May trip to South Korea - 2

Second day at South Korea. Today is Friday, a bright day, as the weather forecast said.

As usually, we wake up early in the morning.  After take shower, we go down stair (our room at 2nd floor).

Sinchon hostel had 2 building, not connected each other. We seperated into 2 room with different building. I stay at another one with my friends not at the main building, other stay at main building.. Registration, kitchen, at main building.

Our breakfast is noodle (we cook it), toaster bread with strawberry jam, and a cup of cereal, just a simple breakfast. After finish my breakfast, I check email from available PC.

Since we’re already at the kitchen at 7 o’clock in the morning, so nobody there, only 4 of us, like private home. And we didn’t have to queue to cook.

Today trip: Nami Island – Petite France – Jogyesa Temple – Cheonggye Cheon – Dongdaemun.

At 8 o’oclok we depart to Nami Island by subway.

Many way to reach Nami Island (in hangul : 남이섬 namisoem).

1. The simplest way.

By bus from Insadong (Tapgol Park), Seoul - fare won 23,000 (round trip bus fare include admission fee).  (02-753-1247) - 09.30 s/d 16.00.

Book before depature day – the bus always full book.

2. By Train.

Go to Cheongnyangni Station, take train to Gapyeong station. Fare +/- won 3.500. Then ride taxi to Nami Island.

Train Schedule (Cheongnyangni→Gangchon): 06:15 07:05 07:55 08:50 09:45 10:30 11:35 12:45 13:35 14:25 15:20 16:15 17:30 18:20 19:10 20:05 20:55 21:40 22:20

Don’t forget to pay attention with the notification, get off at Gapyeong station.

3. By Subway.

Just take Subway to Gapyeong station. Fare +/- won 2.000 and continue with taxi to Nami Isand.

Of course we took subway. The journey take 90 minutes, exchange train at Sangbong station. But we get off at Wangsimpri station first, we had to change train here. And walk to exit 4 toward to wangsimni square. Wangsimni train station was here, exit 4.

Why we had to go there (wangsimni square)?

Because I’m gonna take photograph with angels wing, as I saw at Suju KRY MV  “FLY”. The MV was made at here.

Address : Wangsimni-ro-20-gil (왕십리로20길)

But the picture already change. At the MV there were 3 angel wings, but now there were only one. Even the painting was great, compare with angels wing at the MV, I still prefer the wings at the MV, because it’s show many side of the wings.

After that we continue our journey, back to subway station. Take subway to Gapyeong station.

Arrived at Gapyeong station. How to go Nami Island from here, there were 2 ways :

1. Simplest one : take taxi – fare +/- won 3.000 (max).
2. The other: by Gapyeong City Tour Bus – fare won 5.000, but you can go to many destination, only with one tickets. Buy ticket on the bus (with the bus driver).

Gapyeong City Tour Bus route : Cheongpyeong station – Cheongpyeong terminal - Petite France – Nami Island – Gapyeong station – Gapyeong terminal.

      3.    By Local Bus – Number can be found at bus stop – fare won 1.000

I planned to take Gapyeong City Tour bus (since we’re going to visit Petite France too) – but when we arrived there, it’s already 10 pm, the bus already left, last bus is 09.15 and the next bus is 12.15. So we take taxi – fare won 2.700 (+/- 7 minutes).

Arrived at Nami island tourist information, we bought ticket won 8.000 (include round trip ferry) +/- 15 minutes.

There’s another way get in Nami Island with out ride ferry. By Nami Skyline Zip Wire, cost won 38.000, round trip include admission. Only take 5 minutes. http://www.ziprider.com/rides/nami-island/

It’s too expensive for us, so we get in by ferry.

Last night I watch WGM – Dimple couple – Teukso (one of variety show at SBS TV) Ep 24. They went to Nami Island with Skyline Zipwire. First, they go upstair with elevator, then made registration. There were only 2 line upstair (side by side), they sat on the “chair” with leg bend at “the door”, and the officer help them tight “the rope”.  After they ready, the officer open “the door” with button.

Beside the Nami Skyline Zipwire, there were Bungge jumping. When I pass it, there was a man prepare to jump. I have no information about the bungee jumping.

Back to our trip. There were many people already queue at the warf, most of them was tour tourism.

Here is the ferry schedule :

to Namiseom Island: 07:30/08:00/08:40-18:00 (Every 15-20 minutes / On weekends and holidays, every 10-15 minutes) /18:30/19:00/19:30/20:00/20:30/21:00/21:30

From Namiseom Island: 07:35/08:05/08:40-18:00 (Every 15-20 minutes / On weekends and holidays, every 10-15 minutes) /18:35/19:05/19:35/20:05/20:35/21:05/21:35

The ferry was small, many flag from many countries, not chair inside. So we decide to go to the deck. But there were already many people there, not too convenient. Nothing much to see, and for me cross to Samosir Lake from Prapat – North Sumatra, Indonesia was much much better, with beautiful sky, beautiful scenery.

Nami Island site : http://www.namisum.com/

Opening hour : 08.00 – 21.00

Arrived at Nami Island, we were welcome by welcome gate and 3 officer wearing Hanbok. Many people take photograph here, of course we’ve got to queue.

As we walk inside many small statue in front, there were snack store (but not Naminara special snack, just common snack). Also there were toilet there, so I went to toilet first. Actually there were toilet inside, near the restaurant, but deep inside the island there were no toilet.

First things to do : rent bike.

As we walk to rental bike, we cross many good spot to take photograph. Get in Naminara early in the morning is the best time, since at noon it will be crowded.

