Satisfying 5 Senses Trip in Korea

We felt bad for leaving our 2 kids at home when we're enjoying our Korea trip in 2012...

 

Ups, I didn't blog for Busan, Gapyeong and last 2 days in Seoul.

Therefore, we brought them for their maiden trip to Korea in September 2013. 

But again, we'd to leave them as I won myself a flight ticket from 11street Korea in 2014. My hubby joined me as he was afraid I might get lost if I travel alone. 

Then we planned to have white Christmas with kids, however it's impossible as almost everyone applying leave on that month. The only leave slot available was end November to early December. So no choice but to take it~!

Until now, it's still hard for me to believe that I won VIP Invitation Tour. This fully sponsored by Visit Korea suddenly surfaced before our family trip~! ^^

Currently, I was in the middle of making big decision. First, it just ring a bell that it's a nice idea. However, considering our current situation it's quite hard to make it come true, so we decided to put our excitement on hold. Listened to suggestions and did a lot of homework and realized that  we'd to execute it now considering our ages and others factors. Hopefully everything will be smooth sailing~!^^ Thinking too much also won't solve the problem, so just let nature take its course.

 Now, let me continue to blog our Satisfying 5 Senses Trip in Korea.

   

 Singapore Changi Airport.

 Scoot Business Class from Singapore to Seoul.

 

Although it's Scoot business class but frankly speaking

Korean Air Economy Class is better and nicer.

The legs room is maybe about the same, but there's no movie to watch. The service for Business Class is very limited. I ordered 4 different meals but they gave us all the same and we couldn't change them. Even with discount I think it's not really worth it...

 

Meal from Singapore to Taipei.

 One hour transit in Taipei.

 Bibimbap + Salad +  Icecream + Wine.

 

 Reached Incheon Airport around 9:15pm, and it's super long queue

at customs clearance, and by the time we claimed our luggage 

it was already 11:00 pm.

Although I knew that we wouldn't be in time to take AREX Express Train as the last train is 21:40. Actually I was planning to spend a night at 'Spa On Air' jjimjilbang, but then my daughter and me might not be able to sleep. Therefore, I planned to take airport bus to Seoul and stay in cheap hotel there.

Didn't know that the last late night buses to Seoul

mostly ended around 23:00 pm.

Pretty awesome we missed the bus, and left with no choice but to take normal train to Seoul. But considered our and I think it was also the last train!  

One day gone just for traveling from Singapore to Seoul. Thought that we'll have more comfortable and cheaper flight (after discount). It's actually not the case, as we might ended up spending more money for hotel and taxi if we missed the last train. Next time, we need to take note on the flight timing especially now knowing that not all business class has the same standard.

Korea Traditional Cultural Experience at Incheon Airport

It's crisp weather and the sun was hiding between sky scraping buildings. Imagined myself to walk around the heart of Insadong again. Oh, I won't be seeing these dried and bald trees, as they will turn to green shelter. I don't need to war winter jacket by then. It must be a nice breezy day. A gust of wind blew towards me and interrupted my daydreaming! Airport limousine bus stopped in front of me and will soon bring me back to the reality. 싫어~!!! 

 

I wish the cold weather can freeze the time... this heart inside me still so reluctant to go back. I wanna close my eyes and cry, but wait I just missed nice views. Sigh! why the bus run so fast... too late for me to snap Bosingak bell pavilion...

 The 40th Anniversary Monument of Gojong's Enthronement - built in 1902.

Should on my HP and update Facebook status, who knows Do Min Joon 

read my status and freeze the time for me :P

 Red Bridge and Han River.

 

Shades of Blue Sky and River.

There are lots of bridges...

 along Han River on the way to Incheon.

 

 Namsan? Hhmmm... hahaha me not sure!

You must be 100% sure, confirm and chop on this one, right?

Yup, the bus finally arrived at Incheon Airport!

 

First, went to Korean Air counter to get Boarding Pass...

 KE643 Incheon (ICN) - Singapore (SIN).

Panicked as couldn't find Olleh counter after went up and down. I only saw SK Roaming counter, so I asked for direction and luckily they know. Haiz... when I can improve my direction skill yeah?

Suddenly hungry when passing Dunkin Donut counter, and bought

this Blueberry + Cream Cheese Donut. 냠냠냠~!!!

Finished the donut in a minute time! Well, pardon me... I'm totally out of energy after running up and down inside this gigantic Incheon Airport.

