Changi Airport T3, 6am
- 6am to check in for our 8.00am flight.
- My 1st time on SQ and with all my most loved ones.
- 2 big luggages & 2 strollers to go.
- Everybody is nervous & excited for the flight & trip.
- Papa is seating around somewhere...LOL. Reserving his arm (to carry Myn) & leg energy for the trip.
- 7hrs flight - Show, Climb, Eat, Snack, Toilet, ZZZzzzzzz.......
- Poor me...no proper movie, meals or rest when have to attend to the energy-packed little ones thru out the flight
Incheon Airport @ about 4pm
(Korea Time, 1 hr ahead of Spore)
- Took Airport Bus 6002 & dropped off at Jongno 1-Ja.
- (10,000won/adult. 8,000won/child. +- 1hr ride)
- Airport Bus Guide - http://www.airport.kr/airport/traffic/bus/busList.iia?flag=E
- We were a bit lost with the directions to the Hotel when we got of the bus but was quickly approached and given assistance by a middle aged lady who can speak fluent English.
- However, after a few turns, we are still lost. We approached a pair of dashing young local police, they were anxious to help but not knowing the way and cant speak English/Mandarin.
After dragging the kids and luggages around for 20-30mins, FINALLY! We found our hotel!!!
Checked in Hotel Aventree Jongno
- Avg Size, clean new hotel. Good room size & bed, clean modern bathroom.
- Clean neat lobby with a café, Restaurant & 7-11.
- Will be staying 3nites in this hotel.
- Good location, 5mins walk to Insadong, in between 2 subway stations, 10-15 mins walk to attractions like Cheonggye-Cheon stream, Gyeongbok-Gung palace, Hanok Village, Jogye-Sa Temple. Lotsa eateries around.
- There are lotsa nice budgeted guesthouses in Korea but I chose hotel from the comfort and assurance of quality since going with kids, parents and fussy hubby.
- Overall 8.5 out of 10 for a 4-star type hotel
Insadong (인사동) Walk & Dinner
Although, our hotel is only 5 mins walk away, we did not have enough time to explore and have a good walk at Insadong as it was already rather later after the check in, we only had dinner & short street walk.
Although, our hotel is only 5 mins walk away, we did not have enough time to explore and have a good walk at Insadong as it was already rather later after the check in, we only had dinner & short street walk.
“Go to Insadong if you want to get a taste of traditional Korea - culture, art & cuisine. you will find many good restaurants offering authentic korean cuisine, art galleries, and souvenir shops.”
Vehicles are not permitted on the street during weekends, making it more amenable for visitors to look around. Every Saturday from 14:00 – 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 – 22:00, some streets are blocked off from traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and others set up shops (Korean candy merchants and fortune tellers.) There are traditional performances and exhibits as well.
(3rd & 4th Pic taken from tripadvisor)
Ssamziegil (2nd Pic) is a traditional culture and shopping complex in Insadong that houses over 70 stores that sell various items, ranging from fashion and art to food and accessories, on four floors above the ground that are connected by spiral staircases. There are art & craft activities (Stained glass, beads, candle, wood craft, etc) at the basement. Good to do one for the experience and have a take home self-made souvenir., esp for kids.... A pity that we only found out on our last day of dept and no time for it. Mel was rather disappointed as she luv crafts.
- Street art is common & nice themed/design cafes are everywhere in Seoul. A pity with the kids, we cant go into any to take our time to enjoy the food & ambience. (The kids will be too noisy, mess up the table & food, damage the decors & have to eat fast) =oS
- Abv pics are taken from our route to Insadong, a window display of some arty furniture that does not look 3D from most angles.
- 1st dinner taken @ Insadong - Korean Food (Pic of restaurant taken from callistonian.net)
- Forgotten to take more pics of the food & shop. Must be too tired & hungry. ha!
- We had Jumbo hotplate mixed seafood, Bibimbap, Hot plate Chk, Non Spicy Soup dish. All nice. Except my cold buckwheat noodle. =o(
- Total about 65,000won for the dinner.
Time to tuck in rest & look forward the next day's itenary. =o)
The girls' luv their bathtub time. (Day 3-6)
