Snapshots from Seoul: Nami Island

NOTE: Nami Island/ Namiseom is not actually in Seoul but in Chuncheon (the capital city of  Gangwon Province, in the northeastern part of South Korea) but for the sake of uniformity of my travel accounts in Seoul, I’m keeping the same heading.

After our quick stop at Provence Village, we headed to Chuncheon for lunch. Chuncheon is popular for dak galbi, it is a dish which consists of chicken, cabbage, rice cakes, potatoes, and scallions with gochujang, a red pepper sauce, cooked on a big pan in the center of the table.

dak galbi

And off we went to Nami Island, after our hearty lunch.

Nami Island or Namiseom is a “tiny half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon that was formed due to the rising water of the North Han River because of the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam.”

We had to ride the ferry, Nami Maid, for a five-minute ride to reach Nami Island.

Nami Maid – queue to the ferry – five-minute ride – winterscape

Welcome to Naminara Republic

“Naminara Republic is an imaginary country where a “passport” is issued to gain entry into Namiseom. It declared itself a self-governing contry in 2006; it has also invented its own passport, currency, stamp, and telephone card”.

I actually did not see the “passport”, perhaps it was with our tour guide? I remembered just holding a Namiseom pamphlet (in Thai) when we boarded the ferry. I’m not sure about the currency, stamp, and telephone card either. I did not stay long enough to observe these things. I bought a steamed bun when I was there but I used the “regular” Korean won.

winter wonderland

Winter Sonata memorabilia

Nami Island is also one of the filming locations of the hit South Korean drama, Winter Sonata. Tourists from far and wide, especially the avid Korean drama fans flock Nami Island for this very reason. But the time when we were there, there were also many Korean families with small children and groups of young adults or university students even on a Monday.

There were also art galleries, outdoor exhibitions, museums, shops, and small stalls selling food and coffee.

outdoor art sculptures and exhibitions

 “I see trees of green…”

Natural beauty abounds in Nami Island even in winter. I just cannot imagine how awesome it can get when flowers bloom in spring or when leaves turn red in fall.

I was not able to explore the whole of Nami Island but from what I have seen and experienced, the place is not only a feast to the senses but it also enables you to be attuned and appreciate the beauty of nature. Nami Island is a dreamy paradise that is definitely worth visiting especially with every season change.

Have you been to Nami Island or to a similar place that left you a lasting impression? Care to share?

Cheers 🙂

Snapshots from Seoul: Provence Village

NOTE: Provence Village is not actually in Seoul but in Gyeonggi-do (a province in South Korea) but for the sake of uniformity of my travel accounts in Seoul, I’m keeping the same heading.

map of the village

Hi everyone! Munching on some Korean strawberries brought me back to Korea and I reminisced all the beautiful places I visited on my winter trip. It also made me realise that I haven’t finished my posts on my travel to South Korea almost two months ago. So, here is one of our destinations…

Provence Village is the very first place we visited after going out of the airport. I was really excited because I thought we will be going to Petit France. I was the first one to excitedly get off the bus to look for the Little Prince-inspired landmarks and I realised we’re at the wrong place (Our tour guide was speaking in Thai so I couldn’t understand what he was talking about most of the time).

Anyway, Provence Village is a themed village to probably resemble a little charming French village. The area is not really that big and the whole “village” comprised mainly of quaint cafes, restaurants (I saw a shabu-shabu and French restaurants, among others), and shops selling trinkets, souvenirs, candies, and more. The shophouses and cafes are uniquely painted in bright colours, too. There is also a nice garden and a pond in the center. While there is not much to be done in Provence Village except for some casual dining and eclectic shopping (I espied on a Zara warehouse, too), there is plenty of opportunity for cam-whoring. I did, too 🙂

Here are some of the pictures… Enjoy!

