South Korea TripHello everyone,
Now it's my day 3. First stop is Everland! Everland is everland! lol, the place that makes you feel younger or even become a child again. Similar to other major amusement parks, Everland is divided into 5-6 sections, American Adventure, European Adventure, Global Fair, Magic Land, Aesop's Village and Zoo-Topia. As we have limited time-2 hours, I only went for the ones that are most adventurous, and made me scream.....AAAAAAHHHHH..Woooo..it was very fun and excited.
The most exciting ride in my opinion is T-Xpress. It's the longest wooden coaster probably in the world. Hmm..ok let's say just Asia. It has the dramatic slope from the top to down at 70 degree to earth. Can you imagine that? If you can't, check out the photos, :-D After being in line for an hour, I survived from the ride. One round lasts shorter than 3 minutes but you know what it's worthwhile to wait especially if you like this kind of thing!
After that, we had lunch. This is one of my most favourite meals of the trip. We had kalbi which is the slide of pork or beef grilled on charcoals. They have several side dishes including kimchi. To have this kalbi properly, you have to take a piece of lettuce and then put a cutting piece of grill pork, put a small piece of garlic, add few pieces of bean sprout, put a piece of iceberg lettuce, and top with the Korean sauce...and the thing roll it and put in your mouth....slowly chew it....hmm.yumm...umm...yum yum...do you feel it? Your saliva is dripping now. LOL :-d
Then, we went to Ginseng Centre where they tried to sell us different type/menu of Ginseng but it's very expensive so only a few people were interested in. Even though Ginseng seems to be very useful for health, I personally think I don't need it now. (hopefully forever lol) The taste is too strong and smelly. I find it's hard to handle.
What's next? It's not quite a sightseeing as well. I went to see the show. It's called Jump show which seems to be the combination between Tae Kwan Do and martial arts mixed with stage play. Unfortunately it's not allowed to shoot a video or take a photo so I only had a few photos after the performance. Overall, the show was quite fun but it was little boring in the middle. Perhaps it was because of me didn't sleep enough last night. lol
At night, we had buffet dinner and our 2 General Managers (one from Operations Division and the other from Finance and Accounting Division) spoke their minds. Both are new GMs, the former was my senior supply chain manager (Thai woman), the latter was directly imported from France (French man). The foods were quite good. Many people enjoy eating and drinking. Still remember Soju? That's what we drank. If you do not know what it is, I suggest you to re-read the 2nd album, hahaha!
Oh..o tomorrow is the last day in Seoul and South Korea....
http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd191/namrinb/Photo%202008/South%20Korea%2013-16%20June/SK%20Day3/?albumview=link
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Monday, 7 July 2008
Namrin searched her soul in Seoul #2
Hello all,
This album should have been sent since yesterday but I had a technical problem to upload the photos so here it comes-today! There are 2 albums. The main set is South Korea Day 2 album and its subset is "Flower from Herbland". If you have time to view my zoom-in photos and the beauty of flower, pls also visit the second album too.
My second day started with getting up at 5.30AM to be ready for the airport bus at 6.15AM and I supposed to reach Incheon airport at 7.30AM. I was in fact a bit too early and after a bit worried that my workmates could arrive earlier than the schedule like mine yesterday, then I would be left alone here. The first group came out...oh, I felt relieved. Thanks to VISA on arrival system in South Korea , it takes quite a while to get 100s people out from the airport. We got together and waited for the second group. I spent this waiting time on answering people what I did and visited yesterday. Well, you knew it, right? Pls don't let me repeat for the tenths time. lol
After getting on the coach, I listened to the guide briefing about South Korea and Seoul . Then, fell asleep. I and others woke up when we arrived at the Blue House. The Blue House is the Korean president's house. I don't quite understand why it's blue until the guide explained that the roof colour is blue in Korea . However, it's obviously greenish. I'm not sure whether this is a joke or not but the guide said in the past, Koreans didn't know green colour or perhaps did not have word for "green" so they called it blue. Until the country has opened up to other culture, they ultimately know the difference between blue and green. By the way, around the Blue House you will see Seoul Police in an interesting uniform, roller blade skates and shorts!!
Next stop was the Korean Museum (I don't remember the full name). It talked about Korean's life in the past from the day they are born until the day they die. It was rather small museum but it has the things you should see. Near the museum we walked to a remarkable stop which was the highlight of today, Kiangbokgung or Kiangbok Palace .
Kiangbokgung is grand. If you have to visit The Grand Palace and The Emerald Buddha Temple when you are in Bangkok , you have to visit Kiangbokgung when you are in Seoul . (For someone out there who didn't, tut tut tut, lol) However, both palaces are different as they were inspired by different architecture and arts. I think Kiangbokgung is located on larger area. There are several buildings for different purposes like Changdeokgung I visited yesterday.
However, I and a few workmates made a mistake. While I was enjoying taking photos, I was lost from the major group. I was with another 4 friends and they all thought the others have left the palace because they couldn't see them. I told them we have been here for less than an hour. How come we (they) left so quickly? Nobody could answer. Therefore, we headed to the Exit. Oh...o after a second we left, we found that the major group were still inside the palace and we (the minor group) were not allowed to get in again (except we pay for the entrance fee again). So now you can imagine we had to hang out for nearly an hour outside the palace. D'oh!!
