A Day in Everland

Since we will be leaving Korea soon, we decided to visit our hometown Everland for the last time since we had not been there for a while. Amazingly, the whole place was transformed into the Halloween theme. Tons of pictures to share.

Taking pictures with the mascot.

Enjoying the views on the chairlift (see left) and ferris wheel.

Many, many kiddy rides.

For the first time, we ventured into the Arcade centre. My darlings had a fun time playing the drums, horse-riding and canoeing.

My Sweetie recalled the time when she watched Mummy riding the horse at Jeju Island. Mummy and Daddy got to reminisce the old days of spending time at the Arcade.

Finally, it's time to say goodbye.

Everland, 안녕.

Gyeryongsan 계룡산

Before our Jeju tour, we went for a hearty meal of clam noodle (칼국수). Mummy love the noodle sold in this restaurant and we would always drop to satisfy our craving. See the great number of live clams and big jars in the background of the pictures, so you can imagine how popular the restaurant is.

On impulse, we decided to drop by the Gyeryongsan (계룡산) since we haven't been there for a while.

After paying for the entrance fee, we were a little regretful as we doubted we would walk far into the mountain with Daddy's condition.

Indeed we didn't walk far, but we did have an enjoyable time there. We came across many stone pagodas built by visitors to the mountain and so my darlings also joined in to build their own tower of stones.

Then Mummy decided to go down the beautiful stream, rather than watch it from afar. The sound of the flowing water added some tranquility to the minds. What a great experience.

My darlings enjoyed playing with the water. See what great fun they have throwing pebbles into the water, in the video you can hear my Cutie said "it's fun" near the end. Indeed, 재밌다.

Trip to Jeju Island

Went on a 4-day tour to Jeju Island and it was the best Group tour that Mummy had since coming to Korea. For the first time, Mummy can smell "freedom" coming. Gee... tho' not really there yet.
It had never been easy going on group tour with 2 young toddlers (especially when they only want Mummy, ie. not Daddy or others). But on this trip, Mummy can finally have a proper meal with little supervision over them self-feeding and finishing fast with no spillage. Best of all, they are more willing to join in the fun with the other older kids after their meals (unlike the past of clinging tightly onto Mummy wherever I go).

Tho' still tiring, it has been a fun-packed trip. The tour itinerary include hiking on 2 mountains. But with Daddy's back condition, we actually have a great time at the foot of the mountains. We did some woody handicrafts at Hallasan National Park Visitor Center and also had a lovely picnic at the foot of the famous Sunrise Peak aka Seongsan Ilchubong 성산 일출봉 (see pictures on left).

For Mummy, the most memorable would be the horse riding session as my white horse was superly timid (the only horse that doesn't need a whip) and so it ran extremely faster than the rest, with just a shout from the trainer. Phew.

For Daddy, guess it was the time spent at Marado (a small island off Jeju) where we got to be at Korea's most Southern point. It has been fun self-driving round the little island on a golf buggy kind of vehicle and enjoying great views. The picture on the left was taken near the jetty at Jeju to Marado. It was also one of the filming site of "Jewel in the Palace".

For the darlings, guess they have many favourites on this tour. First, they love watching the Pacific Land show where they can see the performance of dolphins and sealions. They also enjoyed the short time that they got to play with the water at the beach and of course, eating the green tea ice-cream and cake at the O'sulloc Tea Museum.

Best of all, were to be able to bring their "babies" around everywhere and also to take pictures with some lovely cartoon characters at the Mini-world (haha... rather than the famous world architectures).

Our tour also include the Dokkaebi Road, Jusangjeollidae, Oedolgae, Cheonjiyeon Falls, Jeju Folklore Museum, Hallim Park and Yongdu-am (the dragon's head, see picture below). With such tight schedule, it was a pity that we were not able to make it to the Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju.

Jeju Island has been well-known for its Stones, Wind and Women. But it's the windy condition that has been the most unforgetable in the hot Summer days.

