[Buzz Korea] - Unique and Dynamic contrast of South Korea

This time I will make the post into two languange​...English and Bahasa Indonesia. why?...first of all...it can read easily by all my friend who may not quite understand on English... and the second is because at the same time I'm gonna take this post for a contest called "2012 AWARD BUZZ KOREA" that hold by Buzz Korea (again)!!!  Yayyy!!!  either because I'm so happy to write all the things that smelled of South Korea or maybe become "addicted" to all contest that the prize is free trip to Korea * arghh of course I want it so bad! :D * anyway this time I'm back to the challenge. no one can't stop me! If you want to know more details about the contest just click here yaaa ... ^ _ ~
  
Okay, before I start to post I'm gonna give an introduction of Buzz Korea. Buzz KOREA is a global campaign and an integrated online community platform site that reveals Korea's tourism attractions and a variety of Korea-related contents through social media like Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Ameba, QQ etc.  If you have an experience and memories about Korea, you can share it with other Buzz friend and then you can talk about life in korea, korean culture,  food, fashion, drama and many more with everyone you communicate with. its one of the easier way to know about Korea and I think  it can help us too to get information especially if we want to go to Korea :-)

Postingan kali ini akan saya buat dalam 2 bahasa...yaitu Enggres dan Bahasa Indonesia. kenapa? pertama supaya postingan ini bisa dibaca dengan gampang oleh temen2 yang mungkin belum terlalu ngerti enggres *sok jago critanya :D* dan kedua postingan ini sekaligus saya ikutin buat kontes “2012 BUZZ KOREA AWARD” yang diadakan Buzz Korea (lagih)! Yayyy...entah karna memang seneng menulis semua hal yang berbau Korea atau jadi nagih dengan semua kontes yang hadiahnya travelling ke Korea *ahh tentu saya sangat mauuuuuu :D* pokoknya kali ini saya kembali ngikutin tantangan deh. maju terus pantang mundur!! Kalau pengen tau lebih detail tentang kontes ini silahkan klik di - sini yaaa...^_~

Oke, sebelum mulai saya akan memperkenalkan kembali apa sih Buzz Korea ituuu. Buzz KOREA adalah kampanye global dan komunitas terpadu situs platform online yang mengungkapkan atraksi pariwisata Korea dan berbagai hal yang berkaitan dengan Korea melalui media sosial seperti Blog, Facebook, Twitter, amoeba, QQ dll. kalau kamu punya pengalaman dan kenangan tentang Korea ,kamu bisa berbagi dengan teman Buzz lainnya dan juga dapat berbicara tentang kehidupan di korea, budayanya, makanan, fashion, drama, dan banyak lagi dengan semua orang yang ingin kamu kasih tau. ini salah satu cara yang lebih mudah untuk mengetahui tentang Korea dan kayaknya memang bisa membantu qta juga untuk mendapatkan informasi terutama kalo qta mau pergi ke Korea :-)

One of a contest that ever held by Buzz Korea is "Touch Korea Tour with 2PM & Miss A". and I'm so proud cause one of the best blogger in Indonesia which is Erry Andriyati won the prize and representing Indonesia. Yeayyyyyyyy!!! and here's the link video of Fun Tour Team (she's on a group called "Fun Tour"). as a matter of fact, Buzz Korea and The Korean Tourism Organisation decided to have the last competition for all the members. the team members who won the highest number of votes will be awarded with a free trip to Korea on the last week of october and a prize of (nearly) 5000$ each. if we want to vote we can also get the prize! the prize are SAMSUNG GALAXY LAPTOP, A SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE AND A SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB! Whoaaaaa..so interesting!!!
All we have to do is just sign up in Buzz Korea and then click on the social network icon you choose and your vote is submitted. and prizes will be given to the randomly selected voters who voted for the winning team. I will vote for Fun Tour Team which is you teh Erry Andriyati and of course I hope I can win too  ^^

Salah satu kontes yang pernah diadakan oleh Buzz Korea adalah "Touch Korea Tour dengan 2PM & Miss A". dan saya ikut bangga karna salah satu blogger terbaik di Indonesia yaitu Erry Andriyati memenangkan kontes ini dan mewakili Indonesia disana. Yeayyyyyyyy! dan di sini adalah link video dari Tim Fun Tour (dia ada di kelompok "Fun Tour"). sebenarnya Buzz Korea dan Korea Tourism Organization memutuskan untuk mengadakan kompetisi terakhir untuk semua anggota Tim. anggota Tim yang memenangkan voting/ jumlah suara terbanyak akan memenangkan perjalanan gratis ke Korea pada minggu terakhir Oktober dan hadiah yang hampir $5000 / masing-masing member. nah kalo qta mau ikutan nge-vote qta juga bisa dapet hadiah. hadiahnya SAMSUNG GALAXY LAPTOP, A SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE DAN SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB! Whoaaaaaa...menarik kan?!
Yang harus kita lakukan cuma daftar di Buzz Korea dan kemudian klik pada ikon jaringan sosial yang di pilih dan suara qta masuk deh udah. dan nanti hadiah akan diberikan kepada para pemilih yang dipilih secara acak yang memilih untuk tim pemenang. Saya pastinya akan bantu vote Tim Fun Tour yaitu teh Erry Andriyati dan smoga sih tentunya bisa menang juga ^ ^

