September 8 Activities

As mentioned in the invitation, we'll be sticking around Seoul to spend time with people after the wedding. On the Sunday after the wedding, our plan is to have brunch with those interested (not too early!!!) at a location to be determined. After that, we will take people on a tour of one of the palaces in the city. Tentatively after that, we want to go to a baseball team with those interested. Baseball is loved in Korea and it should be a lot of fun. Which Seoul team we go see will largely be based on the ability to get a group of tickets, not the easiest thing in the world to do there. Tickets for the ball game will probably be about $15 bucks. If this all interests you, try to keep your day pretty well free.

More information to come!

DMZ Tour Update

As we've previously mentioned, our plan is to head out as a group for the DMZ tour the day before the wedding (Friday - September 6). We've spoken with people and have decided on the full day tour at the following website referred to as DMZ Tour 2:

http://www.dmztours.com/seoul_dmz_tours.htm

It is a full day tour that costs about $80. This includes lunch.

There are some things to keep in mind for the tour, some of which is probably not to be expected. According to the website (link above):

- You must carry your passport on tour day. 
- When you arrive at Conference room, do not touch any equipment such
   as microphones or flags belonging to the communist side.- Do not speak with, make any gesture toward or in any way,
   approach or respond to personnel from the other side.- Casual clothes such as ripped jeans, sleeveless shirts, mini skirt, short pants, military cloth,    and sandal(slippers) are not permitted in the tour area. - Shaggy or unkempt hair is not allowed either.- The cameras with over 90mm zooming lens are not allowed. - Children under 11 years are not allowed. 
- Tour time is flexible according to local circumstances.- Sometimes military or other official considerations prevent entry into the joint security area. - While on tour if any program cancelled according to unexpected local situation,
   no refund will be provided. 

While we aren't sure how strictly these are enforced, I would particularly worry about the 5th bullet if I were you Denis...

Quite a few people have confirmed that they want to go. If you do want to go and haven't let us know, please do as we want to book a minimum number soon.

Tipping doesn't happen in Seoul!!

Something to keep in mind for taxis and restaurants and other services while visiting South Korea. DO NOT TIP. It isn't done. Frank, that doesn't mean not everyone tips, that means NO ONE TIPS. So please remember that when you are eating in a restaurant or taking a taxi from the airport.

Also, in restaurants, without knowing any better, you may feel neglected by the servers...this is because it is considered rude there to interrupt or bother the patrons. Some restaurants have a button at the table to press to get the servers attention while most you will just need to flag them down. Don't be shy, when you get their attention they will often literally come running. Service is actually for the most part fantastic and far better than Canada. Take into account you aren't leaving a tip and you will start to question why you are tipping in Canada when the service often sucks. Note also that they won't generally ask if you want something to drink to start, just order everything together at the same time.

Related Travel Health Notices: South Korea

Here is the Canadian government official website for your destination! 
Please check the vaccine-preventable diseases for your trip to Korea.


http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/countries-pays/country-pays-eng.php?id=368

http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/korea-south

Well, our wimpy kid = Trev was fine during his first trip to Korea without any vaccines. 
Currently, there is no vaccinations for South Korea trip!

Please check the official website for your health!

:)


HY

Seoul city Tour

A few websites to help you to plan a tour in Seoul's city centre.


1. http://www.seoulcitytour.net/English/
This one has many options, but they will make you to visit Ginsen center no matter! Make sure to go through this website rather than through other similar ones you find through google searches. This is most helpful for English speakers.

2. http://seoultrolley.co.kr/eng/

HY's favorite tour!
An affordable price and the starting point of this bus tour is close to our hotel. We can walk or you can take a metro, just one station!

You can decide the route and purchase a ticket. Then you can basically get on & off during the service hours wherever you want throughout the route.

You do not need to reserve this tour in advance. You can just stop by there and purchase a one day pass (or purchase a pass just for your route)!

Prices vary by route.
($8 - $15, always taxes are included, English service is available).
Tel: 02-318-0345 



Hope this info is helpful for you!!

:)

HY

JSA & DMZ Tour

We would like to plan the tour for JSA and DMZ while you are staying in Korea, Seoul.

Departure will most likely be Friday, Sep/06, 8:30 am near hotel Vavien II.
(8:30-5:30pm, lunch will be served).

Approximate price: CAD $100. (tax included)

Official website: http://www.dmztours.com/seoul_dmz_tours.htm

(if you are interested in going on the Sep/06 tour, please do not book by yourself. Let us know that you are interested and we will try to organize for the group. Most likely Trevor will accompany people on that day so that he is out of my hair while I prepare for the wedding the next day! If you are planning to have the tour any other days, feel free to book your tour)

Information regarding JSA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Security_Area

and DMZ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Demilitarized_Zone


The Korean peninsula is roughly divided in half by the 38th parallel north. JSA & DMZ is what remains of the cold war in my country. The specific tour that we would like to take people on allows people from certain countries, including Canada, to go to places that South Korean citizens cannot go. It should be pretty interesting.

I have heard that many of you are interested in the DMZ tour, so it would help to know the approximate number of people who want to go on that Friday, so I can arrange this tour while I am in Korea.


Please email to us,
sayyestotrev@gmail.com

if you are planning to attend the Friday Tour.


HY

Vavien II booking.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/kr/vabien-suite2.en.html?label=social_sharecenter_facebook&checkin=2013-09-06&checkout=2013-09-07


For people wanting a double bed option rather than two single bed,
here is the link you can book a room for it.

The same price with expedia.

Hope this is helpful for you.

HY