Living in Korea: October 2013

Monday, October 7, 2013

Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2013

It was AMAZING! Amazing for the fireworks, amazing for the crowd! No wonder it's named an International FESTIVAL! OMG~~~ I LOVE KOREAN FESTIVALS! ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

It's my second time to enjoy the international fireworks festival in Seoul. And I was amazed, again this year, as well. It was very beautiful. Held on last Saturday, Oct 5th, 2013, the Yeouinaru area was fully-packed by human! Not only Koreans, but also all tourists and foreign residents in Seoul and nearby cities! Ah, I got a mistake. Not only Yeouinaru area, but I don't know how many kilometers was the human flood last weekend.

Inside Yeouinaru Station, around 4:50 PM

Inside Yeouinaru Station, around 4:55 PM

I departed from Incheon with 9 of my friends around 2:45 PM, and arrived at Yeouinaru Station around 4:30 PM. But there was a human traffic inside and outside the station. I knew, the human traffic when I arrived there was not yet as dense as the later afternoon. But I need around 40-50 minutes to walked out from the station towards my picnic spot near Wonhyo Bridge. AWESOME.

We then had a walk, took some rest, and had our dinner before the main event started.
See the photos below, the sky color is very beautiful, right?

Around 7:30 PM, after a count-down together, the first fireworks show by Canada team started. It's so beautiful. Everyone can't stop showing their amazement.

Fireworks show by Canada Team

15 minutes passed by, Canada team done with their show. After 5 minutes break, Japan team started their fireworks show. It's amazingly beautiful, with so many unique fireworks. I couldn't event blink my eyes.

Fireworks show by Japan Team

Another 15-minutes session has passed, plus another 5-minutes break, it's France team turn to show their fireworks.

Fireworks show by France Team

And finally around 8:30 PM, the last team, the home team, Korean team started their show, for around 30 minutes.

Fireworks show by Korean Team

The fireworks show ended at 9 PM, everyone moved to the closest station to ride a subway.
We passed by the first station we met: Yeouinaru Station, the station looked like it's going to explode. We walked further, met Yeouido Station, same situation. Walk much further (after 70 minutes walking from Wonhyo Bridge), we arrived at Singil Station. Well, it had a lot of spare space for us to enter the station, stand, and walk. But when we arrived at the platform. D*rn, it's fully packed. We had to queue, again. After 30-40 minutes waiting (3rd or 4rd train that came), we managed to board the train. But... we became human sandwich! We couldn't even move! After 15-20 minutes ride, the train then had more space. I could finally breathe and move, thanks my Lord!

We arrived Juan Station around 11.40 PM, rode a taxi and arrive before 12 at our dormitory~
FYI, we are Cinderellas (we have to go back before 12 unless we wish to sleep outside!)

Though I was very tired because of the crowd, it's an AMAZING festival that we have to join! ㅋㅋ

Backpackers Trip to Busan (1N2D)

I visited Busan last winter (February 2013). It was quite warm there compared to Incheon ><

Since it's a peak season (Seollal Holiday), and it's a sudden plan, all the KTX tickets were sold out. So, I went for alternate way to reach Busan: went to nearby express bus terminal early in the morning (6:30 AM from dormitory), and looked for any available ticket.

There were barely an available ticket. But then I got one, it was Excellent class with price 34,200 Won/person/one way.

I departed from Incheon at 9:10 AM and arrived at Seobusan Express Bus Terminal around 2:45 PM.

My first visit was Jagalchi Market. I took around the traditional yet international fish market, and arrived at the sea side where we can see a fresh view of the sea. I then continued to BIFF Square and had some snacks over there. It's nice~~ Next visit is the Yongdusan Park located close to Nampo Station.

Jagalchi Market

Sea view from Jagalchi Market

Purchased some takoyaki at snacks stands in BIFF Square

BIFF Square

Otw Yongdusan Park

Yongdusan Park with Busan Tower as the background

Yongdusan Park

It was around 5.30 when I left Nampo Station. Next spot to visit was Lotte Dept. Store, which is located close to Seomyeon Station. After having a walk inside the dept. store, I walked outside. There were a lot of restaurants over there. And they were all look good. ㅋㅋ

There were also a lot of snacks stands. My eyes attracted to the long line of a 호떡 stand. With only 900 Won/piece, the taste of the 호떡 was very good! No wonder the line was so long~~

호떡~ 맛있다!

In front of Lotte Hotel

Inside the Lotte Dept. Store

Around 7 PM, I left Seomyeon Station toward Gwangan Station to enjoy the night view at Gwangalli Beach. With the Gwangan Bridge as the background, the night view became much more beautiful!

새해복많이받으세요~ ^^

Gwangalli Beach with Gwangan Bridge as the background

Walked around with backpack all day long, my body got tired, so I decided to head toward my resting spot: Rodeo Jjimjil Town~ Located near Jung-Dong Station, I arrived around 9.30 PM after 10-15 minutes walk from the station.

I then enjoyed Korean sauna there, and had a very good rest! The employee there were quite friendly~

Next morning, around 9 AM, I left the Jjimjilbang and walked toward Haeundae Station to rode a bus to Haedong Yonggungsa. It's a must visit place in Busan. It's a Buddhist temple located at the seaside. Its view was so beautiful!

Outside the Rodeo Jjimjil Town

Otw to Haeundae Station

In front of Haeundae Station~

But, there were only one bus from Haeundae, if I'm not mistaken. Bus no. 181, which runs once in around 1 hour. So, don't be late if you don't wish to wait for another hour ^^

Got off from the bus, and walked to Haedong Yonggungsa

In front of the Haedong Yonggungsa

Snacks stands outside the temple

Entering the temple~~

A stone with Karma law written on it!

Beautiful, right?

Two golden piggy banks~

Kwan Im Pu Sa~ Goddess of Mercy~

Dragon ("Yong") in Yonggungsa

12 Chinese zodiacs take care of the Haedong Yonggungsa~

I left Haedong Yonggusa, to Dongbaek Station, by the same bus (181).
With Dongbaek Station as my starting point, I started my walking course, exploring the Dongbaek Island, toward Haeundae Beach. Though it was winter, there were a lot of people there. The view was awesome!

We can see beautiful Gwangan Bridge from Dongbaek Island, too~~

Closer shoot of the Gwangan Bridge

APEC House + Gwangan Bridge

Walk and walk~~~

We can see Haeundae Beach now!

The lonely mermaid~

Finished my walking course around 2 PM, I then moved to Beomeosa Station. Beomeosa was my last visit in Busan, it's another Buddhist temple there. I walked around the temple, taking much fresh air, before I left toward Nopo Station .

Otw to the entrance of Beomeosa

Entrance of Beomeosa

Inside Beomeosa

An old building inside the temple

Leaving Beomeosa

I then left Busan around 5 PM from Busan Express Bus Terminal, which is located close to Nopo Station.

It was a very good backpack trip. I only spent around 110,000-120,000 Won/person for the whole trip, include bus fare for round trip, jjimjilbang fee, dining, and T-Money charge~

I will visit Busan again soon! Why don't you guys do so? ^^