Even though I couldn't get in, I still got a few photos for you. Just borrow those from other workmate who didn't get lost, hahaha. The featuring photo is the pavilion in the pond. Tut tut...I shouldn't have missed that one. I should have believed in my common sense!!! However, it's not the end of the Kiangbokgung yet. The "losters" (meaning people who get lost. My made-up word, lol) went to the front gate (we entered from the back gate) and here we saw Korean security guards standing at the front gate. The losters also heard the music instruments which meant it may have a march or a show behind the wall. Unfortunately I couldn't observe it.
We met the rest of the group when they came out from the palace and not for so long, we arrived at Jogyesa Temple . This is the only major temple in Seoul and there are only 3-4 temples in total. Since the change from monarchy to presidency system, the temple which is a symbol of Buddhism have been gone with the change. According to the guide, this seems to be a method to control people to believe in the new system and as Buddhism is related to the emperor's root, it must get out from the way. I think there are a few more reasons why temples were destroyed but I don't quite remember. I was half asleep half awake, lol. Maybe a communist thing?
Later, we had lunch, a typical fried pork seasoned with little sugar and soy sauce and of course, you have kimchi as one of your side dishes as usual. It's not very delicious for me, to be honest but it's unlimited refills! After a big meal, we just simply fell asleep. We were taken to out of Seoul . Maybe we were in another city but I forgot to ask the guide where we were. We visited a place called Herbland. This place is probably something the owner of this place, Dr. Lee, has something to do with our guides. The owner presented his place and his business and was trying to sell his energy water. Energy water is, in my opinion, drinking water with the smell and light flavour of herbs. There are chamomile, lavender, jasmine, mint, rosemary and a few more flavours. Then, we walked around herb land (garden) which should be better than this. It's nice but it's quite obvious that it's lack of proper attention. Perhaps the business has been down so there were some dying flowers and sunburned herbs here and there.
In the evening, we had a special meal. Bi Bim Bap with flower topping. I'm not kidding you. I (We) had eaten fresh flowers with rice and Korean sauce (and kimchi, of course!). When you look at the photos, you will think it looks very nice but the taste is slightly opposite. And this is why we usually use leaves of vegetables not flowers for cooking, right? :-D However, we could survive because Herbland also prepared normal foods for us after Flower Bi Bim Bap too.
At the end of the day, we stayed at a hotel outside of the city. It seems to be small but still developped. I and my workmates came out at night just for window shopping and found sth to eat (esp. me!) . Some of us actually bought something. Believe it or not-- it's cosmetics they bought. Korean brands here are much cheaper than the same Korean brands in Thailand. Fair enough. They just can't stop themselves, lol.
I had a stick of fish balls and a bottle of popular banana milk. And lastly, I got a pack of soju in a size of UHT milk. Very interesting packaging for me that they put alcohol drink in the same packaging of UHT milk. Alright, Soju is an alcohol drink. If you go to Japan, you try Sake (sa-ke), when you visit South Korea, you try Soju (So-ju or So-chu). However, soju and sake are not the same thing. Some people say the taste and the percentage of alcohol are different. I'm not an alcohol expert so I can't comment lol. I just knew that when I tried Soju,..............
it's sweet like Tequila.
I felt as if my lips were on fire.
It's like my tongue started burning from its tip to its most inner part.
The burn went through my throat and when it reached my stomach, it was hot and my body was slightly warmer.
I had only 3 sips. I didn't dare to try more to be honest. And now you should let me go to bed. Don't you think? (Yawning)
Day 3 is on its way.
Your guide, Namrin
http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd191/namrinb/Photo%202008/South%20Korea%2013-16%20June/SK%20Day2/?albumview=link
This album should have been sent since yesterday but I had a technical problem to upload the photos so here it comes-today! There are 2 albums. The main set is South Korea Day 2 album and its subset is "Flower from Herbland". If you have time to view my zoom-in photos and the beauty of flower, pls also visit the second album too.
My second day started with getting up at 5.30AM to be ready for the airport bus at 6.15AM and I supposed to reach Incheon airport at 7.30AM. I was in fact a bit too early and after a bit worried that my workmates could arrive earlier than the schedule like mine yesterday, then I would be left alone here. The first group came out...oh, I felt relieved. Thanks to VISA on arrival system in South Korea , it takes quite a while to get 100s people out from the airport. We got together and waited for the second group. I spent this waiting time on answering people what I did and visited yesterday. Well, you knew it, right? Pls don't let me repeat for the tenths time. lol
After getting on the coach, I listened to the guide briefing about South Korea and Seoul . Then, fell asleep. I and others woke up when we arrived at the Blue House. The Blue House is the Korean president's house. I don't quite understand why it's blue until the guide explained that the roof colour is blue in Korea . However, it's obviously greenish. I'm not sure whether this is a joke or not but the guide said in the past, Koreans didn't know green colour or perhaps did not have word for "green" so they called it blue. Until the country has opened up to other culture, they ultimately know the difference between blue and green. By the way, around the Blue House you will see Seoul Police in an interesting uniform, roller blade skates and shorts!!
