Singapore to Korea
Every good trip needs a travel day, and ours started with a flight from Singapore to Korea on SQ. After landing at Incheon, we made our way to the taxi stand and waited for a ride over to the Travel Tour Hotel, conveniently located near Unseo Station — perfectly placed for catching the KTX the next morning.
No sightseeing, no itinerary to chase — just the quiet business of arriving, settling in, and getting ready for the real adventure to begin.
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hanbok, Hanook Village
Getting There
Our Seoul adventure started with a KTX train ride from Unseo Station to Seoul Station — smooth, fast, and honestly one of the best ways to ease into a new country. No stress, no traffic, just watching the countryside blur past the window.
Once we rolled into Seoul Station, we booked a taxi through the K-Ride app to get to our hotel, the Sotetsu Hotel The Splaisir in Myeongdong. Glen and Grace were already there waiting for us, which made the whole thing feel official — the trip had really begun. We dropped our luggage off in the room so we could travel light for the rest of the day.
First Taste of Seoul
With bags out of the way, we wandered down the street near the hotel to find breakfast, and stumbled into a little spot called Jangan Ginseng Chicken Soup. If you haven't had it before, the chicken comes stuffed with glutinous rice, and the broth is rich enough to make you forget it's technically "just soup." The best part? It came with a complimentary serving of ginseng wine — not exactly a typical breakfast pairing, but we weren't complaining.
Hanboks at Gyeongbokgung
Fueled up and ready to explore, we walked to City Hall and made our way over to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the crown jewel of Seoul's historic sites. Before heading in, we rented traditional Hanbok — because really, is there any better place to wear one than inside a centuries-old royal palace? We spent a good chunk of time wandering the palace grounds in our rented outfits, snapping photo after photo. There's something about the traditional architecture paired with traditional dress that just makes every shot look like it belongs in a postcard.
An Afternoon in Hanok Village
After soaking up as much palace scenery as we could, we grabbed a cab over to Hanok Village for round two of photoshoots. The narrow alleys lined with traditional Korean houses gave us a completely different backdrop — quieter, more intimate, and full of charm at every turn.
Settling In
As the day wound down, we made our way back toward the Gyeongbokgung Palace area and hopped on a bus back to our hotel in Myeongdong. By the time we checked into Sotetsu Hotel The Splaisir, our feet were more than ready for a rest.
The room itself was on the smaller side, done up in a Japanese style with beds on the floor — cozy, if a little tight, and unfortunately no window views to speak of. But after a day full of trains, taxis, palaces, and ginseng wine, we weren't about to complain about square footage. It was the perfect low-key ending to a jam-packed first day in Seoul.
Seoul to Busan - Beaches, BBQ, Buskers and Night Markets
A Slow Start Before the Journey South
Day two kicked off gently with a buffet breakfast back at the Splaisir — the kind of spread that lets you fuel up properly before a travel day. With full plates and full stomachs, we packed up and took a bus over to Seoul Station, where we picked up KTX tickets bound for Busan.
The train ride down was another reminder of how easy Korea makes long-distance travel. Sit back, relax, and a few hours later you're on the other coast of the country entirely.
Arriving in Haeundae
Once we rolled into Busan, we called a cab through the K-Ride app to get us to UH Suite Hotel in Haeundae. Check-in came with a very pleasant surprise — the room was gorgeous, facing a long stretch of beach on the east side. After a day of trains and buses, walking into a room with that kind of view felt like a reward in itself.
Pork BBQ and Good Company
For dinner, we headed out to Galbiga Masitda, a pork BBQ restaurant that turned out to be a fantastic choice. Good barbecue has a way of resetting your mood after a long travel day, and this spot delivered — great food, great atmosphere, and exactly the kind of meal you want after checking into a beachside hotel.
Night Market and Music on the Sand
With dinner behind us, we went for an evening stroll through the night market, weaving through stalls and soaking in the energy of Haeundae after dark. From there, we made our way down to Haeundae Beach itself, where buskers were singing along the shore. There's something special about a beach at night — the sound of waves mixing with live music, city lights reflecting off the water. It was the perfect, low-key way to close out our first night in Busan.
Windy Walks, Sky Capsules, and Colorful Alleys
A Brisk Morning Beach Walk
Day three started early with a jog and walk along Haeundae Beach. The weather had other plans for a cozy morning stroll though — temperatures sat around 10°C but felt closer to 1°C with the wind, under a sky that was cloudy with only the briefest peek of sun. Still, we pushed on, walking past the Westin Josun Hotel before looping back to ours. Sometimes a cold, windy beach walk is exactly the wake-up call you need before a full day of exploring.
