Feli's Travelogue 펠리의 여행기: 2012

Korea 한국
(Gyeongju, Busan, Ulsan, Seoul, Incheon )
20 - 29 October 2012

Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea or initially known as Corea, is a country with colourful culture, people and sights. The country dates back to 2333 BC and today is one of the fastest moving countries in Asia and maybe the world.

This is my 3rd trip to Korea but only my first time exploring the country without a tour agency! I was excited nearly 2 years before the trip although actual preparation really only started a few months before :P

Cities covered during this Autumn getaway included: Gyeongju, Busan, Ulsan, Seoul, Incheon

As for how my 10-day trip went, I'd let some of my pictures speak it all :

19 Oct 2012: Day 0- Singapore >> Korea


1124km and 6 hours away to Incheon Airport

I feel like Christopher Columbus except that my mode of travel is up in the sky :P


2nd trip to Korea and 5th overseas trip together with my buddy Hwee San

20 Oct 2012: Day 1 - Incheon/ Seoul/ Gyeongju

Got these as breakfast from a convenience store in Incheon Airport for 2000 won (app. 2.30 SGD) : Triangular Korean rice roll & banana milk in that ever-cute bottle.

Did I say I was really contented because this was really yummy?


43 minutes from Incheon Airport to Seoul station via Express Train : 8000 won (app. 9.20 SGD)

The seat on the Express train definitely beats the one on KE641 Airbus 830 from Singapore to Korea the previous night. I reckon I dozed off within 5 minutes.. and 43 minutes passed before I could start snoring...

(Money) Saver Korail KR Pass

Korail KR Pass (Saver) is made available to all tourists in Korea for travel on KTX trains that reach many cities in Korea. Tourists can reserve their tickets online and exchange for the pass at the Seoul station.

Ticket prices vary according to the
(1) number of days you are travelling via KTX
(2) number of passengers travelling together.

Tip:

1. This is really for heavy travellers..say 1 city every day? I travelled several times more in Korea after this trip and realized it isn't that expensive to get normal tickets separately either.

2. In any case you require to travel in a different route from your fellow traveller who is included in the pass (Korail only issues only one card but generates several tickets), fret not. If you should ask if you can get a ticket to a different route from your friend, the people at Korail would tell you that you cannot travel separately.

Just ask for 1 ticket first and then perhaps come back later to get the ticket from preferably a different officer or like in my case (I travelled to Ulsan get a separate ticket with the card pass at the designated city you're travelling to. I tried and they allowed with no questions asked ^.^

#cost-saving #time-saving #multi-city travel # KTX

Meanwhile...@ Seoul Station

We had 4 hours to kill while waiting for our train to Gyeongju at 1330hrs so we walked around Seoul station and bumped into this art gallery with understandable art pieces.

# free # photography allowed #cute & polite receptionist guy

Colourful and healthy 김밥 (rice roll) as snacks en route Gyeongju

Gyeongju 경주


Yay~ No skyscrapers in Gyeongju

Gyeongju is a peaceful and safe city which may excite mainly history-seeking travellers or photographers loving pagodas, tombs and temples. Historical sites sprawl all over this then-capital during Shilla Dynasty and most have English/ Chinese boards explaining its origin.

It may be a far cry in terms of shopping compared to metropolitan cities like Seoul and Busan but Gyeongju will wow visitors with their mountains, cool weather and good air.


Hwangnam Bbang 황남빵 that consists of red bean paste Waited 1 hour for this ~~It tastes pretty good indeed~ especially when eaten hot~

안동 찜닭 Andong Braised Chicken in Spicy Soy SauceEating Andong chicken in Gyeongju !! ㅋㅋㅋ
경주에서 안동찜닭 먹었다

안동 찜닭 Andong Braised Chicken in Chilli Sauce
Never judge a dish by its colour.
This dish has a dash of sweetness and is less spicy than the latter above.

Open concert by various underground bands who were really popular from looks of the loud cheers from the audience

21 Oct 2012: Day 2 - Gyeongju/ Dongdaegu

Gyeongju City Tour

We walked 20 minutes to Cheon Ma Guan Guang 천마 관광 from our guesthouse (near Gyeongju station) for the city tour at 10am since we reached Gyeongju late on the first day. There was a marathon event held that morning so roads were really empty and no taxis and bus ran. It did feel like I was in North Korea for a while.

Tip: City tours run daily ( http://cmtour.co.kr/index.php ) at a minimal fee of 10, 000 ~ 15,000 won per pax that covers transportation for the day.

Entrance fees depend on the sites you are visiting but they are pretty affordable from as low as 4,000 won.

Non-korean speakers may find themselves alienated from the group because the tour guide only explains in Korean language. Nonetheless, they play English/ Chinese dvd tour guides on the bus enroute to the various tourist sites so you'd still have some background knowledge in head while pretending to understand the guide onsite :)