South Korea - Preparation

It began when my cousin asked me via BBM, "Cia, mau ikutan ga tuh ke Korea bareng ci Lalan tuh, dia juga mau ikutan." Actually I have rejected this invitation over and over, because in my current company, max limit of leave days I could take is 3 days... But, how can I (the one who loves low cost traveling) ignore this tempting invitation? *evil smile*

Finally, I took a peek into low cost airline website, and found out that the tickets were really cheap. I finally bought 2 tickets for 16 February 2013 from Jakarta to Busan and get back to Jakarta from Seoul on 25 February 2013. Yeay, the fare is cheaper than my cousin's. I decided to go not only because it's cheap, but also because I really want to see snow and feel it on my own hand *norak*. 

Later, I actually regret that I have that kind of wish because traveling in winter season is expensive and would be very tiring. I need to prepare winter clothes. O yeah, darling, I spent quite a lot of money for this. Truthfully I hate cold, I couldn't stand staying for a long time in a cold room, how can I stand in winter? Hiks... that's why I carefully chose clothes that give me enough warm, and those clothes usually are expensive. Those clothes are also heavy, so I need to buy baggage for my luggage. I bought 20 kilos (Jakarta - Busan) and 25 kilos (Seoul - Jakarta). Besides expensive, I also couldn't imagine backpacking with those heavy luggage *back pain*.

But, I'm so EXCITED... I really couldn't wait to go there... That's why I wrote this blog. I'm like a tour guide that guides a group of 6 women... I carefully plan the schedule. The plan consists of 1 night in Busan, 3 nights in Jeju, 1 night in Mt Seorak, 1 night in Yongpyong, 2 nights in Seoul. We will stay in pension (cancelled because the pension is outside the city so the transportation cost would be higher), guesthouse, traditional house, and ski resort. We will try "jjiljimbang" (Korean spa & sauna) like we've seen on some Korean Dramas / Movies. We will shop at night and traditional market there. We will do some kind of ski activities. Many activities we wish to do there. Hope He let us.

The hopefully "can run schedule" would be like this:
17 February - Busan (stay in Angel Hotel)
- Taejongdae Resort Park
- Jagalchi Fish Market 
- Yongdusan Park
- Nampo Dong & Gukje Market
- Bexco
- Shinsegae Centum City
- Gwangan Bridge
- Must try: Nampo Samgyetang

18 February - Busan & Jeju 
- Haeundae Beach
- Dongbaek Island
- Nurimari APEC House
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
- Tapdong Market
- Must try: Haeundae Market’s Gukbap Alley

19 - 21 February - Jeju (stay in Jeju Soldaewat Pension & Forest Hostel)

- Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak
- Light House "All In" Film Location
- Seungeup Folk Village
- Uwedolgae Rock
- Jusaangjolli Cliff
- Trick Art Museum
- Miniland 
- Yakcheonsa Temple 
- Green Tea Museum 
- Mysterious Road / Dokkaebi Road
- Jeju Love Land
- Yongduam Rock
- Teddy Bear Museum 
- Sangumburi Crater
- Sanbangsan
- Jeju Stone Park
- Cheonjeyon Waterfall
- Secret Garden Shooting Place
- Locadio World Studio
- Songaksan
- Hello Kitty Island
- Yongduam Health (jjiljimbang)
- Must try:  Jeonbokjuk, Haemul-Ttukbaegi, Galchi Jorim, Black Pork BBQ, Ojingeo Bokkeum, Roasted Tilefish, Broiled mackerel, Red Horsehead Fish, Jeju Mandarin Steamed Bread

21 - 22 February - Nami Island & Mt Seorak (stay in Seorak Morning Inn Hangang Park Motel)
- Nami Island
- Sokcho Beach
- Abai Village
- Cheonghodong's White Sand Beach
- Mt Seoraksan Cable Car
- Must try: Must try: Wangshiprigoihanmadang, Sundubu, Maple Bread, Ojingo Sundae

22 - 23 February - Yong Pyong & Seoul (stay in Yong Pyong Ski Resort)
- Yong Pyong Ski Resort
- Gyeongbokgung
- National Folk Museum of Korea 
- National Palace Museum
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Hello Kitty Café Hongdae 
- Hope Market
- Cheonggyecheon Stream
- Dongdaemun Market
- N Seoul Tower
- Must try: Mabongnim Tteokbokki, Kalguksu Golmok 

23 - 25 February - Seoul (stay in Namsan Guesthouse 1)
- Myeong Dong Market 
- Namsangol Hanok Village 
- Namdaemun Market 
- Lotte World

Overall, below is the travel & accommodation cost per person for this traveling:
- Flight ticket Jakarta Busan (AA) RP 1.050.000,-
- Baggage 20 KG RP 355.000,-
- Flight ticket Seoul Jakarta (AA) RP 1.605.486,-
- Baggage 25 KG RP 61.000 KRW
- Visa fee RP 300.000
- Flight ticket Busan - Jeju (Air Busan) RP 393.000,-
- Flight ticket Jeju - Seoul (Eastar Jet) RP 496.500,- 
- Andy's Guide in Jeju 71.500 KRW 78.572 KRW 
- Angel Hotel in Busan RP 250.000,-
- Soldaewat Pension in Jeju 34.500 KRW Forest Hostel in Jeju 30.000 KRW
- Forest Hotel in Jeju RP 315.000
- Seorak Mountain Inn in Mt Seorak RP 100.000,- Hangang Park Motel Mt Seorak RP 190.000,-
- Yongpyong Resort Tower Condo in Yongpyong RP 320.000,-
- Namsan Guest House 1 in Seoul 43.500 KRW
- Winter apparel +/- RP 2.000.000,-

So, because I've spent a lot, my visa application was approved and my boss approved my leave form ^^ I only hope Father in Heaven bless this trip.