It's summer again and guess what? I went KOREA againnn! =D Annyeong Korea!! *waves*
Yes, this is the second year I travelled to Korea. There were many places I have yet to cover when I went there last year. Thus, a second round of adventure!
Since I have a preference for comfort over price, I flew Singapore Airlines again. The tickets cost slightly higher as compared to last year due to the period we travelled. It cost S$789.20 per pax. But well, my next trip to Korea may jolly well be in 5 years time?
Coincidentally, the period we flew was during the world cup period and Changi Airport was well into the world cup with PS4, foosball tables, and live and repeat telecast of the matches! It seemed like everyone was having the world cup fever.
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| One of the many PS4 at Changi Airport |
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| Foosball table we played at. Needless to say, I lost to my bf terribly hahahhaa... |
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| Playing live and repeat telecast of the world cup matches. Very entertaining for travellers who need to transit. |
Probably after 3 hours of playing, we boarded our plane. As always, I will pre-order seafood meal, while the boy will settle with whatever they have for that meal! Don't get me wrong, I'm not picky yo.
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| Seafood meal with baked fish and potato |
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| This should be beef with potato |
The flight was about 6-7 hours from Singapore to Seoul. Our plane landed at Incheon Airport in Seoul. As we reached at 10.30pm, we had to layover near Incheon Airport for a night before we catch the flight to Jeju the next morning.
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| Incheon Airport |
Accomodation for layover:
Where: Incheon Airport Gogo House
How: Call hotel at the Information Counter at Incheon Airport. Gogo staff will direct you to the pick-up place. Free shuttle service to and fro Incheon Airport is provided by Gogo staff.
Note: Gogo House is conveniently located at less than 5 mins drive from Incheon Airport. Do remember to indicate the flight details when you book the hotel. Upon check in, check with Gogo staff on the shuttle service back to Incheon Airport.
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| Incheon Airport Gogo House Admin Room |
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| Our huge room at Incheon Airport Gogo House. There were 3 beds though it was for 2 pax. |
It was near to midnight when we checked in and settled down. And that was when we realised that we need fooood!! Gogo House is surrounded with restaurants and mini-marts. Hungry souls, you are saved! We went to a restaurant located on the right side of Gogo House that sells grilled meat, bibimbap and army stew.
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| Side dishes |
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| bBibimbap |
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| Spicy Tofu Stew |
The next morning, we took the shuttle service back to Incheon Airport. As we booked our Jeju flight through Eastarjet, and our flight flies from Gimpo Domestic Airport, we had to make our way there.
Travel from Incheon Airport to Gimpo Domestic Airport by Airport Bus:
Where: Airport Bus counter near to Information Counter at Exit 4 and 9 at Level 1
How: Buy bus ticket #6003 or check with counter staff for the earliest bus to Gimpo Domestic Airport
Note: Airport bus is more convenient than Arex as airport bus stops directly in front of Gimpo Domestic Airport. Alight at the second stop - first stop is Gimpo International Airport while second stop is Gimpo Domestic Airport.
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| Airport Bus Counter |
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| Bus tickets from Incheon Airport to Gimpo Domestic Airport |
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| One of the bus stations |
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| Our bus #6003 |
We reached early and had brunch at Gimpo Domestic Airport. This airport is rather small and we took a nap at the resting point.
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| Jap-Western fusion meal |
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| An excuse to rest our legs |
We booked our Jeju tickets from Eastarjet. This is a budget airline and the planes are somewhat like Jetstar with 3 seats on each side.
Air Ticket from Gimpo Domestic Airport to Jeju International Airport
Where: Eastarjet
How: Register as member for discounts before booking at http://www.eastarjet.com/
Note: Book early for member's special rates
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| Departure area at Gimpo Domestic Airport |
The flight from Gimpo Domestic Airport to Jeju Airport takes about an hour. As it is a domestic flight, the process to collect luggage is like a breeze! This time round, we decided to self-drive in Jeju, after reading reviews about how easy it is to plan and navigate your way! Once we landed, we proceeded to Gate 5 exit for the rental car shuttle bus service. The shuttle bus brings you to the car rental company which is within the vicinity.
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| Walk along this road (without crossing the road) to Gate 5 exit for the rental car shuttle bus service |
Car Rental Service
Where: KT Kumho rent-a-car (Contact: 064-751-8000)
How: Register as member (for great discounts) before booking at https://www.ktkumhorent.com/eng/main.do
Note: Opt for English GPS. Left-hand drive. Always keep right.
KT staff speaks English which makes the car handover and explanation easier! Since Jeju is a left-hand drive, we had to keep reminding ourselves to always keep right. The GPS is most reliable using contact numbers of the places you want to go to. When in doubt, you can check the contact numbers with the hotel receptionist before driving off the hotel :)
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| Our rented car |
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| Navigating our way after collecting the car. Yes, it was raining... |
So, the first stop was none other than our hotel. We booked our 2 nights stay at Goodstay December Hotel. I chose the same hotel as last year's as the hotel room is cosy and clean. It is also near to KT Kumho and Jeju Airport.
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| Our room at Goodstay December Hotel in Jeju |
Due to the rain, we changed the sequence of our itinerary. We went to the south side where it took us about 1.5 hours drive.
O'Sulloc Museum
What: Green tea museum where visitors learn about various green teas available, retail shop for visitors to purchase green teas and tea accessories, and food and beverages that sells wonderful green tea ice cream and swiss rolls amongst other food.