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Okay, now I'll start with my main post for the "2012 Buzz Korea Award"...lets begin :-)

In this post I took the theme "Travel To Korea" with the main title called Unique and Dynamic Contrast of South Korea. Why I choose this title? well..simple answer. the first is because I've been there..well actually backpacking with my two best friends on last June ^o^ and the second is because I really want to share all the story about the unique and contrast of the culture and lifestyle between one place to another place which are in the same city - Seoul. Actually this is a review story about my wonderful trip during the Second day in Seoul (if you guys want to know the previous entry is in here ...but sorry, only Indonesia languange there :-) ) So for all that has been waiting for my story which is the second day..well here's the sequel! ^ _ ~

Di postingan kali ini saya sengaja ngambil tema “Travel To Korea”dengan judul utamanya Keunikan dan Dinamis Kontras dari Korea Selatan. Knapa? Simple sih jawabannya. Hehe yang pertama tentu karna saya udah pernah kesana dengan perjalanan ala backpacker bersama 2 sahabat saya, dan yang kedua karna saya pengen banget berbagi crita kepada smuanya tentang kontrasnya budaya dan gaya hidup antara tempat yang satu dengan tempat yang lainnya dalam 1 kota yaitu di Seoul. Sebetulnya ini sekaligus crita ttg perjalanan saya di hari kedua selama di Seoul (klo mau tau postingan sebelumnya yang hari pertama ada di-sini :-)) Jadi buat yang nunggu2 postingan saya di hari kedua karna memang belum ada lanjutannya skalian dsini aja yaaahh sekuel-nyaaa..*sambil nyelem minum air-laah* - ^_~ 

Day 2 : Hongik University - Itaewon - Apgujeong - Han River

In the beginning I was actually wanted to go to Yonsei - Ewha Woman University, a little bit review why I really want to see Yonsei - Ewha Woman University? its because I once read in a book from Indonesia author called "Jalan-Jalan Korea" and from browsing on the internet that Yonsei - Ewha Woman Univ. has a very interesting architecture, made of stone with lots of gothic and creeper. and they also have a beautiful garden, and it says that it becomes one of the set for some korean drama as well. I already imagine that the three of us will surround the campus with their beautiful gardens then have a cute picnic lunch at a park bench with all the food that we cooked and brought from the guesthouse. well .. I guess its a rare experience for a backpacker who is looking not just for the tourist attractions but also loking for a campus ... hihihihiii. but unfortunately... it looks like we didn't lucky that day. for some reason when we got off from the subway at Hongik Univ. Station we seemed wrong exit, and when you're using the Subway in Seoul then ended up with wrong exit .... okay, its a trouble! ... maybe you can only follow where your foot want to go, moreover we are also pressed with the time and there are still so many places that has to be visit, finally we gave up to find Ewha and trying to Hongik University. ihiks kinna sad actually... but yaaa...hopefully someday if GOD give me the opportunity to visit South Korea again I can visit those campus. *cross my fingers* ^ ^

Awalnya sih sebenernya tujuannya mo ke Yonsei - Ewha Woman University, sedikit review knapa saya pengen bangeeeeet liat Yonsei – Ewha Woman University? karna di buku yang pernah saya baca yaitu "Jalan-Jalan Korea" dan dari hasil brosing di internet ..Yonsei - Ewha Woman Univ. punya arsitektur yang sangat menarik, gotik berbahan batu dengan banyak tumbuhan menjalar gtu deh. dan mereka juga punya taman yang baguus dan indah, dan katanya lagi sering jadi tempat syuting korean drama juga. saya udah ngebayangin kalo kami bertiga akan mengelilingi kampus beserta taman yang indah itu trus makan siang berpiknik ria dibangku taman yang ada disana dengan semua ransum yang hari itu bener-bener udah niat kita masak dan bawa dari guesthouse. ya jarang-jaranglah backpacker yang ini bukan hanya cari tempat wisata tapi malah nyarinya kampus...hihihihiii. tapiii...yaah...sepertinya emang blum jodoh hari itu. entah mengapa begitu kita turun dari Subway di Hongik Univ. Station kita sepertinya salah exit dan kalau kau menggunakan subway di Seoul dan berakhir dengan salah exit....oke, masalah udah!... kayaknya cuma bisa ngikutin kemana kaki melangkah aja udah. apalagi kita juga dikejar waktu dan sementara masi banyak banget tempat yang harus dikunjungin, akhirnya waktu itu kita merelakan Ewha and coba ngikutin sign ke Hongik University. ihiks sedih siiih...tapi yaaa sutralah....semoga kalo suatu saat dikasih kesempatan ke Korsel lagi daku bisa mengunjungi kedua kampus tersebut. Amin! ^^

