Fly To Seoul

Leaving on A Jet Plane

Come enjoy Seoul Fly to city Seoul
I'm your only energy The only one is me
Wanna get wanna get wanna get yo.
This place is for you
Let's get along, come in.
This city that never sleeps

Fly To Seoul by 2 pm 

That is one of a lyrics sung by 2 pm by one of the famous boyband in Korea, this song became the official song of the Korean government of tourism. After getting a ticket to go to Seoul, this song keep ringing in my ears. 

I am not a fans of K-POP or K-Drama but after various kinds of considerations I think South Korea would be a perfect place for me to spend my summer vacation. So, with just a little knowledge about Korea I finally found myself arrived at Incheon International Airport. After seven hours trip I was so happy to begin my adventure in a land of K-Pop culture.

The first thing I realized is Incheon was so quiet, big building with a just a few people in it. After passed the immigration and took my luggage I went straight outside to feel the air of Seoul. Anyonghaseyo!

at Gyengbokgung Palace

My first destination is Gyeongbokgung Palace, it was the formal seat of Korea's Joseon Dynasty whose kings reigned for five centuries, though it was largely demolished during the Japanese occupation (1910-45). Gyeongbokgung also literally means “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven". I also went to the National Folklore Museum near the palace, that uses replicas of historical objects to illustrate the history of traditional life of the Korean people. I also went to the Blue House  is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President  of the Republic of Korea and located in the capital city of Seoul.

After several hours enjoying the beauty of korean architecture and history, I went to a Korean restaurant to get some lunch before heading to Gimpo Airport. It was really tiring but I had to continued my journey to Jeju island. This island became popular destination for tourist from all over Korea because its temperate climate, natural scenery, and beaches.

After touched down at Jeju Airport I went to Teddy Bear Museum.  This cute museum contains hundreds of toy bears, from antique examples over 100 years old to giant figures ready to pose for photographs. I can't help myself not taking photographs here. There's also a huge teddy bear that size twice myself.

Giant Teddy and Me

It was already 7 pm and the sky still looked bright, but I felt so tired after a long flight. Finally after having a dinner I arrived at the hotel. I took my shoes of, had a bath with a warm water then went straight to bed. Goodnight Jeju..

It was 7 am in the morning, as I looked up to the window I can see the sun shine through my room. After listening music with my mp3 I went to the bathroom and get ready to explore Jeju Island. 

First destination I went to Seopjikoji a coastal trail that offers scenic views It has also been captured by several Korean films and dramas, including “All In,” one of the first Hallyu dramas starring Lee Byung-hun and Song Hye-kyo.

All In at Soepjikoji

After taking tons of pictures I went to Seongsan Ilchulbong the New 7 Wonders of Nature. I could see the beautiful hill and the beach surround it. I can help myself to get off as soon as possible. It was summer but I felt a little bit cold after getting off the bus. The wind blows hard and the cloud is a little bit dark. Just a few minutes after taking pictures, the rain fall and all of us started running into the shade. Just 15 minutes later I can see the sky brighter and the rain stopped. Hoooraaaayy...

Seongsan Ilchulbong feature dramatic cliffs, and a beautiful scenery specially during sunrise. I decided to go hiking with two other men from Indonesia, so they could help me taking pictures and videos. We were hiked quite high until all of us getting started harder to breath. There are still hundreds of stairs, although I would love to reach the top but I couldn't. So I decided to catch a breath then headed back down.

Hello from Seongsan Ilchulbong

Next To The Cliff at Seongsan Ilchulbong

My third destination is Jeju Mini Land a theme park that contains smaller models of representative architectures and World Heritages from fifty countries in six continents around the world.

Bom Dia!

Then I went to New Trick Eye Museum, I personally think this is a cool museum.The Trick Eye Museum features a good collection of two and and three dimensional trick art that were especially designed for photographs. The lighting installations have also been optimized for the camera. I am definitely want to take my camera and take a snaps. There are "Style" trick eye collection, "Daily Life" trick eye collection, "Luxury" trick eye collection and etc.

Girls Generation

Last but not least I went to Dragon Head Rock or Yongduam Rock, located near the sea.Yongduam was created by strong winds and waves over thousands of years. The coastal road between Aewol-eup and Yongduam is a popular spot for couples.

When the sun goes down I took a dinner then back to hotel. I packed all my stuff and ready to leave Jeju tomorrow morning.

It was 10 am in the morning and Jeju Airport was full with tourists from around the world. I bought a cup of coffee from a vending machine while waiting my next flight to Seoul City. Let's fly to Seoul! 

