South Korea`11: Day 2

We went to Mt. Sorak National Park today. We've been there in 2007, but this year the scenery was different. Back then, the weather wasn't this cold and there weren't much sign of snow. This time around, there was snow everywhere. The ground was covered with a thick layer of snow and patches of ice. It sure was a different experience.

Awesome memory I have for recognising the exact spot I took photo in 2007.

There's a huge Buddha statue in the park, and an underground temple or sort. Four years back, our tour guide from Hong Kong brought us into the underground temple. Mum liked it and this time she even prepared photos of the Buddha statue we captured then, in hope of giving them to the monks we met back then.

However, this time we weren't allowed in. Since it's underground, I'm not sure if the temple is no longer in use or that they no longer allow tourists in to look. Either way, it was great to see the huge Buddha again. :)

We also went to a seafood market this morning. For me personally, it was interesting as I finally got to experience going to seafood markets in Korea. I've always seen their markets on TV in the variety shows I watched (mostly on 'Family Outing'), and it looked kinda fun though I never liked wet markets in Malaysia.

Buddha in the snow.

Today it was indeed kinda fun, but I'd say if this market existed in Malaysia, I wouldn't think it's nice. Probably it's because of the weather. To me, it seems winter makes everything fun. :D

Oh, and sorry guys, I guess I was too indulged in the 'seaside market atmosphere' that I forgot to snap photos of the place. But I must say there sure were lots of fishes I've never seen in Malaysia (except that I've seen some of them on the show I mentioned earlier).

It's our ski day at South Korea's largest ski resort, Yong Pyeong Resort today. Last time it snowed while we were skiing at Oak Valley. Too bad it didn't snow today. 

Bro in action.

After my not-so-good skiing experience in 2007, I decided not to ski this time(about the bad experience, it wasn't anything horrible; it's just that my legs hurt due to an old injury). But I went down to help out in guiding the other family a bit with their first time skiing. Thank God for last time we met a tour guide who can ski and had taught us some basics of skiing. 

Today, teaching the other family how to ski made me think of Walter(our tour guide in 2007) again and dang, I miss him. Wonder how he's doing now. haha. 

Anyway; Yong Pyeong Resort is also very high class and has about the same design as the one we went to last night and the one at Oak Valley. Perhaps ski resorts are about the same.

We cooked dinner in our 'condo' today. Memories of Oak Valley oh yes.

English father(I suppose) teaching his little son to ski. The kid's fantastic!

I might not have mentioned this but - as I said, I like some of S.Korea's variety shows - I love 'Let's Go! Dream Team' and 'Running Man'. This trip to Korea made me missed some episodes of both shows on TV and while resting at the resort today, I suddenly thought it could be possible to catch the shows on Korea's very own channels(instead of our Astro KBS World and One). Too bad I didn't check their broadcasting time..

However, just as I was thinking, I caught a glimpse of Yoo Jae Suk(Korea's nation MC, host of Running Man) and realised that it was indeed Running Man on TV! What's better was; it's the episode where they went to Hong Kong for filming and my favourite CNBLUE's Jung Yong Hwa was one of the guests! Perfect, isn't it!

Jackie Chan appeared on that episode too!
(Credits as watermarked)

So I watched it, without subtitles; and I noticed I managed to understand them! I even did on-the-spot translation for bro who also wanted to know what's going on. I guess in Malaysia I've always been relying on the subtitles so much that I never realised I could do fine without them. Watching a favourite variety show in Korea without subtitles is definitely one of my most memorable experience here and along my way of learning the language. :)

Anyway, today's been a very tiring day. It was a great day nonetheless. We'll be going to Everland Theme Park tomorrow! Hopefully it'll be as fun as today was! So till then.

View from our balcony: ski site.

Good night. zzz...

PM 11:10 GMT+9,

Yong Pyong All Seasons Resort.