Snow sledging at Seoulland

Winter would not be complete without any snow-related outdoor activities.
And..this belief had ticked us into the doorstep of Seoulland~one of Korea's theme parks available near Seoul.
It was in January and the snow was at its peak!
We had a concession tickets for foreigners and that was a great advantage for us. We just needed to pay 10,000 Won each. Well, what d' ya' know....the daily pass was usually 33,000 Won.
Woah..what a treat!

 So, we went there with whole family and friends.
The first thing first: snow-sledging....: the first must-do activity for the kids.....and their Daddy..and her Mom, too^^
Yes...the view was nice from up above the starting point--as seen on the pics.
Eyra was so excited that she kept insisting on doing it many many times. She never felt tired or ...let alone...got bored of first-ever snow-sledging.
Well......it was a good thing that she eventually could manage to do it by herself....
First, we got to be with her....and..then....she just enjoyed the whole fun-time experience alone....to her heart's content.
As for us, we were just enjoying what Seoulland had to offer.
Seoulland is not that far from Seoul. Just taking a blue line, it would take about 20 minutes or so from downtown Seoul.












Once we got there.....it would be like we were not in Seoul again..since it was surrounded by the hills and  lakes around it.
worth-visiting place? yes.
In fact, we are already planning on going back there again in Spring, this April.
The tickets are already in hands. ^^

Swimming during Winter?

Why Not.!
and..that's what exactly what our family did last February at Vivaldi Resort.

Eyra and Freya were excited!! They were already in their swimming suit...as soon as they woke up.^^

It was at first...too good to be true...but as things got clear...I got the idea as where we could enjoy the comfort of swimming in Winter.
It was an indoor water park with warm water!
Now I remember all of the ads I saw on the subways which depict the two-worlds that Vivaldi Park has to offer. People can do both skiing and swimming at one place.










I guess..the better route would be: just do your skiing first, and then end your day with swimming in hot or warm jacuzzi inside the Ocean World...which lies next to the Skiing resort.
What a nice offer it has!












So, Eyra and Freya could not resist the temptation of having to feel the warm water inside this magnificent indoor water park.

I guess...in summer it would not be this special...but, since it was WINTER...it became so memorable!!!

Here is the main gate of the Ocean World!
See the banner? It's a Ski World + Water World in One place.

Cheongnyangni at Daylight

 

It was the maiden trip to Lotte Mart and Lotte Dept. Store and its Toys R Us Store at Cheongnyangni station—which was just about 15 minute ride by Metro from our home. The first day out for the family afterwards was.....taking them to the nearest Mall—apart from sightseeing, it was also meant to do shopping on the house utensils: especially those we need to fill up the house...^^. We did buy some stuffs there. It was good that we found what we needed there.

The kids loved the first trip in Seoul despite the fact that it was freezingly cold for tropical people like us. ^^. But hey...it was fun to have this one Day out.  The big Pine xmas tree stood up right in front of the dept. store highlighted the spirit of being there. Well, the nuance itself was enough to make us feel that Winter season did set in in the neighborhood.  With the bright yellow and orange winter jackets that our daughters were wearing, we were like smoothering the spots on the vast lane of the yard where the tree stood. The huge black hole or ( I’m sure what that was) whatever-it-might-be was another center point that attracted our attention.  Till now..I do not know what that was.
Lots of pics were taken. Most ( all ) of them were taken by our dearest friend, Wawan who accompanied us along the way.

Exploring & Traveling with friends

Traveling in Korea by car with friends. What better way to explore the wonder of this natural beauty but by car. Of course, traveling with train with all of its advantages would give different taste of experiences. But, traveling by car would give more advantages like....stopping over some place nice....stopping over again...to take pictures....stopping over again in some place we think nice to take a rest...stopping over again to have some snacks.....etc etc.
So, I am blessed to have Korean friends who ask me to go around Seoul and its surrounding areas. Well, so far...it was our first trip together. And..I hope that we will have some more exciting trips along the way when I live in Korea.
Apart from studying, exploring Korea by traveling to other parts of the country would surely help me appreciate this country. I know..it takes time and MONEY....but....I do hope that I can manage both world (study and travel) wisely.
I cannot just stay at home........
I got to travel and explore...........

