130321 Blissful Korea Trip Day 1

crdt: Air Asia

I’m very anxious about the Korea trip as it is my first time walking around by my own. If you ask me how long I did the researched, it really took me a lot of effort. Most of it I refer to blog for places but I double confirm by checking their map in NAVER. Naver really helps if you need to find your way in Korea. I plan this trip for 6 months or more. Before I start to summarize my trip let me gives you tips on purchase lower price air plane tickets. It’s best to plan your trip one year ahead so you can save up money. Usually the flight schedule will out for 6 month period. Choose your date wisely, it’s recommended to fly on Tuesday or Wednesday because it’s cheaper and not only fly but purchase the ticket on weekdays is better. When I bought mine, it cost around RM1200 which include 20kg & 25kg plus meal for both ways (Air Asia). 

My flight is on the 21^st March at 1 am but I already apply leave a day before to settle my luggage packing and others. We went to LCCT by Airport pick up service [LCCT/KLIA Limo] which cost us around RM140. Then, goodbye Malaysia and Hello Korea! We arrived a little bit wait not a little but quite late than our estimated time. Thank god the driver who are picking us up still there with my name on the paper. *suddenly feel like an artist* Step out from the airport, the wind really hit us and it was cold! *but I like that weather* me and my sister wanted to smoke before we continue our journey but the driver straight bring us to the car and as a result straight to the guesthouse.

NAMSAN GUESTHOUSE

I’m staying at Namsan Guesthouse which located at Namsan-dong opposite Myungdong shopping area. I’m totally recommending you guys this guesthouse. Check out their website [Namsan Guesthouse].

Check in, unpack and rest. We got some sleep before going out for sightseeing. First, we hiked to Namsan Cable Car Station. For Korean it’s normal for them to walk up the hill because they have lots of hill it. For us Malaysian, it’s totally drained our energy. FYI, Namsan Cable Car station located nearby the guesthouse but due to the steep hills, it took us more than 10 minutes.

 Directions from Guesthouse:-

How to get there? Just walk straight up the hills till you reach dead end. On the left, there’s a stairs take that stairs up and you can see cable car station is on the right. From here, if you walk straight further up, you can see Kim Sam Soon stairs.

I bought return ticket to Namsan Tower or N Seoul Tower which cost at 8,000 won. Once you reach at the other side, you need to walk up the stairs and you’re there. The alternate way of walking up to the cable car station is by bus. Walk down towards the subway station or bus stop station. There is a bus going to Namsan tower but it will stop nearby the peak. So you need to walk up wait similar to hike up the hill. So basically, you still have to hike the hill.

We don’t really spend a long time there. Look around, took some pictures and search for hot guy(?) hahaha! We didn’t go up the tower because it’s basically nothing plus I’ve been there before. So we got down and head for lunch but have no idea where should we go. TwoTwo chicken restaurant saved our hungry stomach. Not to mention the smell of tteokbokki and odeng (fish cake) was really tempting.

Since we will be going to ride the subway at night, we decided to stop by GS25 and inquire about T-Money. T-Money is similar to Touch N Go in Malaysia. 

You can buy this in GS25 convenience store and ask for T-Money. The T-Money card cost 2,600 won (if i'm not mistaken) then you can top up 30,000 won (삼만원 sam man won).  I top up for 50,000 won but there's a lot of balance left. So it's advisable for 30,000 won top up. Next if you have smart phone or phone which can detect wifi, you can also ask for Olleh Wifi Prepaid.

You will receive a receipt like the above. Once you connected to Olleh Wifi, open your browser and you need to key in the 12 numbers, your name and passport number. Once you key in you have to wait for a few minutes before you can surf happily.

At night, we went to Dongdaemun but a little tip for everyone please don’t go to Dongdaemun at night because there’s nothing except for shops closing. From the Dongdaemun station we walked for a few minutes before we arrived at Gwangjang Market. Thank god that Market is open. We ate our dinner there. We had small size Kimbab or if I translate from Korean is Drugs kimbab?, tteokbokki and odeng. The ahjumma very nice to us and we even pack back with us plus with extra of everything she gave to us. Really encourage you guys to come here. It will be perfect if we come here during the day. Compare to Malaysia, I think they close their shops quite early. 8pm in Kuala Lumpur everything still open and crowded. 

Then, we scroll down to Cheonggyecheon stream but there’s nothing. So frustrated!!!! If you have a date it’s nice to walk around that stream as you can talk and get closer to your partner. **A note to myself, next time visits Dongdaemun during the day** 

After the stroll, we got back to the guesthouse and hangout at the cafe. Inside the Myundong Subway station has a cd shop. I bought my friend album orders there. Seriously, compare buying in my country here in totally cheap. See ya for the 2nd day post. Good night! 

Here I want to share this B.A.P One Shot dance cover by St. 319 from Vietnam. They are totally awesome!!