CINDY TJAHJADI

How are you, guys? I hope all of you are healthy and will have a nice summer holiday! 

But... 

In this article I'm just going to share 10 things must do while in Seoul! I really really really (like Winner song LOL) recommend these! These activities were simple things to do but had the special space in my heart. Try them and I hope you can have a great time too while you visit Seoul!  And... Here we are my 10 recommended things... 

1. Drink Iced Americano

When strolled around Seoul, I've found many coffee shops on the streets. Like a common coffee shop that we usual meet, they have Americano, Cafe Latte, Cappuccino, and etc. So, why must Iced Americano?  I've watched many scenes on K-Drama which the people love to order Iced Americano than anything else in the coffee shop. I thought it just like a strong coffee which they needed to drink to boost up their energy in office life and in K-Drama. I wronged! In the real life, they really really really like to drink a cup of Americano. Even in Starbucks where many variants of coffee were served, I saw there are many who ordered Iced Americano instead. Fyi, I ordered Caramel Macchiato. Lol. After saw that, I was so curious to try their Iced Americano! I feel tempted! Lol. Then, I tried that! A simple cold water with ice and fresh coffee brew were mixed together. Don't forget the vanilla syrup! Life is already bitter, guys! Surprisingly, this Iced Americano was sooooo good! Moreover, if you drink this while you stroll around Seoul in the daylight! Day seems perfect! You MUST try this!  

2. Ride Roller Coaster (Thunder Falls) in Everland

Like as its name, Thunder Falls was really made everything on me falls, the brain, the heart, and the soul. Before rode this, I heard they said it's going for 3-4 minutes. The longest ride time of roller coaster in Asia. I was okay with the time but the track wouldn't make that 3 minutes easy. Up and down rapidly, up and down rapidly, not only once but for many times, guys! I couldn't resist my scream, yes I screamed loudly and continually that was because I kept opening my eyes along the track. That's what made the ride so fun and thrilling at the same time! You must try this ride! Because after rode that roller coaster I felt new! Now, are you tempted?

3. Take a Photo at Street Photo Box

Beside of the coffee shops, I could find a lot of photo box too in the street. Most of them were the 1+1 photo box. What's 1+1? The photo box just will be fit for 2 persons inside, yes actually is for the couple! Lol. Don't mind it! My friend and I tried it and it was so fun! We had about 4 shots and had 2 sets of the photo prints. Then we divided into 1 for me and 1 for my friend. It was 4.000 won. So, 2.000 won by me and 2.000 won by my friend. Couple? Let your partner pay it  for you! 

4. Bicycling and Have a Picnic at Han River

I really really really love to recommend this activity! Moreover, if you do it in the afternoon-evening! Rent the bike near the entrance of Han River and bicycling around for an hour! After bicycling, try to have a picnic on the grass, eat the chickens, and waiting for the sunset... Waaaa. Those were the best moment that I've ever had in Seoul! I didn't have any chance to have the picnic time but I'd still recommend it! 

5. Watch Sunset at Sky Seoul Lotte Tower

Another sunset? Why not? On the days that I spent in Seoul, I could see the sun has seted beautifully. Perfect round orange sun, that's what I saw almost on the days that I spent in Seoul. The left thing we should do was just chose the perfect spot to see it perfectly. And the Sky Seoul was the best spot to enjoy the sunset. Watch it from 117th floor where you can see everything in Seoul on above. 

6.Wearing Hanbok and Strolling in the historical area


Hanbok is a traditional Korean clothing which worn in Joseon Dynasty and was wearing as formal attire during traditional occasion such as festivals, celebrations, and ceremonies. In South Korea, they give you a chance to go back and have their ancient times experiences. You can rent the Hanbok and wear it in their historical area such as Bukchon Hanok Village, Gyeongbokgung Palace, or Changdeokgung Palace. It's quite momentful time for me when I did this activity. It's like I was in Joseon era and was strolling my neighborhood. Lol. It's fun and great, guys! You should try this! Do you love to watch Korean Joseon period drama? It's 11 12 to be like that! :)

7. Eat their Chickens!

In Indonesia, I would say the best Chickens I've ever ate were my mom's cook, KFC, and MCD. But... In South Korea, I will recommend you their chickens rather than KFC or MCD. Their chickens are the best! The flavor was great and so crispy! Where? Wherever I went. at Sokcho, Busan, or either at Seoul, their chickens are great! :)

8. Chill at the rooftop cafe at Ihwadong Mural Village


Yes, I admit that. I'm K-Drama lover so I wished I would visited the beautiful places where they had shoot and I think this neighborhood is one of them. If you love to experience some quiet and peaceful neighborhood like you watched in K-Drama, I'll recommend you Ihwadong Mural Village. The village is so beautiful and peaceful where is great to chill out and have a small talk with friends! Find this cafe, have some tea or coffee, and let the breeze touchs your face. So great afternoon!

