Day 5: National Ginseng Outlet

National Ginseng Outlet

18/03/2012 Sunday - This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we move towards our first destination on this day, the National Ginseng Outlet.

Korean ginseng is considered as one of quality. Traditionally, ginseng is used in medicine. Ginseng root helps to improve the flow, increasing the blood source, exercise and can help recovery from illness.

We were briefed on the different types of Ginseng and the quality and usefulness. We understand that the highest quality Ginseng requires a period of 6 years to mature, fit and have good quality. 6 years old ginseng is only available in Korea and to preserve and maintain it, the Korean government has blocked and prevented 6-year-old ginseng is sold to other countries. 4 years old Ginseng and below are allowed to be sold to other countries. Here we also briefed how to plant and the way to take a look of Ginseng which is so sensitive on space and land use. After planting ginseng, and land area used is not able to do any planting for 14 years.

All Tourist or visitors are not allowed to took photos in here due to Ginseng is one of the most protected item from Korea. =)

Day 4: GyeongBok Gung

We continue with a visit to the Palace GyeongBok. GyeongBok palace was built in 1395 and is also commonly referred as "Northern Palace" because it is located in the northern part of the most far compared to other Palace. We are very impressed to see the existing buildings in this palace as the work of art is beautiful and unique.

Starting from the moment the door open until the close of the Palace but still many tourists and locals who come to visit this palace. Here, for visitors, we can learn and see with our self the Korean traditional culture because here displayed all the revenues and history of Korean relics.

Day 4: National Folk Museum

National Folk Museum is situated in the palace museum Gyeongbok and also presented more than 4,000 historical artifacts that were used in the daily life of ordinary people of Korea from ancient times until now. 

Here we can look more closely and understand the domestic and agricultural lifestyle as before, and learn about Korean cultural beliefs. Korean National Folk Museum has a library, souvenir shop, and a variety of permanent exhibits.

The Main Entrance

Its really a suitable place for the tourist or students to understand more about Korean culture, their traditional and life style. Beside that, in future for the new generation of Korean, they will knowledgeable their own history by visit to this museum.

I think Malaysia should have one museum where can keep all the Malaysian life style, culture and traditional in 1 museum and always update the current changes culture in a museum so that the Malaysia people will be more appreciate our own culture. =)

Day 4: Cheongwadae Sarangchae (Exhibition & Museum)

Our journey continues with the visit to Cheongwadae Sarangchae.

Cheongwadae Sarangchae is a historical center which gives chances to visitors to follow and see the president of Korea footsteps and to obtain information about the history of Korea.

Photography with Korean Little Boy

Hmmm.. actually there is nothing much beside the nice view and some information about Korea, so we just drop by to take a look for awhile and took photos then held back to bus for the next destination. =)

Day 4: Kimchi Factory

After end of conference and briefing of the Seoul International Mosque, we headed towards the Kimchi Factory.

As everyone knows, Kimchi is a traditional Korean food. It is one kind of salted vegetables as a result of the fermentation process vegetables with salt, and other ingredients such as dried shrimp powder, garlic, ginger and red chili. Vegetables commonly used to make Kimchi is cabbage and carrots, as in the image below.

According to our tour guide, Philip, during the making process of Kimchi, some Korean will put some Ginseng powder because it can add flavor to the Kimchi and good for health. Usually, the rich people in Korea will be able to do so because ginseng powder are expensive.

In Korea, Kimchi is always served at mealtimes and so are almost all our meals are served with Kimchi in Korea.

Learning Lesson

Dr Rohayu and me

Photography Session

Even the moments was so rushing and not enough time but all of us at least know how to make it. =)

Day 4: Seoul International Mosque

Seoul International Mosque is also the headquarters of the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF) which, in the mosque not only serves as a place of prayer but also have an office, classroom, conference room, and lodging for the needy. 

A visit to the mosque is not only just to see the majestic beauty of this mosque, but for us to learn about the history and development of Islam in Korea.

A brief was arranged by the administration of the mosque to provide information about the history of Islamic society in Korea and Islamic cultures in the country.

Main View of Mosque

View from Mosque

Talk by Person-In-Charge of Mosque in Conference room

Photography Session

There is a funniest memories for me over here and totally unforgettable. Beside that, the person-in-charge of Seoul International Mosque are warmly and friendly. If there a tourist who are non-muslim came for visited, they will gave them some gift to appreciate them for visiting the mosque. =)

Day 3: Abai Village & Daepo Wharf

Next, we leaving to Abai Village!

Abai Village

The word "Abai" is derived from region Hangyeong-do, which means, "the elderly". Depicting the history of many aged refugees from North Korea that has been enter to South Korea during the Korean War.

This area has become popular since a popular Korean drama "Gaeul Donghwa" (Autumn in my heart), which played here.

A draw of Lee Min-Hyeong

Beside that, Abai Village also famous because of its food, called Abai Sundae and Hamheung Naengmyeon.

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While, Daepo Wharf is an old traditional market area close to the residential community where the main activities in this area is to carry on business and employment-based resources from the sea. Most people here are fishermen and seafood dealers. 

There is a lot interesting activities of daily life can be seen when you are here. We here study how they run their business and the entrepreneurship. 

Really nice and good experience which we can see many different kind of fishes, seafood and different kind of snack from Malaysia. =)

Day 3: Seorak Mountain

After visited Teddy Bear Farm, we headed to Mount Seorak located in Gangwon, South Korea. 

Seorak mountain is the highest mountain at Banjaran Teabaek. The mountain is named Seorak because the snow here last longer than other places. Seorak mountain is also the third highest mountain in South Korea.

Waiting for our turn to take cable car to the top

The view from cable car

When we reach there.

Playing Snow.. =)

Snow are everywhere.

Finally she met her favorite artist.

Photography Session at Mount Seorak

A very good experience because that is my first time touching real snow with my hand! =)

Day 3: Teddy Bear Farm

Lunch at Korean Restaurant

After end of visiting Nami Island, we took lunch at Korean restaurant. Here we have been served variety of Korean food. Upon completion of lunch, we went to the Teddy Bear Farm for the following destinations.Travel from Nami Island to Teddy Bear Farm, Gangwondo, Korea tooks about 1 hour.

Welcome to Teddy Bear Farm

Teddy Bear Farm is one of the largest collections of teddy bear home in Korea. In this house there are various size of teddy bear with a variety of costumes and themes. What's interesting about this house is all the teddy bear here are the owner handmade Teddy Bear.

Rahma and me.

Too excited for photo shooting

Study with teddy bear

Little teddy bear at the corner side in house.

Soldier teddy bear

Happy Birthday Suet Ying!

Teddy Exhibition Corner.

Big Teddy Bear Entry.

Study with teddy bear

teddy bear farm

There is cute teddy bear every where surrounding us. =)