We had breakfast at the hotel at 7am and left the hotel almost at 8am. As the hotel is situated is some national park ( lots of trees and higher ground ) it was really cold that morning.
Pic 1 : Hotel Kensington Flora
Our first stop was to Naksansa Temple which is located at the slope of Naksa mountain. We were told that this is one of the few temples that overlook the sea. Our bus parked at the bottom of the slope and we had to walk through a morning market before reaching the foot of the hill. Interestingly, there was a lot of fished ( salted fish? ) being sold
Pic 2 : The custom will not be too happy if I were to bring this back
Pic 3 : Las Vegas in Naksansa? I told you I was not dreaming. ( road leading to the temple )
Pic 4 : The view of the beach while "hiking" up the trail. Buses are not allowed
Pic 5: On the way, we pass Naksan beach hotel. After 15min of walk, I don't understand why they don't throw in sauna into the package ;)
The steep hill climb started after this hotel and we had to walk for another 10 min passing through souvenir shops before reaching the entrance.
Pic 6 : We have made it only to be told that we have 1.15 hour to meet back.
Pic 7 : Attraction at Nansaksa Temple. 1.15 hours? Impossible to complete so we decided to do what we can.
A pavillion by the cliff caught our attention so we headed there. Along the way, there were lanterns hung all over ( probably welcoming new year ).
Pic 8 : Lantern against the Clear blue ocean backdrop at Naksansa temple
Pic 9: Clear blue ocean at Naksansa temple
Upon reaching the Pavillion, we wasted no time to snap a photo with the clear blue ocean and quickly headed to the next spot. Seems like 15-20min have already passed by then.
Pic 10: Photo taken in the pavillion
Pic 11: Naksansa temple
Pic 12 : Another picture of us with the clear blue ocean
Pic 13: Getting some blessings from the mini "guan yim". Apparently there is a bigger statue higher up and clearly we did not have time to see it
Pic 14: Stuff with worries? I recomend you to go to Naksansa temple. They have place to "untie" your worries. So why worry? :)
Pic 15: Interesting tree at Naksansa
Clearly 1.15 hour is up by then and we have manage to only cover 5% of the whole place. If you are interested to visit this temple, do allocate a few hours to be able to cover all the building.
We started our hike down and enjoy the beauty of Naksa beach
We started our hike down and enjoy the beauty of Naksa beach
Pic 16: Naksa beach
After that , we headed to Abai village where the korean drama Autumn in my heart was filmed which is located not too far from the temple. If you have not watch the show, please do and make sure you have a box of tissue paper within your reach.
Pic 17 : Abai village
Pic 18: One of the film location in Abai village
Pic 18: Picture taken inside the convenient store
Pic 19: Abai village
Pic 20: Was this bicycle used in the filming?
Pic 21: Autumn in my heart filming location
Pic 22: Last picture at Abai village before we head of to the next destination Mt Sorak.
Alas, we reach Mt Sorak(Seoraksan) almost around noon time. and wasted to time and exploring it. The best time to visit Mount Sorak is during autumn as the colours at the area are considered the most beautiful in Korea. As you can see, the leave have all drop during winter
Pic 23: Pathway leading to Mt Sorak
Pic 24 : Mt Sorak Entrance
Pic 25 : Group Photo taken at Mount Sorak entrance
Pic 26: Bronze Buddha of Sinheungsa located close to the entrance of Mt Sorak.
PIc 27 : Pathway leading to Sinheungsa (Buddhist Temple)
Pic 28: Sinheungsa (Buddhist Temple)
Pic 29: Sinheungsa (Buddhist Temple) with Mt Sorak at the background
Pic 30: Sinheungsa (Buddhist Temple)
Pic 31: Another view of Sinheungsa (Buddhist Temple) with Mt Sorak backdrop
Pic 32:Sinheungsa (Buddhist Temple)
Pic 33: Bronze Buddha of Sinheungsa taken on the way out.
Pic 34 :Mt Sorak map ( we barely cover 0.1% of the national park )
Next we headed off to lunch and supposedly stopover at everland park on the way back to Seoul.
Pic 35: Korean BBQ restaurant
Pic 36 : Marinated and barbecued to perfection.
After lunch, we took off to everland. However, we got caught in traffic in a tunnel( as we then found out that most people are returning to Seoul after the long weekend ) What was suppose to be a 1/2 hour passage in teh tunnel turn to be a 4 hours jam. We even saw people "untieing their worries" along the passage in the tunnel. There was a toilet at the end of the tunnel but was greeted with long queue. Ended spending another 1/2 hour for the toilet.
After lunch, we took off to everland. However, we got caught in traffic in a tunnel( as we then found out that most people are returning to Seoul after the long weekend ) What was suppose to be a 1/2 hour passage in teh tunnel turn to be a 4 hours jam. We even saw people "untieing their worries" along the passage in the tunnel. There was a toilet at the end of the tunnel but was greeted with long queue. Ended spending another 1/2 hour for the toilet.
We were almost met with an accident whereby the bus went into a wrong toll lane and manage to stop just inches away from height limit pillar. The sharp brake cause our korea tour guide to fall and injured herself while our malaysian guide sprain her wrist trying to catch hold of the korean tour guide.
We witnessed the whole incident as the tour guide has just started to get on the mic telling us about the change in itinerary due to the incident. Luckily nobody was hurt in the incident and we could see that the driver was clearly tired from the drive. We were suppose to go to dongdaemun that night but decide to move it out and allow our bus driver to rest.
Upon arriving at the hotel, we were to tired and immediately headed off to bed.....What a day....
We witnessed the whole incident as the tour guide has just started to get on the mic telling us about the change in itinerary due to the incident. Luckily nobody was hurt in the incident and we could see that the driver was clearly tired from the drive. We were suppose to go to dongdaemun that night but decide to move it out and allow our bus driver to rest.
Upon arriving at the hotel, we were to tired and immediately headed off to bed.....What a day....
Pic 37 : Arrive at Seoul Hotel lobby
