My Happiest Memory in Seoul (II)

This was my second trip in September 2013 after the successful and memorable first trip in Korea. I was more confident to bring my kiddos along with us knowing that nothing to worry as Korean people was so helpful and welcoming us. Check out our best ever family trip here~!

 We felt guilty that didn't get to join us and missed them so much

though we did call them every night...

Without further ado, let me share our happiest memory in Korea. Actually, I would love to go through each and every places as if you're traveling with us, but it'll be endless~~~!

Arrived at Incheon airport we directly went to Dragon Hill Jjimjilbang in Seoul as it's late night. It's the first time for kids to experience Korean jjimjilbang. Though my hubby and I visited jjimjilbang in Gyeongju after tired walking, but it's our first time to stay overnight.

But, it's kids' first experience of Korean bath house...

Keep Calm and Have Awesome Birthday Celebration~!

The next morning was the highlight of this trip. Actually it's my birthday present from hubby, though I'd do to all the homework to plan the itinerary including how to celebrate it in The Land of the Morning Calm.

Actually, my birthday is just another 11 days later, and I really wish to be there again...

 

Goguan Studio - Giseang Hanbok make-over.

From Jjimjilbang, we had a bit of hiccup as most of the taxi drivers didn't know our hotel location, some resisted because they need to make U-turn. And worse was we didn't have internet connection as I reserved Wifi egg with "S-Roaming" but it closed its business without informing us. Then, I couldn't searched for the address in Hangul or texted my friend to ask them for help.

We waited opposite the road with lesser taxi passing for more 40 minutes, but no taxi willing to take us there. Luckily the Ahjumma who was suggested us to wait across the street saw us after no more  morning crowd waiting in front of Yongsan station. She crossed the road and helped us to tell the taxi driver how to go there. We really appreciate for her kindness and assistance.

After put our luggage in the hotel, we headed to Goguan Hanbok Studio. I'd booked the package which consist of renting Gisaeng Hanbok + make-up + hairdo. If you're interested to experience wear Korean traditional dress and snap these lovely photos with Korean-style furniture and background props, please check out my separate posting here. 

 Collected 'Fantastick' performance tickets as I won them from Koinmo contest.

Since the booth was in front of KTO HQ at Cheonggyecheon, we went in to check where others "S-roaming" collection points. Then we only found out that they'd closed the business. 

Then we also checked whether D'maris at Gangnam need to have reservation for lunch buffet. The officer called and confirmed that we could have lunch there. She was helpful to print the map with the address in Hangul, so we could get the take taxi there smoothly.

 

 D'maris Seafood Buffet (드마리스뷔페).

D'maris is a premium buffet restaurant serving more than 250 variety dishes including fresh seafood, Teppanyaki, Sashimi, Sushi, Salad, Korean Food, Mediterranean food and variety of dishes from around the world including desserts and fruits.

Happy and satisfied to have such a sumptuous buffet lunch to celebrate my birthday~!^^

FYI, if you wish to have a meal in D'maris, please check their other branches, because now this place change to 'Ashley QueensWorld Gourmet' which is chained buffet restaurant. Please click this link for the food review. 

To be frank, we're handicapped as no internet connection. We couldn't use google map to guide us where to find the place we want to go. But fret not, because Korea is very tourist friendly where you can find Tourist Information Centre (TIC) and even Tourist polices patrolling in the touristy area that ready to assist you.

 After we got the map from TIC, hubby and kids dropped me at

ID Hair Salon to have my hair cut and permed.

However, after the hair stylist checked, it's not suitable to perm as it's too dry. Too bad I only can had it cut and styled.

They went to Trick Eye Museum and Ice Gallery and had 

fun snapping unbelievable photos to show me.

The highlight of the day supposed to be Hangang River Dinner Cruise, but not sure why that day they only Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain cruise available.

Romantic Night Cruise along Hangang River.

Hangang Cruise is getting more and more popular because of Korean drama 'My Love from Another Star'. Neb, it's the where Do Min Joon and Cheon Song-yi shared their first kiss! Omo~ Omo!!!

 

Love is all around this Banpo Bridge.

   Let my hair down and showered by Banpo Bridge light show

made my heart dancing~!

My kids voted Hangang River Cruise is one of the best attractions in Seoul, and according to them Hangang has such good 'qi' (energy) as they suddenly stop coughing when they reached there!

See my life in a different light and thankful to have a wonderful hubby 

and lovely kids to celebrate my birthday in Korea. Love you all so much! 

