HOLIDAY IN KOREA DAY 8

25 NOV 2013 MONDAY

By 7.30 am we have checked out of the hotel and heading to a restaurant for breakfast. Breakfast was a Chinese Thai restaurant, buffet style. Then it was off to a shop selling Korean products.

The shop where we bought packets of seaweed and souvenirs.


Then we went to woman's street. It was raining so it was very inconvenient  to do any shopping. And time was limited as we have to take lunch and after that rushed to the airport for our journey back to Malaysia. 

Lunch was ginseng chicken stuffed with rice...a bit bland otherwise okay.

Everyone was given a bowl of ginseng chicken soup

It took sometime to get to the Airport. We said good bye to Jason, our Korean tour guide who waited until we checked in before leaving. While waiting to board the plane, we had about 1 hour to kill. We saw a Korean lady dressed in hanbok and took the opportunity to take photos with her not realising she was announcer. She was too polite to refuse our request for a pic with her. Look at her, so sweet and pretty. It was her supervisor who told us off....ha ha of course politely.
We also saw a parade of couples in traditional Korean costume. What a lovely couple.....a match made in heaven!!

Taking pic with a Korean announcer dressed in hanbok

The poor girl was still making announcement while taking pic with us

The parade at the airport

One of the couples in traditional Korean costume.This pic was taken by Ms Tan ML

On the plane back to Malaysia  

We had such a wonderful time in Korea. The Korean guide was very knowledgeable and knows the history of his adopted country well. He is a Chinese Korean. The country is beautiful and everywhere is so clean. The facilities are good. No need to worry about dirty toilet or lack of toilet paper. Those who are particular about food may have a bit of problem with Korean food as it is a bit bland..........a lot of DIY at the table. Mainly pork. Of course there are chickens upon request. Not much fish served. Lots of kimchi and preserved vegetables. Not much local fruits too as they are really expensive. When buying things, make sure they are Made in Korea products......quality ensured.
We were sad to say good bye and hope to visit the country again in the near future.                                         

HOLIDAY IN KOREA DAY 7

24th NOV 2013 SUNDAY

The day started with buffet breakfast and then it was off to a Ginseng factory. No photography allowed there. Bought ginseng powder only. The roots cost at the cheapest over a thousand RM.

The ginseng powder we bought

Then it was off to an Amethyst Shop. So many choices until don't know which one to choose. Could only afford one of grade B. Ha ha.

The Amethyst shop we went to

Comparing and admiring our purchases.

Buffet lunch....lots of varieties to choose from

Then off to Deok Sugung Palace which is located on a busy street of Seoul.

The ceremony of the changing of the palace guards

The throne room.

The throne

Took the opportunity to take pic with the palace guards

This palace guard was trying hard not to smile

The palace ground is huge

Surrounding the palace are tall buildings

A busy Korean street

Trying the cute oversized ice-cream

Fried potato chips on a stick.....

Outside one traditional rich man's home

Bored ...not really interested in old homes....

Dinner Chinese style................so many dishes

Then we went to Myong Dong and Lotte Duty Free Shop, which are nearby one another.

Brightly decorated shops

Even though it was raining, there were plenty of people

Duty free handsome men for sale????? haha

Then it was back to the hotel to pack for the journey back to Malaysia the next day.

HOLIDAY IN KOREA DAY 6

23rd NOV 2013 SATURDAY
Went to the market today......fruit market to be exact. Share to buy a box of ginseng strawberries and one Korean pear. We are given a slice of the fruit to eat to entice us to buy.

Big, sweet, luscious strawberry

Nothing much here except for some fruit stalls.

Went to this street (forget the name of the place) where there were pictures of the stars of Winter Sonata

 

The finger prints of  the two stars. I was holding the strawberries.

 Makan time again:

I thought I was done with cooking when on holiday lol

My daughter trying her hands at frying rice

After frying, the eating .........................

We then took a ferry to Nami Island. I will let the photos speak for themselves.

The large crowd waiting to board the ferry

The large crowd at Nami Island.....it was weekend

We took picture like this

The Korean guide told us it should be like this

Took pic with the famous couple

Acting like small kids

Playing hide and seek

Open pit to warm up

Meet a friendly little rabbit there

Another part of Nami Island

At the jetty waiting for the ferry.

On the ferry back to the mainland

Makan time again: Korean style BBQ

We stayed at the New Hilltop Hotel for 2 nights.

HOLIDAY IN KOREA DAY 5

22 NOV 3013 FRIDAY
We were too early for breakfast so went browing around outside the hotel. Saw ice making at the back of the hotel in preparation for the winter skiing holiday.

 We visited Bodhisattva Kuan Yin at the Beach.

Lanterns along the path leading to the Bodhisattva

Took a pic with Bodhisattva Kuan Yin in Korea

Write your wish on a piece of paper provided ......may all being be well and happy.

Hit the gong once to let the Bodhisattva know of your wish.

Took a pic there

One of the pavilions there

Went to the Fish Market where all sorts of sea creatures are sold.

At the entrance of the market

Inside the market

The tanks containing all the live sea creatures meant for the stomach

Trying fried octopus stuffed with seasoned rice.

Discussing what to buy at the shop that sells seafood.

For lunch we had meat with cabbage.....DIY

The side dishes

 We then went to  the Teddy Bear Farm. Koreans love teddy bears and all kinds of bears.

Bear dressed up for Christmas

I was at a teddy bear's wedding

Teddy bears in traditional Korean costume

Outside the Teddy Bear Farm

Bears and more bears.....bears everywhere

We then proceed to Mt Sorak. We had to take a cable car up and down the mountain.  Each cable car can take about 50 people and is very stable and safe. Very smooth journey up and down.

Group pic at the foot of Mt Sorak. Notice the big bear behind us?

I waited at the cable car station while the rest climbed further up the mountain.

The cable car which took us up and down the mountain

Those who successfully climbed up the mountain

View taken from the cable car by my daughter

 Next stop: pray to Sitting Buddha in Korea

Taking a picture with the Buddha. Pray that we will have a chance to visit him in Korea again.

Couldn't resist plucking a few maple leave to take back home as memento

All ready to learn how to make soap

It was so cold after going to the ladies that we all gathered around the portable heater.

The reward of our effort................the one on the right is mine while that on the left my daughter's.

Sitting on the floor to eat....Korean style

Sitting on the tatami 

Mushroom taufoo soup for dinner

A table full of side dishes

We put up a night at the Kesington Flora Hotel. Very nice hotel.

At the lobby of Kensington Flora Hotel

The beautifully decorated lobby

Christmas theme decoration