Sunday, September 20, 2015

Moran Traditional Market

Moran traditional market located in Seongnam city is has a great 50 year history. Kim Chang-suk developed the area after she came to there from Pyeongyang, leaving her morther behind. She named it Moran (meaning Peony Flower) since the area reminded her of Peony Peak in Pyeongyang.

Moran Market is open every 5 days for people to trade daily goods, and is a market bustling with people who visit for shopping and food.

Location

Moran Market is located near Moran station exit 5, so it can be easily reached from everywhere in Seoul. The Market runs every 4th 9th, 14th, 24th and the 29th of the month. 

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Healing Time: Gyeonggi Camping Festival in Pocheon

Exploring Pochoen at Bidulginang Falls


As you might have seen on my facebook the past weekend me and 4 other GG supporters spend two days and a night at Gyeonggi Camping Festival in Pocheon. It was my first time camping in Korea and the first time in a long long while time not being in a city area and it was quite litteraly refreshing; and here is why.

But first... Lunch

If you go eating with a bunch of bloggers, this will happen.

We met up at 10 in the morning and after an initial hour long subway ride, and  driving for a while all of us were ready for our first stop. Mushroom Shabu Shabu at Beoseotgol Iseulbi Garden. 

Mushroom Shabu Shabu

Did you know that besides gingseng, apples and grapes Pocheon is also famous for it's mushrooms? The little pictures I have of this delicious food proofs why! We ate to our hearts content. Honestly the pictures don't do the food justice, but I was to busy enjoying the different varieties of mushrooms and the many many vegetables to feel bothered to take many pictures.

Bidulginang Falls


After lunch we went to Bidulginang campsite to drop off our stuff and we went straight for Bidulginang Falls. Bidulginang Falls is the 6th scenic view from pocheon City, a Korea's National Cultural Heritage. You however, might know beautifull sight from dramas such as It's okay, it's love and many others.

6th Scenic view: Bidulginang Falls

Blogger perspective again.
We were lucky enough to be able to take a look into the valley, hence the helmets to protect us from possible falling stone. And even though we were surrounded by other people taking pictures. Being able to see this gorgeous view from upclose made me feel really small and humble.

Don't forget to look up when visiting the falls.

 Uncheon Traditional Market

show some love for Uncheon Traditional Market Photo Credit Williams Nana Kyei
After enjoying this piece of beautiful nature we went to Uncheon Traditional Market. We split up in two teams and each team got a limited amount of money to buy ingredients to cook with for the potluck party. There was a friendly yet competitive tension as each team picked their ingredients and started cooking.

Cooking time, camping style. Photo Credit Williams Nana Kyei

Pitch High and Campfire dinner

Pitch High in Action

Even though we spend what felt like hours peeling apples and cooking pancakes. Real dinner wasn't served until after we got to enjoy an amzaing performance by a very new quarted called Pitch High. We were lucky enough to have them join us for barbeque dinner where we talked until the fire couldn't warm us anymore.
enjoying a private peformance. Photo Credit Williams Nana Kyei

Goodmorning Pocheon


The next morning I was greeted by fresh air and a gorgeous view of the mountains surounding us. Besides the cold and short night I felt refreshed and ready to start school again. But first we of course had to pack our and get ready to for the ride back to Seoul.

Packing. Photo Credit: Williams Nana Kyei
As you might be able to tell, I thoroughly enjoyed my short stay at the Pocheon. Even though we had a busy schedule  I felt refreshed and recharged and I can't wait for another trip to explore more of the beautiful wonders this place can bring us.

Check out the Pocheon tag on the GGtour website if you are also interested in visiting this gorgeous place.

Love, Wietske

Monday, September 14, 2015

Bucheon Hanok Village: Activity Overload

Namsan Hanok Village, Bukcheon Hanok Village, you might have heard of them, you might even visited them, however have you heard of Bucheon Hanok Village? On a lovely afternoon at the end of August I paid the village a visit and here is my review.

But first... lunch!



Arriving at samseongcheyukkwan station exit 7 the first thing we did was look for a restaurant to have lunch at. This mushroomshabu restaurant caught our eye straight away. A restaurant that attracted many famous visitor because of it's delicious shabu shabu menu. I however was craving for something a bit sweeter and got equally delicious dolseot bulgogi instead.

The village


The Village itself is super easy to find, follow the signs you can see as soon as you get out of the subway, walk less then one minute and you are there!


