Tuesday, September 4, 2018

[MUSLIM-FRIENDLY TRAVELLING ITINERARY] 6D5N SOLO SEOUL, SUMMER 2018

So i actually skipped 2017, and went straight to 2018 is it? Ha ha

Assalamualaikum and hello pals!

Have been wanting to write for so long but me being myself, delaying and procrastinating, well, to this day and here it goes! I am not gonna spend so much of your time to listen to my crappy thoughts and sayings. Gonna save it all to another day in another entries.

Just, for short.

I. ACTUALLY. TICKED. OFF. ONE. ITEM. IN. MY. BUCKETLIST!

I am so excited to share this news with all of you but yeah, would just share a part of it here and the rest will follow. Maybe for any of you who'd plan for a trip to Seoul, can use my itinerary here as one of references kan hihi.

Day 1 (8/8/2018)
06.50am
Boarding – Air Asia X D7 504 (KUL – ICN)
+ checked baggage 20kg + in-flight meal + preferred seat (window)

RM453.85
07.50am
Departing
6 hours flight zzz

03.20pm
(korea time)
Landing. Collected baggage.

Collected SIM card that i purchased online a week before, at SK Telecom official website. Purchasing online is much cheaper than offline.

Korea SIM Orange with 4G LTE Unlimited Data Only (No outgoing call but can receive calls)


T-money reload.
I got my T-money card for free from Korea Tourism Organisation Malaysia by registering and answering survey from the website. You can buy T-money card in Seoul for 3,000won anyway.



Must bring together the SIM card voucher attached in the email during purchasing.


There is a multi-faith prayer room available at the airport, near the public center at level 2.







RM91.29







05.00pm
Took an airport train (all stop) from Incheon Airport to Hongik University
T-money deducted
KRW4,050
06.00pm
Changed train to Sinchon.
One stop away.
KRW1,250
06.30pm
Arrived at ICOS Hanok Guesthouse 1 – for females.

Found and booked this guesthouse through Agoda with the option Pay at The Property. Special Single Room at 20% discount. Note that this is a guesthouse for females only with three type of rooms; single, double and dorm, all with shared bathrooms. So convenient and clean and everything about the stay is 10 out of 10!


5 nights stay fee


KRW124,800
08.00pm
Bought 2 onigiri and 2 banana milk only at the 7e as i was too tired.

KRW6,500

TOTAL DAY 1
RM545.15 +
KRW136,600
Day 2 (9/8/2018)
08.00am
Gwanghwamun Square. Learnt about Korean history in the exhibition hall below the square.

Took the train from Sinchon to Chungjeongno, then from Chungjeongno changed train to Gwanghwamun.




T-money deducted




KRW1,250
09.00am
Walked to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Toured around the palace. Free entrance if wears hanbok. There would be Palace Guard Changing Ceremony at 10.00am, 11.00am, 1.00pm and 2.00pm. The palace is closed every Tuesday, so planned your visit well.


Admission fee

KRW3,000
11.30am
Walked to Insadong street.

There are a lot of souvenirs shops here. And a lot of cafes too. Walk forward and you will see an entrance to another building on your left. That is Ssamziegil.

Went to the rooftop of Ssamziegil and popped by the Poop Cafe.
Mineral water






Iced latte
KRW600






KRW5,500

12.30pm
Walked to Bukchon Hanok Village.


02.00pm
Walked down the street of Samcheongdong.

Feet were getting tired of walking, so i decided to head over the nearest train station which is Anguk. Had no lunch yet because i was too absorbed with my walking view i did not feel hungry although my tummy was empty hahaha!

Anguk to Euljiro Sam(3)-ga, then changed line to Sinchon


02.30pm
Back to guesthouse, showered, performed my prayers and rest before going out again.
T-money deducted
KRW1,250
05.00pm
To Dongdaemun Grilled Fish Alley.

Took the train from Sinchon to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park, then changed line to Dongdaemun.

Initially planned to enjoy the view of Cheongyecheon Stream but nvm the view was awful.
T-money deducted

Samchi-gui (Japanese Mackerel Fish) set with side dishes
KRW1,250


KRW8,000
07.00pm
Back to the guesthouse.
T-money deducted
KRW1,250
TOTAL DAY 2
KRW22,100
Day 3 (10/8/2018)
08.00am
To Gapyeong.