After two hours flight I arrived at Gimpo Airport, my next destination is Naminara Republic or best known as Nami Island. This island located 63 km from Seoul, and I need to ride a ferry boat to reach this small island. After 10 minutes I arrived in Nami Island and was immediately greeted by hundreds of trees that tall enough to touch the sky.
 

I Feel Like Dancing @ Nami Island

Winter Sonata with Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woon

This island was named after General Nami, a notable figure in Korean history who courageously fought in battles. But what makes this island is so famous and worthy to visit it's because the K-Drama Winter Sonata. This film was first released in Korea in January of 2002, it's quickly becoming one the most popular shows on television. It is widely considered to be the Korean Drama that launched the Korean Wave throughout Asia and worldwide.

Winter Sonata is a romantic drama that set in Nami Island during winter, and the story focused of a young couple Jun Sang and Yu Jin played by famous Korean actors Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woon.

After strolling in Nami Island and took tons of pictures, I continued my journey to Mount Seorak. Seoraksan is the third highest mountain in South Korea and located in the Gangwon Province in eastern South Korea. I was arrived late night in Seorak, so I went to hotel and get ready for tomorrow.

Early in the morning  I went to Seorak mountain national park. After entering I can see the magnificent view mountain range. The sunrise viewed from here is spectacular and should not be missed.Also there is a giant buddha statue called Bronze Jwabul Statue which is well over 10 meters high. This statue located in  Sinheungsa Temple, a short 10min walk away from the Sorak Park entrance.

Viva La Vida @ Mount Seorak

Enough taking more pictures here, I hurried myself back to the bus and ready to reach next destinations Everland. This place is the biggest theme park in South Korea and is operated by Samsung, one of the biggest company in Korea.

I was so happy to come to this place, I mean what's not to like? Riding attractions all day, laughing and giggling, eating sweets and stuff, goofing around with friends, and just being a child for one day. Superfun!

There are five sections in this place European Adventure, American Adventure, Zoo-Topia, Global Fair and Magic Land. So my first attraction that catch my attention is a giant wooden roller coaster called T-Express. It is the steepest wooden roller coaster in the world  with the first drop inclined at 77 degrees.

Cheers from T-Express

Only took 10 minutes in line before I jumped off to take seat in the roller coaster. Before the cart started moving I placed my hands to my head and pulled my hair back into ponytail. I don't want my hair gets messy and covered my face and eyes while I'm riding the roller coaster. 

Then my heart started beating so fast when the cart slowly moving down to the bottom quickly. I shouted so loud and grip my friends hands who sat next to me tightly. I even haven't finished taking a breath when the cart started hurtling back and up many times. Oh my god...It was exhilarating and super exciting!

After 3 minutes riding finally the cart moved slowly back to the station, I can hear a lot of people laughing and I can see their hair was so messy including mine. Then I ride another attractions and taking pictures, lots of them. Four hours in theme park is never enough I need a whole day, but the trip must go on so I continued my journey to next destination.

As a woman who doesn't love shopping? So I went to Dongdaemun market a shopping area that has every fashion item imaginable: fabric, clothes and accessories. The newest fashion trends, along with the newest fabrics.

The market is a mixture of both traditional and modern stores. Some stores maintain their old buildings, selling clothing materials, crafting clothes, or processing them. A lot of people coming to this market at night forming an iconic night image in Seoul. My first stopped is Doota Building, located just across the street. After buying gifts for family and friends and walking through every floor in the building, I was so starving and decided to get a dinner. I went to the top floor where the food court located, after looking around searching for some meal I finally decided to buy a Burger King. Well, It's been four days I always eating Korean cuisine, and my mouth wants to taste a different kind a food. A taste that I missed, fast food. ^-^ 

I decided to take away my meals and straight down to the lobby and eating my burger on a bench in front of the shopping building. It was a good opportunity to enjoy Seoul city at night. I can see Korean people passing by, how they dress and how they interact with each other. I just wanna try to feel how it feels like to be a Seoul citizens.

Enjoying Seoul City at Night

I mean when I watched K-Drama I could see the beautiful view of Seoul, the buildings, the streets, street vendors selling Korean snacks, and others so I expect to experienced it myself.  Well, It's just like in the movies and dramas but I couldn't find any cute Korean guy like I saw on TV. I was expecting to meet a cute Korean guy like Won Bin, Kim So Hyun or a cool guy like Lee Byung Hyun in G.I. Joe movie but I have to be disappointed because I couldn't  find the perfect and adorable man like that. 

Oh no..I've been deceived by the handsome actors in the film. I should have known It was all too good too be true. Oppa...Oppa...where are you?!