Riding the Blue Line Park
After breakfast, we caught a bus to Mipo Station to try out the Haeundae Blue Line Park — a scenic train ride that runs along the coast, offering some of the best ocean views in the city. It's less about the destination and more about the ride itself, watching the coastline unfold from the comfort of the train car.
Sky Capsule Back to Mipo
On the return leg, we took the same train and got off at the third station, then switched over to the Haeundae Sky Capsule to make our way back to Mipo Station. The capsule cars added a fun, slightly nostalgic twist to the coastal ride — a completely different way to experience the same stretch of sea we'd just passed by train.
Crossing Busan to Gamcheon Culture Village
From Mipo, we hopped in a cab and headed across town to Gamcheon Culture Village, the postcard-perfect neighborhood known for its stacked, colorful houses cascading down the hillside. Wandering through the narrow lanes and murals felt like stepping into a completely different Busan — a nice contrast to the beach town vibe of Haeundae.
Seafood to End the Day
As the day wound down, we caught a cab back toward the hotel and settled in for dinner at a seafood restaurant near UH Suite Hotel. After a day of wind, trains, capsules, and hillside alleys, a good seafood dinner was exactly the way to close things out.
One Last Busan Sunrise, Then On to Jeju Island
A Stunning Final Morning in Haeundae
Day four opened with one more beach walk along Haeundae, and this time the weather cooperated beautifully. At 10°C but feeling more like 5°C, the air was crisp, the sky was clear, and the sunrise was nothing short of stunning. We made the most of it with another end-to-end walk along the beach, taking in the view one last time before saying goodbye to Busan.
Flying to Jeju
After checking out of our hotel, we grabbed a taxi to Busan Airport and boarded a Korean Air flight bound for Jeju Island. It was a short hop, but enough to trade the mainland's energy for the laid-back island atmosphere Jeju is known for.
Settling into Seogwipo
Landing at Jeju International Airport, we took a taxi to Bridge Hotel in Seogwipo and checked in for the next leg of the trip. Seogwipo has a completely different feel from Haeundae and Myeongdong — quieter, greener, and clearly built around the island's natural scenery rather than city buzz.
Black Pork for Dinner
To celebrate our arrival, we headed to a nearby black pork barbecue restaurant for dinner — a Jeju specialty not to be missed. The meal turned out to be both authentic and excellent, a great first taste of what the island had in store for us.
Waterfalls, Horses, and a Lost-in-Translation Dinner
Sunrise by the Port
The day started early with a morning walk alongside my brother Glen, wandering over to a nearby park and port. The sunrise that greeted us was absolutely stunning — the kind of view that makes getting up early worth it. We headed back afterward for breakfast at the hotel's buffet restaurant, fueling up for a full day of touring ahead.
A Day Tour Through Jeju's Highlights
With breakfast done, we joined a day tour that packed in an impressive lineup of Jeju's natural and cultural highlights. First up were two of the island's famous waterfalls, Jeongbangpokpo Falls and Cheonjeyeonpokpo Falls — each with its own dramatic character, tumbling down toward the sea. The tour also swung by a lively Mongolian horse show, a fun and unexpected addition to the day, before continuing on to the Jungmun Daepo Columnar Joints, where dramatic hexagonal rock formations meet crashing waves.
Sunset at Saeyeongyo Bridge
As the tour wrapped up, we were dropped off at Saeyeongyo Bridge just in time for sunset. Watching the sky change colors over the bridge was the perfect way to close out a day full of sightseeing.
Dinner: A Bit Lost in Translation
After the sunset, we walked back toward the hotel in search of dinner. Our first stop was a seafood restaurant near the fish market, but it turned out they only served raw dishes like sushi and sashimi — not quite what we were after. We moved on to another nearby seafood spot and ordered grilled mackerel, hoping for something simple and satisfying.
What arrived instead was a braised cutlass fish — clearly a bit of a lost-in-translation moment. It wasn't quite what we'd pictured, and the abundance of bones made it a little more work than expected. A slightly underwhelming end to an otherwise fantastic day, but not enough to dampen the memory of those waterfalls and that sunset. We headed back to the hotel afterward for a well-earned rest.
One Last Jeju Morning, Then Back to Seoul
A Final Wander Through Seogwipo
Our last morning in Jeju started with a walk back to the nearby park and the waterfall we'd visited the day before — one more look before moving on. The plan was to catch the souvenir shop opening early so we could pick up some local delis, specifically the island's famous black jerky pork. From there, we followed Naver Map back toward the top part of the hotel area in search of a nearby bakeshop, which turned out to be tucked inside Seogwipo Olle Market. We came away with some fresh bread and local delicacies — the perfect edible souvenirs to bring the trip full circle.