We rent bike for 1 hour, cost won 5.000 (half hour won 3.000, 2  hour won 10.000, etc) . We choose single rider, there were double rider bike too.

To rent bike, we had to leave our ID card behind. Just for guarantee we’ll return the bike. And there were late charge won 1.000 (every 10 minutes) if we were not on time return it.

So our adventure begin. As my personal opinion, Naminara view wasn’t good enough. One place I like the most is Winter Sonata pinus tree, and Naminara was good place to picnic. So don’t forget to brought some meals while visit it.

At noon we start to eat, we bring our own food. Choose one table (available many table there) and start to eat, while other peolple staring at us. And they said, “oh... they had lunch...”. Many people picnic here (I guest it was local people, since they brought mat).

After finish our simple meals, we decided to end our journey at Naminara. At 13.00 we leave naminara, at 13.00 the ferry already stand by at the warf.

After back to naminara Imigration, we go to minimarket, the were Naminara merchandise, such key change, wallet, towel, bag, for me not too cute.

I ask direction with the officer how to get bus from Nami Island to Petite France, and she said that we already miss the bus, the bus (Gapyeong City Tour Bus) already leave at 12.30, she advise to take cabs, fare won 40.000 – journey +/- 35 minutes.

To go Petite France with bus, just go to Family mart (pink building), the bus stop at there.

So we went to Family mart, buy some water and snack, and I decide to ride taxi back to Gapyeong station. From Gapyeong station we take subway to Cheongpyeong station (2 stop).

Arrived at Cheongpyeong station, I ask the officer for nearest Cheongpyeong bus stop. But the officer can’t spoke English.

“Annyeonghaseyo, yeongeo (read : yong o) hal jul aseyo?”

안녕하세요, 영어할 줄 아세?

“Hallo, do you speak English?”

As the officer went to the office to ask other officer to help, suddenly there was a kind ajoessi help, “ May I help you?” Then I ask direction to go to Cheongpyeong bus stop.

And you know what, the bus stop was far away from the station. To go there, we had to walk to main street, then go straight till first turn, turn right, then walk straight, then turn left, then just walk till you find the bus stop. Ajoessi said, it was far away, I said thank you to him then back to my friends.

I don’t think I gonna walk that far, I told my friends to ride taxi. When we walk to exit from the station, suddenly ajoessi offering a ride to Petite France. I was kinda surprise, there was a nice person offering a ride to Petite France.

Omo.... God must know that all of us already tired, so send a kind person to us. Thank you God, I love you so much.....

Direction to Petite France, from Cheongpyeong bus stop fare won 1.200, by cabs to Petite France fare won 16.000.

Do you want to know why ajoessi want to give an offered to me?

He said that my English is good, and he told me that I was brave – travelling to country that I didn’t know the language. Oh, what a lucky me. So learn language.... even my chinese language can be used here.

Also he surprise that a tourist know about Petite France. Petite France not too famous.

Along the way to Petite France, we cross a dam (dry dam – no water), similar with I saw at Running Man. I think Running Man (one of Korean TV Variety Show), become my guide traveling to South Korea. The street was winding, and the scenery was beautiful.

With car it takes 20 minutes to reach Petite France.

We say thank you to ajoessi.

“neomu gamsahamnida “

너무 감사합니다

Thank you very much

“annyeonghigyeseyo”

안녕히 계세요

Good bye

“mannaseo bangapseumnida”

만나서 반갑습니다!

Nice to meet you

Petite France became famous because of Korea Drama Series “Beethoven virus”, “Secret Graden”, but what made me want to visit it because of “Runnning Man – ep 40”, guest star 2PM, Nihckun and Taecyeon.

Petite France admission fee won 8.000

Opening hour : 09.00 – 18.00

Location : Cheongpyeong-myeon Goseong-ri 616, Gyeonggi-do Gapyeong-gun

I also ask bus schedule and bus stop at petite France to Cheongpyeong station.

Here is bus schedule :

14.50 (won 1.200), 15.50 (won 5.000 –Gapyeong city tour bus), 16.50 (won 1.200).

It’s a small France village, just take your time, try korean snack. Also there were stamp hide inside the room, if I can collect 10 stamp, it can be exchange with Petite France merchandise. But I only had 2 stamp, since I’m lazy to find it.

I like this place, not too crowded, nice place, nice view, just relax and enjoy it. At 16.00 o’clock there were classic performance at Amphetite theater, about +/- 15 minutes.

At 16.50 we went to bus stop back to Cheongpyeong station. There were direction inside the bus (English alphabet), and the last stop is Gapyeong, but I wanna get off at Cheongpyeong bus stop so I had to listen carefully for the notification.

How to ride bus at South Korea, when get in the bus, tap the card beside the bus driver. When going to get off, before the station, stand beside the door, and tap the card, so when the bus stop, we directly get off.

We get off at Cheongpyeong bus stop and wanna reach Cheongpyeong station with taxi. But no empty taxi there. So I went to a store, to ask direction.

But unfortunately, the shopkeeper is a couple of haraboeji and halmeoni, which can’t spoke English. Aigoo....

So I try to speak korean :

“Choneun Cheongpeyong station ga.....”

Means : I want to go to Cheongpyong station..

But my sentence wasn’t complete (Korea Grammar : Subject + Object + Predicate, but the predicate had particle) – luckly halmeoni understand what I want, she said :

“ aegi, noneun Cheongpeyong station gasipseoyo”

“ne”

Then haraboeji said no taxi here, I’ve got to made a phone call to ride taxi. Even I didn’t know korean language, but I understand what they said.

