Korean Santa

Last Saturday, Marc and I joined two other foreign English teachers on a visit to Everland, about a 30 minute bus ride from where we live. Everland is Korea’s largest and most famous theme park, and is basically Korean Disneyland, without Mickey and Minnie. Instead, they have Laciun and Laila. At the entrance, there are European-style palatial buildings that house restaurants, a cinema, and various souvenir shops.

Ornaments at the entrance to Aesop's Village

The theme of the decorations changes every season, and in November and December the theme is “Everland Christmas Fantasy.” There is a large central Christmas tree, ornaments strung between the buildings, and even a Santa Claus to take pictures with. Which we did, of course. They also played Christmas songs throughout the park, but didn’t seem to have many to choose from. I don’t ever want to hear Feliz Navidad again. Just like Disneyland, Everland has parades, with large floats, music, and people dressed in costumes performing choreographed dances. Because of the Christmas theme, one of the floats actually launched man-made snow into the air.

"Greatest Champions West of California"

The park is separated into different sections, and the first one we visited was “American Adventure.” The rides and attractions are all Wild West themed, including the “Best Rodeo” with the “Greatest Champions West of California,” which puts them….where? Hawaii? I assume they mean Korea, but it sounds so odd. To Westerners, Korea is considered to be part of the East, so to think of it situated west of anywhere is strange.

The foam ball place.

The second part we visited was “Magic Land,” including “Aesop’s Village,” which is where the children’s rides were. One of my favorite parts was this place you could go and shoot foam balls around the room. You could even go up to the upper level and shoot them at people below you. Magic Land also has Everland’s version of the “It’s a Small World” ride- you ride on a boat past stereotypical representations of different countries while listening to a catchy tune.China had the great wall, Mexico had sombreros, and Germany had beer. I especially enjoyed the America section: football players, cheerleaders, and Times Square.

Everland also has a zoo, although it was a pretty sad zoo; none of the animals had much room to run around. What I found interesting, though, was the abundance of skunks. There were at least three different exhibits that had skunks. There was also a raccoon exhibit- I don’t think I’ve seen either of those animals in a zoo before.

The biggest disappointment of the day was that we missed the light show at the end of the evening. It became very cold at night, so we bought some hot chocolate and churros to warm up, and thought we’d take the sky ride down to the bottom. What we didn’t realize was that there were two sky rides, and the one we took brought us back into the zoo, which was dark, deserted, and very far from the light show. When we got close, we couldn’t even watch the show, because the park employees wouldn’t let us walk under the fireworks to get to the other side of the building. Hopefully next time we visit (and there will be a next time) we won’t miss it.

“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson

Korea is a peninsula on the East Asian mainland, directly west of Japan. Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea. With a population of over 10 million, it is one of the world’s largest cities and is the world’s second largest metropolitan area. It’s also the headquarters for Samsung, LG, Hyundai and Kia.

@ Everland freezing cold

We arrived the morning of Oct 1, 2009. The travel from Incheon airport to Jung-gu Seoul was exhausting . I noticed that the roads are dominated by KIA and Hyundai makers, I rarely saw other makes (3 BMWs and no Toyota). So I guess it must be true to what they say about Koreans, they patronized their own thus, attributes to their following titles as the fastest growing economy, considered as one of the 4 Asian tigers (others are Singapore, HK, and Taiwan) and Seoul as one of the world’s top ten financial and commercial cities.

We visited to 2 of their famous theme parks the Lotte World and Everland. Lotte World is an indoor theme park,  one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world. It is a recreation complex consists of a large indoor theme park, an outdoor amusement park. Everland Resort is a theme park in Yongin, a city in Gyeonggi-do province. Everland is South Korea’s largest theme park. The main attractions are the zoo and a water park known as Caribbean Bay. Everland is operated by Samsung Everland, which is a subsidiary of the Samsung Group. Divided into 5 distinct zones; Global Fair, Zoo-Topia, European Adventure, Magic Land and American Adventure. In fairness, the 2 theme parks are not crappy at all especially Everland , the architecture, scale, themes and general atmosphere was comparable to Disneyland minus Mickey mouse of course.

The name of the park is of note, as the name is “Everland” of English origin. In Korean, the name is approximated as “Ebeoraendeu” – in other words, there is no authentic Korean name for the park. This park was formerly called “Ja Yeon Nong Won.”

We also went to see N Seoul Tower, a communication and observation tower located in central Seoul, South Korea. It has also been

Lounging @ N Seoul Tower

known as the Namsan Tower or Seoul Tower. After the tower’s original owner merged with the CJ Corporation, it was renamed the N Seoul Tower (official name CJ Seoul Tower).We took a cab halfway and by foot the other half. Most of the city of Seoul can be seen from the top. We took the Namsan cable car going down the mountain.

We tried their famous sauna or Jim Jil Bang a large, gender-segregated public bathhouses in Korea, complete with hot tubs, showers, Finnish-style saunas, and massage tables. In other areas of the building or on other floors there are unisex areas, usually with a snack bar, ondol-heated floor for lounging and sleeping, wide-screen TVs, and karaoke lounge (where we spent money singing Sorry, Sorry a Korean hit pop song by super junior) and sleeping quarters with either bunk beds or sleeping mats.

Jim Jil Bang, are unisex. There are two distinct areas. The dry area, an area that typically has different types of saunas, massage chairs, restaurants or exercise rooms. Since men and women will be together in these areas, one is obligated to be clothed in their pre-issued uniform which is a big t-shirt and baggy shorts. The wet area have different types of saunas. Clothes are not allowed in this segregated area, no bathing suits in the tubs.

