[Seoul] - Chasing Charming Cherry Blossoms at Yeouido Park

Annyeong ya my dearest Incheon airport~! Long time no see...

Finally arrived after 4 hours transit in Shanghai. So, half of the day
was already over. We quickly bought AREX tickets and took the train to Seoul.

 We stayed at K-Grand Hotel near to Seoul Station as the next day
early in the morning we need to take train to Changwon.

The building was old, but hotel itself  was clean though the room
was a bit small. Nice city view, Seoul Square and Namsan Tower.

It was drizziling when we arrived in Seoul, thought that it would have stopped. However it continued throughout the whole day. Forgot to put umbrella in my luggage, and only left with one disposable raincoat. Since I have a Poncho, let my hubby to use the raincoat because he gets sick easily.

 We saw 7-Eleven Store near the park, but the umbreallas were all sold out!!!

Yeouido Park (여의도공원) is a must-visit place in Seoul. You can witness beautiful cherry flowers in bloom in Spring or walking under the canopy of colourful foliage during Autumn. 

This was my first time seeing cherry blossom (벚꽃 = Beotkkot) in Korea, though I saw Sakura in Osaka and Kyoto but I think they're different species or hybrids. Anyway, they're all lovely~!

It was sad because we litterally just strolled about 10-15 minutes.

Retreated and run to IFC Mall because it started showering heavier and it was freezing cold! Unfortunately, we didn't manage to go to Yunjunro Street to walk under the lovely canopy of 1,886 Korean cherry trees.

Cherry Blossom Festival was started 3 days ago (5 - 13 April) but the rain just poured at the wrong time! As you can see from the video, only few people and only 2 or 3 street vendors seen. Maybe the day before were busier because Bamdokkaebi Night Market happening on Fridays and Saturdays from March to October.

Anyway, it's a sweet memories when walking passing this park because I came here with VIP Tour members in November 2015, and we walked to KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) Building from IFC Mall.

 Keep calm and May The Force Be With You!

 We couldn't find a store selling umbrella at IFC Mall, maybe they used all 

to decorate the mall! Shall we steal these transparent umbrellas with 

beautiful cherry blossom prints and walk back to the park?

 Food Empire Premium Food Court at IFC Mall.

Late lunch because cherry blossoms were more important than anything else!

My hubby likes "Daddy Zone" concept where Daddies and kids

can rest or reading books instead of following Mummies for endless shopping.

 Finally my suffering ended~!

Earlier, we went to Lotte Outlets Seoul station to buy a pair of shoes because this boots and another pair of sport shoes almost killed my feet! Maybe they feet suddenly grew of longer or swollen because water retention during long flight that the shoes were so tight and it was painful to walk.

Actually, I told the staff that I wanted to wear the new shoes, but he told me that it was raining outside and it'll get wet. I said it's ok but he looked so concerned on the shoes. So ended up I still wore the boots out from the store and found this seat and quickly changed it before going to Seokchon Lake. 

Yeouido Park (여의도공원)

Address: 120, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul     

서울특별시 영등포구 여의공원로 120 (여의도동)

Related Posts:

IFC Mall upscale shopping center at Yeouido.

KBS Building

Satisfying 5 Senses Trip in Korea

We felt bad for leaving our 2 kids at home when we're enjoying our Korea trip in 2012...

 

Ups, I didn't blog for Busan, Gapyeong and last 2 days in Seoul.

Therefore, we brought them for their maiden trip to Korea in September 2013. 

But again, we'd to leave them as I won myself a flight ticket from 11street Korea in 2014. My hubby joined me as he was afraid I might get lost if I travel alone. 

Then we planned to have white Christmas with kids, however it's impossible as almost everyone applying leave on that month. The only leave slot available was end November to early December. So no choice but to take it~!

Until now, it's still hard for me to believe that I won VIP Invitation Tour. This fully sponsored by Visit Korea suddenly surfaced before our family trip~! ^^

Currently, I was in the middle of making big decision. First, it just ring a bell that it's a nice idea. However, considering our current situation it's quite hard to make it come true, so we decided to put our excitement on hold. Listened to suggestions and did a lot of homework and realized that  we'd to execute it now considering our ages and others factors. Hopefully everything will be smooth sailing~!^^ Thinking too much also won't solve the problem, so just let nature take its course.

