Seoraksan National Park > Sokcho ~ South Korea > Day 09 (6) - 2014 October 16 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

It's beautiful on the way down. Especially with the blue sky and the sunset.

The entrance of the park

We go back to the bus station and luckily there's a bus 7-1 in there. It took 1 hour to go back to the bus station. On the way, you will found another bus station, don't stop there but stop at the after one. So don't forget to remember how the bus station looks like.

bus local schedule from Seoraksan to Bus Station

We wants to ride the 19:00 o'clock bus. But it's full already, and we don't have any choice to ride 20:00 bus. And we decided to eat Instant noodle at 7-11 in front of the bus station while waiting for the ride.

We arrive at hotel at 23:00. And so tired.

to Sokcho > Sokcho ~ South Korea > Day 09 (1) - 2014 October 16 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

Today, our destination is Mt Seorak. It's located at Sokcho. So we have to ride bus to Sokcho. We go to Dong Seoul Terminal at exit 4 Gangbyeon Station.

We come to the bus station at 07:30, and the next bus is 08:59, and the ride took approximately 2 hours. The bus ticket cost 17.300 Won. This time, we go to Sokcho Intercity Bus Station.

Arrive at Sokcho, we decided to eat lunch first. We ask the information centre in there and found Bimbimbap Restaurant. And it's quiet famous. Many people eat in there.

Once again, I'm not suitable with Korean Food. But I still can eat it. After lunch, we back to the bus station to wait for local bus to Seoraksan. Here's the bus schedule.

It tooks approximately 1 hours to go to the National Park.

Gapyeong City > South Korea > Day 07 (1) - 2014 October 14 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

Today, our destination is Namiseom / Nami Island. Located near Gapyeong City, Gyeonggi-do. We rode Kyungchun Line subway from Seoul to Gapyeong.

From Achasan Subway to Gunja Subway, transfer to line 7, then go to Sangbong Subway transfer to Kyungchun Line to Gapyeong.

It took almost 2 hours, so don't forget to calculate your time. It's better if you start earlier.

Along the journey, we can see mountain with their beautiful autumn.

Arrive at Gapyeong, we have to wait for bus shuttle. It only cost 5000 won for 1 day trip. You can hop-off whenever you want to go to some interesting place in there.

Our fisst destination is Nami Island. While waiting for the bust, we take photos around the station. There's a small garden in front of the station.

Actually, we can ride public bus. But we don't know the route. We can also ride taxi. But, the shuttle bus cost 5000 won for 1 day. If you still want to go to petite france and other place, I suggest you rode the shuttle bus. But if you only go to Namiseom, you can ride taxi.

Here if you want to wait for public bus or taxi.

A lot of people go to Nami Island. You have to queue to ride the bus. First come first ride. The shuttle bus stop is in front of Tourism Information Centre right in front of the station. Make sure you queue in the front, because you can get a seat inside the bus. It's hard to stand while ride bus, especially the road to Nami Island full of turn. You can either bus-sick or feel awful looking how the bus driver drove the bus.

It took 15 minutes.

Daegwallyeong Samyang Ranch 대관령 삼양목장 / Eco Green Campus 에코그린 캠퍼스 > Pyeongchang ~ South Korea > Day 06 (2) - 2014 October 13 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

Address: Hoenggye-ri, Daegwalnyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Kangwon, South Korea
Phone: +8233-335-5044 ext. 5

Credit: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264459

Arrive at Hoenggye at 10:50, it's raining really hard. I have already espect the rain, because the weather forecast. But I didn't know that it will be this hard. We decided to eat first, and based on can't speak Korean, and don't know what to eat because there's no familiar food near there, so we decided to eat at the restaurant accross the bus station.

Ahjumma is very kindly. Fortunately, there's picture for the food. So we eat pancake and cold noodle. And I don't like it but have to eat it, because I don't have any options.

After eating, we rode taxi to Daegwallyeong Samyang Ranch. There's a taxi base camp in front of the bus station. Don't forget, if you can't speak Korean, write the destination, and show it to taxi driver. Then the driver tell us how much. I pay for 13.000 won one way for 20-30 minutes ride. And he gave me his name card, and ask me to call him again when we want to back to bus station. He is very kind, he even let us borrow his umbrella. Actually, I don't know how to call him back, because my country phone number didn't have signal at all. Just think about it later.

The ticket entrance to Daegwallyeong Samyang Ranch is 8.000 won, include the shuttle bus to go around the ranch. The shuttle buses travel non-stop for 20 min from the Welcome Square to the Dong Hae Observatory. On your way down, there are five bus stops where you can get off the shuttle to view the area at your leisure, then hop back on whenever you like. (Bus service runs from May through to November).

