SOUTH KOREA 2011 | Backpacking South Korea - Jeju Island & Seoul
This is a 9 days 8 nights trip with my hubby, sister and friends. We wanted to visit places featured in many Korean dramas and movies famously and widely watch and also places suggested in their tourism website. For your information, I am the biggest fanatic Korean dramas/movies/music/culture/language fan..:) I think I ranked below 100th in Malaysia. Who can beat me watching either drama or movie at least 1 to 2 episode per day and going to class to learn Hangul so that I can go deeper with the drama/movie I watched (It's so distracting if I need to read the subtitles while watching), going to their concerts in Malaysia and also eating their foods although the price is quite expensive. The reason maybe simple but now I'm thinking to further my language study in Seoul. Pray to Allah that my husband will hit the jackpot soon..:)
Enough with the craziness, let's write about the trip shall I. As usual the information given will be benefited most to the backpackers because if you used a travel agent, I bet the experience will be very much different. I enjoyed backpacking because I am free to do whatever I want, to visit, to stop, to eat, to shop at wherever I want. I used to love Geography subject and maybe that's the beginning of my addicted to travel sickness. This kind of illness can never be treated until I conquer the world...sound so corny isn't it?..hahhaa..whatever, nevermind...
Day 1 (2 July 2011)
This is the day when I first experienced sleeping at the airport floor with the irritating sound of buzling bus and mosquito. Worse because is not inside of the airport but actually it was outside. I might read wrong information about Gimpo Airport or maybe there's new rules. I don't know really. Thank God none of us get sick due to this. It's still too early to get sick even a flu sometimes can be quite troublesome for a holiday to be enjoyable.
We arrived at Incheon airport around 9.30 pm after 6 hours 50 minutes flying from Kuala Lumpur and the plan was to go straight away to Gimpo airport by Airport train (₩3,400) for the earliest flight to Jeju Island . Return flight tickets to Jeju Island were already purchased on-line at Asiana airlines website a month before (₩90,180 for return). Here some photos on day 1.
Day 2 (3 July 2011)
Due to bad weather, our flight was delayed by two hours. It's took 1 hour to reach Jeju Island. In Jeju Island, we rented a car for 3 days from Avis car rental (₩172,800 inclusive GPS). There's a free shuttle bus to their office which is located a few kilometers from the airport. The car is equipped with GPS. Just key-in any place's phone number and the GPS will show us the direction to that place. They had provided us also a map and list of attraction with phone number. My first impression of Jeju's people that they are very friendly and helpful. Since the place we are going to stay had kitchen in it, we went to the local wet market to buy vegetables, fruits and seafood. Halmeoni (grandmother) in the market were very kind, we get some free fruits after trying to speak their language a little. We spent ₩44,500 here (crab, kimchi, clam, fish, plum, banana, local cucumber, onion, chili and etc2).
Day 3 (4 July 2011)
On day three, we went climbing at Mount Hallasan National Park. There's a few trails and I decided to climb via Yeongsil Trail. No guide needed and we do not have to register too. The only charge was only for car park (₩1,800). The track was nicely built and safe for their people and tourist to enjoy the beautiful scenery and plants throughout the climbing. Their amazing forest are different from ours, but all of them are nature created by the one and only God and I am so thankful for the unforgettable beautiful journey. Since it was Summer, the color of the plants were green same like ours. I had read somewhere that the best time for climbing in South Korea is during Autumn when the color of the plant will change to a bright colors and the weather will be drier.
Back from climbing, we stopped a while at Jeju's orange farm. The oranges were a bit pricey (around ₩30,000 for a dozen) so we did not buy any. However, juices were cheaper than other imported orange juices. I think the processed one does not have that special value anymore. Then, we went to one of the three most famous waterfall, Cheonjiyeon waterfall (₩2,000) and had our packed lunch here. Since we were kind of tired that day, we just walked around this area, enjoying the Jeju's marvelous views and later went to Jeju Olympic Stadium, before we call it a day, went swimming at Jungmun Beach again until sundown. From what I had seen, when it's dark you are not allowed to swim. There's even a coast guards and polices to make sure of this.
