Planning to have Christmas in Korea is mainly because of I haven't been touch and see snow in my real life (This is what a wish for Malaysian where the country is summer whole the years). And the second reason is to give myself a break after finished my final exam paper. The trip actually quite a tough trip for both of us. As my travel buddy informed by her doctor that she was pregnant one month before the trip, and some activities were changed last minute.
Most of the time, we followed the tour that we have initially booked from the Klook and KKday as both of us were too busy for our part time Master study and did not have time for the itinerary planning. The first few days went smoothly, however on the last two day before we left Korea, the temperature on that day sudden dropped from 0 deg to -14 deg. The coldness make us to prefer staying in the hotel rather than explored outside. I fell sick on the last two days. I had high fever and flu after back from the Everland themed park. Thanks to my travel buddy, Kim for helping me ask medicines around the corner.
Most of the time, we followed the tour that we have initially booked from the Klook and KKday as both of us were too busy for our part time Master study and did not have time for the itinerary planning. The first few days went smoothly, however on the last two day before we left Korea, the temperature on that day sudden dropped from 0 deg to -14 deg. The coldness make us to prefer staying in the hotel rather than explored outside. I fell sick on the last two days. I had high fever and flu after back from the Everland themed park. Thanks to my travel buddy, Kim for helping me ask medicines around the corner.
In summary, the trip actually quite a good experience as we did enjoy a lot of the local food and some nice views outskirt of the city.
The following are the details of our itinerary in Korea for your reference
The following are the details of our itinerary in Korea for your reference
Travel period: 20 Dec 2019 - 28 Dec 2018
Accomodation:
Day 1-3 : Myeogdong Sunshine Guesthouse
Day 4 : Unknown hotel included in the High 1 ski package
Day 5 : Hostel Ruman Stay (not recommended)
Day 6-8: Hotel Skypark Myeongdong 1
Day 1-3 : Myeogdong Sunshine Guesthouse
Day 4 : Unknown hotel included in the High 1 ski package
Day 5 : Hostel Ruman Stay (not recommended)
Day 6-8: Hotel Skypark Myeongdong 1
Itinerary:
Day 1:
✈ Incheon Int'l Airport ➡ Myeongdong ➡ Dongdaemun LED roses
We did not have much planning on the first day as we reached Myeongdong in the evening. We just simple walked around to hunt for street food. After we filled our stomach, we direct head to the Dongdaemun to get some nice photos from the LED roses to post in Instagram.
We did not have much planning on the first day as we reached Myeongdong in the evening. We just simple walked around to hunt for street food. After we filled our stomach, we direct head to the Dongdaemun to get some nice photos from the LED roses to post in Instagram.
Alpaca Pasture➡ Nami Island ➡ The Garden of Morning Calm day tour (Booked from Klook)
We boarded the tour bus on the next day to see Alpaca. Not many alpacas in the pasture, but they also have other animals such as sheeps, ducks and deers. The alpacas quite have their own personality, they only come closer to you when your hand have food. To get a nice photo with the those, make sure to buy their food from the nearby vending machine before approach them.
The pasture is located at the mountain site, the view from the pasture is quite beautiful. If you not a fan of alpaca, you can go to buy a cup of coffee in their pasture and enjoy the view.
The final stop at The Garden of Morning Calm is the one I waiting for my trip. The only once Lighting Festival only held in the garden during winter season. Hundred thousand plants illuminated by 30,000 lights. We were very lucky to reach there before and after the lights were switched on. We have took many pictures at the best spots before the places become crowded.
Day 3:
Princess Hanbok ➡ Gyeongbokgung Palace➡ Bukchon Hanok Village ➡ 喝茶的院子（차마시는뜰➡ Tosokchon Samgyetang (best ginseng chicken)
The itinerary mainly on traditional style. We rent hanbok for the whole day from the Princess Hanbok. Free entrance fee if you wearing hanbok to the Gyeongbokgung Palace. After visit the Palace, we visited to the Buckchon Hanok village and a famous teahouse (喝茶的院子). These two spots are just located 1-2km away in the bukchon village.