Heading Back to the Mainland
With our small haul in hand, we walked back to the hotel to pack up and prepare for the journey back to Seoul. A cab took us to Jeju Airport, where we grabbed a quick brunch while waiting for our flight. From there, it was a Korean Air flight to Seoul's Gimpo Airport, followed by a bus ride over to Migliore Hotel in Myeongdong — officially back in the city where our trip had started.
Reuniting with Our Luggage
After checking in, we headed straight to the hotel buffet for dinner. But the day wasn't quite done yet — we still had a bit of unfinished business. We hopped on a bus back to our original hotel, the one where we'd left some luggage before setting off for Busan and Jeju, and picked up our bags before walking back to Migliore Hotel, luggage in tow.
Myeongdong at Night
With everything finally reunited under one roof, we capped off the day with a relaxed stroll through Myeongdong Night Market — the same lively streets we'd wandered days earlier, now feeling a lot more familiar. It was a fitting way to close the loop on this trip, back where the adventure had begun, with a suitcase full of Jeju treats and a head full of memories from Busan's beaches and Jeju's waterfalls.
Alpacas, Rail Bikes, and Nami Island
An Early Start with Bread on the Go
Day seven began bright and early — early enough that we skipped a proper breakfast. Instead, Glen and Grace picked up some bread from Paris Baguette to eat on the move. Good thing too, because our tour van was already waiting downstairs by 7am, ready to whisk us off to Gapyeong for a jam-packed day of sightseeing outside the city.
A Chilly Visit to Alpaca World
First stop was Alpaca World, though the site turned out to be a bit smaller in scope than expected — the low temperatures meant we only got to feed the alpacas rather than fully explore the grounds. Still, there's something undeniably charming about a field full of alpacas, even on a cold morning.
Pedaling Through Gapyeong Rail Park
From there, we headed to Gapyeong Rail Park for a ride on the rail bikes — pedaling along old train tracks through the scenic countryside. There was a small mix-up here too: our tour guide accidentally bought one ticket for four people instead of two tickets for two, which added a bit of unexpected shuffling to the stop. Minor hiccup aside, the ride itself was a fun, laid-back way to take in the Gapyeong scenery.
Ferrying Over to Nami Island
Next up was Nami Island, reached by a short ferry ride from the port. Known for its tree-lined pathways and postcard-worthy scenery, Nami Island lived up to its reputation as one of the most photographed spots near Seoul.
Petite France and Italian Village
Rounding out the tour, we stopped by Petite France and the nearby Italian Village — two whimsical, storybook-style attractions that felt like a quick trip to Europe without leaving Korea. The colorful buildings and quirky theming made for a fun, lighter note to close out the day trip.
Back to Myeongdong for One Last Look
Once the tour wrapped up and we were dropped back at the hotel, Glen and I headed out for one more walk through Myeongdong Night Market, swinging by a Nike store to see if there was anything worth picking up. A relaxed, familiar way to end a full day of alpacas, rail bikes, and island hopping.
Laundry Errands and a Sunset at Namsan Tower
A Slower Kind of Day
After a week of trains, tours, and early mornings, day eight was all about slowing down — a well-earned rest and laundry day. It started simply enough with breakfast at the hotel buffet, no rush, no itinerary to chase just yet.
The Great Laundry Hunt
With clothes piling up after a week on the road, the first mission of the day was finding a way to wash them. A trip to Daiso turned up nothing in the way of laundry trolleys, so the search continued into the afternoon with a walk down to lower Myeongdong. Eventually, a laundromat turned up — success, though not a quick one. The whole process ended up taking about three hours, turning what should've been a simple errand into most of the afternoon.
Up to Namsan Tower
With laundry finally sorted, we decided to make the most of what was left of the day and headed out to Namsan Seoul Tower in the late afternoon. The tower turned out to be within walking distance of the hotel, so we set off on foot, walking all the way to the base of the hill before switching to a cable car for the ride up. Watching the city spread out below as the cable car climbed was a great reward after a day spent mostly on laundry duty.
Korean BBQ to Close It Out
Back down from the tower, we made our way to dinner at a Korean BBQ spot tucked behind a 7-Eleven in Myeongdong. After a day that was equal parts mundane errands and scenic payoff, a good BBQ dinner was the perfect way to wind things down.
