Jade Garden :: Day 04 :: South Korea Winter Escape Trip 6-15 January 2017

After eating lunch at Lotteria near Sangbong Station, then we continue to Jade Garden.

To go to Jade Garden, you have to ride subway and stop at Gulbongsan Station.

Arrive at Gulbongsan Station, there's a shuttle bus to go to Jade Garden.

Free shuttle bus time from Gulbongsan Station to Jade Garden:
- 10:45
- 11:45
- 12:45
- 13:45
- 14:45
- 15:45
- 16:20

The shuttle bus is free. It took about 30 minutes to go to Jade Garden Entrance. The ticket entrance fee is KRW 8.500/pax.

Don't forget to remember the time to go back, never missed the shuttle bus or you have to ride taxi. And I think you need to wait for a while.

Jade Garden Natural Aburetum 제이드가든 수목원 created under the theme of "Small Europe in the Forest," is located near Jade Palace Golf Club on a plot of land measuring 160,000 square meters. The 24 distinctively-themed areas in the garden boast a total of 3,000 plant species including rhododendrons, maple trees, irises, and blueberry bushes as well as patches of thick, natural forests. The arboretum makes the most out of its natural valley topography and presents visitors with a mix of tidy gardens, graceful flowers, and an array of European-style architecture.

For the convenience of guests, Jade Garden operates a Tuscan-style visitor’s center where patrons can enjoy a simple snack or beverage and purchase souvenirs. Visitors may choose from three different walking courses (each 2 hours in length) around the arboretum and a gardening program is also available for aspiring gardeners.

Credit: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1634478

Famous of film locations from:
- Movie "You Are My Pet (2011)"
- Drama "Love Rain (2012)"
- Drama "Full House 2 (2012)"
- Drama "That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013)"

Open Time: 09:00-Sunset (18:00~19:30) (* Last admission is 1 hour before closing)

On Winter, the weather is really cold eventough there's no snow. Maybe because it's located near the north.

So you need to wear extra clothes if you want to go on winter. Even there's nothing we can see in here.

We meet some Indonesian Tourists in there.

There's a small cafe in the middle of the garden. We buy hot chocolate (KRW 4.500) because it's too cold. It's a pity, the staff is so rude. Maybe because it's too cold :D

After finished walking around, we decided to go back to Gulbongsan Station by free shuttle bus. The time is:

- 10:20
- 11:10
- 13:10
- 14:10
- 15:10
- 16:10
- 17:10



Part 1: Suwon to Seoul
Part 2: 10 Guesthouse
Part 3: Lotteria Sangbong Station
Part 5: Lighting Festival Garden of Morning Calm

=======================================================

Expense for 9th January 2017
- T-Money: KRW 10.000

- Lunch at Lotteria: KRW 4.950
- Jade Garden: KRW 8.500
- Hot Chocolate: KRW 4.500


Sub Total: KRW 27.950 (= IDR 349.375)

=======================================================

Flight Ticketing+Accomodation+Visa: IDR 5.390.349,5

6th January 2017: IDR 8.329,5

7th January 2017: IDR 544.633
8th January 2017: IDR 356.250
9th January 2017: IDR 349.375

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total: IDR 6.648.937 (include transport + eat #food, snack, drink#)

Lunch at Lotteria near Sangbong Station :: Day 04 :: South Korea Winter Escape Trip 6-15 January 2017

Once we put our luggage, we go to Jade Garden. Why we wants to go here? Because, at night we wants to go to Garden of Morning Calm. And Jade Garden happens to located near the location.

We decided to eat lunch while go to Jade Garden.

From Gongdeok Station, we take Gyeongui-Jungang Line (tosca), to Cheongnyangni / Hoegi / Jungnang / Sangbong / Mangu to transfer to Gyeongchun Line (tosca).

I use google maps, to looking for fastfood near the subway. And I found Lotteria near Sangbong Station.

We order 2 combo with price KRW 9.900.

this is so yummy

Crispy Chicken

Shrimp

Part 1: Suwon to Seoul
Part 2: 10 Guesthouse
Part 4: Jade Garden
Part 5: Lighting Festival Garden of Morning Calm

=======================================================

Expense for 9th January 2017
- T-Money: KRW 10.000

- Lunch at Lotteria: KRW 4.950


Sub Total: KRW 14.950 (= IDR 186.875)

=======================================================

Flight Ticketing+Accomodation+Visa: IDR 5.390.349,5

6th January 2017: IDR 8.329,5

7th January 2017: IDR 544.633
8th January 2017: IDR 356.250
9th January 2017: IDR 186.875

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total: IDR 6.486.437 (include transport + eat #food, snack, drink#)

Yeouido Park > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 10 (6) - 2014 October 17 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

Next I went to Yeouido Park. Yes, it's only me, because my friend is sick and she said she go back to guesthouse first to take a rest.

Yeouido Park is a large recreational area located on Yeouido Island in the central part of Seoul. It was once originally covered with black asphalt, and people frequented the place for bicycling and roller-skating. The construction began in 1997, and opened officially in February 1999. It is now the place where many people in the city come to rest and enjoy strolling around, play sports, and cultural events.