Seoul Station

Entering the sauna you can’t help but noticed all the strange body types walking around butt naked. You don’t need to exert an effort to look,  as meat slabs of all types,  shape, size and form are dangling in front of you. While inhaling all the oxygen I can take in the oxygen room, my friends decided to go to the wet area for some skinny dipping. Not my cup of tea – Bathing naked with a lot of other naked people was not my idea of relaxation. I just wouldn’t be caught dead butt naked even if the  the world will kiss my ass.

On our last day we shopped and grabbed a bite at McDonald’s at Itaewon. It is an area visited mostly by the large number of Americans (both Military and civilian) and other foreigners.

Unfortunately, it`s extremely rare to find someone who speaks English in Korea therefore it`s quite easy to feel lost. Being more resourceful and self reliant by goggling the place where you are heading wouldn’t hurt. In fact, it might be rewarding if you reached your destination.   Lastly, always bear in mind “When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” – Clifton Fadiman

Having their pictures taken most people have their way of expressing or pausing themselves in front of the camera. When smilling just aint enough, Star Strek fans do the “klingon pause”,  Japanese and Chinese used the “peace sign pause”. But the Korean teens added more twist to it and made it their ‘own’ – they do a touched face (sometimes) looking away sad from the camera pause (refer to Exhibit A) and to emphasis more on the emotions (or being cool) the no look shoot my back pause (refer to Exhibit B). To mimic, this is how it would looked like.  

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

yesterday i went to Everland with my friends. Everland is the biggest theme park in Korea. it was really fun because the game is very interesting. we play many games even if we have to queue for long time.
the first game that we play is T-Express which is the steepest wooden roller coaster in the world. it was really amazing and very fast. T-Express has many awards, like:
1. the greatest vertical inclination in the world
2. the highest roller coaster in korea
3. the fastest roller coaster in korea
4. the longest roller coaster in korea
at that time, we had to queue about 90 minutes. well, i scream a lot because the train going so fast and too high. i couldn’t open my eyes because i was scare. however, i still enjoy the game.

moreover, we play Flume ride. also, we had to wait about 1 hour. this flume ride is also nice and we got a little bit wet in here. then, we moved to hurricane which is a megatone-grade tornado revolving 19 meters up from the ground. this game is can make us dizzy. it was happen to me. so, my suggestion is after you play this game, just relax for a while.

furthermore, we queue the Championship rodeo game. it is a dance party spinning around and around with an array of catchy songs. but i didn’t play this game because i still felt very dizzy. the next game is Colombus adventure which is a dizzying viking ship falls from a height of 33 meters at a 75 degrees angle. i also didn’t play this game but my friend said that it wasn’t too fun.

we move to Let’s twist game. this game also can make us feel dizzy but it quite nice. they will bring us about 140 -195 cm and spin us. after that we went to Double Rock Spin.it is the powerful spinning. i didn’t try this game because is too scary for me. my friend said that the game was so nice. then, we saw small b-boy performance and moved to other place.

we planed to try T-Express again but because the queue is too long, we decided to eat and tried another game. then, we tried Amazon Express. this game is like rafting, they will bring us to explore the jungle. it can make you wet, but you have to try this game. then, we went back to home since it was already 10 pm and we had to catch the bus and also subway. but on the way back, i heard fireworks sound and it was true. there was fireworks. it really beautiful.

during summer, everland provide many attraction and parade. every summer, there is Summer Splash. they will spray us with water and also they have night show. every season has different festival.

Everland also has nice view. so many flowers are blooming now. it so beautiful view.^^

ticket price :
everland all day pass : day time 35000won and night time 30000 won, but because i have KB Bank “it play card” so i can get 50% discount
also, for foreigner they have special discount.
more on ticketing, please click here

tips:
1. if you don’t want to queue, buy Q-pass ticket. so, you don’t have to queue.
2. because everland is very big, you should prepare the game or the place that you want to try and go. it can save your time. if you need tour guide, you can ask in the information center. but you have to pay some amount of money.
3. take the map in front of the gate. you will use your map a lot later. in that brochure, there is recomendation place that you should go.
4. bring change clothes, in case your clothes get wet
5. come early during vacation time, if not you can’t try many games since you have to queue
6. the last bus is at 11 pm, so don’t miss it, if you go back with bus.

they have many buses to go to different station. so check the your map, for the bus destination. click here

One month left before this chapter of my life closes and before Shani goes back to the states. Trying to do all the site seeing fun stuff that’s been on my to-do list for months. Here’s a random compilation of places to go, sites to see.

Walking through a park or hiking through the mountains you will always find a free outdoor gym. This device is suppose to straigten out your spine or something of the sort.

Suwon Fortress. Is it just me or does this flix remind you of the chimney’s in Marry Poppins?

Shani thrilled to have found an enormous ice cream cone for 1$ in Myeong-dong. I also found a cute AND sexy AND straight G’d up jumpsuit. Can’t wait for the chance to wear it =D

Seoul Grand Park’s Zoo was refreshing with the dolphin/seal show, a monkey chillin’ on a rope that was NOT in a cage, and animals congregated together like the flix above. Never saw that before. What animal is that?

Monkey see, monkey do

My favorite! Guinea pigs are my favorite actually, but these are the S. American ‘big version’ guinea pigs lolz. can’t remember the name.