The narrow streets of Bukchon always full of tourists as it rated as best places must visit in Korea. It is not surprised that tourists in Hanbok squeezed in the crowd just for the nice photography shot. Because of the crowd, it has received ton of complaints from the local. Therefore, if you want to visit to the place, please be quiet and follow the regulation. Come early if you want to have a nice photos.
Day 4-5:
Korea High 1 Ski Trip 2 days 1 night package (booked from KKday)
The package is booked from the KKday due to its attractive price and offer for the equipment. However when we boarded the tour bus, we been told that we need to pay some hidden fee for some of the ski equipment. I'm a bit shocked and felt a bit cheated for the extra charge as it did not mentioned properly in the package. We checked the details of the package we purchased from the online, it mentioned that the equipment have included except the gloves and the masks. But the tour guide (also our Ski teacher) replied that his company has improved the equipment for safety issues. We were unhappy for the reply but we just keep it ourselves as we still have two days to be spent for our ski package with him. Kim is the one very sad about it because she has to give up for the ski activities due to pregnancy.
I first thought that Skiing is not a difficult task but I was totally WRONG. It is hard to slow down the speed with the heavy skaters. The clamper of my left shoe has problem, the skater is flipped off when I was skiing down from the hill. I think everyone can imagine what it will happen to next, at the end, I was just like a piece of spring roll, rolling from the top to the bottom of hill. Thanks god and the helmet, I'm still Alive!
Not to forget to highlight the poor ventilation of the hotel room. The aircond in the room not functioning. We tried to open the windows to let some air in, unfortunately, the windows designed to be opened to a small gap. The room still stuffy. We called the receptionist about the condition but none of them know how to speak Mandarin and English.
After the bad experience of the first day, I told the tour guide next day that I not joining the ski as I scared to die in such young age. The tour guide a bit upset after my reply, but he respected my decision and let me to hang around to play snow with Kim. The views from the High 1 mountain are quite spectacular, at least this is the only one can reimburse the bad experience I had in High 1.
We thought that after the 2D1N ski tour, we can at least have some comfort rest in the accommodation when we back to Myeongdong. However we are totally wrong, the nightmare just started. We reached Hostel Ruman Stay at 8:30 PM, the check-in time is not exceeded the time stated in the term and conditions, but the owner of the Hostel Ruman Stay simply released our booking without our notice. Me and Kim very angry and questioned that owner why he did so as we did not break any rule according to our booking.
The owner felt apologies and offered us another room which is just 5mins walk. We were not very sure how was the room condition, both of us were too tired and hungry to quarrel with the owner, me and Kim agreed to accept his offer. Well, after looking at the room, we very regret on it. Not to mention the hygiene of the toilet, the ceiling height of the bathroom is incredibly low, I have to bend my head when I took my shower and brushed my teeth. Totally NO for this Hostel Ruman Stay.
Day 6:
Ehwa Women's University ➡ Angel in us Cafe ➡ Arriate Cafe ➡ Bau House➡ Namsan Tower
After the tiring journey from High 1, we spent some relax time in some exquisite cafes nearby the university areas. After that, we headed to Namsan Tower for the stunning night view as part of our Christmas celebration.
Day 7:
Everland Themed Park (1 day)
The weather of this day started to become very cold. Although I wore thick like a michelin tyre and put so many heat packs, I still cannot bear with the cold wind blow to my face. Initially I planned to stay in the themed park till the night for the fireworks, but I have to changed my plan to leave early because my head was so pain and fluid keep flowing out from my nose. The themed park is actually very worth to visit as the building all well decorated with Christmass theme. I think I will come here next time when is not winter season.
Myeongdong ➡ Lotte Duty Free Shop
We supposed to spend whole day for shopping this day, unfortunately I was sick. We went out for brunch next to our hotel. After the meal, Kim headed to the convenient store (orange) to ask some medicines for me. The medicines are quite effective, I took one bottle, my condition turned better.
At 2pm, when the temperature increased to 8 deg, we headed to the Lotte Duty Free hunting for sourvenirs and foods.
Day 9:
Depart to Singapore