Suwon Fortress, Shoe Shopping, and a Cracked Screen
Back to Jangan Ginseng Chicken
Some meals are good enough to earn a repeat visit, and Jangan Ginseng Chicken near City Hall was one of them. We kicked off day nine with breakfast there before heading out to explore a part of Korea we hadn't seen yet — Suwon.
Starfield Mall and a Fortress Steeped in History
A train ride took us out to Suwon, where our first stop was Starfield Mall and its library — a striking, book-filled atrium that's become one of the city's most photographed indoor spots. From there, we hopped on a bus to Suwon Fortress Heritage, the UNESCO-listed fortress wall that wraps around the old city. Wandering along the fortress walls offered a completely different side of Korea — centuries of history instead of the modern shopping and street food we'd been immersed in for most of the trip.
Back to Seoul and a Shoe-Shopping Detour
From Suwon, we made our way back to Seoul by bus and train, getting off at Hongdae — a neighborhood known for its youthful energy, street fashion, and no shortage of sneaker stores. Naturally, that led to a bit of a shopping spree. First stop was Footlocker, where we picked up a pair of Vomero shoes in blue, size 8. Not satisfied with just one pair, we swung by Nike Hongdae next and picked up another pair of Vomeros, this time in black on white.
It was there that we realized a Trust Card had been left behind at the Footlocker shop — cue a quick backtrack to retrieve it, which also gave us the chance to request a size change on the Vomero shoes while we were there. Shopping trips always seem to come with at least one small plot twist.
A Rocky End to the Day
Unfortunately, the mishaps didn't quite end there. On the way back to the hotel, mommy dropped her phone and cracked the screen — not the ideal way to close out an otherwise great day of history, shopping, and good food. Still, between the fortress walls, the new sneakers, and one very photogenic library, day nine had plenty of highlights to outweigh the bumps along the way.
Tech Valleys, Botanic Gardens, and the Gangnam Style Statue
Chasing Down the Samsung Service Centre
Day ten started with breakfast at the hotel buffet before we set off on a mission — tracking down the Samsung Service Centre. We walked over to the City Hall area to look for it, weaving through the morning crowd before finally locating it and getting that errand crossed off the list.
A Walk Through Pangyo Techno Valley
With that out of the way, we made our way to Pangyo Station and spent some time walking around Pangyo Techno Valley, Korea's answer to Silicon Valley. The area has a completely different energy from the historic palaces and traditional markets we'd explored earlier in the trip — all glass towers and tech campuses, a glimpse into modern Korea's engine room.
Into Hwadam Forest
From Pangyo, we hopped on a train and then a bus (#9) out to Hwadam Forest to visit the Botanic Garden. It was a peaceful change of pace, trading city streets for greenery and quiet garden paths — the kind of stop that's easy to underestimate until you're actually walking through it. After taking our time exploring, we retraced our steps, catching the same bus and train combo back toward Gangnam Station.
Finding the Gangnam Style Statue
Once back in Gangnam, we went searching for one particularly fun landmark — the Gangnam Style statue near COEX Mall. It's hard to visit Gangnam without at least a passing thought of that song, and finding the statue felt like a fitting little tribute stop.
Wrapping Up at COEX and Starfield Library
From there, we ducked into COEX Mall itself and located the Starfield Library, another one of Seoul's stunning book-lined atriums and a great final stop for the day. After soaking in the towering shelves and the buzz of the mall, we made our way back to the hotel to call it a night.
Last-Minute Shopping and the Flight Home
Packing It All In
Eleven days after it all began, the trip had finally reached its last morning. We spent the early hours packing our bags, trying to fit eleven days' worth of memories, souvenirs, and a couple of new pairs of Vomero shoes into our luggage. Checkout came at 11am, and with that, our time in Myeongdong officially wound down.
One Last Lunch and a Final Shopping Run
Before heading to the airport, we grabbed lunch at the hotel buffet restaurant — one more good meal before saying goodbye to Korea. With a bit of time still left, we headed out to Myeongdong for some last-minute shopping, making sure not to leave anything on the table before the flight.
Heading to the Airport
With bags packed and shopping done, we caught a taxi from the entrance of the hotel straight to Incheon Airport. From there, it was time to board our flight back to Singapore, closing out eleven incredible days across Seoul, Busan, and Jeju.
Looking Back
From the KTX rides and palace visits in Seoul, to sunrise beach walks and seafood in Busan, to waterfalls and black pork in Jeju, and back again for alpacas, fortress walls, and one very persistent laundry search — this trip had a bit of everything. A cracked phone screen, a mixed-up ticket, a lost-in-translation dinner — even the hiccups made for good stories. As always, it's the small unplanned moments that end up being the ones worth remembering most.
