Trip Diary/Reviews (seoul,sindo,sido)

I%26#39;m back from Korea and below(if you want to read it) is my travel diary which I wrote for each day of my holiday.

Korea weather was really awesome.....and I totally loved the average temperature of -7deg there... I did not find it very cold.. In fact, when I went over to Japan for a few days, it felt warm(5deg)...

So anyway.... I%26#39;m odviously not too happy that I%26#39;m back in SG... But I%26#39;ll go back to Korea for sure.

Regards,

Johnathan

You wrote on 07 January 2009 at 06:01

I%26#39;ve arrived in Korea yesterday (28.12.08) and went to Sido/Sindo to see Full House... Stayed there for a night and had yummy korean food for lunch and ramyon for dinner....

Woke up this morning (29.12.08) and snow fell from the sky.... Made my way to Seoul via a ferry and taxi(too lazy to wait for bus)... Still snowing!... Staying at Pop Green hotel for the night and moving tomorrow again.. Walked around Apujeong district the whole day taking in all Seoul has to offer. It%26#39;s 11.30pm in Korea now and I%26#39;m watching an %26#39;celebration show%26#39; on SBS.

Yesterday (30.12.08), played the waiting game for almost the whole day then went to Insadong for dinner... Met up with Eun Joo in the night and went for supper together..it was korean food including raw crabs. Got a nice gift!

Today (new year%26#39;s eve), did not do much... Walked around Sinsa district for abit. Went to watch Bolt and then went for coffee @ coffeesmith(really cool place).

The first day (01.01.09) of 2009 spent in Seoul! Went to Dongdaemun but almost all the shops were closed...so after lunch there, we proceeded to Lotte World! HOWEVER...... Most of the shops were closed too, apart from Lotte Mart and the amusement park(which was overcrowded).. Spent a few hours there and bought a Korean Monopoly set. Met up with Eun Joo for dinner and some shopping then proceeded to have nok chaa latte @ Coffeesmith!..

(02.01.09) Spent the afternoon shopping at Yongsan Station Mall/I%26#39;Park Mall...Bought a TBJ jacket and cds(lots of them!). Settled the return airtickets to Osaka then headed out to watch Jump(martial arts stage comedy). Today was not too cold(-4deg)..

(03.01.09) Watched another movie in the afternoon then walked around Sinsa Dong since we were feeling abit lazy. We met up with Terry and had dinner(bbq style) then coffee @ starbucks. Shopped a little around Agpujeong then back to hotel... Generally quite an uneventful day.

(04.01.09) Woke up late and rushed like mad to meet Eun Joo for service. Attended Yoido Full Gospel Church%26#39;s 11am service. Headed to Myeong-Dong for lunch and had Zza Zzjang Myeon + sweet n sour pork(both totally yummy!)...Went up Namsam to sightsee around the Seoul N Tower, beautiful views of Seoul!....Went back to Myeong-Dong for dinner and had BBQ style octopus...Went to chill at a donut place(suddenly forgot name) till around 10+pm then went back to hotel.

(05.01.09) Spent the day washing clothes and preparing for Japan... Had dinner at Lotteria(a local fastfood) and ordered Bulgoggi burger meal but tasted totally like Terriakki.

(06.01.09) WELCOME TO OSAKA, JAPAN ! Flew by Korean Air and had to wake up SUPER early to catch the flight.....After a 2 hour flight, arrived at Kansai International Airport.... Had the BEST SUSHI in the world for dinner in this really authentic Japanese sushi bar and walked around a little before heading back to the hotel.

(07.01.09) Visited Kyoto today and walked around the shrines and castle and it was gorgeous...Still not very cold... Had Wonton noodles and takopachi balls for lunch... headed back to Osaka and walked through Shinsaibashi-Suji...found a relatively ok priced Sushi restaurant and had dinner there... I kind of miss Seoul.

