Miss Flower Korea Trip Day 1: Seoul - Hongdae

Heyaaaa Everyone!! I present to you, my trip report ^.^ Especially for those who has waiting this report ;) I have prepared 50++ photos for this post, LOL.

Only by His grace, this early May I could went to Korea again for 2nd time ^^

FYI, if you don't know why suddenly I could go to Korea, you may read this post. This trip was called as Miss Flower Music Tour, and I will name this post *and upcoming posts* with Miss Flower Korea Trip for short (/^▿^)/

4th May, 2013

I flee to Jakarta for Transit at 17.30 (GMT +7), had another flight to Incheon - Seoul at 22.05 by Korean Air :D I would arrive to Korea at 07.05 (GMT +9 / KST). I really like Korean Air's hospitality ^^ They're not joking when they said that Korean Air is one of the best Airlines in Asia, as expected from their tagline "Excellence in Flight".

random shot, I couldn't sleep at the moment T_T

I met a Korean who could speaks Indonesian very well, an uncle who lives in Jakarta for couple of years and went to Korea for holiday *he was sitting beside me* :)

Anyway I could't sleep well in airplane.. TT____TT I was lack of sleep and my face looked so tired.. Wanna see? LOL

 Meals on the board, I picked a meal which is something served with beef

5th May, 2013

After struggling with my sleeping pose and couldn't get proper sleep *so torturing me*, finally I arrived at Incheon Airport! >____< *so relieved yet excited*

I was picked up by ibuzz Korea's representatives and brought to hotel by mini bus. They also picked up others participants from Malaysia, Vietnam, and Philippine. Tonight I would stay at The Plaza Hotel ^.^

The Plaza (Hotel)

주쇠: 서울 중구 소공로 119 (우) 100-864

Tel: +82 2 771 2200

119 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea 100-864

dropped my luggage at this hotel before I go

As soon as we arrived at the hotel, they gave us this package :D

Oh we got three t-shirts for this trip! *become more excited*

I like how they designed its packaging ^^ Too bad I couldn't bring its packaging home, due to luggage efficiency *____*

Alright! Today was my only free day during this trip. I have planned to meet my friend and go to some places with him :D Other tour participants also have their own schedule for today. We dropped our luggage, change our clothes and would check-in this evening.

Before I separate with iBuzz Korea's staffs, we had a breakfast together at nearest Bibimbap (비빔밥) Restaurant on Myeongdong area, near The Plaza Hotel.

yummm!!! Let's eat!! >w< It's Vegetables Bibimbap

Anyway, because I have used to eat Bibimbap with hot clay pot, this was my first time eating Bibimbap without hot clay pot and surprisingly it has better taste in my preference ^-^ 맛있어요~~ *happy* ♥

And they're iBuzz Korea's staffs who have accompanied me during breakfast time ^.^

Miss Sujin (강수진), and Miss Amelie (김아메리)

They are so kind and friendly ^^ They kindly answered every my question regarding to Korean language XD

random bench and statue beside Bibimbap restaurant

Anyway, I didn't expected that Spring in Korea still bring chilly breeze TT____TT 잔짜 추워요!! I was regretting my carelessness to not bring thick jacket.. I only brought two cardigans and the weather was still so chilly... I used to live in tropical country and I couldn't stand for chilly weather >___< arrgh!

Umm... I separated with Ms. Sujin & Ms. Amelie afterwards. Before meeting my friend, I managed time to go church. I was confused to choose a church that provide English interpretation and finally I decide to go Yoido Full Gospel Church (여의도 순복음 교회).

Because I was late to attend the worship service, I was kinda in rush and I don't know that Yoido church has two different buildings and I even don't know what kind of worship service that I attended that day O_O I am lacking of Korean vocabulary words, LOL.

This church provide foreign interpreters in English, Japanese, Chinese, Thailand even in sign-language O_O So well-prepared. I was helped by the English interpreter. Thank you ^^

the situation after the worship service ended.

the worship service just ended

I met my friend on this area. He is so kind >_< He came to pick up me though his house is far away from this place. Let's call him Mr. PS ㅋㅋㅋ. 만났어 반갑습니다 ^_^

He kindly accompanied me to go Hongdae for first destination ^^ We took subway and walked few times before arrive at Hongdae.

