Korean Escapade 2010: Everland, Time Out Gelato, Han River, Bulgogi and Beef!

October 24 was another fun-filled yet tiring day for us.  We went to Everland by riding Bus no. 5800 that came from Gangbyeon- Jamsil Station. We waited for the said bus infront of Lotte World. It was about 30-40 minutes travel from Seoul to Yong-in.

Halloween display, Everland, South Korea, October 2010

Big sea lion, Zootopia, Everland, South Korea, October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everland opened in 1976 and it is about 1,200,000yd^2. It is ranked as the 4th theme park in the world by offering 5 main Festivals and exciting entertainments all year around, namely, Winter Story, Tulip Festival, Rose Festival, Summer Festival, Happy Halloween, and Christmas Fantasy. (www.everland.com)

Amazon Express, Everland, October 2010

Ferris Wheel, Everland, South Korea, October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along with its main attractions, Everland also includes a zoo and a water park known as Caribbean Bay. Everland is operated by Samsung Everland, which is a subsidiary of the Samsung Group.

Four Seasons Garden, Everland, South Korea, October 2010

 

Since we went there on a Sunday, there was a multitude of people. We only had one chance to try one ride and this was the Amazon Express. All the other rides had long queues and so we just went around the park. We didn’t get to cover the whole area though because it was humungous! I particularly enjoyed the Four Seasons Garden where almost all types of flowers were in bloom. I had so much fun taking photos.

Spectacular flower display, Everland, South Korea, October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super duper flowers, Everland, South Korea, October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We left Everland between 4:00-5:00 in the afternoon. The bus was so full that I had to stand up the whole time. We then proceeded to Apgujeong, where Time Out Gelato is located. I’ve always been partial to Choco-Mint, so I ordered it. But it’s quite expensive – around 4,500 won. 😛

Time Out Gelato, Apgujeong, South Korea, October 2010

Yumminess, Time Out Gelato, Apgujeong, South Korea, October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the last stop of the day, we planned on taking the Han River Cruise. However, we got a bit lost by getting off at a subway station a bit farther from the dock. So we ended up walking several blocks and missing the last ride of the river cruise. However, we did manage to pass by MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation), one of the largest broadcasting companies in Korea.

Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), South Korea, October 2010

We did manage to get to one side of the Han River. Yes! So, we took photos of whatever sceneries we could get that night. It’s better that nothing, right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For dinner, we went back to the same restaurant in Dongdaemun where we first had dinner the first night. We were craving for beef. So aside from the usual padjeon (my favorite), bulgogi (my love), and the side dishes, we ordered beef instead of pork ribs. We ate it ala-sangyupsal style (wrap the beef with sauce and garlic in green leafy veggie and then presto!).

BEEF! Dongdaemun, October 2010

Padjeon, Dongdaemun, October 2010

My love - BULGOGi, Dongdaemun, October 2010

 

Korean Escapade 2010: Of Bulgogis, Malls, Markets and Shopping

Lunch was a continuing love affair with bulgogi. I fell hard. Really hard with this dish.  The side dishes were also amazing. During this trip to Korea, I forgot that I am on a diet. Usually, my meals consist of no rice but I really forgot about it. Oh well, it is good food so I have no regrets.

Bulgogi Lunch, South Korea, October 2010

 

Yummy bulgogi, South Korea, October 2010

After lunch, we went to a Korean Ginseng shop. Unfortunately, picture taking was not allowed. We got to know the different kinds of ginseng. I bought one bottle of ginseng concentrate for my Mom. I hope that she drinks it. I also bought a bag of rice crispies for pasalubong. We also went to the amethyst store and there we were shown different products made of amethyst. Amethyst is a stone known to bring healing. I didn’t get to buy because it’s really expensive.

Next stop was Namdaemun Market. We only had one hour to tour the place and buy stuff that we needed to buy. Namdaemun reminded me of our very own Divisoria. I did not get to roam the place much for fear that I would get lost. However, I was able to buy some shirts with Korea printed in it for a reasonable price. It was such a good deal.

 

Namdaemun Market, South Korea, October 2010

Merchandise, Namdaemun Market, South Korea, October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After our trip to Namdaemun, Kuya Hong brought us back to the hotel. Our guided trip has come to an end. We were fortunate that we had him as our guide. We would love to have him in our next guided tour.

We rested for a bit and then proceeded to COEX Mall for some shopping. I did not buy anything from there..again.  I was just content to see and explore the place. Using the subway, we went to Myeondong, another shopping district. However, I was surprised to see billboards of Kim Myung Min in his LIG advertisements. I had to take a photo.

 

Kim Myung Min Advertisements in a subway, October 2010

At Myeongdong, I was just amazed with how Koreans buy stuff. I would see ladies buy several bags of cosmetics, apparel and the like. I was not planning on buying anything but when I saw a special edition of Beethoven Virus Original Soundtrack, I immediately bought it. So much for self control, eh?