You wrote on 08 January 2009 at 04:58

(08.01.09) Today spent the day shopping around Osaka... and visited a aquarium(like underwater world).... Was supposed to visit Universal Studios but decided against it in the end. Visited Hard Rock Cafe Osaka too... Went back to the traditional sushi bar i visited on 06.01.09 and had a really wonderful meal again! haha...well... I%26#39;m leaving Osaka tomorrow and heading back to Seoul.

ou wrote on 09 January 2009 at 08:06

(09.01.09) Woke up slightly earlier than usual to spend the last hours in Osaka.. Shopped a little then headed for brunch at a cafe. Left Osaka around 6pm via Korean Air back to Seoul.

WELCOME BACK TO SEOUL, KOREA ! Feel really happy to be back in Korea and headed back to Young Dong Hotel at Sinsa Dong. Had a good dinner and ate extra amounts of kimchi.

You wrote on 10 January 2009 at 06:52

(10.01.09) Today was back to -7deg! Haha, I love the weather here.... Today went shopping n eating with Eun Joo then watched a movie. Had Bulgoggi for dinner and it was totally delicious although abit expensive... Bought a Korean-English Bible to study and Classiquai cds for my sister. Going to church again tomorrow!

You wrote on 11 January 2009 at 03:23

(11.01.09) About today. I DIDN%26#39;T GET TO GO TO CHURCH. Know why?? Cos I smartly decided to visit an english language church and took down the address and directions to get there... THEN... today as i was making my way to Ichon station, I realised that i lost the note i wrote on. CRAPpppppppppppppp............. So then I made some use of my time and proceeded to the World Cup Stadium to look-see. Turns out nothing much there except a mall built into the stadium. Went back to Sinsa Dong and to the hotel. Feeling abit sian cos of the church thing.. so staying in tonight.. ordered macs too. Going ice-skating tomorrow!

You wrote on 12 January 2009 at 07:33

(12.01.09) (add on to yesterday)---in the end i did go out. Went to Seoul station Eun Joo and her younger sister and walked the dog...the dog was too active and Eun Joo%26#39;s sister took the dog home.. We then proceeded to supper at Seoul Station%26#39;s Macs(no i didn%26#39;t eat again..just had tea).

Today.. Went ice-skating with Eun Joo. It%26#39;s my first time to skate and i felt that i had to do in here in Korea esp since it%26#39;s the lovely winter season. Fell down alot of times and bruised my butt and hands... even have blisters on my heel. It was quite fun la... but painful. In the end, can skate properly already so felt quite good haha. Too tired for dinner so just slumped at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and drank Nok Chaa Latte.

You wrote on 13 January 2009 at 05:17

(13.01.09) Woke up still bruised and blistered... Went to visit the Korean War Memorial/Museum today.. Was quite bored.. Went to Itaewon and walked around... Saw the Hard Rock Cafe Seoul there but did not have what i wanted... Got back to the hotel early today since nothing much to do. Watched TV and read my korean bible and also the guide book to Korea. Will have an early night today.

You wrote on 15 January 2009 at 06:12

(14.01.09) Met Eun Joo at Itaewon then proceeded to COAX MALL to watch movie...bought tickets then went to a bookshop where we read books...had Nok Chaa Latte before the movie... The movie... SUCKED BIG TIME... haha total rubbish!!! Waste my money! hahaha...people.... DON%26#39;T WATCH ';BE KIND, REWIND';. Anyway after that, we went back as it was late.

(15.01.09) Went to Insadong earlier in the afternoon then met Eun Joo at Jongno 3(sam) Ga station... Wanted to visit Changdeokgung Palace but stupid, only with tour guide then can enter... So we walked in the cold all the way to the National Folk Museum of Korea instead. Spent a few hours there and then headed to BBQ Bacon dinner (awesome stuff!). Then it was Nok Chaa Latte again at Baskin Robbins near Namdaemun and Eun Joo had her manicure done at the nail shop... Just got back to the hotel...

You wrote on 17 January 2009 at 06:44

(16.01.09) Did practically nothing.... Bought alot of street food back and had a feast!!

