Driving Out of Town @ Chuseok 2014 (part 2)

 

The scenery just awed me....we're dumbfounded by the sheer simplicity of the scenery.

First, thanks to the 'NO'other (close) cars visible right in front of us. 

The trip to Gangneung was incredible. We're on trip with the radio crews of Indonesian Open University for a membership training..

gosh..that scenery...was simply stunning. I could imagine that it would've been way much prettier in autumn. 

The bright day...really helped up boost our energy.
We're pumped up to enjoy the trip. 

Safe driving, mas Khoirul. *peace* 

Now..let's take some selfie while we're on the GO.

With Aries, my student, fellow friend, well.... 

We're really into this road-trip....^^ 

I guess..this is what I call a 180 degree change of life cycle. After weeks..or being 'squeezed in the city' we're finally on our way to enjoy the nature. 

Oh...what a gorgeous mountain that is.

Wonder how far that is from here. 

again...I already imagine it soaked on autumn leaves.

DMZ TRAIN (part 2)

DMZ Train or Demilitarized Train or 평화열차 (literally "Peace Train") in Korean. Prior to embarking on the train, Freya took a pose in front of the train. Judging from the exterior of the train..it surely is a tourist train that caters the need of everyone's imagination of what it'd be like to take 1.5 hour ride to the border of South-North Korea. 

Group picture. We're travelling with Mr. Nugroho and his family who happens to be in Seoul for a 3-week visit. This is our treat to take them to the trip into one-and-only place on earth where one nation divided into two. 

Since our family has not been to the DMZ as well, I think it'd be a good chance for the kids to learn one or two about Korean history as well. So...that's why we booked 8 tickets!!! Oh, it turned out that the train was full of kids with parents...or parents with the kids...with the same intention as I did have I suppose? 

There are three compartments with different themes: Love, Peace, and Harmony.

This is Love-themed compartment where we had our seats. 

The television above displays real-time view of the upfront view of the locomotive so as to give its passengers the live-show of where the train was heading. 

The interior of the train was really packed with everything: photos of mostly historical events related to the South-North Civil War, current development of Korea, the Korail itself, or...sentences with the same message: Peace Loving Harmony??? in various language...of course Indonesian language is included. But...I found Javanese, too. 

Just look at the floor!!! Isn't it cool?

I mean..we would be pampered with bright and colorful displays of interior dexterity(?) that would be likable or distasteful for some. Well, it depends. But as for me..

it's wickedly designed to keep the passengers guessing and keep on talking about it. 

Dilapidated Train @ Children Grand Park

It's the first time ever we went to Children Grand Park via its rear entrance. We usually visit this place through the main gate, so when we went there and found out that the rear entrance offered something else...I felt elated. 

One of the things was that there was this dilapidated (well, not really) or worn out train used in the 1950's. The fact that the train (locomotive and its compartments) is placed just like that...seemed to be unbelievable. The corroded machine due to the changing weather must have taken effect onto it, though. 

well, ..that's what makes it even more tempting to look at.  

What a great way to look at this old train, right? 

The old and worn out train seemed too cool to overlook. 

so. I dared myself to get on top of it.

I didn't see any sign of 'no trespassing' or any sort of warning..so I might as well get on it.^^ oops. 

I love trains so much that I couldn't help myself not to jump and sit on it:)

sorrrrryyyyyyyyyy. But I didn't do any harm, swear. 

okay, let's go, gals.

Sorry to have made you wait...^^

Dongmyo 동묘앞 station: What's in there? (part 1)

Got about an hour or two before my Friday prayer so I might as well take a stroll along the familiar station that I pass almost on a daily basis. (almost).

Yes..Dongmyo Station--which is famous for its knick-knack stuffs or second-hand stuffs sold cheap. Broke cheap, in fact.:) 

So...I was surprised to find this...wait..is this the one I had in mind?.

to some extent, it is. 

The autumn foliage still lingered on the trees at the Dongmyo Shrine (located next to the exit 3 of Dongmyo Station line 6). 

Okay, it's around 9.30 am so practically not many people were visible, let alone the opened shops that usually do their business.

now let's enjoy the contrast between the left and right sight of the street. 

A close-up rendition of what the wall really looked like. The pedestrian/walking path was not crowded. Even, just one ajumma was visible walking down on it.

After noon, this place is surely packed with lots of people and street vendors.

Garden of Morning Calm (Part 3)

We went up to the stairs.... 

and viewed some parts of the park or garden. 

wished the whole trees at the back had already turned colors...-:) 

but, okay...at least we've been here. 

a panoramic view of the park. 

a zoomed picture of a park down there. we're already at the top of the stairs... 

a cool color, eh? 

These are the stairs we climbed up to. 

Freya, as usual, couldn't stay still and she'd rather go around by herself.

... 

and..looking back into the view.

Seoulland (part 5): The 2nd Ride for the Kids

Freya and Auntie Ulfa...were holding tight on their seat as the ride began. 

Freya....wait...wait....  

Gazi and Eyra looked thrilled and excited. 

Freya, too. 

wait...was she scared?"-) 

OOps... 

right..then the canopy's rolled up. 

then...the backward move began....

Seoulland on Hangeul Day (part 1)

Yes, Hangeul Day is a national holiday starting from this year on. I learned that it used to be a national holiday 23 years ago. Anyhow...since it is a national holiday, we wanted to make the best of this day. Where were we off to?

Seoulland.!!! 

It's the kids' third visit. But, of course, they never get bored of it. How can they be bored if all is wonderland for them?

Eyra and Gazi: they're inseparable during the whole-day tour. 

Now came along Freya to join the club.

They're ready to explore the fun in the park. 

But...before that...we had a lunch picnic at one corner of the park.

Opened up all the prepared food from home. 

Well, thanks 'mommies' for having prepared all of these.