Day 4 (5 July 2011)
On day 4 after purchased admission tickets from travel counter (get 5-10% discount), first destination was Herb's Garden (₩5,600). Here we can found thousand types of herbs. It's different from normal garden because all of them are edible. Many I had never seen before. The place was so beautifully gardened and had a romantic feeling. We had a mixed ice (ABC) with a lot of fruits and flower petals (₩10,000). Someday, I absolutely will create one when I own a landed house with a big courtyard in Malaysia.
Later, we visited Jeju's folk village (free). This small traditional village is no longer occupied. However, surprisingly the horrible smell of pig is still there. I am not sure why they left those smelly animals there. Maybe to add some real feeling for tourist to feel and watch. I am not sure why. But I wish someday they can get rid of that animals so that Muslims can be more comfortable to visit.
After about an hour of very slow driving (need to follow the speed limit), we arrived at one of Jeju's main attraction, the Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) (₩2,000). The view from below was so awesome and kept attracting us to walk up to the peak. It has a very nice people friendly walking path to make sure the climb is safer and easier.
After drove back to Teddy bear museum (₩7,500) located very near to our guesthouse. We were supposed to go to this place first, bad decision made this morning and due to this we had to skip Manjanggul cave. If you watch the very famous Korean drama, Goong (Princess hours) then you must know this museum where the prince's grandmother and princess Shin Chae Kyeong (played by Yoon Eun Hye) came to visit and played around before the prince Lee Shin (played by actor Joo Ji Hoon) came and drove them around, taking photos, singing and dancing. I felt like Alice in a wonderland here, so many cute Teddy bears collection.
Then, we decided to go for swimming at the first Hyeopjae Beach (had been here on first day in Jeju).
Last destination of the day was Love Land (₩8,500) . It is an outdoor sculpture park which focused on a theme of sex, running sex education films, and featuring sculptures representing humans in various sexual positions, It also has other elements such as large phallus statues, stone labia and hands-on exhibits such as "masturbation-cycle." The park's website describes the location as " a place where love oriented art and eroticism meet".
Day 5 (6 July 2011)
Today, we flew back to Seoul (8.35am flight). We arrived at Gimpo airport about an hour later and took airport train to Hongik University Station (₩1,100). Our guesthouse located here which is famously known as Hongdae area. Korean drama "Mary Stayed Out All Night?Marry Me, Mary!" was mostly filmed here. I wonder how many thousands of University student during the shooting? I wish I am one of them. But I think their entertainment industry is really booming because I had encountered filmed/drama/commercial shooting not once but twice during my short visit. I wonder if I purposely looking for it, I might easily met many actors here..:)
We arrived at Mr. Kim's Friend Guesthouse too early and it's not yet time for check-in. We left our backpacks here and went looking for Halal foods at Itaewon area (via Subway at ₩900) . We were starving like crazy that day. After lunch, we walked to Seoul Mosque (climbing a mountainous road actually). In this area, you can found excessive Halal restaurants but most of them are not Korean foods. Many are from middle east and India/Pakistan. But I like the Korean Kebab, they put Bulgogi instead of normal meat.
Day 6 (7 July 2011)
Day 7 (8 July 2011)
Day 8 (9 July 2011)
Day 9 (10 July 2011)
For more photos go to my Picasa Web Albums
Enough with the craziness, let's write about the trip shall I. As usual the information given will be benefited most to the backpackers because if you used a travel agent, I bet the experience will be very much different. I enjoyed backpacking because I am free to do whatever I want, to visit, to stop, to eat, to shop at wherever I want. I used to love Geography subject and maybe that's the beginning of my addicted to travel sickness. This kind of illness can never be treated until I conquer the world...sound so corny isn't it?..hahhaa..whatever, nevermind...
