I spent 13 days in Seoul and Cheonan. I took Scoot and upgraded to Business Class as I needed the 30kg check in baggage and the meals. The air ticket cost me S$840.16, I find it reasonable since it’s a super peak period.
I departed on 24th Dec which is Christmas eve, the whole flight duration takes about 8 hours 10 minutes with transit at Taipei. My flight takes off at 12.30pm and reached Seoul Incheon International Airport at 9.40pm (Korea Time), Korea is 1 hour ahead of Singapore. As usual I booked the airport transfer from Klook, so that we can reach the hotel faster and easily. There is a late night charge of 20,000 Korean won.
Our accommodation at Seoul is The Grand Hotel Myeongdong, which is located near Myeongdong Station and the shopping street. I just love the location of the hotel, it’s so convenient to get around.
Day 2 (25 Dec 2017)
I had been waiting for this day to arrive, because it’s K.Will 10th Anniversary Concert. The concert tickets start selling to the public on 31st Oct 2017 7pm (Korea Time) and I remember at 5.30pm (Singapore Time) I was sitting in front of my laptop hoping to get good seats. It’s my second concert in my life, the first one was S.H.E.
In the morning we went Namsan Seoul Tower. We bought the tickets at S$14 per person through Klook and it includes the Observatory and Hello Kitty Island. We took the wrong route, instead going to the left of Pacific Hotel, we went to the right and had to walk a longer route. Ting is afraid of heights, so I gave her 2 choices, either she walk up or take the cable car which is faster. She is the lazy type so she took the cable car with her eye closed and kept pulling my bag.
We felt embarrassed at Hello Kitty Island as we were the only adults without children visiting, but we had a great time taking photos. The scenery at the observatory is so nice, we bought a cup of tea, sat there and enjoy the view.
Ting was very tired from the walking so we pack lunch back to the hotel. I let her rest for 1 hour before we departed to Jangchung Gymnasium for my K.Will concert.
We took subway to Dongguk Univ, lucky it was easy to find. I should have go early as the merchandise were all sold out, I wanted the light stick. We entered at 5.20pm and the security was very strict, he doesn’t allow any photos or videos to be taken, but lucky Ting managed to snap the stage. I really enjoyed the whole performance and suffered from the after-effects.
Day 3 (26 Dec 2017)
Shopping day for me, Ting doesn’t like shopping she only loves to eat and sleep. We only went window shopping at Garosu-gil. We skipped lunch to eat the street foods at Myeongdong, it’s really delicious and cheap.
Myeongdong is one of the cosmetics heaven, but it’s very packed at every store, I prefer to go Hongdae as it’s less crowded and I can have the salesgirl to myself. As the hotel is just nearby I got everything from Myeongdong so that I need not carry the heavy shopping bags around. I love one of the Innisfree hand cream, I will make sure I stock up whenever I visit Korea. I also love buying the latest cosmetics or the latest trend.
We went back to the hotel to unload the shopping bags and rest. Our last stop of the day is shopping at Lotte Mart, which is Ting favourite. We went to the one located at Seoul Station, sadly the last operation date is on 31stDec 2017.
Day 4 (27 Dec 2017)
Came across Teseum Teddy Bear Museum located near Dongmyo Station at Klook website, didn’t knew there is one in Seoul. The tickets is S$12 per person. Both of us almost die of exhaustion from climbing the stairs. Singaporean are really lucky as we have escalators and elevator at MRT, in Korea 90% are staircase and I always see the elderly struggling while climbing the staircase.
We were the only customers so we were able to roam around freely and no distraction when taking photos. We went to the DIY section to design carousel, the price is affordable. It’s simple and fun and most important I get to know how to design carousel.
Next stop, we went Dongdaemun Design Plaza. While strolling around and taking photos, we were approached by an elderly lady. I wanted to reject her help when she offered to help us take photos, but Ting accept it. I don’t feel comfortable and knew there must be a motive behind it. She asked where we are from, what kind of language we speak in Singapore. The whole conversation I was looking away and busy with my phone, Ting is the one who entertain her. Finally she show her true self, she introduced and gave us her church pamphlets, telling us how great it is. I had to end this conversation, so I told the old lady politely that I’m having stomach-ache and needed the toilet. We had to escape to one of the shopping plaza in Dongdaemun to avoid bumping into the old lady.
Day 5 (28 Dec 2017)
We woke up early to wash our clothes as we will be leaving Seoul to Cheonan in 2 day time. It’s a cultural trip today. We went Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong. I like buying Korea design souvenirs from Insadong. This time I found and bought Hello Kitty and Hello Daniel dressed in hanbok, it’s one of my best buy.
