Travel Diary : Seoul, Spring and Love

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Magdalena Krisnawati

Photos = Magdalena Krisnawati

I haven't written for the Korea Blog in a long time. Thank God I finally have spare time, so I can focus on writing again. This time, I want to share my experiences and my personal feelings and thoughts about Korea after visiting the country in mid-April. For some other  Korea.net honorary reporters who live in Korea, and for you who have visited Korea many times, what I write here may not be very special. However, for me, who just visited Korea for the first time, I was so excited and it made for me some really unforgettable memories. 

I went to Korea with my best friend  to enjoy the spring there. Though this was my first time in Korea, I chose not to go with a tourist group, but planned my trip myself, from getting the visa and arranging the itinerary all the way through to booking a room in a hostel. What made me a bit worried was when I applied for a visa. I was so happy when my friend's and my visa applications were approved. Then we were just counting the time, day by day, until the big day came.

It was Sunday, April 16, 2017, when our plane took off at 11:30 p.m. from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. I could hardly sleep during the night flight. I wondered what we would be going through tommorrow. Until the morning came, a few minutes before landing, we had a lot of turbulence as the weather was gloomy and cloudy. Thank God everything was fine and we safely landed at Incheon International Airport on time at 9:30 a.m. local times. Finally! Korea here we come!

Heavy rain welcomed us upon our arrival in Korea. The weather was very cold and windy. This wasn't what I expected. I thought the weather would be warm in the spring. From the hot weather in Jakarta to the suddenly cold weather in Korea, my body needed to adjust for a while.

The next surpise came when I took the airport bus to our hostel in the neighborhood of Sinchon. I really felt the word bbali-bbali when the middle-aged man in charge at the bus stop asked me to hurry up, to move faster, to get on the bus quickly. It was a bit surprising, but it makes me smile to remember that.

After an hour and a half journey by bus, we checked in at our hostel, took a break for a while, and then we started our adventures in Seoul.

Night tour at Gyeongbokgung Palace

Our first destination was the Cheonggyecheon Stream. I took the subway to get there. I downloaded an app to help me use the subway in Seoul and to find directions to almost all the places we want to go to during our stay in Seoul. 

By the time we found the location of the Cheonggyecheon Stream, we just said, "Wow. Here it is! The Cheonggyecheon Stream, the stream that I usually see in many Korean soap operas." It's still unbelievable now that I was in the land of Korea. After enjoying the nuances of the Cheonggyecheon Stream and taking some pictures, I went to a big building across the street, the main tourist information center, where the K-Style Hub is located. We can find all sorts of information about Korea here. We can try on some traditional Hanbok attire for free, and at the K-Pop Star zone -- thanks to technology -- we can take a picture with our favorite star as if we were really side by side. It's really fun there.

We continued our walking tour that day, heading for Gwanghwamun. It was very crowded. There was a campaign going on for a presidential election, and the tents to commemorate the Sewol ferry tragedy in 2014 were still there. From Gwanghwamun Square we reached Gyeongbokgung Palace. This is really special because in April the palace offers night tours for visitors. We bought tickets for the night tour and I saw that there were many professional photographers there, and  also  some visitors wearing beautiful Hanbok attire. It was getting dark when I went through the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace and I was able to see the beauty of the palace at night with colorful lights. Lucky me, that I still could feel the nuance of the cherry blossoms there. It was a really romantic night tour.

Nami Island, Petite France and Myeongdong

We enjoyed these three places on our second day in Korea. It was raining during our tour of Nami Island, but it couldn't dampen my spirit to explore this country. What we were looking for was the filming spot of the soap opera "Winter Sonata." I think this show means a lot to a lot of people, not only in Korea but also for Korean soap opera lovers all around the world. We all knew that "Winter Sonata" was the starting point of the Korean Wave, the popularity of Korean pop music, TV shows and movies across East Asia and elsewhere. For lovers of Korean TV, "Winter Sonata" made a deep impression on us, and that's why people around the world come to Nami Island to bring back the memory of the sad story of "Winter Sonata." Again, I was happy that I still could see some cheery blossoms on Nami Island. It looked more beautiful in the rain. 

Enjoying the nature of Nami Island made us feel fresh and peaceful, but I had to say goodbye to the romantic island and leave for Petite France. As the name implies, we were able to experience what it felt like to be in a small village in France at Petite France, a filming spot for many Korean soap operas, such as "Bethoven Virus," "Secret Garden" and "My Love From the Star." I like the pastel colours of all the buildings combined with the colorful flowers there.

We were back in Seoul in the afternoon and went to Myeongdong. This neighborhood is a real paradise for those who love to dress up and put on make up. What I like here was that there were various Korean brands of cosmetics with cute packaging. My friend told me that buying Korean cosmetics in Korea was cheaper compared to buying them in Indonesia. That’s why I saw many Indonesian tourists in Myeongdong buying all sorts of Korean cosmetics. 