Finally we walked continue to follow the direction sign which showing Hongik University. and the street name is Hongdae! All this time I only see and read about this famous "youth street" on TV, books or the internet, until the last June...I finally really can see it with my own eyes! whoaaaaa! and its really true, building houses, the cafe's ... dont ask more---its too cute!! but Hongdae in the daytime and not on the weekend is a little bit 'quiet'. I mean its like not "alive". well..still crowded anyway, but that because many kids student or college student who's on the street.. but by the time I was kinna had a feeling that this Hongdae street is definitely more crowded and will be more "alive" if in the evening or night time. especially Hongdae is known as its street for young korean couple especially who's on a date ;-)

akhirnya ya udah karna udah terlanjur salah exit akhirnya kita tetep jalan aja ngikutin terus sign yang nunjukkin ke arah Hongik University. jalanannya disitu bernama Hongdae! Jalanan hip anak muda yang terkenal yang selama ini cuma bisa saya baca dan liat gambarnya di TV, buku atau internet skarang bener-bener ada di depan mata  saya sendiri!! whoaaaaaaa!! dan emang bener, bangunan rumah, atau cafe2-nya ih jangan ditanya...lucu-lucu bangetttt!! tapi Hongdae di siang hari dan bukan di waktu weekend memang rada sepi bok. hehe ya rame sih, tapi ramenya karna disiang hari banyak anak kuliahan sama anak skolah yang seliweran dimana-mana.. tapi menurut saya waktu itu udah feeling aja kalo jalanan ini pasti lebih rame dan bakalan lebih "hidup" kalo udh sore atau malam hari. apalagi Hongdae memang terkenal sebagai jalanan gaul-nya muda mudi Korea yg buat pada pacaran ;-)

And finally we arrived at Hongik University. Hongik Unviversity is known as one of the best college of art and design in Korea! we didn't get into the room or their hall, it's only around the campus and the garden. since the clock was already at 12 noon and my stomach already rumbled we finally still having a small picnic in their garden, look for an empty seat and eating our food. Thx GOD, although its only rice - nuggets - and the fried noodle but when hungry cames all the food become soooooo delicious!! hahahaa...

Gak brapa lama sampelah qta di Hongik University. usut punya usut Hongik Unviversity ini katanya adalah salah satu perguruan tinggi seni & desain terbaik di Korea. qta gak sampe masuk ke dalem2 ruangan atau hall-nya sih, cuma sampe seputar kampus dan tamannya aja. sayangnya tamannya memang tidak seindah Yonsei - Ewha *kalo liat di buku2 lho ya*...tapi berhubung udah jam 12-an dan perut udah keroncongan ya akhirnya qta tetep piknik di tamannya dan mencari bangku yang kosong sambil makan ransum bawaan qta. Alhamdulillaaaah, walaupun cuma nasi - nugget - dan mie goreng tapi namanya lagi laper mah enak banget deh. yaa lumayanlah...kapan lagi bisa lunch di bawah pohon rindang Hongik University sambil dikelilingi cowok-2 abegenya Korea? hahahaaa....

Finished with the lunch we're continue directly via subway to Itaewon. what did we want to see in Itaewon? As one of a moslem - of course I want to visit the one and only big Mosque which is "Seoul Central Mosque". Yep .. and indeed its the one majestic mosque located, and I was curious too with this Itaewon street who's known as middle eastern aura.

Out of the Subway Line 6 - Itaewon Station finally we met with Itaewon street .... Wow, what a different aura - 180 degrees with the previous spot! even with Seoul as a whole I think. Itaewon is a true multi-ethnic area. I think many asian and many middle eastern races seems here. but I guess its dominated by middle eastern people like India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, etc. there is korean people too but as far as my eyes can see it's really not a lot. I feel like I'm in India! so unique :-)

Selesai lunch qta langsung capcus lanjut ke Itaewon via subway. apa yang pengen qta liat di Itaewon? Sebagai salah seorang muslim tentunya saya mau liat satu2-nya mesjid besar disana yaitu “Seoul Central Mosque”. Yap..dan memang disana-lah katanya satu2nya mesjid megah itu berada, sama yaaa penasaran aja kayak apa sih jalanan yang terkenal dengan aura timur tengahnya ini.