At winter season, shuttle bus is not available, instead you can enjoy the farm with your own car or by foot.

Daegwallyeong Samyang Ranch is Asia's largest green pasture on a plateau. This ancient and vast meadow is where milking cows feed. The view from the plateau is remarkable as well. If you go up to Daegwallyeong Observatory early in the morning, you can witness the spectacular sunrise from the East Sea beyond the peaks of Mt. Odaesan. The lake where cows drink water is called Samjeongho Lake.

It's a bad weather when I came there. Hard rain, thick mist, and we can't enjoy the scene much. But because we have already arrive in here, so we have to visit the place.

1st stop, Dong Hae Observatory (1140m above sea level) 
It should be a fantastic view of Gangneug City, Jumunjin City and Dong Hae (East Sea). But because of bad weather, we can't see anything. Only a thick mist around there. The bus drive give us 10 minutes to stop here.
If the weather is nice, you can tracking in here. The first walking tracks is Breezy Hills (550m) which is location of filming "Taegeukgi: Brotherhood of War" and "Welcome to Dongmakgol".
The second walking tracks is Leisure Forest (930m) where you can see 400Jeong, a location to view an extensive 400ha of our land. That's why it is named 400Jeong (1 Jeong is almost 1 ha).
In here, you also can see Wind Powered Generator Complex with 53 wind powered generators which in operation and provide electricity to 50.000 households which are 60% of Gangneung population.

2nd stop, Tree of Lover's Concerto, 2002 (1.080m above sea level)
Not only famous due to the popular movie "Lover's Concerto" in 2002, the tree's surroundings are stunnings.
From 1st bus stop to 2nd bus stop, also known as Eunseo and Junseo's Autumn in My Heart TV Series bike path.

We decided to stop in here, and try to walk to 3rd stop.

The 3rd walking track is Memories of Love, located between 2nd bus stop and 3rd bus stop and it took 650m. But we didn't pass the tracking because it's slippery. We walk around the main road. There's nothing can be seen, we can't see the sheep paddock. But we saw a group of sheep, and take picture with them.

3rd Stop, Office of Gangwon Wind Poweres Generator Complex
I don't know what can be seen in this area. We stop at the bus stop and wait for the bus. It's really cold and I thought I need to drink hot chocolate right at that time, haha.. :D

The 4th walking track is Meadow Stroll with distance 1.470m from the middle of 2nd bus stop to 4th bus stop. We will pass cattle paddock, ostrich paddock and sheepdog herding field.

4st Stop, Wish and Wind Post-Box
There's a "Wish and Wind Post-Box" to share your emotional experience at our beautiful farm with your postcard and put it inside the post-box, chich are provided at Cheong Yeon Botanical Garden and the Ostrich Pavilion. Postcards will be delivered full of happiness.
We also would pass Eunseo & Junseo's Tree in the TV Series "Autumn in My Heart".
The 5th walking track is Peace of Mind, which located from 4th bus stop to 5th  bus stop. The distance is 900m.

5th Stop, Welcome Square
Finally, we arrive at the main point. We bought instant noodle at the ranch mart. You can also buy souvenir from Samyang Ranch.

Behind the Welcome Square, there's a building of Eunseo & Junseo's House in the TV Series "Autumn in My Heart".

Source: Eco green Campus Manual Brochure which you can get it on the ticket entrance locket when you bought the ticket.

It's worthed to come here. And I want to come here again when the weather is nice. Maybe I could spend 1 night stay at Hoenggye.

We ask the staff at the restaurant to help us to call the taxi driver to pick us. It also cost 13.000 won to go back to the bus station. I lef my tripod at the restaurant where we eat lunch. So when I back to bus station, I went to the restaurant again, and fortunately, Ahjumma keep my tripod.

Then we bought the ticket to back to Seoul.

At 17:15 we arrive at Dong Seoul Bus Terminal and back to guest house.

Dong Seoul Terminal 동서울종합터미널 to Hoenggye Bus Terminal 횡계시외버스공용정류장 > South Korea > Day 06 (1) - 2014 October 13 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

Woke up early today to take bus to Hoenggye at 08:05 o'clock. Today's destination is Daegwallyeong Samyang Ranch, Eco Green Campus at Pyeongchang County.

After breakfast, we go to Dong Seoul Bus Terminal. Buses (both intercity and express running to every corner of Korea including Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Gyeongsang, Chungcheong and Jeolla depart from this bus station). Bus reservations may be made through the following reservations agencies, but tickets can also be purchased at the ticket window upon arrival at the bus station.

The Dong Seoul Bus Terminal is located at Gangbyeon Station, Seoul Subway Station Line 2, Exit 4.

