Thankful Third Trip to Korea

Thank you 11st for return ticket that make this winter trip to Korea possible. 11st is Korea Online Shopping platform which allows you to purchase from few sellers, combine shipment for all your orders to save shipping cost. They provide international shipment for overseas buyers too. Please check this link for my shopping experience with 11st. 십일번가 짱!!!

Hurry and check this month 11st Event / Promotion:
1. Free K-Beauty: [Banila Co]  CC Cream,  or [The History of Whoo]  Soon Hwan Essence, or [Nature
    Republic] Hawaiian Fresh Clay Pack.
2. 50,000 Won Shopping point for 5 best reviews every months.

I just came back from Korea for my Birthday trip with my family in Sep 2013. Yap, this is my 3rd trip in Korea with my hubby. Initially, thought to go with my friends or my sisters, but they're not available. My hubby quite worried if I travel alone, because the chance for me to get lost is about 80%. Therefore, he bought air ticket to accompany me (hhmmm... I think it's an excuse! He likes Korea too!)

It's still winter (Dec - Mid Mar) in Korea that can be bitterly cold, especially for us that so used to tropical climate. I really wish to see snow, but really worry to see the minus degree on weather forecast. I asked my Korean friend whether I can survive the cold in Korea.  He commented: "You are cold-vulnerable South East Asian. You wont make it at all. Give it up". ㅋㅋ

Haiz! Not even encouragement~! But, I didn't give up! And these photos are the proofs that we survived the cold weather, and had pretty much fun and enjoy ourselves in Korea ^^

10 cold but cool days of fun but furry covered from head to toes! :P

 Day 1 - Day 5

Seoul, Incheon Soraepagu, Yeongju, Busan

Day 6 - Day 10

Jeonju, Muju, Suwon, Seoul

Rough itinerary was Korail railroad trip (O-train, V-train and S-train), cultural tours to other provinces that I've not visited yet. And a must skiing experience since it's winter. Seems quite straight forward, but it's actually quite tricky and headache as I need to check on the transportations (Korail, Kobus, Easy Ticket) with time schedules.

I emailed to KTO to enquire on transportation information that I couldn't find such as from Gyeongju to Masan, and Gwangju to Jeonju. They replied me with the Naver Map link (in Korean) with Departure Time, Arrival Time, Bus Type and Ticket Fare.

Initial Itinerary after few changes of places to stop / transfer 

as I couldn't find transportation from one point to the other point.

Gyeongju to Jeonju Bus Information by Naver Map

From there, I tried to explore on how to check on other destinations by bus: Yeongju to Busan and Muju to Seoul. It's really very useful with accurate information on bus timetable, bus terminal address and website.

Final Itinerary 

Well, not too much changes for Final Itinerary as I only knew how to use Naver Map 2 days before my departure date after I received replied email from KTO. There are actually a lot of Intercity Bus (시외)  and Express Bus (고속) connecting every cities.

For accommodations, I booked through Agoda for hotels in Seoul & Busan. And the rest, I reserved online through their websites, but only Muju Kookmin Hotel confirmed my booking. The rest didn't reply on the confirmation though I emailed and tried to message them through Kakao Talk. I understand that you need to pay deposit to secure the booking and they didn't accept credit card. So, it's too troublesome to transfer money to their bank account and I really don't want to bother my Korean friends as they're so busy.

From their booking system, you can actually see which rooms were already booked. Mostly just half full, so I decided to just go there directly, if the room we wanted was taken, we can just change to other room. For the worst case, we'll  just look for motel...

This time round, I reserved WiBro rental from KT Roaming. This Wifi router can support up to 7 devices for wifi. It's important, as for the first day, my hubby will be arrived in Seoul at night only. So, I need to let him know the hotel room number and most importantly I can stay connected in case I lost my way in Seoul :P

