Day 1:
We all assemble at KLIA at night, because our flight is at 11 pm. We had dinner first then we met up with dad's office colleagues. Oh BTW, this is a company's trip to Korea, so we hardly see any unknown people on our tour, unlike our Shenzhen and HK tour. Except that some of them bring their wives, girlfriends and close friends/relatives along, just like us :). So this is easier for us to enjoy the rest of the tour. After our bags were check in, our local tour guide, Rachelle, give us some instructions before we head to down to the immigration. After changing to our winter clothes, we got onto our plane, which is Korean Air. We slept on the plane too but it was difficult since we are sitting down in an Economy Class seats.
Day 2:
Before we arrive to Seoul, we had breakfast very early in the morning. It was still very dark outside the plane. My parents had omelettes while I got rice with chicken. But me and mom exchange our meals. Hee hee. I didn't want to do that at first but she said it was okay. Finally, we arrived at Incheon Airport around 7 am. It was still dark but we can see a little daylight once we finished brushing our teeth and changing some more clothes.
When we step outside, it was freezing cold than HK's weather last year. Like I said earlier, it's winter season. Of course we didn't see snow dropping down yet. While our luggages are being loaded, we hop on our tour bus. Rachelle gave some more details about this tour on our way for another light breakfast. For breakfast, we had udon. It's similar to the Japanese kind of noodles but they serve with kimchi and preserved radish. They taste like chee cheong fun.
After breakfast, we hop back on the bus. We met up with Korea's tour guide, Jenny, photographer and helper for the whole tour, Alex, and Driver Lee for the very first time. Jenny also speaks English during the journey besides Korean. She is also an interpreter for some places. As you know, in Korea, people don't speak much English. So that's why she or Rachelle have to help us as we go along. At least both Jenny and Rachelle interacts with us the whole time than Maggie or Victor (our local tour guide for Shenzhen and HK tour).
Before we tour around Seoul, we head to Pyeongchang, which took us about a few hours. We proceed to Namiseom Island for some exploration. We took a ferry across the island. Plus, this island is also a shooting spot for the famous romantic Korean drama, "Winter Sonata". Wow. This is the first time I'm going to a place where they shoot a drama. Of course, for those who have watched this drama, you might recognize the place. All of us took lots of good photos. We even see snow on the ground. Don't worry. It's clean ;).
Up next is lunch time. For lunch, we had Korean pan fried chicken. Jenny taught us how to eat wrapped up chicken with lettuces. First you pick up the meat, put bean paste and then rolled them up and eat the whole thing. It was delicious. I've never eaten Korean food before so this is my first time trying all these. Yes, they serve kimchi again. Every restaurant you go, they always serve you kimchi (breakfast, lunch and dinner). There's also cabbages inside the pan. Of course, Alex oppa (a term for brother called by females younger than them) not only takes pictures or help with our luggages but also serves us in restaurants. He usually refills any food or helps the waitresses to add in the food. Rice was served after the chicken and cabbage. Before we go to our next location, we bought some strawberries for about 2, 000 Won (Korea's currency). And my word, they are huge, nice looking and juicy :). They were so delicious than our strawberries in Cameron Highlands. We even gave some to the other colleagues.
Next location is at Yeoju Kimchi Village, where we get to know about the ginseng grown in Korea, tried their traditional Hanbok and make your own kimchi. We met up with the farmer, who explains the details about the ginseng plantation. Jenny translates what he is saying. We even get to try the ginseng slices and milk. The milk taste nice, even though it taste like ginseng. Before kimchi making, we tried their Hanbok. It was quite tight but it was okay for me. We take a lot of photos too. Alex oppa also took our pictures for individuals near the drums and group photo outside the village. After that, it's kimchi making. Jenny taught us how to make kimchi. We take a few layers of the cabbage and spread chili paste onto it one by one. While we're making, we tried their Korean pancake. It was soft and nice, although it looks a bit like the omelette mom use to cook for dinner at home. Our kimchis were put into the refrigerator which looks like an ice box.
After all these activities, we put back our jackets on and head to the ski resort called "Alpensia Holiday Inn Resort". Our dinner for the night is mushroom hotpot.
Before we head to our hotel to check-in, we had to rent the ski clothes and gears for skiing tomorrow. They cost about 50, 000 Won, except the gloves. I didn't want to take it because it's no fun going alone and my parents have health problems. Maybe if I bring my friends to Korea on winter, then I'll try skiing with them :).
Once we check into our rooms, we rest ourselves for another day at the resort.
To be continue.......
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