A Week in Seoul
Tami
a year ago
Day 1: From Airport to Home
I had never been to Korea before the beginning of this week but it already feels like I've got the hang of things. Packing up and moving to a new country for a year is not the lightest journey ever, I travelled to Korea with two large suitcases and a carry-on, and as cheap and convenient as transport is, it probably wouldn't have been the best idea to take the subway. I instead opted to book a taxi in advance as this would make for the least stressful journey; there is also the airport limousine but they charge for extra luggage and do not take you directly to your accommodation. Beware of plane cancellations or delays though as they happen quite often with a stopover flight to Incheon around this time. I anticipated flight delays and booked my taxi for an hour and a half after my flight was set to land. This wasn't just wasted time though, I had plans in the airport to pick up a pre-paid SIM card with data and voice calls as well as transport cards. My pre-paid SIM card is with LG U+ and works like a charm, I have an Android phone and can use most of the features but the SIM technically works best with Samsung or iPhone devices. The pre-paid SIM package nicely came with a TMoney card that can be loaded up at any subway station.
As well as this I bought a Namane card which works like a normal travel card but includes visa card functionality so I can pay for food and light shopping whilst on the go. This is handy as many different stores in Korea do not accept international cards. The Namane card can be topped up in the app or at major stations. Another plus is the ability to have any image printed on the card. My journey from the airport was smooth and I was able to relax as soon as I got in thanks to my pre-planning.
Full Day 1: Exploring the Surroundings
My first full day was spent getting to know everything around me and finding a big shopping mall to get other essentials that I had not packed. Prior to moving in, I downloaded Naver Maps and was able to get the hang of it. It is easier to use if you know the location you need in Korean but it has English features as well. I used Naver Maps to find my nearest Lotte Mart and was able to get everything I needed. Payment did not go as smoothly since my Mastercard decided it did not want to work. The app claimed I needed to insert my PIN code to proceed with the payment but most (if not all) card payments in Korea are PIN-less so this proved impossible. The staff were friendly and helpful and showed me to a cash machine when asked (I used Google Translate for that) and I was able to withdraw some cash to finish off my trip to the shopping mall. I used Naver Maps to scout out restaurants in the area and made plans to visit them in the near future.
First Activity: Fur-Doll Making in Apujeong
On my second full day in Seoul, I attended a crafts activity that took place in a quaint coffee shop. This fur-doll making experience was my first activity on Creatrip and was a great entry into the world of crafts and Creatrip. My teacher was so kind and guided me through the process step-by-step in English. The support and encouragement gave me the confidence to tackle arts and crafts after so long. These complicated-looking fur dolls can actually be placed between beginner and intermediate-level crafts and are so much fun to make. My favourite part was designing the outfits for my dolls, which admittedly took me a considerable amount of time. I am grateful to my teacher for guiding me through the process, but I'm especially appreciative for the prior greeting and introduction my teacher gave which put me at ease with this new experience. I would absolutely recommend this activity if you love cute dolls or know someone who does. I went solo and had a great time but this activity is just as good as a duo. This activity also included a free Americano, but if you're like me and don't drink coffee, you can select from one of their teas!
The activity is located in the beautiful Gangnam district, popularised in the west by PSY's "Gangnam Style", known for its vibrant and upscale atmosphere. Transport to Gangnam is very convenient and the sights to see are endless. Using my topped-up travel cards I was able to easily travel around Seoul using the subway and the bus. Travel on the subway is still possible without a travel card as you can buy a single ticket from the ticket machine at any station, don't forget to get your deposit back from your ticket at the deposit machine once your journey is over. On the bus, you should be able to use any other card to pay but a TMoney card will give you a slightly discounted price. Do not forget to tap out on your way out otherwise, you will be paying the full journey fare.
Second Activity: A Tour of Chuncheon and Nami Island
My second full day was indeed very full. I found this trip on Creatrip and had planned to take a trip to Nami Island, Alpaca World and Rail Park in Chuncheon but unfortunately, my initial tour was cancelled due to not having enough people so I booked a similar tour last minute. I was not expecting much but was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of the day. Our guide Mike was very experienced and kind and the day was well-planned and executed. I would recommend this event to anyone who loves animals and nature because it is an amazing experience. I was also offered the choice to try Chuncheon's famous dish, dak galbi which was cheap and delicious! Looking at my fellow tripees, this trip works for all types of travellers. The sights were amazing, the animals were very cute and the rail bike experience was nothing like I imagined, in a good way.
Firstly we went to Alpaca World and were entertained by the alpaca performance, then we were challenged to collect all the stamps around the park to receive free stickers. We only had an hour and a half but I am very competitive. I saw all the animals (except the owls whose enclosure was being renovated) and collected all the stamps. It was very beautiful and the animals were so lovely. Feeding the birds resulted in a wonderful surprise and only cost 1,000₩!
After that, we journeyed to Nami Island, which could be known for popularising Kdramas as it is a principal filming location for one of the first Kdramas to go international, Winter Sonata. You can walk, go on a bus tour for 8,000₩ (which I recommend because it can be a tiring walk), or rent a bicycle/tandem bicycle to explore the island. It has many different species of trees and cute animals that can be spotted around. If you have time, you can visit the water park. I would also recommend making use of the 4-cut photo booth to remember your experience by.
The last stop was the Rail Park. As I was a solo traveller, I decided to pay a little extra for a private bike and I loved it. It was less cycling, and more gliding and enjoying the wonderful view. There is an opportunity for a photo to be taken and it can be purchased once finishing the rail bike course. After that, we took a ride on the romance train which included beautiful music and lovely scenery.
Day Four: A Day of Teas
I have yet to start these activities but today I have two tea-related activities from Creatrip to complete. One is a tour of the Korean Herb Medicine Museum and includes the opportunity to try a foot bath and create my own herbal tea. The other tea experience will be Tea Therapy where I have another foot bath and drink more herbal. Even though I have not completed these activities yet, based on my previous experiences, I can be assured that they will be great. I cannot wait!
Final thoughts:
I have not been in South Korea for up to a week but the many experiences I have had and have lined up have made me feel instantly comfortable and there is so much more to explore. Take advantage of every opportunity and make the most of every day. There is so much beauty to be seen and the people are so kind and helpful.
