So blooming cold!

Snow pig

It started snowing last week! I actually don't mind the cold if I know I am heading somewhere warm (like my home). But! I know my school is cold and the heater is rubbish! My toes are numb dammit!!

One the first day I enjiyed the snow and spent two hours outside with the kids making a snow pig! But now I really can't wait until Thailand!! I think that is what is getting me through this cold weather. ><

Dapsimni in the snow

Babysitting kitty

School Trip To Mt. Seoraksan

East coast

About a week ago, I went on the annual teacher’s trip. This year it was to the east coast and Mt. Seoraksan. I was quite excited as I have wanted to go to the east coast and Seoraksan for about two years. Plus, I was going with my friends and co-workers! :D

We left straight after all lessons were finished (around 3pm). My school is really big and filled up two coaches. The journey was quite long but it didn’t feel it as I was quite happy eating snacks (we get given a snack bag at the beginning of these trips).

Mt. Seoraksan

We arrived at the East coast around 7 and after a small meeting we went to our rooms. There were five of us in a room but there were not enough blankets and when we requested more they just sent up summer sheets. Plus, the room was freezing!!! It took me 2-3 hours just to warm up and go to sleep. It was actually snowing that night.

The next morning was freezing! We had pictures on the beach of our school. Everyone was screaming, “Hurry! Hurry!”

Breakfast was great though. It was a hot fish soup. It was just what we needed to warm us up. We got on the coach (which was colder than outside…) and headed to Mt. Seoraksan.

Buddha

The views I saw on this trip were the most beautiful I have seen in South Korea. In our hotel we had the beach one side and beautiful mountains behind us.

When we arrived at Mt. Seoraksan, I was surprised how busy it was considering how cold it was. I was also taken back at its beauty. It has now replaced Boseong green tea fields as my number one place in Korea.

We took a chairlift up Mt. Seoraksan because we only had 3-4 hours there. We had to wait to board it as there were so many people. It was beautiful at the top but to be honest, I prefer looking up at great mountains. After taking some photos we went straight down! Because as I mentioned before, it was freezing!!

Some of the teachers went to a café but a few of us went to see a temple. The temple itself was nice but similar to ones I have seen before. Though, the setting of the temple was beautiful.

To warm up we went to a gift shop which we found to serve free green tea.

Temple

After lunch (which was served at a nice hotel which views of the mountains), we were supposed to go to a different temple. But, our plans changed. I heard some people complain that they were Catholics, so why would they want to go to temples. I don’t know if this was the reason or not.

We ended up going down a small valley. I am glad our plans changed as it was stunning. Like something from Lord of the Rings. We headed to a steam (was supposed to be a waterfall) which they called 5 taste. I never tried it as it was cold.

Mt. Seoraksan

The journey home was uneventful except at one point our coach started going backwards down a mountain…….

Waterfall

Seoraksan valley

Buddha

The secret garden of South Korea



Secret garden



About a week ago, me and my friend Julia went to the secret garden behind Changdeokgung palace.  I recommend booking your tickets on the Changdeokgung palace website as they can sell out. We had to wait three weeks to go ourselves. Luckily, we went when we did as the following week; the leaves all fell off the trees.

You collect and pay for your tickets at the regular ticket booth. The cost was 8,000won but it is worth it as it is so beautiful. It is just a shame you have to go around as a tour group. I would like to just walk around by myself because it feels really peaceful there. After collecting your tickets, you walk to the secret garden entrance and wait for your tour guide.

The tour comes in 4 languages but only a handful of people were listening to the tour guide. This is because she doesn't give you much time to take photos after speaking. You have a choice. Listen to her or take photos haha. I chose the latter.

Sadly that day, I had a migraine so went straight home after as I felt sick and dizzy.

Here are my pictures! ^^ Goodbye Autumn!! Hello winter!

Secret garden



Autumn



Secret garden in Autumn

Apple Festival in Korea.

Sudeoksa temple

Last weekend, me and Paul went to the Apple festival with Adventure Korea. If you are thinking of booking a trip outside Seoul, I would recommend them. They are much much better than WINK! And more friendly too!

Sudeoksa temple

We boarded the coach at 7.30am!! This was the worst part! Getting up early on a Saturday :(. The journey there took longer than expected because of traffic. We finally arrived at our first stop at 11.30am. Our first stop was Sudeoksa temple, which we were told is famous for its beauty. I thought the restaurants and streets outside the temple were actually better than the temple itself. There were little old traditional restaurants lining the street up to the temple. Paul had his lunch at one and the food look really delicious. It was all traditional of course. But there was cooked spicy ginseng, which was really tasty. I had my tuna roll haha.

The temple itself was nice but busy as there were loads of coaches full of adjummas there. I think they were stopping there on the way to somewhere, just as we had done. But, the leaves had changed colour so I got some nice pictures.

Sudeoksa temple

After the temple we went straight to the apple festival which was close to the temple but it the middle of no-where. It wasn't as big as we expected. In fact it was tiny. People complained as the jam making was just boiling some jam then putting it in a jar. We made an apple pie but it was pre-made pastry. But what did we expect for 3000won.

There was also free apple beer, wine etc. I don't drink but I ate loads of stuff haha. Me and Paul shared a giant plate of pork and apples for 10,000won. I wanted to try the apple picking but it was 2000won for EACH apple! Apples only cost 1000won in Seoul and the taste was the same. They are also saving money on labor and fuel!



Throwing coins at the wall



Sudeoksa temple

Monk's house

Ready to make pie

My pie

Apple picking

Apple festival

It was a good day but 4 hours was a bit long to be stuck at a small festival like that. Plus, if I have to listen to Gangnam style one more time, I may kill........

Farm in Korea