Sarah's Travelogue - Korea 2015 Part 1 (Free & Easy in Jeju)

Just came back from our Free & Easy Korea trip 2 weeks ago. Been so busy with work that I can only start to pen down on the fun and adventure we had during our time in Korea.

First thing first, we booked our Flight tickets from Singapore Airlines. Honestly speaking, this is my first SQ experience, and I was quite excited about it. Tell me who's isn't when you kept seeing posts on Facebook about getting world class services on a SQ Flight.

Promotion tickets cost us about S$700/pax

We took the 0805 Flight which will take us to Incheon Airport by 1500 (local time) about 6.5 hours of flying time. 

First time getting a menu on board a Flight :)

 My first meal on board the SQ

Cleared the immigration within an hour, and we went looking for our Pocket WiFi. We booked it through their online website here. It costs us US$5.25/day (all around Korea, including Jeju Island) with a refundable US$50 deposit (in case you did not return them the router after using). It's quite reasonable-priced as we didn't want to change our SIM card to a local one. Singtel is charging S$15/day for unlimited usage for the data roaming package. So all in all, we decided to rent from the Pocket WiFi.

We took quite a long time to find them as we were expecting to collect from a counter. However, they're just sitting at the passengers seats with 2 luggage full of the routers.

To be precise in locating them, you can find them at Exit 7 on 3rd floor of Passenger Terminal in Incheon airport.

After which we made our way to Gimpo International Airport for the domestic flight to Jeju Island. Initially we wanted to buy our tickets online first, but after much considerations, I decided that we should buy over the counter. It might be more expensive but we didn't want to risk missing our flight due to unforeseen situations, like flight delay, cannot clear immigration on time, etc. 

Airport Railroad (AREX) is the most convenient way to get to Gimpo International Airport. They have 2 types of tickets, Express Train (Non-Stop all the way to Seoul Station) or the All Stop Train. Just need to be careful when buying the tickets if you're going to Gimpo International Airport. 

Fare Cost: 3,550 WON (S$4.45)/trip/pax

Once you reached Gimpo International Airport, all the airlines there will have flights to Jeju Island. We took the Asiana Airlines as they have the earliest flight out (7:25pm) and return tickets cost us 389,600 WON (S$243.50/pax).

 

50 minutes of flight time and we're in Jeju Island, temperature was quite cold around 3°C. We put on our coats and sweater and waited for the Shuttle Bus which will take us to the KT Rental.

Self-drive in Jeju Island is highly recommended, as the buses are on schedule and frequecy is about an hour. You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in order to rent a car there. Even though the Singapore Driving License is an international license, in Korea they do not accept that. You can always get the IDP from the Automotive Association Singapore. There is a validity period for this IDP, so I suggest you to apply an least 2 weeks before your actual trip. 

Shuttle bus is free services by KT Rental, about 10 minutes drive away from the Airport.

 

When you make the online reservations, you do not have to make any payment yet. Payment is made over the counter and they only take credit cards (no cash payment).

5 days of rental cost us 185,100 WON (S$236). If you calculate daily, it's around S$47.20/day. It's so much cheaper to rent a car in Korea! The rental comes with insurance & English GPS navigation to bring us around.

2736! We love this car so much! :)

 

We rented the Hyundai Avante (automatic) and we had a great time driving it. Both of us had our first time driving on the left hand side (opposite to Singapore) and initially we kept taking reference from the right side. It takes us some time to get use to it, and after that it's a breeze to drive around Jeju.

Our accommodation in Jeju for 4 nights is at Dreaming Forest Pension. We booked through Agoda and the rates are quite reasonable. S$348 for 4 nights for a standard double house. It's about an hour half drive from the Airport, located in Seogwipo (2nd city in Jeju Island).

GPS Coordinates: 738-1010

FYI, the telephone number is the GPS coordinates used in Jeju Island. Similar to our Postal Codes in Singapore.

 

 

 

This is not exactly the kind of hotels room that we booked. It's more of a 2-storey house with Kitchen, bathroom & living room. The bedroom is on the upper deck (with dressing table & hair dryer!) whereas at the lower deck, we have a living room, dining table, kitchen and bathroom.

