Travel Guide For Enjoyable Holiday

Nanta Show : Should or Shouldn't?

Hey..I'm pretty tired lately and decided to take some time off from blogging for a while. ^^

I have been asked whether I went to any theatre performance in Seoul before.

I did.

Watched Nanta in Myeongdong but not really enjoying the full lengthy show of 1 hour and a half. In fact, I have mixed opinion on it though.

It was a few days before I left Seoul and watched it with Mi Hyeon when we had nothing specific to do at Myeongdong. Her husband dropped us off in front of Woori Bank and we saw people gathered in front of the Myeongdong Theatre.

I am not so much into theatre. Slept in a theatre hall once when I watched a very lame performance so long time ago and swore that I'm not gonna watch any ever again. Since Mi Hyeon's credit card had a joined offer from Outback Steakhouse (Daniel Henney was the spokesperson for this restaurant at that time) and Nanta Show, so we decided to jump into the chance.

Not that I'm gonna meet Daniel Henney but maybe my perspective on watching theatre would change for the better ^^.

Nanta Official Website: http://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr/en/index.asp
Ticket Price: ranging from 60,000 to 40,000 won
Discount: 10% for member, 20% for WWOOFERs (bring your WWOOF card for verification)
Check out the website for coupon and booking.
Theater Location: Myeongdong, Gangnam, Jeju Island and Gangbuk Jeong Dong

The Myeongdong Nanta theatre from inside. I sat second row from the front.

The map to Myeongdong Nanta Theatre.

My point - I was thrilled for the first half hour because I sighted one eye candy among the performers. Hahaha..All of them were pretty good looking! They didn't speak in any specific language so don't worry thinking that you won't be able to understand them. The theme is about cooking in a kitchen and they have all the drama to pique your interest. Kids would love this show cause it's pretty hilarious most of the time. Of course they will have a joker to cheer up the stage, a love plot between the pretty chef and the hunky one and a revenge plot between the chefs and the manager.

After half an hour, I got bored. Was it only me? Nope..a middle aged japanese women sitting next to me slept for a good half an hour. The plot was draggy and repetitive in the middle and only towards the end that they decided to pick a few audiences to join the stage.

I'm not gonna say that it is an amazing show but you gonna love it. Not really a must but if you have exhausted your itinerary in Seoul then this might be it. Enjoy!

From Yaaaratheone

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Experience Koh Samui in Thailand for a True Tropical Island Adventure

Most people visit the Thai island of Koh Samui for the beaches and they're never disappointed. The beaches fulfill all the promise of a tropical island with their expanses of white sand lapped by a crystal clear sea under an endless warm sun. Samui's beaches are wonderful but if you limit yourself to beaches on your Samui sojourn, you'll be missing out on a host of other attractions that the island offers. Here's your guide to making the most of your island experience.

Hop on a bike, rent a car or book a tour and get away from the beaches for a day or two to discover the other side of the island. These include Buddhist temples and pagodas, stunning rock formations, elephant treks and waterfalls, or you can get off Samui completely and visit other islands in the archipelago.

It may seem like a world apart but Koh Samui is a part of Thailand and is a great place to experience Thai culture and the unique Thai lifestyle. Thai culture is best experienced in the beautiful Buddhist temples and Samui has its fair share.

The most famous Buddhist temple on the island is probably Wat Phu Yai which translates as Big Buddha Temple. It's so-named owing to its 15-meter high Buddha image which looms over the headline and is a haunting sight if your boating offshore, especially at sunset.

Another unique Samui sight is the twin rocks of Hin Ta and Hin Yai, literally Grandfather Rock and Grandmother Rock. Visitors have commented on the phallic appearance. According to legend these rocks represent two lovers who committed suicide at this spot because their families disapproved of their love.

Elephants play a major role in Thai culture and Samui offers you the great experience of riding an elephant into the jungle. Many of the island's natural sites lie deep in the jungle and the best way to reach them is on elephant back. Some of Samui’s waterfalls such as Na Mung are easily accessible; for others such as Hin Lad falls, you'll need to trek along a jungle path. These falls are delightful after the rainy season but can get dry in the summer. And by climbing to the peaks of the mountains, you can gain spectacular views of the surrounding area as far as distant islands in the archipelago.

In fact it's a great idea to charter a boat and get off the island completely and visit neighbouring islands in the archipelago. For an unforgettable day out, head some 27 km to the Ang Thong archipelago. This cluster of 40 small islands is said to have been the inspiration for the movie ‘The Beach’. The area is one of haunting beauty of caves and lagoons with limestone karsts thrusting out of the sea. Only one of the islands is inhabited and you'll get a true desert island experience.

This area is home to the seafaring nomads of southern Thailand known as chao-le or sea gypsies. They live a unique lifestyle based on fishing and traces of their animistic beliefs can be seen in the decoration of their boats.