I'll be posting the places that we visited in Seoul based on the actual itinerary and update the link here:
* Wintery Seoul
* Beautiful Method Launching show in Seoul @Only Gallery
* National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
* Samcheongdong has Something for Everyone~!
* Insight into Insadong
* 월매네 Traditional Folk Pub
* Myeongdong Art Theater (명동예술극장)
* Sejong Hotel (세종호텔)
* Fusion Hanbok (by 모란배필) Photoshoot
* Incheon Soraepogu Traditional Fish Market (소래포구 어시장)
* Namdaemun Market - Cutlass Fish (갈치조림) Alley
* [O-Train] - Railroad Trip from Seoul to Punggi
* Yeongju Loess Pension (풍기 황토 펜션)
* Punggi Ginseng Rib (풍기 인삼 갈비)
* Museom Single Log Bridge (무섬외 나무다리)
* Quaint Museom Hanok Village (영주 무섬마을) Part 1
* Quaint Museom Hanok Village (영주 무섬마을) Part 2
* Quaint Museom Hanok Village (영주 무섬마을) Part 3
* Seonbichon Village (선비촌) 
* Sosu Seowon Confucian Academy (소수서원)
* Sosu Museum (소수박물관)
* Korean Buddhist Temple
* Legends of Buseoksa Temple (부석사)
* Treasures in Buseoksa Temple (부석사)
* Buseoksa to Busan 
* 12 hours in Busan
* Busan Station (부산역)
* [Korail S-Train] - Scenic Southtern Explorer
* [S-train] - Bukcheon Cosmos, Hadong, Suncheon and Deungnyang
* Jeonju Hanok Village Hotel (전주한옥빌리지호텔)
* Hanguk Jip Jeonju Bibimbap (한국집 전주 전통 비빔밥)
* [Jeonju] - Evening at Omokdae Pavilion(오목대)
* [Jeonju] - Hanbyeokdang Pavilion (한벽당)
* [Jeonju] - Cheongyeonru Pavilion (청연루)
* [Jeonju] - Gyeonggijeon Main Hall (경기전 정전)
* [Jeonju Sago] - Joseon Wangjo Sillok (조선 왕조 실록)
* [Gyeonggijeon] - Royal Portrait Museum (어진박물관)
* [Jeonju] - Pungnammun Gate (풍남문)
* [Jeonju] -  Hyanggyo Confucian School (전주향교)
* Gain Makgeolli House (가인막걸리) - Drunk in 4 different ways
* [Jeonju] - Sweet Red Bean Soup (단팥죽) @외할머니 솜씨
* [Jeonju] - JIFF Film Street (영화의거리) 
* [Jeonju] - All That Barbecue (올댓바베큐) Salad Buffet 
* [Jeonju] - Hakindang (학인당)
* Slow Walk in Jeonju Slow City (I)
* Slow Walk in Jeonju Slow City (II)
* Slow Walk in Jeonju Slow City (III)
* [Jeonju] - PNB Confectionery (풍년제과)
* Jeonju Intercity Bus Terminal (전주시외버스터미널)
* [Muju Ski Resort] - Zephyr coffee (제퍼커피)
* [Muju Ski Resort] - Mansun House
* [Muju Ski Resort] - Let's hit Ski Slope and Slide down the Snowy Hill~! 
* [Muju Ski Resort] - Fun with White Snow
* [Muju Ski Resort] -  Haejangguk 'Hangover' Soup
* [Muju Ski Resort] - Day / Night at Carnival Street
* [Muju Ski Resort ] - Saint Hue Club Sauna and Jjimjilbang
* Last Morning in Muju Deogyusan Ski Resort
* Muju Bus Terminal to Seoul Nambu Terminal
* [Seoul] - Mogyo Samgyetang (무교 삼계탕)
* Dangui (당의) Royal Court Hanbok Dress
* March 1st Movement at Tapgol Park
* Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)
* Unhyeongung (운현궁) Royal Palace
* Insadong, Dongdaemun and Myeongdong
* Early Morning Food Hunting at Gwanjang Market
* [Suwon City Tour] - Haewoojae Mr Toilet House
* [Suwon City Tour] - Hwaseong Haenggung Palace (화성행궁)
* [Suwon City Tour] - Suwon Fortress, Hwahongmun and Banghwasuryujeong
* [Suwon City Tour] - Experience Korean Archery at Yeonmudae (Dongjangdae)
* [Suwon City Tour] - Hwaseong Museum (수원화성박물관)
* Suwon AK Plaza (AK 플라자 백화점)
* Seodaemun Independence Park Historical Site
* Un-un-un-un-un-Unbelieveable Sinchon Shopping Street
* [Seoul] - 18 Beonji Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew)
* Lotte Mart Seoul Station Branch (롯데마트-서울역점)
* [Seoul] - CenterMark Hotel
* Korea Traditional Cultural Experience at Incheon Airport

Please stay tuned for more details~^^

My first shopping with 11street (Korea)

It's Saturday 7.20 am, still lying on my bed playing Candy Crush when my son came in with a paper and a pen asked me to sign. Thought that it's something related to his school exam paper. He'll said postman was outside and he'll pass the paper to the postman after I signed it. But, he came in and asked me to go out as I need to open the door and bring in the parcel. Aigoo! no choice... I need to wake up!

Just for your information, I love to shop online for almost everything from local and overseas online shopping platforms. I find it's very convenience as I don't need to go out from house, wasting my time go around as I tend to lost my way, and after that have to bring back heavy shopping bags.

So? what did I order online recently? groceries was delivered here around last week, my Customers' orders arrived 2 days ago, health supplement was here yesterday... yesterday before I went to bed, the status shown "Delivery in Progress (Air Delivery)" for my orders from 11st Korea.

