Chilly Korea

On 28 Feb, our flight to Incheon Airport was delayed for more than an hour... & so our departure was on 29th, to be exact. Disappointingly, I didn't get to sleep much on board... just about 2 hours in total out of the 6 hours flight.

Upon arrival, we all changed into our long john & more layers of clothes. Then we set out for our 1st destination which would take about 3 hours on the road - Yongin Everland.

First contact with the cold winter in Korea. Everyone's so excited!

We're on the cable car.

Had fun at the snow slide!

In the afternoon, we made a short stop at Yeoju Premium Outlets. It's a place to shop for designers' goods but the prices weren't appealing at all. In fact we've the exact items in Singapore at lower prices.

Evening, we made our journey to Yongpyong, where we're going to ski the following morning. Before reaching the ski resort, we rented our ski suits (that's included in the package) & goggles. That was when the first round of snow welcomed us! Snow flakes were falling down... just like what we saw on TV! But it'd already stopped when we left the ski shop.

Then had dinner at a Korean restaurant which was just minutes away from the resort. It's past 8pm & all of our luggages were still in cold storage underneath the coach. Just when we're done with dinner, we're greeted by the 2nd round of snow. This time, it's heavier and lasted much longer. Every one of us behaved like kids... prancing in the snow & of course, busy snapping shots.

Our Korean tour guide said we're lucky to be seeing snow at this time of the year. Hee.



It's still snowing when we reached Yongpyong Ski Resort, one of the most popular ski resorts in Korea and was also one of the 3 finalists vying for 2010 Winter Olympics (ultimately missed out to Vancouver).

After settling in our room, hubby & I went out... wanting to take a walk in the snow & to get some items too at the supermarket on ground floor (in the same premise).

See how much snow hubby had collected after a 5-min walk?

Thought we're the only ones who sneaked out but wrong. Met many of his colleagues when we're back at the hotel lobby. And the hotel's back door led us to the beautiful sight of the snowy slopes as the resort was located right within the ski sites.

2 slopes behind us. It's -3°C! Brrrr!

Originally a walk together had turned into a snow fight! Haha.

Thawing frozen noses with heat pads.

The traditional Ondol living.

Just checked out... in our ski suits. Leaving for breakfast soon!

Getting ready for skiing!

Not everyone took part & not everyone enjoyed it. But hubby & I had a blast! I didn't expect myself to enjoy this sport:) Too bad the session was too short.. only about 3-4 hours. Hubby & I were starting to master the skill (of braking without falling) & I totally loved the feel of gliding on the snowy slope! It was a pity that I didn't get to enjoy for long as I was totally exhausted. The shoes were heavy, so were the ski. My limps couldn't summon any strength at all to even bring the gear back. My poor hubby, who's also drained, had to carry my as well as his skis back.

But it's a very good experience ;)

Leaving Yongpyong.

Having a toilet break at this place called 38th Parallel (三八线), a very significant part in Korean history. The ground we're stepping on previously belonged to North Korea. There used to be a border here separating North & South Korea. At the end of the Korean War which was 55 years ago, S.Korea possessed this part of land with help from the US but also lost partial territory in the Northwest to N.Korea.

Mount Sorak. 1,708m above sea level.
It's North Korea at the other side of Mount Sorak.

A long cable car ride of 1.2km to the top (black arrow).

A quick pic before the cable car took us up...

Magnificence of the snowy Mount Sorak behind me

We climbed to almost the peak! Not an easy journey as the way up was sandy & slippery. And boy, the wind could blow us away!

After dinner, our tour guides threw in an additional itinerary - Daepo Port, where there's a popular fish market at night.

Hubby enjoyed the local snacks from street side stalls with colleagues. I was too full to munch anymore.

Had a great time at Daepo Port

Much better accomodation on 2nd night. And the place was big... with 2 rooms.

We've reached Seoul finally!
@ Myung Dong... like Orchard Road in Singapore

The guys were getting a cuppa. Hubby & I like the Green Tea Latte. Nice!

Oh yes, it snowed again once we reached Seoul. :)

It's a day of shopping. After Myung Dong, we're driven to Dongdaemun. But things sold there were expensive from somewhere that looked like Far East Plaza. We would have to pay at least S$60 for a simple top. I only bought a necklace there.

Sinchon, another shopping venue.

Hubby bought 2 tops here:)

I began to feel unwell in the afternoon, while at Dongdaemun. Felt feverish. At night, we had Ginseng Chicken for dinner & I vomitted everything after that. Nearly couldn't make it to the room & I dirtied the whole vanity top. Took a rest after popping 2 panadol tabs... didn't even wash up & change. Poor hubby cleared the mess I created & took care of me. It could be a coincidence that I didn't wear thick enough that day & caught a cold. He washed our long john the night before & hanged them in the balcony instead of placing them indoor (heat from heater). It wasn't a wise choice as the morning dew had added on to the dampness. Hubby blamed himself for not listening to me but really it wasn't his fault. I am TOO weak. He didn't wear his too but he's alright. Thank God. After resting for an hour, I only had the energy to get up & wash my face. Hubby was so sweet to have gotten everything ready for me. My whole body was aching but I couldn't differentiate whether it's due to the fever or the after-effects from my ski session.

The next morning, I felt a lil better. But I think the fever made me lethargic as I kept dozing off on the coach & consequently, I didn't visit the Korean Ginseng shop while the rest did. But I was told I didn't miss out anything.

After some sleep, I was well enough to walk around Gyeongbok Palace, with an interesting past.

Around noon, those who extended had a free ride to the hotels we moved to (for our extension) while the other coach drove the rest to the airport. Majority of those who extended stayed in a small hotel conveniently located in Myung Dong. Whereas hubby & I chose an apartment, Fraser Place, near Namdaemun.

It's a very nice apartment with spacious living room & bedroom.

We felt we lived like the young & affluent Koreans whom we always see in the Korean dramas. Hee!

Interestingly, where we stayed for the first night was like a duplicate of a humble home. Second night's was better... newer & more spacious. Then, our luxurious home of 3 days.

In the afternoon, we walked to Namdaemun, the famous night market. Lotsa yummy local snacks along the street!

While trying to find our way back, we accidentally reached Myung Dong & realised it's actually not far away from our apartment!

The next day, I rested for most part of the day & hubby kept himself busy with the laundry. Thanks to him, we didn't need to do much washing when back. We only went out past 3pm.

It snowed again, for the 3rd time, during our stay in Korea. :)

Went back to Sinchon & then Myung Dong as I wanted to shop for cosmetics. No clothes for me, not at all, for this trip. Like to shop for my stuff leisurely.. which was why I couldn't get anything when we're there in a group previously. That's why I say hubby's my best shopping mate as he's always so patient.:P See, I still wanted to shop though I was quite ill... wouldn't want to waste our trip there. I would say the biggest attraction gotta be cosmetics & beauty products of certain brands. We paid less than half of the prices tagged here! Eg. my Skinfood B.B. cream.. I paid less than S$20 there.. & those from The Face Shop.. Missha.. Beauty Credit.... Also bought a range of B.B. cream from another Korean brand - Etude House.. too bad this chain store isn't available in Singapore.
So, I bought A LOT.

While I pampered myself with shopping, hubby gave himself more treats of the local snacks... hehe.

Having breakfast on the day of departure.
I looked sick right?

Besides offering a comfortable stay in their apartment equipped with very modern facilities, one big plus point of this serviced apartment is the convenience in airport transfer & it's cheap. We're told that normal taxi would cost us approx S$120 but this airport limo, which's less than a 3-min walk from where we stayed, only cost us a total of S$25. :)