Travelling is my soul...
I went to Korea mid February 2013. First time experience winter in my life!!!!! And first time SOLO TRAVELLER So exciteddddd to the maxx!! Haha! I can’t forget the first time witnessing
the snow the first glance I open my eyes widely from 7hours flight from my
country.
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| Korean air, finally arrived :D |
It’s long journey yet I’m not tired, still eager and passionate to go
to the world’s BEST airport for 7 straight years. Tadaaaaaaaaa!!
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| Incheon International Airport |
It’s 6am in the morning, very
cold -7 degree Celcius. Not cold inside the airport, I go to the direction of AREX (Airport Express) by Korean Railroad( KORAIL) The airport was so empty, not many people there, I'm afraid to get lost, but the direction is easy to follow, so minimize my worriness, ^_^ Thanks to the government!
Take a snap pic of Korean ATM bank. hohohoooo..imagine I was korean and need some won :p
Still inside the airport: Interesting christmas decoration. Omoooooo I want one of the golden presentsssss there please fall down to meeee ^_^
Day1
My first destination is a
guesthouse in Hongdae area. Hongik University station is one of the subway station that passed by KORAIL, so lucky me!! *I intentionally search guesthouse near Hongik station, LOL*
I wear my winterwear and take baby step in the snow. Cannot check in because
I’m too early, but I can leave my baggage in guesthouse and continue my journey to
Gyeongbokgung palace. The Biggest Palace in the heart of Seoul. It's a MUST VISIT PLACE!!!!!
Look at the pile of the snow near the gate!!! For a new experiencer of snow like me. They looks gorgeous and want to make a snowman!! Hahaaa!!!
Here is the ticket for admission to Gyeongbokgung Palace 3000 won. So cheap!!
I come just in the right time to witness
“Royal Guard Changing Ceremony" It was around 9am at that time.
The guards are extremely serious. We cannot stand too close to them. There are some security guard just to make sure the tourists didn't interrupt the "ROYAL GUARD CHANGING CEREMONY". We feel like flying to year 1000M when Shilla Dinasty ruled over Korea.
We can wear Korean traditional costumes for free in Gyeongbokgung palace. They even so generous help me take picture ^^ RED my fav color!! Haha I'm a guard too now, I must guard the Korean Kingdom :p
Satisfy with Gyeongbokgung Palace, I continue my journey to Dongdaemun market. Chill weather forced me to grab some food on my way there. Tteokpoki is the most popular snacks in Seoul. Here I found near Dongdaemun.
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| Tteokpoki, must try Seoul street snacks |
Famous to be a spicy food, but I didn't find it spicy. More into sour and sweet taste. Abit spicy for western, but for tropical girl like me, I used to eat more spicy food in Indonesia. But very special taste, unforgettable. MUST TRY!
Shopaholic in one day! Place like Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Namdaemun are heaven for fashion and skincare products!!! They also close each other. I go to those place in one day without subway. Walk and walk and here some random pics of beautiful Seoul. Andddddd....I'm lost everywhere!!! hahaha!!
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| Spot Etude House in Myeongdong |
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| Korean Post Office Building from near. |
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| How to cross the road? |
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| Haechi shop |
I wonder why street shop named: "HAECHI" shop? Here is the answer:
Seoul Metropolitan Government chose Haechi as the Mascot of Seoul City. They use the Haechi Character on public materials, at festivals and events. I have spotted the character somewhere along my travels in Seoul.
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| Spot Korea Grand Sale Banner |
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| There is explanation in hangul for this statue |
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| Some people use bicycle in the road |
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| Beautiful flower aren't they? |
February means spring will come soon. I spot some people take yellow flower in the subway, and now I found the seller!! Why most of them are yellow? I want to ask, but they didn't understand English. Hmm..... but I still love them, bring cheerful atmosfer for the cold winter day.