Halmeoni said : “Teksi number opssoyo?”

“opssossoyo”

Haraboeji directly made a phone call to order taxi and tell them my destination.

Oh, what a lucky day – by the way to day is brithdays, such a nice gift from people I didn’t know.

I was so happy and say thank you in many language, Korea, English, China hehehe....

Haraboeji told me it’s only take 1 minutes, and he told me to wait in front of the store. I didn’t knew korea language, what I know is il fun = 1 minute.

1 minutes after that, a taxi came, and the drive was good looking oppa. I say nothing just get in and he drove to Cheongpyeong station, fare won. 3.900.

The driver was polite, when we get off, he say “annyeonghaseyo”, and I reply “ne, annyeonghaseyo”.

So we take subway back to Seoul, get off at Angguk station – exit 6.

Destination : Dinner - Balwoo 2nd branch.

From exit 6, I turn left (small alley), walk straight, then turn left to main street at Insandong, turn right, then walk till I saw Insadong Tourism Information Center, turn left, just walk till the end of the street, Balwoo 2nd branch at the corner of the street.

Infront of Balwoo is Jogyesa Temple.

Balwoo 2nd branch (Vegan) was one recommend place to eat, but the menu was expensive. I order mushroom rice menu – cost won. 9.000. Taste not too good, all type mushroom was at my plate. My friend order a set of complete meals cost won 10.000 (seems like it was korean traditional menu). The other eat at different place (they eat bulgogi – meat).

At here I taste kimchi, and I didn’t like it.

After finish our meals, we just cross the street to Jogyesa temple. Since we visit Seoul at May – there were lanterns festival held on May every year, this year they held tomorrow – Saturday May 19, 2012.

So the temple was full lanterns hang above. Since it’s already night, the light was turn on, it was beautiful. Not only at the temple, along Insadong street, main street at Seoul was hang with lantern.

Jogyesa temple not too big. It’s only one main building. Inside the Building, there were 3 giant Budha statue – like Sakyamuni Budha. Some peolpe pray, not using dupa, I only had short visit at here.

After that we continue to next destination : Cheonggye Cheon

To go there, we cross the street then walk to the left to bus stop. Bus number : 9710 – red colour. Only 1 stop, get off at Cheonggye Plaza.

From Insadong to Cheonggye Cheon, the bus cross Gwanghwamun Gate – the gate was beautiful at night, and Gwanghwamun Square – King Sejong statue and Admiral Shi statue also fountain at Gwanghwamun square was beautiful at night too.

From bus stop, cross the street, go down stair, there were Cheonggye Cheon.

Cheonggye Cheon at night was beautiful, many lantern and 12 china zodiak (with lamp) along the river.

And there were bazaar tomorrow at Cheonggye Cheon, so it’s crowded and cold. And the artist already testing the stage. She sing traditional song, as I herad at Heartstring Drama series.

I think best time to visit Cheonggye Cheon is 18.30 (South korea time).

Since it’s crowded we can’t sit there and it was cold, so after we finish take photograph here, we moved to next destination – Dongdaemun Market. It’s already 21.00 pm.

One mistake I made here. We suppose to go Dongdaemun by taxi, of course it can be reach by subway, but it wasting a lot of time for walk inside the station. And Dongdaemun market was far away from the subway station.

From the exit we just walk, till we saw Dongdemun gate, and take picture at here. Then visit to Daiso, all price is Won. 1.000/2.000/3.000. At here I buy Manicure set won 1.000, Spon and chopstick set won 2.000.

The I ask direction with the pedestrian, she said that it still far, we need to walk just go straight. I better take taxi to here. It’s really really far. And before it we went to wrong place, it’s seem grocery place.

We walk till front of Doota, many pedestrian food there, and many local people gathering there. It’s crowded, but we already tired, and it’s aleady 23.45, we decide to go back to hostel. And no taxi infront of Doota, we’ve got to stop taxi at the street. And It’s really hard to find it, since many people stop taxi at the street too.

The driver charge us won 25.000 to Sinchon hostel. I know it was far, but the fare was too expensive, and since it’s already late night, and the driver know we’re not local peolple. My friends all already tired, so we take that taxi.

The taxi driver was young, but not polite at all.

Suggestion from me, take taxi with driver is ajoessi, better and save.

Here my expenditure for the second day :

Expenditure (per person) :		Won
T-Money	Reload	₩             10.000
Taxi	Gapyeong - Nami Island	₩                 675
Nami Island	Entrance fee	₩              8.000
Rent Bike		₩              5.000
Taxi	Nami Island - Gapyeong	₩                 750
Petite France	Entrance fee	₩              8.000
Taxi	Choengpyeong station	₩                 900
Dine	Balwoo 2nd branch	₩              9.000
Taxi	Dongdaemun - Sinchon Hostel	₩              6.250
Total		₩             48.575

South Korea Trip - Day 2

Jum’at, 18 Mei 2012

Nami Island – Petite France – Jogyesa Temple – Cheonggye Cheon - Dongdaemun

Hari ini bangun jam 6 pagi (waktu korea). Waktu Korea lebih cepat 2 jam dari WIB. Selesai mandi kami turun ke dapur, masak mie instant yang sudah kami bawa dari Indonesia, buat toaster bread with starwberry jam, also cereal.  Selesai makan, ngecek email bentar.

