I am going to share what I did in Seoul the place we stayed and my ideas on the entire expertise. In brief, I am unable to wait to go once more.
Whats up pals! how are you? I hope you had an ideal weekend! We ran some errands right here, lastly recovered from jet lag (I used to be barely jet lag once we arrived, however needed to take a tedious bus journey dwelling), and met up with some pals.
I am actually wanting ahead to sharing our journey recap with you.
It is a record of issues I’ve deliberate in order that I can add hyperlinks to this put up when they’re revealed.
Abstract of Seoul, what we did and what we ate (this put up)
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 pals, I used to be ignorant, however now I perceive. I had no thought how a lot I used to be lacking out. The ladies had chosen the placement for this journey and I knew it might be one thing I might take pleasure in, 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 count on to fall in love with these locations, however I completely did. This journey utterly modified my life. I am going to share extra particulars in my Japan put up, however these locations did not really feel like one other nation…they felt like one other world.
The folks in Seoul have been very sort and good. The meals was unbelievable. I felt very protected and there was a lot to do. I may have been pleased doubling my time there. What’s attention-grabbing is that in Tom’s navy profession, we had the chance to be stationed in Korea many occasions. All of our pals who lived there cherished 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 believe it is the right time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your resort room is prepared and you may take a nap in the event you’re utterly knackered and want a nap. No have to stroll round and wait till your room is prepared.
We knew it was going to be a relaxed day, so we checked into our resort and headed out to discover. We stayed on the RYSE Autograph Assortment Lodge and would 100% suggest it for its nice location, amenities, and eating choices. (I booked every little thing utilizing Amex Platinum. Here is my referral link!)
It was surrounded by nice eating places and outlets and straightforward to get round.
I did not take any images, however the rest room had a big waterfall bathe with robust water strain.
Only one block from our resort, we have been shocked to see a complete road crammed with little kiosks and cute outlets.
We explored and met our new skincare greatest pal at TONYMOLY. P was exhausted so we headed again to the resort whereas Tom and Liv have been having dinner. All of us slept by the evening and have been utterly prepared the following day.
We did quite a lot of issues throughout our keep in Seoul, however listed below are among the highlights.
lotte world
Lotte World is a big indoor and outside theme park. Liv advised this and we added her thought to our journey planning spreadsheet. And we had quite a lot of enjoyable. We joked that it was like a speakeasy. There have been quite a lot of ranges to do, and there gave the impression to be fairly a couple of points of interest 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 images of the outside, however I imagined a fortress, numerous curler coasters, drop rides, and many outlets and meals stalls.
We spent the complete day there experiencing all the greatest rides, combining rides for youthful youngsters with thrill rides and coasters for older youngsters and adults. Journey to Atlantis It was great. Undoubtedly my prime theme park journey.
Baseball sport 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 sport.
Baseball is huge in Seoul and is a real cultural expertise. Every batter has their very own chants and cheers, and the complete enviornment dances and cheers. Baseball meals can be subsequent degree. They have been promoting tteokbokki, cheese, and meat skewers, in addition to beer with shrimp in upside-down baseball caps. You may additionally convey your individual 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 children went to the petting zoo the place they acquired to carry raccoons and pet meerkats.
Residing the dream:
Purchasing at Olive Younger
Once you go to Seoul, buying at Olive Younger is a should. Store the perfect Ok-Magnificence merchandise, all at wonderful costs. It is like an enormous Sephora with skincare and cosmetics…all the perfect. I used to be frightened that Olive Younger can be laborious to seek out or entry, however they’re in every single place. There have been 3 areas very near our resort.
Gluten-free eating places in Seoul
I attempted my greatest 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 every little thing and that there can 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 eating regimen.
I have been strictly gluten-free for 3 years as a consequence of an autoimmune illness, and it has been an enormous change for me. P has additionally been gluten-free for the previous yr. (She got here out purple on the IgG take a look at 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 might simply hope for the perfect, however it may 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 have 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 could be very cute.
P is fluffy Nutella waffle, grilled cheese,
And I had the Mediterranean plate. You may eat this each day. The bread was very delicate 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 presents 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 might eat various things whereas in Korea and Japan, however I felt nice the entire time I used to be again. My power was nice and it doesn’t matter what I did, I by no means had a abdomen ache. The entire meals was extremely contemporary and scrumptious.
The resort serves a wealthy breakfast buffet each day, that includes American breakfast staples comparable to fruit, pastries, eggs, potatoes, bacon and juice, in addition to conventional Korean components comparable to kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice and pickled greens.
Factors to notice and issues I observed throughout my go to:
– Positive it is advisable to study some phrases, however Google Translate is usually a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked at how many individuals spoke English, and you may simply swap to English when ordering on the kiosk. The ladies helped us as a result of they know quite a lot of Korean phrases.
– Buses and subways are very clear and environment friendly, however I ended up utilizing Uber to get round. Journey prices have 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 not any language barrier, and I can see the precise worth.
Should you use public transportation, you too can get a Local weather Card or T Cash card to get limitless transit passes.
– Carry a small rubbish bag with you. Public trash cans aren’t obtainable in every single 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. IIt 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 fashion anyway! When your nervous system is calm, it will likely be simpler to digest meals.
– Google Maps shouldn’t be working. I navigated utilizing Naver as an alternative. Earlier than you should use Naver on public transportation, you’ll encounter an issue with Google Transit. You will have to get these throughout your keep, however it’s greatest to examine earlier than you’re taking public transport.
– No tipping in SeoulNonetheless, Uber means that you can add compliments.
– Name your cellphone supplier to arrange your worldwide plan earlier than you allow. We normally do that earlier than the journey to make sure voice and knowledge can be found. We use AT&T and it routinely prompts when it detects we’re in a foreign country and provides us a reduction. Liv’s cellphone was off about half the time we have been there.
– Korean Air! That is what we used to go to Tokyo and it was an elite expertise. Ticket costs have been additionally very cheap, so
– Take off your footwear in your resort room. There may be normally a small slide by the door that you could step on.
– Depart your shampoo and conditioner at dwelling. Please convey mild toiletries. The resort’s shampoo and conditioner are of surprisingly prime quality.
– Korea makes use of European retailers. i had These converters have been used for years And I took him on this journey. You should utilize them for laptops and cellphones, however do not join hair dryers or styling instruments to them. One of the best 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 researched it upfront. beloved gummy At dwelling. I introduced some melatonin, however I ended up not needing it. A number of the medicines prescribed right here aren’t allowed in South Korea, so examine the rules earlier than you go.
Should you’re heading to Seoul quickly, we extremely suggest it 🙂 When you have any questions, please be at liberty to contact us. I will be again tomorrow with an summary of the pinnacle spa.
Shit
Gina