Rolling store at Myeongdong, South Korea, October 2010

 

Myeongdong, South Korea, October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was almost midnight when we decided to go home. We were all dead tired and another busy day is waiting for us so we need all the rest that we can get.

Next stop: Seoul City Tour

Korean Escapade 2010: The Saga of the Ninjas Continues

Still October 21…

We left Nami Island at around 4:00 in the afternoon and took the cab going to Gapyeong Station. Our next stop was Petite France, which was located near Cheongpyeong Station. We were lucky because the train going to Cheongpyeong was arriving in a few minutes. From Gapyeong to Cheongpyeong, the travel time was about 20 minutes. We arrived at Cheongpyeong station around 5 in the afternoon but there was no sign of the shuttle bus which would take us to Petite France. We decided to take the cab…again. The trip to Petite France was like going to Baguio or Antipolo with all those blind curves and zigzag roads. There was a time during the brief ride that we felt that we got lost but we arrived at Petite France after 30 minutes.  Imagine our relief to know that we were finally there!

 

Petite France, South Korea, October 2010

Since we only had 30 minutes to explore the place, we immediately went to the sites that we wanted to visit.

Petite France: Retracing Kim Myung Min’s (Kang Mae’s) steps in Beethoven Virus

Petite France is a French cultural village set in the Korean countryside. Petite France serves as both a French cultural village and a youth training facility (Goseong Youth Training Center), and consists of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge and experience French food, clothing, and household culture. ‘Petit’ means ‘small and pretty’ in French, and this village is located on the hilltop overlooking the beautiful mountain scenery of Homyeongsan (Mt.) and the clear surroundings of Cheongpyeongho (Lake). Building heights were adjusted using natural hills, and every house in the village were arranged to overlook the lake. Such structure disposition and internal decoration of construction materials, rooftop, windows and floor are all French. (From http://www.korean-city.blogspot.com)

 

Petite France, South Korea, October 2010

 

View of the lake, Petite France, South Korea, October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Array of buildings in French style, Petite France, October 2010

 

 

 

 

A portion of the amphitheater, Petite France, October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have always wanted to visit Petite France because it was one of the filming sites of Beethoven Virus, one of my all-time favorite Korean dramas. Moreover, it is the location of the study room of Maestro Kang Gun Woo or Kang Mae, played by the brilliant Kim Myung Min.  I may not have met Kim Myung Min himself but it was a great comfort for me to have visited his study room when he portrayed the acerbic tongued Kang Mae.

 

Kang Mae's table and chair, Petite France, October 2010

 

A portion of Kang Mae's office, Petite France, October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We did not have the chance to explore the other buildings because it was already 6 in the evening. Our main problem was getting out of Petite France because it was such an isolated place. We asked the receptionist for help and so she contacted two cabs to fetch us. While waiting, we felt the air as it turned colder. Good thing the cabs arrived after 15 minutes or so.

We arrived at Cheongpyeong station in time for the arrival of the train bound for Cheongnyangni. We thought that we missed the train already and we had to wait for an hour for the next.  We were indeed lucky!

Since the ride was one hour, we had time to decide that we had to re-schedule the Lotte World trip for another night as we might not be able to make it. We decided to have dinner first at Dongdaemun and then visit Chonggye Stream which was nearby.

 

Dongdaemun, South Korea, October 2010

Dining at a Korean Restaurant

We were so hungry, we could eat a horse! We picked a fancy Korean resto which was established in 1972. When we got there and looked at the menu, we wanted to go out and look for another place. So expensive! However, we figured that we would eat in small restos the following nights so that we are still on the budget. Hahaha!

Side dishes, Korean restaurant, Dongdaemun, October 2010

And so we ordered pork spare ribs, pajeon, bulgogi. Of course, a Korean meal is not complete without the side dishes or banchan, which could consist of 2-12 kinds. Of course, kimchi is usually included.

 

Pork spare ribs, Dongdaemun, October 2010

I’m a great fan and lover of pajeon. However, I fell in love with bulgogi! This is one dish that I have not had the chance to eat often in Korean restaurants in the Philippines. But the authentic bulgogi was heaven! I. LOVE. IT. SUPER.

 

My new love, BULGOGI! Dongdaemun, October 2010

After dinner, we headed to Chonggye Stream for some picture-taking and some walking. We decided that we would walk back to our hotel for some exercise. However, when we realized that we were walking for a much longer time already and no sight of our hotel still, we decided to  get a cab because we were all dead tired. On our way back to the hotel, we found out that we headed the wrong way – we walked farther from the hotel instead of walking towards it. What an adventure!

Oh well, the most important thing was that we got back safe and sound.