Simply explorer: March 2016

Last March 25-26, 2016, the Visit Korea Committee (VKC) held a successful Opening Ceremony for "K-Travel Bus" program. The said ceremony was graced by the presence of VKC Chairman himself, Chairman Park Sam Gu as well as by the appointed Honorary Ambassador of K-Travel Bus, Hallyu actor Jung Il-woo. Also present in the event is the charming Korean Pop girl group Tahiti.

The Opening ceremony was attended by 60 foreigners, comprising of both foreign students as well as overseas tourists. They were particularly chosen from the pool of hundred applicants wishing to travel to some of the hidden wonders or beautiful tourist attractions of South Korea.

Chairman Park Sam Gu and appointed Honorary Ambassador of K-Travel Bus Hallyu actor Jung Il-woo

Ribbon-cutting ceremony

K-Travel Bus SNS Supporters
Photo by 한국방문위원회

VIP Limousine K-Travel Bus

K-Travel Bus Tongyeong SNS Supporters
Photo by 한국방문위원회

"K-Travel bus" is a program initiated by VKC with the goal to increase the number of visitors in South Korea for the years 2016-2018, the so-called "Visit Korea Year." Early November 2015, in order to boost the tourism of Korea in line with the upcoming 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games, years 2016-2018 was thereby declared as "Visit Korea Year."

K-Travel bus is a Korean travel bus experience program that offers convenient and memorable travel escapade to some of the most tranquil and placid beauty of Korea at a very reasonable and affordable price. This 2 days 1 night travel program basically aims to promote other tourist destinations of South Korea aside from the usual places (Seoul, Busan, Jeju Island among others) that foreigners often visit when they come to Korea.

K-Travel Bus program is primarily composed of six (6) travel courses namely: 1. Daegu, 2. Gangwon Province, 3. South Jeolla Province, 4. North Gyeongsang Province, 5. South East Region , and 6. Tongyeong, the city which is dubbed as "Tourism City of the Year." All trips depart from the country's capital, Seoul (in front of DongHwa Duty Free at Exit 6 of Gwanghwamun Station -- Subway Station Line 5)

For this trip, I was lucky enough to be able to join the group that visited the beautiful Port City of Tongyeong, a city known as the 'Naples of Korea' together with Geoje . The 2-day 1-night trip was superb which made me want to visit the city over and over again if I got time. From Seoul the travel took almost 5 hours but I think it is a worthwhile travel journey for we were able to experience a different side of Korea. The serene environment and refreshing atmosphere of Tongyeong welcomed us. Needless to say, since this trip was a special trip for the K-Travel Bus program we were also able to taste some of the city's most delicious delicacies of course everything for free. (Note: K-Travel Bus fee that foreigners will pay excludes meal expenses except the breakfast that will be served the following day.)

Tongyeong's most beloved grilled fish restaurant
(통영생선구이)

Our great luncheon in Tongyeong's most beloved grilled fish restaurant (통영생선구이)

K-Travel Bus SNS Supporters all smiled as they enjoy their luncheon at Tongyeong grilled fish restaurant (통영생선구이)
Photo by 한국방문위원회

K-Travel Bus SNS Supporters enjoying their luncheon
Photo by 한국방문위원회

Had a great luncheon in Tongyeong's most beloved grilled fish restaurant (통영생선구이) while enjoying this very picturesque scenery in front of us

After having a delicious lunch our group proceeded to our next destination which is the Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park. In here we took a cable car (한려수도조망케이블카) to see the magnificent landscape of Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park. There are 48 cable cars (8-person capacity) that continuously circulate from the lower depot located at the Donam Tourist Complex all the way to the upper deport located just below the peak of Mt. Mireuk (미륵산). I assure you that you will be mesmerized by the spectacular views that the cable car ride offers. What more can you asked for, you can have the thrill of 1,975 meter long cable car ride while at the same time seeing the historical site of one of the most victorious battle in the history of Korea, the Great Battle of Hansan, as well as the beautiful scenery of the Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park.