(17.01.09) Went skiing with Eun Joo and dongseng Chris. Was more of a avalanche than a person skiing....TOTALLY AM NOT GOOD AT THIS. Almost broke my leg like twice and snow all over me. Chris was a good teacher but I%26#39;m a lousy student..haha. Anyway went for Toppokki for dinner and was still feeling bothered by the skiing experience. Going to church tomorrow.

(18.01.09) Attended Myungsung Presbyterian Church Department of English Worship Service with Eun Joo and Eun Yeong(eunjoo%26#39;s younger sister) today... Loved the service and it felt a little like LE too.. After that, we had lunch at a small cafe then headed to Family Mart where Eun Yeong had to work part-time.. Eun Joo and I hung around in the mart till we were sooooo bored.. In the end went to I-Park Mall and bought some CDs... then got dragged into a bookstore again. Eun Joo read books while i stoned.

You wrote on 19 January 2009 at 05:57

(19.01.09) Woke up and the sick feeling of the end drawing nearer and nearer hit me... aha. Anyway... I went out in the afternoon then dinner was alot of mandoo. Looking forward to thursday but not beyond that.. Sigh... Won%26#39;t know how to say goodbye. Such a lovely place!!!

You wrote on 20 January 2009 at 05:18

(20.01.09) Spent some time trying to convince my good friend Joseph to climb Namsan with me but in the end he was too lazy to go out... So i proceeded to climb Namsan by myself.. I purposely chose to climb around 4.30pm so that i can see the sunset when i reached the peak. Bought a Nok Chaa when i reached the peak and stood looking over the Han River and watched the beautiful sunset... After that, went to Myeong Dong and walked around for awhile then bought alot of doughnuts from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and went back to hotel and had a feast.

You wrote on 21 January 2009 at 04:13

(21.01.09) Today i went to meet dongseng Chris. We went to Myeong Dong and had lunch there then walked all the way to Namdaemun. Next we went to Hongik Uni Station and walked around the shopping streets there... Then walked to Sinchon Station%26#39;s shopping area and around Ewha Women%26#39;s Uni area too. Basically alot of walking. But today%26#39;s not cold so it%26#39;s disappointing.. it%26#39;s now 5deg. Anyway tomorrow is going to be an interesting day.

You wrote on 22 January 2009 at 02:53

(22.01.09) Today... Eun Joo and i were supposed to go to Incheon with her renting a car and driving us there. So much for anticipating it.....Cos the stupid car rental rule states that she can%26#39;t rent the car as her 21st birthday has not passed yet. In the end....Went to Namdaemun and Seoul Station%26#39;s Lotte Mart to do shopping.. This time i did some serious shopping and realising that i do have alot of things to bring back to SG, i bought a new bag(big n cheap) to house the stuff.

You wrote on 24 January 2009 at 08:36

(23.01.09) I asked around and was told that i could get to the Prayer Mountain by taking the subway to Gupabal Station then changing to bus 31...BUT...i went all the way there and got no such bus service...so i proceeded to COEX MALL to visit the Aquarium...After that walked around a little then decided to go back to hotel. Met Eun Joo and we went to watch Red Cliff 2...That was pretty much the whole day..

(24.01.09) Spent the day in Apgujeong District then to Lotte World%26#39;s Lotte Mart which was overcrowded so went to Seoul Station%26#39;s Lotte Mart instead. After that, went to Myeong Dong then to Namdaemun and finally to Sinsa Dong to watch another movie and ended the day at Coffeesmith... Took some time to reflect on the trip and chatted over Nok Chaa Latte and headed back to hotel. This marks the end of my time in Seoul and Korea...

You wrote on 25 January 2009 at 01:29

(25.01.09) Last hours in Seoul spent rushing to pack and rushing to get to the airport on time.... Got a taxi but the retarded driver refused to drive faster... Anyway was not in a very good mood as it was time to go home... Snow still falling from the sky and it%26#39;s everywhere... Took a last look at Seoul and then Incheon and finally boarded the aircraft headed home.