Everland Breakdancer. This pose is HOTT.

Water coaster was so fun!

Breakdancers at Everland were Korean and from Eastern Europe. Great to see intercultural breaking

Seoul Grand Park playground

Seoul  Subway Awkwardness

T-Express Rollercoaster. The steepest, tallest, biggest wooden roller coaster in Korea

หากพูดถึงสวนสนุกหลายคนคงจะนึกถึงดิสนีย์แลนด์ เป็นชื่อแรก ๆ ซึ่งตั้งอยู่ในสถานที่สำคัญของโลก เช่น อเมริกา ,ญี่ปุ่น , ฮ่องกง เป็นต้น แต่หลายท่านอาจจะยังไม่ค่อยคุ้นกับ Everland (เอเวอร์แลนด์) หนึ่งในสวนสนุกที่ดีที่สุด และใหญ่ที่สุดในเกาหลีซึ่งถือว่าเป็นอีกหนึ่งความภาคภูมิใจของคนเกาหลีเองด้วย และที่สำคัญเอเวอร์แลนด์ ก็ยังเป็นของเจ้าของแบรด์สินค้ายักษ์ใหญ่ทางด้านมือถือ ซึ่งถ้าเอ่ยชื่อออกไปทุกคนต้องร้องอ๋อทันที นั่น คือ บริษัท ซัมซุง (Samsung)  จำกัด เรียกได้ว่า เมดอินเกาหลีแท้ๆ เลยทีเดียว

เอเวอร์แลนด์ เริ่มเปิดให้บริการตั้งแต่ในปี  2519  บนพื้นที่กว่า  1,200,000 ตารางยาร์ด (ประมาณ 627 ไร่)ซึ่งแบ่งพื้นที่ในการให้บริการออกเป็น 5 ส่วน พร้อมด้วยสิ่งต่างๆ กว่า 50 ชนิดที่คอยมอบความสุข ความสนุกสนาน และสะกดผู้มาชมให้ต้องมนต์ความสวยงามได้อย่างประทับใจไม่รู้ลืม

Global fair (โกบอลแฟร์) พื้นที่ส่วนหน้าที่ต้อนรับผู้มาชมด้วยบรรยากาศของสถาปัตยกรรมที่สวยที่สุดเหมือนกับการได้ก้าวเข้าสู่โลกของความฝัน ซึ่งตลอดเส้นทางของการเดินทางเพื่อเข้าไปสู่ส่วนต่าง ๆ นั้นจะมีเสียงเพลงที่สนุกสนานดังอยู่ตลอดทาง ทำให้รู้สึกสนุกสนาน และรู้สึกเหมือนกลับไปสู่โลกวัยเด็กอีกครั้ง อีกทั้งสองข้างทางในบริเวณนี้ก็จะเป็นสถานที่ขายของที่ระลึกเป็นหลัก ซึ่งมีสินค้าให้เลือกหลากหลายสิ่งตามแต่กำลังทรัพย์ของแต่คน เช่น ตุ๊กตา Halloween, ชอคโกเลต, หมวก, เสื้อผ้า เป็นต้น

บรรยากาศหน้าโกบอลแฟร์

American Adventure (อเมริกาแอดแวนเจอร์) ได้วางคอนเซปท์ ไว้เหมือนกับการจำลองอาณาเขตของอเมริกาตะวันตกมาไว้ที่นี่ เริ่มตั้งแต่ยุคของการค้นพบอเมริกา ยุคอเมริกาเบื้องต้น จนมาสู่ยุคของวัยรุ่น และ ร็อคแอนด์โรล โดยผ่านเครื่องเล่นนานาชนิด ได้แก่   ไวกิ้ง (Columbus Adventure), รถไฟเหาะตีลังกา (Rolling X –Train), Let’s Twist (ก้านห้าแฉกหมุนไปวนไปกลางอากาศ)  เป็นต้น ทำให้บริเวณนี้เป็นโลกของการผจญภัยที่พิเศษสุดที่จะทำให้คุณอยู่เหนือช่วงของกาลเวลาและเป็นพื้นที่พิเศษสุดสำหรับคุณ

Magic Land (เมจิกแลนด์) บริเวณนี้ต้องเรียกได้ว่าเป็นที่ใฝ่ฝันของเล็กที่เคยฝันหรือหวังไว้ได้เป็นจริงขึ้นมา โดยการเนรมิตจากสิ่งที่อยู่ในนวนิยาย หรือจินตนาการให้ออกมาเป็นโลกของเมจิกและแฟนตาซี อย่างเช่น หมู่บ้านอีสป (Aesop’s Village) นอกจากนี้ก็มีเครื่องเล่นไว้รองรับนักท่องเที่ยวรุ่นจิ๋ว อีกมากมาย เช่น Spooky Fun House (บ้านของผี Spookyและผองเพื่อน สำหรับเด็ก), Peterpan (ไวกิ้งสำหรับเด็ก) เป็นต้น

