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I’m excited about going to Seoul for a couple reasons – in fact any Trini should be excited to go to Korea for the following reasons :
– I love spicy food. Trinis and spicy food go together like white and rice. I’m going Kimchi crazy!!
– I fully intend to Gangnam in Gangnam!
– I totally intend to have a piece of Rover/Fido/Lassie
– I’m going to stuff my guts with Bulgogi and Kalbi. It better be the best goddamn Korean BBQ/food ever!!!
– Visiting the DMZ between North and South Korea should be something else – but unfortunately the DMZ & Panmunjeom Tour doesn’t operate on Sundays and Mondays … sigh
– I’m going to a Jjimjilbang
As for my high level plan … this is a straight copy from the web. I’ll definitely refine this as I complete the trip.
How to get from Incheon Airport to the Westin Chosun
– … I’ll be using the Korean Air Limo service : http://www.kallimousine.com/eng/schedule_result_en.asp
– The bus stops are No. 4B & 11A and located in front of arrival exit 4 & 11 at Incheon Airport.
– Tickets will be available from the guide at the bus stop or the KAL Limousine counter located in the arrival hall between exit #4 and #5. And you can also purchase round trip tickets.
– Credit card is available at KAL Limousine counter only in Incheon Airport.
– The KAL Limousine operates four different routes, dropping guests off at all major hotels in Seoul. Tickets can be purchased from the attendant at the bus stop prior to boarding or from the KAL Limousine counter located in the arrival hall between exit #4 and #5. The KAL limousine costs KRW15,000 one way (NZD$17.70). The journey takes around 90 minutes each way.
Saturday
6 p.m. – I’m heading to Naksan Park for the view. On the outer side of the park are stone walls with battlements over ten meters tall, part of a much larger structure connecting major and minor gates that once served as the perimeter of Seoul. Enjoy the panorama of a brightly lit-up modern city with the remaining castle wall in front of it, an amazing contrast of old and new Seoul.
8 p.m. – Walk to Deahangno, Seoul’s colorful theatre district, which is full of young people. Then I’m going to look for some awesome Korean BBQ. I refuse to eat anything that isn’t Korean for the weekend!Have drinks at Jazz Story, which hosts house bands playing laid-back music every night. The live music venue looks like a junkyard complete with smashed bicycles and recycled treasures. To truly appreciate it, you have to go there at night when the vintage mood and soft music creates its own unconventional end to another strenuous working week for Koreans, who work the longest hours in the OECD.
Sunday
9 a.m. – Start the day at the Changdeokgung Palace, which served as a royal villa in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and reflects ancient Korea’s mindset that nature is beautiful in itself. Only one acre out of 74 acres of gardens at Changdeok consist of man-made buildings and ponds. Take a stroll and take in not only walls and pavilions, but also the sky and clouds mirrored on the water, the murmuring of a stream along the valleys, and the breeze that touches leaves and flowers, tranquil joys of nature once experienced by kings and queens.
12 p.m. – Have a lunch at Sanneri near Changdeokgung Palace, which offers meals centered on Bulgogi, a national dish made with marinated, thinly sliced beef.
2 p.m. – Head for the Leeum Gallery near the Hyatt hotel in Itaewon, an art gallery owned by the Lee family that owns the Samsung conglomerate, Korea’s richest family. Made up of radically different architectural styles, it has an extensive collection of traditional ceramics and Buddhist art as well as contemporary Korean paintings and sculptures. The gallery offers English language service for exhibitions on weekends.
5 p.m. – Browse the artsy alleyway named Comme des Garçons Street, an emerging new hot district which features a flagship store of the luxury brand. High-end shops, trendy bakeries and contemporary bars have opened recently, becoming a fresh destination for high-brow culture.
6 p.m. – Dine at fusion restaurant The Spice (02-749-2596) operated by Edward Kwon, the former senior executive chef at the seven-star Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai. The restaurant offers full course meals with each plate providing a combination of spices and textures in a unique European style.
8 p.m. – Dive into Itaewon, Seoul’s truly expat-friendly district and a magnet for shoppers looking for good bargains. You can try a multitude of restaurants including French, Italian, Thai and Japanese. Try Club Rococo (02-790-2260), which hosts DJs from all over the world.
Links I’ve used for my research – these are the blogs and articles I’ve read up to figure out my plan
– http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g294197-i8161-k4291916-JBR_48_Hours_in_Seoul-Seoul.html
– http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/48-hours-in/48-hours-in-seoul-7682479.html
– http://goodbeerhunting.com/blog/2012/10/7/setting-seoul-on-fire-48-hours-in-the-heart-of-south-korea
– http://travelblog.viator.com/48-hours-in-seoul/
– http://beautifulbuns.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/trip-to-korea-jjimjilbang-public-bath-sauna-touch-korea-tour-buzz-korea/
– http://www.yunessun.com/english/yunessun.html
– http://saunasinkorea.blogspot.ca/2010/03/seoul-ktx-station-silloam-sauna-jjimjil.html
– http://adventureaccounting.blogspot.ca/2012/05/demystifying-da-dmz.html
– http://kundaeats.com/seoul/
– http://walrusmagazine.com/blogs/2008/05/13/korea-kimchi/
