South Korea - Day 1-2 My Ski Experience

***Continuation from the previous blog post....


We headed to Vivaldi Park Ski Resort. Before that we drop by at a ski equipment rental shop located downhill to rent our suits and equipment.

It was actually quite late when we reach there. The above photo was taken the next day when we returned the equipments.

We headed straight from the bus to the shop, looking only at our feet when we walk to make sure that we dont fall due to ice on the ground and to avoid to super chilly wind.

The workers in the shop helped us to get the ski suits. I bought a ski glove there too because all my gloves are not waterproof. I also rented the ski mask.

On another note, look at the BIIIIIIIG FURRY DOG in the shop! So lovable and friendly, and not to forget lazy! The whole time there, everyone was patting him and he didnt even bother to move away from the fireplace!

After everyone got their equipment, we headed straight to Vivaldi Park Ski Resort.

Again, picture was taken in the morning the next day.

Our room was a studio apartment, with a mini kitchen, a bathroom, but no bed! Just wooden floor! But luckily they have something like a "heater" build in the floor!! They provided us mattresses in the cupboard and tatami. I chose to sleep in the mattress! *booooooo (thumbs down)*

I forgot to take a picture of my room! Haha but this is the view balcony view from my parent's apartment.

Yes, people do ski at night! However, we opted for a good rest in bed instead as this is the first good night since we left from Penang! *lights out*

  

Good morning. Prepped myself with Long John, ready to ski! This is the view from my apartment's balcony.

And this is the view from mum's apartment. 10x prettier! lol

Then we headed down for buffet breakfast in the hotel and after breakfast, it's ski time!

We went to the rental shop to get our ski and ski shoes. This is me getting my feet measured!

 And getting my ski gears!

First of all, the shoes are freaking heavy! I think it's around 5kg one side...maybe less but it feels like 5kg! And it's super hard, like wearing a cast. lol

After wearing the ski boots, we headed into the snow! Oh btw, I was only wearing Long John and the rented waterproof ski jacket, as advised by the tourguide. So I was actually shaking when I went out into the snow!  

We took a group photo before start to ski. 

Then the tourguide taught us how to wear our ski gears and teach us the two main basic things, 1) How to start moving; and the most important lesson 2) How to break!

Then, off we go to ski! I wish I could tell you that I skied like a pro, doing midair jumps and turn left right downhill in between trees and all, but all I did is getting myself to start moving and to break in time before I knock over someone. HAHAHAHA

Just after awhile, I cant believe that I'm actually sweating! Yes, sweating in winter, outdoor! No wonder the tourguide advices us not to wear too many layers. There's actually a group of them who wore 3-4 layers as they were afraid of the cold, and I can see them struggling in their clothes while they ski. They must be feeling like an oven inside!

While I was skiing, my parents and Ah-Yee went around the hotel and took photos.

Alot of the trees in Korea were wrapped up to prevent the trees to die from coldness in the winter. I find them so pretty!

After skiing for about 4 hour, I was so sad that it's times to go. I wished there is more time for me to ski. Bad thing about following tourgroups is this. =(  I LOVE SKIING! This would definitely not be my last ski experience! However, till then, I have to bid farewell to the ski gears and ski boots. After returning them I joined my mum for a short photography session. 

Rushed back to the apartment to have a quick bath and changed before I headed downhill to return my ski suits and continue my Day 2 tour in South Korea.

Overall, skiing is so awesome. I LOVE IT SO MUCH! If only we have snow in Malaysia!


***to be continued......

South Korea - Day 1 - Teddy Bear Museum, N Seoul Tower, Lotte World

When we reach South Korea after transiting in Hong Kong, we arrived early morning (around 4am) local time.After we got our check-in luggage, we change into our winter clothes in the airport. Thick jackets and boots. Gloves and Scarfs.

First step into the outdoor and we were like... shit! It's so cold! Not long after we are seated in the bus, it started to rain. RAIN! HOW CAN IT RAIN DURING THE WINTER? In my thoughts, I keep asking "isn't it supposed to be snowing instead of raining?"

Our first destination was breakfast. We had our first Korean local breakfast.

First meal in South Korea

As it was raining, the tour guide has rearranged our schedules and took us indoor activities/destinations first.

We went to Teddy Bear Museum. The bus stopped at the bottom of the hill and we need to hike up a little slope to reach the museum.

the hike up to Teddy Bear Museum

The slope was soooooooooooo difficult. First the road was already icy as the snow has melted over time. So it feels like skating if we step on it. To avoid falling down, we would need to look for the part of the road that is not covered with ice (which is very little spaces here and there only). With the rain pouring down on us, it was very cold! Imagine trying to wrape our bodies to avoid the rain and wind, heads bend low looking for little places on the road that is not covered with ice or water. Nothing to hold on to because the railings are all wet and our gloves are not waterproof! Torturing journey!

It was so cold, we were hanging on to our life not to fall that the moment we started to walk, we were unable to take any photos until we reach indoors. LOL

After a loooooooooong walk uphill, we finally reach indoor and entered the Teddy Bear Museum.
It's a museum consisting teddy bears of all sizes and in different costumes.

Teddy Bear Museum entrance

Korean farmer teddies

Teddy bear kingdom

well, it's the current hit thing - Oppa Gangnam Style

Royal highnest

My favourite bear in the whole museum - Barryman Bear

In the same building, it is also the entrance for N Seoul Tower. We took the elevator that shoots up to the Observatory deck which enable us to have a 360 degrees view of Seoul.

N Seoul Tower

Observation Deck

Malaysia is 4,596.51 km away

black and white city of Seoul

 It's my first time seeing a black and white city.

 Then we headed off for lunch. Steamboat ala Korean style.

Beef steamboat

All the kimchi-s

rice

With a full belly, we headed off to Lotte World, an indoor theme park.

Lotte World Entrance

We didn't go to any of the ride as the queue was too long. The shortest queue was 90 minutes (being kiddy rides like merry-go-round), and the average queue time for roller coaster is 150 minutes (2.5 hours!!!!). We just went around the theme park, taking photos and and one point, sitting pointlessly while waiting for time to pass. =S 

Merry-go-round

with the Korean tour guide - David

Souvenir stalls

Souvenir stall

Lovely Christmas Tree

Giant Loop Roller Coaster

Skating Ring converted into Concert Arena

Guess how long is the queue for Swinging Ship?

160 minutes!!! Crazily 2 hours 40 minutes!!!

The whole place is super packed

View 1

View 2

Bigggggggggg Lollipop

Prison Break wannabe

Any last words?

Christmas Backdrop

 Oh, we tried going to the outdoor theme park but it was raining so badly that we almost freeze to death! This is as far as we go only - the entrance to outdoor theme park. LOL

almost froze to death taking this picture. Lol

There's also a Christmas Parade going on while we were there. People dressed up in cute sparkly costumes sharing Christmas cheers and songs. Really made the Christmas feeling alive.

After Lotte World, we headed for Dinner. Seafood steamboat.

Then it's off to Ski Resort which I will continue my ski experience in the next blog post!

Stay tuned! :)


***to be continued......