Day 5 in Seoul - Part 3 (The Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Strawberry Picking)

Part 3 of our Day 5 in Seoul is the day's highlight  ~

Strawberry Picking!

Seoul has the reddest and most luscious strawberries we have seen and being to able to Pick-Our-Own right from the vine was very exciting.

Strawberries are very healthy and good for us. I was actually surprised of the many health benefits of eating strawberries.

• anti-aging
• anti-oxidant
• boost memory
• good for the heart
• regulates blood pressure
• aids digestion
• good for eyes and bones health
• lowers depression
• helps burns stored body fat
• strengthen the immune system

The health benefits list wants me to just keep on eating strawberries. 

Leaving the Strawberry farm with (4) container full of strawberries

was a perfect way to end our day. 

#OurDeliciousTrophies

This tour is part of the tour package I got through Klook and came with a trip to Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm.

Day 5 in Seoul - Part 2 (The Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Strawberry Picking)

We booked this tour through Klook, together with The Garden of Morning Calm and an afternoon Strawberry Picking.

Our 2nd Tour Stop is the Naminara Republic ~ a tiny half moon shaped island made famous by Winter Sonata, one of the first wave Korean Novelas that started the K-Fever in the Philippines.

No amount of rain can damp the spirit of a true Winter Sonata fan (I admit weeping buckets of tears over the Winter Sonata Marathon).  We came equipped with umbrellas ~ unfortunately our shoes weren't as prepared (walking through mudded roads).

Looking at the bright side, there were lesser visitors due to the rain down pour (So, " Yes, bring-it-on, but not too much".

There were snowmen everywhere ~ taken from the Winter Sonata drama of course. 

Nami Island is one huge open art gallery ~ check out these wonderful art installations:

Though we got soaked, our shoes got dirty and there were lots of activities were  closed during our visit, we still enjoyed our stay.

A trip to Nami Island on a clearer skies is highlight recommended ~ though I am guessing getting pictures without photo bombers will near impossible then (#HaizzTheProsAndCons).

The place is amazing and though small, a days trip is a must to fully enjoy Nami.

Please follow of next stop, The highlight of our Day 5 ~ Strawberry Picking :P

More from our Seoul Korea trip up in my blog, just click the link: 

• Day 5 in Seoul - Part I (The Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Strawberry Picking) 
• Day 4 in Seoul (A Private Tour : Seoul ~ Sanjeong Lake, Pocheon Art Valley and Herb Island) 
• Day 3 in Seoul (Seoul City Tours: Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Folk Museum, Jogyesa Temple and Korean Folk Village) 
• Day 2 in Seoul - Part 2 (War Memorial of Korea, Grevin Wax Museum and the funny Nanta Show) 
• Day 2 in Seoul - Part I (War Memorial of Korea, Grevin Wax Museum and the funny Nanta Show)
• Day 1 in Seoul (Namsan Tower)

Day 5 in Seoul - Part I (The Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Strawberry Picking)

I was a bit scared since, the weather was rather gloomy and afternoon rain shower was in the weather forecast ~ so with outdoor activities on schedule, we've decided to buy umbrellas just in case.

We walked our way to the Myeongdong Station, where the tour provider picked us up.

Our first stop was The Garden of Morning Calm.  This place showcases the best gardens in Seoul.  We must have taken hundreds of photos here.  It was near impossible to choose which ones to include in this blog.

I can't stress enough, how you must include it in your itinerary if ever you plan to visit Seoul.   

Fans of the Korean telenovela "Love in the Moonlight" will be thrilled to know that The Garden of Morning Calm was actually one the telenovela's filming location. 

 The morning drizzle added to the cool mountain breeze, which made our stroll more leisurely and refreshing!   

Unfortunately as the day progressed, rain starts to pour ~  Our Next Stop is going to be a wet one.  It was good we were armed with umbrellas :P

Please follow us to our Day 5 in Seoul ~ Part 2 at the NAMI Island.

Day 4 in Seoul (A Private Tour : Seoul ~ Sanjeong Lake, Pocheon Art Valley and Herb Island)

Our Day 4 in South Korea was in the outskirt of Seoul ~ Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do.  As it was a little difficult to reach I contacted, "This is Korea" Tours to customize a private tour for my family.

Andy, our Tour Specialist (TS) cum driver and photographer picked us up at the Metro Hotel at 11am as agreed.  It was an easy ride on board a 7-seater limousine van for our family of 4. 

Our tour was personalized based on what we wanted so long as the entire trip is all within the 10 hours we've commissioned.  For our trip, we've decided on Sanjeong Lake, Pocheon Art Valley and Herb Island.



SANJEONG LAKE

Sanjeong Lake is situated between Myeongseongsan and Mangbongsan Mountain.  Its name means "as clear as a mountain well". It was built in 1925 as a reservoir to supply to farmlands in Pocheon.

Reached Sanjeong Lake Park early afternoon ~ perfect weather for a cup of hot coffee 

Lots of things to do in the lake park.  We took a paddle boat and walked the lake promenade.

I am the designated photographer, while the big boys paddle

The view of the  Sanjeong Lake is calm and relaxing.  I could kill hours here, just be looking at the lake.  During winter the lake freezes and turns into a huge skating rink (that would be fun).

Every turn ~ is picture perfect.

POCHEON ART VALLEY
The Cheonjuho Lake in Pocheon Art Valley is a one of the filming site for the Korean telenovela Legend of the Blue Sea. 

There are 2 ways to reach the main attractions, walking a steep hill or via the monorail. It was an easy choice for us ~ via the monorail.  

The Pocheon Art Valley used to be a quarry and later transformed into a culture and art gallery.  

#FeelingLikeAMermaid

My once little boy, again fooling around.

Click here if you want to see a video of

Cheonjuho Lake and Art Valley.

THE HERB ISLAND
This attraction is an herbs complex complete with a museum, arts and crafts center and beautiful herbs garden.  We specifically mentioned to our guide, that we wanted to visit this attraction last to see the night garden illumination (which is timed at sunset).

Oh and if you are into Kdramas ~ scenes from Hyde, Jekyll and I; Criminal  Mind, Oh my Venus where shot here.

We had early dinner in one the restaurants located inside the Herb Island complex.

Us with our Tour Specialist (TS).

Upon the recommendation of our TS, we tried Bulgogi and Mushroom Hotpot.

Even the food is "Instagram worthy". Our TS insisted we try bulgogi with flowers ~Yes, we tried it... the meat and spices overpowered the flower so it was okay with me.  However, my hubby doesn't like it with flowers.  He liked the soup though and wont stop talking about how flavorful it is. 

Jalapeno anyone? 

Pictures from the Herbs Island Garden ~

We enjoyed our private tour of Pocheon ~ it was every bit the relaxing and  de-stressing trip we have hoped for.  Our TS genuinely cared for our interests and appeal. 

For customized and hassle free tour of Seoul, we highly recommended "This Is Korea".

For inquiries please check This is Korea webpage at 

This Is Korea Tours

Or contact them via email to:

inquiries@thisiskoreatours.com