Life Essences

South Korea - Day 5

The usual morning routine where I gathered my well rest body and head towards a restaurant outside for breakfast, but this time, it leans more to a western buffet than the usual Kimchi type. Things turns out to be fine with everything which is well being digested now. 

The day starts off with a great shopping and product testing experience in The Face Shop, especially for me, with all the major pimple problems I am encountering, I seek some advice and manage to pick a thing a two. I also managed to get myself some products to prevent from further irritation caused from my pimples and acne.

I was later transferred to Myeongdong to start our second session of shopping for the day and managed to hunt some quality, branded and cheap goods. I has also bought some extra souvenirs in case of being questioned about my spendings and whereabouts in Korea. We manage to really get some really dirt cheap but good quality Uniqlo shirts here.

The later was brought to watch a jump show which cracked up laughters in abundance as it was a martial art comedy based. We then headed back to the same hotel for rest and packed everything to transfer out from our hotel to the airport to Jeju Island. 

That is all for today readers! I am really tired with all the walking and is in desperate need to sleep!

Night guys! 

South Korea - Day 4

Here I am again guys! Sharing with you the best of all from Korea’s experience!


Today I woke up early at Dragon Valley Hotel which is opposite the famous Kiss Cafe from the romantic drama “Winter Sonata”. Today was of fun and relaxing, and my itinerary begun with a 3 hours themed park visit at Everland!

Perhaps you may say I am a failure in themed parks, because of my good boy nature? =p. Of course, this time with my mom’s permission, I finally got to sit my first ride on a roller coaster. =) Fun of course, and looking forward for another ride perhaps in Malaysia or another country where I may visit soon. =)

We enjoyed the ride which took a wait for about 1 hour and 30 minutes before the ride and visited many places around the park, however, due to time constrain, we immediately reached back to our meeting point and headed off for another good fun laughing session.

No other than other side dishes, Kimchi has always been an important side dish to the Koreans and it has always been a question as to how to make one? After having a good fun time in Everland, we proceeded to a workshop to learn how to make Kimchi. Making kimchi requires a lot of patience, and today there are more than 200 kinds of kimchi. We started doing the basic type of Kimchi and had a lot of laughter and enjoyable times together.

We then proceed to traditional costume photo session. I actually wanted to pick an officer’s clothing, but the assistant tour guide told me the rank was not high enough and kept asking me to pick a king’s costume. We cracked some laughters, and at last I listen to his advice and took some awesome pictures.

After all that fun factor, we transferred to the famous Dongdaemun for shopping! Haha, for this part, would like to share that I just bought a new set of informal suit for a cheap price! There were lots of things regarding about fashion there! No wonder the Koreans are always at their best looks! There’s really a wide variety of clothes at cheap prices!, must go for all who come to Korea! 

Of course, after all those tiresome activities, we returned to hotel for the night.

That is all for today, more to come tomorrow!

Night world! =) 

South Korea - Day 3

Day 3 of the event is perhaps the most eye-opening and interesting day so far through my vacation for a total of 9. The itinerary unfolds as such,

Starting as early as 6 in the morning, we packed our luggages and had our breakfast in the hotel before proceeding to Mount. Seorak; the most famous mount in Korea. Breakfast was of simple hotel buffet but was very filling. With a bloated stomach and high spirits, we rode the bus and proceed to the Seorak National Park.

Through a rough 30 -45 minutes ride, we arrived at the Seorak National Park and thundered our way down the bus to amaze the beauty of mother nature and the Korean culture. Photo snaps were of no exception as our flashes begin to blind people. We queued for the cable car, to reach a certain point on the mountains. 

Arrived at the destination, we (capable individuals, incapable individuals were requested to wait at the destination) set our journey onwards to reach the peak of Mount. Seorak. The road to the peak had some challenges including steep rock trails and strong winds blowing in with the cold weather. We embraced ourselves and managed to conquer the peak of Mount. Seorak. We returned to plain lands soon, and began exploring the surrounding environment of Mount. Seorak

We then boarded the bus and depart from Mount. Seorak to a workshop to make home-made cheese! It was easy to make it, but seemingly it doesn’t have a single cheese smell nor milk smell. However, the cheese made was later served with nachos and red wine.

We boarded the bus once again and headed for a hydro massage spa, which I encountered quite an eye-opening culture shock (Want know more? See me personally when I’m back. It’s very unpleasant to hear) Anyway, the spa was really good and relaxing despite the culture shock, a must-try for those out there! 

Well, of course. Relaxing means sleep. Where? Dragon Valley Resort, this is where I get the chance to access the internet to write today’s experience.

Goodnight everyone!  Time to bed!

(Specially for me: I was remembering this day to be my brother’s birthday and he always strive hardship with a smile, it sparked and motivated me and I told to myself that I should challenge this hardship, if not for me, then for my brother’s. So with this courage implanted in me, I achieved success in conquering the peak of Mount. Seorak. Thus and therefore, I’ll like to share credit to my brother, Chong Kok Ian, because this achievement belongs to him. Thank you bro!)

South Korea - Day 2

* Sorry for late post, internet connectivity is limited in Korea*

Morning came and we arise from our beds, it was time for an adventure starting of with a tour around the hotel we had where we cuddle in fear of cold. 

The itinerary first started off with a breakfast buffet at a local restaurant which serves oriental & thai style food. Followed by the breakfast, we packed up and travelled to the ice gallery where its visitors are given a chance to mould their mugs from ice blocks.

Later to that, we ventured into the ice gallery museum where beautiful sculptures made from humongous ice blocks set amazed our eyes,  admiring their beauty and the skills the craftsmen had laid in. Amongst all, a slide made from an ice block, where set laughter off as some of us slide through it.

The fun part of the ice gallery ended, with our departure to Deoksugung Palace, where its history lays back to a king which was outcast and ran to Deoksugung Palace for refuge. Our arrival was greeted with performance and photo shoot sessions with imitated royal officials. The atmosphere was exhilarating with people running to take picture with those that worn the royal suits and costumes which is filled with rich culture. 

The session ended, and we proceed within the palace to know more of its sentimental value. There, we knew about the gate door functions, courtesy, hall functionality and happens so we stumbled upon a tasty coffee, blended well with cinnamon powder and rich taste of smell for RM6 per cup, delicious. We then departed for lunch and transferred to Nami Island for a one day trip.

For those who know the famous romance Korean drama, ” Winter Sonata”. This is the island where the two famous actor and actress, shoot the scene including their first kiss. To its history and formation,Nami Island originally was a plain land and was not filled with rich tourist attraction. The now Nami Island, is formed by the building of a nearby water dam which diverge the water to flow within the compound; it was later popularized by the famous Korean drama which led to thousands of people visiting the island; especially for the love birds. Nami island was actually a tomb for a general warrior where he fled to protect his kingdom but died on Nami Island. His tomb still exist today as a place for memorial and part of the Korean tradition culture.

We experienced the rich culture of nature and art, soon in depletion of stamina, we waived goodbye and set for transfer from Nami Island back to our next hotel.

The day ends with exhaustion and we tugged ourselves into bed, waiting for the other day to amazed us again as dawn arise from its bed.