Things to do in Gojaedo, Somaemuldo | 2015 Wow Korea Supporters ( Day 2)

So we started the day in Gojae Island. From there, we took a boat ride to Oedo, which is a private island owned by a Korean couple.

Oedo-Botania is a marine botanical garden located in Hallyeo Maritime National Park, which has a beautiful view of the crystal blue South Sea and surrounding landscape. It is 4 kilometers away from Geojedo Island. About 20 minutes by ship from Gujora Port, past Naedo Island lies the European-like Oedo Island.

 

We took a lot of pictures in the European-like botanic garden with the beautiful sea landscape. There are also a lot of sculptures and basically its a really nice place for tea!

However, there is an admission fee to enter the botanical garden, but for those who loves plants and enjoy nature, its definitely worth it to go there!!

Admission Fees

Adults 11,000 won / Military & Students (middle-high school students) 8,000 won / Children (25 months and up) 5,000 won ※ Group fare is not applicable for adults ※ Group of 30 or more middle-high school students: 6,000 won (20% discount) ※ Group of 30 or more children (25 months and up): 4,000 won (20% discount)

Here are some directions on how to get there!

Directions

From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Geoje via Jangseungpo. Get off at Jangseungpo Terminal. Take a taxi or a local bus to the ferry dock. * Ferry Dock Information Jangseungpo: + 82-55-681-6565 Wahyeon: +82-55-681-2211   Gujora: +82-55-681-1188 Hakdong: +82-55-636-7755 Dojangpo: +82-55-632-8787 Haegeumgang: +82-55-633-1352

Next we went to the Windy hill which is a place where Koreans come and enjoy the breeze and take beautiful pictures with the wind mill. This place is extremely famous among Korean tourist worth to visit!

 

This place is also a filming site for 'Eve's Garden', 'Merry-Go-Round', '1 Night 2 Days'

Directions

From Express Bus Termina in Seoul, take an express bus bound for Gohyeon Bus Terminal. Take a taxi to the venue (25.4 km/ around 45 min)

For more information, visit their website! http://tour.geoje.go.kr

And right after that, we went to Somaumuldo Island.

 

It is basically a really small island. However, if you climb up to the peak of the island, the scenery is definitely breath-taking! There's even a lighthouse there that makes the view even more amazing!

 

Right after reaching the island, we hike around the island and after that, we had an awesome BBQ party!!!

 

Here are some directions to get to this island for a quiet getaway!

Directions

From Express Bus Terminal, take an express bus bound for Gohyeon Bus Terminal. Walk toward Geoje Children Hospital, take Bus 53-1 and get off at Maemuldo Passenger Terminal Bus Stop (54 bus stops). Take a ferry to the Island (60 minutes).

  
This trip was really awesome as we had to take lots of boat rides (beware for those who get seasick like me!), I had a lot of fun during this trip and being a part of the 2015 Wow Korea Supporters definitely gave me an opportunity to open my eyes and learn so much more about Korea and its culture.

Things to do in Gyeongsangbukdo - Gyeongju | 2015 Wow Korea Supporters (Day 1)

So for this trip, we went to the southern part of Korea!

And our first stop is Gyeongju!

DAY 1

Once we arrive, we had a very delicious lunch in Ho-bak-go-ul, 호박고을. The owner was really nice and he made us feel comfortable! The food there is also amazing! It is one of the MUST-TRY foods if anyone goes to Gyeongju.

I highly recommend this to those who love duck meat and wants to have a healthy Korean meal in Gyeongju.
Click HERE to go to their official website!!

 After lunch, we went to the Gyeongju Museum. There, they have several relics from the Shilla dynasty and several of them are considered as the Korean National Treasure.

Shilla is one of the dynasties that is known to use a lot of gold and this is one of the crowns which was used by one of the kings in Shilla dynasty that became Korea's National Treasure.

We also went to the Cheomseongdae. It is an astronomical observatory build during the Shilla dynasty and currently it is oldest observatory in East Asia.

 

 And the garden around Cheomseongdae is very beautiful. A great place for awesome pictures!

After that we went to Anapji which is known as the East Palace during the Shilla dynasty. During that period, the crown prince would have celebrations and feasts with guests near the lake due to its beautiful night scenery.

And finally we had Cheomseongdae Ssam Bab,첨성대쌈밥 which is rice, meat and side dishes wrapped in lettuce for dinner!

It was a satisfying dinner!!!

The food was simply AMAZING!!!

Stay tune for Day 2!