European Adventure (ยูโรเปี้ยนแอดแวนเจอร์) เมื่อเข้ามาสู่บริเวณนี้จะพบได้เลยว่ามีกลิ่นไอของความเป็นยูโป ซึ่งจะสังเกตได้จากการตกแต่งสถาปัตยกรรมต่างๆ ของตัวอาคาร  และสิ่งที่เรียกได้ว่าเป็นไฮไลท์ของส่วนนี้คือ Four Season Garden ( สวนสี่ฤดู ) เป็นสวนที่เต็มไปด้วยดอกไม้และการตกแต่งสถานที่ได้อย่างงดงาม ราวกับว่าได้มายืนอยู่ที่ยุโรป  ณ สวนแห่งนี้แต่ละเดือนก็จะมีเทศกาลของดอกไม้ที่แตกต่างกันไปในแต่ละฤดู เช่น  เทศกาลดอกทิวลิป (เมษายน – พฤษภาคม), เทศกาลดอกกุหลาบ (พฤษภาคม – มิถุนายน), เทศกาลดอกลิลี่และดนตรีแห่งคิมหันต์ (กรกฎาคม –  สิงหาคม) และ เทศกาลดอกเบญจมาส (กันยายน –  ตุลาคม) ซึ่งแต่ละฤดูก็จะมีความสวยงามและสีสันของดอกไม้ที่ต่างกันออกไป ประกอบกับด้านหน้ามีการนำสัญลักษณ์กังหันขนาดใหญ่ ด้านหลังมีการสร้างบ้านทรงยุโรป ตกแต่งด้วยบ่อน้ำพุในจุดต่างๆ  ยิ่งทำให้เพิ่มบรรยากาศของความงดงามเพิ่มขึ้นเป็นทวีคูณ ของอย่างนี้ต้องไปดูด้วยตาตนเองซะแล้ว สิบปากว่าก็ไม่เท่าตาเห็น

European Adventure

ส่วนเครื่องเล่นที่ถือได้ว่าถ้ามาที่นี่แล้วไม่ได้เล่นเรียกได้ว่ามาไม่ถึงเอเวอร์แลนด์เลยทีเดียว นั่นก็คือ T express (ทีเอ็กซ์เพรส) รถไฟเหาะตีลังกา (Roller coaster) ที่ทำด้วยไม้โดยมีความลาดชัดมากที่สุดในโลกถึง 77 องศาที่จะกระตุกต่อมความเสียวของคุณให้พรุ่นพร่านไปทั่วร่างกาย โดยมีความสูงถึง 56 เมตร  วิ่งด้วยความเร็วสูงสุดถึง 104 กิโลเมตร/ชั่วโมง และรางรถไฟเหาะมีความยาวถึง 1,641 เมตร ถือว่าเป็นที่สุดของรถไฟเหาะในเกาหลี ณ เวลานี้เลยทีเดียว

ในส่วนสุดท้ายคือ Zootopia (ซูโทเปีย) แหล่งสวรรค์ของสัตว์นานาชนิดที่ได้รวบรวมจากแหล่งต่างๆ ของโลกมารวมกันไว้ที่นี่  ประกอบไปด้วยส่วนต่างๆ หลายส่วน เช่น Safari world (ซาฟารีเวิร์ด)  หนึ่งในไฮไลท์ของโซนนี้ได้แก่ ไลก้า  ซึ่งเป็นลูกแฝดผสมที่เกิดขึ้นจากความรักระหว่างสิงโต ผู้เป็นพ่อและเสือผู้เป็นแม่ นับเป็นแฝดผสมเสือ-สิงโตคู่แรกในโลก, Bird Paradise (เบิร์ดพาราไดซ์) รวบรวมนกไว้กว่า 17 ชนิด กว่า 200 ตัว , Sea Lion Stadium (ซีไลอ้อนสเตเดี้ยม) การแสดงความสามารถของแมวน้ำ , Polar Bear House (โพล่าร์แบร์เฮาส์)  และบริเวณยังมี  โรงภาพยนตร์ 4D ไว้รองรับนักท่องเที่ยวให้ได้สัมผัสจอภาพยนตร์ 3 มิติ พร้อมด้วยระบบเก้าอี้สั่นสะเทือน อีกทั้งท่อน้ำและลมอยู่บริเวณที่นั่งคอยฉีดพ่นและเป่าเพื่อให้ได้อรรถรสของการชมภาพยนตร์เหมือนจริงมากที่สุด

Zootopia

ความสนุกที่เกิดขึ้นยังไม่หยุดอยู่เพียงแค่นี้ ทางเอเวอร์แลนด์ยังได้เตรียมขบวนพาราเรด  ที่ตระการตาไปด้วยแสง สี เสียง ประกอบการแสดงได้อย่างยิ่งใหญ่อลังการ ซึ่งสร้างความตื่นตาตื่นใจให้กับผู้มาชมเป็นอย่างยิ่ง โดยในแต่ละเดือนก็จะมีการแสดงในแต่ละชุดที่แตกต่างกันไป เช่น ชุด Wish celebration เพื่อร่วมฉลองเทศกาลปีใหม่ (มกราคม – กุมภาพันธ์), ชุด Flower Carnival (มีนาคม – มิถุนายน), ชุด Summer Splash (มิถุนายน – สิงหาคม), ชุด Happy Halloween (กันยายน – ตุลาคม) และ ชุด Christmas Holiday Fantasy เพื่อร่วมฉลองเทศกาล Christmas (พฤศจิกายน – ธันวาคม)

