Review: Four Seasons House (Seoul)

Name: Four Seasons House
Address: 39-5, World Cup-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Mapo-Gu, 121-885 Seoul, South Korea
Website: Booking.com

I spent 3 nights at Four Seasons House when I was in Seoul this april and this is my short review of the place.

Nami Island & Ewha Woman’s University

It probably took me 3 hours to get from Hapjeong to Nami Island. I had known the distance was long so I woke up super early that day but I wasn’t prepared for the frustration and pitfalls that accompanied the journey.

Official website: https://namisum.com/en/location/

My first Hanbok experience in seoul, Insadong & Seokchon Lake

My first full day in Seoul was spent in a Hanbok - traditional Korean costume. Isn't that like the most exciting way to travel XD? Except that I only spent a total of 20 minutes in it heheh. I started the day at Unhyeunggung palace near Anguk train station (exit 5) to enjoy the traditional architecture and for a chance to take some photos of myself in a hanbok. It felt super #foreveralone but whatever!

Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival (Seoul)

I spent my first night in Seoul at the Yeouido Park cherry blossom festival. Took a long train journey to Yeouinaru Station (subway line 5) and exited from either exit 1 or 2.

Official website: http://english.visitseoul.net/event-festival/Yeongdeungpo-Yeouido-Spring-Flower-Festival-2016_/16479 

 

I can’t remember which exit I took  but I do remember buying 11 pairs of socks from the bustling train station. There were a lot of stores in the underground station! The store had a “Buy 10 + 1” sale and each pair ended up costing less than 1000Won! Aren’t they adorable 8D??

Busan: Haeundae Beach & Dongbaek Island

Day 4 of my Korea trip and my last day in Busan, I decided to explore the areas close to my hostel – Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island. I really wanted to squeeze a trip to Gamcheon Culture Village however that didn’t fall through because I forgot it’s friday and the KTX trains at 5pm were all sold out.

I had a simple breakfast in the hostel and walked leisurely to Haeundae beach.

Pore shrinking in Korea

I went to CNP skin laser clinic for a laser treatment when I was in Korea last month. I had an Intracel treatment that promise to shrink the pores, lift the skin and improve the overall texture. I went to the new branch in Yangjae. As you can see, it's really cosy and professional looking. 

 

There’s even a coffee and tea machine that I wasted no time in trying, hehe.

 

 

From Busan to HwaGae Cherry Blossom Festival

I spent my 3rd day in Korea in the rural side of Hadong. I ventured out in seek of the HwaJae Cherry Blossoms Festival and to seek out the famous marriage road !

 

How to get there:
Start at Busan Seobu Bus Terminal. Buy a 13,300 ticket for HwaGae Bus Terminal. The journey should take you around 2hours 30 mins. Yes, it's a Long, Long ride. 

Bus timetable:  http://eng.hadong.go.kr/sub/05_01_02.asp

Official website: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=700651 

 

As a tourist who speaks no Hangul and barely did her research, my adventure is no short of mistakes and hilarious antics. Continue reading to learn how a potato like me managed to reach Hwagae.

Busan: Dalmaji-gil Road & Namcheongdong Cherry Blossom Road

Day 2 of my #YoloKorea tour for the seasonal Cherry Blossoms! I returned from Jinhae very late the night before and had a 14 hours (layover included) flight to Korea. You can imagine the amount of effort it took to roll out of bed the next morning.

After Jinhae's famous Cherry Blossom Festival, the next event I wanted to attend was the Hadong Cherry Blossom Festival. Hadong was even further than Jinhae and given my risen hour, it was clearly not a good idea to proceed. So I seek my lovely hostel manager's travel advice and went to Dalmaji-gil road instead! 
 

Korea Shopping Haul !

Even though I went to Korea mainly to catch the Cherry Blossoms, I didn’t waste the chance for a good haul. So I set aside more time to go shopping during this trip hhehehe. Here is my haul video!

 

Day trip to Jinhae Gunhangje & GyeongHwa Train station

Everyone should probably know how obsessed with Cherry Blossoms I am, having flew to Japan twice in a row to catch it. This year, I decided to do something different. I decided at the very last minute to fly to South Korea for them. Yes, It was a blizzard and frivolous arrangement. 

In case you’re interested, Cherry blossoms are called beotkkot in Korean.  

I didn't feel like going to Japan again because I've been there 3 times last year and the bloom I witnessed last year left me entirely satisfied. Fuelled in part by the fact that the flights were all horrendously expensive, I ditched Japan and hopped to South Korea instead! After all , it's been 5 years since I've been there! I want to make an entry about how I plan my itineraries/trips to make it both fun and budget friendly but I don't think anyone would be interested haha. 
 
Anyway I flew into Busan via Vietnam Airline, had a longgggg layover in Noi Bai Airport and finally arrived in Busan. And after checking into my lovely hostel, sped straight to Jinhae. Check out my vlog below!