A reminiscence of Chuncheon ...

Still another recollection of what I'd felt when I was in Chuncheon dam.
I think I would never be bored of posting and recollecting what I'd experienced when I visited this place.
Judging from what I saw...I have already made a plan of coming back there when the snow has covered all of the mountainous area surrounding this beautifully landscaped lake...
I could barely imagine what it may look like during Winter when the snow blankets those mountains....or hills...or whatever they are. ^^

One thing for sure...it will surely be giving me an ethereal impression of being in an other worldly landscape.

Even with this picture, I could never stop imagining it as the naturally wondrous sites as those in Scotland. ^^ :) I may sound to boisterous?


I've never been to Scotland myself...but I just saw it on pictures...
.....but....believe me...when I was right here in Chuncheon dam...I felt like being in one of those Scotland's lakes. Interesting, eh?

Guava Harvest time

It was another weekend for the kids back home. While I was also on my weekend right here in Korea during the shivering cold weather in Winter, my kids were having the warm weather:) What a different world it is.
 I saw through the pictures of my wife's Picasa's blog that the whole family was going to a village where they could just buy as many guavas as they like--with much more cheaper price than that at the market. I am sure that they would never waste any chance of eating guavas.



Here they are.

As seen in the picture, Freya with her lamb toy was carrying a plastic-wrapped guava as soon as it was freshly picked from the tree. So was her elder sister, Eyra also with her lamb toy.

I bet they did have a great time 'harvesting' the guava. Hmm I wish I could just have one of those....
looks so yummy.

Tintin: at CGV world cup stadium

I was waiting for my friends who was watching the Korea-Saudi Arabia soccer game at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Since I was not into soccer, I tried to make the best of my waiting time by checking out what the Stadium had to offer. Well, it has a CGV cineplex. I think it cool.
So, off I went inside the theater only to find that I had to go out sooner, otherwise...I would end up myself watching movie---since I am a movie freak myself. It was a good thing that I could just catch up the yet-to-be release movies like Tintin: The Adventure of the Unicorn (?) I hope I get the title correct. So, here I was..
capturing the moving images projected on the huge wall at one side of the theater...
Well, I thought it was one of the coolest ways to attract as many viewers as possible of what they have to anticipate in the coming weeks.
Oh, the interactive menus were also projected on the wall that people could play along what the movie has in store...
Look at the people in front of the projection...
they were busy enjoying the interactive menus...themselves.
As for me.....nope..I might as well shoot (capture) the moment like this.

Namu Geuneul Park 나무 그늘 Park

Nasi Goreng ...and its simply fresh salad

It is a name of a restaurant specializing in a fusion food combining Korean food and those of Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesian food.

with Ms Lia, and
 Mrs. Park (the owner of the restaurant)

So, I went there for some occasion.
It was actually a too-good-to-be-true kind of chance since I was actually accompanying Ms. Lia in search of a human-related or human interest program.

ready to dig in.....

I do not need to tell what it is but the thing is.....
I had a greaat time being one of the informants
for the program.
like this one..
I would never have known it existed, had I not become a friend in need for Mbak Lia's program.

three sets of nasi goreng on the menu for us

So, shortly speaking, this so-called restaurant serves dosirak or bento or lunch box or any meal box ready to be made ....made to order....^^
the food is delicious since the cooks are from Indonesia and from Korea.
Even some cooks have had some experiences of working at Hyatt Hotel.

