Sparkling Korea

Finally! The time has come! I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, which is to go to Korea for holiday. Even though at first my friends want to join, but the declined it due to some matter.

Day 01 - Kuala Lumpur / Saigon

We transit at Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam for several hours before we headed to Incheon International Airport, Seoul. In Saigon, we had a quick city tour with our guide, Miss Erra. We toured around Saigon, and went to several interesting places. We went to Handicapped Handicraft factory, mosque and then dinner at a Muslim restaurant. Then, we headed back to the airport to continue our journey to South Korea.

with my mom at Saigon

with my cousins

Day 02 - Incheon / Namiseom / Ski Resort

We slept in the flight last night. It's kind of waste of time because it took such a long time to reach Korea. If there's no transit, we might had been there a day earlier. However, the meal in the flight wasn't bad at all.

Incheon International Airport

Our first destination today was Nami Island which was famous for Winter Sonata filming location. The weather was damn cold. Even though I wore thick clothes, gloves and snow cap, the cold still managed to penetrate my skin. This place is very stunting and beautiful. The tree squirels also were very cute.

Nami Island

We had our lunch at a vegetarian restaurant just before we went to Nami Island. I also had the chance to taste the kimchi. However, the taste was weird. I wonder why Korean loves kimchi very much.

tofu steamboat

Later, we went to the ski resort. The hotel room is like an apartment. It contains 2 rooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen and also living room. However, only one room has bed. Therefore, as the youngest ones, my younger brother and I slept in the empty room. We took the mattress and pillows from the cupboard outside.

That night, snow started to come down. We all were very excited about it because it was our first time watching snow coming down except for the fake one in Snow World, Genting Highlands.


Day 03 - Ski Resort / Everland / Suwon

After breakfast, we were given chance to ski at the nearby hill. My brothers went to ski but I decided to become their photographer instead. The cost for the ski equipment is USD 50 which is quite expensive. Outside the hotel, all places become white due to last night snow. It was such a very beautiful scenery. At the ski place, the snow started to fall down again, but this time, like a heavy downpour. I could barely open my eyes for a long time. This place was very packed with people, some of them were beginners and some already expert.

with Won Bin

It's snowing this morning

family

At noon, we continue our vacation to Everland. It took about 2 or 3 hours to reach there. During the way, we watched 'The Host' in the bus. Then, we stopped for a while at the R&R to have a quick snacks because today, no lunch was included in our package. I bought some hot drinks and then ate breads with sardines outside because inside was full with hungry people. It was very chilly and cold. I could hardly move my fingers and it was very difficult to eat.


Everland is a theme park. It is a very huge place compared to any other theme parks in Malaysia. The sets were also very beautiful. Here, we played several rides and watch some shows. First, we boarded the mini train, then watch the Christmas performances on the big stage, then we headed to the Safari ride, and later we play Snow Slide. We didn't get chance to play roller coaster and other extreme rides because it's getting dark. The day has become shorter in winter.

Everland

We stayed at Hotel Castle, Suwon tonight. My friend, Minu was already there by the time I entered the building. I asked him to wait for a little while and after that, we went for a quick stroll outside. We went to a restaurant to try some kimbab and ramen. It was very tasty.

Day 04 - Suwon / Seoul

In the morning, we visited Kyongbok Palace and also passed by the Blue House which is the President's house. I got the chance to watch the guard exchange in the palace. The guards were all stand still like statues. We also went to the Folk Museum.

Folk Museum

Then, we went to Itaewon. Here, there is a mosque in this town and also many Muslim restaurants. Our lunch was Indian cuisine. Many Muslims live here because of the availability of many halal food. Then, we had a quick shopping at the Hamilton Plaza. I bought several cd album of my favourite groups which are Big Bang and SNSD. I was hoping to buy more like Super Junior and Wonder Girls but I didn't have enought money. I had to save my money a little bit for the future shopping places.

Itaewon Mosque

In the evening, we went to Lotte World. It is an indoor and also outdoor theme parks. We were given 5 free rides to try. Since it's Sunday, this place was packed with people. We tried out Sinbad Adventure, Pharaoh's Fury, French Revolution, Jungle Adventure and Flume Ride. Even though it was only 5 rides, it consumed 3 hours because we need to queue for the rides. The French Revolution which is a roller coaster was very amazing. I enjoyed it very much.

Lotte World

No dinner today, therefore I ate instant noodles in hotel room to fill up my hungry belly.

Day 05 - Seoul

Seoul

Today was our shopping day. All places we visited today are for shopping. First, we went to National Ginseng Outlet, Dewin's cosmetic shop, Amethyst Factory, Namdaemun Market and also Dongdaemun Market. I didn't buy much because the things are very expensive in Korea. I just bought some souvenirs and a couple of t-shirts.


In Korea, I managed to watch Korean Drama, You Are My Destiny which I also watched in Malaysia. Even though there is no subtitle, I just watch it just to keep up. The episodes in Korea was way far away from the episodes in Malaysia. The episodes in Malaysia was a little late.

Day 06 - Seoul / Saigon

It was snowing on the day we left the hotel.

I didn't realise that our tour in Korea had come to an end today. We were going to Saigon today before we went back to Malaysia tomorrow. We had a noodle breakfast at the nearby restaurant near the airport. Some of us also did last minute shopping in the duty free shop there.


After saying goodbye to our bus driver whom I didn't know his name, Mickey (photographer) and Billy (tour guide), we boarded our plane to Saigon.

we were leaving

In Saigon, we were welcomed by Miss Erra again and we continue our tour at some shops. Then, we went to Ben Than market. I grabbed a t-shirt, slippers and also souvenirs. We had our dinner in a Malaysian restaurant, Four Seasons. The food here were good, tasty and delicious. Finally we could eat our local food after having vegetarian, seafood and Indian food in Korea.

Day 07 - Saigon / Kuala Lumpur



Bye bye Saigon and Seoul.


Review

It's very cold in Korea especially in Nami Island and Seoul. Even though snow barely came down in Seoul, I really didn't like the cold weather.

It's very expensive in Korea. The things are just expensives. The clothes, the souvenirs the bla bla bla.. All expensives!

I feel very satisfied with my Korean favourites albums! Even though I had downloaded all SNSD's songs, I still bought the album. This album is very beautiful, with many pictures inside. Big Bang album also is very well created. It contains stickers and also many photos.

I bought very many souvenirs. It's kinda excessive. My RM300 just walked away like that.

I also bought 2 t-shirts with Korean printing and also a pink Sony earphone.

The scenery in Korea is very beautiful. More beautiful than Malaysia. The city is also more modern than Malaysia. The toilets are mostly clean, even though in market. The city itself is very clean.

The theme parks are like heaven for youngters. They have many interesting rides, exhibition, shows, events and also very huge.

Hmm.. My 6-months holiday nearly come to an end. In less than 2 weeks, I will continue my study in IMU. Wuuu.... Nak cuti!!!