a photo. |
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| The Jeju Mermaids. |
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| Fresh seafood served raw. |
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| Little Korean girl peaking out the window. |
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| Eating area. |
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| What remains of the volcanic eruption. |
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| Chinese tourist bargaining for the fresh shellfish. |
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| Souvenirs resembling the Korean gods. |
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| Starbucks in Korea. |
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| Dried squid by the sea. I guess that's how it gets its saltiness. |
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| Traditional Korean winter outfit. |
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| The road towards the church. |
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| Korean ladies selling roasted squid. |
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| Sea cucumber? |
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| Odd-shaped orange. |
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| Traditional Jeju Island huts. Its wall is made of horse dung. |
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| Heading into the restaurant for lunch. |
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| Got my spoon and chopsticks ready for... |
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| Korean BBQ! And boy, it was awesome! (Would have licked the hotplate.) |
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| Cafe with Brazilian roasted coffee. Hut's wall is made of horse dung though. |
Seongup Folk Village
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| Traditional entrance of Jeju homes. |
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| Oh hello Mr Piggy! |
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| You certainly are not camera shy! |
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| Back in those days, Jeju Island people ate horse. |
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| Pure honey texture. |
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| Basket to rock their baby. |
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| Container to carry water. |
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| Cart. |
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| Bidding farewell. |
Everland
They even have cosmetic shops in the theme park!
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| The Face Shop in Everland. |
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| Etude House in Everland. |
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| Yes snake mask. Not sure which part of the snake was involved... |
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| Pork stew. |
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| Dear God, I thank you for this hot bowl of rice in this cold winter weather... But it would be great to see snow... |
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| Omigosh! It's snow! |
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| Snow-covered car. |
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| Snow fight! |
Pyong Chang
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| At the entrance of Pyong Yong Ski Resort |
Some scenes from Winter Sonata were shot here.
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| Footprints in the snow. |
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| They must be freezing. |
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| This jigsaw puzzle was part of the TV series. |
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| Snow-covered car. |
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| Snow flakes! |
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| See the temperature? -0.6! |
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| Hehe... 'Sexy on the beach' |
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| Miniature display at the coffee house. |
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| Checking out the snow behind the hotel. |
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| Snow flakes on the fence. |
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| Snow-covered bushes. |
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| Since we came in April, we expected the climate to somewhat resemble the top left-hand picture. What we got, and was not prepared for, was the bottom right-hand picture. |
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| Nice illustration. |
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| Our nice, warm room. |
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| Most hotels seem to provide this - a bottle of skin lotion and milk lotion. |
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| What to do when the weather outside is frightful? Watch K-pop! |
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| View from my room. |
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| Hotel staff shoveling snow. |
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| Off to catch the gondola up to the ski mountain. |
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| Up we go! |
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| View from the gondola. |
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| Casts of Winter Sonata. |
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| My 15 year-old cousin and I. Chilling. |
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| See how foggy it was? |
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| Little Korean girl having a nice hot cup of coco. |
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| Frosty was frozen. |
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| A twosome with him? Awesome advertising for a cafe. |
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| We're just chilling. |
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| Frozen river by our hotel. |
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| Miniature snowmen. |
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| Snow residue at the Korean restaurant. |
Mount Sorak
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| Snow that looks like curled butter. |
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| Cable car up Mt. Sorak. |
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| Scary looking bear. |
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| View of Mt Sorak. |
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| I've never seen a kid so happy with a chocolate muffin. He was prancing around after every bite. |
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| Chestnuts roasting on coal. |
Daepohang Fish Market
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| A variety of seafood. |
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| Stuffed squid. |
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| That giant crab is staring at me... |
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| Tried this... Some sea urchin sort of thing... It was salty. |
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| Giant octopus. |
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| Some sort of bug. |
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| North Korean delicacy. |
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| Fried rice stuffed in squid. It was good! Must try. |
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| Bibimbap. |
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| Spent the night on nice, warm, tatami floor. |
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| Hotel breakfast. |
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| Snow residue around the hotel. |
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| Boy, it was fun stepping on it. |
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| Teddy bear museum. |
Nami Island
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| Off we go to board the ferry to Nami Island. |
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| This statue caught every man's eyes. |
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| Briefing from tour guide. |
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| International phone booth? |
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| Tree of bottles. |
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| Looks familiar? |
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| It's the infamous place where they shot a scene for Winter Sonata. |
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| Outdoor library. |
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| A merlion in Korea?? |
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| The spot where the stars of Winter Sonata had their first kiss. |
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| People were allowed to sign on the plastered 'snowmen'. |
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| They would just plaster over it again anyways. |
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| Bridge with flattened glass bottles. |
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| Wild squirrel. |
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| Pretty birds in a row. |
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| I too decided to vandalise! |
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| Was strolling along when I noticed these two people seated next to the tree. Beautiful sight from where I stood. |
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| Korean vending machines. |
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| Ostrich on Nami Island. |
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| Restaurant stop for lunch. |
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| Nice flowers outside. |
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| Korean rice cake. Stir fried with rice. |
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| Doggie outfits for sale. |
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| Doggie Hanbok. |
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| Lovely cafe. |
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| Their yoghurt smoothie is a must try! |
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| Very popular at the moment. |
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| Samsung car. |
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| This beef marinate stew is simply divine. |
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| Spicy seafood. |
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| I highly recommend this restaurant in Seoul. It was about a 10-minute walk from our hotel. |
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| Prime Minister's residence. |
Gyeong Bok Palace
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| Entrance. |
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| Korean Gargoyles on the roof. Based on Journey to the West characters. |
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| Palace kitchen. |
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| Hey, someone pointed the middle finger! |
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| Notice the window pane? This is where the guy below got inspiration in creating the Korean language/character. |
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| His face is printed on the 10000 won note. |
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| The old behind the new. |
