Sharing a recap of what we did in Seoul, the place we stayed, and my ideas on the entire expertise. The nutshell model: I CAN’T WAIT to return.
Hello associates! How are you? I hope you had a tremendous weekend! We simply caught up with home stuff right here, lastly recovered from jet lag (I used to be barely jet lagged after we acquired there, however ended up using the wrestle bus after we got here dwelling), and met up with some associates.
I’m so excited to share some recap posts on our journeys with you!
Right here’s an inventory of what I’ve deliberate in order that once they go reside, I can add the hyperlinks to this submit.
Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate (this submit)
Tokyo and Kyoto itinerary and ideas for journey
What we ate in Japan
My Korean Head Spa expertise
Seoul recap, what we did, and what we ate
Earlier than I get began, I wished to start with an apology.
To my associates in South Korea and Japan, I used to be ignorant, and now I do know. I had NO CLUE how a lot I’d been lacking out. The ladies picked the places for this journey, and I figured it will be one thing that I loved, nevertheless it wasn’t my first alternative for a trip. (I’d be pleased repeating least yr’s 5+ weeks in Spain journey.) I didn’t count on to fall in love with these locations, however I completely did. This journey completely modified my life. I’ll share extra in my Japan submit, however these locations didn’t really feel like totally different international locations… they felt like totally different worlds.
The folks in Seoul have been SO variety and wonderful. The meals was unbelievable. It felt so very secure, and there was a lot to do. We might have doubled our time there and been pleased. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of instances throughout Tom’s navy profession. All of our associates who lived there liked it, and now I perceive why.
We flew from Phoenix to San Francisco, after which direct from SFO to Seoul. The flight was lengthy – about 12 1/2 hours – however I managed to nap on and off (the ladies stayed awake the entire time) and we landed at about 3pm. I feel that is the proper time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your lodge room is prepared, so if you happen to’re completely wrecked and want a nap, you may. You don’t should wander round and wait till your room is prepared.
We knew that it will be a low-key day, so we checked into the lodge and got down to discover. We stayed on the RYSE Autograph Assortment lodge and I’d 100% suggest it for the wonderful location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked all the things utilizing our Amex platinum. My referral link is here!)
It was surrounded by nice eating places and outlets, and straightforward to get round.
I didn’t take a pic however the lavatory had an infinite waterfall bathe with nice water strain.
We have been shocked to see total streets full of little kiosks and cute outlets only a block away from the lodge.
We explored and met our new skincare bestie at TONYMOLY and P was exhausted, to we went again to the lodge whereas Tom and Liv grabbed dinner. All of us slept via the night time and have been absolutely set the subsequent day!
We did quite a bit whereas we have been in Seoul, however listed below are among the highlights.
Lotte World
Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and outside theme park. Liv instructed this one – she added her concepts to our journey planning spreadsheet – and we had a blast. We joked that it was like a speakeasy. It’s many ranges and fairly a number of points of interest appear to be hidden, however there was a lot to do. It additionally blew my thoughts that acquired 4 tickets with 3 skip the road passes for every of us and the full was $200. (I used Journey.com to e-book.)
I didn’t take a pic of the surface however image a citadel, numerous curler coasters, a drop journey, and plenty of outlets and meals stands.
We did the entire finest rides – they’ve a mixture of rides for youthful kiddos and extra thrilling rides and coasters for older children and adults – and spent the whole day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; undoubtedly considered one of my high theme park rides.
Baseball recreation and Korean BBQ
We spent a whole day buying and exploring, and that night, we went on a tour with an English talking information to Korean BBQ
and a Dusan Bears baseball recreation.
Baseball is HUGE in Seoul and a real cultural expertise. Every hitter has their very own chant and cheer, and the whole enviornment is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent stage, too. They offered beers with an the other way up baseball cap that was full of shrimp – it seemed SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You may also herald your personal meals and drinks; so totally different from the States the place they pressure to you go inside to purchase $8 bottles of water.
Head spa and petting zoo
The top spa can be receiving its personal submit, nevertheless it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having among the best spa experiences of my life, the Pilot and the kiddos went to a petting zoo the place they have been capable of maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.
Dwelling the dream:
Purchasing at Olive Younger
If you happen to go to Seoul, buying at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to refill on the entire finest Ok magnificence merchandise at wonderful costs. It’s like an infinite Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all one of the best stuff. I used to be frightened we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it will be onerous to get to, however they’re in every single place. We had three places proper by our lodge.
