Travel Guide South Korea

Hotteok is among my favourite street foods of Korea. Nyamm..^^ The price normally ranging from 500 to 1,000 won per piece.

Normally I bought the Hotteok mix at the Korean grocery store in Ampang and just mix it as per instruction.


The filling tastes like a mixed of nuts, brown sugar and cinnamon. Although I hate cinnamon after-taste but this one is an exception!

I found a few of these shops in Myeongdong and Namdaemun but couldn't care less to take the pictures until my friends returned from Seoul and showed me their cam-whoring results.

There are various items of imaginable Korean Hallyu souvenirs sold here. Namely socks, t-shirts, calendars, key-chain, mug and etc. You name it! Price differs between shops. Haggling is a must!

Have I done it? You bet I did. ^^
I experienced hitchiking mainly in Jinbu, Gangwondo when I wwoofed in Santisuk.



Min Young and me - We missed the daily bus from Lee Seung Bok Memorial to Pyongchang; which runs like 6 times a day. So we both hitchhiked our way like 3 times. First, with a kind driver who could take us until the junction between Jinbu and Pyongchang. Then another lady until in front of her son's school and finally with a group of guys who just had lunch + soju who sanely drove us until Pyongchang's bus station. Crazy? Not really but they reeked with alcohol. Yikes..sul nemsae! ( ^^

Min Young, Casper and me - We were dead bored and dampened because we couldn't join Hae In and her father to Buddha's Birthday Celebration at Jinbu that night. So what we did was, we quietly sneaked out from the house and hitchhiked along the light less and creepy road to Jinbu. We were lucky because we got our ride immediately! The best part was the gentlemen were a Canadian and his Korean friend who spoke fluent English. Both of them work as water theme park designer and were designing a private water theme park in Gangneung. I envy their job. They got to travel the world on fun assignment!

Angelica and me - Initially our plan was to brisk walk because sitting around and no play in Santisuk during winter made us fat. We loss count of time and the weather was getting colder by the time when we realized that we were so far away from Santisuk. After so many failed attempt on hitchiking, suddenly a farmer with a truck loads of tools stopped. It was funny because he was drunk but he could still drive! I was stupid enough to invite him to Santisuk for a cup of coffee and later got a good bashing from Nandida for being one. ^^ Although I couldn't understand everything she said I knew she was concerned about our safety.

Angelica, Dave and me -  We decided to be kids again and walked up to Gyebang mountain. We hitchhiked up to the mountain with an old couple. They couldn't speak English but I just tried my best with my decent Korean repertoire which means broken Korean..hehe. When we went down the mountain our ride was with a bunch of construction workers in truck and one of them could speak Spanish! Wow...so along the way the guy practised his Spanish with Angelica.
Andy and me - We hitchiked twice to Jinbu. It snowed so hard that day but I didn't know why we were so stubborn to go out even though Nandida had warned us. It was seriously cold. We managed to get a ride with a guy who could bring us up until the hot spring. Then, we walked until the junction between Jinbu and Pyongchang. From there, we had a ride with a man who has stayed in Los Angeles and spoke decent English.

Myself - I failed to hitchhiked from Pyongchang to Santisuk and I walked about 20km for 2 hours. My body was so sore from snowboarding the night before and I was amazed at myself why I didn't just call Nandida for a pick up. I knew I was crazy but I told to myself that if I didn't walk at that moment I wouldn't be able to breath in the gorgeous sights of Gangwondo anymore in future.

The one below might not be a hitchiking experience but I think I would not get the same treatment in Malaysia or maybe never. ^^

There was once when I returned from Seoul, I missed the daily bus and didn't have enough money to pay the taxi. So I thought hmmm..I would just grab a taxi and once we reach Santisuk I would ask Nandida for some money..hehe. But I was in for a surprise. When I told the taxi driver to wait for the money, he just waived his hand and said it was okay. I looked at the charged meter it read 14,000 won. :O Koreans surprised me and made me almost to tear so many times. T_T Kamsahamnida!

Tips on hitchhiking in Korea

• Although in general Korea is pretty safe for hitchhiking but be warned: Try it at your own risk
• Just say Anyonghaseyo to greet the driver and don't forget to say Kamsahamnida to thank them for their kindness.
• Some of the drivers may not be able to bring you until your desired destination so be thankful
• Don't hitchhiked at the corner of a road or winding road; choose your spot wisely.
• Smile and don't curse them if they don't stop for you (although you can't help it sometimes..hehe)
• DO NOT give money in exchange of their kindness! Perhaps some token from your country as remembrance would be more appropriate.

For more information checkout Hitchwiki for South Korea.

• Food with/without meat
• The method to request the cook to exclude meat from the order.
• Survival phrases in Korean restaurant

• HappyCow
• Seoul Vegetarian Club
• SeoulEats
• KNTO Vegetarian Restaurants
• KNTO Halal Restaurants
• The Daily Kimchi
• Seoul Style

Bibimbap
Bibimbap is a popular Korean dish. The word literally means "mixed rice." Bibimbap is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with namul (sautéed and seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chili pepper paste). A raw or fried egg and sliced meat (usually beef) are common additions. The ingredients are stirred together thoroughly just before eating. It can be served either cold or hot (Source: wikipedia). Check out the bibimbap that my friends and I had for about 7,000 won in Hongik at BAB restaurant.






