Soul of Asia : Day I

Yesterday (23rd November 2013) Suju successfully finished their Super Show 5 at Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil. Review at twitter that I read said they enjoy the concert and happy to see them perform again in Malaysia. Well, it's rare to see all of them in Malaysia anyway. Suddenly, my imagination imagined how happy my colleague to be there and together with other EFLs at the concert. Most of them are very anticipating with the Heenim appearance eventually after he discharged from army. I believe all of EFL had great time with them just like when I attended Blue Moon Concert. Unavoidable, I misses Blue Moon World Tour Concert damn much!                  

Let's continue with my travelogue to South Korea.. But first and foremost, Just to remind you guys...this entry and the next...next...entries would be long. So if you think it would be boring...I advise you to stop here.

<<24th September 2013>>

07:15 am...서울 나 왔다 (Seoul...I'm coming)!!! Eventually...MH067 touched down at Incheon International Airport. 6 hours in-flight really make me misses my bed and pillows. Ouchhh!!! We might feel the same if you has experienced travel in a long hours. But I really can't imagine...how and what happen to those people who travel to Europe countries. Long....long....hours to go.

Before heading to our guesthouse, I need to settle few things such as rented Wi-Fi and T-money for my friends. T-Money is a must for travelers whom will be using a lot of public transport during your stay at Korea. The fare would be cheaper because they have discount for each destinations when you touch the card down. It has same function as Touch N Go. Settle everything in airport, we buy Airport Limousine bus ticket to Namdaemun Market (남대문 시장) since we will be staying at Namdaemun area. No worries k...because the counter just inside the airport before exit door at arrival hall. You can see a lot of counters provide phone rental services and WiFi devices nearest the exit door. The fare is just KRW10,000 per person. 

Can you read it? Sorry...forgot to rotate the pic :X

6015 is the bus no. and 12A is the platform. There's ahjussi will help you to place your luggage at the bus compartment. My friends get surprise with the way they tag and keep your luggage is so systematic. That ahjussi will give you a piece of paper, to be exact it is your bag no. So when you arrive at your destination, just hand over the paper and he will take it out for you. Easy and fast, right!! So you don't have to search all over the place for your bag. Maybe one of the reason also for time saving. For the first comer plus backpackers, you don't have to worry even though you don't know the place at all. They will announce each stop and what should you do...just be alert with the announcement. My first impression...they work efficiently and smartly. They are also very punctual. As a passenger and tourist, you will be impressed looking at the way they work. That is my first impression about Korea... good one! 

Okay...let's keep it farther my first impression because I still have 5 days to monitor and evaluate them. Besides taking airport bus to go to downtown Seoul which is take about 1 hour, you also have another options which is by using AREX. AREX is much more cheaper than airport bus. It's just that you need to walk a bit to go to the train station. But it is still convenient. More convenient if you are a backpacker who only bring 1 or 2 backpacks. But if you bring all your stuff just like you wanna stay at Korea forever...I advise you to just forget your dream :D Unless you are very athletic and highly motivated.

This is where we'll be staying...Namdaemun Guesthouse. The manager, Mr Bo is such a nice person. Unfortunately I don't have his photos. I choose bunk room type. Actually it is a room for 4 persons. Hahaaa...can you imagine how pack that room to be occupied by 5 of us plus the big size bag of five? Definitely...will become tin sardin la. Nevermind, that's not a problem. Because we definitely will not spend our day in the room. So...does it matter if they become tin sardin or not!!

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the first historical place
we are heading for today. It is said to be the most beautiful and grandest of all the five palaces. I plan to visit Deoksugang Palace (some of blogger friends said Deoksugang Palace is the most beautiful) too but it is closed every Monday. The entrance fee is just KRW3,000. By the time we arrive here there is guard ceremony in  front of the palace. The weather is quite hot but still so  many visitors inside. One thing for sure, the architecture is amazing. So artistic! Can you imagine...a person who doesn't know the value of art like me say something like that!!!

 

At the entrance 

>> Route from Namdaemun Station : Hoehyeon Station (Line 4) - Chungmuro Station (Line 3) - Gyeongbokgung Station. Walk 5 minutes after Exit no. 5 = KRW1,050