I am back from Korea!

Tadah!

After so much drama in Korea lol... Too much to share to be honest... From incidents that happened when we self-drive in Ulsan and Jeju to people whom we meet when we are unsure of their intentions. Thankful to have people who helped us along the way that was out of our expectation.

This trip, I have gained much more experience. As to traveling and be courageous alone (im a noob lol), to open my mind and to enjoy what there is to enjoy.

Some little sharings!

1) Got to adapt to the left hand driving... that includes you having to multi-task with the usual driving and deciphering the Korean GPS... and the little roads branching by the side! Some little incidents happened, but we were glad that those did not result to injuries etc

2) Missing the spot to U-turn, driving safe may result in something you didn't expect! Well, if its me, I will just drive like a haphazard road driver lol
My friend drove safely in Jeju, so perhaps because of this it resulted in good fortune that we spotted the KSGI Jeju center! And eventually, as a result of this visit, we managed to drop by the KSGI Jeju Training Center too! Really grand and huge. Amazing...

3) We tried the gangchon railway bike! During autumn. Damn cold can but fun!

4) I finally went to Nami Island and Jeju!!! Wanted to visit these 2 places back in 2013 summer but... it was the monsoon season so it is not so safe... was raining throughout during that summer I went

5) I exercised! Climbed the SeongSan Ilchubong! and I was out of breath... There are proper steps though :) the view at the peak is amazing... a pity that the breaking dawn has been covered by the clouds and minimal fog... But nonetheless, we stayed on a while more and we spotted the sun peeking through the clouds! and it went hiding a few seconds later lol (Sunrise and Sunset are really fast! Catch it, record it before you missed the moment)

6) We went on road trip in Ulsan! Something different from the usual Gyeonggi-Do, Busan, Jeju, Seoul! Ulsan is not so tourist friendly even though it does have tourism website to guide all of us... You can opt for the Ulsan bus tour but we have decided to go for self-drive! This is so that we can visit places where we would like to visit! Went to 3 places I think! Gan Jeol Got, Taehwanggang and Seonam Lake Park

7) We attended the local KSGI meeting too! and to my surprise I saw a friend whom I met in Korea in 2013!! Really pure hearted group of members

8) I think the sales persons in Seoul whether it is in Ehwa, Myeong Dong, Express Bus etc they seem to be really angsty this season... Much less to talk about negotiating the price and requesting for more samples lol and by the way, not sure if it is indeed the season... there isn't much sales for cosmetic products -.- and I didn't even get samples for things that I buy... for your reference, I bought like at least a total of SGD500 on those products in different stores... haiz :(

For sure, never shop for cosmetics in Ehwa. Confirm no samples.

9) Tax refund procedure changed a bit...

Check in first. You may deposit your luggage when you check in if the sum you gonna refund is lesser than 30,000won.

For tax refunds lesser than KRW30,000 accumulatively, just proceed to the kiosks near D and J at the departure hall. The officer will assist you with scanning of the forms/receipts. Remember to standby your passport. It is required. After which, they will direct you to either Gate 27 (kiosk refund) or Gate 28 (manual refund. normal opening hours) after you cleared the immigration.

For tax refunds more than KRW30,000 please proceed to the manual tax refund counter at D and J. Here, the officer may check on the goods that you have bought. I guess it is also dependent on the length of the queue... After which, I believe it works the same way as the guide even above. Remember to deposit the lugagges at the Oversize Baggage counter beside.

E.g.
My friend and I checked in our luggages. Then we proceed to the kiosk. The person directed us to Gate 27, when we realized after we cleared the immigration that, is refund kiosks... which we are unsure if we will be able to get the refund on the spot... or credited to our cards which may take up to 2 months... So, we just proceeded to Gate 28 since its tax refund anyways. And yep! Gotten the refund on the spot (you may choose to receive the refund in USD, KRW or RMB)