2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics

290 days to Winter Olympics, the most anticipated International event by winter sports athletes and spectators all over the world.!

The venue for this spectacular competition will be held in  Pyeongchang and Gangneung in South Korea from 9 February to 25 February 2018.

 PyeongChang Mountain Cluster will host the snow sports events, 

 and Gangneung Coastal Cluster to serve as ice sports events.

Wish I could be in Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium to witness the glorious opening ceremonies and watch

Located in Gangwon area, 84% of Pyeongchang territory comprising of mountains with average elevations of 750 m above the sea level. It received the most annual snowfall, therefore most of the ski resorts scattered here and it's the hub for winter sports.

To facilitate the event, KTX is constructing 120 km rail line connecting Seoul and Pyeongchang. It should be completed in 2017, this high-speed train would cut the travelling time between these two cities in just one hour.

Introducing official mascots: 

Soohorang for Winter Olympics and Bandabi for Paralympics 2018.

Received these official souvenirs from KTO Singapore for being part of 

2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Supporters Team.

Soohorang (수호랑), the white tiger has been long considered Korea’s guardian animal. “Sooho (수호)” meaning protection in Korean and “Rang (랑)” comes from the middle letter of “Ho-rang-i (호랑이)” for “Tiger.” It's also the last letter of “Jeong-seon A-ri-rang (정선 아리랑)” a cherished traditional folk song of Gangwon Province, where the Games will be held. 

Soohorang not only has a challenging spirit and passion but also is a trustworthy friend who protects the athletes, spectators and all participants in the Olympic Games.

 Soohorang Doll - ₩20,000 Bandabi Doll - ₩20,000.

Bandabi (반다비), the Asiatic black bear with a half-moon mark on the chest symbolises strong willpower and courage in the Korean folklore. “Banda (반다) is derived from “ban-dal” which means half-moon. “Bi (비)” stands for the celebration of the Games.

Bandabi has strong willpower and courage. It is a warm-hearted friend who takes the lead for equality and harmony and encourages athletes to push themselves beyond their limits. We will look forward to Bandabi's amazing activities.

These good quality soft toys, hip-sack (₩39,000) and ear muff (₩21,000)

are manufactured by The North Face - the official partner of 

Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics Winter Games.

 Skiing lesson in Muju Deogyusan Resort.

Living in Singapore, we don't have any chance to experience any winter sports in this tropical country.

Therefore, during XXII Olympic Sochi 2014, I visited Korea in February and 'die die' want to learn skiing compared to ice skating or figure skating. My thought was I just need to slide down and I have 2 sticks to support me...

 

 Oh dear~ my feet not under my brain's control and jellified

when I stood at ski slope for the beginner. 

You can read our experience here.

I would have won a Gold medal for falling every one metre?!!

Gosh~! Tha's so embarrassing... even Daehan Minguk Manse (Song Triplet) have mastered the skiing skill and slide down like pro skiers in this video!

Actually, we planned to bring kids go to Phoenix Snow Park 

for skiing on our last trip in Dec 2015, but we're not feeling well 

so stayed in the Resort have fun snow tubing and...

feeding animals like goats, lamb, dogs, rabbits, chicken and pigs there.

I'll quickly post the long overdue trip in Korea after this and my home renovation review... so please stay tuned~!^^

Updated: 101 News about Pyeongchang Winter Olympics 2018

Meanwhile, you might want to check out my previous articles on some attractions nearby Pyeongchang: 

Ojukheon House and Municipal Museum.

(filming location of 'Saimdang, Light's Diary' 

casting of hallyu stars Song Seung-heon and Lee Young Ae).

 Seongyojang Hanok House

(K-drama Hwang Jin-Yi (황진이), Princess Hours Gung (궁) and 

Princess’ Man (공주의남자) were filmed here).
Some of the Pyeongchang Promotional Video was shoot at this charming 
 Hwallaejeong Pavilion surrounded by beautiful Lotus Pond and vast garden. 

 Check out this video : Lee Young Ae outside the pavilion. 

 You can experience Dado (다도체험) Korean Tea Ceremony and 
learn the etiquette while enjoying the outdoor view from the pavilion.

It's nice to see our Dado teachers again even it's just few seconds in this video.
선생님, 항상 건강하고 행복하게 지내세요~.

 How about having healthy and lavish Hanjeongsik. 
We felt like royalties during Joseon Dynasty.
They also served authentic Chodang Sundubu - a must try~! 

Jumunjin Lighthouse and Seawall

(Filming location of Korean Drama 'Goblin' 

Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun, Lee Dong Wook and Yoo In Na).

