My first Korea trip, and it's during winter!

Hi and Assalamualaikum.

As usual, post will be in Manglish. Any grammar mistakes, pls sangat maafkeun lol sunda pulak.

So as I said in previous post, I will be talking about my trip to Korea. Well, as you guys know I am kdramas and kpop fan since I was 13 so after 13 years only I managed to come to Korea so of course it's such a memorable moment for me. Actually, this is a graduation gift from my mother, haha. For winter tips, since this is my first time, I don't have much tips for you guys but surely I will share about it in my next post, especially for newbie like me yeah you guys really need to know or you guys will be like, freeze lol.

Okay, before I start writing about this trip, I just want to emphasize over here that I came to Korea with a tourist guide but I won't mention the name of the tour company. I'll put it as xxx lol. There's actually too many option (tour companies) for you to pick. Just pick one that suits your heart okay?!

19 January 2018

Okay, we (my mom and I) waited for our flight check in. It was around 9pm. We waited for other members to gather and finally we take off at 1am. Okay, it took 6 hours tau from Malaysia to Korea. I thought I could sleep in the flight but I was wrong. I don't find it comfortable to sleep idk why lol. Btw I think air asia X seat (economy) is a lil bit smaller compare to the normal air asia flight I've taken before lol. And 6 hours, is like... omg i can't even stand it. The longest hour I've been on plane was 2 hours, and not more than that, but this is the longest in this 26 years of life. I can't imagine how people can travel by plane for more than 6 hours bcs serious ah aku taktahan gila weh duduk satu tempat. Even if it's in business class sekali pun, I just can't lah. So, I was listening to my iPod for 6 hours oh God.

Okay, maybe you guys wanna know, since I travel during winter, what I wear during my check in, did I straightly wear the winter coat with layer of clothes? Nah, I'm not. I wore my sneakers with socks and tshirt with sweater. That's all. But, I bring my winter coat and other important stuffs like muffler and gloves as hand carry so it will be easier for me to grab once I reached Incheon airport.

20 January 2018

Finally, we've reached Incheon airport around 8 am KST (7am malaysia time). I was so excited because omg omg it's Donghae's country how can I stay calm hahahahaha and this is my first time going to 4 seasons country so you know tropical country people how la kan, always complaint panas panas lah... now go winter place mesti excited aiyo hahahahaha. I keep on doing instastories and taking some pictures lol. I was so excited to take the train to claim my baggage. I am never happy before this when it comes to claim baggage but this time I am lol because it's Korea guys hahahaha. Okay, lemme tell you guys, once you came out from the plane, you'll feel a lil bit cold but the airport is very warm. So I started wearing my winter coat after I go out from the airport. If you stay near the door of the airport, of course you'll feel cold since it's cold and windy too lol.

Btw, at the airport, there's a service where you can rent a pocket wifi, like for how many days you want and pay for the amount. I forgot how much was it because I didn't get one but if I am not mistaken it's RM 37 for 5 days? Yes around that lah. And you need to return it before you leave Korea later.

Okay, it was 0 degree celcius when I arrived. And it's windy too, chilly too. But it's not that cold for me. It's cold but not that cold you get what I mean hahahah i mean like... it's cold but you can tahan lagi la the coldness lol. Our tourist guide was waiting for us, his name is J**** Lee and he is Korean who can speak English and Chinese. So we took a bus and our trip started.

The first place we went was Kimchi Making place. Then,we were taught on how to do kimchi and how seaweed is processed. Those kind of stuffs. The one who taught us to do kimchi said that it's a must for daughter-in-law to know how to make kimchi because if not, mother-in-law will feel bad for their adeul (son). Idk wether it's a joke or it's a real thing but, whoever married to Korean, I bet they need to know how to do kimchi, right? Because that's a must food for them.

seaweed

Kimchi making by me.

After the kimchi making, we went for a hanbok wearing season. Ahhh, sadly I really want to look like a higher official, but their costume isn't complete. So, I wore a hanbok after the staff told me that I have to wear an agasshi (young girl) attire so it will look good since I am young to her (?). 

Higher rank official lol

Agasshi in Hanbok ^^

After the hanbok session, we went to Itaewon for lunch and solat. The mosque is really big and the view is really nice. I took some picture with the mosque. Btw, I am so tired walking in Itaewon since the road is like up and down just like what I saw in Korean dramas. Berbukit bukau like that hahaha. It's actually very tiring to reach the mosque hahaha but our 60 years old tourist guide doing it like... there's no problem. hahahahaha okay such a fit ahjusshi who want us to call him oppa.

view in front of the mosque

Seoul Mosque

Then, we went to Dongdaemun Design Plaza and guess what, I heard it is popular for it's design. Well, you can look up on google to know more about it but since it's winter, and there's no exhibition going on, so the place look empty. I walk around the plaza and took some pictures. What I can say is, it's cold since the temperature slowly became -2. 

