Minggu, 12 Juli 2015

South Korea Trip: Reminiscing Winter Sonata in Nami Island


After we arrived at Gapyeong station, we took a taxi to Nami Island. There're plenty of taxis outside Gapyeong station, so you don't have to worry about this. I forgot how much we paid for the taxi, but it was around 3000-5000 won (if i'm not mistaken). The ride was only 10-15 minutes, but it was worth since we had no clue where nami island was located.

Arrived in Nami port, our taxi directly taken by other passenger, i guess they were just lazy to walk, since if they want to get taxi they have to walk out to the port gate first. We continue our walk to the ticket counter. The first question that we asked was, "where's the locker room?". The officer said the lockers are behind the ticketing office, side by side with the toilet.

our "visa" to Nami Island

there's a Nami Island map behind the visa (if you understand)

here are the locker room

We put our luggage in two lockers and only bring what we needs like camera and gloves. Lucky us the ferry was about to sail, so we didn't have to wait. At the ferry, we can find flags from many countries including Indonesia :D

Indonesia flag!

From the ferry, we can see another ferry from Nami island that also sailed near our ferry. Besides ferry, actually you can also go to Nami using flying fox or also known as Zipwire. The tower for the  Zipwire is near the port, and it will take you directly to Nami only by a single rope!

the return ferry

Zipwire tower

are you dare enough?

After arrived in Nami island, we were welcome by the gate and a huge Nami Island map. If you're looking for taking pictures at the tree lane, don't worry, you'll find lot's of it in here. I even confused which lane of trees is the famous one. But since this island is really a tourist spot, so it you'll found many interesting photo spots in here. They even prepared an alley that already covered by autumn leaves and white lamps, which was looked so adorable.

welcome gate

Giant Nami Island Map

another Indonesia flag

White Pine Tree Lane

White Pine Trees Lane with autumn leaves

Metasequoia Lane

Ginko Tree Lane

We was prepared ourselves by re-watching Winter Sonata series before going to South Korea. So seeing each of the winter sonata monument was really made us happy.

Winter Sonata First Kiss scene location

Winter Sonata statue

Winter Sonata poster

After took some walks, we felt a little hungry, so we went to a coffee shop named Ethiopia coffee. My sister brought churros, while I only ordered hot chocolate mint. The chocolate mint was amazing, it tasted like Baskin Robbins mint chocochip ice cream in a hot liquid form. Really recommended!

Ethiopia Coffee

Besides the trees and winter sonata monuments, we can also find other interesting building and statue in here, such as UNICEF hall which looks like a castle, water stage swimming pool, Naminara Republic central bank, woodmen statues, and breastfeeding statue (seriously).

UNICEF hall

Water Stage Swimming Pool
Naminara Republic Central Bank

Woodmen Statue

Breastfeeding Statue

a local peacock was taking an afternoon walk

When the sky is almost dark, we decided to leave nami island to catch a train to Seoul. We took a taxi outside the port to Gapyeong train station, then took ITX train from Gapyeong to Yongsan (in seoul).  To get the ITX ticket, you have to enter the normal train gate first, after arrived at the platform, search for a box/room with ITX word at it, then you can buy the ITX ticket using ticketing machine in there. This one is an express train, with limited stops, and it took us directly to Seoul in only an hour.

Nearby the port, I could spot my company logo >.<

ITX Ticket


XOXO,
The Tourist

Sabtu, 11 April 2015

South Korea Trip: Seoraksan National Park


Early morning we woke up and directly prepare ourselves to go to the Seoraksan National Park. We went to the nearest bus station and waiting for bus 7-1 that will bring us to Seoraksan. After waiting about 10 minutes, it finally come, we almost decided to walk to walk to Seoraksan since the weather was too cold to sit quietly at the bus stop.

in front of our motel, Songwol Park

view from the bus stop

another view

inside  the bus
After we arrived at Seoraksan National Park and bought the entrance ticket, and the first thing to do was to take a picture with the symbol of Seoraksan, which is the black bear.

Seoraksan parking lot

the ticket office

the entrance ticket

with the black bear

Then we walk to the cable car station. We came too early, even the station not yet open. So we took a look around there and pay attention to the location map.

the cable car station

Seoraksan location map

After the station open, we found out that the locket was not yet open, so we queue in front of the ticket locket. At that time there was a group of old men who wants to go to the top of mount Seorak as well.

the cable car ride price

the cable car ticket

a group of old men who wanted to take the cable car as well

When we're travelling with gondola to the top of the mountain, the song that was played inside the gondola was Maps by Maroon 5. Since then, I fell for that song, hahaha..

the view from the cable car

view at the other side

After arrived at the higher station, we have to walk about 5 minutes to the top of the mountain. The view from there was really good. When we arrived at the top of the mountain the view was great, this peak was surrounded by other mountain's peak. Even in the high place like this, there's a photo sellers, if you want to get your picture directly printed.

the view from the walking path to the top of mount Seorak

here's the top of Mount Seorak

photo, anyone?

the Koreans really like to play the piling rocks game

view of other peak from Mount Seorak's peak

We did not spend too much time at the mountain peak since there's not much to see in there. So we get back to the station and waiting for the cable car to the lower station. While waiting, we heard some tourist speak Indonesian language, it turns out some Indonesian tourist just arrived at the higher station.

the Indonesian tourist

Before we leave mount Seorak, we ate our breakfast at a restaurant inside the lower cable car station.

the restaurant

our breakfast

After filled our stomach, then we walked out from Seoraksan National Park and wait for bus number 7-1 to get back to our motel.

waiting for the bus to the motel

this is the nearest hotel from Seoraksan National Park, within walking distance.

From our motel, we took bus 7-1 to Sokcho terminal. From inside the bus, I can see the sea from there, also a unique building in Sokho.

the sea view from the bus

it's amazing to see such unique building in this small city

From Sokcho bus terminal, we too a bus to Chuncheon, and the continue with bus to Gapyeong to visit Nami Island.

ticket to Chuncheon

Sokcho bus station

ticket from Chuncheon to Gapyeong

Chuncheon station


XOXO,
The Tourist