My fifth day in Korea, It's shopping day! I went to several shopping center including The Face Shop, I just realized that cosmetics in Korea are much cheaper than in Indonesia. The prize is twice or even more cheap, although I'm not a make up lovers but I couldn't help it I was so tempted to buy all those cosmetics products. I bought eyeliners, eyeshadow, lip liner, lip balm, lipstick, nail color, body butter and hair chalk. Jeeez..I went crazy over all of this stuff. 

Korea Fighting!

After an hour spending money for makeup I went to my next destination Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seongsan-dong. This stadium is one of the world's top 10 football stadiums for its architectural aesthetics and outstanding functionality. It's the home of Taeguk Warriors in World Cup 2002 Korea Japan. The stands are so close to the pitch only 11 meters away. I imagined it must be a great atmosphere during the match. Korea Fighting!

After a quick tour and photo stop I went to a school place for making Kimchi the authentic Korean food, and took another photo by wearing a Hanbok a traditional Korean clothes. The Hanbok was so pretty with variety of bright colors, I choose a white hanbok with shock pink color in the bottom. 

Ahnyong haseyo!

Like I said It's shopping day so I continued my journey to the ultimate shopping place in Seoul, Myeongdong.  It is one of Seoul's main shopping and tourism districts  and one of the busiest places in Seoul and is among Korea’s premier shopping destinations. To international visitors, Myeong-dong is a stunning shopping district with countless shops and restaurants. Its wild popularity has led to similar shopping districts springing up all across the country.

There are thousands of brands and stores in here. There are luxury brands and inexpensive brands, also there a lot of Korean cosmetics store in all brand. and here we go again, I can't help it not to buy more cosmetic products in Etude House and Inisfree. I also added a sandal wedges on my shopping bag, yippy....
 

There are lots of street snack vendors like Tteokbokki a spicy rice cakes, Odeng a fish cake and variety of fried snacks. This shopping area is so big with thousands of stores, restaurants and peoples all around the world. 

It was Sunday night in Seoul, me and my friends were out for another stroll in Dongdaemun for the last time. We went to another shopping mall and strolled all over the streets searching for some cute stuff. Then after hours walking around we decided to buy some drinks and enjoying our last night here. We talked about everything that we experienced in Korea, laughing and sharing things, while enjoying the night life of Seoul. It was summer but that night the wind blows hard and I felt cold, I regret my decision not taking my jacket back in the hotel.
 

After spending hours here and my bag full of cosmetic and shoes, I bought tteokbokki for dinner then headed back to hotel in Itaewon. This area are famous for international tourists and residents of U.S. Military personnel.

It's Monday morning in Seoul It was also my last day here. Time was running so fast, it's been six days since I arrived here. So sad leaving Seoul but at the same time I'm glad back to Jakarta my city. So today  I went to Namsan Tower or known N Tower. This tower is a symbol of Seoul, It was established at the highest point to glace at the most beautiful images of Seoul.

Lock of Love

Heart and Seoul

Feeling Romantic @ N Tower

To reach the tower we could take the cable car or just walking through the stairs. Since I don't have much time here I took the cable car so I can see Seoul city from upstairs. The cable car was big that could caring almost 30 people in it. It took only 10 minutes to get there.
 

One of my friends said that this cable car was actually used as a shooting location of famous Korean drama Boys Before Flowers. She's right I had watched this drama before and I loved it. I remember the two main character Gu Jun Pyo and Gum Jan Di did a sweet romantic scene  in this cable car. 

N Tower is also known for its romantic ambience, there are a lot of couple came to this place to make their vow for each other with Locks of Love. Thousands of padlocks attached to the fence by romantic Seoulites symbolizing their undying affection. It just like the bridge in Paris, Oh how romantic!

Kiss of The Starlight

I had to bought a ticket for entering the observatory room in 3 floor and take an elevator to reach it. After getting off from elevator I can see the beauty of Seoul spreads in front of me through the window. There is a 360 degree panoramic view of the entire city of Seoul at a glance.

Done with taking lots of pictures and enjoying the beautiful scenery of Seoul I went back down and continued my trip to duty free shop near N Tower. 

Goodbye Korea @ Incheon Airport

It's 3 pm already and I have to go to Incheon Airport, to catch my flight back to Jakarta. After whole six days enjoying Seoul and Jeju now it's time for me to to go back to reality. I felt sad to leave this place, no more Kimchi or cheap Korean cosmetics. It was an amazing trip and unforgettable experienced. Until we meet again Korea,  Ahn Nyeong Hee Gyea Se Yo!

Seongsan Ilchulbong feature dramatic cliffs