From Sinchon, i took a train to Hongik University, then changed line to Sangbong and changed line again to Gapyeong. Pheww it took almost 3 hours, through 29 stations and i regret for not waking up earlier.


T-money deducted


KRW2,350
11.00am
Took the Gapyeong City Tour bus. This is a hop-on-hop-off bus so you could get into the bus anytime for the whole day with only one ticket.

The bus route is Gapyeong Station – Jarasum – Rail Bike – Nami Island – Petite France – Cheongpyeong Station – Garden of Morning Calm.

So i planned to go to Namiseom first, then to Petite France and lastly Garden of Morning Calm but.......waiting for the bus and the journey itself was time-consuming hence i only got to cover nami island and Morning Calm. :(

T-money deducted
(for the city tour bus tix purchased from the bus driver)

KRW6,000
12.00pm
Took the ferry to Nami Island. Exploring Nami Island during summer was no joke. The heat almost kill me hahaha.

Lunch at a halal restaurant in Nami Island, located near the prayer room. I think the name of the restaurant is Asian Restaurant. You can see a halal certified logo at the front door.
Ferry and Island entrance fees


Dakgalbi + fried egg
KRW13,000



KRW12,000
02.00pm
Took the ferry back to Gapyeong Wharf. Waited for the bus and headed to Garden of Morning Calm.


03.00pm
Explored Garden of Morning Calm.
Entrance fee
KRW9,500
05.00pm
Waited for the bus and the waiting game was about one hour :(((( there was no way i can get to Petite France in time.:(

so i hopped off at Cheongpyeong Station and got into the train and decided to go to Myeongdong Cats' Cafe.

From Cheongpyeong i got off at Sangbong to change line to Hoegi, then changed line again at Dongdaemun to Myeongdong.









T-money deducted









KRW2,150

07.30pm
Headed to Myeongdong Cats Cafe. Just find a guy in cat costume and he'll show you the cafe. To play with the cats, must order a drink.

Iced mocha.

KRW10,000
09.00pm
Back to the guesthouse.

Myeongdong station, changed line at Dongdaemun History and Culture Park to Sinchon.


T-money deducted


KRW1,250
TOTAL DAY 3
KRW56,250
Day 4 (11/8/2018)
09.00am
Took the train to Myeongdong station.

From Sinchon, i took the train to Euljiro 3(sam)-ga and changed line to Chungmuro and changed again to Myeongdong.



T-money deducted



KRW1,250
09.15am
Bought snacks for breakfast but i don't remember the name but they tasted like kaya balls but with red bean inside. Halal, no worries.

Walked to the Cable Car station to get to N Seoul Tower. Can also opt for a free shuttle bus that will take you directly to the N Seoul Tower. But the cable car got no seat like the one in Boys Over Flowers pun? And i didn't see any name of Jandi and Junpyo on the wall pun? Dah kena padam dengan authority kee hhahaha no just kidding, of course lah tak ada >.<

Snacks + mineral water


Cable Car (return ticket)

KRW3,500



KRW9,500
10.30am
Explored N Seoul Tower and wow so many couples haha.


11.45am
Got down the hill from Cable Car station by Oreumi at the leftside of the station.

Walked to M Plaza in Myeongdong street to book for hanbok free experience session. My session would be at 2.00pm so i took the golden opportunity to spend my money on all those masks and aloevera gels and hand creams and sanitizers and moisturizers and all those skincaresssss damn it was heavenly! I love Myeongdong! I got so many freebies too from the shopping, so yeah. It was definitely a win-win situation >.<




Shopping (with immediate tax refund)




KRW150,000
02.00pm
Hanbok free experience at Seoul Global Cultural Center, M Plaza. 10 mins per session.



02.10pm
Went back to guesthouse. Showered, prayed, rest.
T-money deducted
KRW1,250
04.00pm
Planned for a late lunch at Itaewon. Took a train from Sinchon to Hapjeong then changed line to Itaewon.

Walked towards the Seoul Central Mosque. The famous Eid Restaurant is located around 3-minute walk over the mosque. Itaewon is a city with quite the most Muslim population so there are sooooooo many halal restaurant here! As well as nightclubs and bar.........huhu.

I ordered Jjimdak and a glass of peach juice. Guys, i beg you to come and eat here as the food is so delicious. Highly recommended! So tasty urghhhh why didn't i go here since Day 1. I would love to try all the dishes T.T

T-money deducted










Jjimdak and drink

KRW1,250










KRW15,000
05.30pm
Walked to the mosque to perform my Asr prayer.