Day 1 (2 July 2011)
This is the day when I first experienced sleeping at the airport floor with the irritating sound of buzling bus and mosquito. Worse because is not inside of the airport but actually it was outside. I might read wrong information about Gimpo Airport or maybe there's new rules. I don't know really. Thank God none of us get sick due to this. It's still too early to get sick even a flu sometimes can be quite troublesome for a holiday to be enjoyable.
We arrived at Incheon airport around 9.30 pm after 6 hours 50 minutes flying from Kuala Lumpur and the plan was to go straight away to Gimpo airport by Airport train (₩3,400) for the earliest flight to Jeju Island . Return flight tickets to Jeju Island were already purchased on-line at Asiana airlines website a month before (₩90,180 for return). Here some photos on day 1.
Day 2 (3 July 2011)
Due to bad weather, our flight was delayed by two hours. It's took 1 hour to reach Jeju Island. In Jeju Island, we rented a car for 3 days from Avis car rental (₩172,800 inclusive GPS). There's a free shuttle bus to their office which is located a few kilometers from the airport. The car is equipped with GPS. Just key-in any place's phone number and the GPS will show us the direction to that place. They had provided us also a map and list of attraction with phone number. My first impression of Jeju's people that they are very friendly and helpful. Since the place we are going to stay had kitchen in it, we went to the local wet market to buy vegetables, fruits and seafood. Halmeoni (grandmother) in the market were very kind, we get some free fruits after trying to speak their language a little. We spent ₩44,500 here (crab, kimchi, clam, fish, plum, banana, local cucumber, onion, chili and etc2).
On the way to our guesthouse White Scenery(₩24,000/person/night), we stopped for a while at Hyeopjae Beach. This white sandy beach is awesome, the water was so clean and although the weather was hot, the water was so cold. Not like normal cold but it's waterfall kind of cold. After check-in, cooked, had lunch and rest, we went to Jungmun Resort Complex, the location is very near to our guesthouse. For today, we just went to Lotte world hotel and Jungmun beach. If you are a Korean drama die hard fans, you must know the well-known windmill located inside the hotel. The latest drama had a scene there was 'Scent of a woman' starring Kim Sun Ah and Lee Dong Wook. We also took a picture with the famous hal-abeoji (grandfather) stone. Later, we went to the nearby beach. It is an ideal black sandy beach for surfers and coincidentally, they had a world surfing contest that day. Despite the heavy waves, there's still area for swimmers like us. I love the feeling of swimming at a beach that I had never been before. For beach lover like me, I think it is a priceless moments. Thinking of the beach now makes me really wanted to go there again.....
Day 3 (4 July 2011)
On day three, we went climbing at Mount Hallasan National Park. There's a few trails and I decided to climb via Yeongsil Trail. No guide needed and we do not have to register too. The only charge was only for car park (₩1,800). The track was nicely built and safe for their people and tourist to enjoy the beautiful scenery and plants throughout the climbing. Their amazing forest are different from ours, but all of them are nature created by the one and only God and I am so thankful for the unforgettable beautiful journey. Since it was Summer, the color of the plants were green same like ours. I had read somewhere that the best time for climbing in South Korea is during Autumn when the color of the plant will change to a bright colors and the weather will be drier.
Climbing Mt. Hallasan (Yeongsil Trail)
Back from climbing, we stopped a while at Jeju's orange farm. The oranges were a bit pricey (around ₩30,000 for a dozen) so we did not buy any. However, juices were cheaper than other imported orange juices. I think the processed one does not have that special value anymore. Then, we went to one of the three most famous waterfall, Cheonjiyeon waterfall (₩2,000) and had our packed lunch here. Since we were kind of tired that day, we just walked around this area, enjoying the Jeju's marvelous views and later went to Jeju Olympic Stadium, before we call it a day, went swimming at Jungmun Beach again until sundown. From what I had seen, when it's dark you are not allowed to swim. There's even a coast guards and polices to make sure of this.