Pas udah kluar dari Subway Line 6 - Itaewon Station dan ketemu dengan jalanan Itaewon....Wow, sungguh keadaan dan aura yang berbeda 180 drajat dengan Hongdae! bahkan dengan Seoul secara keseluruhan kayaknya. bisa dibilang Itaewon ini adalah area multi-etnik. segala macem ras Asia ada kayaknya disini. tapi emang banyak didominasi oleh orang-orang Timur Tengah kayak India, Arab, Pakistan gitu deh. orang Koreanya ada tapi sejauh mata memandang sih bener-bener gak banyak. berasa di India rasanya *kayak pernah ke India ajah :D*

After 10 minutes looking for the location of the mosque by taxi finally the taxi stop near the mosque area. we kinna had a little way up a bit because the mosque position on a hilltop.

and this is it .... "Seoul Central Mosque" .... sooooo pretty .... :-)

Skitar 10 menitan mencari-cari letak mesjid by Taksi (again) akhirnya taksinya brenti deket area mesjid. qta agak jalan naik sedikit karna ternyata posisi Mesjid brada di puncak bukit.

and this is it....Seoul Central Mosque....cantik yaaaa....:-)

Thx GOD.... I think found the mosque in a country that has not been visited is one of the biggest excitement for the moslems. its feels like 'home sweet home'!

Perhaps there's one thing that makes me a little sad when I looked for the toilet room and the woman prayer room. The toilet room is dirty, full of dust, and I think the lights also died. Honestly its makes me a little scared  inside alone. Luckily we had the prayer at noon so there's no problem even without lights. Prayer room for women is also quite small. we are realize and understand that Islam is a minority religion there, but I think it would be better if the one and only mosque in Seoul could be nice and well maintained. this is just a little suggestion from me ... of course if the mosque can be treated well it will give a value added in the eyes of moslem tourists like us ^ ^
Alhamdulillaaaaaah....kayaknya ga ada kegembiraan buat umat muslim yang lebih besar selain menemukan mesjid di negri yang khususnya blum pernah dikunjungin. ga tau deh...brasa 'home sweet home' ajah!

Mungkin satu hal yang membuat agak sedih disana adalah pas ngeliat toilet dan ruang sholat wanitanya. toiletnya kotor, debu, dan kayaknya lampunya juga mati semua. Jujur jadi bikin sedikit takut sih. Untung kita sholatnya siang disana jadi masih teranglah walopun tanpa lampu. Ruang sholat untuk wanita-nya sebetulnya masi lumayan bersihlah, ber-karpet juga. yah kami sadar dan mengerti kalau Islam adalah agama minoritas disana, tapi sepertinya akan lebih baik lagi kalo tempat ibadah besar khususnya Mesjid yang ada di Seoul ini bisa jadi bagus dan terawat. yaa ini hanya sedikit masukan aja sih... tentunya kalau bisa terawat dan bagus kan juga akan memberikan nilai plus di mata turis muslim kayak qta ^^

After about an hour of prayer and rest in the mosque finally we decided continue around Itaewon while looking way back to the subway. oh before we left the mosque we found some promotional brochure from "Salaam Restaurant". Itaewon is very famous with the Middle East region so there lots of Halal restaurant. so for moslem tourists and want to find food that is guaranteed 100% halal .... just go to Itaewon. you'll find many restaurant! one of them is this "Salaam Restaurant" :-)

Setelah sekitar sejam sholat dan istirahat di Mesjid akhirnya qta putuskan lanjut kliling Itaewon sbentar sambil cari subway. oia sebelum qta ninggalin Mesjid dibawah ada kayak brosur promosi dari Salaam Restaurant. karna penasaran seperti apa restonya akhirnya kita jalan sedikit dan gak lama ketemu restonya. Oiya karna Itaewon terkenal dengan kawasan Timur Tengah-nya jadi disini memang banyak restoran-restoran halal. jadi buat para turis muslim dan mau mencari makanan yang dijamin 100% halal ....just go to Itaewon. pasti akan nemu banyak halal resto! salah satunya ya Salaam Restaurant ini :-)

It was 4PM already, next destination is Apgujeong. subway route is Line 3 - Apgujeong Station.
 

When it arrived at the Apgujeong street .... My first impression was .... Welcome back to South Korea! haha after smelling the habitation of an India and Middle East we finally back to the real Seoul area which is (this time) very, very, very exclusive!!!

Apgujeong its like "Beverly Hills" style in Seoul. along the way there are so many cool and luxurious buildings, famous and branded boutique, luxury restaurant, beauty shop, trendy cafe's and bakery shop which is so Gorgeous!! ^o^

Jam sudah menunjukkan jam 4 sore, next destination is Apgujeong. rute subwaynya adalah Line 3 - Apgujeong Station.

Ketika sampe di jalanan Apgujeong....kesan pertama saya adalah....Selamat Datang Kembali Di Seoullllll! haha setelah tadi brada di pemukiman berbau-bau India dan Timur Tengah akhirnya kita kembali ke aslinya Seoul yang kali ini auranya sangat-sangat-sangat Eksklusif!