I think I’m not fated to visit Hello Kitty Café in Korea, as I’m sure to lose my way and can’t find the café. In the end I gave up and found myself shopping at Hongdae and Ewha Women’s University Shopping Street.
We ended the night early as we will be going on a 1 Day group trip to Jeonju.
Day 6 (29 Dec 2017)
We had to reach Myeongdong Station, Exit 2 at 7.50am, as the bus will pick us up at 8am sharp. As usual we bought the tickets via Klook and cost us S$62 per person. It’s a 3 hour bus journey, with a 15 minutes toilet break in between. We arrived at Jeonju Hanok Village at 11.40am and it’s our free time and sightseeing. We admired the Hanok architecture and tried the traditional food. We went to a café ordered drinks and chatted about the good old days before we departed at 3.40pm to Seoul.
Had dinner at Yoogane and last minute shopping as we will be leaving for Cheonan the next day. We tried to sleep early but we were too busy washing all our clothes and packing the luggage.
Day 7 (30 Dec 2017)
Another event I had been waiting for. Sun Young had been inviting me to go Cheonan and stay at her house. I bought her and Ji Young (sister) their favourite Singapore brand Charles and Keith bag, Singapore Sling, Hippo chocolates, chilli crab sauce, instant coffee, kaya, instant milk tea, TWG tea and Ji Hoon (son, 3 years old) toys.
We had to take KTX to Cheonan. I reserved the train that depart at 1.10pm, so that Sun Young had enough time to settle her son before coming to fetch us. It’s a short journey of 34 minutes.
We felt bad as she let us use the master bedroom while she and her husband slept with their son. She was so happy when she received the gifts, took photos and called her sister, mother, husband, best friend to brag about it. While the mother is busy bragging, the son is busy moving the gifts from point A to point B. After getting bored with the moving, he drag Ting to his play room. He is so happy that he had 2 new auntie to play with him.
Our first dinner at Cheonan is my favourite barbeque place, the marinated meat is really delicious and best is they used charcoal to grill the meat. It’s nice to see that the restaurant was passed down from many generations, allowing customers to go back and savour the food.
Ji Hoon is so excited about our visit to his house. It’s already 10pm and he does not want to sleep, keep staying by our side. Sun Young had no choice but to hide the both of us in the room, who knew both of us fell asleep first.
Day 8 – 12 (31 Dec 2017 – 4 Jan 2018)
Sun Young brought us to a snow sleigh to experience the ride. It’s my first and last time riding this, it’s so fast and my lane had a hump toward the end of the ride, therefore I flew a little.
We had a small celebration on New Year’s Eve. First we had to make Ji Hoon sleep before we can start the celebration, so again the both of us hide in the room till he slept. Had cakes, snacks and beers to welcome the New Year. Sun Young loves to drink beer and every night she will prepared snacks to go with the beer. Although we have language barriers but we managed to chat everything under the sun.
We tour around Cheonan during our stay there, it’s my first time not planning any itinerary. We just follow Sun Young plan and it was great enjoying all the activities and foods she plan for us. It’s really tiring being a tour guide, she fell sick but lucky it’s not so serious.
During the trip, Ji Young invited us to her house as she wanted to treat us dinner. Initially she wanted to order delivery but we teased her to cook for us. With the stress given to her, she cooked Kimchi Fried Rice for us. She emphasised that she is not a good cook and not to have high expectation. Sun Young told us she love going to Ji Young house because she can push Ji Hoon to Ji Young while she relax.
Scoot was having promotion and with excitement I helped Sun Young and Ji Young booked their trip to Singapore. Yes, they are finally coming to Singapore again after 3 years.
Ji Hoon also had enjoyed our company. Sun Young and I were happy that he loves playing with Ting, as Sun Young can teach me how to cook some Korea dishes. Thanks to Ting, Sun Young also can had some time off to enjoy a cup of tea with me.
Day 13 (5 Jan 2018)
Our last day in Korea and it’s always sad to leave when all of us are getting closer. Ting and I went to the supermarket and florist shop to get Sun Young birthday cum farewell gifts. It really surprised me that Ting does not know there is a florist shop near the house, as we will pass by everyday when we entered the car park.
Sun Young was so touched when she saw the bouquet, the atmosphere was happy and sad and we found ourselves crying.
Sun Young and Ji Young husband will be sending us to the airport. It’s a more than 2 hour journey from her house to Incheon airport, in total they will be spending about 5 hours on the road. We left her house at 3pm as we were afraid there will be traffic jam.
Our flight is at 10.40pm (Korea Time), will be reaching Singapore next day at 6.15am.
To Sun Young, you are really a good host during our stay. I enjoyed every minutes and the memories created. Looking forward to your March holiday in Singapore and hoping to visit you again.