Daegu Arboretum, the eco-park in the heart of Daegu | 2015 Wow Korea Supporters

 

 Daegu Arboretum (대구수목원) is also known as an eco-park in the heart of downtown Daegu. It is home to more than 1000 species of plants including giant cacti, flowers, medicinal herbs and trees. It would definitely be a great place to visit because it regularly holds ecology experience programs for students.

On top of that, it provides a healing experience for people who make the trip there to walk around, look at the flowers and breathe in the fresh air.

  

The huge and beautiful botanical garden is one of the things to visit when going to Daegu. The entire place has a park for picnics, green houses featuring many different plants and ponds with water lilies and even bonsai gardens. The place is pretty huge so it takes roughly an hour or two to totally cover it.

It would be an amazing place to walk around during spring to see cherry blossoms, as well as during the cool summer of September.

Operating Hours:
Jan - May/ Sep - Dec: 09:00 - 18:00
Jun - Aug: 09:00 - 19:00
Admission Fees: Free

Directions:
From Seoul Express Bus Terminal, take an express bus to Dongdaegu (동대구).
* Bus schedule: 06:00-23:55, 20-30min intervals
From Dongdaegu Bus Terminal, take Bus 106 to Jinwol Elementary School (진월초등학교).
* Bus schedule: Weekdays 13min intervals / Weekends 17min intervals

Things to do in Gyeonggi-do | 2015 Wow Korea Supporters | Day 1

So the 4^th trip, we explored Gyeonggi-do. 

We first went to Sansawon where we learned how to make home-brewed liquor. It was a really easy process where we only use rice, water and yeast. 

 

After that, we even get to taste different types of Korean Liquor and side dishes that Koreans eat with these drinks.

 

To learn more about Sansawon, check out my post dedicated to this awesome gallery HERE!

For lunch, we went to Cheongsan Byeolmi, a Korean restaurant that serves the local delicacy – Korean Beef and Mushroom Shabushabu. For people who loves mushroom, you get to taste different types of mushroom that was grown by the restaurant owners. The hotpot taste absolutely amazing and the soup had a strong mushroom taste.

 

Next, we went to Herb Island. Herb Island is a place where families and visitors can learn about the usage of herbs, make their own household items with herbs and experience the little Greek Village, Italian Village, German Village and French Village.

 

 

There, I made some hand cream with lavender essential oil and almond oil that made my hands feel soft. And apparently, visitors can make their very own cosmetic/skin care products there. 

 

Directions
Take an express bus to Pocheon Intercity Bus Terminal.
Take Bus 57 bound for Sinbuk Oncheon (Hot spring, 신북온천)at the local bus stop outisde the Bus Terminal.
Get off at Samjeong-ri (삼정리), and go straight on Samcheongol-gil Street to arrive at Herb Island.

OR

Soyosan Station (Seoul Subway Line 1).
Take Bus 57, and get off at Samjeong-ri.
Go straight on Samcheongol-gil Street to arrive at Herb Island.

Official Website: http://herbisland.co.kr/herbisland/index_en.php

 

After that, we went to Cheolwon for rafting in Hantan River. The experience was certainly amazing and I had a great time rafting. The instructor was also a real hottie, so I wouldn’t mind doing it all over again.

 

It was an amazing time, and I had a lot of fun whilst gaining new experiences. I do hope that through my posts, you would be able to gain a wider perspective about what Korea is all about. 

Stay tuned for Day 2!!!

Things to do in Chung-Cheong-do | 2015 Wow Korea Supporters (Day 2)

 

On the second day, we went to Asan where the Oeam Folk Village is located at.

There, we hand-dyed our handkerchiefs with all natural dye and the finished product is sooo pretty!

Check out my post on Asan and for more info on how to get to Oeam Folk VillageHERE!

 

 

After the stroll, we went for some delicious soft tofu stew 순두부찌개 at the  shi-gul-sun-du-bu 시골순두부 Restaurant in Cheonan.

Honestly, it is one of the best soft tofu stew that I have ever tasted!

Next, we visited The Independence Hall of Korea.

  

There, we get to have a better understanding on the independence movement in Korea.

 

We also had an opportunity to watch a 4D short animated film. Since the film is meant for kids, the 4D effect wasn’t as intense as I experienced before.

 

How to get there

[Bus] Cheonan Bus Terminal – Take the 400 city bus
[KTX] Cheonan Asan Station – Taxi (30min), 400 city bus

 

This relaxing trip really enabled me to learn so much about Korean history and I can’t wait to learn more on the next trip!