I Seoul U: The Journey of Remembrance

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

Hello... After a long break from backpacking, this is my first trip of the year. More importantly, it's my first solo trip abroad.

Arrival in South Korea

Our journey began on October 24, 2018, and concluded on November 1, 2018. Upon arrival in South Korea at 10:00 AM, first-time visitors should follow the "Arrivals" signs to locate the escalator leading to the subway. Take the subway to the terminal building and proceed through immigration. At immigration, complete the arrival card provided by the flight attendants and join the "Foreigner Passenger" queue. During our arrival, the queue was extensive due to the simultaneous arrival of multiple tour groups.

After waiting in line for a while, it was almost our turn. The person in front of us passed through the process quickly. When it was our turn, we handed our documents to the officer. The officer asked us to scan our fingerprints (both index fingers) on the scanner, which had instructions in Thai. We were also asked to look at the camera for a facial photograph, without wearing a hat or glasses.

The immigration officer noticed the length of my stay on my visa and inquired about my purpose of visit. I informed them that I was there for tourism. When asked if I was traveling with family, I replied that I was traveling alone. The officer, still skeptical, requested to see my travel itinerary. I presented them with all the necessary documents, including my hotel reservation confirmation and round-trip flight tickets. The officer then smiled and nodded, granting me entry.

We finally arrived in Korea! After picking up our luggage, we set off on our journey.

The first day we stayed in the Hongdae area, so we took bus 6002 and got off at Hongik Univ, which is close to exit 8.

Airport Limousine Bus Stop Information

Upon arriving at the bus stop, we headed towards our accommodation. After asking for directions, we found our lodging, Cocoon Stay, conveniently located near Hongik University. We checked in and then took a stroll down Hongdae Street. We enjoyed shopping on this street, which is known for its vibrant street performances, including dancing and singing. The street is also a popular hangout spot for young people.

This Kakao Friends store has three floors. The first and second floors offer adorable merchandise, while the third floor houses a cozy coffee shop.

Take the subway line 2 and get off at Hongik University Station. You can take either exit 8 or 9, as the building is located between the two exits. The building is open daily from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM.

I stood and listened to music at the activity stage. While I was listening to music, two Korean girls came up to me and greeted me. I remember they asked me in Korean if I was Thai. At that time, I was confused about how they knew. I said yes, and they said they had a Thai friend who was in Bangkok because their friend was studying at the same university. Then our conversation went on for a long time. The languages we used to talk were English, Korean, and the Papago app. We think Korean people's English accents are very difficult to understand. We know some Korean, but sometimes we can't think of the words in time. We will think of it after the conversation is over. We learned about Korea from the two girls. They asked us why we came to Korea. We said we liked Korean history and why we came alone. What do you want to do in Korea? And many other questions. We talked for several hours and developed a good friendship. They told us that because we were destined to meet, we met. They recommended some food to eat. We exchanged Line IDs, took pictures, and said goodbye. But we made another appointment after we went to the countryside and came back to Seoul. We wanted to meet before we returned to Thailand.

After dropping the children off at the train station, I walked back to my room. It was already 10 pm. I had planned to leave my luggage at the luggage storage, as I would be leaving for Nami Island early the next morning. However, the shop was already closed.

The most convenient way to reach our accommodation is by taking the subway and getting off at Hongik University Station, Exit 7. The accommodation is a hostel with both dormitory and private rooms. We stayed in a private room, which was quite small but still manageable. The advantage is that it is located in the heart of Hongdae. The bathroom is shared.

Day Two: Journey to Nami Island

This morning, we planned to visit Nami Island early, anticipating large crowds due to the peak and stunning fall foliage. However, the luggage storage facility opened at 9:00 AM. Shortly before 9:00 AM, we checked out of our accommodation and headed to the RAON luggage storage facility located within the Hongik University Station. The facility is situated near Exit 7 on the left-hand side, before exiting onto the main street. This location is convenient for travelers heading out of town, offering storage options for extended periods, even months.

