Friday, March 31, 2017

My Journey to South Korea - Fresh Air from Sanbangsan Mountain (산방산)

























my outfit :
Inner - ZARA, Sukajan Jacket & bagpack - 8 Seconds Korea x GDRAGON, Tennis skirt & hat - bought in Siam, Bangkok, Socks - Adidas Originals, Shoes - Adidas Superstar Leopard Core Black


some photos edited by vscocam

Sanbangsan Mountain

218-10, Sanbang-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
제주특별자치도 서귀포시 안덕면 산방로 218-10 (안덕면)

We were waking up so early to be able to visit this mountain. Everything was wonderful and I could feel fresh air here. The sensation of stress free definitely made me think "Oh I don't want to go home now and leave Jeju especially this Sanbangsan mountain area." It was quite cold in the morning and raining a bit for 20 minutes. Luckily, I had my sukajan jacket with me. It's water resistant and it made my body warm enough.

We didn't do much there. We just went down from the hills. We could see amazing view. But because it was so early, no one opened food stores. There was just one (or even two I didn't remember much) store opened in front of our eyes. We basically tried Beondegi (번데기). If you don't know, Beondegi or in korean 번데기 (based on wikipedia) is a snack food in Korean cuisine. Literally meaning "chrysalis" or "pupa" in Korean, Beondegi are steamed or boiled silkworm pupae which are seasoned and eaten as a snack. It was my first time ever eating that. It looked horrible. But honestly Beondegi didn't taste that awful, the smell was not that strong but yea still had a weird smell. Describing the taste, it was kind of the same as peanut.

We walked around and took several good pictures. At least, we spent two hours there. We were waiting for the bus and the rain to stop. Took more efforts and times then we expected. Not a lot of buses were going there in the morning.

I do really recommend this place to you guys. Visit this place in the morning, maybe around 8 or 9AM. You will meet fresh air (not during winter I guess). The transition season is the best season for you to visit korea. These photos were taken during Summer to fall season transition. I didn't feel too hot or too cold.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

My Journey to South Korea - Hyeopjae Beach (협재해변) in Jeju Island








Hyeopjae Beach

329-10 Hallim-ro, Hallim-eub, Cheju, Jeju-do, South Korea

I really miss nature. Last time I went to the beach it was probably during my trip to Belitung Island with my dad. But I never exactly experience visiting beaches in South Korea. So this time, me and my friends decided to go to Hyeopjae Beach that being located in Jeju Island. 

Honestly, comparing to beaches in Indonesia Hyeopjae Beach is kind of small. It is good for a short gate away and taking good photos there while eating a delicious cone of ice cream. There are some parts that were not looking nice when we were taking photos and vice versa.* The water is quite clear but some parts of this beach is so dirty with garbage from foods or drinks. Nothing too special about this beach.

*)Me and my friends were taking photo with our phones.

I really need to admit that beaches in Indonesia are way better than beaches in South Korea. Maybe because Indonesia is a living tropical country. I am not saying that this place is not good, IT IS GOOD! But nothing much that you can do except standing or sitting waiting for the view. (or even picnic and taking more selfies?) Me and my friends didn't want to wait until it's dark.

By the way, just a general tip for you. If you are going to the beach, please do not seat at those beach chairs because they will charge you more (about things that you don't really know). That's how people trick some foreigners. So make sure, everything is going to be alright. I am not fully getting into this place yet. Maybe need several times to visit this place.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

My Journey to South Korea - Snacking at KAMONG Cafe (카몽 카페)









KAMONG Cafe

Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
+8225225949

Just in case you are in Seoul right now and having your break time, I really recommend you guys this cafe. This cafe owned by famous K-pop star Kai's older sister. Fyi, Kai is member of the famous boygroup called EXO. Kai's older sister is gaining popularity and she decided to make her own business. After reading so many reviews about this cafe, I really want to try to step in by my own foot. KAMONG as name came from KAi and MONGu (basically Kai's family dog). It's kind of cute to start a business and named your business with such a basic lovely reason but it's still becoming meanigful. 

Before I am talking about this cafe in brief explanation, I will let you know things that we ordered there:

  • Basic Waffle
  • Ice Chocolate
  • Ice Green Tea
  • Hot Vanilla Latte

Price started from KRW 4,000 - KRW 23,000

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When I was going there with my friends, the cafe is still empty because it's still early. Around 11AM or something. We didn't want to eat heavy meal yet, but we are tired due to walking quite far away. I didn't get any unpleasant experience. We came in, ordered our drinks and waffle, and then waiting for 10 minutes. Sadly we didn't meet Kai's older sister. Maybe she was not there yet, I just met one cashier lady during that time. Even though we met Kai's older sister, I think we couldn't take photos with her. Because his sister is being strict about her own life and privacy. People know here, but she doesn't want to over expose herself in front of people or even her own brother's fans.

Fyi, I am not EXO-L or Kai's maniac fan girl. In the other hand, I might say visiting celebrity's cafe or restaurant is actually fun to do. Do not need to spend a lot of money because usually target market of Kpop mostly are teens and young adults. Mostly are still in school or started to work. That's why the price range is also quite friendly.

For interior, nothing special. It's just simple and typical cafe. Mostly purchased from IKEA, because I exactly have the same chair and table for my apartment in Indonesia. Nothing problem with IKEA furniture. The cafe is clean and also neat. I don't have anything to protest.

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Overal scores :

Interior : 4/5
Vibe : 4/5
Food and beverages : 4/5
Comfort : 4/5
Access : 4/5
Price 5/5

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How to get there?

I personally recommend you guys to take subway to get there. It is cheap and fast. Free from traffic jam.
  • Find a way to Gyodae Station or Seoul National University Station. Green Line, Go Out at EXIT 1.
  • Follow "EXIT 1" sign with "To Seoul Nat'l Univ. of Education" written on it.
  • Go super straight if you already walk out from EXIT 1 and you will stand at the sidewalk road.
  • Go straight and passed by 5 blocks (You need to count okay!)
  • At the end of the road, you are going to see GS25 sign and Kamong Cafe sign.