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 

Pawikan Conservation Center Bataan

We dropped by the Pawikan Conservation Center Bataan on our way to Las Casas de Acuzar.  

The center's volunteers help in the conservation of "Pawikans (or Sea Turtles)" by patrolling the shore and watching the turtle eggs hatch to ensure they are same from predators.

The center is also home to injured "Pawikans", rescued from sea.  Rescued "Pawikans "are treated here and rehabilitated until they are strong enough to go back to their habitat.

With P50, visitors may “adopt a baby turtle” for release back to the sea.  

Bataan Tourism
Pawikan Conservation Center, Nagbalayong, Morong
Mobile: +63917 6716995
Landline: (047)237-4785
Website: http://bataan.gov.ph/tourism
Email: bataan_tourism@yahoo.com
Facebook: bataan.tourism

DAY 2 in Macau (Part 2) ~ Casino Hopping at the Cotai Strip and the House of Magic

Got to rest and freshen a bit.  The walk to Taipa Village under Macau's hot June temperature left me and my husband exhausted (and sweaty)... 

Tonight is all about the Cotai strips of hotel, dinner at the Shanghai Magic restaurant, a side attraction at the Batman Dark Flight with the House of Magic show for finale.

Holiday Inn is about a kilometer walk (about 10-15 minutes) to Studio City which houses the Batman Dark Flight and House of Magic show.

The short walk brought us to Sheraton Grand,  Plaza Macau and Parisian Macau.  

The Parisian Macau is magnificent.  It has a replica of Eiffel Tower that lights up with vibrant colors at night  (below picture was taken on our back to Holiday Inn after the watching the House of Magic show).   

The Studio City complex is an attraction in itself,

And so here we are doing what tourists do best...

We bought our House of Magic Show and Batman Dark Flight tickets via Klook. 

It is an easy to use mobile/computer application for ticket/show bookings.  I have used it a couple of times during our Tokyo and Osaka trips.  It is very efficient and highly commendable. Ticket prices were the same, if not lower (offered at discount).

(CLICK HERE FOR DISCOUNTED PASSES >>> KLOOK)

We arrived early and exchanged our House of Magic vouchers at the Studio City Box Office. 

Our package is inclusive of dinner at the Shanghai Magic Restaurant.  Food was great as expected from a Michelin recommended restaurant.

A wonderful surprise awaits guests as there are magicians performing magic tricks up close ~ it was very entertaining.

We enjoyed dinner, complemented with "A+" service.

Starbucks was so near Shanghai Magic and ended up getting coffee, while waiting for the show...

And just enough time to drop by the Batman Dark Flight ride (which we also bought via Klook).

The Batman Dark Flight is a 4D flight simulation show.  My husband liked it and can't stop talking about how great the ride is.  On the other hand, the ride made me slightly dizzy. I was happy it was only a 20 minutes ride.

This was before the show.  I wasn't smiling after :P

Our night's finale is the House of Magic show...

The show is a full length 90 minute show cut into 4 (1 pre-show and 3 main ones that moves between 3 different theaters). 

Pre-show at the "Laboratory"

It was cool, especially that main show "Mega Magic" left me stunned and speechless (note that we were seated in front). 

My boys are sure to love this show, I was sad they weren't there to see it. 

Souvenir photos with The House of Magic's magicians.

Two words of our Day 2 in Macau  "Simply Magical".

Please visit the links below if you missed our Day 1 and Day 2 (Part I) in Macau

DAY 2 in Macau ~ Macau Historic Center

DAY 2 in Macau ~ Visiting Taipa Village and Casino Hopping at the Cotai Strip