็Happy Halloween

หนึ่งวันสำหรับการท่องเที่ยวที่ Everland ทำให้เราได้เก็บเกี่ยวความสุข ความสนุกสนานและเก็บความสวยงามของทัศนียภาพได้อย่างครบทุกอรรถรส สนนราคาค่าเข้าชมสวนสนุก สำหรับเด็ก ราคา 21,000 วอน(ประมาณ 735 บาท)  ถ้าเหมารวมเครื่องเล่นด้วยราคา 26,000 วอน(ประมาณ910 บาท)  สำหรับผู้ใหญ่ราคา  28,000 วอน (ประมาณ 980 บาท) รวมเครื่องเล่นราคา 35,000 วอน(ประมาณ 1,225 บาท)    ดูรายละเอียดเพิ่มเติมได้ที่ www.everland.com

หมายเหตุ คิดจากราคาประมาณการ 1,000 วอน เท่ากับ 35 บาท ขึ้นอยู่กับอัตราแลกเปลี่ยน  ณ เวลานั้น

ครั้งหนึ่งในการท่องเที่ยวที่ประเทศเกาหลี ไม่ควรพลาดด้วยประการทั้งปวงที่จะต้องมาแวะที่ Everland ซึ่งถ้าคุณได้มีโอกาสมาลองสัมผัสความสวยงามของดินแดนแห่งความสนุกนี้ รับรองได้เลยว่าคุณจะประทับใจอย่างไม่รู้ลืม และจะหลงใหลในมนต์เสน่ห์ของสวนสนุกแห่งเมืองกิมจินี้มากยิ่งขึ้นอย่างแน่นอน

]]> http://ferryfelicia.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/28-july-2007-seoul/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:30:11 +0000 mamipapa http://ferryfelicia.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/28-july-2007-seoul/

Hari ini abis kelar breakfast langsung berangkat sama guide n driver ke Everland, karena letaknya agak pinggir jadi perjalanan agak lama di bandingin dari airport ke hotel, selama perjalanan di jelasin segala macam history2 juga di jelasin kalo presiden kita yg skrg nginep di hotel ini kalo berkunjung ke Seoul (kebetulan itu hotel kita lewatin) dan harga per malam di sebut brp gitu..gw lupa yg pasti angkanya bikin shok hehehe.

Udah sampe deh ke Everland…kebetulan lg summer jadinya yah panas, tp untung gak banget2 deh..disitu kita cuman muter2 aja tapi gak main apa2 sama sekali. Disini ini kebon binatang di jadiin satu area sama taman bermain, tapi yah beda lokasi aja misal satu ke kiri satu ke kanan. Jadi awal masuk Everland kita udah ambil map dan muterin semua area, di mulai dari zoo area..disini banyak macem2 binatang, terus ada polar bear juga, macem2 ikan, monyet, ada tupai juga lucu deh kecil imut2 kaya kiki dan koko.

Foto di bawah itu di white tiger area, kawasan zoo sama monkey valley.

Dari zootopia kita langsung ke flower garden….bagus deh macem2 jenis bunga dan berwarna warni pula ada air mancurnya segala. Ada satu area taman bunga itu bagus banget, tp sayang lagi buat syuting film korea ceritanya adegan merit di taman bunga sampe ada gazebonya…duh keren banget…pada pake hanbok semua. Sayang sama krunya kita gak boleh foto2, cuman boleh nonton aja.

Baru deh area terakhir yang kita muterin adalah area permainan, tapi kita gak main sama sekali, karena kita dapetnya cuma gerbang, dan gw juga ogah buat main2 kecuali yah foto2 deh hehehe apalagi kombinasi warnanya tuh bagus banget warna warni gitu yang anak2 pasti demen punya…dan bakalan lari2an..even gerobak pop cornnya aja juga keren gak ketinggalan foto di kerang2an everland yg deket sama pintu masuknya, iconnya everland.

Dari Everland, kita pergi ke Seoul Land tapi yah biasa aja sih kalo di compare sama Everland jauh yah…terus juga gak terlalu rame, intinya dia kebanting abis sejak ada everland..padahal dulu populer, tapi untuk sejaran kapan buka dll guidenya yg tau gw mah lupa kalau kaya gituan hehehe…kaga masuk ke otak.

Nah sore2nya gw request dong mau liat sesuatu yang berbau traditional korea (krn ini di luar paket) jadi kita per orang nambah 15,000 won untuk biaya guide dan driver kira2 150rb gitu deh…tentu saja guidenya tanya dulu apakah supirnya mau gak anterin kita tapi ternyata mau, karena gak semuanya kan mau kaya gitu…yang di luar jadwal mereka walaupun kita mau bayar. Yah awal2 di sapa dikit pake bahasa korea jadi kan pada seneng misal gw masuk mobil say hello kalau dia kelar anterin say thx (pake korea) jadi merekanya lebih seneng dan helpful ke kitanya.

Akhirnya sampe deh kita ke istana raja korea namanya Gyeongbokgung Palace yang katanya ada beberapa episode Jewel in yje Palace yg syuting disini. Tiket masuk gak inget berapa duit, yang pasti udah termasuk biaya yang kita bayar tadi. Ini dia penampakan gerbang depannya sama penampakan peta keseluruhan area istana.