Apgujeong ini saya bilang Eksklusif karna bisa dibilang kayak "Beverly Hills"-nya ala Seoul deh. sepanjang qta jalan tuh banyak banget bangunan keren nan mewah. dari butik2 terkenal dan bermerk, resto2 mewah, salon2, cafe2 yang trendy sampe toko bakery-nya juga cantik2! ^o^

Time was nearly 6 PM and we finally went to the last destination that day to see the sunset which is go to the Han River.

Arriving at Han River the weather started to cool (for me). hehe ... I'm a women from a tropical country so even though in June was summer and for korean people the weather is warm and even they said its hot.. but for me is just as cold as in the up hill. just couldn't imagine if its winter time! >_<...so yea, I always use jacket start from afternoon until night there....hihihihiii

Waktu sudah hampir jam 6 sore dan qta akhirnya pergi ke tujuan trakhir qta hari itu untuk ngeliat sunset yaitu Han River. Sesampainya di Han River cuaca mulai dingin (bagi saya). hehe maklum...saya wanita dari negri tropis jadi walaupun bulan Juni itu disana musim panas dan buat orang-orang Korea adalah cuaca yang hangat bahkan ada yang bilang panas.. tapi buat saya ya dingin aja rasanya, sama kayak lagi di atas gunung. bener-bener gak bisa mbayangin klo musin dingin kayak apa yah rasanya?! >_<.. jadi klo udah mulai menjelang sore sampe malem slama disana ya pake jaket terus ....biarin deh diliatin banyak orang - hihihiiii...

Ahhh...Han River is now in front of my eyes!!! Being in the land of dreams filled with beautiful scenery plus bonus sunset in the afternoon, WOW... perfect!!! and what makes that night became more perfect was having a - Han River Cruise!!! the ticket price is 11,000 won, it's a bit expensive for me, but...Gosh...it - SO WORTH IT!!!! I could enjoy across the city of Seoul seeing many beautiful bridges and city lights at night for 1 hour trip and accompanied with korean songs .... whoaaaaa - its PRICELESS!!! really beautiful, romantic, unforgettable moment and became my perfect closing point that day!!! having a cruise along Han River is a MUST on your "to-do-list" if you travelling to South Korea! ;-)))

Han River yang selama ini saya lihat di TV dan internet akhirnya berada di depan mata!! Berada di negeri impianmu yang penuh dengan pemandangan indah ditambah bonus sunset di sore hari, Wow...sempurna!!! dan yang melengkapi kesempurnaan petualangan saya di Han River hari itu adalah dengan menaiki yang namanya - Han River Cruise!!! Harga per tiket untuk naik Han River Cruise adalah 11.000 won, memang agak mahal sih, tapi asli...worth ittttttt banget!!!!! Bisa menikmati kota Seoul dengan melintasi berbagai jembatan indah dan lampu kota di waktu malam yang cantik di sepanjang sungai selama 1 jam ditemani lagu-lagu korea....its priceless!!! Indah banget, romantis, moment yang ga bakal dilupain dan bener2 jadi penutup hari yang sempurna deh hari ituh!!! berpesiar dengan kapal di sepanjang Han River HARUS masuk dalam “to-do-list” kalau jalan-jalan ke Korea! ;-)))

Well...I think thats all my post about my Travel to Korea during second day in Seoul. the point is, from this journey we actually not just having a holiday...but we can see and learn about other culture in another country. it can increase our knowledge too. but anyway, last but not least -- I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT SOUTH KOREA. haha no one can change it! I hope this time Buzz Korea can give me a chance to win this contest so I can go there again and promote this Unique & Dynamic Contrast of South Korea over and over again! ^_~

(credit picture by me and comics life)

[Asian On Air Program] - Things I Want to do in Korea!

When I heard about KOREA event especially a free trip to that beautiful country for the prize, of course I'm willing to join!!! :D....all right - I'll give it in short. This time Korea Tourism Organization with Korean Air hold a contest called "Asian On Air Program" by giving away a FREE TRIP To Korea  for 5 days and 4 night for the winner! *gasp* Isn't that tempting? hahaha, for korean lovers – yes of course!

