Korea Travelogue: Beautiful Nature Beautiful People

DAY 3: NAMI ISLAND AND GANGCHON! FINALLY!

During my last summer exchange in Korea, I didn't get to go Namiseom due to the super rain so ferry stopped transporting passengers over to the island... So I only managed to tour Petite France...

This time round, we havent had any issue with the weather! and the tall trees are botak 💇 now! What a great time to visit 😚

We headed over to Gangchon railway park first and tell you, ITS DAMN FUN! DAMN COLD! DAMN FREEZING COLD! AND THE VIEW IS AMAZING!

We went out super early, that explains our sleepy face...💤

We alighted at the Gimyujeong station~ and let the photos do the talking :)

Look at the little kiddos lol

Huge ass "giant books" as the wall

Purchase the tickets and queue up! We bought the 4 pax bike at 35,000won

Briefing is done only in Korean so hmm... Don't be afraid if you don't understand cos there is demo done concurrently e.g. how to use the brake, the pedal, the safety distance etc

All aboard! oh ya and you really need a glove at this season! and possibly a face mask... cos bike goes down the hill so fast you feel the chill in the air

These ahjummas in front very slow lol

 lol the disco tunnel haha 💭🎆🎇🎈🎉🎊🎧🎶

Its a one way trip for biking and we return via the choochoo train to another destination though

We went to a restaurant nearby the Namiseom for lunch!

Took a shuttle bus to the nearest station and went over to Namiseom!!!

Seeeee even the ground is beautifully covered by the yellow leaves

We went to Hyehwa cos I wanted to return to this fond place where I stayed for a month during the exchange. Wanted to see if my turn turn chicken store is still here

YES TURN TURN CHICKEN STILL HERE!!!

damn spicy lor

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DAY 4: JIMJILBANG AND KAIKAN TOUR

Actually we wanted to go for the DMZ Tour but probably cos last minute too tired so we cancelled... never mind shall leave this for my third trip hahaha #alwaysareasontoreturn

We went to the Sauna place nearby our accommodation and here you go! The sheep towel lol

We went to ehwa after Jimjilbang where I get my hair done while the girls when shopping and cafe hopping haha

I did my hair at Juno Hair. Their facility is good, clean and sleek. Service is good too. I got my hair cut, dyed and permed. In total, I think I spent about 250,000 to 300,000 won. Cos I read up prior to my trip, I am prepared to spend this sum of money to groom my hair lol

The hairdo is really nice and I like it :) The first day, my Hair looks a little weird but after a few days, it's really pretty haha I think! Very satisfied!

After setting my hair, we headed over itaewon to meet up with a KSGI leader! She brought us to the discussion meeting venue! Meeting held in Korean language 😓 can't understand

I met the lady on the right during my last exchange in Korea, where some of my SSA friends and I went over to Jincheon for a KSGI kenshu and we stayed in the same room together! How coincident!

After the meeting, we followed the KSGI leader (ahhhh I forgot her name!! was it Joo Young?) to the Kaikan at Yong San station area

Met up with a few other YWD leaders in KSGI!

Korea Travelogue: My second trip doing weird things

This is my second trip to Korea and it's nothing short of amazing :)

We explored places where we've never been to and probably a few less touristy place (but really beautiful) and tried new stuff :P #yolo

I have posted about the summary of my trip here: http://etylin.blogspot.sg/2015/11/summary-of-316inkorea.html do read it up for some guidance if you need. No photos though... so it can be rather dry

So here it goes~!

DAY 1: SLEEP IN INCHEON AIRPORT 😮

If you have read the summary post you would have known that I went on this trip with 2 of my friends where I traveled together with 1 of them to Korea first and the other joined us a day later.

PengPeng and I bought the cheap air tickets from SIA's promotion $710 only! 😀 ⛘But we flew on a red-eye flight. Given the bo-hua-ness, we decided to stay overnight at the airport just to wait for Poh to arrive the next morning, and to save up on some 💰.

If anyone wants to know if it's safe to sleep at the airport, I think it is... cos there are travellers and cleaners around too. We slept on a bench at level 1 departure hall, there were some others who slept on the benches too lol

Just take note that, it is really uncomfortable to sleep on it cos it's hard and the length of the chairs combined is also too short for a person like me (height 155cm)... Just so you can imagine that anyone could hardly sleep well... 💤

DAY 2: TRAVEL TO ACCOM! OFF TO HANGANG! 🙌

Poh met up with us and we took the airport limousine to our Airbnb apartment within walking distance from Seoul station!