Credit: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1113555

Bus to Hoenggye is an Intercity Bus which cost 14.500 won and it took 2 hours and 45 minutes. Hoenggye is the 3rd stop. 1st stop is 장평 Jangpyeong Bus Terminal. 2nd stop is 진부공용버스정류장 Jinbu Bus Terminal. And finally, at 3rd stop, we arrive at Hoenggye Bus Terminal.

Pyeongchang is a county in Gangwon province, South Korea located in the Taebaek Mountains region. It is also home to several Buddhist temples, including Woljeongsa. It is located approximately 180 km east of Seoul. Pyeongchang will host the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2018 Winter Paralympics.

The altitude of Pyeongchang is wide-ranging, with 84% of its territory comprising mountains with average elevations of 750m (2,460ft). Its best-known place, the township of Daegwallyeong-myeon, averages between 700 to 800m (2,300 to 2,600ft) above sea level, with some areas over 1,000m (3,300ft) high. Daegwallyeong-myeon has a monsoon humid continental climate with warm, humid summers and long, cold and dry winters.

The area is popular with mountain hikers, especially at the southern part of Mount Seoraksan.
Alpensia ski resort is a tourist attraction and has 6 slopes for skiing and snowboarding, with runs up to 1.4km long, for beginners and advanced skiers, and an area reserved for snowboarders. The resort is open year-round. Alpensia will be the focus of the 2018 Cultural Olympiad, with a new, purpose-built concert hall within the resort. A 250km per hour KTX line will be built between Wonju and Gangneung via Pyeongchang for the 2018 Winter Olympics and will put Pyeongchang within 50 minutes of travel time from Seoul.

Buddhist temple Woljeongsa of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism is located on the eastern slopes of Odaesan. The Lee Seung-bok Memorial Center is located in Nodong-ri, Yongpyeong-myeon.

Samyang Ranch is the largest highlands farm in Asia located on the hills of Daegwallyeong 850 to 1,470meters above sea level. It was operated as a petting zoo and enjoy tha pastoral landscape. It is film locations of the drama 'Autumn in my Heart’ and the movie ‘Lover’s Concerto.’

Autumn Scene could be seen in here

2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympiade

1 Day Trip to 경주 Gyeongju City > South Korea > Day 04 (1) - 2014 October 11 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

Woke up early, and go to 노포 Nopo Station to take bus to Gyeongju. Once out from the train, just look for the direction to bus station, and then from subway station, just make a U-Turn.
The bus station is easy to read. You just choose your destination, and it will show the time of the next departure. Then you go to the locket, and tell the officer and pay. It cost 4800 won to Gyeongju.

The Express Bus Ticket to Gyeongju from Busan

The ticket after you check with the driver

It's only took approximately 50 minutes to Gyeongju. That's why I plan only to do 1 trip journey. The city is beautiful. Because it's still traditional city.

Once arrived in Gyeongju Bus Station, there's an information centre located just right next the bus station. You can ask the direction in there.

Our first destination is 불국사 Bulguksa Temple. Just cross the road, and wait for the bus no 10 or 11. Bulguksa station is the last station, and it took approximately 45 minutes to 1 hours (12 stop).

Don't worry, you won't miss it because the driver will tell you that it's the last station, and everyone will get out from the bus.

The scene is beautiful, the autumn feel is really strong in here.

PS: If you have enough time, I suggest stay for 1 night / 2 night in here. It's worthed.

Singapore > Day 1 > 2014 April 09

This time, I will be a guide for my mom and aunty. They will roaming aroung Singapore using public transport and walking.

Woke up at 3 o'clock in the morning, and prepare to go to Adisucipto International Airport Yogyakarta (http://adisutjipto-airport.co.id/) at 04:30. At 05:30, we arrive at the airport, then go to Check-In Counter to drop baggage.

We fly by Airasia.

Then we wait until 6 o'clock for pay the airporttax which cost IDR 100.000 for international departure from Yogyakarta, and also for the immigration procedure.

At 6 o'clock, the gate open, then we queue for immigration procedure. Then we wait for the boarding.

At 06:55 boarding time.

At 10:15 (Singapore time), we arrived at Changi International Airport 1st Terminal. After pass the immigration procedure and get our luggage, we rode taxi.

The taxi driver really attractive. He like to talking and really kind. He told us about the famous food street near the hotel. We stay at V Hotel Lavender (http://www.vhotel.sg/Lavender/index.html). The taxi cost approximately 18 SGD from Changi International Airport to Hotel.

Because we arrived early than check-in time, so the receptionist didn't allow us to enter the room. You have to pay charge for early check-in or late check-out. But we have already got our room number. Just take the key when check-in time. So we decided to keep our luggage first. The hotel lobby was so crowded, there's so many people stay in there. And in the lobby, there's so many luggage rack, which available for those who wants to keep their luggage first because not check-in time yet or after check-out but still wants to strolling around.