Entrance to the Cable Car Ride


K-Travel Bus SNS Supporters beside the cable car Photo by 한국방문위원회

K-Travel Bus SNS Supporters inside the cable car
Photo by 한국방문위원회

Magnificent aerial view of Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park

Magnificent view of Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park

Magnificent view of Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park

Magnificent view of Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park

Magnificent view of Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park

This photo was taken when we were on our way to the summit of Mt. Mireuk. At our back is the amazing view of Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park

This photo was taken when we were on our way to the summit of Mt. Mireuk. At our back is the amazing view of Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park
Photo by Jack Sithiphone

K-Travel Bus Tongyeong SNS supporters at Mt. Mireuk summit

Manage to reach the summit of Mireuksan with my high heels ;-)

After the cable car trip, our group visited the Tongyeong Samdosuguntongjeyeong Naval Station (통영 삼도수군통제영) and Tongyeong Sebyeonggwan (통영 세병관). Tongyeong Samdosuguntongjeyeong Naval Station (Historic Site No. 402) was used to be the headquarter of naval forces in the three islands namely Gyeongsang, Jeolla, and Chungcheong, as the term imply (Sam "삼" means three and Do "도" means island in Korean Language), during the Joseon era. It took 13 years to finish renovating the place. Inside the complex is the city government offices, 12 handicrafts workshops halls as well as Tongyeong Sebyeonggwan (National Treasure No. 305).

At the entrance of Tongyeong Samdosuguntongjeyeong Naval Station and Sebyeonggwan
Photo by Jack Sithiphone

Entrance to Tongyeong Samdosuguntongjeyeong Naval Station and Sebyeonggwan

Perfect scene where the past meets the present

Afterwards the group went to Tongyeong's downtown to see and experience first-hand the infamous turtle ship (거북선), a historical warship used by Admiral Yi Sun Shin naval troop during the Imjin War that broke out in 16th century.

The infamous turtle ship (거북선) used by Admiral Yi Sun Shin (이순신) during the Imjin War fought between the Japanese and Korean naval troop dated back in the late 16th century
(with spikes)

The infamous turtle ship (거북선) used by Admiral Yi Sun Shin (이순신) during the Imjin War fought between the Japanese and Korean naval troop dated back in the late 16th century
(without spikes)

K-Travel bus Tongyeong team English-speaking SNS supporters and the turtle ship (거북선)

K-Travel bus Tongyeong team English-speaking and Japanese-speaking SNS supporters with the turtle ship (거북선)

K-Travel bus Tongyeong team SNS supporters inside the turtle ship
Photo by 한국방문위원회

Me and the turtle ship

Located nearby is a creative, artistic, and meaningful village called as Dongpirang Wall Painting Village (동피랑벽화마을) and local wet market called as Tongyeong Live Fish Market (통영 활어시장). We ended the first day with a mouth-watering all-fish dinner.

Me and my guy friends in downtown Tongyeong

View of downtown Tongyeong from Dongpirang Wall Painting Village

View of downtown Tongyeong from Dongpirang Wall Painting Village

K-Travel bus Tongyeong team English-speaking SNS supporters at Dongpirang Wall Painting Village
Photo by Jack Sithiphone

K-Travel bus Tongyeong team SNS supporters at Dongpirang Wall Painting Village
Photo by Jack Sithiphone

Entrance to Tongyeong Live Fish Market

Delicious seasquirt available at Tongyeong live fish market

Delicious dinner courtesy of Visit Korea Committee and K-travel Bus Program

Delicious dinner courtesy of Visit Korea Committee and K-travel Bus Program

Delicious fish rolls courtesy of Visit Korea Committee and K-travel Bus Program

Delicious sweet and sour fish courtesy of Visit Korea Committee and K-travel Bus Program

Delicious steamed fish courtesy of Visit Korea Committee and K-travel Bus Program

Delicious fish soup courtesy of Visit Korea Committee and K-travel Bus Program

After our dinner we then proceeded to our very relaxing and expensive looking hotel, the Tongyeong Tourist Hotel (통영관광호텔). The hotel was really clean and all necessary amenities were provided so I feel so comfortable and relax during our overnight stay. Moreover, the old receptionist man was very accommodating to us, always welcoming us with warm smiles.

Wide and soft bed good for three people
(the place was too big for me and my friend)

comfortable sofa and table set

room heater, TV, boiler, teas, and personal toiletries all provided

The tour guide informed us in advance that the hotel restaurant is under renovation so we won't be able to eat breakfast the normal way. Nonetheless, the pack Korean-style breakfast was sufficient enough.

Second day of the trip was just so memorable for all of us I believed. We visited one of the most attractive destination of the city, the Jangsado Sea Park. This park became so popular after the well-loved Korean Drama "My Love from the Star" (별에서 온 그대) starring Kim Soo Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun shoot one episode of their drama here.