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Hyundai Hotel Ulsan
This was where I stayed for 3 nights South Korea Trip
Day 1 Arrive in Seoul/Ulsan
I took the 0810 flight to Kota Kinabalu and board Korean Air at 0010. Arived at Incheon Airport Seoul at around 0700 (An hour ahead of Malaysian time). I took a bus for a transfer to Gimpo Airport, the domestic airport for a connecting flight to Ulsan, which was about 45 minutes flight from Seoul. Ulsan is a coastal city and the view approaching it from the plane was magnificent. I was received by the Ulsan City officers on arrival and they had kindly provided shuttle service to the official hotel of the conference - Hyundai Hotel, Ulsan. The journey took about 50 minutes where we passed the port which has a part of it full with nicely lined up Hyundai automobile. What a view at this very town where Hyundai started year ago. Ulsan is an important industrial town in South Korea.
Day 2 - Forum
Registration for the Forum started at 0830 and the opening by Mayor of Ulsan started at 0900. Forum focused on experiences from many Asia Pacific countries on sustainable urban management. I had my share of presentation in the afternoon.
Took a
Fantastic Floral Arrangement
Fantastic Floral Arrangement in the park behind Hyundai Hotel stroll at a magnificent park within the workers residential area for Hyundai Staff just behind the Hyundai Hotel. My…..the view was just too picturesque….unbelieveble. It was the best spring floral arrangement I had ever captured. Look at those scenes.
I enjoyed the Bulgogi or Barbecue Beef at a restaurant in the Hyundai Departmental Store across the Hyundai Hotel. I took lots of Kimchi which was my favorite Korean side dish all these years.
Day 3 - Site Visits and farewell
The Forum participants were brought on a trip to Foosung factory for a briefing on the mechanism of caarbon credits. We were brought to the taehwa River Ecological Park where a badly polluted river was rejuvenated into a clean, ecological friendly urban recreation setting. What amazed me was that theres big screen TVs in the park for visitors information. How would that happen in Malaysia? The Forum went on smoothly in the afternoon with presentations from the remaining cities mostly from Philipphines and Sri Langka. The Forum adjourned to Hyundai Club House for a closing cum farewell dinner. The Club was located in a nice environment. The dinner was in buffet setting with delicious korean
Ramada Jeju Hotel
Ramada Plaza Hotel Jeju finger food and a wine bar as well. Tasted Kahlua, Jack Daniel And Dry Gin with Tonic. Retired to bed around 11pm after doing some work and checking emails giving full trust to the hotel to wake me up by 0445 tomorrow..what a ime to wake up!
Day 4 Ulsan-Seoul-Jeju
The journey to Ulsan airport took just 15 minutes during early morning. I took the 0700 flight to Gimpo Airport in Seoul. Upon arrival at 0745, I took some breakfast while waiting for the 1200 flight to Jeju. A bowl of ramen costed 5000won equivalent to RM16! That's the way to be in Korea. I tasted Italian coffee at Café Shilea ..another 3500 gone. The flight to Jeju is surprising an Airbus much larger than the boing 737 we used for Ulsan-Kimpo. The flight was swarmed by many primary students apparently on a study trip to Jeju led by their teacher. It was no wonder that we were assigned with the last row of seats -row 60! The flight took an hour and the temperature at Jeju was around 12C.
Ramada Plaza Hotel is about 5 minutes drive from Jeju International Airport and it was much cheaper
Gwandeokjeong Palace in Jeju City
Gwandeokjeong Palace in Jeju City to book online through Asiahotels.com or asiarooms.com costing me around USD110 without breakfast. A check online with the hotel website shocked me with a price of more than USD200 per night!
I found out about a city or rather island tour from the concierge who informed that the Jeju Trolley Bus Tour operates Western and Eastern Island Tour on alternate days. I was late for the Eastern Island Tour today but had happily settled with the Western Island Tour tomorrow which cost 35000 won or USD35 from 9am to 7pm.
I took a walk down the main road in front of the hotel. Visited an E-Mart, a chain store in Jeju and perhaps South Korea. I came across the Gwandeokjeong which was sort of a palace for the ancient Korean Official. My dinner was taken at the Restaurant in the hotel was good. Lavishly expensive though.