the front facade of the restaurant

Yesterday (November 26, 2011), I went to two of the restaurants at Gangnam area in Seoul.
Nasi goreng.....yippiee....it's spicy sea food fried rice...with the touch of Indonesian flavor.
It does indeed taste different from the Korean fried rice or bokgeumbab.
It is simply dazzlingly delicious.

the decorative touches of the restaurant

And..I also learned that some Korean artists
living in Gangnam area also love this fried rice...and other Indonesian-food inspired lunch box.
I loved it.
So, in case anyone wonder where to go.....
just simply click the following site:  www.foodstyling.co.kr

Another restaurant: the headquarter

You will find arrays of meals.
Check out the star food. ^^
But, the site is in Korean, but for those who cannot read Korea's Hangeul...pls. enjoy the picture of the meal being offered there.

At the Winter Dawn

Winter Dawn?

I think it's too late to call it ' Winter Dawn' coz the pictures themselves did not somewhat reflect the weeny breezy dawn that it may suggest.
Instead, the pictures show the bright color of Winter (minus the snow, of course).
So, what I mean by the 'dawn' of the winter is exactly what it is. Minus the snow, the winter sets in Korea in the midst of November.









The light pale blue sky mesmerized the windy day...
The barren leaves and trees were left stranded as if...
no one would ever care....

But....

the wisdom of winter tales are about to embrace
another story of what nature has in store
for them
to be...

We were lucky to be take a bit of any chance to capture the moment...
otherwise we might just pass it by...

Wintering Autumn (?)

 These pictures were taken when we were just about to leave Dumulmeori--yes, it's still in the same place that I've been talking about in my previous blog. We were leaving the place when a deserted set of chairs and a table under the shades of trees was visible. It just caught my attention since the heaps of fallen leaves from Autumn were just left stranded and untouched. I think it was meant to be that way so as to make it look natural as it could be. And it did.




Of course, we did not waste another golden moment of immortalizing the moment, the venue, the people a.k.a. ourselves inside the frames.

With the same angle and pose, we took turn to sit on the same chair and faced the camera that clicked and captured the moment.

The different color of Winter jacket we wore did give different effect into how the picture came up. And here are the results. I think Wawan in his brown jacket indeed went well with the background color; while Seonhee's red jacket gave somewhat a contrasting vivid color. As for me: it looked like I was invisible in the midst of Wintering Autumn....

Komodo Island, Indonesia

First of all I am so flabbergasted as to see what Komodo Island is all about.

anyway...the reason I am writing this is simply to thank you for having maintained one of the magical islands (Komodo Island, Rinca and their surroundings) to their present conditions up to now.

...I simply watched a program on Metro TV depicting Komodo Island . Gosh...it was so magical and seemingly unbelievable that those kinds of islands DO exist in our archipelago.

This is simply to assert that ..until I watched the program on Metro, I never realized that Komodo Island and its surrounding islands are Breathtaking. I am proud to have these island in our country, Indonesia .

As I watched the program, I never kept myself from imagining that I was exalted right into the island complete with its culture and astonishing views.

I was so speechless to see all of them on TV that in no time….I hooked myself into the net the following days, spending hours browsing the net just to know more about the island(s). It’s worth it.

I AM ASHAMED TO MYSELF….

I’ve been traveling to other countries and never have I been aware of what we have in our own country.

Now …..never have I  been so proud of being Indonesian as I watched the magical views on Komodo islands. It’s like a surreal picture to my mind.

Lately in KOMPAS and other national papers…we see that more and more countries are promoting their tourist destinations to Indonesians. Seeing the ads about our neighboring countries with their beautifully-made ads….often I keep thinking to myself  that surely they do have beautiful things to offer. BUT on the other hand, those kinds of ads really somewhat blinded me as to what is beautiful about our own country, Indonesia .

I am ashamed to realize that I’ve been unfair in judging my own country.

I should’ve known more than just Bali and Bali ..

I should’ve gone even further to the east….