WELCOME BACK TO SINGAPORE. Saw steffi(my dog) n family waiting for me and that%26#39;s the end of the long winter vacation for me.

Trip Diary/Reviews (seoul,sindo,sido)

Anyway I will give a few tips and personal reviews for those wanting to visit Korea.

-Winter in Korea can see temperatures dipping to -11deg or even colder with wind chill so dress properly.

-Yes it does snow in Seoul.

-Dress code in Seoul is fashionable and stylish so don%26#39;t wear that jacket that you bought years ago because it just does not work.

-if you are intending to buy CDs in Korea, it%26#39;s going to be quite difficult to find a CD store so BUY IT when you SEE IT. (can check out I-Park Mall%26#39;s Synnara Records Store or Lotte Mart at Seoul Station)

-Taxis are cheaper at boarding point(W1,900) than in SG but don%26#39;t forget you might travel further than in SG.

-Black-Coloured Taxis are more expensive at boarding point(W4,500) somewhat similar concept to SG%26#39;s WHITE ';limo'; cabs.

-Taxis have a midnight surcharge so expect to pay more when you take a cab at night.

-Bring your CREDIT/DEBIT CARD because the biggest value note in WON is W10,000 which means having to bring alot of notes around(will deform your wallet).

-VISA is the preferred card and is WIDELY recognised. Mastercard is NOT accepted at some places.

-Please remember your PASSWORD for your VISA/Mastercard card account in order to withdraw CASH when in need.

-VISA/Mastercard ATM withdrawals can only be done at certain banks. Standard Chartered Bank and Hana Bank accepts International Cards.

-Hana Bank ATMs might be located inside 7-elevens but the sign outside the 7-eleven will be in Hangul(korean writings).

-The subway gets you almost everywhere and should you want to head to another major city/town, you can head to Seoul Station and take the train.

-Should you want to visit Jeju Island from Seoul, it is cheaper to head directly to Gimpo International(it%26#39;s domestic lah) Airport and buy a budget airline flight from there.

-Convinence stores (eg 7-11 %26amp; Family Mart) are located almost everywhere.

-Renting a Car requires an International Driving License and rental rates for a common car (eg Hyundai Sonata) stands around W80,000 for 24hr.

During my time in Seoul, I stayed mostly at Young Dong Hotel in Sinsa Dong which is essentially part-of/in-between the Gangnam/Apgujeong area. The hotel is a basically a business hotel that has free internet access at the business centre and if you have a laptop, in your room. The hotel staff are relatively helpful and you can call the front desk to get them to order take-outs from eateries outside the hotel..

The rate I was given per night for a twin-sharing room is W80,000 which is reasonable considering the location and facilities of the hotel. Getting there is easy, take the subway to Sinsa station and exit 1, then walk straight about 150m and you%26#39;ll see the hotel.

Young Dong Hotel has everything you need around it. Exit the hotel, turn left and walk about 20m and you%26#39;ll have a Thai Restaurant, 50m a 24hr coffee/waffle joint, 80m Coffeebean, 100m Cinema and 150m Exit 1 of Sinsa Dong Subway Station... Opposite the hotel, you%26#39;ll see a 24hr Paris Baguette Cafe as well as a 24hr Korean Restaurant to the left of it.. Walk down the street to the right of Paris Baguette Cafe and you%26#39;ll see many shops and eataries/cafes lining both sides of the street and you should hang out at Coffeesmith.

The Gangnam/Apgujeong area is somewhere you can find all the branded/designer boutiques and showrooms of luxury cars such as Lamborghini and Ferrari... Apgujeong%26#39;s Rodeo street has many eateries/cafes that you can eat and hang out at...

If designer fashion is not really your thing, you can consider Myeong Dong.. and odviously since you%26#39;re going to Myeong Dong, you should take the time to visit Namsan(best to go reach the peak at 5 plus to see the sunset) as well. Exit 3 at Myeong Dong Station and you should see a big dark grey chinese restaurant on your left, walk that direction and at the Y junction, take the right route and walk straight up till you see the Namsan Cable Car Station on your right A 2-way ride on the cablecar costs around W16,000. After your sightseeing at Namsan, head back the same way you went up and go back down Exit 3 and go opposite to Myeong Dong streets..

