Helloooo. I apologise for the long wait since my last post.
I just finished reading the 6th book in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare.
6 books in a week and it was awesome being able to be so absorbed in
my imagination of the world created by the author.
Started reading the first book and I couldn't stop until I finished the whole series heh.
Now that I'm done, I'm finally able to start blogging about my Korea trip. Yay!
Our first day in Seoul was a really relaxed one.
We flew by Cathay Pacific with transit at Hong Kong.
We flew by Cathay Pacific with transit at Hong Kong.
We arrived at Incheon airport at around 5:30am and had to hang around at the airport
till 7am to collect our SIM card from our collection point, KBooks, which only opens at 7am.
There are a few options of getting internet access in South Korea for tourists.
You can rent a portable wifi (egg) or a phone, or you can get a SIM card.
GETTING A SIM CARD IN KOREA
We got a SIM card for my spare Samsung S3 and turned on it's hotspot to share among 4 phones.
1GB of data was sufficient for us and we couldn't finish it even after 11 days.
That is, of course, because my dad regulated the use of data by turning it off when
we did not need it.
we did not need it.
We only uploaded photos or sent photos in Whatsapp groups when we were
connected public or hotel wifi.
There are a few different prepaid SIM cards that you can get in Korea,
and we used EG SIM card.
We ordered online before the trip from their website
http://www.egsimcard.co.kr/
http://www.egsimcard.co.kr/
You pay for the SIM card value of 20,000 KRW and an additional fee for the card itself,
depending on what kind of SIM card you are buying (standard, micro or nano), then
you select the kind of data plan you need (100MB, 500MB, 1GB).
depending on what kind of SIM card you are buying (standard, micro or nano), then
you select the kind of data plan you need (100MB, 500MB, 1GB).
When you apply for the data plan while ordering the SIM card,
they will deduct the usage charge from the 20,000 KRW value.
they will deduct the usage charge from the 20,000 KRW value.
100MB - 5,500 KRW
500MB - 11,000 KRW
1GB - 16,500KRW
Overall we paid 25,500 KRW (around 30 SGD),
which I think is pretty worth it for a family of 4 for 11 days.
which I think is pretty worth it for a family of 4 for 11 days.
The thing about getting a SIM card is that they require the IMEI and Wi-Fi MAC address
of the phone you intend to use and it is not possible to use the SIM card with other phones.
of the phone you intend to use and it is not possible to use the SIM card with other phones.
It's illegal to transfer your SIM card to others in Korea.
You also need to check if your phone is "unlocked", meaning that it can connect to local networks when you use their local SIM card while overseas.
I called Samsung's service center and they told me that all Samsung phones
sold in Singapore are unlocked.
Erm but it doesn't harm to just check again if you intend to use a Samsung phone other than S3
because my memory can be quite bad sometimes.
You also need to check if your phone is "unlocked", meaning that it can connect to local networks when you use their local SIM card while overseas.
I called Samsung's service center and they told me that all Samsung phones
sold in Singapore are unlocked.
Erm but it doesn't harm to just check again if you intend to use a Samsung phone other than S3
because my memory can be quite bad sometimes.
It is possible to buy the card after you reach Korea but I suggest that you do it online
because it saves you the hassle of having to activate the card yourself before using.
because it saves you the hassle of having to activate the card yourself before using.
We chose our collection point to be KBooks at Incheon Airport because we were
reaching Seoul early and this was collection point that opens the earliest.
reaching Seoul early and this was collection point that opens the earliest.
The staff was a very nice lady who helped me set up the APN and everything.
She was also very patient with restarting my phone multiple times before it finally
connected to the network.
connected to the network.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After we were done, it was time to leave our luggage at the guest house
before heading out again~
Our main mode of transport in Seoul was by subway.
TAKING THE SUBWAY IN KOREA
We had to buy the T-Money card (something like EZ-Link card) from a convenient store called CU at the Incheon Airport station for 2,500 KRW each before topping-up at the machines.