9. Enjoying Busking

10. Says Gamsahamnida


Says 'Gamsahamnida' (kamsahamnida). Gamsahamnida is a word to express a gratitude. When I said this word, I feel happy and the one whom I talked to was happy too. Isn't it great to start a great travel day? Try to say this, maybe the world will be better and smiling at you after you say that. :D

Hiking in winter, why not? We are the winter soldier! LOL

Sounds crazy if we're hiking in winter season. I've read some article guide to Yellow Mountain which says Yellow Mountain is one of the mountain in China that you can hike in the winter. Moreover, Yellow Mountain offers 'The Sea of Clouds' scenery that we can only see while in Winter. Mostly, sea of clouds on hilltops would appear after rain and snow. The clouds and fogs would surround us with their cotton looks at the same time! That's what I was looking for back then! Actually, Yellow Mountain offers 4 scenery that we can enjoy in 4 different seasons! In Summer, it will offer the clear Yellow Mountain that we can see all of the mountain structure clearly and the green trees. In Fall, it will offer the cool breeze, the mountain structure with fogs and the orange trees. In Spring, it will still offer the cool breeze from the winter but the bloomed springs flowers will make the scenery more beautiful. What's your choice? :)) And... How's about the winter? Take a look on my journey! :)) 

The Chinese elders says hike in the winter is good for our health. Besides that activity keep making our body warm and accelerate our blood's circulate, we can upgrade the stamina too! No wonder I had met a lot of  Chinese elders (around on their 50's and 60's) were hiking with us at that time. Even my stamina is not better than those elders. LOL

Is it cold?

I remembered, that day was 3 Celsius degree. Even in the morning, it was 1 Celsius degree. BUT! Interestingly... My mom and I could take a shower in the morning, guys! LOL. It's cold but it's warm enough if you wear heat-tech long sleeve cloth, sweater, heat-tech outwear, scarf, heat-tech socks, shoes, beanie, and mask. Why beanie? For covering the ears if you don't bring any earmuff. We must keep our ears warm to keep our balance temperature in the cold. And... The last but not least, The bottles of mineral water! Keep our body hydrated!! Yasss!!

Sunrise in the morning

You know how much the chance to see sunrise in the winter? Thomas said the chance was only 10% that day. And... The chance to see the clear Yellow Mountain was only 20% and it just would happen only at eight to ten o'clock in the morning. Hope? Hopeless. Remembered on the day before, Mom and I got nothing of the 'should' of Yellow Mountain even it was a nice hiking. Even i knew that fact, I didn't want miss any chance to see what I want. Even yesterday was nice but that's not what I want. I woke up at 4.30 and hiked up to the other peak, the best spot to see the sunrise. It's convenient and my privilege to book the hotel room on the top of mountain. I had flexible access time to see the sunset or sunrise. 5.00 a.m. in the morning, the cable car is still unavailable. So, Sunrise is a privilege to the guest on the top of mountain, guys!

It's still dark here! The steps were steep.Need more attention rather than on the daylight. That's why I disallow my mother to hike up. Even Thomas said that too. Too dark and too steep! Even I need the flashlight to guide my steps into the peak. 

Sunrise? What's sunrise? LOL. 




It meant my last chance only at that eight o'clock before I went back to Shanghai. I couldn't extend my day here since I've already booked train and didn't want to ruin my next schedule. Remembered, the sea of clouds's chance is also 30%. I would just think maybe today was not the day. Maybe next trip would be better. Yes, I'll be back to Yellow Mountain for the other peaks in the other seasons. :))

If I think positive maybe I can turn out the tables. The forest wasn't bad, guys! The forest in the dawn was so beautiful! The light attempted to going through the tree leaves. What a beautiful! Have you watched music video of Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift? I thought I was in that Music Video! LOL It even became better when I sang that song (as if I was Taylor. I'm sorry!)