Activities

Now all you have to do is enjoy, There are many activities you can participate such as tasting traditional teas, making charms bracelets, participate in a traditional Korean wedding and more!


Me and my friends painted a fan and made ddeokcake (rickecake cake) and it was a lot of fun! For the finished product check my instagram~



If you are more of a sit back and relax type, enjoy some tradition tea at the teahouse, watch a farmers band perform or just enjoy the unique details of the village.

All in all, Bucheon hanok village might be on the smaller side, we still managed to spend a good 5 hours and went home with a bag full of goodies.

Have you ever been to a Korean traditional village? What is your favorite thing about it?

Love, Wietske

Friday, September 11, 2015

Korea's best Season: What to do in Fall.

My absolute favorite season in Korea is fall. Skies are bright blue. The weather is nice, and I can dress up nicely without having to worry about sweating of my make-up. Especially when I indulge in an activity that I thorougly enjoy, walking around and getting lost in wonderous new areas.

Seoul Grand Park

A perfect place to enjoy walking around in my favorite season is Seoul Grand Park, located a convenient subway ride away, just outside of the Seoul metropolitan area.

SeoulGrandParkAutumn


Bring your camera and go up Seoul Grand Park Forest park, which is a narrow path that takes visitors up and down the park's trails. The entrance point can be found behind the Forest Exhibition Center (to the right side of the main entrance of the Seoul Zoo in Seoul Grand Park), and another behind the Australian Pavilion.

Enjoy the changing of the color of the leaves, the fresh air, and the beautiful scenery in as little as 50 minutes or take the long route that takes 2,5 hours.

What is your favorite activity in Fall?

Love, Wietske


Monday, September 7, 2015

Must do: Hanok Stay

One of the things I recommend everyone doing when they visit Korea is to stay in a hanok for a couple of days. For many of you sleeping on the floor seems like an uncomfortable feet, and during the cooler months you would probably think you will freeze to death. However, hanoks are extremely comfortable with floor heating, and before you know it you will not want to get up from the floor.

Chi Ong Art Gallery

five-person room

You can do Hanok Stays all over country, however if you don't have much time to travel why not stay in the Gyeonggi area which is in close proximity of Seoul..Chi Ong Art Gallery in beautiful Gapyeong, offers three, five and even ten-person rooms. Very simple and clean but equipped with the a modern kitchen and bathroom for extra comfort.

Activities

café ongongya

Chi Ong Art Gallery also offers activites for very reasonable prices, things such as Ddeok (Korean glutonous ricecake) and the making of tofu and many others. And it also has a very cozy looking coffeeshop that is open everyday from 9.30 am till 10 p.m. which doesn't only serve tea and coffee but also has wine, beer and of course the side dishes that go with them

How to get there

The easiest way to get there is with the subway, or bus. You can take the bus towards cheongpyeong from the dongseoul terminal, or bus 1330 from cheongryangli station and also get out at cheongpyeong station. From there take the bus that goes to sumokwon and get of at the chi ong arts gallery.

For recent prices and online reservation please check the website.

Love, Wieske

Koreas most beautiful garden.



The weather is finally starting to get cooler here in Korea, so it's the perfect time for outdoor activities and enjoy this fresh air.

The Garden of Morning Calm


On 33ha, you can enjoy thousands of varieties of flouwers in this wonderfull place, an absolutely must see for not only photographers, but it's a great location for a romantic date with your loved one.

The garden is the oldest among private gardens in Korea. It is an artistic space with a beautiful balance between the Korean concepts of natural curves and asymmetry, plants and other various materials.

Getting there


[Bus]
From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal take a bus bound for Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal, or take bus 1330 at Cheongnyangni Transfer Center (in front of Lotte Department Store) and get off at the Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal (travel time: 1hr 45min)
From Cheongpyeong Terminal, take Bus 31-7 to the Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원).
Travel time: 41min

[Subway]
Cheongpyeong Station (Gyeonchun Line) Exit 1.
Go left until you reach the 3-way intersection and turn right. Continue straight toward the Cheongpyeong Catholic Church. Pass by Cheongpyeong Elementary School, turn left, and you will see the Cheonpyeong Bus Terminal.
From Cheongpyeong Terminal, take Bus 31-7 to the Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원).

Entrance fee is only 9,000 won so take your chance and visit this beautiful place~

Love, Wietske