We went to a mall near DDP (which is Dongdaemun) and as it is still holiday mode, and it's on Saturday, so many people were out that night and since it's sale everywhere, you can see a lot of cool winter fashion design over there. Me? I didnt buy anything over there because I am not into fashion ahahahaha so yeah. If you like fashion make sure you come to Dongdaemun, okay?

Doota Mall

After this hectic day, and of course dinner, we finally arrived at our hotel. We stayed in I.T.W hotel. Okay, you guys can just google up this hotel if you wanna know more. But I am amazed by their room because thanks to my skill in their language lol i manage to understand their guide. Well, there's a notice in english to guide you in the room so you don't need to worry. I'm amazed by their remote control. Lol. They have one remote control for three purpose which is for tv, aircond and also lights. Hahahaha. It's different from hotels that I usually stay in other countries. I am amazed they made it 3 in 1 lol. Okay, in this hotel, you don't feel the coldness. So, you are safe lol.

21 January 2018

It became cold. If I am not mistaken it's around -3 to -5 degree celcius, fuhh! We went for breakfast at Hisbiscus (Halal restaurant). I heard it's very popular among tourists. Then, we went to Nami Island! OMG, it's very cold in Nami. I learnt something about Nami too. Nami is actually someone's name. He is a General back then, and he has his own story. Nami Island is very beautiful. Since it's winter, the scenery became 'cold' too. No leaf from trees, and it's windy too.

 

I managed to play a sliding board okay tbh Idk what it is called lol. But I got the chance to play it. It was fun that I played in for 3 times. Then, in Nami Island, there's a stall selling steamed bun and it's very famous because the way they cook it (in traditional way, using charcoal).  It cost 1000 won each. Nami Island is very big in my opinion, you need to walk and tour the island to meet the legendary Winter Sonata statue. I didn't walk that far so I didn't take any picture the statue.

Me on the slide

The popular steamed bun

After that, we went for lunch and continue our journey to Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in Hwacheon. Our tourist guide said, this place is at the north of South Korea and it is a lil bit cold. It's around -7 to -8. I was shocked omg how am i going to stay there and trying my luck in fishing hahaha. Well, if you do a lil research regarding this place, this festival was chosen as one of Seven Wonders of Winter by CNN. You can catch fish (mountain trout) and even ask them to grill for you. Idk about the price but you need at least 10000 Won per person. There's two fishing area, one for foreigners and the other one is for locals. Other than fishing, there are many other activities that you can enjoy! My tourist guide said, this festival only runs for 21-22 days in January. So, if you come to Korea in January, make sure you come here! Btw, I didn't get any fish after spending 2 hours on the ice hahahaha. But hey, I like the feeling, it's very cold but everyone is happy. The scenery pun awesome uhuk!

After that we went for Dinner and travelled to Seoul again, but this time to ski resort. So, we spent one night in Bear Town Ski Resort. Well, we stay in a Korean style apartment. Before this, I've been wondering how does the floor with heater feels like, and finally I experienced it hahaha. Without any aircond nor fan, you can still feel cold but because of the ondol ( the floor), you feel warm when you lay down. It's really warm.

 22 January 2017

After breakfast,we've rented ski equipments. Guess what, it's very hard to put on the ski boots hahahahahaha i feel like omg this sport is really not for me hahahahaha. Well, I keep on falling during the ski. Ahhh, I am so impressed with kids who spent their time in that resort just to play ski. Once, I saw a programme where Eunhyuk and Leeteuk went for ski and Teuk was laughing because Eunhyuk didn't do well and now I understand how hard it is to ski kahkahkahkah. I seriously keep on falling. Lol. If you want to ski, don't carry important things in your pocket. Keep it somewhere safe.

After spending few hours, we had lunch and move to Everland. OMG guys, once we reached Everland, it's snowing. My tourist guide said we are lucky to get to see snow. Hahahah my mom was the happiest person that time because it's actually her wish to see snow. I am so happy too because Everland is very beautiful omg it's like I am in a dreamland. I just can't. Since it's winter, few games weren't available and later it keeps snowing that cause some other games to close too. But I don't mind because I enjoyed looking at the scenery omg it's like a fairytale.

All day pass.

Snowing!