The park is divided into theme-based sections: the Traditional Korean Forest, Grass Square, Culture Square, and Nature’s Ecosystem Forest. In the Traditional Korean Forest, only traditional Korean trees are planted, and it has a pond and an octagonal pavilion, with a trail walk that completes the feel of an elegant Korean garden. Grass Square has a low hill, with grass field and various trails, and nearby there are evergreens and deciduous trees to reflect the changing of the seasons. Many performances and events are held at the Cultural Square, and because there are many zelkova trees lined up nearby, it is a great place to rest. One particular part of the park that is most enjoyed is the Nature’s Ecosystem Forest – it is where you can observe nature and learn from an ecologically sensitive pond and forest, right in the middle of the city. Composed of a swamp area, waterline area, grassland area, and a forest, you can observe various kinds of life forms living in these areas.

One of the must-see areas is the Yunjunro Street, behind the National Assembly Building. This place is famous for having the loveliest cherry blossom street in Seoul. Cherry blossom trees, 30 to 40 years old, line up for about 6km, and is very popular in the spring.

Credit: Visikorea

Once out from the station, we can see the 63 building

Yeouido Park

Yeouido Hangang Park

It's a nice evening to enjoy the park. Maybe next time, I could come here with someone, and enjoy more of it's facility.

Yeouido Subway Station

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.

Phil House > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 05 (6) - 2014 October 12 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

16:02, we arrive at Seoul KTX Station. Then we go to our guest house first to put our luggage.

We stay at Phil House Guesthouse for 6 night, until the end of trip. The guesthouse located near Achasan Subway Station, so from Seoul Station, we take line 4 (aqua) to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Subway Station then transfer to line 5 (purple) to Achasan.

Seoul Subway

From Achasan Subway, go to exit 3 and the guesthouse only 1 minutes walk. If you take luggage, ignore the stairs and go to car park besides C&U convenient store. There's a lift in there.

I choose Phil House, because guest review. And I went there with my other 6 girl friends, so we take 8 dorm female (7 people pay for 8). It's cheap, only cost 12000 won/people/night.

The guesthouse is nice, just like home. There's a community room in there if you want to relaxing and get to know other's people. You can eat breakfast too in the community room.

Phil House Community Room

Phil House Website: http://www.philhouse.co.kr/index.html
Phil House Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Phil-house/263822597008820

You can make reservation at website. The Phil House staff will confirm your booking by email, then tell you how much you have to pay. Then pay the DP via paypal, and pay the rest when you are check-in. It's simple.

They will also tell you how to go there from Incheon International Airport. So don't worry.

There's a free guide tour for 1 day if you stay in there, just book first before you use the service. And also every 2nd and 4th Thursday Night, there's BBQ party in the community room.

They also open homestay in Dongdaemun, Myeongdong and Ewha. You can check it here.
Philstay : http://www.philstay.co.kr/

I recommend this guesthouse if you want to looking for budget stay. You can choose the room type and location based on your need. Don't hesitate to contact the staff for further information.

If you travelling less than 8 people, then just take common room like twin / triple / 4 people-room. The price is a little expensive but cheaper then others and also it's more comfortable because you don't need to share with others trippers.

Union Mall (ยูเนี่ยน มอลล์) (2) > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 13 (5) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

After eat the dinner, then we decided to shopping again at Union Mall. This time, we go there by BTS and MRT.

First, from BTS Siam, we go to BTS Mo Chit, the last station of BTS Mochit Line.
Then we exit from BTS station to go to MRT Chatuchak Market.

the view from bridge crossing

the view from bridge crossing

Today, is Thai people start to work after long weekend. So, it's traffic.

From MRT Chatuchak, we go to MRT Phanon Yothin.
Union mall was more crowded than when we first come here. Our first come was when Queen's Birthday celebration, so many people in Bangkok, went outside for vacation. Today, a lot of store were open.

After shopping for a while, then we go back to hotel. Today is the last day of the journey at Bangkok, Thailand.

Bangkok Mass Transit ~ Thailand

Don't worry if you go by yourself in Bangkok. The public transportation, especially the subway is so convenient.

There are two kind of subway,

MRTA Subway, which operated underground and BTS sky train which operated upperground. The ticket price is reasonable, and it's so easy to buy it.

Credit: http://www.bangkok.com/information-travel-around/mrt.htm

Web: http://www.bts.co.th/customer/en/main.aspx

Trip to Tian'An Men 天安门 & Forbidden City 故宫 # Beijing - China

Today, my friends Pramono, RW and Dede invite me to join them take a trip to Tian'An Men 天安门 & Forbidden City 故宫 *gugong*. It's only us four.

To go to Tian'An Men, you can ride subway, to Tian An Men station.

Once we came out from the subway, we will see Tian'An men Square. There's Mao Zi Dong's museum and also People's monumen.

2008, the Olympiade will held in Beijing. So, there's a countdown to the Olympiade time in the Tian An Men Square.

After take some photos at Tian'An Men Square, then we went to Tian'An Men Gate.

Then we enter the gate.

The main building has been renovated, for Olympiade preparation. So we can't see it.

Then we enter the Forbidden City 故宫 *gugong*. It cost RMB 120 for tourists. But for students, there's discount, and it only cost RMB 80 using Student Card 学生证 *xueshengzheng*. This is where the Royal Family stay. We can see some royal clothes, and utilities. And also some gift from other countries.

The Garden inside Forbidden City

Back side of Tian'An Men.

Website:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_City

After roaming around Tian'An Men, we go back to the dorm. One of our friend, Via, inviting us to dinner at her apartment. She will cook for us. So, we go there, and join the others.