Well, here's the Link for the complete information. To be able to get a free trip to Korea, I would be happy to try my luck again with this "Asian On Air Program" event by writing about - Things I Want to do in Korea.
Before we go to the main topic, I will introduce my self...^_^

Yes...I have fallen in LOVE with Korea especially with their Korean Drama since 14 years ago when I was in college (I had mentioned it on my previous post when I wrote for Buzz Korea contest, it was in here :-) ). Then a year later until today, K-Pop has coming into my life and (still) like a virus that spreads into my mind! I dont know how many times I have to say it but I just love it!
Actually, I even have my first blog where a lot of admiration about my loveable first korean boyband named Shinhwa was written. I have fallen in love head over heals with them since 10 years ago. I read from the news on the internet that they finally make their come back after a 4 year hiatus, make their 10th album and also held a Shinhwa's comeback concert! WOW, as one of their big fans, I’m so happy!  Shinhwa is the only longest existing Korean boy band in the Korean pop history. Ah, they are truly the Idol and the Legend of K-Pop! *love icon* but, I should stop babbling about them right now cause if I still continue the stories, it will not be completed in a day! :D But then my love is not just for Shinhwa, I also have "an affair" with other boybands especially 2 PM and CN Blue. not forgetting the handsome idol in K-drama world which is Lee Min Ho and the manly Hyun Bin....hiks - I’m sicerely grateful to the mothers who have given birth to these handsome and talented men to this world!!...*speechless*...they sure are all on my Top 5 list! ^^

and then I decided to have another blog *which is this blog* that will be fillled with common topics or just any topics except Korea. Well, that’s the main plan, but it seems that my love for Korea has been deep rooted dan severe that whatever I write it always ends up to be about Korea! *acute korea* LOL ~....

Hence...I have been in love with korea for years. I keep dreaming that one day I'll make my dreams come true and that one day I would go to that beautiful country. Luckily, exactly three months ago my dream finally came true!!! YES, I finally managed to went to South Korea backpacking with my two best friends!  *jumping around and around*  \(^o^)/

I still remember those great moments. we are three of the millions of K-pop fans who were finally realize our dream. we went to south korea for a week with backpack travel, but due to limited budget unfortunately we could only get around Seoul and Nami Island and didn't have much time to explore another city or other island outside Seoul. but for me, could see and step my foot to the land of my dreams, it was---priceless and indescribable! I am very pleased with the beautiful scenery, the clean environment and the public transportation especially the subway train / MRT  (because we often use the subway there), the fresh air,  the city traffic that are very organized, happy with the respectfull of the citizens and the security who always ready to help the tourists on everywhere, love the citylights when its dark and many many maaaaany more...

Here it is some of our best moments in Seoul and Nami Island...

South Korea is a country where ancient traditions meet technology, giving the country such a unique and dynamic contrast. believe me, if you're looking for a holiday, South Korea is definitely one-of-a-must-visit-country! this is not only for K-popers or korean lovers but also for travelling lovers. trust me ;-)

Okay back to my self again, as you can read in the first picture in my short introduction that I have worked, actually I have been working in AP-I Airport about 6 years. AP is a state enterprise of the Indonesian Department of Transport that is responsible for the management of airports and air traffic services in Indonesia. And now I have been placed on branch Juanda  - Surabaya (fyi : there are 13th branch for AP-I)

"so Ninta...what is the relationship between your company and Things you wanna do in Korea???" 

relax...we'll get there soon ;-)

Okay, lets check them out one by one and share the truly facts now! *seriouse mode*

The first one is : Couple months ago my company already signed a Joint Management Partnership Agreement which one of the mission is to build and develop new terminal with Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC)!
The second fact is : The development of the new terminal will be held innnnnnnnnn........................can you guest???
in - JUANDA SURABAYA!!! MY BRANCH!!! MY WORKPLACE!!! Yeaaaaaayyyyyy!!! Isn’t great??? (here’s the link  for the real....^^)

      

Okey, now why does my company choose to have a joint partnership with Incheon International Airport???

The answer is on fact number three : because Incheon Airport is known as the BEST AIRPORT IN THE WORLD! the complete is Incheon Airport has been rated as the best airport for its airport services by the Airports Council International (ACI) for seven consecutive years! WOW---SEVEN YEARS???! *Give A Big Applause*, and not only that, it also received a special award that was specifically created by ACI to recognize Incheon Airport's contribution in enhancing the level of airport services as a role model for other airports. Based on the strong brand power of the airport, certainly not wrong if my company decide to have a joint partnership with them. if we want to "study" definitely we’re going to learn and have a cooperation with the best one aren’t you? ;-)

let me introducing : the stunning of - Incheon International Airport!

many people said there's no time for Idle when you step your foot on Incheon Airport. in addition to the huge airport, there are many places  that can be visit by the passengers. If you like shopping, you'll love Incheon Airport! you will enjoy variety of choices, with retail offerings ranging from luxury goods to souvenirs and daily necessities. but places to shop may have become common place and are owned by almost every airport in the world...but wait until you see this leisure and entertainment and attractions and fantastic facilities like this one. does your airport have these all???

more over

WOW...Incheon's slogan "More than an Airport - Beyond Expectation" has never been more true! is not even all of them because there are many other facilities which is still owned by the Incheon Airport! no wonder if Skytrax has given Incheon International Airport a FULL-5-Star ranking, and has been named "Best Airport Worldwide" by both Skytrax & Global Traveler. as you can see...its more than just an airport! ahh I will always commend this airport! (okey Incheon....you have a secret admire now ;D) 

My Boss in the office once said...Airport is a main gate to a country. so if you travelling to a country or any places...you will be able to see the progress or development of the places you visit through the airport. maybe it's not the main factor or the most important indicator in determining the progress of a country, but one of them could be seen through the development of the airport.