If you still find Myeong Dong to be a little on the expensive side, you can head to Namdaemun market.. Take the Subway to Hoehyeon station and at Namdaemun, you should be able to find roadside stalls which you can bargain at but the products are of a lesser quality. Food is aplenty in and around Nambaemun so no worries should you get hungry.

I would not recommend you visit Itaewon as there isn%26#39;t much to see there unless you really have alot of time then you can drop by. Itaewon is where Hard Rock Cafe is located.

For shopping malls, I would recommend Yongsan Station/I-Park Mall... As the name suggests, getting there is again by subway to Yongsan Station. There is a nice cinema and Synnara Records store amongst many other fashion outlets there, definately worth a visit.

Another mall you can check out is the COEX MALL at Samseong station. The COEX MALL has many shops and also a nice cinema.. It is interlinked to Intercontinental Hotel and the main attraction of the mall is the COEX AQUARIUM.

A mega-mall(you can call it that) to visit is LOTTE WORLD. Inside, there are MANY shops and the Lotte Department Store as well as a Lotte Mart(hypermart) and the famous Lotte World Theme Park. It is located at Jamsil Station. I won%26#39;t recommend you shopping at the Lotte Mart at LOTTE WORLD though as it would be CRAZILY crowded. The theme park too is very crowded but only on weekends.

An alternative to Lotte World%26#39;s Lotte Mart is the Lotte Mart located at Seoul Station. It%26#39;s just as big and has less people than at Lotte World. Around Seoul Station too, there is a big department store(i din go in) and Yonsei University.

My korean friend recommended the area around Hongik University, Sinchon and Ewha Woman%26#39;s University Stations... of the 3, the Hongik University Station area is more for clubbing/pubbing, Sinchon Station area had nothing much and Ewha Woman%26#39;s University Station area has some shops and cafes but nothing spectacular so I%26#39;m not sure if you should visit unless you have extra time.

If you want to attend church, you can consider Yoido Full Gospel Church(the biggest church in the world but no english service) or Myung Sung Presbetarian Church(english service at 1+pm). For Yoido Full Gospel Church, take the subway to Yeouinaru Station and exit 1, and walk quite far before you will see the church. For Myung Sung Church, take the subway to Myeongil Station(but i forgot exit number) but you can ask around for directions since it%26#39;s a famous church too.

Trip Diary/Reviews (seoul,sindo,sido)

jonahmobile

Thank you for sharing your trip and your tips to wrote this detail report and very informative tips. Finally I can read a trip report on Seoul forum as it was hard to have one - or none at all. I enjoyed to read your report and actually extract some of your tips and saved for my trip next Oct.

HL

How many % do card companies usually add on when charging a different currency to the card? Around 3% right? Maybe cash is still the way to go... providing you find a money changer that gives you a good rate.

HongLam,

You%26#39;re welcome.. I too could not find personal reviews on Korea when I was searching.. So I thought it would be good to share since I spent quite a long time holidaying there. I hope you enjoy your trip come October! Korea is great!

ACChua,

I%26#39;m not sure if your bank would charge the same admin surcharge for overseas withdrawals as mine..Anyway cash is definately the way to go but if you%26#39;re intending to do shopping in Korea(things r not cheap), the stack of notes you%26#39;ll have to carry around would be quite big.. I%26#39;m not sure why the Korean government does not issue a note of a bigger value since W10,000 = USD 10(approx.). Having a credit/debit VISA card would help lighten the load and acts as a backup should a need arise..

By the way, I don%26#39;t remember seeing any money-changers around..The only ones being at the Incheon Airport(they accept most currencies)..The places other than the airport would be the banks which would only accept major currencies(eg USD, YEN %26amp; Euro) so it%26#39;s best to check it up before going.