We also have a small balcony to enjoy the scenery outside, sipping coffee and having breakfast. Kitchen comes equipped with pots and pans, utensils & even plates. So we can actually cooked our meals if needed. 

When we arrived at the house, we were too tired to go out for food, and were really surprised to find a basket with instant noodles & eggs in it. The owner prepared these for us and we were so glad to have something to eat. 

Had our dinner, cleaned up and fell asleep before a long day out tomorrow.

[Contest] Win a FREE Family Trip to Korea this Winter!

:) This is my first time sharing information on a contest on my blog. 

I super excited about it because the prize is definitely going to get you jumping around!

Proudly organized by the Korea Tourism Organization "Win a Family Trip to Korea" for you, you and you to participate.

Tons of activities waiting for you to do during the winter season! I, myself can't wait to get back to Korea just to roll on the snow, get my butt freeze off! :)

I MISS THOSE WINTERS DAYS WHEN I WAS IN KOREA!

Get you really excited about it?
 It's just a simple step away from taking part in this contest!

All you need to do is to SHARE this information on any social media platform!

TEMPTING! So why are you waiting for? Get it going, and you might be the lucky one! 

GOOD LUCK! :)

For more information, please refer to the official website.

Also, you can refer to my Korea post early this year, where I get to kick start the new year! :)

I see snow for the first time in my life! ^^

:) Started 2013 with an overseas trip to Korea! Yes, I specially wanted to go during the winter time so that I can see snow and of course to get my butt frozen! ^_^!!!!

I was on tour package this time round instead of F&E. The top reason being language barrier. I practically only know a few Korean words (which I learnt from the drama) and I'm definitely sure won't get me anywhere.

Signed the package at the NATAS Fair in August and cost about $2k+ / pax with air ticket, accommodation, food inclusive. Initially we think that it's quite expensive, but after the whole tour, we realized that it's quite worth it! :):):)

It's a 8D6N trip, quite packed and tiring, but seeing those snow on the ground and wearing thick layers of clothes make me super excited! I'm a winter girl, not a summer lover at all! ^^

Itinerary as followed:  

5th & 6th Jan: Jeju Island - Pacific Land, Shangri La Yatching, Teddy Bear Museum, Seongsan Sunrise Peak, Tangerine Orchard, Trick Art Museum, Yongduam Rock

7th: Seoul - Lotte World, Yeoju Factory Outlet, Oak Valley Ski Resort

8th: Gangwon Province - Banana Boat Snow Ride, Cheese Making, Mount Seoraksan National Park with cable car ride, Gwongeumseong Fortress, Shinhungsa Temple, Aqua World (Spa)

9th: Seoul - Seaweed Gallery, Ginseng Showroom, Cheong Wa Dae, Dongdaemun Markets & Shopping

10th: Seoul - House of Cosmetic, Amethyst Gem Factory, Natural Health Showroom, DFS, JUMP Show, Myeongdong Shopping Street, Namsan N Seoul Tower

11th: Seoul - Gyeongbokgung Palace, Provision Shop (Korean food), Home sweet Home :)

Some favorite shots from the whole trip, more can be found on my Facebook page! :):):) 

At the Pacific Land, waiting to check out the animal performances.
On the tour bus trying to get away from the strong wind outside! ^^

At the Seongsan Submit Peak! :) That's me with the 石头爷爷!

It's super cold but we braved it and climb all the way up for a magnificent view of the volcano! :):):) 

石头爷爷 is considered as one of their 神像 in Jeju Island. You will see this pair (usually) even outside their shops, which I think it means prospering business.

 

:) At the Yongduam Rock, meaning the rock looks like a dragon head. 

HAHAHAHA! I guess it's the constant wind erosion that cause the rock to shape like that. 

Spent 2 days in Jeju. Indeed it's a beautiful place, well-conserved! Definitely coming back here again. This time round I'm planning to go up the Hallasan, the tallest in South Korea! 

Took the flight back to Seoul, and the first stop is to Lotte World! It's a theme park, with indoor and outdoor rides. You must be wondering who will want to play the outdoor rides in this butt freeze weather! HAHAHA! But you're so wrong, lots of kids will brave this kind of weather to go get their heart popping in those rides! ^^ I'm no exception!