I was instantly over-excited when seeing Cherry Blossom trees on random street. Of course I took some photos with the Cherry Blossom trees, but too bad my face looked so pale and tired due to lack of sleep ㅠ____ㅠ

Oh, not forget to mention that I didn't include his photo on this post for his privacy :)

Finally seeing Cherry Blossoms by myself *_____*

To be honest, I am obsessed with Cherry Blossom since I was in Junior High School xD. I read many Japanese comics and anime, that's why I really wanted to see Cherry Blossom in real someday! ;D

Azalea flowerrrrsssss ♥♥

red azalea

purple azalea

We're strolling on Hongdae street and passing through some cosmetic stores, but I haven't enough time and suddenly I feel unexcited to buy anything ㅡ_ㅡ" this lack of sleep really kills my excitement.

Hongdae street

Holika holika store spotted

Tony Moly Store

The reason why I wanted to go Hongdae was just to see Hello Kitty Cafe by myself XD

Awwww so adorable!! Though I'm not a big fan of Hello Kitty, every girl will hard to resist its cuteness :3 ㅋㅋㅋ

Every exterior and interior parts of this cafe are awesome and adorable ^.^

Sleepyhead expression '___'

Inside of Hello Kitty Cafe

No need to blabber much, just see these photos ^^

I want them all *Q*

Actually I was planned to take some photos inside with bunch of Hello Kitty decorations but I have no energy anymore.. I was so hungry at the moment, and I had to get lunch *___*

Buying a cake or coffee for 5,000-10,000 원 won't give any effect for my tummy.. LOL

Finally I and Mr. PS tried random restaurant on Hongdae street and eating Seolleongtang.

This is 설렁탕 (seolleongtang).. 설렁탕 is a Korean broth tang (soup) made from ox bones (mostly leg bones), brisket and other cuts. Seasoning is generally done at the table according to personal taste by adding salt, ground black pepper, red pepper, minced garlic, or chopped spring onions. It is a local dish of Seoul. Yummy  suitable for this quite chilly season.

After took lunch, we visited Time Square Department Store to buy some snacks and souvenirs for my relatives and friends

E-mart

Eating green tea ice cream cookies (the strawberry one was belongs to Mr. PS), really bringing some freshness for my sleepy head! @__@

Then, I decided to cancel my plan to go Namsan Seoul Tower ㅠ___ㅠ because I was afraid my condition would getting worse and the worst case is.. I can't join tomorrow tour with healthy body >____< No way! 안돼요!!

Mr. PS also worried about my condition, he even asked me several times "괜찮아요?" (Are you alright?) because I was really looked like a zombie!! LOL

Though I want to visit Namsan Seoul Tower so bad, I decided to go Hotel and take a rest early :''( Hopefully I can go to there next time! *pray*

During our trip to The Plaza Hotel, we found cute statues on one of Subway Stations that we passed XD *I'm totally forgot what name the subway station was*

pink piggy with violin ♥

bunny!!

Pinocchio~

ㅊ.ㅊ 고양이~ ㅋㅋㅋ

We arrived to The Plaza Hotel on 7.40 PM (GMT +9 / KST), I really thank to Mr. PS who has bringing me to Hongdae and accompanied me all day ^^ Sorry for making some troubles for you and I really appreciate your help :D :D

City Hall, huge building next to The Plaza Hotel

there was event at the moment (5th May is Children's day in Korea), I wish I had enough energy so I could join that event :( 

After said good bye to Mr. PS, I checked-in into my room and super surprised because its luxuriousness *O*

I was excited to stay at this hotel because last year when I backpacked to Korea, I only could stayed at guest houses (for money-wise) XD.

Thank you ibuzz Korea who has kindly prepared super-nice rooms for Miss Flower Music Tour's participants ♥♥♥♥♥

night view through my room's window

what a high-technology XD two thumbs up!

After took a nice bath, I opened the package that I have received this morning from Ms. Amelie & Ms. Sujin. I got a name tag, instruction book, three pieces of t-shirt and Lotte Department Store vouchers ^.^

SO EXCITEDDDDD!!!!!! I couldn't wait for tomorrow >w<

I will meet Standing Egg at day 4 (/^▿^)/\(^▿^)/ 두근두근~

This is the t-shirt that I got ^^ Hehehehe they're so nice!

After posted some photos on my instagram, finally I have a very good sleep and I'm ready for tomorrow! ^▿^ ♥

Thanks for reading this post, everyone :D

Have a nice day!