Day 4 (5 July 2011)
On day 4 after purchased admission tickets from travel counter (get 5-10% discount), first destination was Herb's Garden (₩5,600). Here we can found thousand types of herbs. It's different from normal garden because all of them are edible. Many I had never seen before. The place was so beautifully gardened and had a romantic feeling. We had a mixed ice (ABC) with a lot of fruits and flower petals (₩10,000). Someday, I absolutely will create one when I own a landed house with a big courtyard in Malaysia.
Later, we visited Jeju's folk village (free). This small traditional village is no longer occupied. However, surprisingly the horrible smell of pig is still there. I am not sure why they left those smelly animals there. Maybe to add some real feeling for tourist to feel and watch. I am not sure why. But I wish someday they can get rid of that animals so that Muslims can be more comfortable to visit.
at Herbs Land and Jeju Folk Village
After about an hour of very slow driving (need to follow the speed limit), we arrived at one of Jeju's main attraction, the Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) (₩2,000). The view from below was so awesome and kept attracting us to walk up to the peak. It has a very nice people friendly walking path to make sure the climb is safer and easier.
Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)
Then, we went to Gimnyeong Maze Park (₩3,000). The Maze park was designed by the world famous company Andrian Fisher Monotaur Maze Designs and funded by American Prof at Cheju National University, Frederic H. Dustin. This unique maze park contains foliages from all over Asia and has been personally maintained by Dr Dunstan. Here, you will be given a map and need to brilliantly choose a way to complete the game. I think I have a very high IQ because it took only 5-10 minutes for me to finishing, when many end up at the starting point again and again..:)hahahha..(gelak berlagak). We had our packed lunch here outside the park.
At Gimnyeong Maze Park
After drove back to Teddy bear museum (₩7,500) located very near to our guesthouse. We were supposed to go to this place first, bad decision made this morning and due to this we had to skip Manjanggul cave. If you watch the very famous Korean drama, Goong (Princess hours) then you must know this museum where the prince's grandmother and princess Shin Chae Kyeong (played by Yoon Eun Hye) came to visit and played around before the prince Lee Shin (played by actor Joo Ji Hoon) came and drove them around, taking photos, singing and dancing. I felt like Alice in a wonderland here, so many cute Teddy bears collection.
At Teddy Bear Museum (Featured in Korean drama Goong)
Then, we decided to go for swimming at the first Hyeopjae Beach (had been here on first day in Jeju).
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| Swimming at Hyeopjae Beach |
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| One of art sculpture at Love Land |
Today, we flew back to Seoul (8.35am flight). We arrived at Gimpo airport about an hour later and took airport train to Hongik University Station (₩1,100). Our guesthouse located here which is famously known as Hongdae area. Korean drama "Mary Stayed Out All Night?Marry Me, Mary!" was mostly filmed here. I wonder how many thousands of University student during the shooting? I wish I am one of them. But I think their entertainment industry is really booming because I had encountered filmed/drama/commercial shooting not once but twice during my short visit. I wonder if I purposely looking for it, I might easily met many actors here..:)
We arrived at Mr. Kim's Friend Guesthouse too early and it's not yet time for check-in. We left our backpacks here and went looking for Halal foods at Itaewon area (via Subway at ₩900) . We were starving like crazy that day. After lunch, we walked to Seoul Mosque (climbing a mountainous road actually). In this area, you can found excessive Halal restaurants but most of them are not Korean foods. Many are from middle east and India/Pakistan. But I like the Korean Kebab, they put Bulgogi instead of normal meat.
Itaewon area & Seoul Mosque
Later in the late afternoon, we went to Hangang Park (via subway stop at Yeuido Station). We planned to take a boat cruise here, but due to raining season and the water level was high that time, their government forbid all cruise boat companies to operate. While some of us just lay on the bed of grasses, me and my sister actively went cycling. Thanks to my teenager's body and spirit..:) I felt it was a waste of time if I just sleep. Better sleep at night on proper bed when I had fully used my energy including my spare tank energy..:)
Hangang Park
Namsan Seoul Tower
Day 6 (7 July 2011)
Everland
Day 7 (8 July 2011)
Day 8 (9 July 2011)
Day 9 (10 July 2011)
For more photos go to my Picasa Web Albums
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