If here drop, likewise over in Korea. one forumer already confirmed 1,113 per 1 USD yesterday.

Upon arrival at Incheon, please go to Departure hall's forex to confirm whether the better exchange rate 1,1xx won per 1 USD is for selling or buying.

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Added on December 1, 2010, 11:12 amI mean if here is 2.83, namdaemun and myeondong area will definitely 2.7x

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 1 2010, 11:12 AM

For me, I will check in to Seoul's hotel to clean up and get enough sleep for touring next day.
However, if you wanna save 1 night accommodation cost, Incheon had been voted the best airport to sleep. Look up for signage "Rest & Relax" in the departure hall for pool side couch to spend a night. BTW I didn't pay attention whether if there is any "Rest & Relax" in the arrival hall.

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Added on December 1, 2010, 9:36 pmSeoul's Incheon airport voted best

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 2 2010, 07:48 AM

Is there any disadvantage to book accommodation in advance ? Reach there only decide means you have very very limited choice of accommodation within walking distance. Perhaps you like to lug around your many luggages up and down the underground subway station's stairs and pay 1000w to the next station to find a suitable accommodation ?
If you book directly thru the guesthouse home page, you pay upon check in. I guess this is better because you can cancel without being penalised in the event you cancel your trip.

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Added on December 2, 2010, 10:51 amBTW, give priority to accommodation near to Line1 subway station. Better off an interchange station for 2 or 3 lines.

Line 1 is most frequently used with minimum transfer for tourist like us. It cover many Korail train stations too without transfer. It can go up to Incheon town without transfer too.

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 2 2010, 10:56 AM

If flight on schedule, AA usually arrived early at 9pm. I managed to clear immigration, custom, change money, rent a phone, top up T-money and take the A'rex (3,500w) at 10pm. Reach Gimpo airport around 10.30pm to transfer to subway line (1,200w) to Seoul City station. Reached Seoul city before 12am. Total 4,700w only.
Subway last departure should be after 12am. Please do some research of the subway timing and contribute your findings here.

If your flight arrival is delay by 1 hour, then take the airport limousine bus directly from the airport. More expensive. about 10,000w

Wawasan Sentosa is quoting 2.89 today.
If your 1USD changed in Malaysia at RM3.14, then at USD1=KRW1140, Namdaemun's exchange rate for 1,000w = RM2.75

This findings clears the doubts of how to get the best korean won exchange.

Day 3 continue.....


Namsan N tower. Guess how many out of these wedlocks already unlocked in real life ? Will the couple bother to come here to unlock it when relationship turns sour? If you want to lock your relationship with your loved one, don't forget to bring one.


Namsan. By Seoul city tour bus.


Cheonggyecheon Stream (Rehabilitated stream). You've not been to Seoul if you don't visit here. By Seoul city tour bus.


Seafood curry noodle (6,000w) at Sinsegae.


Forgot the name liao (7,300w) at Sinsegae.


Persimmon at Garak Wholesale market.


Petrol prices at Seoul.




The korean eats "Budu" also.

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Added on December 3, 2010, 1:04 pmDay 3 continue.........

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 3 2010, 01:04 PM

Day 3 continue.........


Lotte World. 90% similar to Genting but day pass triple the price of Genting.




Dinner at one very famous small standalone restaurant in Lotte World shopping complex.


Day 4.


I missed out the Gyeongbokgung Palace during Seoul city bus tour because the all palaces closed at 3pm. Therefore have to come to Gyeongbokgung at own expense today. But fortunately, we managed to witness the change of guard in progress.





Persimmon tree in the Gyeongbokgung.


This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 3 2010, 01:23 PM

Day 4 continue.........


Lunch at Myeongdong.

As usual, most restaurant provides free flow of cold drinking water.

We thought it will be served as separate dish so we order 2 different dishes, marinated chicken galbi fried rice and marinated bulgogi (beef) fried rice and it turned out to be a big mistake because the waitress mixed up the two into one pot and fried it with rice.

If you are renting a phone, make sure you allocate 20min extra time for the returning of rented phone on the day of your departure to LCCT.


Day 5

Arrived early at LCCT around 5am. Have to take taxi to Putrajaya Sentral because the 1st shuttle bus to Salak Tinggi ERL station is 7.25am.