French restaurant – signage – drama/ movie poster*

(*I’m guessing that a certain drama/ movie filmed there, but I can be wrong)

charming cafes, restaurants and shops

out in the sun

I think it was only 3 degrees Celsius that time and coming from Thailand, it was a chilly day!

a sidestreet – cafe – more restaurants and cafes

the pond – “Vincent Van Gogh” house – and more shops

We only stayed there for barely half an hour and I have walked the center area thrice (I still didn’t make any friends with my tour group at this time so I was by my lonesome T.T). I guess when you’re with friends or special someone, you’ll see Provence Village differently. Looking at the pictures now, it actually seemed a romantic place.

I will be definitely back next time 🙂 Have you been to Provence Village? Which part/ area did you like? Care to share?

Cheers 🙂

Boating Underground: One of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

An amazing place in the Philippines I wanna visit soon 🙂

Boating Underground: One of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Hello from Siem Reap

 

Angkor Wat

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Just a quick post telling you that I am in Siem Reap,Cambodia now 🙂 but I’m going back to Bangkok this afternoon. I will post the pictures when I get home.

We have visited the temples in the past two days and might go back to Angkor Wat again today.

Hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!

Cheers 🙂

Haul from Seoul: Etude House

This is FINALLY my last “Haul from Seoul” entry. Whew! Although, this collective haul is the first among my many purchases in Seoul, I post this the last since I bought a lot from Etude House. You see, Etude House is a fairly inexpensive brand in South Korea targeted to the young (but there are also products for the not-so-young anymore ;)) and I’ve been dying to get my hands on their well-received and cutely packaged products.

I bought my Etude House products in Everland Resort (yes, they there is an Etude House in Everland) and Hongdae.

Here are my Etude House goodies:

Bebe Foot Mask, AC Clinic Mask Sheet, Princess 3D Mask, Essence Masks

Quick Review: AC Clinic Mask Sheet

I tried it at the height of the breakouts on my chin. It did not tingle but I did not notice any immediate effects since I only used it once.

Petit Darling Nails Matte

To compare with the price here in Thailand, I got similar matte pink nail polish at THB200 (approximately US$7/ KRW7,000) and I got each of the matte nail polishes at KRW2,000 each (approximately THB62/ US$2). It is a little streaky when applied but it got smoother and cleaner when I put a matte top coat (Skinfood Gunnpang).

Total Age Repair Royal Cream, Missing You Bee Hand Cream in Rose and Acacia

Happy Teatime Waterproof Lip & Eye Remover Tissue

Happy Teatime Green Tea Cleansing Tissue

Quick Review: The green tea cleansing tissues smell so good and refreshing. It doesn’t sting and dry my face. Although, it easily removes traces of makeup and BB cream, this is not the only cleansing regimen I follow.

Petit Bijou Allover Spray in Baby Bubble

Quick Review: This is an allover spray, meaning it can be sprayed not only on your body but also on your clothes, pillows and room. I tested it in the shop and it smelled so clean and pure and I really regretted not getting one for myself.

Proof 10 Eye Primer

Quick Review: I love this! It does keep my eye shadow the whole day albeit my really oily face and super humid weather in Bangkok. This is really worth it. I should have gotten a back up.

Look at My Eyes Eyeshadow in PP04, BK01 and SL02

Dear Darling Tint

Apricot Sticks

Look at My Lips Lipsticks

And the freebies from Etude House…

Goodbye Pore Ever & Be Clear Moisturizer Samples

More Freebies and Samples

two mugs (yes, I brought them all the way from Seoul hehe), cotton pads, pear extract mask, stickers, baking powder pore cleansing tissue, Silk Scarf shampoo, Dressing Room lotion, Moistful toner and emulsion

Like all the other goodies I got from Seoul, most of what you can see here are for family and friends. I can do more comprehensive reviews, though, of the products which I quickly reviewed (except for the Petit Bijou spray) since they are mine.

Do you use Etude House products? Which products are your favourites? Care to share?

Cheers 🙂