The parcel is really from 11st Korea, which I ordered 27 May and it took only 5 days (to be exact only 4.5 days as I ordered them in the evening) to reach here ^^

I purchased these 6 caps from this seller, 선남선녀

Here are the reasons why I bought the caps/ hats:

1. Bought this cap from another online shopping from Korea...

but somehow the cap decided to go back it's hometown in Korea (lost it in Gyeongju) ㅠㅠ

2. Don't like crazy messy hair...

love and hate playful wind~~~

3. Protect head, face and eyes from the sun

4. Fashion accessory to look more stylish. Somehow it's quite useful for hygiene purpose...

I put on the cap before the helmet, as not sure whether the helmet was clean because it's used by many people

5. Need it for cruise on 5-8 May ^^

6. FREE TRIP TO KOREA!!!

11st is holding a Post Reviews Event...

one of the lucky winners will get Free Roundtrip Ticket to KOREA

Wohoo!!! I must NOT miss out this chance, because:

1. I need the cap. 

2. Free International Shipping Coupon of  KRW30,000

3. Free Trip to the country that I'm dreaming of day and night

Therefore I decided to order through 11 street Korea, though quite worried that I might not be able to get the cap in time for my cruise and not in time to write a review as the event is until 4 June 2013.

I'm so happy and thankful as my orders arrived much earlier than what I expected.

Items are nicely wrapped in plastic bag before put them in the box.

As the box is only 1/2 full, they put a big bubble wrap on top on the empty space to make sure the items securely in the box and not being flatten down by heavy items. It's so thoughtful of them ^^

(G) 37-CH 은하수찡/ 블랙 - KRW14,900

(Usual Price KRW20,800 with current discount of KRW5,900)

Nice Black cap with metal sequins on both sides that looks like Milky Way at night

Material: 100% cotton

Made in Korea

   

 (G) 230-SO 트윌크랙챙/ 인디핑크 - KRW13,100

(Usual Price KRW19,000 with current discount of KRW5,900)

I like this girly look Patrol cap in Indie Pink color with combination of stiff cracked leather visor.

 This patrol cap was worn in the Korean War. It had a flannel wool panel that folded down to cover the ears and the back of the head. 

Brand: Jackie Baseball | Verius

Material: 100% cotton

Made in Korea

(H) 11-NY 체크바둑/ 곤밤색 - KRW12,900

(Usual Price KRW16,900 with current discount of KRW4,000)

This checkered flat cap with country-look charm... 

First time wearing flat cap... yeah, it's quite fun... hahaha

 I think you can easily matched it with denim jeans for cool yet casual looks style.

Brand: J. Cap & Co

Material: 100% Cotton & Denim

Made in Korea

 (F) 03-DH 면동글이/ 블랙 - KRW10,900

(Usual Price KRW14,900 with current discount of KRW4,000) 

Bowler hat / Bob hat was popular with the working class during the Victorian era, and later on with the middle and upper classes in the United Kingdom. Later in the United Kingdom, it would come to be worn as work dress by the officers of the Queen's Guards. (Source: Wikipedia)

Since the brim is quite flexible... I can wear it stylish with the brim arched up or wear it casually like Bucket hat by arching it down which offers shade from the sun...

Worth every single penny! Love it much ^^

Material: 100% cotton

Made in Korea

(W) 20-CL 지사배색리본/ 그레이 - KRW13,100

(Usual Price KRW17,100 with current discount of KRW4,000) 

This sun hat is what I need the most to protect my head and shoulders from harmful ultraviolet rays (UV) with its 11 cm brim.

Simple sun hat with a small ribbon in 3 tones (khaki, olive green and blue shades)

I love swimming and go to beaches... but lazy to apply sunscreen lotion or sometimes I forgot to apply it as I'm not used to apply it. You won't see me carrying umbrella on sunny day... and most of the time you'll see me running in the rain, as I don't like to carry anything including bag (which so many times I left my bag as I thought that I didn't bring anything out)...  But, I'm with my HP all the time (so I can call for help if I forget to bring money or credit card with me :P).

My skin is now showing a lot of pigmentation spots to warn me that I really need to take care of it before it get worsen!!!

Aaawww... my 'lil mushroom looks so cute and lovely in this sun hat ^^ 

Material: 100% 지사 (straw?)

Made in Korea

(G) 297-KO DSQ숏챙/ 베이지곤 - KRW13,100

(Usual Price KRW16,100 with current discount of KRW3,000) 

Latest design cap with wired visor, so you have the freedom to flip it up or bend it down.

This cap is a bit too big for my head... but it's ok.

Material: 100% cotton

Design in Korea

Do you like to wear headgear? Which type / design?

Actually wanted to buy 1 cap only, but ended up with 6 caps as there're a lot of designs available and it's free delivery coupon of KRW30,000 for purchase over KRW50,000. Total of my purchase was KRW78,000 (about SGD 90.00).

I don't have any issues ordering the caps. It'll be more convenience if 11street can add "Bookmark" on the item page, so customer can bookmarks the items they like and reduce time to scroll up and down. Overall pleasant shopping experience through 11street platform. Awesome speed of local and overseas delivery. 정말 고마워요 ^^

There's another Food Recipe Contest... I might join for this contest too. Do check out 11st Facebook page for more information ^^

Wish me good luck, please~~~^^