Seoul recap, what we did, and what ...

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 associates! How are you? I hope you had a tremendous weekend! We simply caught up with home stuff right here, lastly recovered from jet lag (I used to be barely jet lagged once we obtained there, however ended up driving the battle bus once we got here residence), and met up with some associates.

I’m so excited to share some recap posts on our journeys with you!

Right here’s a listing of what I’ve deliberate in order that once they go stay, 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 ideas 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 associates 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 ladies picked the areas for this journey, and I figured it will be one thing that I loved, however it wasn’t my first alternative for a trip. (I’d be glad repeating least 12 months’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 nations… they felt like totally different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul have been SO type and beautiful. The meals was unbelievable. It felt so very protected, and there was a lot to do. We might 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 instances throughout Tom’s navy profession. All of our associates who lived there cherished 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 awake the entire time) and we landed at about 3pm. I believe that is the proper time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your lodge room is prepared, so if you happen to’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 will 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’d 100% advocate it for the superb location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked all the things utilizing our Amex platinum. My referral link is here!)

It was surrounded by nice eating places and retailers, and simple to get round.

I didn’t take a pic however the rest room had an infinite waterfall bathe with nice water stress.

We have been shocked to see complete streets stuffed with little kiosks and cute retailers 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 via the evening and have been absolutely set the following day!

We did quite a bit whereas we have been in Seoul, however listed here are a few of the highlights.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and outside theme park. Liv urged 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 sights appear to be hidden, however there was a lot to do. It additionally blew my thoughts that obtained 4 tickets with 3 skip the road passes for every of us and the full was $200. (I used Journey.com to e book.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a fortress, numerous curler coasters, a drop journey, and many retailers and meals stands.

We did the entire finest rides – they’ve a mixture of rides for youthful kiddos and extra thrilling rides and coasters for older youngsters and adults – and spent all the day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; undoubtedly one in all 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 all the enviornment is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent stage, too. They bought beers with an the other way up baseball cap that was stuffed with shrimp – it appeared SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You can even herald your personal 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, however it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having probably the greatest spa experiences of my life, the Pilot and the kiddos went to a petting zoo the place they have been in a position to maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Dwelling the dream:

Purchasing at Olive Younger

Should you go to Seoul, procuring at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to top off on the entire finest Ok magnificence merchandise at wonderful costs. It’s like an infinite Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the very best stuff. I used to be apprehensive we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it will be exhausting to get to, however they’re all over the place. We had three areas proper by our lodge.

Gluten-free eating in Seoul

On this journey, I attempted my finest to eat gluten-free as intently as potential, however understood that it may be very tough – not all the things 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 need to be tough 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 12 months. (She was pink on her IgG check and he or she used to have dangerous abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we lower it out.) I instructed 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 so forth.

We have been in a position to eat at two 100% gluten-free eating places in Seoul: Sunnyhouse and Monli2. Each have 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 type 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 might eat this every single day. The bread was SO mushy 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 probably the greatest gf pizzas I’ve had in my life (#1 is Italy, #2 is that this one, and #3 is NYC).

I knew that I’d eat totally different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and all the time we have been gone, I felt wonderful. My power was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals have been all so extremely recent 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 so forth.

Suggestions for visiting and issues we seen:

– Positively study a handful of phrases however Google translate generally is a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to search out that fairly a number of individuals spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s straightforward to modify the language to English. The ladies know so many Korean phrases so that they have been in a position to 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 preferred Uber as a substitute of conventional taxis as a result of you may enter the placement – no language boundaries this fashion – and you’ll see the precise fare.

You can even get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation if you happen to resolve to make use of public transport.

– Carry a little bit trash bag with you. Public trash cans usually are not all over the place, so you could have to hold trash with you till you will discover a trash can. Don’t assume that every one trash cans are public; it might be owned by a retailer.

– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s dangerous manners, so if you happen to get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I charge like this can be a higher approach 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 a substitute to get round. Google transit points earlier than utilizing Naver for public transportation. You must get these on public alerts whilst you’re there, however it’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping shouldn’t be a factor in Seoul, however you may add compliments in Uber.

– Name your telephone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a global plan. We often do that earlier than we journey in order that we will have voice and knowledge. We use AT&T and it robotically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a unique nation they usually supply offers; Liv’s telephone was half off whereas we have been there.

– Korean Air! That is what we used to get to Tokyo, and it was an elite expertise. Ticket costs have been very affordable,

– Take your footwear off in your lodge room. Often they’ll have little slides by the door that you could put on.

– Depart your shampoo and conditioner at residence. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you will see higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the lodge shall be wonderful high quality.

– Korea makes use of European shops. 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 wager is to purchase a hair device there, go to move 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 can be prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so test the rules earlier than you go.

Should you’re headed to Seoul anytime quickly, you’re in for a deal with 🙂 I’m right here if I might help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo

Gina