Shop details

http://raontravel.com/en/?ckattempt=2

Today is my first day riding the Skytrain. It's a bit confusing, but I know that to get to my destination, I need to check the name of the next station to see if it's the one I want. Sometimes, I encounter trains without English signage indicating the next stop, making it difficult to understand the announcements. An alternative is to remember the three-digit station number of my destination. When the train stops, I can look at the platform sign to see which station I'm at.

From Hongik Station, we arrived at Cheongnyangni Station, intending to take the KTX train for its speed. However, upon arriving at the station, it resembled a bus terminal in our country, leaving us unsure where to begin. We searched for the ticket machine mentioned in the reviews, opting for a standing ticket. By the time we arrived, it was already noon, and we still hadn't reached Nami Island due to getting lost on the subway.

Following the officer's advice, we opted for the ITX train instead of the KTX due to limited availability. As we descended the escalator, we sought information on the appropriate station to disembark. A kind lady on the escalator inquired about our destination in Korean. We informed her that we were headed to Gapyeong. Despite the language barrier, she made a sincere effort to assist us, using gestures and limited English to convey her guidance.

We informed the lady that we were headed to Nami Island. She enthusiastically inquired with others about the appropriate station to disembark for Nami Island. She appeared genuinely eager to assist us. We encountered a group of students who advised us to get off at Sangbong Station. Upon learning our destination, we expressed our gratitude to the lady with a heartfelt "Kamsahamnida, Ajumma." We were overwhelmed with a sense of appreciation. Initially, the lady had walked away, but she unexpectedly returned to see us off, concerned that we might board the wrong train. She even wrote down "Nami Island" on a piece of paper and instructed us to show it to a taxi driver upon arrival. Her kindness was truly remarkable.

A one-hour journey from Sangbong to Gapyeong offers scenic views. Taxis are readily available outside the station. A taxi ride to Nami Island costs 6,000 won.

Upon arriving at Nami Island, a multitude of people greeted me as I disembarked from the taxi. Despite it not being a Saturday or Sunday, the island was teeming with visitors. I wondered if it was a Korean holiday, as the sheer volume of people was unexpected. After purchasing tickets, I boarded a ferry to cross over to the island.

Upon reaching Nami Island, the vast expanse and vibrant foliage of changing colors were breathtaking.

A group of children on a field trip.

To capture this image, I had to wait until almost everyone had left.

We will be here until 6 pm.

After taking a boat back from Nami Island, the taxi and bus waiting area was crowded with long queues, which started to worry me as we had to get to Chuncheon for our accommodation that night.

I took a taxi back to Kapeyoung Station at 7:30 pm, but the return trip only cost 3,000 won. Why is the price half as much as the trip there?

The train journey on the ITX line ended at Chuncheon Station. Stepping out, I waited for a taxi, standing alone for a long time without seeing a single one pass by. I began to worry that without a taxi, I would have to return to Seoul for the night. Just then, a taxi arrived. I asked the driver where I was headed, and replied, "World Hotel." I showed him the reservation with the map, and he turned on his GPS and followed the directions.

We circled around looking for accommodation for three rounds but still couldn't find it. We asked people along the way, but the uncle wouldn't let us get off along the way. He tried to get us to our destination. Until the uncle went to ask for directions, he said it was on the walking street. The uncle said he couldn't drive in. He told us to get off and walk straight and then turn left. We followed what the uncle said, but we couldn't find it. We asked people in there, but no one knew.

After circling the walking street twice, the shops began to close. Feeling hungry, tired, and in need of rest, I decided to stop looking for accommodation. I figured I would just find a hotel with vacancies and book a room, as it was almost 11 pm.

