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 buddies! How are you? I hope you had an incredible 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 driving the battle bus after we got here residence), and met up with some buddies.
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 after they go reside, I can add the hyperlinks to this put up.
Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate (this put up)
Tokyo and Kyoto itinerary and suggestions 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 needed to start with an apology.
To my buddies 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 women picked the places for this journey, and I figured it could be one thing that I loved, nevertheless it wasn’t my first selection for a trip. (I’d be glad 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 put up, however these locations didn’t really feel like totally different international locations… they felt like totally different worlds.
The individuals in Seoul had been SO variety and wonderful. The meals was unimaginable. It felt so very protected, and there was a lot to do. We may have doubled our time there and been glad. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of occasions throughout Tom’s army profession. All of our buddies who lived there beloved 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 women stayed wakeful the entire time) and we landed at about 3pm. I believe that is the right time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your lodge room is prepared, so in the event you’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 could 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 might 100% suggest it for the wonderful location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked every part utilizing our Amex platinum. My referral hyperlink is right here!)
It was surrounded by nice eating places and outlets, and simple to get round.
I didn’t take a pic however the toilet had an infinite waterfall bathe with nice water stress.
We had 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 by the evening and had been absolutely set the subsequent day!
We did lots whereas we had been in Seoul, however listed below are a number of the highlights.
Lotte World
Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and out of doors theme park. Liv recommended 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 ebook.)
I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a fort, numerous curler coasters, a drop trip, and many outlets and meals stands.
We did all the finest rides – they’ve a mixture of rides for youthful kiddos and extra thrilling rides and coasters for older youngsters and adults – and spent the whole day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; undoubtedly one in every of my prime theme park rides.
Baseball recreation and Korean BBQ
We spent a whole day procuring 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 degree, 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 too can herald your individual meals and drinks; so totally different from the States the place they drive to you go inside to purchase $8 bottles of water.
Head spa and petting zoo
The pinnacle spa shall be receiving its personal put up, nevertheless it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having the most effective spa experiences of my life, the Pilot and the kiddos went to a petting zoo the place they had been capable of maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.
Residing the dream:
Purchasing at Olive Younger
In the event you go to Seoul, procuring at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to refill on all the finest Okay magnificence merchandise at superb costs. It’s like an infinite Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the very best stuff. I used to be frightened we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it could 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 carefully as attainable, however understood that it may be very troublesome – not every part is labeled – and accepted that there could be some wheat in sauces and condiments. Additionally as a result of I don’t converse the language, I didn’t wish to be troublesome 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 crimson on her IgG check and she or he used to have dangerous abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we minimize it out.) I advised her we’d simply do our greatest as a result of fortunately we’re not allergic to gluten, however we’d most likely have some in sauces, and many others.
We had been capable of eat at two 100% gluten-free eating places in Seoul: Sunnyhouse and Monli2. Each had 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 may eat this every single day. The bread was SO delicate 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 the most effective gf pizzas I’ve had in my life (#1 is Italy, #2 is that this one, and #3 is NYC).
I knew that I might eat totally different meals whereas we had been in Korea and Japan and the whole time we had been gone, I felt superb. My vitality was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals had been all so extremely contemporary 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 objects, like kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice, pickled veggies, and many others.
Suggestions for visiting and issues we observed:
– Positively study a handful of phrases however Google translate generally is a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to seek out that fairly a number of individuals spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s straightforward to modify the language to English. The women know so many Korean phrases so that they had 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 cheaper to get round than it’s within the states. We favored Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you may enter the placement – no language boundaries this manner – and you may see the precise fare.
You too can get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation in the event you resolve to make use of public transport.
– Carry a little bit trash bag with you. Public trash cans should not in every single place, so you’ll have to hold trash with you till you will discover a trash can. Don’t assume that each one trash cans are public; it might be owned by a retailer.
– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s dangerous manners, so in the event you get a meal or snack, simply cease and revel in it earlier than persevering with on. I payment like it is a higher strategy 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. You need 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 global plan. We often do that earlier than we journey in order that we are able to have voice and information. We use AT&T and it mechanically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a unique nation they usually provide offers; Liv’s cellphone was half off whereas we had been there.
– Korean Air! That is what we used to get to Tokyo, and it was an elite expertise. Ticket costs had been very cheap,
– Take your sneakers off in your lodge room. Normally they’ll have little slides by the door that you may put on.
– Depart your shampoo and conditioner at residence. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of one can find higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the lodge shall be superb high quality.
– Korea makes use of European retailers. 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 device into these! One of the best guess is to purchase a hair device there, go to go spa or get a blow out someplace (!), or let it air dry and do some sock curls.
– You’ll be able to’t convey CBD to Korea. I’m glad I researched this beforehand and left my beloved gummies at residence. 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 test the laws earlier than you go.
In the event you’re headed to Seoul anytime quickly, you’re in for a deal with 🙂 I’m right here if I may help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo
Gina