After settling down at our apartment, we walked over to the Seoul Station's Lotte Mart to source for some tidbits and other food 😋 to be brought over to Hangang!

On the way to Hangang, we saw this playground and got a little fascinated at a Korean Playground 😂

I think we went over to Hangang via a kinda different than usual route... So we got lost but there were a few kind ahjussi and ahgassi who directed us to the place!

It's autumn when we went, so the trees are like a botak lol

Chio right?! Actually we wanted to rent bicycles, but it's either closed or we couldn't find a kiosk nearby our location.

After the night picnic at the Hangang, we went over to LINE shop 😍😍😍... Forgot which station this is at oops

Head over to some BBQ place for our dinner!

Just look at the meat and drool 😝

We went back to sleep after this!

Summary of #316inKorea

I am actually contemplating if I should start writing the journey/travel guide to Korea this time round... And, I have decided that I should especially so that this shall serve me well in the future if I happen to revisit Korea :) Just like how my previous entries did, when I am preparing for the travel this year.

Buying stage.

I have been pestering my friends to travel to Korea together ever since 2014, probably due to the good experience I had in 2013 Summer exchange lol

And so, the trip has not been fulfilled until 3 weeks ago.

It happened that, SIA was having a super good deal flight promotions, and Korea is one of the included destination. Woots!!!!

So, I got pengpeng to ride on this super-good-must-buy deal, ends up we only paid SGD710 for a premium flight to Korea, economy class of course. :D But, that would also mean, the travel time and day is really bad... We flew on a Monday afternoon, arrived in Korea on Monday near midnight.

Preparation stage

As the travel date draws closer, pohpoh has decided to join us in this trip too! But, the deal has ended. Nonetheless, that didn't stop her from joining the jiemeis ^^ She purchased the flight from Koreanair I think for about SGD800+ which was pretty ok too

And so, we met up a few times to tie down the places where we want to go in Korea (Seoul, Busan, Jeju and... Ulsan - Try somewhere different!), the method of traveling, the accommodation.

Accommodation

For all our accoms, except for Jeju, we purchased from Airbnb! And the apartments are really amazing :) and cheap, and near the station! We got ourselves duplex apartment (double floors)

Our accommodation goes like this:
Seoul Part 1 - Seoul Station
Ulsan 1 day trip (self drive)
Busan - Busan station
Jeju - Good Inn Hotel (booked via booking.com)
Seoul Part 2 (Shopping spree) - Hong Dae station (easier to return to the airport)

SIM Card/Free Wifi

Given that we have 3 people, and its shorter than a month stay. I originally wanted to get the pocket wifi, so that the cost can be divided into 3.

SIM Card - I suggest perhaps you can get EG SIM Card. It's still the best option in my opinion...

Pocket wifi - mobilepop! It's quite cheap I feel! Compared it to most of the providers in Korea, Olleh, KT etc... 70,000won in total for 14 days, 3 pax.

However, on the day of collection in the airport (they do delivery to the apartment too! So, you don't have to collect at the airport if your flight timing is as strewed as mine), we decided to call off the booking. Because it is highly wired in Korea, especially Seoul, there are wifi available in most cafes. (No wifi in the subway, unless you are using SIM Card that allows you to tap on either Olleh or KT wifi)

Mode of Transportation

Traveling in Seoul is easy peasy, just take Subway train! If the distance is short, and you have 3 to 4 people, take a cab might be an easier and cheaper option! For example, a few days we were so exhausted by the walking, shopping, carrying heavy things and its raining, we took cab from Hong Dae shopping district, to our apartment in Hong Dae near the subway station. That's like about 15mins walk. It costs us 3,000won in total.

The starting rate is usually 2,800won or 3,000won. The cab rate will increase exponentially. Hence, not recommended to take cab for long distance... it can be quite expensive.

To travel from Seoul to Busan or Ulsan, as foreigners, we bought the Korail One Day Pass for I think about 53,000won per person! We traveled to 2 places for that price. Damn cheap ok...

Traveling in Ulsan was a little problem, but thank goodness for pohpoh knows how to drive lol and teohteoh (which is myself lol) knows a tiny bit of Korean.