 Before I did the backpack travel, I already know that Incheon Airport is the best airport in the world and exploring every single corner of Incheon Airport actually was automatic include on the itinerary,  especially me as the one of airport worker who will be very willing to explore and enjoy every corner of the best airport in the world.
But unfortunately...it---didn’t---happen! *crying*. our last mission for walking around on Incheon airport was fail because of two reasons, the first one is...we had a late night arrival, forget about surround the airport, much time wasted because we had lost on the arrivals and we're kind of confused trying to look the direction for the baggage claim *memorizing the moment with sadness L *...okay, due to our first mission was fail so I guess I still had another chance which is the last day before we got on board back to Indonesia. But....unfortunately...guess what....we-STILL-didn't make it!  *crying so loud!!!*...actually we had an early morning flight out of Incheon. But we couldn’t make it on time at the airport so we were kind of late (again) there! *so stupid* much time wasted (again) because we still confused trying to look for the check in counter and the direction to our boarding gate. Trust me....its a BIG-BIG-BIG-AIRPORT!!! And its really HUGE!!! another "bonus" is we had to ride a subway train again to the boarding gate (we got on gate 106! o_O)...so it really took times to get on the gate...and yes, we had double fail! believe it or not...until this second... I keep regret that moment and I promise to my self I will come back to Incheon Airport and explore it more!!! maybe with Korean air someday.....*prays so hard in my heart* :-)

here's the picture before we took off and in Incheon airport....too bad its only a few...

So if today..this moment..this second...somebody asked me about what I want to do in Korea, seriously - from the bottom of my heart that I really want to do most in Korea is definitely want to visit, learning and explore on every single corner of  Incheon International Airport!!! as the airport worker of course I also want to learn and get the knowledge from them ..about how they run the airport, how they manage the business from the stores, the hotel, the executive lounge and others on the Airport until the "secret recipe" could be seven years in a row to get the award!! wow, such an amazing!! *big applause*

Maybe one whole day will not enough to explore and learning in Incheon, I guess a few weeks or couple months for study will be fine. haha well its my dream anyway.  if I have another chance to Korea, I'll definitely not gonna missed this airport trip again! *impassioned mode*
and of course if I can go back to South Korea again I can get the "extra bonus" which is go to other beautiful places that I have never visit before and do the things I've never did before such as cycling along the coast of Jeju Island, or try living in korean traditional houses, or even watching Shinhwa's performance and meet them! *imagining* well...its my other wishlist in Korea actually...hopefully it will be a dream come true (again)!!! *cross my fingers* ^_^

by the way I know I can do it all if I can go to Korea (as a matter of fact I'm still convinced that Korea has got to be one of the best countries in the world to live in...hahahaa! *note : has been addicted with Korea..so please informed me :p *)

but my love for Korea is certainly not as much as my love to my own country. however...Indonesia is my country and I love my country. I know that Indonesia is still left behind than Korea, but someday I wish my country could grow and developed and more specific is I wish my airport  - the place where I work - can be developed and advanced as Incheon International Airport. for the information, Juanda International Airport was recently awarded as the best airport in Indonesia! (*giving applause to my airport ;-)*). but it's also possible that one day it will go ahead and compete with best airports in the world right? especially now that we have "coupled" with Incheon Airport which is called our "Sister Airport" (I just love when my boss mention those 'Sister Airport' word in the office....hihihiii)
The best part of all, if I was given the opportunity to visit and study with a longer time I'm sure I'm gonna get a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience that I can bring home and share with the people especially for the enhancement of my company particularly in my Juanda Airport Surabaya :-)

Well...thats all my write for the contest...If you want to participate in this contest you can click on the link on the top. you better hurry coz its close on September 23th. and last but not least...if you like my post, please go to my facebook... add your "like" thumbs and leave some comment. Thank you so much and wish you all good lucks! ^_~


(credit : www.korea.net, www.jakartaupdates.com, www.cnngo.com, www.airport.kr/eng, www.hancinema.net, www.seoulplay.wordpress.com, comicslife, and of course...google)

Let's Touch Korea!!! ^o^

Well, lets take a break for a while from my journey to Korea....