We book for triple room. It's quiet small for those who like large room. But for us, it's comfortable enough. The room is clean.

After drop our luggage in the room, we start our journey at Singapore.
First destination for today is Snow City. Our hotel located near MRT Lavender. I plan to bought Singapore Tourist Pass (http://www.thesingaporetouristpass.com.sg/) for 3 days which cost 30 SGD (20 SGD for the card, and 10 SGD for deposit which you can get the refund before 5 days after you buy). You can use the card to ride MRT, LRT and also bus for free for 3 day. The ticket office open at 12:00 at Lavender MRT. So we decided to eat lunch at Kopitiam, behind the hotel, in front of elevator to MRT station.

After eating lunch, and buy Singapore Tourist pass, we start our journey. To go to Snow City (http://www.snowcity.com.sg/snowcity3/index.html), we need to stop at MRT Jurong East then go to Bus Interchange to continue with bus no 335 and  stop right at Singapore Science Centre Station.

Once you get out from bus, just turn right and walk for 1 minutes. The snow city building right in the next Singapore Science Centre.

I took the wrong direction, which lead us to entering Singapore Science Centre. But there's the direction to snow city, so we just follow the direction.

Finally, we arrived at Snow City Building. We bought the ticket for 1 hour play which cost 15 SGD/each include jacket and shoes. And we also rent gloves (2,1 SGD/each) because they said inside was -5 to -8 Celcious Degree.

You can't bring camera inside. But they help you to took the photos, and if you want, you can buy it at the counter. There's ice sliding and also snow home. And you can play sliding at the snow by tires. After tired with playing, then we come out and take rest at the small cafe inside the building.

Then we rode bus 335 again, to Chinese and Japanese Garden (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Garden,_Singapore), which took 2 station from Snow City. We stop right in front of MRT Chinese Garden. Many people come here to take a walk and enjoy the scenery. Some people came here for jogging.

There's two part of garden, Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden. Once you arrive in there, turn left for Japanese Garden, and turn right to Chinese Garden.

Chinese Garden area are larger than Japanese Garden.

the River below the bridge from MRT to Chinese Garden Gate

the Bridge to Japanese Garden

the Bridge to Japanese Garden

Chinese Garden

Chinese Pagoda

the View on the way from Garden gate to MRT

the road between garden gate to MRT

Then we rode MRT to Choa Chu Kang MRT. We have to change line at Jurong East MRT from line green to line red. At first, we plan to drop by Jurong Capital Mall. But because the mall located accross the road, so we decided to directly go to Choa Chu Kang MRT. And we eat dinner at Food Junction Choa Chu Kang Capital Mall while spend the time because Night Safari open at 19:00. Dinner menu: Ayam Penyet, Noodle and Teokbuki. Drink menu: Ribena Juice, Hot Tea and Orange Juice.

At 18:00 we go to Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange, and rode bus no 927 to Night Safari. There's 19 stop from Choa Chu Kang to the zoo. You will see the entrance from the bus stop, so it's easy to go there without passed the bus station.

Actually, there's some way to go to Night Safari. You can buy Duck and Hippo pass (http://www.ducktours.com.sg/tours_wildlife.php) to wildlife tour which available at Safari Gate at Suntec City Mall Tower 5 (stop at MRT Esplanade or MRT Promenade). Or you can use SAEX bus hop from some stop point, just choose which area you want to start. (http://www.saex.com.sg/). Just watch out the bus schedule.

We have to wait for a while before the Night Safari open, and there's a cafetaria, name Bongo, where we can eat and sit while waiting. While waiting, I bought Bongo Fries and mineral water.

At 18:45, there's a show in the outside the gate. You can enjoy it first. Then at 19:00, the gate is open. I booked the ticket online because there's discount 10%. You can buy it at http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/. You can used the ticket 29 days from the date you choose.

At 19:30, there's a show. I suggest once you came here, watch the show first. Don't forget took Night Safari Brochure. Once you entering the Night Safari Gate, just turn right and follow the "show" sign. No flash for camera, so just set your ISO to the highest.

The show took approximately 15-20 minutes. Once you finished, then you can queue to rode the tram. The tram queue available in front of Night Safari Entrance. You will see a lot of people queue in there.

You can enjoy the night scene with the animal environment while rode the tram.

The tram ride took almost more than 1 hour. Once we finished, we decided to go back to hotel. I suggest we used SAEX bus, which will take schedule at 21:45 to Lavender. So we buy the ticket, and waiting at the bus station.

It took approximately 30 minutes to Lavender. And it stop right the opposite of V Hotel Lavender.

Time to take a rest for the next day. Good Night..