We booked the car for a day from Hertz Lotte car rental. Collect at a small store about 300m away from the Ulsan KTX Station. We lugged our luggage over... and return the car at the stipulated time opted by us at night, at the same place. We were looking for car rentals that allows us to collect car in Ulsan, and return in Busan... But, to our dismay, no such service available...

GPS was provided by default, however in Korean... It was easy to understand by just looking at the directions illustration given. We wont be able to understand the Korean audio though... which is a pity... So, I assisted on translating the audio to Pohpoh (who's driving) in English. Ulsan, or rather Korea as a whole, has a lot of small roads/alleys... So, got to be careful of where the GPS is pointing towards.

We have been cabbing around in Busan lol... We are taitai like that. FYI you can use Tmoney in Busan subway :) however, you cant use that for Busan internal city bus rides

Then, we took Jejuair to Jeju from Busan! The flight is damn cheap... 1/3 the price in Summer.

We flew from Busan to Jeju. And, Jeju to Seoul. Costs us about 75,000won in total.

We self-drive in Jeju, cos 1 couple joined us and that makes 5 people sharing a rented car! the costs isn't too expensive in fact. Probably cheaper than renting a cab driver for 8 hours, and having to pay for the petrol and his meals.

FYI, Jeju car rental GPS goes by telephone number of the places of interest. Usually, we will key in the postal code, but for Jeju, please key in the telephone number!

Rough itinerary which we didn't really abide to

Day 1 - Seoul - Arrival (sleep in airport T.T we later figured out that we should just take the last airport limousine at midnight to the city, and sleep in Jimjilbang instead... no lounge once you exit the custom in ICN)

Day 2 - Rest, Hangang, Gangnam, Garosugil, SM Town, COEX Mall

Day 3 - Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Park

Day 4 - DMZ, JimJilBang

Day 5 - Ulsan - Ganjeolgot, Seonam Lake Park, Tae Hwa Gang Grand Park

Day 6 - Busan - Jalgachi Fish Market, Gam Chon, Da Dae Po (fountain of dream)

Day 7 - Haeundae, Taejongdae, Gwangalli Beach

Day 8 - Lotte Premium Outlet

Day 9 - Jeju - Sunrise peak, Seopjikoji, Maze Park, Manjanggul Cave, Miniland, Stone Park, Black Sand Beach, Dongmun Traditional Market, Yongduam Rock, Mysterious Road, Love land

Day 10 - Junbang waterfall, Cheonjiyeon falls, Oedolgae rock, Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff, Chocolate Museum and Osulloc Green Tea Museum

Day 11 - Seoul - KSGI, Dong Dae Mun

Day 12 - Hong Dae, Edae

Day 13 - Lotte Mart, Ice Rink, Ssamziegil

Day 14 - Singapore

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So I guess that's about it for now. At a later part, I shall start throwing in photos, and specific guides for the 14 days journey in Korea!

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)

Progress check!

Ushering into the last half of the year... A recap of my new year resolutions and a progress check!

2015 resolutions 1. Travel with family to Taiwan, Korea or HK!
- Australia with Sister!

2. Continue to strengthen the faith YWDs in the 4 districts
- Still working on it!

 3. Strengthen n build comradeship in SIMSD
- Still working on it!

 4. Be the dialogue queen
- Still working on it!

5. Learn pc software n language!
- Language (Malay)

 6. Find a job which empowers me n able to contribute to gakkai
- done!

 7. complete HR n 4 NHR books at home
- Half way through!

 8. BE EARLY!!!!!!!!!!!
- Done!

 9. Transform myself through SEA Games (refer to point 2, 3, 4, 8)
- done!

 10. overcome my bed
- done!

 11. Love my family and friends even more and... 내 인생의 사랑을 찾다 :)
- done!

12. keep fit #whoatheabs
- got to work on it :/

YFP Journey 2014 - I go to wherever my mission lies

Trying very hard to recall back to the month when I went for the audition, when I got contacted, and when the training started... but, #goldfishmemory activated.

Anyway, a long long story here~

Audition:

So, I remembered SIMSD had our Institution Meeting in the afternoon at TSC, and then, we headed down to HQ together after the meeting itself for audition! While packing up and travelling over, we heard news that it is super crowded in HQ! #daebak (story trimming) we reached HQ, and the queue was alright probably cos our is the last batch already! 

