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...

Wintery Seoul

Unable to sleep and lonely on the plane were just unnecessary worried of mine! 

Korean Air has smartphone apps so you can check your flight status, select seat, and online check-in  4 hours to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. I did online check-in in the morning after finalized my seat.

Korean Air Mobile Apps

My hubby and kids sent me to airport around 9 pm thought it's midnight flight, so that kids could go back home early as they need to go to school the next day. 

It's awesome that they allow early check-in my luggage, and I was all alone... sat on the waiting hall to watch Empress Ki Episode 30 before boarding.

I selected window seat, and sat with 2 Korean ladies on the same row. Love to see that they provided small pillow for back support and blanket. The stewardess distributed headphone and a pair of paper slipper too. They have good in-flight entertainment system for you to watch movies, listen to music or play games to kill long hours flight. 

The passenger sat diagonally in front of me was watching news on South Korea figure skating champion Yuna Kim won Silver medal at Sochi Olympics 2014, and also rare reunion of hundreds of North and South Korean families separated by the Korean War seeing each other for the first time in decades... touching moments~!

I just plugged in USB cable to charge my mobile phone, then covered myself with blanket and scarf, arrange my neck support for comfy sleeping position and recharge myself too. It's really more comfortable with bigger legroom than other airlines ^^

I slept for 80% of flight time, just woke up awhile for meal, snacks, filled up arrival card, then about 1 hour when the pilot announced that we're reaching soon in about 45 minutes?! Oh! that made my eyes and ears opened widely! 

Sunrise view from my window seat ^^

ice flakes on the window... must be very cold outside!

SEOUL~~~ OH SEOUL... MY SEOUL yah!!!

Incheon Airport... Annyeonghaseyo~!

After cleared immigration counter, quickly claimed my heavy 20 kg luggage and went to KT Roaming counter to get Wifi Router and short message that I safely arrived in Incheon airport to my family and few friends. Then went to 'K Books' to collect EG Sim card, but apparently they didn't have my reservation on the system and asked me to go to Seoul Station to check. Well, it's ok without SIM card as long as I have internet connection. 

I opted for Airport bus, as bus no 6015 stop directly in-front of Sejong Hotel. It might be the same price and time if I took AREX 8,000 won and transfer to hotel by subway or taxi. But by bus will save hassle to drag my big luggage around or out of breath to climb long staircase at Subway station :P

Airport bus fare 10,000 won

Luckily only need to wait for about 5-8 minutes for the bus to come. Temperature was -2 Celcius and it's so cold that I can see my breath!!! Playful wind kept blowing to my direction as if conveying message to me: "Welcome to Wintery Seoul~~~ Vera!" 

Wanted to take picture of the bus route... but really sorry that I didn't take too much photos on my first day in Seoul, as I was too hesitated to take out my hands out from my warm pockets with hot packs! You know... just need some time to adjust and adapt to the weather.

Anyway, Sejong Hotel was the last stop. Put my luggage on the luggage compartment after I handed my ticket, and he gave me the luggage number tag. The bus started to move even with less than 10 passengers. Let's go... 가자~!!! 

It's much better inside the bus, after posted status on my Facebook, I fell asleep again until the he announcement of the first bus stop. Oh... we're in Seoul ^^

Seoul station

And finally Sejong Hotel... It took about 1 hour from Incheon Airport to the hotel.

[Asian-On Air Program] - My Unforgettable Travel Story

Ok, you know that I won't miss any chance to go to Korea! And, you shouldn't too... especially FREE trip, do you agree with me?

Korean Air and Korea Tourism Organization have collaborated this event last year too. Wow~!!!  according to Facebook event page of Korean Air Southeast Asia, there were 805 SNS users joined this contest.

Yup, I did participated through video, as I just started started blogging and sharing my sweet memories in Korea on 17 May this year. Though, I'm not one of the top bloggers, but it's not stopping me to share... Yes, good things must share~^^!

Please check this out on how to join "Asian On Ar Program"

We just came back from Korea for our family trip  full with awesome and unforgettable memories. Here are some of the highlights of this trip:

~ SBS TV (Seoul Broadcasting System) filmed us for Chuseok TV program in Seongyojang.
   They recorded some parts of our  activation as foreign  visitors to stay in  Korean Hanok house and
   participation  in  Traditional  Cultural  experiences, such as: Hanjeongsik  dining,  learning  how to
   make Songpyeon, practicing Korean Tea Ceremony Etiquette, and Yutnori traditional games.

~ 2 days taxi tour in beautiful Gangneung, Donghae, and Samcheok city
   (Jeongdongjin Beach, Hourglass Park, Seongyojang, Chuam Beach & Chotdaebawi Rock, Mureung
   Valley, Samhwasa Temple, Samcheok Beach, Jukseoru Pavilion)

~ Fun day in Everland Caribbean Bay

~ Hangang River Ferry Cruise and Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain

~ Dragon Hill Spa - Stayed overnight in Jimjilbang

~ GoGuan Hanbok Studio photoshoot

~ Stayed in cozy apartment booked through BnBHero

~ Fantastic show of non-verbal live Korean traditional musical "FANTA-STICK" performance.
   These tickets are paticipation prize for "KOINMO Stylist". If you're visiting Korea, grab KOINMO
   Rush Ticket for great 50% discounted prices (valid until 30 Sep 2013).

~ Finger licking sumptuous and delicious cuisines
   (streetfood, buffet, hanjeongsik, seafood, samgyetang, kimchijeon, chicken, makgeolli, ,
    ice cream,...)
  

~ Trick Eye Museum, Bongeunsa  Temple,  Gyeongbokgung  Palace, King Sejong Story, Bukchon
   Village and many more...

You can view more photos from my Facebook while waiting for me to post the details on this blog ^^

I'll be travelling to Korea in February 2014 by Korean Air. I won this Air Ticket from 11st Korea by posting review of my purchased items.

Actually, they gave gift certificate of United Airlines, but the voucher is not enough to purchase return ticket. Therefore, I suggested to change to Korean Air as it's direct flight and cheaper. And most importantly Korean Air is the airline that representing Korea, which takes pride for their Excellence in Flight!

We went there too early to see colorful leaves and quite sad that Sea Train from Gangneung to Samcheok is closed for maintainance until end of Sep, and we didn't have enough time to take V-train and O-train.

Therefore, I do hope to win this trip, then I can take a round trip with train to see beautiful autumn foliage and breathtaking scenery of mountains and valleys. And will keep researching for more stunning, legendary or historical places to explore ^^

Wish all the participants luck and have a wonderful weekend~!