For more information about Pyeongchang Winter Olympic, please refer to this link.

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 Seongyojang - [Day 6]

It's our last day in Gangneung, we'll be going back to Seoul. But before leaving Seongyojang, there's another recording on our participation of Korean Traditional Tea Ceremony.

After we had some breads and milk for breakfast in our room, we gathered again around 9 am. We didn't reserve for breakfast, as we usually have light breakfast. They insisted us to have breakfast as Seongyojang because they'd prepared Seongpyeon that we made yesterday and Chodang Sundubu (초당순두부) for us.

Wow! We're a bit shocked to see our breakfast spread!



We're quite disappointed as we didn't eat Chodang Sundubu yesterday. It's the specialty food in Gangneung. It's to our surprised that we could taste this original Chodang Sundubu (watery tofu  made from locally grown soybeans and seawater, and is prepared and eaten within the same day) in Seongyojang. Therefore, although our tummy still full, we tried to clear most of the food with thankful heart.

~*~*~*~

Traditional Korean Tea Ceremony  

OMG! Never imagined that we could step our feet in this beautiful and quaint Hwallaejeong Pavilion (활래정) to experience 'Dado' - the etiquette and enjoyment of tea in an easy, formal and natural setting.

  

 Dado (다도체험) - Korean Tea Ceremony

The sound of the hot water as it is carefully poured, the sight of varyingly clear

and colored liquids filling empty cups, inhaling the unique and delicate fragrance of the tea,

the hands that extend with poise to slow sip the tea lightly and rolled over the tongue

while savouring and appreciate the aromas to the taster’s lips that appeals to all five senses.

  

You know after learnt Dado, I was so tempted to buy a set of teaware  (차기 = chagi) to practice this art of preparing and enjoying tea in this delicate and cultured way. Please check this website for the procedure of the Korean Tea Ceremony and video guide ^^

Tea is said to be an aid to digestion after a meal and some claim it helps the complexion as well. It has no calories and is much lower in caffeine than coffee. Drinking green tea should be a calming experience that brings peace to your soul, and calms your nerves while allowing you time to think, dream or simply enjoy the fragrance and taste of the tea.

  

 Inside Hwallaejeong Pavilion with SBS crews and Mr Lee (KTO)

after filming ended enjoying drinking tea and eating Dasik (tea food),

while gazing the beautiful Lotus Pond. Please let the time stop there~!

Dasik (다식= Korean traditional sweet and cookies) is  appreciated for its artistic and decorative colors and patterns as well as for its pleasing sweet taste.  It is regarded as a healthful snack and classy dessert

The Teacher (선생님 = Seonsaengnim) explained to us about the philosophy of Korean food with yin-yang concept. It interacts and opposes itself in terms of its five flavours (Sour, Bitter, Salty, Spicy and Sweet), and also ingredients of five colours (Yellow, Black, White, Red and Green). Example: Sesame tastes bitter and it's benefited for brain development and stimulating function.

  

~*~*~*~

 Traditional Korean Game - Yutnori (윷놀이)

 

Let's play Yutnori (video link)

After tea ceremony, we supposed to go outside to play Yutnori, but it was drizzling. So, they arranged it to the next room inside this Pavilion.

Yut game is quite simple, but there are some special rules and you need some strategies to win the game. Please check the link for the instruction and you can try to throw yut stick from iBuzzKorea. Well, it's kinda interesting and fun that these two kiddos didn't want to stop playing, but after third rounds we had to stop as we're rushing back to Seoul.

We went back to our room to get the luggage, and met Director of Seongyojang to say thank you for the great hospitality given to our family during our stay. It was a great honour that SBS and KTO given our family this memorable and priceless chance to experience Korean Traditional Culture in Seongyojang.

For those interested to learn more about Dado or other Korean traditional cultural experiences, please check Seongyojang's website for more information.

Seongyojang must be very scenic in Winter with white snow blanketing it~! Annyeong...

Related Posts:

~ [Gangneung] 300 years old Seongyojang Hanok House.

~ Hanok Stay and Hanjeongsik tasting at Seongyojang.

~ [Gangneung] Ojukheon House and Museum

~ [Chuam] - Chotdaebawi Rock   

~ Majestic Mureung Valley

September in Gangneung - Seongyojang Hanok House [Day 4]

Let's travel back to the old Joseon Dynasty through the gates of these two historical residences in Gangneung~~~

Seongyojang (선교장)

After decided Gangneung as one of our destinations, I  browsed on tourist attractions to visit from KTO's website. Somehow, I was summoned to this ancient, gigantic and picturesque Seongyojang!

