Thoughts about MERS in Seoul

I was excited when I came to Korea on the 27th May but after a couple of days arriving in Seoul, MERS epidemic has popped out of no where when some guy came back from the Middle East and fell sick, naturally those came in contact with him got the virus.

As the time I wrote this post, it has been confirmed that 4 deaths had been arisen and 50 people has been confirmed to have transmitted with the disease. However, those who passed away are quite elderly and had previously diagnosed with respiratory problems.

Things to pack for your long Korea trip

So, for the very first time in my life, I’ll be spending more than 2 weeks overseas and it will be a whole 3 long months in Seoul, during the summer helping some friends of mine.

So here’s basically some ideas on what I’m bringing over there.

• Passport (without this, you’re never going anywhere. It also allow foreigners to get discounts at certain places)
• Money
• Camera with chargers (1 Olympus mirrorless, 1 Sony action cam)
• Laptop with charger
• Mobile with charger definitely
• Universal adapter

Daily necessities…

What NOT to do in Korea

Hundreds, or not thousands of “what-to-do-in-Korea” posts one could find out there but less about “what-not-to-do” or any negative stuffs about a place or products. Humans are born curious, while most of the times, curiosity arouses towards things they didn’t know about. That says, me included.

Though I’m not a Korean local, however, curiosity had successfully led me towards loads of researching, K-dramas as well as countless visits to Korea, with that, I exposed myself to their cultures to the extend that I could basically call myself a local? No… I’ll just be my humble self and reject that statement, yet, many Koreans would tell me that when I’m with them.

I tend to think of when travelling to one’s country is literally like taking a visit to someone’s home. Thus, utilizing my knowledge, I’d like to share some of my insights on what you should try to AVOID in Korea.

Places to include in your Seoul itinerary

I’m not saying that I’m familiar-like-a-local about Seoul, but being there for a few times and also had to arrange for my so-called itinerary when I went together with my family, this is the least that I have to know.

Not to mention that numerous itinerary requests from my friends on Seoul…..

1. Cheonggyecheon Stream – This stream is connected all the way from Dongdaemun area to Gwanghwamun area. If taking a subway makes you feel sick (as in bored), you can take a slow stroll from either one of the entrance and walk to the other end while enjoying the paintings on the walls along the stream, as well as taking a rest by the stream when you feel tired.

Seoul’s Sky Park – Haneul Park

I’m in a dilemma choosing between Hanuel Park and Noeul Park, both are located side by side, or should I just visit both? But I decided to go with Hanuel Park, and I have no regret visiting there.

Although, this isn’t a season for the tall silvery grass nor the season for the egoistic sunflowers to be in bloom, however, without the grass obstructing your view, you get a clear sight across the vast fields.

White-out at Nami Island

This was my third time visiting the tourist-packed Nami Island, which is well known for its wintry white scenery! If you were to read my previous blog post, I have already been there twice during autumn, and it’s definitely a very huge difference when most of the trees became leave-less and everything became white.

Being a guide during this trip, my family were asking me why have I not bring them to Nami Island. But little did they know, I was waiting for the correct time and moment. What would it be? A snowfall, of course!

Wifi Korea Everywhere Speed Pack Review (评介)

After trying out the service of Wifi-Korea for the first time during my previous trip, I chose to used their service when I visited Korea again together with my family. We stayed for a long 10 days, thus I have opted for Everywhere Speed Pack pocket wifi which cost only USD 3.99 per day since it covers everywhere in Korea.

You may select to pick up at their office at no extra cost, or pay USD $5 (each way) to enjoy the hassle free delivery service to your Korea accommodation doorstep.
Note that delivery service is only available if you book it at least 2 days in advance before your arrival.

Superbly convenient, all you have to do is to fill in the form on their web-page and make your reservation. Instead of picking up at the airport like before, I visited them at their office, chose to pay the deposit by cash (100,000 won) and got the device on the spot!

Global Seoul Mate Mission 3 – My Seoul

It’s time for Global Seoul Mate’s 3rd mission, which is one that I can’t wait to write about! The theme for this mission is: Time Capsule, things about Seoul that we want to remember even after a long time. So here goes mine!

Seoul, the hustle and bustle city that could never stop turning livelier every hour when the sun sets. A city with their delicious sour spicy kimchi stew and ddeokbokki, or maybe a sizzling steaming hot Ssam Gyeop Sal during the autumn and winter. A city that could never resist Soju. This is the Seoul that I have always known, and hope this culture would continue to live up to many more years ahead.

Urban Data Pack Wifi Korea Review

Wifi means a lot to people nowadays, and also the very first thing that might come to a traveler’s mind. As a blogger and a social network freak myself, I tend to spend quite a lot of my time online to either update my whereabouts or sharing some interesting stuffs in real time while traveling, or even just to contact my family.

Everyone knows roaming is a pain in the neck especially when you are not careful, you might receive a bomb-like bill when you get back home. I made a couple of calls (less than 1 minute in total) to someone I know in Korea and guess what? My bill increased for around RM20 that month!