Pas kita disana kayanya lagi ada upacara apa gitu jadi banyak prajurit2 dari berbagai jenis tingkat lagi pada gerak jalan dengan pandangan lurus ke depan kaya pake kacamata kuda kita sempet liat sampe upacaranya kelar. Terus baru deh keliling istana, disitu kita nyewa hanbok jadi boleh pilih 1 kostum dan akan di foto 1x sama orangnya, kita boleh foto berkali2 pake kamera kita sendiri. Per orang kena 15,000 won sekitar 15 ribu rupiah…disitu kita di foto masing2 1x sendiri dan bonus foto berdua. Sementara kita gak puas cuman foto dikit padahal udah bayar mahal, jadi kita keliling minta tolong guidenya yang fotoin. Dipilihlah latar belakang istana yang ada danaunya…tadinya itu tempat ruameeeeeeeeee bgt byk org yg di usir2in gitu hahaha sebetulnya malu sih tapi cuek ajalah, namanya juga turis…kapan lagi bakal foto pake hanbok kalau gak di negara asalnya

Kita keliling singkat aja, gw juga males denger sejarah2 masing2 ruang udah kaya di istana terlarang aja hehehe..jadi sistem kebut yang penting foto aja…terakhir ada pagoda tinggi, tapi kita males naiknya jadi foto aja deh di depannya. Terus foto juga di patung shio itu juga antri2, yang kebetulan shio gw kok byk yg antri…:( dari situ udah dong kita keluar…dan..hari masih sore…maksudnya belom gelap kaya di jakarta gitu padahal udah sore, jadilah gw ogah rugi dong masa balik ke hotel, karena semalem gw yang baru sampe itu sempet jalan2 bentar tapi karena udah malem yah kaga banyak yg bisa diliat, kecuali emperan kaki 5 yang masih buka sama kedai2 soju (yah persis kaya film korea deh) emang tempat ini daerah turis jadi banyak tuis domestik juga (korea) sama bule2.

Gara2 gw gak mau balik hotel, minta sama guidenya mau syoping di Dong Dae Mon, yah model kaya pertokoan ITC mangga dua gitu tapi harganya bikin menjerit hehehe, dia ada beberapa lantai jadi kita gampang cari, kaya lantai pertama bagian wanita semua, lantai kedua bagian baju laki2, lantai ketiga bagian tas2 kulit atau iket pinggang, sepatu gitu2 deh. Karena gw juga gak minat abis liat harga2 yang di pajang mahal2 mau nawar juga bisa di jutekin.

Jadilah kita kelantai atas karena mau nyari suvenir turis namanya juga hobi hehehe jadilah borong tepelan kulkas gambar ce co pake baju korea (ada yg raja ratu, ada yg rakyat biasa) banyak macem deh ada 10 macem bahkan…nyesel juga udah gw bagi abis buat oleh2 yang tinggal nyisa di kulkas gw 1 pasang doang itu gw hoki nawar pake bahasa mandarin gara2 ada customer dari mainland gitu deh tanya2 nawar2 pake bahasa mandarin…wah seneng bgt deh gw, begitu itu turis pergi gw ikutan nawar. Guidenya udah kasih tau ini toko paling lengkap dan paling murah, tadi gw gak percaya bisa aja kan dia mau dapet komisi jadilah gw survey, dan bener guidenya emang toko itu yang paling gede….karena udah hoek terus memanjang gitu, dan lengkap pula deh..cocok bagi yang mau beli suvenir khas korea di dong dae mon lantai atas yg pojok..dan hoek pasti nemu deh…dan ahrga dia yg paling murah karena gw udah keliling toko2 kecil malah buka harganya mahal. Cuman kalo diskon gak gede paling 10% aja. Terakhir kmrn Ferry pergi malahan udah harga nett.

Kelar borong suvenir turis…udah deh dianterin pulang hotel itu langit masih terang loh….gile yah padahal yah udah jam 7 gitu deh dan gw bersikeras mau makan mie korea…guidenya nemenin kita jalan kaki keluar masuk gang senggol sambil nanya penduduk setempat di mana jual shin ram yun idaman gw hahahaha…(ceritanya supir dan mobil udah off) guidenya pake waktu pribadi dialah bantu gitu …kl gw suruh tanya penduduk setempat di mana kedai shin ramyun mah susah yah ngomongnya gemana….tapi tetep kaga ketemu, ya sutra deh…guidenya pulang naik subway…tadinya kita mau ikut mau ngerasain naik, dia blg tar di temenin , tapi pulang sendiri…hahahaha jadi takut…susah kan kendala bahasa…mau nanya2 belom tentu pd bisa bhs inggris. Sementara bahasa korea gw itu hasil belajar dari film huahahahah paling gak guidenya terkagum2 dari film aja bisa ngerti…kaga tau aja die gw hoby ntn drama korea dan koleksi berjibun kaya di glodok

Jalan2 sendiri deh kita dari pada di hotel eh emang tuh yah manusia punya rencana tapi Tuhan yang ada kuasa, tiba2 di gang senggol mana gw nemu ada nci2 yang ada kedai mie korea itu…langsung dong gw duduk dan pesen…makannya bener2 khas korea pake sumpit korea yg super duper tipis, pipih dan licin…makan dengan lahap..murah meriah hanya 3,000 won saja aka 30rb an..yah okelah….yah kl di compare sama kedai ropang dan indomie sini sih mahal yah hahahaha.

Sudah makan balik deh ke hotel..sempet jalan2 juga di daerah sekitar sana…baru bener2 balik hotel…hm…perut kenyang…hati senang…tidur pulas…

]]> http://jeremah.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/everland-2/ Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:00:02 +0000 jeremah http://jeremah.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/everland-2/

Yesterday we went to Everland.

The epically artificial, hyper-clean, manically-happy precisely produced universe of a theme park owned by Samsung.  It is still hard for me to express how I feel about it, several times I forgot who I was, and as one point didn’t know whether or not I was dead.