Imagine myself walking around Hwallaejeong in my previous life.

Upss... pardon me in this Gisaeng costume, should be in normal Hanbok (for servant?)
 

 or maybe match with this Fusion Hanbok from MoranBaepil?

OMG!!!  It's so unbelievable and so excited when I read that visitors are welcome to stay overnight in this 300 years National Treasure Hanok House! Thank you! I can finally stop imagine myself staying in this residence in my previous life .ㅋㅋㅋ

FYI, drama Hwang Jin-Yi (황진이), Princess Hours Gung (궁) and Princess’ Man (공주의남자) were filmed in Seongyojang.

Do check out these links for filming location of Korean Drama Gung (궁): Unhyeongung (운현궁) Royal Palace | Gyeongju Anapji Pond (안압지) | Gyeonggijeon (경기전) | Jeonju Sago (전주 사고)

I quickly went to Seongyojang's website (in Korean language) and selected (행랑채1~5 정보) room that fit 4 people. A big thanks to BnBHero assisted us to reserve the room, although that's not their regular service...

Interesting information about Seongyojang...

 In 1703, Mugyeong Lee Naebeon, the 11th descendent of Prince Hyoryeong,
a brother of King Sejong, build this vast 99-kan house.
(Kan: traditional measurement that corresponds to the space between two columns)
Until now, the descendants of Naebeon Lee still residing here.

  

In the past, the site was accessed by a boat that crossed Gyeongpoho Lake,
hence its name Seongyojang, which literally means a "Boat-Bridging House," 

using the Chinese characters "seon" for boat, "gyo" for bridge and "jang" for house.

Despite the passage of over 300 years, the original architecture is very well preserved,

and has been designated as the important Folklore National Treasure No. 5.

 

Seongyojang [선교장] is comprised of several buildings, including a main quarter,

a detached house, Hwallaejeong [활래정], Yeolhwadang [열화당], Haengnangchae [행랑채]
and breathtaking garden called the 'Garden of Four Seasons.

Haengnangchae (행랑채) in particular, is used as a Guesthouse for travellers and guests. Yeonhwadang (열화당), the most beautifully decorated part of the house, and ideal area to receive guests. It is currently being used as a library. It's frequently used as a backdrop for historical dramas including drama ‘Hwang Jin-Yi’.

Interestingly, every single part of the house has both symbolic meaning and a practical function

Seongyojang has a slightly different structure to it compared to other Traditional Hanok Houses.

* Master quarters and inner quarters are positioned parallel to one another.

* The two quarters have their own gates for the convenience of visitors.

* The gate to the inner quarters, located in front of a well, was designed to provide residents with the utmost privacy.

Picturesque Hwallaejeong was built in 1816 has 'ondol' (Korean underfloor heating)

is located just beside the main entrance.

Hwallaejeong Pavilion served as a tea room for guests.
It's a nice place to enjoy the beauty of the lotus flower filled pond in front of the building.
Lotus Pond is an important component in Korean garden.

We received an unexpected email from Seongyojang on our second day in Seoul. It's actually informing that SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) will be recoding in Seongyojang for Chuseok program. They would like us to participate and  take a little part for the program as foreign visitors in Seongyojang. We agreed to it... will post about it in separate article.

 

Since it's nearby Ojukheon House, we stopped by Seongyojang to make payment for room booking. From the staff, we're told to arrive in Seongyojang around 6:00 pm tomorrow for the recording. 

Then, I decided to have a stroll inside Seongyojang, so tomorrow we'll have more time for touring from Gangneung to Samcheok. The kind staff  waived our admission fees, although we're only staying in this Hanok house tomorrow.

 

The guide explaining some details of Seongyojang to a group of local tourists.

Visitors can experience various Cultural Programs such as Traditional Tea Ceremony, Plaque rubbing experience, making traditional Korean cookies, making rice cakes (tteok), Seongpyeon,  and also playing Traditional Games. It'll be free admission for those using the Traditional Culture Experience Center.

Please reserve in advance if you want to eat delicious Hanjeongsik (한정식) at Seongyojang, as preparation for the meal is needed for this full-course traditional Korean meal.

   

Traditional Cultural Experiences in Seongyojang

Related Posts: 
~  [Yeongju] Museom Hanok Village (영주 무섬마을)
~  [Yeongju] Seonbichon Village (선비촌)
~  Jeonju Hanok Village
~  [Seoul] Bukchon Hanok Village