Komodo Island and other islands in Komodo National Park sure do have something magical and unique to offer to all people over the world. Not only be attracting people to come but..simply by letting them know the existence of KOMODO islands is more than enough to –once again—let the whole world know…HOW beautiful Indonesia is.

I’ve been browsing through lots of homepages made by Indonesians and foreigners—mostly Westerners—who dedicated their homepages to KOMODO island and other islands around Komodo National Park .

Indeed they do depict that the existence of the National Park that all staffs are currently taking care of…REALLY WORKS.

Terima Kasih for being there.

ouww…one more thing:    YOU have a well-designed homepage. I mean: you do give full description on the project. I like the interactive menus and pics. too.

Home Plus: Food Stuffs to Bargain For

생활에 플러스가 됩니다 'We Become the Plus to Life'  or better yet...'we become the added value to your life' I think that is the meaning of Home Plus Slogan.
Yes, finally I went to Home Plus Korea.
After hearing so much buzz about this so-called Korea's used to be Tesco, I finally set my foot there.
For the past three weeks after my arrival in Seoul, E-Mart has been the so-called shopping destination for us, me as well. Well, it is relatively close from campus to walk there. As simple as that. And I think the prices are relatively cheap.
But then...I went to this Home PLus...after even my teacher mentioned that she preferred this latter department store.
I browsed on the net that it is still number two in terms of the number of stores in Korea, but it is keeping its pace with its first rival: E-Mart.
So, I stumbled upon the advertisement on how it cut lots of prices for last year's stocks. And..I went up there to check it out.
The thing was...I was thinking of buying Autumn or Winter clothes for my kids who are going to Korea this coming November. So, I got to buy some clothes for them.
I found out that the Store is organizing 50% off for their out-dated stocks. Well, as for me, it won't matter as long as they are in good condition.
Off I went to the nearest Home Plus store at Yongdo station, about 8 km away from where I live. Of course, I took the Metro to get there since from what I learned, this particular subway station has connecting door directly to the basement of the Store. Way to go.
----
It was about 3 pm and it was a bit cold, but then....I dared myself not to wear any thick clothes..but I did bring one though.
---
Upon getting off at the station I found this comparatively huge store.
It is good to know that it exists near (not that near) my campus.
----
I check out the first and the basement ...only to my amazement and awe....since I found lots and lots of cheap stuffs (well...cheap compared to other places in Korea, of course). I would never...never...never compare the prices with those of my country's.....since it will be still considered as EXPENSIVE!!! :)
So, with the Won in my pocket, I was skimming and scanning the whole floors from the basement to the 3rd floor where electronic stuffs are displayed.
---
After about 1 hour of sight-seeing, I could talk myself out...that it was okey to start shopping.
The first thing that came across my mind was how varied and inexpensive the vegetables and the food items being sold here. So, I bought two huge bottle of grape juice for only 2,600 Won. So it cost me like 1,300 Won each for the juice. What a bargain.
Then, I stumbled across the huge pile of snacks imaginable. It cost only 2,000 Won for any three kinds of snacks. As I thought that no other more intriguing stuffs going on, I came across the huge piles of choco pie that I love the most. Better yet.....it was only 960 Won each box that contains 12 pies. So, without further ado, I took two boxes.
Then...the temptation did not stop there....
I took a sweet curry with banana and corn syrup in it. It'll be delicious. Well, I haven't tried it, yet...then..of course. It was a bit like a compulsive shopping.
Indeed it was.
Then....I also took a kimchi as the appetizer to my meal, took Ottogi's mayonnaise that I like so much. I just found out that this particular thing cost only 1,900 Won, whereas I got to pay for as much as 2,400 Won at E-Mart. Hmm...it is a good bargain eh?
Let's see what I also bought in the food hall.

oh yeah...tofu. Yes, tofu is the closest thing to tempe that I miss so much.
It cost me about 15,000 Won to buy all of these stuffs.
Oh no...Oh yes....it was worth-it.
I need those stuffs since I like munching any snacks at night. LOL:)

Myeongdong: An Epitome of Extravagant Life

Since it was already Dhuhur time, I managed to perform the prayer under the shades of trees inside the village. I brought some papers of campus as the praying mats. It was a good thing that we always keep performing prayers wherever we were. Wawan, my friend, had the same idea, too. After performing the prayer in jamaah, we decided to go for lunch at Myeongdong which was only 20 minute walk from Chungmuro. Hmmm…walking again.  I think after being in Seoul for almost 2 weeks, I have walked a lot….which is good!

