Skiing at Yongpyong - Cont'd

We checked out from Greenpia and proceeded for breakfast.

Before, we started skiing, we took the cable car to Dragon Peak. Han Wave aficionados would recall the wonderful sight in the serial Winter Sonata. The trip up to Dragon Peak was really pretty as it had snowed two days earlier. We were fortunate as it was the start of the winter season and it was not supposed to snow then. In fact, the ski slope are formed by artifical snow.

Skiing at Yongpyong

We were fortunate to go the Yongpyong Ski Resort during holiday to South Korea with Chan Brothers last year. The trip from Seoul to Yongpyong took us about three hours by coach as it was raining. As it was winter, at about 1730H, it was already dark. We stopped at the ourskirt of the resort to have our dinner - steam boat - it was perfect for such a cold weather. Thereafter, we proceeded to collect our ski clothing for use the next day. Although the clothing is included in the tour package, we have to pay for our ski googles. Even if you have forgotten to bring your own gloves, you can buy it at the ski equipment rental shop.

[Photo taken the next day when we returned the skiing equipment]

After collecting our ski equipment, we proceeded to Yongpyong for our overnight stay at Greenpia - one of the few accommodation available at the resort. The rooms were Korean-styled ondol, which has heated flooring.

One of the room allocated to us faces the ski slopes and it was a great sight.

The next morning, we changed into our ski clothing and before we checked out, we managed to take more pictures of the wonderful sights which lie just a doorstep away.

Tu Do Han Quoc

After landing at Incheon Airport, we had some time at the airport to change into our winter clothing as we were waiting for the local guide to arrive.

Out of curiosity, went out of the terminal building to check out the bus transportation into Seoul.

Before we made our way to the ski resort, we had a short tour of Seoul. Went to the lookout point located behind the Blue House (known as Cheong Wa Dae in Korean) - residence of President Lee Myung-Bak.

[Above: Security post manning the road leading to the Blue House]

Dulich o Han Quoc - Nam 2009

Went on a holiday to South Korea in end-2009 with Chan Brothers. Had a good trip especially with our first experience with snow at Yong Pyong skiing resort. Normally, we would not have the chance to see snow as the period we went was the start of winter. However, two days before we arrived at Yong Pyong, there was snowing at Dragon Peak. The pictures were taken by the South Korean photographer with our tour group.





The skiing part was fun but it was rather tiring humping the skis up the slope wearing the restrictive ski shoes. But no regrets and the weather was beautiful.






And as always, what is a group tour without the usual group photo but this is great!!! White Christmas

Lookout Point at Pattaya

If you do not have much time to spend at Pattaya, you can proceed to Khao Phra Tamnak (เขาพระตำหนัก) lookout point to get a great view of the beaches between Pattaya and Jomtien. The lookout point is also known as Khao Phra Bat (เขาพระบาท) and is located within the Royal Thai Navy's (RTN) Radio station 104.75Mhz. Besides the statue dedicated to the founder of the RTN, there is a small gift shop within the radio station. You can buy some RTN memorabilia such as base ball cap or stickers.

Interesting "Shirts", Oops Sights

Was travelling back to Bangkok from Chonburi. Saw this interesting sight along elevated highway into the city. The buildings, I believe has been left uncompleted since the 1997 financial crisis.

Ratchaprasong Interactions

During the trip to Bangkok two weeks ago, went to the shopping district at Ratchaprasong and noticed that life is slowing returning to normal. The crowds are back and the infamous Bangkok traffic jams have reappeared.

Alighted at Siam BTS interchange and headed for Zen/Central World. While shopping centres such Siam Paragon was not affected by the political protest in May 2010, Zen/Central World was really in bad shape. The damage by the indiscriminate arson attack has left Zen and the tower block badly damaged. Eventhough Isetan survived the arson attack, it was not opened to the public then.





Over at Siam Square, the damage to Siam Theatre was equally bad.

There were also damages to shopping centres at Victory Monument.



Nevertheless, it appears that the events in May 2010 has been quickly forgotten. Siam Paragon was filled with shoppers in the evening on a weekday. Noted part of the crowd are youths and a large portion consisting of students from nearby schools and Chulalongkorn University.

Some comments about the BTS:

1. Quite like the concept of a linkway running from Siam BTS to nearby MBK and also towards the Ratchaprasong interaction. This helps to cut down the need to go down to street level and dealing with vehicle traffic.

2. I was pleasant surprised by the orderly manner that Bangkokians adopted when taking the BTS.
While expecting passengers to surge into the train, Bangkokians at Siam BTS queued in single file beside the train entrance and waited for all passengers to alight before entering the train.

Bangkok - Heritage Hotel

Went to Bangkok last week after leaving the country in 1997. It appears that the city is slowly coming back to life after the political upheaval from Mar to May 2010. Speaking to the local residents, they are generally relieved that the political situation has improved for the moment.

Stayed at a relatively new business hotel near the business and shopping district of Silom. The one-year-old Heritage Hotel

is conveniently located along Narathives Road, less than five minutes walk to the Chong Nonsi BTS station.

The rates are generally affordable averaging about Thai Baht 2,000 a day.
We got a good rate probably because the take up rate was still improving in Jun 2010.

What I like about this place is that there are plenty of food joints just around the corner along Navathives Road. If you do not want to take the BTS, a 15 minutes casual walk would bring to the nearby shopping centres such as Silom Complex located next to the Saladaeng BTS Station.