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naomimalikblr · 7 years

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Trip to South Korea

Day 1 (Incheon, Gyeonggi and Gangwon):

I’ve been planning this holiday since high school (but i know its really impossible for me). I love Korea (the culture, language, dramas, movie, variety show, actor and actress, not kpop) since i was a student in high school. In the first place, one of my friend introduce Running Man to me. Running Man is one of the famous variety show in Korea which began in 2010, and i started to watch and like Running Man in 2011. So, i began to know Korea from my friend through Running Man. Okay i think its enough to introduce all of you about how can i be a big fans of Korea, rite? Then, we can move on to the story about my trip to South Korea. Yeeeey!

It began when someday (i think on July, 2016) my mother came to my room, and said “why dont you go to some place in this holiday, my dear?”and i just answered “i dont have friends that i can go with”. But my mother still in my room like for few minutes. So, i asked “why you ask?”and shockingly, my mother answered “you can go to Singapore or Malaysia with your homie friends”. At that time, i thought my mother is just playing with me, but at the same time, i really worried about her. When my mother, finally went out from my room, honestly, i asked some friends about my mother gave me a chance to go to Singapore or Malaysia (oh, for your information, i never went abroad before even to Singapore or Malaysia). Because of that, what my mother offered is a worrisome thing for me. After that, i dare myself to asked my mother about can i go to South Korea, instead to Singapore or Malaysia? And guess what my mother said, she said OK. So, i thought that my dreams since high school turns to became a very big possibility for me.

On August 16, 2016, finally, i went to South Korea with a friend, her name is Shavira. Our flight at midnight with Korean Air. Oh, and i used a travel agent located in West Jakarta. My mother and my friend’s mother accompanied us to the airport. It took six hours from Jakarta, Indonesia to Incheon, South Korea. My activity when on the plane was watching She was Pretty on the plane’s television (which, i had been watching She was Pretty like a thousand time and i dont like the other recommendation on that television), and turbo’s song, Again (in korea “dasi”) accompany my trip too. One of the good thing happened when me and my friend on the plane was we met a handsome steward from Korea, or should i say, really handsome (and im fully of regret because couldn’t take a photo with him). Along on the plane, me and my friend always stared at him and i always thought like “why he didn’t become an actor, instead a steward?” my friend always bothered me if that steward walked toward us. She became insane. But im not making this up, that steward is really charming and attractive, like Song Jong Ki or Rain (i use name of popular korean actor that easyly heard as example) they are nothing compared to the handsome steward. And im gonna miss him so much, until now (kekekek).

After 6 hours in the air, i arrived at Incheon Airport. What i was remember when the plane still looking for the best spot to park, i used that time to saw everthing around the plane tracks. I also had steal time only to be silent and thought about all of the wonder that i felt at that moment. I felt peaceful and glad to be here.

When at Incheon Airport, my tour guide gave some briefing session to me and the other participant. But, i was too busy looking for an wifi connection (i didn’t sign up with some internet quota, because its really expensive and i thought that in Korea, especially, in South Korea, internet connections is too good). And i was RIGHT. When i had just arrived at the airport, my cellphone was already connected with airport’s wifi without any password needed. After briefing session, we straight to the immigration gate. When it was my turn to face-to-face with the immigration officer, honestly i felt scared. The officer looked at me sharply and yes it was make me scared. She looked clearly to compares between my passport photo and my face. And she didn’t smile at all. After, immigration stuff done, i was taking time to change my clothes and straight to parking lot and rode on one of the bus which had been waited for us.

At the bus, the tour guide from Indonesia introduce the other tour guide from South Korea, his name is Ahong. He can speak Indonesia very well. First impression of both of my tour guide is they are really funny and friendly person. They always made all of participant became one. Oh, and i really like all of the participant, and now, i miss them so much. Why? Because it was really weird, when you had just met new people or can i say stranger? You instantly feel so close to them. (i’ll tell about them slowly, step by step later).