This latter sensation first happened on the T Express, the absolutely huge wooden roller coaster that dominates the landscape at Everland.  Despite Koreans telling you that it is the largest, fastest and longest wooden roller coaster in the world, in fact it ranks as ninth fastest, third tallest, and sixth longest.  But it is still impressive, and the initial drop is a very confusing-to-the-soul 77 degrees.

I guess you could say that we were there all day.

One of the highlights was watching the ‘Summer Splash’ show.  Held in the parade ground, it consisted of giant pastel-coloured robotic underwater-themed set pieces being wheeled around, complete with a large retinue of assorted costumed performers with water pistols singing and dancing through some really poor narrative.  There were synchronised water cannons, and sneaky fireworks and loud music and lots and lots of water (the brochure said 8 tonnes, which makes this boy from Queensland instantly nervous).  Towards the end, two massive monsters, reminiscent of Power Ranger Villains, popped out of two of the giant clams, and were slammed with jets of water that would put European riot police to shame, and disappeared in clouds of fog and vapour. I think this was the climax.

The performers (especially the foreigners) scored 2 out of 12 for their effort and commitment.

My most frightening moment was in the ‘Rotating Room’, a Hogwarts-themed mansion that you sit inside, and which, at the signal of a Korean Pixie-Boy gives the illusion that you are being turned upside down. Coupled with loud, demonic voices and flashing lights, I was scared witless and apparently made quite a scene. The experience was like having your soul eaten away by fire-breathing demons while being told that there will never be another Christmas, and that they have lost the formula for chocolate.

Abe and MinJeong had to leave at 4, but Kate, Nathan and I soldiered on.  After going on every ride, and eating at many of the snack outlets, we enjoyed the Victorian Rose Garden, and watched the evening parade form the top of the Ferris wheel.  I made the mistake of mentioning the unfortunate situation we would be in if the pod became uncoupled from the wheel.  Nathan averted dual panic attacks from Kate and I by keeping us focused on the pretty lights of the parade.  I don’t think I’ll ride a Ferris wheel again.

We then enjoyed ‘Dream Of Lachien’, the massive light, sound and firework extravaganza.  It was mind-blowing.  The best fireworks I have ever seen (honestly, it felt like it was never going to end) coupled with epic video projection, moving lights and lasers.  The only disappointment was the quality of the music, while suitably epic, it was terribly generic and all synthesized.  But there is no quite time anywhere in the park. Everywhere you go, there is a sound design that is crafted for that particular ride, street, shop or restaurant.  It was like being inside a video game.

Needless to say, I was impressed by the entire situation.

I’m sure Nathan will post pictures soon.

Everland Resort :: Land of festival for 365 days!.

So, it doesn’t quite fit with my action plan for my installation. But there is no way that I am missing out on Everland.  I have never been, and Theme Parks are pretty much my favorite thing.

I just wish I had film for my camera.

Also, I am not sure if “Land Of Festival For 365 days!!” is compatible with my current Visa Arrangement.

just having fun...

OK – just woke up… @ Dave’s in Incheon city – about 2.5ish hours away from my place… he is still pretty trashed. Yesterday we went for our Everland trip – a cross between Dreamworld and Disneyworld (Japan) – lots of random characters roaming around and the place was ginormous. The trip was supposed to take 1 hour… not. We left 8:30am from the Lotte Dept Store and met up with the girls taking us (Daves work colleagues). Yesterday, to our luck was Mermorial Day in Korea which meant that teachers & students who would naturally be at school on a Saturday (crazy right) had a national day off. SO the trip there actually took 3 hours… Dave needed to pee real bad but didnt know how to say han jang shil (similar to that anyyways), when you turn off the highway, you just go to another endless highway and lastly the car started on empty, so we didnt want to jinx the whole running on faith thing.

Long story short Dave couldnt hack it anymore and we stopped at a nice ga(r/l)bi place (ribs) about 5 mins of Everland so we could relieve ourselves and eat – it was also 300 metres away from a gas station – that car is amazing… Korean survival at its best.

Anyways the trip was great, the place was amazing – really, really big – with plenty of things to do – we went on a few of the rides but because it was a public holiday we werent able to jump on a few because the lines were terrible – minumum of two hours wait. So we did what any normal tourist would do and take photos – I’m pretty sure Daves posted them on FB now… heaps of fun!  Its off to church for me today… and back to sleep.

I have ‘orientation’ next week – it will be fun – I’ll keep you informed… love you guys…

Things on Jp’s mind:

• I will make it to DMZ! I dont care if the NK & the Americans hate each other
• Find a face mask… a cute one…
• 60/40 on buying  a cheap car over here…
• I wonder where my orientation will be…. I should really know that kinda stuff
• tim tams, tim tams, tim tams… Dave has tim tams
• Why am I gettind rounder? I am fully exercising…

p.s. the title is about the greatest Monday meal me and Dan would have… vermicilli at the dirty Pho place at Market Square, Sunnybank… man I miss slightly dirty and very tasty Viet food…

Whenever I went abroad or traveling a bit further from our beloved Bolehland, there are always something new that I picked up or learned which at the end of the day enriching my knowledge and nurturing my experience. Some could be a very inspiring and mind boggling encounter , and some could be a not-to-be remembered one. No doubt about it. It just like a larvae coming out from the cocoon and having a taste of fresh air and come face to face with a new life.