Gluten-free eating in Seoul
On this journey, I attempted my finest to eat gluten-free as intently as attainable, however understood that it may be very tough – not all the things is labeled – and accepted that there can be some wheat in sauces and condiments. Additionally as a result of I don’t communicate the language, I didn’t need to be tough to attempt to modify the meals.
I’ve been strict gluten-free for 3 years for the autoimmune stuff and it’s made an amazing distinction for me, and P has been gluten-free for the previous yr. (She was purple on her IgG take a look at and she or he used to have dangerous abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we lower it out.) I instructed her we’d simply do our greatest as a result of fortunately we’re not allergic to gluten, however we’d in all probability have some in sauces, and many others.
We have been capable of eat at two 100% gluten-free eating places in Seoul: Sunnyhouse and Monli2. Each have been A+ experiences.. higher than any of the gluten-free choices I’ve had in Tucson.
Sunnyhouse gluten-free restaurant in Seoul, Korea
Sunnyhouse has breakfast all day, sandwiches, platters and desserts. It’s sort of a hidden location however is extraordinarily cute inside.
P had a fluffy nutella waffle, a grilled cheese,
and I had the Mediterranean plate. I might eat this each day. The bread was SO smooth and fluffy. Why do US eating places have such a tough time making good gluten-free bread???
Monli2 gluten-free restaurant in Seoul, Korea
Monli2 has CHURROS, pizza, sandwiches, and baked goodies. I ordered a pesto pizza and it severely among the best gf pizzas I’ve had in my life (#1 is Italy, #2 is that this one, and #3 is NYC).
I knew that I’d eat totally different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and the whole time we have been gone, I felt wonderful. My power was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals have been all so extremely recent and scrumptious.
Our lodge had an enormous breakfast buffet every day and you can get American breakfast staples (like fruits, pastries, eggs, potatoes, bacon and juice) in addition to custom Korean gadgets, like kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice, pickled veggies, and many others.
Ideas for visiting and issues we observed:
– Positively be taught a handful of phrases however Google translate generally is a useful gizmo. I used to be stunned to search out that fairly a number of folks spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s straightforward to change the language to English. The ladies know so many Korean phrases in order that they have been capable of assist us out.
– The bus and subways are very clear and environment friendly, however we ended up utilizing Uber to get round. It was far inexpensive to get round than it’s within the states. We appreciated Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you may enter the situation – no language boundaries this manner – and you may see the precise fare.
You may also get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation if you happen to determine to make use of public transport.
– Carry somewhat trash bag with you. Public trash cans aren’t in every single place, so you might have to hold trash with you till you’ll find a trash can. Don’t assume that every one trash cans are public; it could be owned by a retailer.
– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s dangerous manners, so if you happen to get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I price like it is a higher technique to eat anyway! In case your nervous system is calm, you’ll have a greater time digesting your meals.
– Google maps doesn’t work. We used Naver as an alternative to get round. Google transit points earlier than utilizing Naver for public transportation. It’s best to get these on public alerts when you’re there, nevertheless it’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.
– Tipping will not be a factor in Seoul, however you may add compliments in Uber.
– Name your cellphone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a world plan. We normally do that earlier than we journey in order that we will have voice and information. We use AT&T and it mechanically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a distinct nation and so they provide offers; Liv’s cellphone was half off whereas we have been there.
– Korean Air! That is what we used to get to Tokyo, and it was an elite expertise. Ticket costs have been very cheap,
– Take your sneakers off in your lodge room. Normally they’ll have little slides by the door that you would be able to put on.
– Go away your shampoo and conditioner at dwelling. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you will see that higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the lodge can be wonderful high quality.
– Korea makes use of European shops. I’ve had these converters for years and introduced them on this journey. They work for laptops and telephones however don’t plug your hair dryer or styling software into these! The perfect guess is to purchase a hair software there, go to move spa or get a blow out someplace (!), or let it air dry and do some sock curls.
– You’ll be able to’t carry CBD to Korea. I’m glad I researched this beforehand and left my beloved gummies at dwelling. I introduced melatonin however didn’t find yourself needing it. There are additionally some medicines which are prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so verify the rules earlier than you go.
If you happen to’re headed to Seoul anytime quickly, you’re in for a deal with 🙂 I’m right here if I will help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo
Gina