Rabokki/ Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki is a dish of korean rice cake with spicy red sauce and sometimes egg. You could easily eat this at any pojangmacha - street stall for around 2,000/ 2,500 won. If you put ramen/instant noodle it is called rabbokki and set you off for 3,000/ 3,500 won. (Source: Wikipedia)




Juk - Porridge / Congee
Juk is a predominantly Korean porridge made of grains such as cooked rice, beans, sesame, and azuki beans. Juk is often eaten warm in Korea, especially as a morning meal, but is now eaten at any time of the day. (Source: Wikipedia)


There are so many varieties of juk. My favourite is pat (red/azuki bean) juk and there's korean rice cake inside too. You could try eating juk at any Bonjuk restaurant in Korea for about 6,000 to 10,000 won.




Kimbap, samgak kimbap
Gimbap or kimbap is a popular Korean dish made from steamed white rice (bap) and various other ingredients, rolled in gim (sheets of dried laver seaweed) and served in bite-size slices. Gimbap is often eaten during picnics or outdoor events, or as a light lunch, served with danmuji or kimchi. It is similar to the better-known Japanese sushi. (Source: Wikipedia)


Rest assured, it is nothing like sushi at all. I love packing some kimbap and strolling along Han River. The feeling..hmm like at home? Hahah..that's too much to put it that way right? One evening, I packed chungmu kimbap from Myeongdong and went straight to Yeoido Park (it's far). Stayed at the park for a good one hour watching people flying kites and riding bikes. The weather was cool and I felt contented, a perfect day.

You could pack kimbap from any kimbap house like kimbap nara/kimbap jongguk/kim ga ne in tuna, vegetables or kimchi. It varies from 1,000 won to 2,500 won. Cheap and filling. Another variation is samgak kimbap, in a triangle shape. A lot of it sold in convenience shop like 7-Eleven, Mini Stop etc for 600 to 1,000 won.

Miju with samgak kimbap at Yeoido Park

1. This budget is without flight ticket and shopping budget. 
2. Flight fare will depend on which airline and the date you choose to fly ; season or off season.
3. This itinerary does not cover for places out of Seoul except for Nami Island. 
4. For Busan, Gyeongju, Jeju Island and ski or snowboarding trip, you may need more expenses. 
5. Price may change. 

I found this interesting video on how to pack your luggage. This guy really knows his stuff well. If only I check this before I travelled previously, I'd probably bring lesser.

1. Be a member of GMarket
2. Buy items at GMarket - payment can be done via credit card or Paypal
3. Make a review of the item at your blog
4. Post your blog address
5. Wait for the winner list by the end of the month

How to register for membership in GMarket
Go to GMarket website: gmarket.co.kr



Check out this blog by Skygur85 how she got to be one of the winners!


Contest website: GMarket

Why do we need to ride a bus when the subway is so convenient in Seoul?

1. Faster - sometimes it's easier and faster to reach your desired destination because you don't have to transit/tranfer to another line like subway
2. Rollercoaster experience - I have to warn you that the bus drivers in Seoul are pretty crazy. Hold on to the rails or seats nearest to you once you embark on the bus otherwise you will suffer. ^^ Those with weaker heart, get yourself a puke bag.
3. Save on transfer fare - When paying with your T-money card, the fare is 900 won up to 10 km, and includes up to 5 free transfers using   both local buses and subway. An extra 100 won will be charged for an additional 5 km. Transfer must be made within 30 minutes (within 60 minutes between 21:00 and 07:00).Transfers cannot be made to a bus of the same number.You cannot transfer subway lines once you’ve exited the gates. I made a mistake of going out from Chungmuro Station once when I should have not. Had to tap the T-money card one more time. T_T
4. When the bus stop is nearer to the venue you want to visit/your location compared to the subway station

Blue, Green, Yellow or Red?
Blue (Main Line) - working within city limits and going from subway station to subway station, travel a little further out than green
Green (Branch Line) - working within city limits and going from subway station to subway station, have the more local routes than blue
Yellow (circular Line)- run on circular routes in downtown Seoul for easier access to major shopping and business areas
Red (Wide Area Line)- less stops and run between downtown Seoul and the metropolitan area

What you get with your T-Money card?
When you buy T-Money card, it is attached with a few discount coupons for items at local stores or admissions to tourist spots. If you still have balance available in the card, you can either refund it from the self-service refund machine/ticket counter. Otherwise, just purchase any items from the convenience shops using the remaining balance and keep the card for momento. ^^


Warning
It is unlikely that the route map list will be in English. From what I see, only the major stop like subway stations have the English translation or none at all. Drivers don’t always stop at the scheduled bus stops so you need to be aware and stop them. Some bus stops are in the middle of the road like in Gangnam. Weird eh?

