I will share what I did in Seoul the place we stayed and my ideas on the entire expertise. Briefly, I can not wait to go once more.
Whats up mates! how are you? I hope you had an amazing weekend! We ran some errands right here, lastly recovered from jet lag (I used to be barely jet lag after we arrived, however needed to take a tedious bus experience house), and met up with some mates.
I am actually trying ahead to sharing our journey recap with you.
This can be a listing of issues I’ve deliberate in order that I can add hyperlinks to this submit when they’re revealed.
Abstract of Seoul, what we did and what we ate (this submit)
Tokyo/Kyoto itinerary and journey ideas
What I ate in Japan
My Korean head spa expertise
Abstract of Seoul, what we did and what we ate
Earlier than I start, I wish to start with an apology.
To my Korean and Japanese mates, I used to be ignorant, however now I perceive. I had no concept how a lot I used to be lacking out. The ladies had chosen the situation for this journey and I knew it could be one thing I’d get pleasure from, however it wasn’t my first trip alternative. (I hope I can repeat my 5-week journey in Spain no less than.) I did not anticipate to fall in love with these locations, however I completely did. This journey fully modified my life. I will share extra particulars in my Japan submit, however these locations did not really feel like one other nation…they felt like one other world.
The individuals in Seoul had been very type and good. The meals was unbelievable. I felt very protected and there was a lot to do. I might have been pleased doubling my time there. What’s fascinating is that in Tom’s navy profession, we had the chance to be stationed in Korea many instances. All of our mates who lived there beloved it and now I can see why.
I flew from Phoenix to San Francisco, and from there I flew straight from SFO to Seoul. The flight was lengthy, about 12 and a half hours, however we managed to take a nap (the women stayed awake the entire time) and landed round 3pm. I feel it is the proper time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your lodge room is prepared and you’ll take a nap in the event you’re fully knackered and wish a nap. No must stroll round and wait till your room is prepared.
We knew it was going to be a relaxed day, so we checked into our lodge and headed out to discover. We stayed on the RYSE Autograph Assortment Resort and would 100% suggest it for its nice location, amenities, and eating choices. (I booked all the things utilizing Amex Platinum. You will discover my referral hyperlink right here!)
It was surrounded by nice eating places and retailers and straightforward to get round.
I did not take any pictures, however the toilet had a big waterfall bathe with sturdy water strain.
Only one block from our lodge, we had been shocked to see a complete road stuffed with little kiosks and cute retailers.
We explored and met our new skincare finest pal at TONYMOLY. P was exhausted so we headed again to the lodge whereas Tom and Liv had been having dinner. All of us slept by the evening and had been fully prepared the following day.
We did numerous issues throughout our keep in Seoul, however listed here are among the highlights.
lotte world
Lotte World is a big indoor and outside theme park. Liv steered this and we added her concept to our journey planning spreadsheet. And we had numerous enjoyable. We joked that it was like a speakeasy. There have been numerous ranges to do, and there appeared to be fairly a number of sights hidden away. I used to be additionally shocked that we every acquired 4 tickets, together with 3 skip-the-line passes, for a complete of $200. (We used Journey.com to make the reservation.)
I did not take any pictures of the outside, however I imagined a citadel, varied curler coasters, drop rides, and plenty of retailers and meals stalls.
We spent your entire day there experiencing the entire finest rides, combining rides for youthful children with thrill rides and coasters for older children and adults. The journey to Atlantis was wonderful. Undoubtedly my prime theme park experience.
Baseball recreation and Korean BBQ
We spent the entire day buying and sightseeing, and that night went on a Korean BBQ tour with an English talking information.
and a Dusan Bears baseball recreation.
Baseball is huge in Seoul and is a real cultural expertise. Every batter has their very own chants and cheers, and your entire area dances and cheers. Baseball meals can also be subsequent degree. They had been promoting tteokbokki, cheese, and meat skewers, in addition to beer with shrimp in upside-down baseball caps. You may additionally deliver your personal meals and drinks. It is a far cry from America, the place you are pressured indoors to purchase an $8 bottle of water.
Head spa and petting zoo
I’ll write a separate article in regards to the head spa, however it was the spotlight of this journey! Whereas I had the spa expertise of my life, the pilot and the youngsters went to the petting zoo the place they acquired to carry raccoons and pet meerkats.
Residing the dream:
Procuring at Olive Younger
Whenever you go to Seoul, buying at Olive Younger is a should. Store the most effective Ok-Magnificence merchandise, all at wonderful costs. It is like an enormous Sephora with skincare and cosmetics…all the most effective. I used to be frightened that Olive Younger could be onerous to seek out or entry, however they’re all over the place. There have been 3 areas very near our lodge.
