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 associates! 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 dwelling), 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 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 wished 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 could be one thing that I loved, however it wasn’t my first selection for a trip. (I’d be comfortable 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 international locations… they felt like totally different worlds.

The folks in Seoul had been SO variety and beautiful. 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 comfortable. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of instances throughout Tom’s army profession. All of our associates 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 lodge room is prepared, so for those who’re completely wrecked and wish a nap, you’ll be able to. You don’t must wander round and wait till your room is prepared.

We knew that it could 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% suggest it for the superb location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked every thing 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 stress.

We had been shocked to see total streets stuffed with little kiosks and cute outlets 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 by way of the night time and had been absolutely set the subsequent day!

We did lots whereas we had been in Seoul, however listed here are among 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 points of interest 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 citadel, varied curler coasters, a drop journey, and many outlets and meals stands.

We did the entire greatest rides – they’ve a mixture of rides for youthful kiddos and extra thrilling rides and coasters for older youngsters and adults – and spent your entire 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 purchasing 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 your entire area 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 seemed 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 pressure 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 top-of-the-line spa experiences of my life, the Pilot and the kiddos went to a petting zoo the place they had been in a position to maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Residing the dream:

Procuring at Olive Younger

When you go to Seoul, purchasing at Olive Younger is a should. You may replenish on the entire greatest Okay magnificence merchandise at superb costs. It’s like an infinite Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the most effective stuff. I used to be frightened we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it could be onerous 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 greatest to eat gluten-free as intently as attainable, however understood that it may be very tough – not every thing is labeled – and accepted that there can be some wheat in sauces and condiments. Additionally as a result of I don’t communicate 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 crimson 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 advised 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 forth.

We had been in a position to eat at two 100% gluten-free eating places in Seoul: Sunnyhouse and Monli2. Each had 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 may eat this every single 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 critically 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’d eat totally different meals whereas we had been in Korea and Japan and your entire time we had been gone, I felt superb. My power was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals had been all so extremely contemporary and scrumptious.

Our lodge had an enormous breakfast buffet every day and you might 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 forth.

Ideas for visiting and issues we seen:

– Undoubtedly study a handful of phrases however Google translate could be a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to search out that fairly a number of folks spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s straightforward to modify the language to English. The ladies know so many Korean phrases in order that they had 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 inexpensive to get round than it’s within the states. We appreciated Uber as a substitute of conventional taxis as a result of you’ll be able to enter the situation – 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 for those who determine to make use of public transport.

– Carry a little bit trash bag with you. Public trash cans should not all over the place, so you’ll have to hold trash with you till yow 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 dangerous manners, so for those who get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I charge like this can be a higher solution 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. 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 will not be a factor in Seoul, however you’ll be able to add compliments in Uber.

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

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

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

– Go away your shampoo and conditioner at dwelling. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you’ll find higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the lodge shall be superb 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 software into these! The most effective guess is to purchase a hair software there, go to go 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 dwelling. I introduced melatonin however didn’t find yourself needing it. There are additionally some drugs which might be prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so verify the rules earlier than you go.

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

Gina