Seoul Day 42/43

Friday

Visited a park close at Children's Grand Park Central Station with other foreign exchange students. It a park dedicated to children. The main highlights of the place is an amusement park for kids and a mini zoo. We visited mainly the zoo in the park. Although the size of the zoo can't match against the Seoul Zoo but there was quite a variety of animals such as lions and elephants. As we approach Spring, more of the animals seemed to be more lively rather than being in their hibernating mode.

After the visit, our interest to visit Jindo Island rekindled and we made a last minute booking for our bus tickets at Gangbyeon (Dongseoul Bus Terminal) and our accommodation at Myeong-dong. What seemed like an impossible last minute planning did came true in the end.

Saturday

We woke up early to take a coach from Dongseoul Bus Terminal. The journey which cost 29500 won took about 5 and a half hours. Luckily the motel (Prince Motel) which we booked was close to the bus terminal. After checking in, we headed straight to the sea parting place.

The highlight of Jindo Island is basically the sea parting event. Every year during this period, the tide would recede revealing dry land in which you can step on to get to the next island. The crowd at Jindo were reportedly close to a million.

In order to cross the sea, we had to get boots as our shoes would get wet as we cross. We manage to get second hand boots at 4000 won each. Since we arrived at the place late, we walked for a little while before returning back to the motel.

Sunday

On this day we got to the sea parting place early and made our journey to the next island. As today was the festival main day, we had to pay an additional 5000 won to enter. The walk was an interesting experience as we had to suffer the "pain" of walking on the rocks. Along the way we saw sea creatures on the sea floor such as star fishes, clam and shell fishes. As we saw the star fishes, we took it and threw them back into the sea to give them a "second chance". The walk to the next island took about an hour. From afar, the distance might seem short but the actual journey is long.

After a day of walking we had to rush back to catch the coach to Mokpo before taking the KTX back to Seoul. The train fair was 32000 won but it was a comfortable ride back home.

Shall head to bed now, tomorrow's lesson is at 9am. Shall add the photos when I am free, good night!