Selama saya stay disini saya tidak pernah memanfaatkan wifi, karena sudah terlalu cape, tapi menurut teman saya wifinya ok, ga lemot.

Jam 9 pagi kami berangkat naik Subway menuju ke Nami Island. Naik dari Ehwa Woman Univ, lalu kami turun di Wangsimpri station. Dari sana kami keluar dari exit 4, menuju ke arah Wangsimni Square.

Ngapain exit ke sini ? soalnya mo foto dengan lukisan sayap malaikat.

Setau saya seharusnya ada 3 model sayap malaikat, tapi sekarang hanya ada 1 saja.

Kalau mau lihat lengkapnya lihat di MV Super Junior KRY – Fly. Disini tempat pembuatan MV Fly.

Alamat : Wangsimni-ro-20-gil (왕십리로20길)

Sayap asli sebenarnya ada di Ehwa Village, dipopulerkan oleh aktor Lee Seung Gi, melalui acara variety show 1N2D. Di Ehwa village banyak terdapat mural, dianak tangga, tembok, dijalan. Tapi sejak Lee Seung Gi berhasil menyelesaikan misi foto dengan sayap malaikat, tempat ini menjadi ramai sekali dan menggangu warga sekitar, siang dan malam banyak sekali turis datang untuk berfoto disana. Sehingga lukisan sayap tersebut dihapus dan dipindah ke Wangsimni Square. Lukisan inipun sudah diperbaiki. Tapi saya lebih suka versi angles wings di MV Suju KRY – Fly.

Setelah itu kami masuk kembali ke subway station melanjutkan perjalanan ke Cheongyanni station, change subway menuju ke Gapyeong station. Wangsimni Station & Cheongyanni station sangat luas, jadi bertanyalah supaya tidak salah jalan. Karena untuk menuju ke Gapyeong harus ganti rute subway warna biru langit, Gyeongchun line

Hari ini hari Jum’at, entah sedang ada event apa di Korea, kemanapun kami pergi, pasti banyak berjumpa banyak anak sekolah (mungkin di Korea sedang libur sekolah). Kemarin juga, waktu kami mengunjungi Korea Folk Village di Suwon, banyak sekali bis bis anak sekolah, ada kali 40 bis.

Bulan Mei ada festifal lampion diseluruh Korea. Jadi di sepanjang jalan utama banyak tergantung lampion, plus banyak orang orang pakai pakaian traditional bawa lampion.

Selain itu waktu saya datang di Seoul sedang ada Yeosu festifal (saya kurang tau festifal apa itu). Yang saya tau di Jogyesa temple akan ada pertunjukkan yang cuma ada 1 tahun sekali.

So next time visit Seoul at May.

Sampai di Gapyeong station, rencananya saya mau membeli tiket bus Gapyeong city bus tour, 1 hari penuh pakai fasilitas bus keliling daerah Gapyeong cuma won 5.000.

Rute bis melalui : Cheongpyeong stasiun - Cheongpyeong terminal - Petite France - Nami Island - Gapyeong station - Gapyeong terminal.

Beda teminal dan stasiun, terminal = terminal bis, stasiun = subway.

Ini alternatif yang paling murah buat keliling di Gapyeong.

Karena sampai di Gapyeong station sudah jam 10 lebih, sedangkan schedule bis yang paling pagi jam 09.15, next bus 12.15. Jadi saya putuskan untuk naik taxi menuju Nami Island. Taxi pakai meter, tarif won 2.700

Sampai Nami Island sudah terlihat banyak orang mengantri untuk naik kapal. Saya segera beli tiket dan ikut baris mengantri. Kapal feri kecil, hanya ada dudukan di dalam kapal. Disini tempat duduk hanya dibagian pinggir saja, sisa naik keatas or di dek, or didalam tapi berdiri. Diatas kapal banyak terdapat bendera dari berbagai negara.

Sepanjang perjalanan nothing much to see, and for me cross to Samosir Lake from Prapat – North Sumatra, much much better. Banyak kursi didalamnya, pemandangan juga luar biasa bagus, blue sky, nice view. Disini airnya sama sekali ga biru, tapi coklat – cuma bersih kagak ada sampah.

Alternatif lain masuk ke Pulau Nami dengan Zip Wire. Kalau naik kapal harga won 8.000 – include boat (round way) and admission fee, kalau zip wire harga won 32.000 (round trip and inlude admission fee too).

Zip wire, mirip seperti fly fox (menurut saya). Dari bagian bawah tower naik eskalator menuju keatas (mirip seperti tower Bugge Jumping – as I saw at Running Man and WGM).

Kalau flying fox, bepegangan pada besi or whatever that things name, kalau zip wire orangnya duduk dikursi (single chair) dengan kaki kudu lurus sejajar dengan kursi, kemudian kursi akan berjalan (or ditarik kawatnya yah..., maybe) ke menara disebrang pulau Nami. Perjalanan by Zip Wire +/- 5 menit. Kalau naik kapal +/- 15 menit. Tapi beda harganya.....selangit.....

Site pulau Nami : http://www.namisum.com/

Bagi yang suka tantangan yang satu ini boleh dicoba. Just Information, don’t forget to wear jacket and syal, trust me the wind blow really cold. But maybe it will not cold at July. Saat kami berkunjung ke pulau nami angin tidak bertiup jadi kalau mau naik zip wire kondisi cuaca bagus. Kalau angin bertiup, naik zip wire bisa terayun ayun.

Sebelumnya saya juga sudah searching prakiraan cuaca hari ini, baik di Gyeong gi maupun di Seoul hari ini berawan, and it’s true.