But it’s the nature that is the most alluring part of Ang Thong; the whole area is a national park and home to protected wildlife including otters, langurs, crab-eating monkeys, silver haired bats, along with over 54 species of bird and 14 species of reptile.

Kayaking and snorkeling are popular here and it's a paradise. National Park Headquarters on Koh Wua Talap offers accommodation in the form of basic bungalows should you wish to stay overnight.

So make the most of your Samui experience. Getting around is easy; the island is just 25 km long and 21 km wide. Samui travel is convenient via a ring road that loops around the island linking beaches and all the island's attractions.

Koh Samui Thailand was made for lounging on beaches but once in a while you'll want to get away from the sand and see more of what the island has to offer. And when you're done exploring, you can always head back to Chaweng Beach for another day in the sun.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/travel_and_leisure/article_4456.shtml

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Snow Sledding in Seoul

When I went to Phoenix Ski Resort in December 2009, I thought that the slopes were way too dangerous for kids and children below 7 years old to enjoy with their family. Not only that; to learn skiing or snowboarding at the ski resort will need you to rake out another 50,000 -100,000 won per coaching session. You could never be an expert in one day! Believe me..

So for those who have always wanted to experience winter, building snow man and playing snow balls but have no time or rather on a tight budget to run up the ski resorts for ski or snowboard activities, there are always other options. Hurray!!^^

Lets go snow sledding, guys!!

Korean Children's Center Snow Sledding Field at Gwangjin, Seoul-si

Official website: http://www.sselmaejang.com/ - (Only in Korean)

Operating Date and Hours: Dec 18, 2009 – Feb 21, 2010; 9:30am - 5:00pm

Rental fee: 8,000 won

How to go: Children's Grand Park Subway Station (어린이대공원역) , Line 7, Exit 2. Walk about three minutes towards Children's Grand Park.

From Myeongdong to Children's Grand Park Subway Station
30 minutes, 10 stops, 9.5km
Fare: 900 won with T-Money, 1000 won by cash
Transit: Dongdaemun History and Culture Station, Konkuk University Station

Korean Folk Village Snow Sledding Field at Yongin, Gyeonggi-do

Official Website: http://www.koreanfolk.co.kr/folk/english/index.htm - (available in English)

Operating Date and Hours: Dec 20, 2009 – Late Feb, 2010

Rental fee: Adult 12,000 won/Teenager 9,000/Child 8,000

How to go:
1-By subway
Get off at Suwon Subway Station, Line No.1
There is a Suwon business office across the street on the left side of Suwon Station.
Take a free shuttle bus in front of the office after purchasing the admission ticket or pass.
(Every hour from 10:30~14:30/30~40 min ride)

2-By Bus
Take bus No. 1560 or 5500-1 at Gangnam Subway Station, Line 2,Exit 6

From Myeongdong to Suwon Station
1 hour, 8 minutes, 25 stops, 41.4km
Fare: 1,600 won with T-Money, 1,700 won by cash
Transit: Geumjeong Station

Seoul Land Snow Sledding Field at Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do

There are various types of sleds available, including tube sleds.
Official Website: http://eng.seoulland.co.kr/eng/index.html - (Available in English)

Operating Date and Hours: Dec 20, 2009 – Late Feb, 2010; 10:00 - 17:00

Rental Fee:
Admission + Sledding Hill : Adult 18,000won, Teenager 15,000won, Children 13,000won
(After entering) Sledding Hill : 3,000 won
All-Pass Users : Free Sledding Hill

How to go:
Seoul Grand Park Subway Station, Line 4, Exit 4.
Walk straight ahead for about 15 minute to Seoul Land
Check transportation map here.

From Myeongdong to Seoul Grand Park Station
29 minutes, 13 stops, 16.9km
Fare: 1,100 won with T-Money, 1,200 won by cash
Transit: No

Everland Snow Buster at Yongin, Gyeonggi-do

Official Website: http://www.everland.com/MultiLanguage/english/index.html - (Available in English)

Operating Date and Hours: Mid Dec, 2009 – Early Feb, 2010 ; 9:30am - 5:30pm

Rental Fee:
Monch Infant Sled, Jungfrau Sled, Finsteraarhorn sled, Bobsled are included in the admission fee.
Eiger Skisled : Adults & children-5,000 won(Free of charge for all-pass ticket users and members)
Shoe Rental : 2,000 won
Adult Day 28,000 / Night 24,000
Child Day 21,000 / Night 18,000
Adult : Above 12 years old

How to go:
Take bus No.5002 at Gangnam Subway Station (Line 2) to Everland
Note: From Myeongdong to Gangnam Station - 35 minutes and from Gangnam to Everland - about 1 hour
More info about transportation to Everland here.

From Myeongdong to Gangnam Station

35 minutes, 11 stops, 12.4km

Fare: 1,000 won with T-Money, 1,100 won by cash

Transit: Chungmuro Station, Seoul National University of Education Station