South Korea Day 7 - Yongpyong Ski Resort + Seoul

Sunday, 23 February 2014

Our room temperature was so hot. We didn't know how to adjust the temperature, because the remote wasn't working. But it felt good. 

We woke up with happy feeling, because today we'd play with snow. As usual, the others ate cup noodle and I drank healthy milk, black bean milk ^^ After all of us was ready, we went outside. We didn't ski because none of us could do that, so it'd be dangerous. We decided to play snow sledge. 

When we arrived in ski area, we're shocked because it's damn cold, the temperature was -14. That's the lowest temperature we had experienced in Korea. 

lowest temperature we had experienced

The snow sledged area didn't open yet, so we took our time to see around the area and (of course) take silly photos. 

after we found great apps from Oci's camera

enjoyed the moment

inside the ski area, a place where we warmed up our body

After a while, the snow sledge area finally opened. We're their first guest, so we could ask the staff to take our pictures when we're sledging.

made memories with oppas, btw, the right side is quite handsome, haha ^^

actually, we wanted the staff to take our picture while we're up the hill

We tried the snow sledge for two times before we decided to get back to the hotel, checked out and went to Hoenggye Bus Terminal. We used taxi to get there. In Hoeggye Bus Terminal, we met the same high school student. So we had small talk with her and finally we took our commemorate picture. She is nice. She said she wants to improve her English by helping tourists like us.

that was her, thank you very much!!

Then we continued our journey to Seoul. Finally, the big city. We really couldn't wait...

We arrived in Dongseoul Terminal and it's a big station. At first, we thought that we lost again. Haha... because it didn't look like we're already in Seoul. In confusion, we asked the information center but they only gave us information through their hand gesture. Hahaha.. it's a big city and still few people can speak English. So, in confusion, we went out the terminal and because we're hungry, we came in to the first street food stall we saw ^^ We hoped that someone could tell us where to go ^^ I love street food, especially odeng ^^

Note:
From Dongseoul Terminal, cross the street to Gangbyeon Station. From Gangbyeon Station take Line 2 to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park (9 stops), change to Line 4 to Myeongdong Station (2 stops). 

After lunch, we continued our journey to Namsan Guest House where we stayed for 2 nights. When we checked in, I persuaded the staff so we could move from Namsan Guest House 1 to Namsan Guest House 2 ^^ Yeay, we did it... luckily there're available rooms for us, even the room was in 2nd floor and no escalator. This time, we also chose ondol type of rooms. 

We put all of our luggage and then directly went to the palace. When we arrived at the palace, it's already closed >_< So, we only had a chance to see the palace from the outside.

Note:
From Myeongdong Station take Line 4 to Chungmuro Station (1 stop), change to Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Palace Station (4 stops), entrance from Heungnyemun Gate.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Near the palace, there's King Sejong Statue. So we walked straight to the statue. It's really convenient to walk around Seoul. 

King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-Shin

We read that Cheonggyecheon Stream was not too far from King Sejong Statue, so we walked again. It turned out that there's demonstration around the stream. But there's nothing to worry about.

the stream condition in afternoon...

When we walked around the stream, we saw that there was Food Alley. So we went there because we're already hungry again ^^ We finally tried Korean Fried Chicken. It's so yummy. We also tried the roasted chestnut.

early dinner

After that, we went back to our hostel in Myeongdong area. Woaa.. we wouldn't regret all about our hostel, because the place is so strategic. It's near Namsan Cable Car and Myeongdong Market. For tonight, we separated in two groups, they who wanted to go to the market and they who wanted to see Namsan Tower. I was in the second group ^^ I thought how could I not go to Namsan Tower while I was there? 

Note:
From City Hall Station take Line 2 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (6 stops), change to Line 4 to Myeongdong Station (2 stops), walk towards Namsan Guest House to go to N Seoul Tower Cable Car.

We walked and walked and walked to Namsan Cable Car.. it's quite far. Then inside the building where we bought cable car ticket, there's a long queue. I forgot that it was Sunday, so many couple and family went there too. It made us wait almost 1 hour >_<

Namsan Tower at night, we couldn't take good pic, but that's OK

Finally, the long day was over. We went back to our hostel and really ready to get sleep. The other group was already in a room with shopping bags, haha ^^

Today's expenses:
- Snow Sledge 2X: 6.000 KRW

- Taxi from Yongpyong Ski Resort to Hoenggye Bus Terminal: 3.000 KRW

- Bus from Hoenggye Bus Terminal to Dongseoul Terminal: 14.500 KRW

- Check in Namsan Guest House 2: 50.000 KRW

- Dinner (Fried Chicken): 6.000 KRW

- Namsan Tower Cable Car: 8.500 KRW

- Snacks (Seven Eleven): 1.400 KRW