Sampai dipulau nami, disambut gate selamat datang, dan banyak orang mengantri untuk berfoto digate itu. Disamping gate ada batu dengan mini air mancur (kalo dibilang air terjun, kecil banget, dibilang air mancur juga ga mancur mancur amat, jadi bingung apa yah vocabulary seharusnya? Air mengalir di batu kali lebih tepat).

Masuk kedalam ada banyak patung patung kecil, disamping ada toko mini market berjualan snack (bukan snack special di Nami). Disebrang ada toilet, jadi bagi yang mo ke toilet buruan setor disini, didalam masih ada toilet tapi jauh and susah nyarinya.

Tujuan pertama persewaan sepeda.

Untuk menuju ke persewaan sepeda diharuskan jalan kaki masuk kedalam, kurang lebih 10-15 menit. Sepanjang perjalanan ada restaurant, spot spot untuk berfoto. 
Pohon pinus tempat syuting winter sonata bukan dibagian ini, tapi masih harus jalan masuk ke dalam.

Menurut saya pribadi, pulau Nami tidak begitu bagus, hanya pohon pohon saja sepanjang jalan. Untuk pemandangan alam kurang. Hanya saja pemerintah korea pandai mempromosikan dan mempercantik pulau Nami, dibuat jembatan, kolam air, spot spot cantik untuk berfoto. Untuk yang suka landscape, tempat ini tidak menawarkan banyak tempat yang bagus (compare with the admisson fee).

Sampailah kami ditempat persewaan sepeda. Sewa sepeda setengah jam won 3000, 1 jam won 5000, 2 jam won 10.000, dst.

Setiap orang yang menyewa sepeda diminta meninggalkan ID Card (I didn’t know it’s for foregin only or for all person).

Setiap 10 menit keterlambatan pengembalian sepeda didenda won 1.000.

Sepeda yang disewakan sepeda single rider, dan double rider.

Yang pasti sepedanya, walaupun tampilan sama seperti sepeda mini di Indonesia, tapi sepedanya enak dinaiki, goesnya tidak berat, jok sepeda juga nyaman. Pengalaman saya naik sepeda di Pulau Tidung, naik sepedanya cape dan joknya ga empuk, goes juga berat.

Berhubung banyak anak sekolah yang datang, (mereka pake seragam sekolah, sama seperti siswa di Korea Folk Village), naik sepeda kudu ati ati, anak sekolah naik sepedanya ngebut.

Kami naik sepeda sampai ujung, sampai terlihat danau, setelah jajaran pohon pinus tempat syuting winter sonata. And sejauh mata saya memandang, tidak ada tempat yang bisa membuat saya kagum dengan keindahan pulau Nami. Walaupun saya juga penggemar berat halluya wave, and K-Pop, tapi tempat ini tidak membuat saya kagum. Semua yang bagus buatan bukan alami.

Tapi yang pasti disini tempat yang bagus buat piknik. Kami makan siang dengan bekal yang sudah kami siapkan dari Seoul, di salah satu meja yang tersedia (banyak tempat yang tersedia untuk duduk dan makan), dekat dengan restaurant yang ditemboknya ada gambar Bae Yong Jung dan Choi Ji Woo.

Dan yang paling heboh minta foto di tempat ini rombongan tur turis dari Indonesia.

Di Seoul jual nasi Instant, nasi sudah matang tinggal dibuka dan bisa dimakan, jadi tidak usah repot repot beli nasi putih, harga won 1.000 (beli di GS 25 or 7-11). Ini bekal makan siang kami hehehe...

Tidak banyak hal yang bisa saya ceritakan tentang nami Island, cause as long as I see nothing much to see.

Jam 1 tepat kami meninggalkan pulau Nami. Jam 1 tepat ada kapal feri yang sandar.

Sampai di penyebrangan, kami masuk ke salah satu mini market, disamping exit dari kapal feri. Dimini market ini hanya berjualan sedikit sekali merchandise pulau Nami (dompet, gantungan HP, handuk, topi, etc), sisa berjualan snack seperti mini market  pada umumnya, dan kayaknya mahal harga barang disini.

Saya bertanya ke Information center tentang Gapyeong city tur bus (my next destination = Petite France), karena lebih murah won 5.000 PP dari pada saya harus naik bus/subway plus taxi ke Petite France.

Ternyata menurut tourism informasi center bis sudah lewat jam 12.30, so I miss the bus. Kalau mau ke Petite France dari Nami Island naik taxi, and you what made me surprise....... the taxi fare won 40.000 (alamak, mahal kali ....). Dari pulau nami ke Petite France makan waktu setengah jam.

Kalau ingin naik Gapyeong city tur bus, harus naik dari depan Family mart (gedung warna pink, only one – you won’t get lost).

Didekat Nami Island Zip Wire ada tempat Bugee Jumping. Saat kami lewat disana ada orang yang bersiap melompat Bugge Jumping, seharusnya bisa saya rekam, tapi saya tidak prepare camera waktu itu.

Kami berjalan ke family mart, beli air minum (oh ya, harga air minum disini +/- won 850 -900). Sekali lagi saya bertanya ke petugas family mart, yang sayangnya tidak bisa berbahasa Inggris, but fortunally she speak China, so lucky for me.

Dan seperti yang dikatakan petugas di Tourism information center, I already miss the bus.