Back to the hotel, had a breakfast, were ready to check out at 8.00 a.m., in case we could see something while were going back. For your information, to go back we need to go back to the first point. It means... Keep hiking, guys! You weren't finished yet! Need to hike to go home! LOL I was so proud of my mom back then. I was sooooo tired! So I could feel how would she feel. The double extra of me! That's why I was so proud. Even until know, I'm still so proud. Such as precious memories! For those big effort, my mom and I kept praying and still hoping on this last chance...  The last minutes...









I didn't write and express this story dramatically. That really happened in the last minutes! 





Those different scenery happened just for 10 minutes, guys! Then, the fogs came again and surrounded us and it looked like as the yesterday scenery. LOL. Imagine how we took the photo plus enjoy those magical phenomenon just for 10 minutes! Wow! 





I just could Thank God for the chance! We felt so lucky and felt special back then because we were becoming the part of 30% who could see the sea of clouds in winter. Beautiful scenery! Do you know what I more thank? Beautiful scenery + Beautiful mom's big smile. I still can remember that picture right now. Hehehe. Hopeless? Yes. Give up? No.

My mom kept saying, "Wow, this was like heaven like what I see (on Television)." "I was so grateful that I could still hike and see this beautiful scenery." "Every one who still has their stamina should see  this." "I would never forget this beautiful experience." "This was so great! *big smile. Tell me! Who won't be happy if hear those statement as a daughter? 

"I won't forget that moment too, mom!"




Anyway... How long we hiked + walked? So, from the cable car we should hike around 2 Kms, then from the hotel to the bright peaks was 4 Kms, the bright peaks to hotel 4 Kms, hotel to sunset peak round trip was 2 Kms, hotel to sunrise peak round trip was 2 Kms, Hotel to the other clear spot round trip was 2 Kms, That spot to cable car was 1 Kms, so the total we hiked and walked was 17 Kms for 2 days! Congratulation! LOL! Don't worry! The steps were safe and have many Bordes to take a fresh breath. Yes, the air were so fresh. I love it! It's like I cleaned my lungs! :))

Took all of those sweet moment with us, saved them on our hearts, and open it once again when we need the smile. And now we're ready to back to Shanghai. Thank you Huangshan, Thank you Yellow Mountain, It was a nice trip like what I want! :))

Do you have any question about this trip? Ask me on the comment's box below! Nice to help you for having a wonderful time with your beloved!










  

"Something that I can lean on while having life is called memories. 

Memories which stayed in the past time just could be happened 

when I do that something in the present."

Hike in the Winter? Why Not?



Good morning! Yes, it's good morning to continue the story when I traveled to Huangshan with my mom. It was 8.00 a.m., the time that my guide (Thomas) and I agreed to meet at the lobby hotel to start the day trip. Thomas already told us to separate our belongings which we should take those to the Yellow Mountain. We're not allowed to bring the luggage, big carrier, or many bags. According to him, he said it would be our burdened while we hiked up (heavy and the road was slippery back then). It made sense but I suggest you to bring the backpack at least, which can pack the clothes, outwears, medicines, mineral waters for you and your mom to prevent anything that we don't want. The track is safe but the problem is there's just a forest (no seller) while you hike up and the weather is unknown. We never know the mother of nature mood on that day, right? It was better to have heavy backpack than my mom was thirsty. :))

It took us an hour to arrive at foot of the mountain. Thanks to Thomas, we could be on the schedule and didn't have any problems cause by Mandarin. :') To reach the 'real' Yellow Mountain, we should take the bus first and cable car. The road has many sharp turns, climbs, and contortions following the contour of the mountain. 

"Put your safety belt or we couldn't and wouldn't depart!" said the conductor. 

Wuuu... I love that uncle's attitude. Then, here we us after 15 minutes!