During our recent trip to Korea I observed and experienced many interesting things. One of the thing I learned was whenever you want to buy something or anything from a shop, never never lay even a finger on the item for your viewing pleasure. Just point at the item and pay the money. Only then you will have your first ‘feeling’ on that item. When I ask the rationale behind this super hygienic behaviour, the tour guide told me that, Korean products are always of the highest quality. No thorough inspection needed and satisfaction guaranteed (Have not verified on the item that I bought yet). If you ‘ransack’ the items before you decide to buy them (just like our itchy hands normally do when going out for shopping), then the seller will stare at you like your mathematics teacher or even pinched you hand (that was exactly what happened to one of the ‘rombongan Cik Kiah’ member during one of their shopping spree). I think the Korean knows very well how dirty Malaysian hands can be!

Korean are generally quite short in their physical (and probably in other departments too:) as compared to us. But of late I see many of them are very tall, nice pointed nose, ideal features that can easily landed them a role as a model. I asked our tour tour guide (she is Korean) and she told me that those new breeds actually consumed the much-talk-about Koren ginseng since their childhood and some even going to the extend of injecting the saponin (active ingredient) into themselves. Did I say injecting? I thought silicon implant was the main culprit, but it was not.

One thing good about their establishment is that they know how to package entertainment industries and tourism as their national product, with good advertisement thrown in. One third of the trip was visiting the many scenic locations of popular TV dramas that were sold and aired in many foreign countries. For example, ‘Winter Sonata’ in Nami Island, ‘All In’ in Seopjikoji, Jeju Island, ‘The hourglass’ at Jeongdonjing beach (the train station closest tot he sea), ‘Stairway to Heaven’ at the theme parks in Seoul and many more that I can’t remember simply because I don’t watch any of them

And of course kimchi, the pickled vegetables that is a must in all the meals. Korean girls have to learn the art of making kimchi before they get married.

So having to travel abroad is all about invoking all your senses – the sight, the smell, the taste, the sound and the feel.

an nyung ha seyo!

Notice the look on the shopkeeper’s face when one of the uninitiated tourist is trying to reach for one of the souvenirs.

In Nami Island you can see these flags. The flag resemble the country that is airing or used to air the popular TV drama ‘Winter Sonata’.

Stall that sells tempura is a normal sight in the local market.

We have the opportunity to experience sleeping on the heated floor (ondol) in one of the hotels. I spent only ten minute getting myself comfortable under the blanket when my significant half called me from the other adjoining room for a more comfortable king size bed.

‘Rombongan Cik Kiah’ having their all-girls moment at The Everland theme park. These ladies especially the outgoing datin, really could not shut up their mouth and always making the trip full of laughter with their classical antics.

Tulips are also starting to bloom in the theme park.

The main attraction to this safari is actually a liger (lion mixed with tiger) but we were told that the liger was not available that time. This white tiger is one of the inhabitants in this safari.

Chocolate factory in Jeju Island. Notice the material used to build the factory are all made from the black stones which are abundant in the island.

Lovely Ginny, our local tourist guide. She is so sweet and trying her best to accommodate our request. One time, the datin requested to stray a bit from our itinerary (which is strictly a big NO especially to the bus driver as their movement is monitored closely through GPS from the HQ). But with Ginny and her charm managed to persuade the driver to drop ‘rombongan Cik Kiah’ at their preferred stopover. Seoul Hard Rock Cafe and Korean Silk outlets are among the place they sidetracked.

My K-fam invited me to go with them to Everland this past weekend- the largest amusement park in these parts.

Everland as seen from the high end of the Viking Swing.

It was awesome– from the view to the rides to the company–  although, maybe the 7.30am pick up could have been pushed back just a bit.  I guess it gave us plenty of time to ride spinning, curvy, fast, gut wrenching rides and chow down on some corn dogs and french fries.

Me and Star, Mike and Annie in front of us.

Not only is it an amusement park, but also a water park and a zoo!  We saw all sorts of animals…at one part they even have lions and tigers together!  But the wait to see that was over 2 hours so we skipped it for these instead:

We saw some penguins.  They were acting like real jackasses.

These are blue faced China monkeys (not their formal name).  We got in trouble for throwing them some Korean rice cakes. Not a part of their approved diet.  NOT my idea, just so you know. They play catch quite well.

The kids were adventurous wanting to go on all the ‘big kid’ rides but pretty much content with anything they saw.

For a not so warm, barely spring day, Everland was packed.  The kids made it so much more amusing though with their antics so it was well worth the early wake up and running around.

Everland…Korea’s Disneyland.  A magical place.

***

On a side note:

I would like to send personal thanks to this guy.  He made my first few hours at Everland excruciatingly nauseating when he thought Allison and I would enjoy continuous shots of Cuervo the day before.

Trust me, I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as it looks like I do here.

the five of us; khairi, xiaochen, yao, ryosuke and i met up together a few hours for dinner and drinks. we havent met up in a group for quite awhile because of school and etc.

we were chatting randomly and telling each other stories and suddenly we came up with the idea of going to everland tomorrow, or should i say in another 4 hours?!

we are all going to brave the cold and harsh winter and go to everland tomorrow, maybe go to their snow festival event for snowboarding or ski as well. we’ll see !

on the other side, xiaochen has decided to go over to japan with me in march. she will be studying there for a term or two and will come back to korea or back to france. or who knows, i might even go back to france with her, haha. we always come up with crazy ideas.

really looking forward to everland and please bless us with good weather conditions. i need to get some sleep now. good night

안녕하세요 친구들.

오늘 내 휴일입니다.

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