Flashpacker Inside

I like my coffee served at 80^C.

[erosecaras]

JEJU ISLAND

TIP#1: Get a private tour.  Just make your own itinerary and you’re good to go. There’s a bus that goes around but it comes by after every hour. Taxis are hard to come by. 

TIP#2: Grab a HOT PACK (sold for KRW1,000) at any convenience store if you’re using iPhone so it doesn’t die every so often because of the cold weather. 

TIP#3: Go to Mt. Hallasan early. That is if you’re going to hike. Coz the hiking trail closes in the afternoon, and earlier during winter. 

TIP#4: Stay in the City. Staying in resort by the beach is luxurious but you’ll never know what you need. Staying in resorts would mean you’re probably 2 hours away from the nearest groceries.

TIP#5: Eat their delicacies. Just eat everything :)

[erosecaras]

SEOUL KIT

1. Have your address written down in Hangul! Like, flash cards. Or something like that. You may want to include places you plan to visit. Although their subway system is efficient, the city is so large that you would have to walk a lot. When you get too tired and decides to get a cab, they won’t accept you as their passenger if they cannot understand where you are trying to go. My parents had to show the address written in Hangul for the driver to be able to input it in his GPS.

2. T-Money is used for the subway, bus, taxi, and other stores. But I just used mine for the subway. It can be purchased in convenience stores for KRW2,500. Some cute cards are sold for KRW4,000 so you might want to watch out for that. After buying your cards, add credits to it. I initially credited KRW10,000 and it lasted for 2 days. Subway is KRW1,250 per trip if you use the T-Money.

3. Korea Subway App. It basically tells you how to get around using the subway. It’s free.

[erosecaras]

SEOUL SIDE TRIPS

Korea Subway App to help you get around. It’s free and it has recommendations.

Sungnyemun Gate Korea’s largest castle gate stone. Seoul Station Exit 4.

Samcheong-Dong Strip of local cafes and restaurants and local clothing stores. Hippie, artsy place. Across Gyeongbokgung Palace which is at Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5.

Insa-Dong Area of local restaurants, souvenir shops, and antique shops. Small inns also found in the area so young people may appreciate staying there. Anguk Station Exit 6.

Cheonggye Plaza A site developed to appreciate Gwanghamun Stream. Gwanghamun Station Exit 5

Myeong-dong Shopping area. Food stalls are set-up at night. From typical Korean street food at KRW2,000 to Lobsters and Steaks at KRW8,000-KRW15,000. Meyong-dong Station Exit 6.

Namdaemun Market Similar to Ladies Market at Mongkok, HK. Typical food stalls at night that sell food at KRW1,000. Fresh fruits and veggies can be brought here if you’re planning on cooking. Seoul Station Exit 5.

NOTE: Seoul itself is very big for a walking city. If you’re with your family (I went withu my family, 8 people with my parents and a kid!), you might want to limit your itinerary to ONE MAJOR SPOT like Gyeongbokgung Palace EACH DAY. These spots are good for side trips and you can have lunch here or dinner.

[erosecaras]

Seonjeongneung, Royal Tomb, Gangnam

1. Take Exit 8 from Seolleung Station 2. Walk straight (Highway) until you see an ancient looking wall (That’s it!) 3. Follow the green path to reach the entrance (KRW1,000)

[erosecaras]

Nami Island, Gapyeong, South Korea 1. Take ITX Train to Gapyeong from Yongsan Station (KRW4,000) 2. Take Gapyeong tour bus for unlimited hop-on-hop-off (pay at bus driver for KRW6,000) right outside Gapyeong Station 3. Get down at Nami Island (Wharf) drop-off point and walk straight to parking lot to wharf 4. Pay ferry fee (round trip) for KRW10,000 to ride ferry 5. Take note of bus schedule in case you want to visit other sites and for your trip back to city