During the process of introducing, i was hungry. Fortunately, before i went to the parking lot, both of my tour guide gave me some time to buy some snacks. I was looking for supermarket at the airport and bought 2 onigiri with chicken and fish flavor (because i don’t eat pork and there were many onigiri with pork flavor). So, i pulled out my onigiri from my bag when both of my tour guide was busy with their introducing session. At that time, i was really confused about how to open this food?! It was so complex package. I started to remember one of the korean drama which i’ve been watched, Cheese in the Trap. In that drama, female lead role teach male lead role about how to open onigiri, but i was completely forgot and that time i really need to remember about that scene, argh stupid. Because of that starving made me like going to die, i just ripped carelessly the damn package of onigiri and the result was the rice from onigiri spread all over my pants.

My first destination was Petite France. Located at Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. During the trip, i was just amazed by street view along Incheon. Incheon is quiet town and very, very, very clean town. At the same time, Ahong as my korean tour guide was teaching me and the other participant about some or simple korean language and money. Like, how speak thank you in korea (kamsahamnida), how ask about more food in korea (kimchi, juseyo), how we say love in korea (saranghaeyo) and others. After that, Ahong was told us the story about people in korea money. He let us know about why 50.000 won (which is the most big denomination in korea money and equals Rp. 500.000) has pictures a heroine, instead male hero. He said that because the president of South Korea at that time was female, Park Geun Hye. So, i became to know that the 50.000 won was recently released.

When arrived at Petite France, the weather was so hot (fyi, i went to South Korea when summer). Even when i was stepping out of the bus, the sun was really freakin me out. My eyes was sick even when i was just look at the streets, my skin felt burned inside and my sweat spilled everywhere. Its the best thing if i could just stayed at the bus, i wished. Fortunately, torture from the heat of Gyeonggi was worthy accepted. I should be grateful that i could came to Petite France, which is the shooting place one of the most korean drama, The Man who came from the Star. Petite France is full of house with french style. I walked up tired looking for the best spot for taking a photo. At the same time, i got new friends from the same travel agent, Irma and Yulia. We took turns to taking photos and i felt comfortable talking and chatting with them (and i was always with them when in Korea). I managed to take a photo with the statue of Kim So Hyun (male lead role from The Man who came from the Star) and Song Jong Ki (just popular korean actor and one of the best friend of Lee Kwang Soo = my love ^^). I was grateful eventhough it was just statue, because i took that photos in Korea, LOL.

I should wear my sunglasses, always, when i was at Petite France. I dont know why, but Petite France is the hottest place of all the other place i visited in South, Korea. When i felt i already have a lot of photos and sighseeing, my tour guide told that we should proceed the journey to the next destination, Nami Island.

When i arrived at the parking lot of Nami Island, me and the other participants decided to get some meal at a restaurant that near from the parking lot. I should say that when i went in to that restaurant i smelt something awful, like smell of dog, maybe? Because of that, i became less interested to eat, of course. But i was really love the place, it was like the restaurant that i often see in Korean Dramas. Like we, as customer should roast own flesh and the smoke will disappear through smoke filter right above the roaster. Menus of that day was meat, kimchi (as always), and seaweed soup. Mostly, the seaweed soup in Korea just serve when someone’s birthday (saengil), in Indonesia like ‘opor’ is the most important food to serve when day of Eid.

Because of so much happiness, i couldn’t stop smile at that time. I was still thinking about how can i be in this place, i mean, South Korea. And now, i could eat like korean people, put some meat on lettuce leaves, then add some chili sauce and devour all. So the taste would be amazing. I also was staring towards the other participants to see how they would react, is it the same with me, or its just me? I was kinda full because all of meat i’ve been swallowed. I thought i was being greedy because i never felt soft meat like that. I was not worried if i became fat. I was happy.

After meals, i went earlier than the other participants to the parking lot because my stomache was sick, and it was not because foods i’ve eaten, it was because my menstruation. I took my herbal medicine on the bus while looked for wifi connection, because wifi connection isn’t available at the restaurant. After a long wait (in a awkward situation with bus driver), the other participants finally came and we straight to the boat that would take us cross over to Nami Island. Me and my friend decided to take place the outside of the boat, so we could see the view of Nami Island from afar. When many people prefer to stayed inside the boat and cool their bodies, because honestly i felt burned, really burned inside my bodies when i was at the outside of the boat. Probably only about 5 minutes, we already arrived at Nami Island.