Day 5 Jeju Island Tour
After a brisk breakfast, I was waiting faithfully for the arrival of the Jeju Trolley Bus which hopefully will bring a glimpse of Jeju Island for a first-timer like me. The red coloured vehicle was in sight on time but it was a van instead
Korean Prawn?
Korean Prawn? of a tour bus as advertised in the brochure. I was wondering as to why the concierge lady argued with the driver at length. She came a shortwhile later apologising for the unavailability of a bus and did her best to warrant a 30% discount for me. What an amazingly thoughtful hotel employee. I should put this incident on record to the hotel management later.
The Jeju Trolley actually could be reserved from many hotels for pick up in the morning. We had a group of 8 tourists made up of American Korean, Chinese from Dalian and local Koreans from Seoul. It was great experience to mingle with the different nationalities.
The tour started with a ride from Jeju City in the northern part of the island through the centre southwards. We were brought to the 'Mysterious Road' where an optical illusion could make a vehicle going down a slope appeared going uphill. He proved it by switching off the van engine. It was a great experience. Another amazing scene was the houses looked slanted and in actual fact leveled.
Turning back from the road brought us to a Tea Museum which displays many traditional and modern
Korean Kid and the Jeju Trolley
Korean Kid and the Jeju Trolley tea pots and cups. I was more interested with the scene outside the building with nice lush greens.
We headed for Happy Town where there’s a Chinese acrobatics performance. There’s a motorcycle stunt show at the end which really awed everyone where seven motorcycles could actually being rode at high speed inside a spherical wire frame.
Lunch was served at a local restaurant with Korean food. We were supposed to go to Pacific Land for some dolphin shows but were told that its late for entrance and we were advised to take on a cruise along the Jeju beach front costing another 15000 won.
The cruise was magnificent with the breath-taking views of the ocean and the cliffs, islands, and cave formations. The only drawback was that the explanation was in Korean for the whole trip. Perhaps it should consider English as well since Jeju is an international tourist destination.
I enjoyed a Korean Dinner with barbecued and steamboat pork. Um…..wonderful meal with a bottle of Sozhu!
Day 6 Overnight in Seoul
I departed Jeju International Airport at around 0925 and landed in Gimpo Airport, Seoul again at around 1050. The cab was ridicoulously
Magnificent View of Cliffs and Sea
Magnificent View of Cliffs and Sea expensive at around 700,000 won (around RM210) for a ride from Gimpo Airport to Prince Hotel in downtown Seoul. Whoosh! I only discovered that it was a deluxe taxi with yellow and black color. REMEMBER, take the silver color taxis always which might only cost around 500,000 won. I checked in to Prince Hotel which is right adjacent to the Myeangdon Station. After settling my luggage, I went straight on to the infamous Namdaemun Market where you will love all the bargains and delicious local delicacies. Got some ginseng extracts, ginseng candies, some sea weed, clothing, souvenirs, etc.
I took the subway back to the hotel leaving all my shopping victories before getting on the subway again heading for Dondaemun, another shopping retail area.
In the evening, I proceeded back to the hotel where the surroundings is the most noted shopping area for latest fashions and trends. MYAENDON! Here I come again after my previous trip here in 2005.
I retired to bed around midnight after a tiring day. Heavy rain started to pour just before I slept. The temperature was around 10-15 degrees Celsius, enough to make me sneeze and shiver though!
Day 7 Home
Pork Steamboat and Sozhu
Pork Steamboat and Sozhu Sweet Home
I used a SILVER cab for Incheon Airport in the morning. After a brisk Korean noodle at the airport, I check-in for the 1150 flight back home. The Incheon International Airport is another interesting duty free shopping heaven. I bought a bottle of Korean Ginseng Wine for Irene. Also a book by John Grisham in anticipation of a boring journey home.
I arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport around 1550. It was in a sorry state undergoing series of renovation. Upon arrival, I noticed that many counters are left unattended including the infamous Nexus Resort. What happened? The flight back to Sibu was delayed from 1800 till 1930. Home Sweet Home around 2100.
Seoul, I will return again for a winter experience after my autumn in 2005 and this time Spring in 2008.
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