So kita balik ke Gapyeong station, rencana ke Petite France naik subway ke Cheongpyeng station (2 stop dari gapyeong subway). Dari Nami kita naik taxi ke gapyeong station, ajoessi  tidak memasang meter, tapi saya cuek saja. Tidak sampai 10 menit sudah sampai ke Gapyeong station, saya bayar won 3.000.

Taxi di pulau nami semua tidak ada yang buka AC, jadi kita buka jendela.

Sampai di station Cheongpyeong, saya bertanya ke petugas subway, masih muda +/- 20 tahunan. “Annyeonghaseyo, Yong o hal jul aseyo?”, rupanya dia tidak bisa bahasa Inggris, saat dia akan memanggil petus didalam yang bisa berbahasa Inggris, tiba tiba ada ajoessi  yang membatu. “ Yes, may help you?”

Bertanyalah saya tentang lokasi Choengpyeong bus stop. Yang ternyata jauuhhh banget dari lokasi subway.

Orang korea ramah ramah, di Subway station pagi hari saya juga bertemu dengan haraboeji (sepertinya dia duta subway, soalnya pake selempang) yang ramah mengatarkan saya ke subway station Gyeongchun line, dan haraboeji  di subway cheongyangni station juga ramah memberi petunjuk kereta.

Cara ke bus stop : dari subway station berjalan ke arah jalan raya (untuk ukuran saya jalan kakinya bisa 5 menitan), lalu jalan lurus saja sampai ada belokan belok ke kanan, trus jalan lurus sampai ada belokan lagi lalu belok kiri, trus jalan sampai ketemu bus stop, menurut informasi jalan kaki 15 menit (untuk ukuran orang Indo lebih kali yah).

Jam 2 siang, panas panas disuruh jalan kaki, kamsia deh... mending naek taxi aja kali.

Yah sudah, saya berterima kasih sama ajoessi. Teman teman saya mampir dulu ke toilet, setelah itu kami melanjutkan perjalanan.

Baru aja exit dari station, eh si ajoessi manggil....dia menawarkan bantuan untuk mengantarkan kita sampai ke Petite France, bukan ke lokasi bus stop lho.... , but I’ve to wait 5 minutes, since he was waited for his girlfriends. Saya ok ok aja, tengkyu tengkyu malah, ada yang mo nganterin ke sana.

Dari Cheongpyong station naik taxi +/- won 16.000, kalo mo murah won 1.200 naik bis.

Tuhan tau kalo kita semua lagi cape, jadi dikirimkan seorang baik hati yang mengantarkan kita, Terima kasih Tuhan.

Menunggulah kami di gazebo luar stasiun. Didalam gazebo ada seorang sopir taxi dan 3 cewek korea. Tak berapa lama kemudian keluarlah ajoessi dengan pacarnya.

Tidak tau harus panggil apa sama pacarnya, mo panggil eonni, tapi sudah terlanjur panggil ajoessi, masa mau ganti panggil oppa. Ya udah jalan ke mobil diem diem an.

Tampaknya ajoessi pegawai or bos yang mapan, mobilnya captiva or similar like that, saya tidak begitu perhatian. Untuk ukuran orang korea, punya mobil seperti itu berarti orang berduit. Rata rata pegawai di korea berangkat dan pulang kantor naik transportasi umum.

Ternyata alasan kenapa ajoessi mo nganterin sampe ke Petite France, disebabkan karena dia kagum dengan bahasa Inggris saya. Katanya jarang sekali orang korea yang bisa berbahasa Inggris dengan artikulasi yang jelas. Gamsahamnida ajoessi.

Di Malaysia ketemu juga sama sopir taxi yang kagum dengan bahasa Mandarin saya, karena kemampuan bahasa saya, jadi dapet banyak petunjuk.

So learn language from now on.

Dari Subway menuju ke Petite France disuguhi pemandangan dam (waduk, tapi kering, airnya sedikit) , seperti yang saya lihat di Running Man, tapi saya lupa episode berapa. Jalan menuju Petite France berliku liku dan berkelok kelok. Kira kira 20 menit kami sampai di Petite France (ajoessi sedikit ngebut).

Kita rame rame say thank you sama ajoessi, saya sambil membungkuk say :

“neomu gamsahamnida “ (너무 감사합니다), - artinya : banyak terima kasih

“annyeonghigyeseyo” (안녕히 계세요), - artinya selamat tinggal,

“mannaseo bangapseumnida” (만나서 반갑습니다!)- artinya : senang bertemu dengan anda.

Pacar ajoessi tersenyum menoleh melihat ke saya, thank you oenni. Mungkin oenni kagum dengan bahasa korea saya yang walaupun cuma bisa segitu aja hehehehe.....

Kami langsung menuju entrance. Jalan menuju entrance mendaki. Beli tiket masuk won 8.000 per orang.

Gambaran Petite France sama persis seperti yang saya lihat di Running Man ep 40 (guest star = 2PM : Nichkhun dan Taecyeon). Karena teman teman sudah gempor jadi tidak begitu mengeksplore tempat ini.

Saat membeli tiket tidak lupa saya tanyakan jam bis dari Petite France menuju Cheongpyeong station dan letak bus stopnya. Oleh pegawai tiket, saya dituliskan schedule bis dan diberi 10 menit lebih awal dari jam kedatangan bis. Maksud petugas tiket baik, supaya saya tidak ketinggalan bis. Karena last bus jam 17.00.

Jam bus dari Petite France ke Cheongpyeong bus stop (info dari petugas tiket) = 14.50 (won 1.200), 15.50 (won 5.000 – yang ini Gapyeong city tur bus), 16.50 (won 1.200).