I would say that taking the subway in Korea can be quite easy once you get the hang of it.
One thing about taking the subway is that it's really good exercise because
we climb the stairs everyday.
Some stations do not have escalators and we rather climb the stairs than wait for the lift haha.
I was fine with it but the first day we arrived, it was just horrible having to climb so many flights of stairs up from Gyeongbokgung station with 2 suitcases each (1 check-in and 1 hand carry) lol.
Actually it was easier for me la my hand carry not suitcase haha heng ah.
There was this granny who saw me struggling and tried to help me omg so paiseh haha.
#weakling #noob
So anyway any balance you have left in this card can be refunded after a 500 KRW service charge at convenience stores with the T-Money sign.
Definitely a must-have if you're travelling around by public transport.
I read online that you can even use it to pay for stuff at some shops although I didn't try haha.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCOMMODATION
We stayed at Duri House for the entire period while we were in Seoul.
It's a guesthouse and the owner, Mrs Yim, was a really nice host!
She would come out to greet us when we went back at night
and she helped us a lot when we need help for directions to certain places or get info
like shuttle bus timings.
She was really sincere and if she couldn't find the info online,
she would call and ask directly.
Saranghaeyo! <3
A room for 2 costs 45,000 KRW (about 55 SGD) per night and there was free Wifi.
Each room had a TV and a bathroom.
Although the floor had heating, I think it wasn't the best idea to stay over during winter.
The toilet was freezing cold although there was hot water.
Feeling cold at the thought of it haha.
Brrrrr.
Mrs Yim would tidy up the room every morning after we left
so we would come back to neatly folded blankets and beds as well as
empty waste baskets.
The location is not bad as it's located near a street filled with local restaurants
and it's very near to Gyeongbokgung station.
Didn't take a lot of photos but you can see more from their website here:
I made a reservation through the website as well and Mrs Yim would
communicate with me through e-mail after that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOD FOOD FOOD
We couldn't check-in until 2pm so we left our luggage at Duri House first.
We walked around the area and had lunch at Tosokchon.
Ordered a bowl of Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) and roasted chicken to share.
Samgyetang~
Really got ginseng, just so you know haha.
Paiseh ah, the chicken already kenna dissected until dunno look like what le hehehe.
Roasted chicken~
The soup was pretty good, but the roasted chicken was so-so.
We went to shop around E-dae afterwards before heading back to the guesthouse.
After checking in and lepak-ing in our rooms for awhile, it was dark outside already
(the sun set around 5:30pm) and we headed out for dinner.
Found this shop along the street near the guesthouse and decided to give their food a try.
Had a bit of trouble communicating though, but we still ended up ordering food haha.
Fooooood.
Feeling hungry right now :(
The meat was not bad leh seriously.
They used these huge slabs of don't-know-what instead of the usual charcoal.
At least, they don't look like charcoal to me.
Interestingggggg.
Maybe someone can enlighten me what they are haha.
After dinner, we came across a lady selling sweet potatoes by the roadside.
She cooked the sweet potatoes in this...machine thingy?
Damn cool!
Sorry I very suaku never see before haha.
Bought 2 back for supper!
Selfie time!
Clever people hide behind hehe.
躲得最远的就是我了.
Bought some fries as well before heading to our parents' room for a gathering.
Those fries became a daily thing when we were in Seoul lol.
1st day in Korea and all we did (well, mostly) was to eat and eat -.-
It was super cold, which was why I didn't feel like exposing my hands
to the cold to take more photo haha.
I have no idea whether it was the low temperature or what, but my camera started to freeze (punny haha) sometimes when I zoom in or when I look through my photos.
Had to force restart by removing and replacing the battery urgh.
It's still the same now that we are back in SG.
Gonna send my baby (and by that I mean my camera) for repair soon~
Alrights that's all for day 1 in Seoul!
Hope any of the info is useful for those who are planning to go to Korea.
Thank you for reading!
With love,
Minnee
No comments:
Post a Comment