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 3 in Seoul (Seoul City Tours: Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Folk Museum, Jogyesa Temple and Korean Folk Village)

For our 3rd Day in Seoul, I booked the Seoul Joseon Palaces & Folk History Day Tour/Seoul One Day Tour (which included a visit to Korean Folk Village) via Klook (my trusted international attractions/ tours booking site on line).

Click here for Klook booking discount if you are a first time user: Klook Discount Code

The tour was managed by the Seoul City Tours, one of the Seoul's well known tour operators.  

We were timely picked up at Metro Hotel by a private car to rendezvous with the other tourists in a seat in coach that carries about 10-12 passengers.  As it was just a small number, I was expecting a more personal interaction with our tour guide, however, there was very minimal of that. Although nice and cordial,  our guide was mostly rushing from one site to another, with barely enough time for us to enjoy and appreciate the tour.  

First stop is Jogyesa Buddhist Temple, the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was decorated with colorful paper lantern as it readies for Buddha's upcoming birthday.

From Jogyesa Temple, we were ushered to our next stop, the National Folk Museum which was located inside the Gyeongbokgung Palace.  

Our guide, gave us a tour of the National Folk Museum, which was again really rushed.  I think there are more to see and learn, but as we were in a tight schedule - all we could do was point and click our cameras.

The Ox met The Dragon :P

We chanced upon a traditional King's parade, unfortunately it was again time for us to move on.

Waiting for the Changing of Guards

Finally the Changing of Guards Ceremony

3rd Stop is the Ginseng Center  

A lady guide toured us around the ginseng facility. She was very knowledgeable of ginseng (wonderful herb ginseng, but very expensive too)

A traditional Korean lunch was part of the tour package.

We had a hearty (or as my youngest says #healthy) and delicious meal at Insadong.  

  

Next stop is 1 1/2 away the Seoul City Center ~ The Korean Folk Village (KFV).  I have read about KFV as a journey to Joseon Dynasty (Korea's last kingdom being republic), reason why its also a favorite location shooting for Korean Historical Dramas.

It is Korean equivalent of Japan's Edo Wonderland, which we've visited a few years back. Edo Wonderland was like a step back in time.  It felt like being transported to the Edo Period

Too bad we took a group tour and ended up with limited time at KFV. I was really disappointed.  KFV is a huge theme park and I think we've barely covered 1/8th its actual size. We've missed a lot. 

Below is a link to KFV website and you'll see what I mean:  Korean Folk Village

Haizz, this experience has reminded me why I have always preferred DIYs over group tours.    

It was good, we still managed to catch some traditional art performances at KFV, such as the Tight Rope Acrobatics and Equestrian Feat.

TIP:  Do a DIY tour if you can. I would not recommend this tour package,  unless you want to cover a lot of ground and yet not be able to bring back a more worthwhile experience.

Day 2 in Seoul - Part 2 (War Memorial of Korea, Grevin Wax Museum and the funny Nanta Show)

After our visit to the War Memorial of Korea we made our way back to Myeongdong Station and walked to the Myeongdong Cathedral. The church is about 400 meters away from the station exit and a fairly easy walk.

Our next stop from after the Myeongdong Cathedral is the Grevin Wax Museum.  It is an 800 meters walk towards Euljiro ga-1 Station.

TIP:  For some reason Google Map doesn't work in Seoul.  We used NAVER Application Map in navigating Seoul. I suggest you save yourself some trouble and download this application before your Seoul trip.

Grevin Wax Museum ~ Rubbing elbows with the rich and famous.

We have been to the Madame Tussaud in Singapore and Hongkong and the Grevin wax figures on display were pretty much the same as the ones in Madame Tussaud's (except of course for the few Korean celebrities present), however, Grevin Seoul is delightfully interactive.  

Scanning your tickets barcode allows you to do fun activities, like play basketball with Michael Jordan, roulette gambling with the cast of Ocean Eleven and take a quiz with Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs, etc.

My son against The Bruce Lee.

Clowning with The Mr. US President Wannabe

It was hard to day "no photo" to these KDrama idols

(Note:" Crazy poses courtesy of my husband) ...  

Yong Jun Bae, one of the Korean Actors who started the Hallyu wave in Asia with his Winter Sonata (A tear jerker Korean Telenovela that made me cry a bucket and left my eyes swollen from too much crying)

With the hottie Lee Min Ho of the Legend of Blue Sea (Feeling like a #Mermaid)

Hyun Bin of The Secret Garden

And Kim Soo Hyun of My Love from the Stars

Others in the gallery are

Vincent van Gogh

Andy Warhol and Marilyn Monroe

My husband striking a "pogi" pose with the Sexiest Avenger  "Scalett Johannson".

Playing famous at The Grevin left us famished and tired.  We went back to Metro Hotel to rest our tired feet a bit and dined at the Two Two Chicken before heading to the Nanta Theatre also just a block away from our hotel (I really love our hotel's location ~ so accessible to just about everything) 

 Two Two Chicken just officially became my youngest son's favorite Korean chicken :P

Then off to our final item in our Day 2 in our itinerary ~ The Cookin' Nanta.  There are a lot of non-verbal shows in Korea and I highly recommend you see one.  We've seen both Nanta and Jump and found both very amusing.  My youngest commented "he can't breath well due too much laughing".  We booked both shows through Klook as well.

Busy Day 2!  

Please follow our Day 3 in Seoul and join us, as we visit Gyeongbokgung Palace,  National Folk Museum, Jogyesa Temple and Korean Folk Village.   

You will find below the links to our Seoul Itinerary.

• Day 1 in Seoul (Namsan Tower) 
• Day 2 in Seoul - Part I (War Memorial of Korea, Grevin Wax Museum and the funny Nanta Show)
• Day 3 in Seoul - Part 2