We were led to basement to watch a few videos i think! and there, i remembered i registered for the SD item, since Im in SD right!!!! hahah We had no idea what it is going to be like... heard news here and there that its gonna be a combination of SD and SYDC so I guess, most have made a judgement that its gonna be hip hop! and... we were right!

After watching the video, we were then guided to HQ ICA. Sat at the friendship hall for quite a long time~ then enter the hall! Did some dance moves, which i later know as the zumba moves!

Contacted:

Received call from an unknown number at work (then, I was still with GENS Legal) and I gave it a miss. I dont pick up unknown numbers. However, the unknown number kept on appearing so I guess it could really meant to look for me... so I picked it up, walked out of the office towards the pantry which is very near my office... in a dark pantry without anyone, standing near the window, gazing outside... (haha grandma story)

So, apparently, its the item ic for one of the item in YFP. and... obviously, I thought its YFP trainer for SD item calling me la. but no.

"Hi, is this Elaine? This is Lay Hoon from RHQ 6(?). I am the item IC for YFP Zumba item" and the question came, "will you be able to take up the role as a block ic?"

deep inside me, is....

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"wwwWHAT??" "YAYY!!" "NAYYY???"

well, a mixture of feeling. lol... shocked, happy and then abit sad la... 

Shocked and Happy - major role and a heavier role after a 2 years as trainer.

Sad - in the youth item, not SD item...

But nonetheless, I accepted the role! Cos' I think its gonna be a challenge and hence a big breakthrough for me!

Haha and thats answering many people's similar question on why am I not in SD but in Youth item. Well, its not that I have graduated from SD la. I go to wherever my mission lies :)

Meeting the trainers:

It was fun and then a bit awkward la... its like im a 插班生。。。they have already started their trainers training for a few times already and then I came in to become their blk ic. a bit awkward? no? but thats just my personal feel. then again, my group trainers are just so nice, and cooperative!! and I grew a lot with them :)

Journey:

The journey itself is really ups and downs. break down moments when nearing the actual performances.

Securing a training venue is also an issue... I am really touched and encouraged by our YWDs who despite all the changes in venue (sometimes only to be informed of the changes a few days before hand) still stuck with us throughout.

After that, comes the costume issue... which i can only describe as a face palm moment. #likeseriously charging us an exorbitant price for a rough piece...

Merging with the YMDs. We had a hard time trying to get them practise with us. The only reason would be, they really needed the time to practise their human towers to at least ensure the safety and to breakthrough. So they had to prioritize.

Admin matters/Plots really took up a lot of time and are often urgent. So, one my trainer even complimented (I'll take it as compliment HAHA), "wow Elaine! It's like you are working for YFP part time" hmm I guess she is right to say so. As KAH ourselves, we are really fighting against time even little break time at work to solve/clear the YFP matters.This is indeed once in a life time and hard to come by... Just imagine how many more YFPs or YCFs, I am able to participate in? 2 more? 3 more?

So, thanks to our CH and CJ who drive, they are the ones who always bring us home whenever they are available to do so. If not, the cab team will just hail a cab home in the middle of the night lo and then hold dialogue with the cab driver. hahaha!

Actual performances on 20/21 December at TPY Stadium/Sports Hall:

A few weeks before the actual, we went down to recce the place, to ensure that the dimension that was given is understood clearly by all of us and to feel the ground.

20th - morning to night time:

KAH arranged to meet up early at the stadium itself, and there are a lot of performers who have reached! very early... Due to instructions given, and thanks to those instructions, the youth item had to keep shifting our holding area from sheltered to non-sheltered and back to sheltered again. A number of the performers are not too happy with it. oh, and it was super hot. Bluntly said, preview wasnt done well, at least from what i see la.

There comes the Show 1 in the afternoon, few minutes into the actual show itself, it rained. heavily. the rain came in timely. (I shant elaborate further since it has been shared a lot of times already)

and most memorable, was the umbrella walkway :)

Show 2 ended successfully.

21st - morning to afternoon:

KAH met up early again. This time round, we made the decision not to follow the previous instructions given, and stick back to our designated holding area instead of the muddy ground.

and then, it rained in the afternoon again.

ok its kinda late. Im tired and I want to sleep. bye! shall continue when I have time to do so! (which probably may be a few weeks/months later after a long hiatus lol)