Benar benar suasana ala perancis, bahkan ada tembok dengan gambar menara eifel disini. Disini kumpulkan 10 stamp yang tersebar didalam ruangan ruangan, bila berhasil mendapatkan 10 stamp bisa ditukarkan dengan merchandise khas petite France.

Lagu yang dinyanyikan Yoo Jae Suk di Ep 40 – Running Man, adalah back sound lagu waktu saya sampai disana. Ternyata lagu itu merupakan lagu di Petite France, dan pada jam +/- 4 sore an ada pertunjukkan nyanyi lagu klasik ala korea di Ampetite Theather, pertunjukkan hanya sebentar saja.

Turis yang datang sedikit, dibandingkan dengan nami Island yang padat pengunjung, disini lebih bisa menikmati suasana.

Ada cafe dan snack khas korea. Tapi saya tidak mencoba, karena berdasarkan info yang saya dapat dari mbah Google kalau menu makanan disini mahal.

Bahasa korea mahal : bisseoyo

Jam 16.50 kami menuju ke bus stop, karena last bus jam 17.00

Jam bis disini on time, jadi jangan sampai ketinggalan, karena taxipun tidak ada yang ngetem disini.

Sesuai dengan petunjuk ajoessi kami turun di Cheongpyeong bus stop, bis mengarah ke Gapyeong juga, tapi saya tidak tau letak bus stop di Gapyeong (waktu sampai Gapyeong subway station saya melihat didepan subway terlihat ada bus stop), tapi saya tidak tau apakah bus ini stop disana or ga.

Masalah muncul lagi disini, sama sekali tidak ada taxi yang lewat. Kalaupun ada, pasti ada penumpangnya. Padahal tidak mungkin kami jalan kaki kembali ke station subway. Selain jauh kami juga tidak tau arah.

Akhirnya saya masuk ke salah satu toko didekat bus stop :

“Annyeonghaseyo, Yong o hal jul aseyo?”

Yang jaga toko haraboeji and halmeoni – of couse tidak bisa bahasa Inggris, tapi saya basa basi aja – biar keliatan sopan gitu.

Masalahnya saya tidak tau bagaimana bilang saya mau naik taxi dari sini ke Cheongpeyong station.

Akhirnya saya bilang:

“Cheoneun Cheongpeyong station ga.....”

Seharusnya dalam tata bahasa korea ga (pergi) diikuti imbuhan akhiran, tapi saya tidak tau apa akhirannya.

Akhirnya halmeoni paham maksud saya, halmeoni bilang :

“ aegi, noneun Cheongpeyong station gasipseoyo”

Aegi – dalam bahasa korea anak.

“ne”

Saya tidak tau bahasa Korea bilang apa, intinya haraboeji bilang tidak bisa naik taxi dari bus stop, kalo mau naik taxi dari sini harus telepon.

Halmeoni : “Teksi number opssoyo?”

Saya geleng kepala : “ “opssossoyo”

Lalu haraboeji  telpon taksi plus memberitahukan tujuan taksi, supaya saya tidak tersesat. Thank you haraboeji, thank you halmeoni. Sangking hepi anda groginya saya bilang gamsahamnida, thank you, xie xie....hehehehe..

Haraboeji bilang hanya perlu waktu 1 menit saja, walaupun saya tidak bisa bahasa korea, tapi saya mengerti, yang saya tau il fun = 1 menit. Dan kamipun menunggu didepan toko mereka.

Tidak sia sia saya belajar bahasa korea ala mandiri hehehehe.....

1 menit kemudian, taksi datang, sopir taksinya cakep. Saya duduk didepan, sepanjang perjalaan trip kali ini saya selalu duduk didepan (petunjuk arah). Oppa (ceillah...istilahnya...ga pa pa panggil oppa aja) nganterin kita ke Cheongpyeong bus terminal. Trus saya bilang no no, subway station. Keliatannya oppa ngeh, trus perjalanan dilanjutkan ke subway station. Tarif taksi won 3.700, oppa bilang annyeonghaseyo, saya bilang annyeong... (ga sopan yah, seharusnya bales annyeonghaseyo juga).

Kami naik subway kembali ke Seoul. Berhubung sudah jam 6 subway padat dengan pegawai kantor.

Disini terjadi peristiwa lucu, waktu kereta subway yang akan kami naiki datang, pintu kereta tidak bisa terbuka. Teman saya iseng mengetuk pintu subway sambil ngomong, permisi. Eh,.... tiba tiba dari dalam ada petugas subway melambaikan tangan hahaha... gokil.

Ternyata kereta subway itu ga bisa dibuka pintunya, pengumuman bilang kalo subway akan kembali ke stasiunnya dan disuruh menunggu 10 menit untuk kereta subway selanjutnya.

Trus dibelakang kami ada train (train biasa) yang baru saja sampai dan menurunkan penumpang. Setelah semua penumpang turun, eh tempat duduk secara otomatis berputar arah kebelakang. Keren deh.... kereta api agro anggrek aja, kalo mo diputer kudu manual satu satu, yang ini serentak 1 gerbong kursinya berbalik arah 180 derajat.

Setelah ganti train sampailah kami di stasiun Angguk, get off at exit 6. Tujuan : Balwoo 2nd branch, makan malam – di daerah Insandong depan Jogyesa temple.