Insadong, the Bukchon Hanok Village, KBS and the Hangang River

My friend and I woke up early the next morning on our third day in Seoul because we were going to visit four locations that were quite far apart from each other. Again, we did a walking tour of Insadong and of the Bukchon Hanok Village. I think I fell in love with Insadong because there were many traditional Korean handicrafts there and I bought some Korea souvenirs, too. By the way, for any other Indonesian tourists out there, if you run out of Korean cash after shopping in Insadong and if you only have pupiah left, you can find a KEB Bank there and change your rupiah into won at that bank. You don’t have to worry any more about shopping in Insadong. 

From Insadong, we went to the Bukchon Hanok Village where I was able to enjoy some traditional Korean houses among the many modern buildings. We followed the small alleys to see many types of traditional Hanok homes and their distinctive architecture. They were all beautiful and unique. If you don’t want to walk, you can hire a rickshaw to get around the Bukchon Hanok Village, the best way to save your energy.

The weather that day was very hot. So after lunchtime, we decide to go to our next destination, the Korea Broadcasting Service (KBS), to meet our friend who work at KBS Radio Indonesia Service. I will tell you about my experience at KBS in a separate article. Now, however, I will tell you about a place that's very cool and a must-visit when you're in Seoul. This is the Yeouinaru Hangang River where you can take an Instagram-worthy picture here under the sign that says "I Seoul U." For me, this was the main landmark of Seoul, after the N Seoul Tower, of course. 

We spent an afternoon at Yeouinaru enjoying some live music and the Hangang riverside. I really felt a good ambiance there that eliminated our fatigue after our day-long trips.

Itaewon, N Seoul Tower, Seokchon Lake and Banpo Bridge

Those are the places we hit on our fourth day in Seoul. For Muslim travelers, visiting Itaewon is a must, where we could see and feel the life of the Muslim community in Korea. Besides that, we were able to visit the Seoul Central Masque in Itaewon. If you're lucky, you can meet some Korean Muslims there and ask about  the life of Muslims in Korea. 

After looking around Itaewon, we went to the N Seoul Tower by bus. Initially, we planned to go to the observatory deck, but we just went to the terrace of N Seoul Tower where we could see a panoramic view  the city of Seoul. , As you all know, you may leave a trail of "locks of love" at the N Seoul Tower. 

We were there for only an hour and a half. We took the subway again to go to Seokchon Lake. We went there because we wanted to see the Sweet Swans project. It’s a floating family of giant swans and five cygnets around them. The swans are inflatable sculptures created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman.

“The swan family is a visualization of love, which, like the air, surrounds us, but we often forget about it,” said Hofman, as quoted in Korean media.

I truly felt the beautiful spring air as I was sitting by the lake looking at the giant inflatable swan. People all around me also looked happy there. This was the joy of spring. However, we had to leave the beautiful sights of Seokchon Lake as the dusk was coming and we still had one more destination. We again took the subway to the Banpo Bridge to enjoy the rainbow fountain there. We asked some people for directions to the bridge. After walking about 30 minutes, we finally found the perfect position from which to enjoy the Banpo Bridge.

The Banpo Bridge rainbow fountain show started at 8 p.m. Looking at the colorful fountain water, I suddenly felt a bit sad that this would be our last day in Seoul. We had to pack this night, and take a morning flight the next day.

Above all, I thank God that He gave me a chance to see other parts of  the world. I really had a good time in Seoul over the past four days. I also thank and remember the people who kindheartedly came to us and helped us find the right directions and take the right train during our trip. These were people who spoke to us nicely even though we could only communicate with gestures. Nonetheless, we exchanged smiles and laughter.

I don’t know if I'll be able to go back to Korea again. Nonetheless, what I have gone through in Seoul will be everlasting for me. Maybe that’s why spring is always beautiful and  full of love.

Annyeong, Seoul. Until we meet again~

wisdom117@korea.kr

Yalla Korea, Arabic speakers' gate to Korea

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Nahar Hafazalla

  

An Arab tourist poses for a photo with the team at Yalla Korea.

Have you ever dreamed of a trip to Korea where you don't need to worry about the language, a tour guide, halal food, or finding the best places and best prices? Now it's easier than before for Arabic speakers who dream of travelling to Korea.

Yalla Korea is a Korea-based travel agency founded by two young innovative Koreans who are engaged and involved with Arab-speaking countries and the Middle East in general through their studies and interest in the region. The staff there have had great experiences travelling across the Arab world, to places like the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait and Egypt.

Park Sangwon, or "Khalid," is the CEO and the person in charge of managing the overall processes of the business. He chose to have this job to thank all his Arab friends who gave him great company and widened his understanding about the Middle East. Moreover, he wants to give a great impression to all Arab travelers who have a passion for Korea. The second-in-command at Yalla Korea is Im Sang Ok, or "Madiha," the marketing director who works also as a guide for Arab tourists in Korea. She majored in Arabic language at university and has been certificated as an official guide to Korea in the Arabic language.

Khalid, the CEO of Yalla Korea, dresses up in traditional Korean clothes. 

Madiha is interviewed on KBS's Arabic language show. 