Where: Seowang-ri, Seogwang Tea Field, Tel: 064-794-5312
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| Food counter at O'Sulloc Museum |
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| Green tea ice cream, hot green tea latte, iced green tea long island |
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| Tea merchandise |
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| More tea selections |
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| Green tea field |
Teddy Bear Museum
What: Many teddy bears on display, including bears dressed as Mona Lisa, dressed in Korean traditional clothings and the famous LV suit.
Where: Saedal-dong, Seowipo-si Tel: 064-738-7600
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| Landmark for Teddy Bear Museum |
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| Entrance |
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| Mini bears on display |
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| Boxing bears |
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| Disney bears |
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| Dressed in "Gong" clothings |
As it was drizzling for the entire day, we decided to head back to our hotel before the sky turns real dark. We had our grilled meat dinner at this restaurant near to our hotel, with the help of the hotel receptionist.
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| Front of the grilled meat restaurant recommended by our hotel receptionist. |
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| Guests started to stream in very soon after we took this photo |
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| Our grilled meat |
We bought some bread from Paris Baguette en-route our way back.
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| Paris Baguette near to our hotel |
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| Wide selection of bread and pastries |
We were greeted with cool weather on the second day! The best weather to travel - windy, no rain and no sun-shining-like-a-diamond. :) Hence, we proceeded to head to the east!
Yongduam Rock (Dragon Head Rock)
What: Dragon head lookalike that is formed naturally by wind and waves over thousands of years
Where: Yongduamroteo-ri, Yongduam-2dong Tel: 064-728-3918
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| Entrance of Dragon Head Rock |
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| The legendary Dragon Head Rock |
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| Spotted this sausage dog at the Dragon Head Rock |
Hamdeok Beach
What: Clean, clear and calm waters great for family outing
Where: Sinbuk-ro, Jocheon-eup Tel: 064-728-7882
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| Hamdeok Beach with restaurant |
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| Pretty waters |
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| Arched bridge |
Seongsan Ilchubong Peak
What: One of UNESCO World Heritage. Seongsan Ilchubong Peak is formed 5,000 years ago by hydrovolcanic eruptions upon a shallow seabed. The best time to climb Seongsan is before sunrise to witness the awesome sunrise view, thus it is also referred to as the Sunrise Peak.
Where: 284-12, Ilchu-ro, Seongsan-eup Tel: 064-783-0959
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| Seongsan Ilchubong Peak, also known as Seongsan Sunrise Peak |
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| Admission ticket 2,000 won per pax |
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| Tourist phototaking spot |
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| At the starting point with various directions |
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| Reached the peak! Finally! :) |
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| Crater covered by plants |
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| Long trail back to the car |
After we descended Seongsan Peak, we continued to walk past the admission counter, exit the carpark and turn to our right. This is the same place where I had the awesome seafood hotpot last year and had been craving to eat this again. And, we managed to find this restaurant. We ordered seafood pancake and seafood hotpot, though it cost slightly more than last year's.
Han Seong Restaurant
What: Fresh seafood
Where: With your back facing the Seongsan Peak, this restaurant is located along the road on the right, Tel: 064-782-4646
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| Font of Han Seong Restaurant |
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| Seafood pancake with side dishes |
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| Seafood hotpot |
All In House
What: Filming location for popular miniseries "All In" in 2003. However, the building design is undergoing some changes and it looks like some candy house.
Where: 261 Seopjikoji-ro, Seongsan-eup, Tel: 064-782-2810
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| All In House undergoing changes and it looks somewhat like a candy house |
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| The other side of All In House |
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| You will see this lighthouse at the end of the path |
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| This building is at the northwest of the lighthouse. |
Mazeland
What: Filming location for RunningMan! There are 2 maze games, each with different routes of difficulties for visitors to choose from.
Where: 2134-47 Bijarim-ro, Gujwa-eup Tel: 064-784-3838
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| Spot the 2 different routes |
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| Price chart |
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| Admission ticket 8,000 won per pax |
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| Runningman logo at the top |
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| Entrance of the maze route |
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| At the viewing deck to figure out which path to go. Meanwhile, enjoy the scenery! |
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| Games located indoor |
Manjanggul Cave
What: One of UNESCO World Heritage. 1km of the lava tunnel is opened to the public. It is cold, wet and dark inside the lava tunnel.
Where: 3341-3 Gimyeong-ri, Gujwa-eup Tel: 064-783-4818
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| Landmark of the Manjanggul Cave |
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| Admission ticket 2,000 won per pax |
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| Entrance of the Manjanggul Cave |
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| Inside of the Manjanggul Cave brightened up with the help of spotlights |
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| At the 1km mark, you will see the lava column. This is the further point opened to public. |
Well, we headed back to our hotel before the sun sets for the day again. With the help of the hotel receptionist, we had Samyetang as our dinner. Samyetang means ginseng chicken soup.
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| Samyetang with whole chicken, ginseng and glutinous rice. 11,000 won |
The next morning, we drove to a nearby petrol station to top up diesel before returning the car to KT Kumho car rental company. We drove around quite a lot but we used only half tank. After we returned the car, we took the shuttle bus back to Jeju International Airport.
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| Queuing to board Eastarjet flight from Jeju International Airport to Gimpo Domestic Airport |
After an hour, we reached Gimpo Domestic Airport. We took Arex from Gimpo station to Seoul station and transferred to line 4 to Myeongdong station, where our hostel is located.
See part 2 for details of our Seoul journey! :)
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