Since I still miss Korea and desperately want to return to that beautiful country again, then for all that this time I will try to participate in a contest program that was held by Korea Tourism Organization (next we called  - KTO) which the title is "Touch Tour Korea - Chungcheong". and what makes me interest to do this is the amazing prize! the prize for the winner will get FREE-Holiday-To-Korea-For-3-Days!!! Whoaaaaaaa...isn't that amazing????! *screaming* The term and condition is actually quiet simple, just make a post in english about what is Touch Korea Tour and Buzz Korea, the detail is here. well, just trying to find the fortune, who knows this special post below could lead me to fly back to Korea. Surely this will be the second historical moment in my life! (if I win ^__^v) since I never try this before so its kinda make me nervous especially with my grammar. I admit that my english is not really good, but yea...I will try my best ^^;; 

First I want to share a little bit about my addiction to Korea. actually I started to love Korea from watching korean drama on my local TV. I think the first drama that I saw is Endless Love with Song Seung Hun, Song Hye Kyo and Won Bin as the main characters. I think its about 14 years ago. and Gosh...that drama succesfully make me IN LOVE at the first sight. not just because the handsome of Song Seung Hun (hihihiiii...nobody deny how good looking he is!), but the plot, the story, the beautiful place on the drama....wow, such a virus that directly spread into my mind! so yes....start from that drama I become a BIG fans of all about Korea! and that love is getting more and more and more big untill finally about 2 months ago me and my friends went to Korea! Arrghhhhh...still remember the feelings. its feels unreal but its real! and if someone ask me to go there again especially for free....definitely the answer is damn-YES! (well who could reject it? hihihiiiii....:p)

Okay, now back to the main post. let's just start from what is Touch Korea Tour program???

Touch Korea Tour is one of the program that organized by Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) which is a part from promotion tour of South Korea. promotion of this tour is definitely the effect of the Hallyu Wave or Korean Wave or often called with Korean Fever. the rise of the entertainment program start from the Drama, Film, Music (commonly known as K-Pop) and the Artists called Hallyu Star become very popular from all over the world including Indonesia (and of course I am one of them :D). It has become the main attraction and lots of interests that focused on language, culture, culinary, fashion, and especially objects in South Korea as a destination of package tours in Korea Tour.

There is a tagline that I found on the official Visit Korea website couple days ago that it really fits with this campaign, the tagline says :

"Interested in traveling to Korea, but have not had the chance to visit yet?

Discover the Charms of Korea at "Touch Korea"

Yep, its really true. One of the way to visit beautiful Korea but you don't need to spend lots of money (hihihiii) is to follow the - Touch Korea Tour program. There was some event that actually held from Touch Korea Tour, but there was one event that makes me so happy and so proud because there is a winner who representing Indonesia. she is a special friend that I've just known from Touch Korea Tour event and right now she become one of my inspiration as well as encouragement by the name of Erry Andriyati! (Haha, I mention your name Sist!)

The contest that she won it's called  "Selection of Touch Korea Tour Experience Team" which is held by Korea Tourism Organization Indonesia. And the winner from Indonesia which is Erry Andriyati  finally had the opportunity to get a FREE vacation to Korea and also an amazing opportunity to meet the Hallyu Star’s who are very popular and become K-Pop idol and they are 2 PM and Miss A! Oh my God, I Swear It makes me soooooooo jealous! * screaming again*

Maybe this housewife with two kid who are the main hobbies are blogging will not be able to visit Korea if he didn't channel his hobby in the Touch Korea Tour contest (beside her lucky destiny of course ... hihihiiii). But through her moment and story that she has been share until now, Touch Korea Tour has provided experience as well as an unforgettable moment for her.

From Touch Korea Tour program and through the experience of Erry Andriyati above, actually we are not only get the opportunity to see the beauty of Korea, but also get the opportunity to meet and make new friends from around the world, enjoying stay in five star hotel in Korea, taste the delicious korean food, and even meet with their handsome and pretty artist aka Hallyu Star! ^o^.

So for those who have a hobby  which is writing in the blog, from now on just try to share it through blog contest that held by Touch Korea Tour as I do now. Interesting events such as the Touch Korea Tour could also be promoted through a media called Buzz Korea.

Buzz KOREA is a global campaign and an integrated online community platform site that reveals Korea's tourism attractions and a variety of Korea-related contents through social media like Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Ameba, QQ etc.  If you have an experience and memories about Korea, you can share it with other Buzz friend and then you can talk about life in korea, korean culture,  food, fashion, drama and many more with everyone you communicate with. its one of the easier way to know about Korea and I think  it can help you too to give information especially if you want to go to Korea.

well, many thing that we can find from Buzz Korea, example like event that I try to join now : Touch Korea Tour – Chungcheong.  
become excited?  Start to post on your blog and then try to apply then share it with your friends!

Like I said before, who knows your special post could lead you to fly to Korea!

Well for me, win or lose it doesnt really matter, I will definitely going to write anything, especially about Korea because I LOOOOOOVE KOREA! v ^__^ v