Back to Bronze Age

Was clearing the various brochures at home and learned that there are some Bronze Age huts located in Daejeon. As the park was located near E-mart (hypermart), we decided to dropby one day after shopping for our groceries.

These umjip (dug-out mud hut) at Dunsan Prehistoric Site belongs to the Bronze Age (2500 to 3000 BC). Be warned, don't get a shock when you peeked into the house. There were some Bronze Age "humans" inside.

At the park, my Cutie was very happy to find her favourite plant (Dandelion) and can't wait to blow off the fluffy seedball.

There were some bamboo plants at 1 corner of the park, so got my darlings to pose for pictures.

TGI Friday

Yesterday, we went to TGI Fridays to celebrate Daddy's birthday which happened to fall on a Friday.

But guess who are the ones having the most fun?

Didn't get any present for Daddy cos' we have reached the stage of buying our presents ourselves after married for so many years. We both love the idea as it spares the other party the headache of thinking what to buy and 1 thing for sure, we will definitely love the present :).

Daddy said he is already very contented with the card that they had made for him and the birthday cakes which these 2 little ones love (we had an earlier celebration with a family friend last week).

He is happy to have 2 beautiful lifelong presents, gee...

Kumdori Land

Ever since Daddy was down with pain on his back, we have not been going to Everland for a while. So instead of travelling 2 hours to Everland, we visited the Kumdori Land Theme Park here in Daejeon.

Tho' this Kumdori Land is a lot smaller in scale (compared to Everland), my darlings were already very excited when at the entrance.

We had a go at the ferris wheel and the boat ride, my darlings' favourites are the kiddy car rides and the kiddy mini-cup-merry-go-round (which is in Kiwi fruit design).

We managed to watch the Summer Festival stage performance, but guess my darlings enjoyed most was the performance by the Kumdori's Mascots and the photo taking session after the performance.

However, it was the various coin-operated kiddy rides near the Exit that kept their excitement on high. Hence, you can imagine the considerable amount of time we spent there (tho' we were so near the exit).

We had not taken our dinner, but we didn't seem to feel hungry (maybe too much snacks, hee...). Guess it's the joy of watching our darlings having so much fun, so never underestimate the power of the little ones (they can simply make your day with their laughters). We didn't even spend a cent on these rides cos' my darlings only love to just sit in them.

Here's my Cutie dancing before the start of the Summer Festival Stage Performance.

Our Hometown

Usually on weekends, the Koreans will be travelling back to their hometowns (고향) with their kids to visit their parents staying in another town which may range from 1 -3 hours' drive. Filial piety and respects for the old are deeply rooted in the Korean culture.

We have been to Everland for so many numerous times that mummy has even lost count. Each time we have to travel 2 hours there (really got to thank Daddy for gladly be the driver while Mummy got to sleep on the journey). If we travel during the peak hours, it can even take up to 4 hours or more.

What to do... our darlings love going to Everland and every time we will not miss the Carnival Elysion where they can see Laciun and Laila (Everland's mascots) and hug/take pictures with them.

As such, we have since officially named Everland as our 고향. So if you visit Korea next time, do dropby our hometown and have fun.

Money Money

Altho' the 50,000 won note starts its circulation in Korea (June 2009), we never have a chance to see the actual note. So when Daddy brought 1 home, got my darlings to take some pictures with it. Gee... do you know this note is now the biggest denomination in Korean won.

See my darlings with their naughty poses. My Sweetie had actually placed a hairband round her neck. Now what a nice choker she has, right?

The lady in the 50,000 note was, in fact, the mother of a great scholar, Lee Yul-gok (he was being featured in the 5,000 won note).

During April, we had gone on a tour to their house (Ojukheon - National TreasureNo. 165) in Gangneung. But didn't have any nice pictures to share here as my little darlings were having their afternoon nap then (but still can view pictues of the place in my other blog).

Realised that the picture of the lady (Shin Saim-dang) in the brochure looks different from the one in circulation. Hee... think the government felt that she looks "more Korean" in the new hairdo. Well, nevertheless, guess she must be proud to be chosen as the first woman featured on the Korean's currency.