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| To cross the road, must go through underground shopping center |
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| Korean Post Office from accross the road! |
Finally I can accross the big road!! A bit tricky because after I go down to the underground shopping center, I get lost of direction. I want ask direction, but old people in Seoul doesn't understand English. But the young generation are very helpful and understand English :)
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| Dongdaemun History and Culture Park |
Dropping by in Gwanjang sijang near dinner time is just nice. All nice local food can be find here. Jokbal, samgyetang, kimbap, hweorigamja, squid, chicken, shrimp, and many more delicious food make me hungry. I order some hot soup and kimbap for taking home *oops guesthouse*
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| Gwanjang Sijang |
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| Kimbap |
Night at Hongdae area is one of the best night u could ever find in the world. Nanta Building just in front of my "Hey Backpackers" guesthouse. And I shop some accesorries and of course yummy street snacks there!
My favorite is spicy sausages skewers. Nom nom~
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| Nanta Show |
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| More and more street vendor packed the street. |
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| All accessories only 1000won! What a heaven!! |
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| Many street vendor owner are also the designer |
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| Mr. Donut anyone? |
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| Attraction like this is common in some cafe in Hongdae |
Day 2
The guesthouse is not just nice in location, but the visitors also. I meet some new friends from Canada, Germany, China, and Taiwan. Most of the guys travel alone like me. So we decided to take a brunch together near the guesthouse in hongdae. Our menu is bibimbap.
The special thing about bibimbap is how we eat them. Step 1: we had everything in our table. Vegetables, rice, gochujang, and kimchi.
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| Step 1. Bibimbap |
Step2. Put gochujang and all vegetables in the bowl of rice
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| Step 2. Put gochujang |
Step 3. Mix it altogether, and Tadaaaa!!!! This is it!! Ready to enjoy. Super yummy!!
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| Step3. Mix it altogether |
After finish bunch together we go our own direction. The Chinese and Taiwanese guy will go back to their hometown, My German friend will meet his friend who studied in Hongik University, my Canadian friend is going to the job interview. He wants to work in Korea. ENVY!! hahahaa. So...how about me??? I'm just going to the Seoul Station, browsing some clothes in Lotte Outlet and go to Korean Style Spa ....."jimjjilbang!!"
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| Lotte Outlet just in front of Seoul Station Exit A |
Jjimjilbang! You can get a hot bath, massages, watch tv, eat, sleep, and spa!
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| Siloam Jimjjilbang, 5minutes walk from behind Lotte Outlet building |
What I love the most in Seoul is to be a part of community, So I try jimjjilbang. But my passion
of experience Korean culture makes my first time jimjjilbang become unescapable
moment!! 5 floor of amazingness. Around 15 rooms with different floor and
temperature vary from -20 degree to 65 degree celcius. I tried charcoal room,
salt room, jade room, yellow earth room, and more except ice room. Besides
that, Siloam also have fitness center, massage room, beauty salon.
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| One of 15 spa room u can enjoy yourself there |
After finish spa and showering, I ate smoked egg, very refresh feeling. First, I’m so shy to be in public nudity even separated by gender, but after enjoying myself there, I feel like always want to go back there everyday!!!!!!!!!! I spent my night here since they also have women and men sleeping room. Really guys, this is better than a 5 star hotel!!
Day 3
Day 3 means I must go home T_T Only short trip to Korea. Feel so sad, but I can't bear any more cold days. So this day I go explore Incheon airport. FIVE HOURS in advance before my flight! I must be crazy. But the complete facilities in Incheon airport make boring goes faaaarrrr away from you. Here we go:
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| Stationary, book and magazines in English also provided there |
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| Korean Traditional Cultural Experience Center |
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| We can experience Korean culture here |
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| They teach me how to make this plate using Hanji |
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| The explanation about Hanji Craft |
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| Daegeum, Korean traditional music instrument |
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| Haegeum, Korean traditional music instrument |
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| Gayageum, Korean traditional music instrument |
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| Snoopy cafe also have branch in Incheon airport |
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| So as Hello Kitty Cafe |
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| Orchestra, they make amazing performance in airport! |
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| My best flight experience |
Five hours in Incheon goes very fast. Chilling out in cafe and shopping some skincare in Lotte Duty Free, now it's my time for boarding by Korean Air
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| Jeju Island from above |
Running nose and red face experience because of cold winter, but feel warm inside my heart. If had a chance to go back Korea again, I will very grateful to experience every seasons there. Summer, Spring, Autumn. Wait for me, OK ^_~