 Now, let me continue to blog our Satisfying 5 Senses Trip in Korea.

   

 Singapore Changi Airport.

 Scoot Business Class from Singapore to Seoul.

 

Although it's Scoot business class but frankly speaking

Korean Air Economy Class is better and nicer.

The legs room is maybe about the same, but there's no movie to watch. The service for Business Class is very limited. I ordered 4 different meals but they gave us all the same and we couldn't change them. Even with discount I think it's not really worth it...

 

Meal from Singapore to Taipei.

 One hour transit in Taipei.

 Bibimbap + Salad +  Icecream + Wine.

 

 Reached Incheon Airport around 9:15pm, and it's super long queue

at customs clearance, and by the time we claimed our luggage 

it was already 11:00 pm.

Although I knew that we wouldn't be in time to take AREX Express Train as the last train is 21:40. Actually I was planning to spend a night at 'Spa On Air' jjimjilbang, but then my daughter and me might not be able to sleep. Therefore, I planned to take airport bus to Seoul and stay in cheap hotel there.

Didn't know that the last late night buses to Seoul

mostly ended around 23:00 pm.

Pretty awesome we missed the bus, and left with no choice but to take normal train to Seoul. But considered our and I think it was also the last train!  

One day gone just for traveling from Singapore to Seoul. Thought that we'll have more comfortable and cheaper flight (after discount). It's actually not the case, as we might ended up spending more money for hotel and taxi if we missed the last train. Next time, we need to take note on the flight timing especially now knowing that not all business class has the same standard.

[Seoul] - Center Mark Hotel

The first 2 nights we stayed in Sejong Hotel, and we booked our last 2 nights in CenterMark Hotel.  The location of this hotel is a plus point as it's nearby to major tourist attractions such as Unhyeongung, Gyeongbokgung, and Gwanghwamun. For shopaholic, a 10 - 20 minutes stroll will bring you to shopping districts such as Insadong, Samcheongdong, or Myeongdong.

The front desk lady really friendly and helpful.

The receptionist able to converse fluently in English. She asked us to rest at the lobby, while she helped us to process our check-in with our passports and Agoda booking confirmation. After that, she came to our seats, walked us to the lift and even pressed the lift button. Then she handed us the room card and wished us a happy stay with her nice smile.

A decent sized Standard Double Room.

Clean and comfortable room with modern facilities.

    

Bathroom with bathtub, warmed water and heated seat bidet.

              

This is famous Jongno Tower, what a great view from our hotel window.


Free Wifi internet connection in the room,
It's time for Olleh WiFi Router (Pocket WiFi) to rest and recharge :)
 

Quite rare to find 3 pins socket together with 2 pin socket.
Great to have additional socket because we have so many devices 

to recharge. You know batteries lose power quickly due to cold temperature.

 

 Art de Chef Buffet Restaurant.

 Breakfast : 7am ~ 10am  |  Lunch : 11:30am ~ 3pm  | Supper : 6pm ~ 10pm

Our room is not included breakfast. We actually wanted to try their lunch buffet, but it was already closed after we check-in the room, so we'd Ginseng Chicken Soup at Mogyo Samgyetang (무교 삼계탕) which is just opposite the hotel.

There are some restaurants and cafes at this food alley behind the hotel.
Can you see that gigantic office building? 

              

Top Cloud (탑클라우드) restaurant sitting on top of this 33-storey Jongno Tower.
Imagine myself enjoying tasty meal and majestic view of Seoul!

Walk to the end of the alley and you'll find subway station.

Jonggak Subway Station is about 5 minutes walk from the hotel.

Jonggak underground shopping center~^^

       

In front of YMCA, you can find airport Limousine Bus.

We took this bus to Incheon Airport. It's more convenience

rather than carrying luggage to Seoul Station and take AREX.

                        

 Kill time while waiting for the airport bus :P

I was left alone, as hubby took early flight. Actually wanted to go to airport earlier, but don't feel like to drag heavy luggage... so just spent a lazy morning gazing out from the window and silently say goodbye to Seoul.

Sigh... missing Seoul already though I'm still in Seoul!

When can I see you again my lovely Seoul?!