Nami island is an island that represents the four seasons in Korea. But, more famous because it was shooting place of the number one Korean Drama that made South Korea became famous in the eyes of the world (or i should say, big influence of korean style wave), the drama is Winter Sonata. The statue of lead role (Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo) is the most interesting spot at Nami Island. We were given a time of one hour to round the Nami Island by our tour guide. I saw many korean wearing short pants, and i was really envy with them. It was like i really want to take off my veil and throw it away, i felt burned inside. I felt dilemma at that time because the sun was forcing me to keep wearing sunglasses, while on the other side, i really want to see the view without sunglasses, but my eyes would get burned instead.

That place was filled with young couples and they were so cute. Certainly, Nami Island is a right place for couples, because the place is so romantic. Until now, im still hope that i can come to that place again someday with people i love.

We should walked a bit far from the gate of Nami until the statue of Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo. All of the spot in Nami Island was too good to taking photos. First, i decided to take photos in a famous spot where many trees lined so straight. I love walking in Nami Island, because the place covered in sand, instead of asphalt. I spoil my eyes with a calm feeling by saw all of the beautiful things in that island. Inside mind, I smiled and thankful.

After a long walk and tired enough, finally me and my friend arrived at the famous statue. But we should queuing with other visitors if we want to take photos. Honestly, i never could finish watching Winter Sonata. Because in my opinion, the drama was too melow and just full of sadness and i personally prefer quiet and cheerful drama than melow and sad one.

After success took a lot of photos with Bae Yong Joon (the male lead role of Winter Sonata), me and my friend get some rest on one of the benches near the creepy statue (like monster who give her son milk from the big breast). My leg got really hurt at that time, i thought it was because of my shoes which i used a heavy leather shoes. I used this break to chill my head also my bodies by stared into the sky and heard the melodious sound of the birds.

I felt reborn after take a break at that time. Then, me and my friend decided to buy ice cream because my throat could feels the heat from Nami Island. After found the place that sells ice cream near a playground at the center of Island, i ran, like, because too scared that ice cream will be gone. But i was upset, because the price wasn’t in accordance with the size of the ice cream. It was 2.000 won (equals Rp.22.000) but the size like cone ice cream at McDonald that just cost almost Rp.6.000. Beside that, the taste was horrible. And yeah, i wasted my money for the useless thing, Urgh. Fortunately, the ice cream melt by itself because of the heat, so i don’t need to think hard about how and where i need to throw away this thing around the place as clean as this place?

A few moments later, me and my friend already back at the gate of Nami Island with some participants and our tour guide. We waited another participants for a boat ride together before the night comes.

After walking for a long time in Island, i let my legs to get some rest at the bus, and my eyes slowly closed. I woke up right when we all arrived at the restaurant for dinner. The scene in front of the restaurant was very quiet and the sky was purple at that moment eventhough it was already 7 p.m (because summer, bright sky in Korea is longer than nights). Only a few cars passed on the road in front of the restaurant that i can say the road was quite large. And the cars passed by quickly.

That night menu was bulgogi. The restaurant is lovely. We sat on the floor facing the short table and eat togethet as a family. Personally, i don’t really like bulgogi, but it doesn’t mean i would resist if i was given that food. The kimchi in this place was not good, i don’t like the taste, it was like food that has been long in the refrigerator. I could express a disgusted face when tried that kimchi. But i gave five starts to the bulgogi with soft japchae (angel hair in Korea).

After dinner session, some of participants bought some souvenirs from the restaurant. At that time, me, Shavira, Irma and Yulia went out from the restaurant and enjoyed the view of quiet streets in front of that place before we end the journey to the hotel. I should say the atmosphere at that moment was really made me calm and don’t want to go home.

When headed to the hotel, the bus was full with joke and chitchat among other participants and our lovely and humorous tour guide. We arrived at the hotel at almost 10 p.m. After distribution the room keys, me and my companion (Shavira, Irma and Yulia as always) decided to went to the supermarket before sleep. We just hang around by looked for our daily needs, like toothpaste, ramyoen, onigiri, milk, bread, towel, soap etc. After spent enough money, we headed to the hotel and filled the streets with laughing and casual chat.

#seoul #south korea #trip to korea #holiday #namiisland #petite france

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