Keluar dari exit 6, belok di belokan gang kecil pertama – jalan Insadong. Jalan lurus aja sampai mentok trus belok kanan. Lalu jalan mengikuti jalan sampai kelihatan Tourism Information Center, belok ke kanan. Dari sana jalan sampai jalan raya, letak Balwoo 2nd branch ada digedung sebelah kanan ujung jalan.

Tepat didepan Balwoo 2nd branch ada temple Jogyesa.

Balwoo 2nd branch banyak direkomendasikan orang, karena itu saya pilih makan disini. Menu makanan disini mahal, dibandingkan dengn Loving Hut.

Saya pesan menu jamur harga won 9.000

Selesai makan lanjut ke Jogyesa temple, just cross the street.

Karena keesokan harinya ada festifal lampion, maka seluruh langit langit temple ini tergantung lampion. Kalau siang hari menjadi teduh tidak terkena sinar matahari, bila berkunjung malam hari kesini cantik, karena lampu lampu lampion dinyalakan.

Lampionnya berwarna warni, cantik sekali. Once again my camera not support, maklum camera jadul.

Temple ini tidaklah terlalu besar. Ada satu bangunan induk. Didalamnya ada 3 patung Budah era Budha Sakyamuni. Ada beberapa orang datang berdoa disini, tapi saya hanya sebentar saja disini.

Karena sudah malam dan kamera tidak support jadi saya tidak bisa memfoto detail temple ini. Tapi temple yang satu ini merupakan temple yang paling terkenal di Seoul.

Setelah itu kami melanjutkan perjalanan ke Cheonggye Cheon (Stream sungai dalam kota Seoul). Dari Jogyesa temple menyebrang ke sebrang jalan lalu jalan ke sebelah kanan menuju bus stop. Naik bus warna merah no 9710. Get off di Cheonggye Plaza.

Ada bis lain 704 (biru), 1020 (hijau), tapi bus no 9710 paling dekat bus stopnya.

Bus ini datangnya lama sekali dibandingkan dengan bus yang lain.

Sepanjang saya naik bis di Seoul tidak pernah saya melihat orang berdesak desakan naik bis. Kalau di Subway yah..... biasalah kalo sedang rush hour pasti subway ramai.

Perjalanan melalui Gyeongbokgung Palace, terlihat Gwanghwanmun Gate, lalu Gwanghwamun square, terlihat patung King Sejong dan Admiral shi. Lalu bis belok menuju kearah Cheonggye Plaza, dibelokkan ke 2 kami turun (hanya 1 stop dari kami naik bis).

Lalu jalan kesebrang jalan, disanalah letak Cheonggye cheon.

Karena ada Yeonsu festifal, maka sepanjang Cheonggye Cheon dipasang banyak lampion dan patung 12 shio dari kertas. Karena sudah malam maka lampu menyala, sehingga sepanjang Cheonggye Cheon menjadi cantik.

Disini ada panggung, yang besoknya akan ada acara bazar, pengisi acara sedang gladi resik, menyanyikan lagu tradisional seperti di film Heartstring, yang dimainkan Park Shin Hye dengan alat musik tradisional.

Kami foto foto sebentar disini. Banyak sekali penduduk lokal dan turis di tempat ini.

Karena dingin, teman saya tidak tahan berlama lama disini. Jadi kami melanjutkan perjalanan. Masuk ke Gwanghwamun subway to next Destination – Dongdaemun.

Sampai Dongdaemun, kami berjalan menuju Dongdaemun, seharusnya Doota dan Migliore. Tapi kami tersesat, seperti masuk ke pasar lokal yang jual barang grosir, yang sama sekali tidak menarik dilihat.

Karena tersesat kami jalan terus sampai terlihat Dongdaemun Gate, berfoto sejenak disana. Didekat gate terdapat Daiso, kami masuk kesana beli oleh oleh. Saya dapat 1 set manicure set harga won 1.000, sendok & sumpit plus tempatnya won 2.000, karet rambut + jepit 6 pcs, won 1.000.

Akhirnya saya tanya jalan menuju ke Doota dan Migliore. Ternyata harus jalan kaki jauuhhh sekali. Lebih baik naik taksi dari Subway station, really really far...

Sampai di Doota, didepannya ada banyak tenda tenda berjualan makanan. Dan terdengar Fantastic Baby – Big Bang (dimana mana pasti terdengar lagu Big Bang, bahkan di dalam kereta subway, diputar MV fantastic Baby).

Berhubung sudah jalan terlalu jauh dan sudah cape jadi teman saya tidak tertarik untuk masuk kedalam. Sebenarnya saya masih ingin masuk kedalam walaupun kaki saya sudah cape banget, tapi karena yang lainnya sudah mau pulang ya udah ga masuk.

Pulang dari sini kami naik taksi. Dan taksi disini susah sekali didapat, berebutan dengan orang orang. Pak Polisi yang ada disana juga sama sekali tidak membantu kami untuk mencegat taksi.

Akhirnya kami mendapatkan taksi. And you know what, ini taksi yang paling kurang ajar yang pernah saya naiki. Sopirnya keliatan kayak orang kurang beres.

Berhubung sudah cape terpaksa, ya udah naik aja. Sopir tidak mau pakai meter dia pasang harga won 25.000 (yang seharusnya menurut saya ke shinchon dari Dongdaemun ga sampe won 10.000). Karena sudah lewat jam 12 malam, jadi kami di charge midnite price, saya tau ini, tapi kayaknya koq ga sampe 3x lipat.

Sepanjang perjalanan sopir usil, tapi dicuekin aja. Akhirnya hampir jam 1 kami sampai dipenginapan, gempor abis hari ini.