Mr Kim, a personal tour guide from a taxi company in Jeju was engaged on line. He spoke very fluent Mandarin. We later learned that he was a Korea civil servant who had worked in Taiwan for 6 years. Mr Kim was from Seoul but he preferred to work in Jeju island as life there was at a slower pace. He came to our hotel punctually at 9 am everyday and briefed us for the day's itinerary before moving off. He spoke gently and also a very careful driver. We were very impressed and happy with his service.
19 Dec 2016 (Mon)
Our departure flight was 8.00 am . We arrived Singapore Changi airport terminal 3 at 6.00 am. After checking we went to the Sats premier lounge for breakfast. When we arrived at the Incheon International airport we took the MRT to the Gimpo domestic airport. We boarded the Asiana airline for the domestic flight to Jeju island. We arrived Jeju at 2025 hr. Korea was 1 hour ahead of Singapore time. Korea taxi was not so ideal for tourists with more than one luggage due to its limited booth space . The taxi booth was occupied by a huge CNG tank. The remaining space can only accommodate 1 luggage. We decided to take a MPV ( multi purpose vehicle) taxi instead of getting 2 taxi.
vending machine : my dinner
20 Dec 2016 (Tue)
We had breakfast at the hotel cafe. Mr Kim, the personal guide was at the hotel 9.00 am sharp. After briefing we proceeded to the following places of interest :
1. Manjanggul lava tube (UNESCO World Heritage) : One of the finest lava tunnel in the world. A lava tunnel is formed when the lava that was deep in the ground spouts from the peak and flow to the surface.
.1 lava toe
.2 lava column
2. Woljeongri beach (jeju) : Known for its scenery white sand and emerald ocean
3. Haenyeo Museum : The lady divers. The museum is about the dwindling women divers of jeju who dive in the sea to collect agar, shellfish, abalone and octopus.
by Mr. Kim
reasonable pricing
grill chicken
near our hotel
21 Dec 2016 (Wed)
We visited the following places:
1. Seopjikoji Coast : located at the end of the eastern of Jeju.
2. Seongeup Folklore Village
3. San - Gumburi Volcanic Crater
ordering food on our behalf
4. Dongmun Market - famous for seafood
5. Dragon Head Rock
view from far
6. Mysterious Road - The objects on the road seem to defy the gravity and roll up the hill. It was due to optical illusion.
22 Dec 2016 (Thurs)
We visited the following places:
1. Hallasam National Park (UNESCO World Heritage) is a shield vocano on Jeju island of south Korea. It is the highest mountain in south Korea.
2. Jeongbang Water fall
3. Cheonjiyeon water fall
4. Oedolgae rock
filmed here
Lunch break before the next stop
sweet potatoes: additional
serving not in the menu
5. Osulloc tea museum , innisfree cosmetic outlet
(right) after 3 days
23 Dec 2016 (Fri)
Seoul Fraser Place Hotel
After breakfast we checked out of I Jin hotel and took the internal flight to Seoul and checked in the Fraser Place hotel. We visited the City Hall and LOTTE departmental store.
like luggage
Seoul City Hall
Seoul city night scene
good invention
at Fraser Place Hotel
24 Dec 2016 (Sat)
Gyeongbok Palace
The Emperor
city hall building
Hana restaurant
Recommended by Mr Kim
from street shop
25 Dec 2016 (Sun)
1. Gahoe - Dong : This village situated between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palace. This area is well know for its well preserved hanoks.
2. Seorae Village. A small French village in Seoul
to the Public for free
the planter
stall
Olympic mascot
26 Dec 2016 (Mon)
Mini still can be found
st
Olympic mascot
fast food in Korea
27 Dec 2016 (Tue)
Checked out of Fraser Place for Alpensia ski resort , about 4 hours drive from Seoul.
and wait for ski resort transport
the road surface
rental shop
for the 2nd generation
the seniors went for coffee
near Phoenix Park ski
resort - Korean style
Phoenix Park ski resort
fried chicken
28 Dec 2016 (Wed)
Phoenix Park ski resort
in the morning
Phoenix Park ski resort
outside after lunch
29 Dec 2016 (Thurs)
Checked out of ski apartment and traveled back to Seoul by coach. Visited Namsan Tower in the evening.
convenient store
resort apartment for Seoul
bus terminal
hotel by Sheraton
admission tickets
Seoul Tower
warning light
30 Dec 2016 (Fri)
DMZ is a buffer zone ceasing all military and hostile action.
We booked the tour to the DMZ, (De Militarized Zone ) on line before leaving Singapore. The DMZ is a region on the Korea Peninsula that demarcates North Korea from the South Korea. The DMZ incorporates territory on both side of the cease fire line as it existed at the end of the Korea war (1950 - 1953 ) The DMZ is a conducted tour only for the foreign tourists. The local citizens are not allow to join the DMZ tour. Foreign tourists are required to bring along their passports for verification from time to time once entering the zone. All tourists must transfer to the Military camp coaches after the private coaches entering the zone. Each military coach will have a Army Personnel on board. All tourists must follow the strict instructions given by the Army Personnel. No photo taking is allowed unless permission is granted.
at President Hotel
permission was granted
Building behind belongs
to North Korea
The Third Tunnel
The Third Tunnel or Third Infiltration Tunnel, is one of the fourth tunnel under the boarder between the North Korea and the South Korea. It was discovered in 1978 by South Korea forces. It spans 1635m in length, 2.1m in width and 1.9m in height. It penetrates 435m south of Military Demarcation Line. It is 52km from Seoul. The tunnel is 73m below ground. Capable of moving full Division per hour, plus their weapons. It is evidently designed for a surprising attack on Seoul. North Korea claimed that it was for coal mining.
monument
in the tour package
DMZ
by the the Korean war
to Gaeseong and Seoul
Gaeseong Industrial Complex - A joint inter Korea economic project north of the demilitarized zone. The project was largely financed by the south to increase cooperation. The complex employed labour from the North to manufacture shoes and to be sold in south Korea. The project had since suspended after the North launched missiles and nuclear test.
of South Korea. They hope
one day the rail / train can
connect to North Korea
in North of South Korea
31 Dec 2016 (Sat)
Myeongdong street, Shinsegae department store browsing.
Huge rallies had been held across south Korea for what were thought to be the largest protests so far demanding President Park Geun Hye to step down. Ms Park was accused of allowing her friend, Choi Soon Sil to manipulate power from behind the scenes.
President
Cheonggyecheon Stream
The 11 km modern stream that runs through downtown Seoul. The stream was covered with elevated highway after Korea war (1950 - 1953). Then in 2003 the elevated highway was removed to restore the stream to its present day.
stream
1 Jan 2017 (Sun)
Went for last minutes shopping after checking out of Four Points hotel before transferring to the Goodday apartment. Arrived Incheon airport in the evening by MRT and called the Goodday apartment for a free pick up to the apartment.
before checking out
Room rate with free transport to and
from airport. (10 minutes drive to airport)
We checked in our flight at 6.00 am the
next day
at Seoul
2 Jan 2017 (Mon)
Arrived at Incheon airport 6.00 am for departure
Singapore Changi
international airport
Home sweet Home
No comments:
Post a Comment