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 3 2010, 01:44 PM

Yes it is. But too high up, can not reach. I recommend all of you should go to supermarket to buy the good graded quality Korean persimmon and try it out. Very sweet and juicy . Those selling in Malaysia are of 3rd or 4th grade nia.

At the airport departure gate, I met up with a Malaysian couple who also coincidentally came to Seoul in the same AA flight with me told that they paid RM1000/pax for ground arrangement and they were very very disappointed with the tour and food. They said everything was in the rush and even at Nami island they were allow to stay 1 hour only



This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 3 2010, 09:00 PM

Nearest is Line 5, Gwanghwamun Exit 5. 100m only

2nd nearest is Line 1 or 2 Cityhall, Exit 4. 400m

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Added on December 3, 2010, 10:28 pm

Aigoo.....wasted ! wasted ! It was just 10km taxi ride from Namiseum wharf taxi stop. Ive just narrowly missed this one. One stone kill one bird nia....What a loss

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 3 2010, 10:30 PM

I saw in e-mart lambak-lambak like this (korean brand) on an offer bin for 29,000w (RM81).


Checklist for winter gears:
1)Down Jacket
2)Long John
3)Hand glove.
4)Scarf and sweater hat.
5)Face mask. (To moisture and warm up your nostril and lips)
6)Lip balm and moisturiser lotion.
7)Sports shoe should be fine for just few days tour
8) Sunglasses if go Ski resort.

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Added on December 5, 2010, 3:44 pmGwanghwamun. You can check google map and please share your findings here.

Bright yellow/orange definitely very jolok mata in a crowd of black. But easy to find you.

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 5 2010, 03:44 PM

The stream is like Jalan Sultan Ismail, the happening place is only at bintang walk vicinity, so you get off either at nearest Raja Chulan or imbi Monorail station. What for get off at Medan Tuanku and walk to bintang walk leh ?

The happening place is here. During peak time, you can only get down to the stream level from here too.
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5691937&lon=1...=19&l=0&m=s&v=9

Haha.. you go and walk la......I want to see your review got anything nice to see or not walking down the stream. your legs sure beh tahan wan.

Here are some travel tips to save subway cost and legs energy. Save Cheonggyecheon stream visit to the last stop during Seoul citybus tour. Because the final bus stop is Gwanghwamun and you just need to walk across the road to .
5.30pm onwards shall be dark enough for night view. Then from the stream source, walk down stream to Jongak station or further Jongno 3 station to go back to your hotel.

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 6 2010, 01:20 AM

No arrival experience to share here ?

Go to palace using tour bus. No need pay double transportation cost.

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 6 2010, 09:44 AM

You concern is very practical indeed. Even if they announce in English, I have problem comprehend it. A'rex is on the ground but you see nothing outside because it is dark after 5.30pm.
Those who didn't do much research and not well prepared before hand will surely lost direction in a foreign city. Here is a tip I would like to share to prevent getting lost.
1) Grab a local map with subway routes map at the arrival airport.

2) Use your camera or camera phone to take picture of Google maps (on your PC screen) showing the subway station and the place you would like to visit. Refer to the pictures whenever needed.
Example if you want to go to cheonggeychoen stream, just take this picture.

3) Print out the hotel direction map from its website.

Stimix, you may need to take picture of this
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5591989&lon=1...61&z=17&l=0&m=m

I don't pack it. I hand carry it. It doesn't count under 7kg hand carry weight allowance if you holding it in your arms at LCCT departure. Some more can roll up and use it as pillow if you have a 3 seater all by yourself.
But if insist to check in, this is my method. Extent it as wide as possible with minimum folding to fill the base of your suitcase then put the rest of your things on top of it to press it down. Second option is to go to Daiso and buy a vacuum bag.

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 7 2010, 03:09 PM

I thought you stay at Namsan Park Hotel ?

Aigoo..... you only need to see the station, exit no. and the road map ma. why need to understand the language leh ?

Your hotel is here right in the middle of 2 stations

As the matter of fact, after you walk down the Cheonggyecheon Stream at Gwanggyo bridge (near Jonggak), you can turn right and walk 1.1km only back to your Hotel.

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Dec 7 2010, 03:44 PM

Why don't you drop off from Seoul City Bus Tour (save 900w/pax) last stop at Gwanghwamun in the evening and save the walking for 1.1km Cheonggyecheon stream Gwanggyo bridge back to your hotel ? The stream is more beautiful at night.

Caaann.... can adjust any shape, any contour you want....better than deflatable one.