Seoul recap, what we did, and what we ate

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

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 dwell, 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 suggestions 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 mates 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 could 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 completely different nations… they felt like completely different worlds.

The individuals in Seoul have been SO form and wonderful. The meals was unbelievable. It felt so very secure, and there was a lot to do. We may 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 occasions throughout Tom’s navy profession. All of our mates who lived there liked 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 unsleeping the entire time) and we landed at about 3pm. I feel that is the proper time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your resort room is prepared, so should you’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 could be a low-key day, so we checked into the resort and got down to discover. We stayed on the RYSE Autograph Assortment resort and I might 100% suggest it for the wonderful location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked all the pieces utilizing our Amex platinum. My referral link is here!)

It was surrounded by nice eating places and outlets, and straightforward to get round.

I didn’t take a pic however the lavatory had an infinite waterfall bathe with nice water strain.

We have been shocked to see total streets crammed with little kiosks and cute outlets only a block away from the resort.

We explored and met our new skincare bestie at TONYMOLY and P was exhausted, to we went again to the resort whereas Tom and Liv grabbed dinner. All of us slept by means of the evening and have been absolutely set the following day!

We did lots whereas we have been in Seoul, however listed below are a few of the highlights.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and out of doors theme park. Liv advised 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 whole was $200. (I used Journey.com to e-book.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a fortress, varied curler coasters, a drop trip, and plenty of outlets and meals stands.

We did all the finest rides – they’ve a mixture of rides for youthful kiddos and extra thrilling rides and coasters for older youngsters and adults – and spent the complete day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; undoubtedly certainly one of my high theme park rides.

Baseball sport 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 sport.

Baseball is HUGE in Seoul and a real cultural expertise. Every hitter has their very own chant and cheer, and the complete area is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent stage, too. They offered beers with an the wrong way up baseball cap that was crammed with shrimp – it regarded SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You can too usher in your personal meals and drinks; so completely different from the States the place they drive to you go inside to purchase $8 bottles of water.

Head spa and petting zoo

The top spa can be receiving its personal put up, however it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having top-of-the-line 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:

Buying at Olive Younger

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

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 troublesome – not all the pieces 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 wish to be troublesome 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 take a look at and he or she used to have unhealthy abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we minimize 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 in all probability have some in sauces, and so on.

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 form 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 may eat this each day. The bread was SO gentle 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 top-of-the-line gf pizzas I’ve had in my life (#1 is Italy, #2 is that this one, and #3 is NYC).

I knew that I might eat completely different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and the complete 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 resort 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 gadgets, like kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice, pickled veggies, and so on.

Suggestions for visiting and issues we seen:

– Undoubtedly study a handful of phrases however Google translate generally is a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to seek 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 favored Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you may enter the placement – no language obstacles this fashion – and you’ll see the precise fare.

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

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

– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s unhealthy manners, so should you get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I charge like this can be a higher option 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 an alternative to get round. Google transit points earlier than utilizing Naver for public transportation. It is best to get these on public alerts whilst you’re there, however it’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping is just not a factor in Seoul, however you may add compliments in Uber.

– Name your telephone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a global plan. We normally do that earlier than we journey in order that we are able to have voice and knowledge. We use AT&T and it robotically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a special nation and so they 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 sneakers off in your resort room. Often they’ll have little slides by the door that you would be able to put on.

– Go away your shampoo and conditioner at residence. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you can see higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the resort can be wonderful high quality.

– Korea makes use of European retailers. 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 instrument into these! The very best wager is to purchase a hair instrument there, go to move spa or get a blow out someplace (!), or let it air dry and do some sock curls.

– You may’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 are 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 can assist with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo

Gina