What I like about Seoul public bus?

• Recorded announcement for each of the bus stops - even if I don't understand Korean, If I listen to the announcement, I could guess when and where my next stop will be. For example, if you want to stop at Myeongdong Station, the recorded announcement will mention: Myeongdong Yeok. (명동 역). I wish Malaysian bus have the same thing.
• You could pay for more than one person using the same T-Money card. - I didn't have enough balance in my T-Money card when I wanted to ride a bus to Yongin. So, Chi Won tapped her card and informed the bus driver to charge it twice. It is so convenient!
• Some major bus stations are equipped with arrival time of the bus. - When I waited for Hye Won at Bupyeong Station 부평역 in Incheon I saw the arrival time of the incoming buses at an electronic board. I'm not sure whether they use GPS to calculate the time difference but it was fantastic!

Check my post here on how to save with T-Money.
Seoul guide: How to ride a bus , Interactive Map

I have been asked by an avid Korean language learner who happened to visit my blog on how I registered for the recent Korean Language TOPIK exam. Here's the step. However this may be applicable ONLY for Malaysians.

FYI, Korean TOPIK exam is held twice a year; April and September. Registration should be done 2 months ahead. For April, you should register in February and for September exam you should register in July. It's better for you to check either of the sites below for accurate registration dates.





All notification will be put up on both websites as above.
The exam will be done in Pusat Pengajian Bahasa dan Linguistik, UKM - Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor. Please bring 2 IC photos and RM80 for registration fee.

How to go :



From the North and South highway take Bangi exit. After that you will see the roundabout, take 12 o'clock exit. Then go straight and you will see another roundabout, take 3 o'clock exit. Go straight and you will find the entrance to UKM. Register yourself at the guard post and the security guard will guide you to Pusat Pengajian Bahasa & Linguistik.

Address: Pusat Pengajian Bahasa & Linguistik, FSSK, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Malaysia

Person in charged:

Ryu Seung Wan 03-8921-6556
Mrs. Haslina 03-8921-6476
Please call during office hours : 9am to 5pm.

Check my post on Korean TOPIK Exam to download past year's paper.

It is an option; for me at least.



Why?

1. The process of buying/renting is tedious
2. You have cheaper option; Skype!
3. Wi-Fi is FREE almost everywhere in Korea.
4. Try to be WIRE - less for a while folks! ^^

Handphone buying/renting process in Korea


1. At the Airport
Check online -> book -> pick up handphone in Korea -> use

Once you reach Incheon Airport, you could rent a phone. After you pick up your luggage, just walk towards the airport limousine pick up area and you will see the phone rental counter right before the exit. Check KNTO site for Incheon Airport layout here.

List of rental phone services which might help you:
SRoaming - Phone rental 1,400 won to 2,700 won per day.
SKTelecom - Phone rental 2,000 won to 3,000 won per day.
KT Show - Phone rental 1,800 won to 2,700 won per day.

2.At the Guesthouse/Motel/Hotel
Some guesthouses/motels/hotels have the phone rental facilities. Namsan Guesthouse offers one time fee 5,000 won per rental and you return after you use. You need to pay the consumption based on your usage.
Say if you stay for 7 days: 5,000 won/7 ~715won per day!
Cheaper than the airport rental.


3.At Mobile shop
I bought a Samsung flip phone for 15,000won and credit 10,000won. It lasted for 3 months. Just walk into any mobile shop/center and inquire for used handphone. Some are FREE phone and you just need to pay the credit; if you don't mind about NOT having a fancy/up-to-date gadget.
However, you may need to show your alien registration card before you can purchase one OR like me, I just tried my luck and showed my passport.


Skype
Those who have Wi-Fi enhanced handphone, make full use of Skype. In Korea, Wi-Fi service is FREE almost everywhere. Just login to Skype to make a call/sms back home. When I was in Korea, the internet speed for home was 100Mbps. Talk about downloading HD Movie of 4Gb in less than 15 minutes! OMG! You can't compare with that measly throttled speed UNIFI promotion which only caters maximum 20Mbps. Malaysia still has a longgggggggggg way to go.

What I did was a call or two in a day to my friends/family members via Skype. Check Skype rates here.
A minute call to land line in Malaysia costs about 20.119won ~ 5 cents
A minute call to mobile line in Malaysia costs about 75.815won ~ 20 cents
One sms/text to Malaysia is 91.443won ~ 25 cents.
For Maxis/Celcom/Digi roaming, international sms/text cost about RM2 if I'm not mistaken.

I'd rather do calls because it's cheaper than sending text. ^^
Note: Rates may change.

WIRE-LESS to be STRESS LESS
I know that you want to be reachable anywhere and anytime but unless you are a businessman or you are a VVIP and your presence is needed every single second, then try to be wire-less at least for your trip/holiday. It doesn't hurt to be wire-less for a while. Life is all about bonding more with what you are presented with in front of you rather than frequently updating your tweets or facebook's wall posts. Hehehe..no hard feeling to those twitter or FB addicts out there. ^^

By Flight from Seoul / Busan