Final Day: Amiga Motel - Incheon International Airport - Kota Kinabalu International Airport - Kuching International Airport - Home Sweet Home ^ ^
Our final stop in Seoul was the Incheon International Airport. It's time to say goodbye to South Korea and back to reality in homeland again.
The free transport appointed by Innostel almost got us late for flight as the driver was lost in the attempt to fetch another 2 Japanese tourists to the airport. Gladly, we reached at the airport just in time and got ourselves checked in safely.
We rushed to the designated terminal with this internal train and in less than one hour time, we were already boarded on the plane (Malaysia Airlines).
It would take 5 hours to reach Kota Kinabalu, and we transited on the next flight back to Kuching. Finally, we were home at around 9:30pm. Tired but very grateful for a safe journey.
Day 11: The Shilla Hotel- Jeju international airport- Gimpo Airport - Amiga Motel - Namdaemun Market - Myeongdong - Kwanjang Market - Amiga Motel
We have ended our Jeju island experience and checked ourselves in to Amiga Motel. For those who is looking for information on Amiga Motel, here are some pictures about it.
The main door of Amiga Motel The room. We got ourselves the smallest double room for a short stay only. This room is tiny but complete with all the basic facilities. The young lady ( I think is the owner's daughter) is very fluent in English. You could talk to her in case you need anything else. Other staffs, although they cannot converse in English, they are kind and helpful at all time.
I would still prefer Kara Motel to Amiga Motel, for better and larger room, more complimentary items, cheaper price and more strategic location. Highly recommended the big room with computer and internet access at Kara Motel that cost only KRW35 000 per night. We visited Namdaemun market. If you are planning to buy souvenirs for friends and family, here is the best place to visit with more variety items available and mostly at wholesale price (you need to buy in bulk too).
On this very last day, finally we got ourselves the ever famous "Samgyetang" (ginseng chicken soup - KRW12 000) at a shop in Namdaemun market. This dish is served with the rice stuffed in the chicken's tummy. Taste quite plain but for those who would love it to be more salty, a plate of salt is together with the dish.
We were running out of time, we went for a short walk at Myeongdong. A very busy street with all Korean branded cosmetics and clothes everywhere. There are also many street stalls selling all kind of accesories from hair to toe. Basically, this place is full of women's stuff.There were plenty of food stalls in Kwanjang market and we got our supper there, tasting their local vermicelli and "yong tau foo" soup.
A pharmacy across the road from Kwanjang market at the nearest subway station entrance (Jongno-ga 5, Exit 13) from Amiga Motel.
Day 4: Kara Motel - Jongmyo Shrine - Changdeokgung Palace - Gyeongbokgung Palace - Gwanghwamun - 63 Building- Hangang Park - Yeouido Park - Kara Motel
Well, today, we went to visit as many tourist spots as we could. Finally, my darling has recovered from his fever. The injection taken the day before was really a miracle injection.
The first station was Jongmyo Shrine due to its closest to Kara Motel, just a walking distance that take about 15 minutes. According to my plan, we supposed to visit this place on Sunday but due to unforeseen circumstances, the plan has to be postponed. One bad thing was Jongmyo Shrine closed on every Tuesday. Therefore, I could only take a picture of its main door instead of visiting the internal premise.
Pictures at Jongmyo Shrine: There are many retirees enjoying their pastime at the park. Then , we went to Changdeokgung, which was also walking distance from the shrine. Only on Thursday, visitor is allowed to walk around by oneself (more expensive than guided tour). Other than that, we have to choose on guided tour into the palace.
On our way to Changdeokgung .... Korean traditional apparels: Hanbok, female traditional apparel. They have this at the main door to keep them from any bad thing: At Changdeokgung main gate: The plan of the palace: Cute drawing on the toilet doors: The entrance ticket: The main hall, where the king would sit when meeting his officers: Officers standing position according to rank: The lowest rank: A big hall where the officers assembled when met with the King: The King's throne: A passage connected from the King's room to the Queen's room: Guardians of the Hall: Heating system to heat the floor during the cold days: In the Secret Garden at the backyard of the palace: The old trees need something to hold on: Library at my back: The oldest tree in the palace, aged 750 years: A monkey face alike at the branch: Gyeongbokgung is closed on Tuesday. So we could only take some pictures from the outdoor:
At the main door of Gyeongbokgung: Pagoda in the palace: Colourful Gwanghwamun: Well-decorated with vibrant colors of flowers: A leafy giant?Poisonous delicacy, pufferfish/ globefish The honorable man at Gwanghwamun:
Another main attraction of the day was Building 63. We spent the rest of our day in here.
See who's at my back.. a photo with "JACK".Here's the brainy, Mr Einstein. Meet my new friend.. the giant octopus. The dolphin.
The king Penguins. Cutie penguin. Beware it will 'tok' you. Cutie penguin kissing the fair lady. This reminded me of Happy feet.. cute. Sea turtle swimming leisurely. A dinosaur fish, given by South Africa to Korea as a gift. Piranha.. they are carnivorous!
The seal. Spider crabs... look at their long legs. Breathing in the water. Fish swimming across my face.Ugly sea creature... Giant octopus in real! The mouth is constantly breathing.Sea horses. Lazy lizard is sleeping with tongue out. Electric eel, if you go near it, you will get electrified! Dinner of the day: Bibimbap, basically a mixture of all vegetables and egg in a big bowl. Skyline of Seoul, view from the 60th floor of Building 63. On the 60th floor, there's also a gallery which prohibited from shooting pictures but we managed to have some pictures taken at the corner of the gallery. When strolling at Hangang park, on our way back to subway station. Beautiful bridge across Hangang bridge in Seoul. Many of the local enjoy cycling, dating, picnic and admiring the beauty of Seoul River (Hangang). The air was fresh and pleasant to walk but we have walked extra miles due to we have missed the subway entrance a distance away. Therefore, we took a U-turn back to the path we both sore legs. Somebody was complaining all the while for so much walking :P ......
It would take 5 hours to reach Kota Kinabalu, and we transited on the next flight back to Kuching. Finally, we were home at around 9:30pm. Tired but very grateful for a safe journey.