We came across a hotel, but I can't recall its name. Judging by its appearance, it seemed quite expensive. We inquired about the availability and price of rooms, and were quoted 60,000 won, which is roughly 1,700 Thai baht. At that point, we were desperate for a place to stay, so we accepted. The room's condition was satisfactory, and it was equipped with all the necessary amenities.

My initial plan was to stroll down Myeongdong Street in Chuncheon and savor some spicy stir-fried chicken (dakgalbi). However, my evening concluded with milk and bread from a G25 convenience store.

Day Three: Journey to the City of Sea and Mountains

Today's journey is to cycle through the city of Chuncheon and find the statue of the young girl at Soyang River, a symbol of the city. The statue is based on a song about a girl who waits for her lover to return.

Lost yesterday and couldn't find accommodation. If I travel in the afternoon and arrive in Sokcho City, it will be dark. Safety first. I decided to go to Sokcho City directly. It's a pity that I didn't get to visit this city. It's just a stopover. Sorry, Chuncheon City. T_T

After checking out of the accommodation, I realized it was already raining heavily. Now it's drizzling. I got into a taxi and went to the Chunchon bus terminal.

The ticket counter is right in front. Tell the staff that you are going to Sokcho.

Bus Schedule

I got on the bus just in time, 3 minutes before departure. I didn't have time to buy anything to eat on the bus. 555

The journey from Chuncheon to Sokcho takes approximately two and a half hours. After dozing off for a while, I awoke to the breathtaking view of the mountains.

The view has opened up to the sea, so we must be getting close. The weather here is clear and there's no rain.

We arrived in Sokcho, a small and peaceful town. After getting off the bus, we started looking for accommodation. As usual, we got lost. We followed the GPS, but it seemed like we were walking in circles. There was no one around to ask for directions.

As we passed by, we decided to ask a local for directions. Most people in this area didn't speak much English, but their speaking pace was slower than in Seoul, making it somewhat understandable. Initially, the person wasn't sure where the location was, but they offered to walk us there as they were heading in the same direction. During the walk, we chatted about our nationality, and they were surprised to learn that we were traveling alone and for an extended period.

We didn't walk far before my brother received a call, presumably from a friend, inquiring about the hotel. After the conversation, he hailed a taxi and gestured for me to get in. He joined me in the car and instructed the driver to take us to the hotel. During the ride, I inquired about the fare, but my brother assured me not to worry and to enjoy my trip. I was deeply touched by his kindness and didn't know how to express my gratitude. All I could manage was a heartfelt "Thank you" in Korean: "Kamsahamnida."

Upon arriving at the hotel, we stayed at The House Hostel. However, there was no one at the counter. A Korean guest who arrived at the same time called the owner, who then came out to greet us. The owner was very kind and offered us various services. As we were not yet able to check in, he provided us with a map and suggested tourist destinations. The hostel also had lockers for luggage storage, with a fee of 100W.

After storing our belongings in lockers, we continued our journey. Since this is a small town, it is easy to navigate and get around without getting lost.

The first meal in Sokcho was a feast, as we were famished. Seafood dominates the local cuisine, with dried fish and other preserved goods readily available. Our first stop was the Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market, a bustling hub offering everything from clothing and household items to fresh seafood. Dried fish was the most prominent sight.

After recharging, I walked back to the street lined with seafood restaurants. The giant crab looked tempting, but I wondered if it would be too expensive and whether I could finish it on my own. In the end, I decided to pass.

Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion Observatory is a pavilion by the water.

This is the view from the pavilion above. When you climb up to the pavilion, you can see the tower not far away. We will head there next.

Then, we went to the tower, which is located nearby.

The sight of the stairs almost brought tears to my eyes... and finally, I dragged myself to the top.

The view is of the city of Sokcho.

After soaking up the atmosphere, I checked into my accommodation and relaxed.

Our current dorm room is a hostel with four occupants: two Koreans, one Russian, and one Thai.

We will shower and prepare to climb the mountain early tomorrow morning. For today, good night.

**Stay tuned for the next episode.**