J&J Reunion in Korea

1-6 February 2011
J&J Reunion in Korea - Jinky and Rita in the Land of Kimchi

In February 2010, I had to come to Korea for a scholarship program in The Catholic University of Korea. When my friends knew that I am coming to Korea, there were a lot who said they will come and visit me plus of course the tour in Seoul and other parts of Korea. So 2 months after I arrived Korea, there was a Cebu Pacific airfare sale in which my previous officemate from J&J immediately purchased ticket. Unfortunately, due to technical problems, the other was not able to successfully purchase a ticket. After months, there was a couple of airfare sale coming to Korea again, wherein other friends were successful in getting theirs.

So this February, we finally met in the Land of Kimchi! =)

This was what we did or rather where we have been to:

February 1: Jinky's arrival in Seoul 8:45pm 

February 2: Rita's arrival in Seoul 5:30am; Deoksugong, Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbukgong, Cheongge Cheon, Insadong, Myeondong

Gyeongbukgong

Gyeongbukgong with Jinky

Gwanghwamun

February 3: Seoul Land, Namsan Seoul Tower

Seoul Land

 

 Sledding down this slope was FUN!!! Did this twice. Good thing, this was the first thing we did upon arrival. There were still not so much people wanting to do this so it was more spacious!

Balancing in the rattan rope

 What are we doing here?! This was a crazy room! We started walking to this room feeling -- uhh.. what is this?! but ended crazy and having difficult time balancing. They designed the room for us to feel the gravity. That's the reason of the tilted posture I have in the photo below!!! 

Gravity Room

SLED!!! :D

Teddy Bear Museum

February 4: Nami Island, Namdaemun

Nami Island - The place where Winter Sonata was filmed.

We went to Nami Island via the bus in Insadong. It costs KW23,000.00 inclusive of round trip bus fare, entrance to the Naminara Republic.

whew!

Frozen body of water

It was amazing to see ice castle! =) In Philippines, we have sand castle in the beach! =)

 

We did not get to have a real lunch. I had Jinky and Rita tasted Rice Cake Soup which Koreans used to eat during Chinese New Year - Seollal as they call it. For Koreans, when they eat Rice Cake Soup - they become 1 year older. So after walking around the place, we had some Ho-tok, Odeng and Coffee! =)

During our sight seeing, we saw 1 family with a freezing dog!!! Too harsh for them to bring a not so "all-right" dog to Nami Island where the place is all snow and iced. I do hope they have thought of bringing the dog to the "heating" area earlier - not only when the dog is freezing to death already. :(

Some wild ostriches are also out walking along the streets with the tourists. One of the Ajussis even opened his palm and just got bitten by the ostrich! =) Naughty Ostrich!

February 5: CUK, Coffee Prince, Hoegi

We went to my university for them to check around, as well as to eat the ever craved Samgyeopsal of Rita nearby our campus! =) We headed to Coffee Prince - the first Coffee Prince shop. Yes, the one in the Korean Drama.

The New York Cheesecake tastes good! The coffee are ordinary.

Coffee with Rita!
Coffee Costs around KW7,000 and up.

Hoping that this is my coffee shop! =)

What's your order, sir?

We headed to Hoegi afterwards to eat Korean Pizza (Pajeon). It is similar to the Oyster Cake but this one is full of Seafood and leeks. We also had Seafood Stew, Steamed Egg, etc.

February 6: Free time, Departure from Seoul to Manila 9:30pm

Unfortunately, I cannot be with them on their last day as I have to go to Pohang for a Global Entrepreneurship Training Program. Good thing, they have found their way to the airport! =)

10:58pm Korean Time

6 February 2011

Karina Chua