To summarize it, these were the places we went. However, it's already

 exceeded 500 words, if you want to read our fantastic adventures 

please click the following links below:

 

Day 2 - Everland and Caribbean Bay. 

Day 3 - Gwanghwamun, Gangnam & Garosugil.

 

Day 4 - [Gangneung] - Jumunjin, Gyeongpodae, Seongyojang, and Ojukheon House.

 Day 5 -  Samcheok, Jukseoru Pavilion, Chotdaebawi Rock,

 Mureung Valley, Samhwasa Temple & Seongyojang.

 Day 6 - SBS filming us experiencing Tea Ceremony & playing Yutnori 

at Seongyojang before we headed back to Seoul (Gyeongbokgung).

 Last Day - Bukchon Hanok Village, Hongdae, Myeongdong 

and watching 'FantaStick' Live Performance before bidding goodbye!

 

September in Chuam - Chotdaebawi Rock [Day 5]

안녕하세요~

Today, I'm back sitting on my throne to write this blog. Actually, my eyes still swollen, sore, tired and a bit blur vision after cried for 4 consecutive days watching "The Princess' Man" (공주의 남자).    

I love to watch historical (sageuk) dramas. Will let you know another reason why I watched this bloody sad and tear-jerking The Princess' Man later.   Ok, let's start here, so I can watch Empress Ki (기황후), and The Heirs tomorrow... Uh! can't wait for the next episodes!!!

~♥~*~♥~*~♥~

It's another taxi tour around Chuam and Samcheok area with Mr Nam...

We asked Mr Nam to stop at convenience store to buy breads, milk and kimbap for breakfast (breads that we bought for breakfast had been digested in our tummy yesterday night while waiting for our dinner).

There's ATM Machine inside the convenience store, so, we withdraw some money. It might be quite difficult to find Money Changer in Gangneung, and not all the restaurants or shops accepting payment using credit card. We spent quite a lot just for transportation for these few days.

Then, went to pharmacy to get cough medicine for Xuan and my husband. And, again thanks to Tourist Information 24-hour Call Centre. The pharmacist needed to know the symptoms of the cough, age, and whether any drug allergy, etc... to prescribe medicines to tackle different types of cough.

1. Chotdaebawi Rock (촛대바위)

We went to Chuam Tourist Information to get some information of the places, and somehow we found that there's some miscommunication on our agreement for taxi fare. Mr. Nam asked us to top up 20,000 won to add 1 hour. Anyway, to cut the story short, at the end we paid 150,000 for this round taxi tour instead of 100,000 won (additional 50,000 won).

 breathtaking view of Chotdaebawi Rock

 From Chuam Train Station, you need to walk passing Chuam Tourist Information 

and this small canal with lots of ducks.

... and lots of stairs to viewing spots of Chotdaebawi Rock.

 we're too lazy to go up to the tower because of endless stairs :P

 

 This beautifully formed rock towers high into the sky and resembles a candlestick,

from which it gets its name.

"Chotdae” (촛대) means Candle, while “bawi” (바위) means Rock

 

The Legend of Chotdaebawi Rock

Once upon a time, there was a man who lived in Chuam who had a concubine. His wife was jealous of the second wife and the conflict between the two women continually escalated. One day, god became enraged over their continual quarrelling and threw lighting down from heaven, striking both women dead.

The newly-made widower missed his wives so much that he remained frozen in his loneliness and eventually turned into a rock, which is now Chotdaebawi Rock that we see today. (cr. KTO)

The beauty of the rock at sunrise is so picturesque and KBS (Korean Broadcasting System)

used it as a background for the "Aegukga" (the Korean national anthem).

  Chotdaebawi Rock is most famous tourist attraction in Donghae to enjoy the

magnificent beauty of the sun slowly peeking its way over the edge of the rock face.

We walked down from another path, and saw this small and beautiful summerhouse behind Chotdaebawi Rock.

Haeamjeong Pavilion (북평 해암정)

 The founder of Samcheok Sim Family built this pavilion in 1361

(10th year of King Gongmin of Goryeo)

After he left his public office, he spent the rest of his life teaching junior scholars and enjoying the beauty of nature of this place.

It's just few minutes walk to Chuam Beach and Chotdaebawi Rock. What an ideal place to greet the sunrise over the East Sea!

It's about lunch time when we left this place and headed to Samcheok Beach... (to be continued) ^^

Related Posts:

~ Hanok Stay at 300 years Seongyojang Hanok House.

~ Traditional Cultural Experience at Seongyojang.

~ Ojukheon House and Museum

~ [Gangneung] Jumunjin & Gyeongpodae Pavilion