I could say the weather was not too good enough to take the cable car, guys! :') Not black out, it's white out! I couldn't see the mountain, the cliff, the sunlight, or the sky, I just could see the fog, the black cable, and the pillar of the cable. :') Negative thought came, "Even if our cable car had free fall, no one would know and see." :') After another 15 minutes passed, we arrived at the 'entrance' of the Yellow Mountain. Just the entrance, guys! The real journey just will begin from here! :')

I had booked the hotel at the mountain before, North Xihai Hotel. The price was quite expensive actually but it's worthy after having nice experience because stayed at this mountain. It costed me around 840 Yuan/night by booking it on trip.com. It will cost you a lot if you booked on another application or even on the spot. 840 Yuan by booking it on trip. com and 1.530 Yuan by the other application. For China trip, I would like to recommend trip.com for booking the hotels and the train tickets. 

It's 10.00 a.m. while we reached the entrance. And... It took us 2 hours to reach our hotel by walking, hiking, and climbing the stairs. How many steps? Even I couldn't have a mind to count the steps while I counted on my breath. I'm 25 guys! :') Then, how about my mom? :)

I've heard this information before I went here, they said there's a human porter for who don't have any stamina to continue the journey. Once you climb up, there's no turning back because you will have the same route to go back. They said that service fee is around 400 Yuan and 800 Yuan for round trip. Fortunately, we had booked our hotel in the middle of the mountain so we could take some rest before we climb up or before we go back.

I felt sorry to my mom due the track and the bad weather but in the other side I was also proud of her. She wanted it and she did it. She climbed up step by step and could manage her breath well. Thanks to Thomas again because he was so patient to climb with us without any complaints. He's a good local guide, guys! 

There are so many peaks at Yellow Mountain, we chose the Brights Summit Peak since the track was moderate and it just took us 4 hours to have a round trip. The others peaks would take more hours to reach so we would skip in this trip. Remembered the bad weather and my mom's condition, we would just enjoy the beauty of the mother's nature. Hmmm... How's bad? Back then, we hiked on January 8 when the temperature was at 3 Celcius degrees. A lot of fogs, the haze was melting like a drizzle, the wind was coming from many directions, and it's dry at the same time too. That's why the bottles of mineral water are important! Not enough if only you have a bottle when you were with your mom. My mom needed more mineral water than me. 







What Will You Find While Hike to Bright Summit Peak?

1. Family Pine Tree 

Thomas said this pine tree looks alike a family so they named it Family Pine Tree

Yeay!! Finally we reach the Brights Summit Peak on 1860 mdpl! Wohooo! We did it mom! I was so proud of you back then! Without complaining, kept going, and persistent! Lol! Look what we saw back then... Fog, guys! :') But, we were so happy! It's like the other accomplishment in life. I had never imagine before to hike with my mom on a 'such' track (Once again, I'm sorry Mom!). Sure, it was a wonderful memory to have it with Mom. I've never imagine to my mom would reach it too! Thomas also encouraged her by saying she could do it, just took the time well. And... That trip day became an unusual hike trip. Enjoying the beautiful view, relaxed hiking, but had proud on our soul and mind too at the same time. I'd like to recommend this hike trip! Yesss!!!

"Teng-Tong-Teng-Tong." My mom's Cinderella clock was ringing just right when we reached our hotel. Since we have gotten nothing, Thomas asked me to take another chance to catch the sunset at 5 p.m. on the other peak. My mom was too tired so she decided to stay at the room. :') I hope a lot for this chance to get the 'real' Yellow Mountain's beauty. But after walked 1 km, I thought maybe not today maybe not this chance too! Bye Huangshan's sunset! :')

Not stopped put an effort, Thomas asked me if I wanted to take the other chance to see sunrise on tomorrow morning. Didn't want to skip another chance, I said absolutely YES! I love his attitude how he's willing and put some efforts so we could get the best trip and see how the Yellow Mountain should be. How nice this uncle was! And... I just couldn't ignore it! :))

SO... WOULD WE GET THE SUNRISE? WOULD WE SEE THE GREAT YELLOW MOUNTAIN?

SEE YOU IN THE NEXT ARTICLE, GUYS!

Oh yeah! Before closing the story on this article, I'd like to inform that everything on the mountain is expensive. Not quite expensive but IT'S EXPENSIVE! Mineral water 600 ml for 20 Yuan, Mineral water 1,5 L for 40 Yuan, Small packed of peanuts for 30 Yuan, Rice for 10 Yuan, and Beer for 40 Yuan. No wonder, the workers must carry all of the groceries on their shoulder, walk, and hike on the same route like us. I was so amazed by their willing to get some money. Two thumbs up uncles! Your stamina must be good! And keep healthy!