So the first trip is at Gangneung, Gangwon-do. Gangwon-do is a huge province on the north of South Korea. If you want to visit Gangwon-do, have an idea of what you want to do here because this place is too huge and the attractions are too isolated for you to hop around unlike in Seoul. That's one bad thing about travelling outside of Seoul. But otherwise, you get to experience the less bustling life - it's quite peaceful too! Usually, people go to Gangwon-do Pyeongchang in winter time for their winter ski.
We chose to start our long bus ride from Express Bus Terminal. Yes, that amazing shopping place. But there is a bus terminal at the next building. You could get your tickets there on the spot or you could reserve earlier. You can also choose the kind of bus seats you want - standard or premium. You could converse with the person in basic English, no worries about that. The main language barrier comes when you leave Seoul. It's hard to find someone who can even understand your broken Korean, let alone basic English, outside of Seoul. So be prepared for that!
Having my all-time favourite comfort food - Sundubu Jjigae. I had less of this on my second trip because these are readily available in Singapore. Just double the price and maybe half the authenticity. If you're there for a short trip, I would recommend you to try Korean food which cannot be found/are harder to be found in Singapore.
The bus stop right outside the bus terminal at Gangneung will bring you to Sun Cruise resort. There are a few buses but only take bus 109. Buses outside of Seoul do not flash words, not even Korean words. Listen out for the voiceover, but then again it's in Korean. However, the Korean pronunciation of Sun Cruise resort is very close to the English one, so just keep hearing for it. It should go up to the top of a hill and you should only alight at the highest point.
As you can see, bus timings are horrendous. Except 7am and 8am, the buses only come by every 2 hours. And this is the only bus up to Sun Cruise resort + the bus ride takes one full hour. So do plan properly. Because if you miss the bus, your itinerary will be pushed back by 2 full hours.
You will arrive at this entrance about 1-2 minutes walk from where the bus stops. And if you think you see a cruise behind, you are not wrong.
This is the exact reason why we stay in this place. The resort is made like a cruise on the top of a hill. It looks so spectacular and honestly staying there was one of the best choices. Minus the transportation woes. If I could, I would stay there 3d2n and not leave the place. But I probably need a much higher budget.
The view that greets us when we stepped into our room.
The room was spacious, well-lit and cosy. I love all rooms that look cosy. But of course, for the price, if it didn't, I would have never paid for it.
The resort also has a mini cafe. Nothing spectacular or amazing about the decoration but the cakes and the accompanying view sure looked lovely.
On our way down, we managed to spot a pretty sunset.
However, since the bus only comes by every two hours, we cannot afford to wait for it. We decided to walk down, wrong choice but only choice. The road winds and turns and is so deserted because the only vehicles using this road are those that goes to or leaves the resort. Going back up at 9pm is the scary thing hahah, and of course uphill too.
We settled at a random restaurant for dinner at 8pm and it seemed like the area has quietened down quite a bit. But the ahjummas still served us well. That's what I like about Koreans - if they serve you, they make sure you are served well.
I also walked by a convenience store and craved for a popsicle - the Korean style hahah.
At the Hourglass park.
And a random beach which we walked past on our trek up the hill back to our resort.
All in all, Sun Cruise resort is a lovely place, but you have to know that transportation is troublesome here. Not just here, anywhere outside Seoul and Busan. Only Seoul and Busan has the subway trains, so buses is the main form of transportation for tourists elsewhere. Don't even think about cabs in some of these rural areas, because you might be better off waiting 2 hours for the bus instead. I'd definitely recommend Sun Cruise resort, especially if you think you can stay in the resort for a relaxing stay all day long - which you should be able to. There are restaurants and parks and swimming pools and cafe and a convenience store and souvenir stores. Wish they have a noraebang/multibang there hahah, then maybe I won't even take a step out of the resort at all.
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