Places I will revisit in Seoul

One huge question that will haunt every traveler, including myself, except those who doesn’t bother to plan their trip, will come faced to faced with it, Mr. Where. Especially those who eagerly waited for their first time experience in their dream country or maybe after a couple times revisiting that country. “Where should I go?”, this question forever pop up into the mind whenever you are trying to plan your itinerary.

After 2 visits to Seoul, endless researches online, I thought that I’m now confident enough to write this article for people who are feeling lost at where they should visit when they are in Seoul. Here are some places which I would definitely recommend visiting, and even I myself would revisit again when I had the chance.

My Autumn-Sonata in Nami Island

When Winter Sonata became a hit and people start noticing about Nami Island (南怡岛), I had to admit that I have yet to watch this drama, up until today. Nevertheless, being someone crazy about Korea, the words came to my ears pretty quickly. Yes, I have been to Nami Island twice, though not in the winter. Back in the year 2012 and 2013, during the same season in the Autumn, we find our way to the island by ITX train and taxi. It might sound difficult and troublesome to transit and catch a taxi, but never let these fool you. In my opinion, it’s probably the easiest place to visit out of Seoul on your own.

Things to see in Seoul during Chuseok

Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving is just one day away. If you have read online about travelling to Seoul during Chuseok, you might find that most shops and places will be closed during this huge celebration. Nevertheless, in order for tourists to keep their days occupied, Seoul city had some great events to offer to those who will be in Seoul during this festival.

Low battery is not an excuse soon

Smart phone era. What is the largest issue for smart phone users, other than wifi? Possibly battery life?

I would love to say that you are lucky to be living in Seoul as it has announced that 5 outdoor recharging stations will be set up along the Cheonggyecheon stream. Drawing current from a collection of hydroelectric turbines embedded in the stream and will be fully charge in 2-3 hours.

If this project became a hit, it will be rolled out nationwide. A rather clever and eco friendly way of utilizing earth’s resources in my opinion, next time, there’s no more low battery excuses.

The Huwon

It was a sunny yet cooling autumn Thursday morning when we started our visit to the palace, okay, more like visiting Secret Garden instead of the palace. After some research, we decided to go with Changdeokgung (창덕궁) for our very first palace sight-seeing. Why Changdeokgung, and not Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeonggung, Gyeonghuigung or Deoksugung?

MICE for business visitors to Seoul

Good news to all business visitors that are attending large scale congress in Seoul! In an attempt of developing and pre-launching of the new “Seoul MICE Card“, something like T-money but only for business visitors, this is an electronic stored-value card that one could use it for transportation as well as shopping. Design of the card is simple yet looking stylish don’t you think?

Experiencing human traffic abroad

Most people in Korea takes public transport especially subway. I’m not so sure about prices of cars, but I can definitely say that to refill petrol in Korea is like pumping money into your car like water. It’s so expensive!

Double flavor drink.

Throwback.

You’ve probably tried or heard of sweet and sour rice or sweet and sour fish, but have you come across with a sweet and sour drink?

Save money while travelling in Seoul

You had finally booked your first flight to Seoul and searching for more information about places to visit while you are there. Probably you might be also thinking “if only there’s a way to cut some budget”.

I had traveled to Seoul twice and with some understanding of the Korean cultures and time spent researching about Korea, so I thought of making a list that could be of some help about ways to keep your money to your own pocket.

The complex of Insadong

What could caught your sight more than this building? Ssamziegil (or Ssamjie Gil) built in the middle of Insadong street in 2004 by Ssamzie Co. Ltd. The huge korean alphabet “ㅆ” which is supposedly the main icon as well as the the first letter of the name of this building “ss”.

Breathtaking view at the Sunrise Peak.

Volcanoes plays a big part in Jeju Island, as the island is dominated by Hallasan at it’s center, an extinct volcano 1,950 meters high and the highest mountain in South Korea. The remainder of the island is formed by about 360 smaller “Oreum” cones surrounding the Hallasan volcano.

The basalt-and-lava island was formed entirely from volcanic eruptions many many centuries ago with only minor volcanic activity since. Jeju-do’s location in the ocean, south of the mainland of Korea gives is a subtropical climate, warmer than the rest of Korea, with an annual mean temperature of about 16°C, and four distinct seasons.

Hongdae Free Market or Flea Market?

Free Market or Flea Market?

This struck my mind when I was searching for more info about Hongdae for the first time. So, the fact is, it’s actually called “Hongdae Free Market” and not Flea Market. The booths selling handmade products by mostly university students, are arranged in a way like those in a flea market and held during every Saturday throughout March ~ November ever since year 2002.

A sunset at Gwanghwamun Square

A calm and beautiful evening at Gwanghwamun Square, after a long and tiring walk at Cheonggyecheon stream, and finally felt like taking a rest while looking out at the busy streets, minus the stress and tenseness which used to catch up with our life without fail.