Our first ride of the day: 海盗船! It's not as scary as I thought, and can you imagine throughout the whole ride my legs are trying to hold on to my bag. 

PS: They allow us to bring our bags on the rides which is weird since in USS, no bags are allowed for most of the rides.

I never miss the chance to play the carousel! :):):) 

PS: Do you know this carousel is where 天国的阶梯 is filmed at? :)

Spent almost half the day in Lotte World and after that we rushed on to the highlights of the whole trip!!! :):):)

S.K.I..I.N.G!!!

It's about an hour plus trip up the northern side (which is colder!). We got our rented ski clothes, gloves and ski masks are a must (at own cost) and goggles (rental, about SGD10)! :) The shop owner is friendly and has 2 lovely dogs! 

Our stay for the night is at  Oak Valley Ski Resort. 

First impression: A high class chalet, with the basic necessites! 

That's until you see what's the room like! HAHAHA! It's a house with 2 bedrooms (1 with a normal king sized bed, the other is tatami style), a kitchen, living and a balcony! ^^ DAMN SHIOK! Heard from our guide, January is the peak season for the Koreans as the kids are having their winter holidays. Thus, most of the rooms are booked and we're fortunate to be allocated to this super big house! 

Make a guess how much this house cost per night??? ^_^_^

........

SGD500++ O.O!!!! *OMG!* More photos on the resort can be found on my Facebook Page! :):):)

1 night stay and the next day is our first try at skiing! :) Initially I thought how hard can it be? I mean you have 2 poles to help guide you right? HAHAHA! Trust me, as a first timer, you'll be surprised how hard it is to move, stop, change direction and go back up the slope. HAHAHA! Even though it's damn cold, I'm actually sweating underneath. -_-""

But it's super fun (though tiring), and Mr. is so interested in going up those intermediate slopes that he actually ask to come back to Korea for skiing! OMG x100 times! HAHAHAHA! 

P.S: It's the first time he initiate going overseas! 

Enough said about skiing, our next destination is Mount Seorak National Park! :) It's even further up north, and according to our guide, we're about 2km away from North Korea! *WOW!* Unfortunately, you won't be able to see any part of N.K even at the summit. 

:) After a 5 minutes cable car ride, we're at the top!

It's a very windy day that we have to force a bit to walk in the wind. HAHAHA! And after this trip, I honestly can say that wind can blow you away! -_____-" 

See the amount of snow! *LOVE IT!*

Next day, we are back to Seoul and it's time to shop and spend money! For the past few days, we didn't get to shop much as it's purely scenery and skiing trip. 

Now that we're back in Seoul, we were brought to some of their famous shops like the Korean Ginseng, Seaweed Museum and House of Cosmetics. 

Also, the popular shopping district like Dongdaemun Markets & Shopping & Myeongdong Shopping Street. 

We even make our own way to the N Seoul Tower (which is very near to Myeongdong Shopping Street)! Told the guide that we'll make our way back to the hotel! ^^ Beautiful scenery up there! *ROMANTIC!*

Last day before we fly back, we visited the Gyeongbokgung Palace. It's a place full of history and I'm definitely going back there to take more photos! :):):)

Some of the shots inside the Gyeongbokgung Palace! :) 

Seoul is full of different palaces, and if you're visiting, do plan a day just to visit these old structures. You'll be surprised that these old palaces are well kept to pass down the long generations of history.

This is supposed to be a very short post, but in the end too much words to tell you guys how much fun we had! The 2K is totally worth it! *Trust me!* ^_^_^_^

And now that I'm back in Singapore...

I really wish that the weather would be a bit (or should I say a lot) cooler than now? -___-"

韩国我来了!!!

YEAHHHHH, I got the go ahead from Mr Lin to book for our Korea trip! Though it's next year, but still I can start to countdown slowly......WAHAHAHAHA!

Had a great night talking with my Senior, seems like there's so many places that I wanna visit now. ^_^_^_^

Maybe Cairns, Australia? HAHAHA!