06.30pm
Walked to the subway and went back to the guesthouse.
T-money deducted
KRW1,250
09.00pm
It was weekend and decided to walk by Hongdae street.

Took the train from Sinchon to Hongik University which is only one stop away.

Bought some snacks too. Watched the street buskers and performers, and went back to the guesthouse.



T-money deducted


Snacks

T-money deducted



KRW1,250


KRW4,000

KRW1,250
TOTAL DAY 4
KRW189,500
Day 5 (12/8/2018)
09.00am
Took the train to Gangnam to go to COEX Mall. I planned for a leisure and relax kinda day since this was my second last day before returning home on 13th.

From Sinchon, i took the train to Dangsan and changed line to Bongeunsa.





T-money deducted





KRW1,450
11.00am
From Bongeunsa station, i walked to COEX Mall to search for the Marvel Shop.

Had my lunch at Kervan Restaurant and ordered my lunch urr i did not remember the name but it was not really my taste.

Bought an Ironman powerbank from the Marvel stores but i totally forgot to record the price.



Lunch set



Powerbank



KRW12,000



KRW40,000
(estimate)
12.30pm
Walked to SM Entertainment and what did i expect? To bump into SNSD members or SuJu? On a broadlight Sunday? The day where people usually spend on sleeping and resting? Haha

Planned on going to JYP building too but since the have moved out (before this it was near to SME), i cancelled the plan and took a train to Konkuk University from Cheongdam.






T-money deducted






KRW1,250
02.00pm
Explore Konkuk University.


03.30pm
Took the train to Ewha University. From Konkuk University station, directly to Ewha Univ Station.

T-money deducted

KRW1,350
04.00pm
Walked towards Ewha Womens University. Explore Ewha streets and campus.


05.00pm
Walked back to the guesthouse.


06.30pm
Went out again.

Took a train to Dongdaemun Cultural and Historic Park. Explored Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and also the park. The park has all these light led flowers at night so i waited till then.



T-money deducted



KRW1,250
08.00pm
Took the train to Myeongdong for the last shopping haul.

From Dongdaemun History and Culture Park station, to Myeongdong station.



T-money deducted



KRW1,250
08.15pm
Bought souvenirs for my family, officemates, students and friends in Malaysia. Fridge magnets, nail clippers, t-shirts, pens, tote bag and Park Seo Joon memo pad for myself >.<

i also bought 8 banana milk to bring back to Malaysia hahaha

Souvenirs



Banana milk

KRW120,000



KRW10,400
10.30pm
Went back to the guesthouse.
T-money deducted
KRW1,250
TOTAL DAY 5
KRW190,200
Day 6 (13/8/2018)
10.00am
Checked out from ICOS Hanok Guesthouse :(

So it was really the last day i was so sad. I will be back, Seoul <3

Took the train from Sinchon station to Hongik University and changed line to Incheon International Airport Terminal 1.





T-money deducted





KRW4,050
05.00pm
Departed to Kuala Lumpur.

Air Asia X D7 505 (ICN – KUL)
+ checked baggage 20kg + in-flight meal.





RM623.11
TOTAL DAY 6
KRW4,050 +
RM623.11
Total Expenses 6 Days 5 Nights Seoul Summer 2018
In Malaysian Ringgit
RM1,168.26
In Korean Won (converted to MYR)
RM2,221.85
Travel insurance (AXA)
RM39.00
TOTAL
RM3,429.11
I really hope my itinerary would help any of you roughly in planning on places to go and how to get there. There are a few places that i would really like to go; Namdaemun Market, Petite France, Everland, Gwangmyeong Cave, and many other places. maybe you can plan for a longer visit and add these places into your itinerary.

As for how did i manage to get here and there, i installed two apps on my phone; Korean Subway and Naver. The Subway apps was so helpful and informative and accurate in term of time of arrival and T-money you would spent on. Meanwhile Naver apps is for you to walk from the subway station to your destination.

I really enjoyed travelling alone as this was my first time doing it abroad but to have a partner would be very nice as well. What i learnt from my journey? I learnt to love myself more. I learnt to know myself more as well! I am so glad I chose Seoul as my first country to do solo travelling. The people i met were so nice, the food i ate were so tasty, i am missing the place even more as i wrote everything down.

Guess that is all, folks. I will see you in the next entry (if i don't procrastinate anymore >.<)

Till then!
XOXO