The services offered by Yalla Korea comprise a whole package and reflect the four main goals of the company: share, passion, truth and safety. The services start from the moment you arrive at the airport, through your journey to Korea’s fascinating attractions, and until the day you finish your trip. Throughout the whole journey, you get to enjoy some of the most famous places and meals, and you can get the answers you need to all your questions, related to any kind of interest about Korea. You also get to know Khalid and Madiha and form new friendships in Korea. Tourists from places like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and other countries can now make unforgettable memories with Yalla Korea.

Yalla Korea makes it even easier with the schedule it makes with the traveler from the moment they decide on a trip to Korea. They have an official website that provides all information you need, as well as social media accounts on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Yalla Korea might be a small humble step toward building a greater bridge between Arabs and Koreans. At the least, it will leave a great impression about strengthening the ties between the two regions and countries, and bringing them closer together.

Yalla Korea official website

Official Instagram feed

Official Twitter feed

Official YouTube channel

Official Yalla Korea Snapchat account

wisdom117@korea.kr

10 reasons to visit Korea

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Samiha Ayman

Photos = Korea.net Flickr

Korea is a very interesting country, which I recommend visiting for a series of reasons. Below are 10 reasons to visit Seoul and Korea.

1. Korean food 

Even though Korean food has some elements in common with other Asian cuisines, such as the use of soy and soy products, some spices and rice, it is entirely unique.

There are ingredients, combinations of flavors and recipes that you will not find anywhere else, so, if you are a food lover and interested in experiencing new flavors, it's worth visiting Korea. There are Korean restaurants around the world, but you will never find the same flavors and variety of Korean cuisine as in Korea itself.

2. Shopping 

Shopping in Korea is an amazing experience. In a city like Seoul you're able to go shopping at any time of the day or night. Also, the variety of shopping centers, markets, shopping areas and department stores is incredible and caters to every taste, need or pocket. Often, shopping in Korea is part of a family day out, as many shopping centers are created near attractions such as amusement parks, aquariums and places of interest for tourists.

3. The kindness of people  

Like in other Asian countries, interpersonal relationships in Korea are very important and so people are usually friendly, very kind and willing to help their friends. Sometimes they might seem blunt, compared to Westerners, but they are rarely malicious. The important thing, anyway, is to know some of their customs and etiquette in order to avoid cultural misunderstandings.

4. Experiencing Korea as a whole 

It's worth visiting Korea just for the opportunity to experience a society that's so different from our Western societies. Korea, even if it's a small country, has a unique society, where traditions and innovations, old and new, coexist.

5. Cherry blossom festivals 

The cherry blossom festivals run from March to May and are a must see, even if flowers aren't your thing. Tunnels of pink blossoms blanket the country. The best places to visit are Gyeonghwa Station in Jinhae in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, known as Cherry Blossom Road, where train tracks run through avenues of pastel blossoms.

6. Hiking 

Once you’ve Instagrammed your way through the art district and bought out the best of the independent shops, it’s time to stretch your legs, up to the top of a mountain. Although there are many mountains, Hallasan Mountain might be the jewel in Korea's crown, especially in the winter when snow descends. There are seven mountains in Seoul itself but for a lazy person's view from above, head to N Seoul Tower where a speedy elevator will take you to the top.

7. Jeju Island 

Just off Korea’s southern coast, Jeju Island is a treasure trove for tourists. It’s proved a little too popular with tourists and the beach resorts have rolled in. Still, there are lots of places to escape to. There are endless fields of canola flowers, and Korea’s highest mountain, blanketed with pink azaleas, and white sand beaches. The most special part of Jeju is also its most vulnerable: the haenyeo. They are female divers who plunge to collect sea urchins without any modern equipment. In 2015, there were around 4,000 divers, down from around 20,000 in the 1960s. The divers are mostly over 60-years-old and now part of a UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage items.

8. Go to Busan’s beautiful beaches 

Busan is the second largest city in Korea, and it’s located on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula. The beaches in Busan are world-famous for their pristine beauty and lively atmosphere. Busan is also famous for its fresh seafood, specifically octopus, a tasty food item for which people come from all over the world to sample. The most famous beach in Busan is Haeundae Beach, which is often compared to Miami Beach in Florida. It’s arguably the most beautiful beach to hang out at by day, and it’s the place where all the youngsters go to party at night.  Head down to Busan from May to September and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere.

9. Hike incredible mountains 

The geography of Korea is filled with mountain ranges, which makes hiking a very popular sport and activity among people there. Especially around Seoul, there are dozens of trails that are located inside of the official city limits. One of the best hikes in Seoul is at Bukhansan Mountain, located just north of the city center. There are several trails up this mountain, of all different levels, and the views at the top are magnificent.  You can see the entire area of northern Seoul.

10. Bhuddist temples 

Take a break in one of Korea's many, many Buddhist temples. You can stay overnight in a lot of them, like at Woljeongsa Temple, the nine-story pagoda in Gangwon Province, which is quite a step up from your standard AirBnB. Bongeunsa Temple is nestled in Seoul itself and is the home of Buddhism in Korea. Over 1,000-years-old, it runs at a different pace to everywhere else in the metropolis. 

Korea is the most beautiful country you will ever see, with its great history and society. It has so many beautiful places, temples and food items. It's just a great adventure to have.

wisdom117@korea.kr