Gluten-free eating places in Seoul
I attempted my finest to eat as near gluten-free as attainable on this journey, however I understood that it was very troublesome and accepted that it wasn’t going to be labeled on all the things and that there could be some wheat within the sauces and seasonings. Additionally, I do not communicate the language, so I did not need it to be troublesome to alter my food plan.
I have been strictly gluten-free for 3 years resulting from an autoimmune illness, and it has been an enormous change for me. P has additionally been gluten-free for the previous 12 months. (She got here out pink on the IgG check and was having extreme abdomen and joint ache, which went away after having it eliminated.) I instructed her I used to be fortunately not allergic to gluten, so I’d simply hope for the most effective, however it might in all probability be within the sauce or one thing.
We had the pleasure of consuming at two 100% gluten-free eating places in Seoul: Sunnyhouse and Monli2. Each had been nice experiences. It was higher than any gluten free choice I’ve had in Tucson.
Sunny Home Gluten Free Restaurant in Seoul, South Korea
Sunnyhouse serves breakfast, sandwiches, platters and desserts all day. It is a hidden place, however the inside may be very cute.
P is fluffy Nutella waffle, grilled cheese,
And I had the Mediterranean plate. You possibly can eat this on daily basis. The bread was very gentle and fluffy. Why do U.S. eating places have such a tough time making scrumptious gluten-free bread?
Gluten-free restaurant Monli2 in Seoul, South Korea
Monli2 affords churros, pizza, sandwiches, and baked items. I ordered the pesto pizza and it was actually top-of-the-line GF pizzas I’ve had in my life (1st place: Italy, 2nd place: this, third place: New York).
I assumed I’d eat various things whereas in Korea and Japan, however I felt nice the entire time I used to be again. My vitality was nice and it doesn’t matter what I did, I by no means had a abdomen ache. All the meals was extremely recent and scrumptious.
The lodge serves a wealthy breakfast buffet each day, that includes American breakfast staples reminiscent of fruit, pastries, eggs, potatoes, bacon and juice, in addition to conventional Korean elements reminiscent of kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice and pickled greens.
Factors to notice and issues I observed throughout my go to:
– You do must be taught some phrases, however Google Translate generally is a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked at how many individuals spoke English, and you’ll simply change to English when ordering on the kiosk. The ladies helped us as a result of they know numerous Korean phrases.
– Buses and subways are very clear and environment friendly, however I ended up utilizing Uber to get round. Journey prices had been a lot decrease than in america. I like Uber over conventional taxis as a result of I can sort in my location, there is no language barrier, and I can see the precise value.
For those who use public transportation, you can even get a Local weather Card or T Cash card to get limitless transit passes.
– Carry a small rubbish bag with you. Public trash cans will not be out there all over the place, so you could have to hold your trash with you till you will discover one. Do not assume all trash cans are public. Could also be owned by the shop.
– Don’t stroll or eat. It is unhealthy manners, so in the event you obtain a meal or snack, cease and luxuriate in it earlier than shifting on. I really feel prefer it’s higher to eat this manner anyway! When your nervous system is calm, will probably be simpler to digest meals.
– Google Maps is just not working. I navigated utilizing Naver as a substitute. Earlier than you should utilize Naver on public transportation, you’ll encounter an issue with Google Transit. You may must get these throughout your keep, however it’s finest to test earlier than you’re taking public transport.
– There is no such thing as a tipping in Seoul, however you possibly can add a praise in Uber.
– Name your cellphone supplier to arrange your worldwide plan earlier than you permit. We normally do that earlier than the journey to make sure voice and information can be found. We use AT&T and it robotically prompts when it detects we’re out of the country and offers us a reduction. Liv’s cellphone was off about half the time we had been there.
– Korean Air! That is what we used to go to Tokyo and it was an elite expertise. Ticket costs had been additionally very affordable, so
– Please take off your footwear in your lodge room. There’s normally a small slide by the door that you may step on.
– Depart your shampoo and conditioner at house. Please deliver mild toiletries. The lodge’s shampoo and conditioner are of surprisingly prime quality.
– South Korea makes use of European retailers. I’ve had these converters for years and introduced them with me on this journey. You need to use them for laptops and cellphones, however do not join hair dryers or styling instruments to them. One of the simplest ways is to purchase hair instruments there, go to a head spa, get a blow-dry someplace (!) or let it dry naturally and do sock curls.
– CBD can’t be introduced into Korea. I am glad I did my analysis beforehand and had my favourite gummy bears at house. I introduced some melatonin, however I ended up not needing it. A few of the drugs prescribed right here will not be allowed in South Korea, so test the rules earlier than you go.
For those who’re heading to Seoul quickly, we extremely suggest it 🙂 In case you have any questions, please be happy to contact us. I will be again tomorrow with an outline of the pinnacle spa.
Shit
Gina