Next stop was the Korean Museum (I don't remember the full name). It talked about Korean's life in the past from the day they are born until the day they die. It was rather small museum but it has the things you should see. Near the museum we walked to a remarkable stop which was the highlight of today, Kiangbokgung or Kiangbok Palace .
Kiangbokgung is grand. If you have to visit The Grand Palace and The Emerald Buddha Temple when you are in Bangkok , you have to visit Kiangbokgung when you are in Seoul . (For someone out there who didn't, tut tut tut, lol) However, both palaces are different as they were inspired by different architecture and arts. I think Kiangbokgung is located on larger area. There are several buildings for different purposes like Changdeokgung I visited yesterday.
However, I and a few workmates made a mistake. While I was enjoying taking photos, I was lost from the major group. I was with another 4 friends and they all thought the others have left the palace because they couldn't see them. I told them we have been here for less than an hour. How come we (they) left so quickly? Nobody could answer. Therefore, we headed to the Exit. Oh...o after a second we left, we found that the major group were still inside the palace and we (the minor group) were not allowed to get in again (except we pay for the entrance fee again). So now you can imagine we had to hang out for nearly an hour outside the palace. D'oh!!
Even though I couldn't get in, I still got a few photos for you. Just borrow those from other workmate who didn't get lost, hahaha. The featuring photo is the pavilion in the pond. Tut tut...I shouldn't have missed that one. I should have believed in my common sense!!! However, it's not the end of the Kiangbokgung yet. The "losters" (meaning people who get lost. My made-up word, lol) went to the front gate (we entered from the back gate) and here we saw Korean security guards standing at the front gate. The losters also heard the music instruments which meant it may have a march or a show behind the wall. Unfortunately I couldn't observe it.
We met the rest of the group when they came out from the palace and not for so long, we arrived at Jogyesa Temple . This is the only major temple in Seoul and there are only 3-4 temples in total. Since the change from monarchy to presidency system, the temple which is a symbol of Buddhism have been gone with the change. According to the guide, this seems to be a method to control people to believe in the new system and as Buddhism is related to the emperor's root, it must get out from the way. I think there are a few more reasons why temples were destroyed but I don't quite remember. I was half asleep half awake, lol. Maybe a communist thing?
Later, we had lunch, a typical fried pork seasoned with little sugar and soy sauce and of course, you have kimchi as one of your side dishes as usual. It's not very delicious for me, to be honest but it's unlimited refills! After a big meal, we just simply fell asleep. We were taken to out of Seoul . Maybe we were in another city but I forgot to ask the guide where we were. We visited a place called Herbland. This place is probably something the owner of this place, Dr. Lee, has something to do with our guides. The owner presented his place and his business and was trying to sell his energy water. Energy water is, in my opinion, drinking water with the smell and light flavour of herbs. There are chamomile, lavender, jasmine, mint, rosemary and a few more flavours. Then, we walked around herb land (garden) which should be better than this. It's nice but it's quite obvious that it's lack of proper attention. Perhaps the business has been down so there were some dying flowers and sunburned herbs here and there.
In the evening, we had a special meal. Bi Bim Bap with flower topping. I'm not kidding you. I (We) had eaten fresh flowers with rice and Korean sauce (and kimchi, of course!). When you look at the photos, you will think it looks very nice but the taste is slightly opposite. And this is why we usually use leaves of vegetables not flowers for cooking, right? :-D However, we could survive because Herbland also prepared normal foods for us after Flower Bi Bim Bap too.
At the end of the day, we stayed at a hotel outside of the city. It seems to be small but still developped. I and my workmates came out at night just for window shopping and found sth to eat (esp. me!) . Some of us actually bought something. Believe it or not-- it's cosmetics they bought. Korean brands here are much cheaper than the same Korean brands in Thailand. Fair enough. They just can't stop themselves, lol.
I had a stick of fish balls and a bottle of popular banana milk. And lastly, I got a pack of soju in a size of UHT milk. Very interesting packaging for me that they put alcohol drink in the same packaging of UHT milk. Alright, Soju is an alcohol drink. If you go to Japan, you try Sake (sa-ke), when you visit South Korea, you try Soju (So-ju or So-chu). However, soju and sake are not the same thing. Some people say the taste and the percentage of alcohol are different. I'm not an alcohol expert so I can't comment lol. I just knew that when I tried Soju,..............
it's sweet like Tequila.
I felt as if my lips were on fire.
It's like my tongue started burning from its tip to its most inner part.
The burn went through my throat and when it reached my stomach, it was hot and my body was slightly warmer.
I had only 3 sips. I didn't dare to try more to be honest. And now you should let me go to bed. Don't you think? (Yawning)
Day 3 is on its way.
Your guide, Namrin
http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd191/namrinb/Photo%202008/South%20Korea%2013-16%20June/SK%20Day2/?albumview=link
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