Left not much time after settled everything... I'd to go in in case I lost my way or couldn't find the gate and late to catch the flight?

   Walked passed Korea Traditional Cultural Experience Center.

 I think still have 5- 10 minutes allowance to browse gift shop.

Colorful Hanbok and cute miniature of Korean Sundial 

(first made by Jang Yeong-sil during Joseon Dynasty).

Gayageum - Korean Traditional Music Instrument.

  

 I think this space is for Traditional music performance as there are drums there,

or maybe you can wear Hanbok and take photos there too...

     

If not pressed by time, I could wear beautiful Hanbok

and take photos or make traditional handicrafts

from Hanji or mother-of-pearl work. 

These experience programs are offered free for foreigners.

 I heard an announcement in Korean, but didn't really notice it as busy to take selfies.

Suddenly when I walked out, these Royal Guards were standing in front of KTO.

 

Wow~! Were they being teleported from Joseon Dynasty to modern Seoul?
If yes, please teleport me back with them later~~~

 

Even I'd been to Korea for 3 times, but didn't have time to see royal guards before... 

You can actually witness Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at palaces.

They are preparing and some of the officers clearing spaces for  the parade to take place...

 Eunuch announcing the arrival of the King: "주상 전하 납시오." 

(His Highness graces us with his presence), and bowing 90 degree.

Fortunate enough to catch "Walk of The Royal Family" parade.

It's like watching Historical Drama but with modern background settings :)

  King and Queen following by handsome Prince, beautiful Princess and Royal Maids...

안녕하세요~! Good bye~!!

HP battery was totally flat, and Camera memory was full. Hhmm, I think they signaled that I might be late if I still standing there and watch. Ok, I sprinted up to the gate and thanks god I didn't lost my way... still have 15 minutes or so  to catch my breath. Hehehe...

[Seoul] - Center Mark Hotel

The first 2 nights we stayed in Sejong Hotel, and we booked our last 2 nights in CenterMark Hotel.  The location of this hotel is a plus point as it's nearby to major tourist attractions such as Unhyeongung, Gyeongbokgung, and Gwanghwamun. For shopaholic, a 10 - 20 minutes stroll will bring you to shopping districts such as Insadong, Samcheongdong, or Myeongdong.

The front desk lady really friendly and helpful.

The receptionist able to converse fluently in English. She asked us to rest at the lobby, while she helped us to process our check-in with our passports and Agoda booking confirmation. After that, she came to our seats, walked us to the lift and even pressed the lift button. Then she handed us the room card and wished us a happy stay with her nice smile.

A decent sized Standard Double Room.

Clean and comfortable room with modern facilities.

    

Bathroom with bathtub, warmed water and heated seat bidet.

              

This is famous Jongno Tower, what a great view from our hotel window.


Free Wifi internet connection in the room,
It's time for Olleh WiFi Router (Pocket WiFi) to rest and recharge :)
 

Quite rare to find 3 pins socket together with 2 pin socket.
Great to have additional socket because we have so many devices 

to recharge. You know batteries lose power quickly due to cold temperature.

 

 Art de Chef Buffet Restaurant.

 Breakfast : 7am ~ 10am  |  Lunch : 11:30am ~ 3pm  | Supper : 6pm ~ 10pm

Our room is not included breakfast. We actually wanted to try their lunch buffet, but it was already closed after we check-in the room, so we'd Ginseng Chicken Soup at Mogyo Samgyetang (무교 삼계탕) which is just opposite the hotel.

There are some restaurants and cafes at this food alley behind the hotel.
Can you see that gigantic office building? 

              

Top Cloud (탑클라우드) restaurant sitting on top of this 33-storey Jongno Tower.
Imagine myself enjoying tasty meal and majestic view of Seoul!

Walk to the end of the alley and you'll find subway station.

Jonggak Subway Station is about 5 minutes walk from the hotel.

Jonggak underground shopping center~^^

       

In front of YMCA, you can find airport Limousine Bus.

We took this bus to Incheon Airport. It's more convenience

rather than carrying luggage to Seoul Station and take AREX.

                        

 Kill time while waiting for the airport bus :P

I was left alone, as hubby took early flight. Actually wanted to go to airport earlier, but don't feel like to drag heavy luggage... so just spent a lazy morning gazing out from the window and silently say goodbye to Seoul.

Sigh... missing Seoul already though I'm still in Seoul!

When can I see you again my lovely Seoul?!