Before I left, I bought myself a souvenir from Everland shop. So cute. Everything is so cute and beautiful I just can't. Too amazing weh. If I ever come to Korea again, I will surely visit Everland! One more thing that makes me happy is because of these considerate Koreans. They tried to speak in English eventhough I could understand Korean a lil and they aren't rude. Once I was trying to queue for this one game, so I just follow the path given, usually if we queue kan ada laluan dia kan, so I just followed the laluan eventhough ada short cut. Some Korean couples were there but they used the short cut way to queue. When I arrived, they smile and asked me to queue in front of them because I was there first. I said thanks. I didn't want to use the shortcut because I want to show them we also could respect their rules. Actually they also offered us seat if we can't find any seat. So nice. Well, you must behave wherever you go right? You know if in Malaysia how la kan? Surely no give. Eh ye ke? Ada je considerate people tak gitu?

 

After spending some time dekat Everland, we go back to Itaewon again for dinner and of course to our hotel. But our tourist guide reminded us that since it's snowing just now, that means a very cold temperature is coming! Omg.

23 January 2018

And just like what our tourist guide said, it came true lol it was -14 degree celsius in the morning omg. After breakfast, we went to Amythest and some place selling cosmetics,. What i did was just window shopping.  After that we went for lunch. While waiting for everyone to comeback and gather again after solat, I went to Line Friends in Itaewon. Okay from the first day until this date, I saw many BTS fans lined up every morning just to get the BT21 merch. So, I decided to take a look. Omg, this store is very cute. Full of line characters. I took some pictures while roaming around. The cafe is full of people. They sell some coffee thing over there with BT21 on the cup. They sell BT21 merchs too. I wish this kind of place exist in Malaysia and the theme is Super Junior lol. I will come to the cafe whenever I have time lol.

 

  

  

 

After that, went to some duty free shops to buy something. Well, in duty free shop, they will give you some gift coupon or like a voucher. You need to present it during your payment together with your passport. I bought a lot of skin care products like mask and some moisturizers. And some souvenir too. 

After spending some money over there, we went to Namdaemun market. In Namdaemun, things are cheap if you know how to bargain. I did bargain with some ahjummas. There's one ahjumma who sold a pretty ring to me at a lower price after I bargained so hard lol and she asked me why did I speak so fluently. Then I just smiled to her. Hahahaha well actually my Korean isn't that good. I only know some words that I learnt from Kdramas and variety shows hahahaha. I bought some kpop stuffs too but I couldn't find as much as I want because the time is very limited T-T

SUJU FOR THE WIN!

After dinner, we went to myeondong. I went to Myeondong through subway. Ahhh, I've finally bought things I want. I did bargain but it's very hard to bargain in myeongdong because they sell things with fixed price. So yeah. But the funniest thing was, I lost in Myeongdong hahahaha. Since it's very big and there's a lot of people and almost every shop there selling the same thing, I lost. Thank God, I managed to call my tourist guide to fetch me. Huuuuu. But before that, I met two policemen. I guess both of them are still student. I asked them the right way to go to the place that I have to wait in English. They were like "errr" and they said sorry because they are not sure too since they are not from Seoul. Hahahaha so cute. After 30 mins, I've finally managed to reunite with my tourist guide lol. My mom were worried because we lost and I was like ahhhh it's Korea kot lol and internet bersepah kot. Hahaha. Yes I contacted my tourist guide through Whatsapp.

After this tiring shopping day, we've finally reached our hotel after dinner. I quickly packed my stuffs since we are going back on the next day.

24 January 2018

Our last day before going back to Malaysia. After breakfast we went to some other places like a ginseng factory and Korean supermarket to get Korean snacks. I didn't get that much of snacks because I need to know if it's really halal or not. They said if you "was was" ( hesitate) , don't buy it.

So, yeah. After that, we went straight to Incheon Airport since we need to check in. Our flight was at 2pm I guess *forgot* . So we said goodbye to our tourist guide and went back to Malaysia.

That's all, my story about my trip to Korea. Hahaha. Well, I didn't went to place like Han River *we go on it but never went to the park near it*, Namsan Tower and also the palace. Actually, our tourist guide also was shocked because those places were not included. I feel bad too since it's tourist attractions. But, maybe not this time. I will surely come again next time. Maybe on different season? I am so grateful that I've finally managed to see Korea eventhough I didn't meet any idols here. I know it's not easy to meet them. Lol.

Tips for winter? I will write it for the next post. Next next post . Idk but I will surely write it before it's gone from my mind ^^

Till here, goodbye.

Han