As soon as we arrived in Myeongdong, we were immediately submerged into the crowds and looked as if we were blended into the melting pot of people from across the globe. 

The gate where we got in already showed us that it IS a hype place to be and be seen.:)

                              
Lots of shouting store assistants who were luring the customers to get into the stores. All kinds of imaginable and unimaginable stores and restaurants are all poured into the seemingly epitome of human hedonism. 

Yes, right here in Myeongdong. It is a sheer extravagant life to behold and a feast to the eyes.

Judging from the pictures we took: we were into itJ.

Yet, we did not buy anything out of respect to our pockets :) 

We did enjoy the atmosphere there, though.

The fact that we were there was enough to make us think that...it is indeed a sight to see. I overheard lots of people talking in different kinds of languages overshooting the air that hangs over Myeongdong. No wonder, lots of major hotels, department stores are lined up in streets zig-zagging an area affectionately called the Ginza of Seoul.

So do you want to go there again, Suray? YOU BET I would !!!!!!! ;) 

Seoul Millennium Time Capsule (Part 8)

Seoul Millennium Time Capsule is located inside the complex of Namsangol Hanok Village.

To celebrate the 600-year anniversary of the appointment of Seoul as the capital city of Korea, a specially designed ceremony was held in 1994. 600 items representing Seoul and the lives of its citizens were buried in a capsule; the capsule is scheduled to be opened on November 29, 2394, which will be the 1000-year anniversary of the appointment of Seoul as the capital.

Interestingly, there were several mayors of other major cities in the World, including Jakarta, who attended the ceremony and signed a special note of congratulation to the city of Seoul. If I am not mistaken, the representative from Jakarta was Mr. Surjadi Soedirdja. 

Others came from Tokyo, Bogota, Paris, Istanbul, and other cities that have Sister City agreement with Seoul. Each of the mayor's words are carved on the cover of the time capsule as seen on the picture.

Hmmm…I wonder what the future people of Seoul would think about its city when they open the time capsule in the year 2394!!!! I think it is a great idea.!

Fact: Lots of CD, DVD, microfiche are stored inside the capsule. Even, an instruction  or manual on how to open the time capsule is also included. It sounds so science-fiction like, Yet..it is a fact. 

Namsangol Hanok Village <남산골 한옥마을> part 6

A Blend of Old and New, that would be how I describe it.

One striking visage that I would not definitely miss to catch was the contrasting view of blend between Korean high-rise buildings and its traditional ones.

That is all the more reason why I deliberately took these snaps.
Isn’t it captivating to be in the place like this?

Well, maybe not..for some. But, as for me, it was indeed a view worth-saving for. Simply loved it.

Namsangol Hanok Village <남산골 한옥마을> part 5

 I was eating the tteok that I got from the dorm while taking a rest in one of the houses. What is more intriguing than try pretending to eat the original tteok the way the nobles used to eat back then, i.e. right on the veranda of the house itself. Hmmm….

I don't know what flower it is, yet..I thought it was worth-capturing. Oh, t took me some time to take this pic since I got to wait until no one was around or passing through the gate...:) I did it anyway!!!









A better angle where I could shoot the rooftop as well. It was cloudy and drizzling. Wish the sky was blue!

After strolling along the relatively huge complex, I managed to take another pic of the house, too. I love the ones with flowers blooming that would unmistakenly represent the Korean traditional house.