Note with respect to a concern raised about hotel room locations

Some people have raised a concern about being able to be located on the same floor of the hotel with others given that we have asked people to book through Expedia or other travel websites. Hwayoung will be in Seoul as of August 1st and will be in contact with the hotel management at Vabien Suites II to ensure that the wedding group is placed in the same part of the hotel. If you wish to be beside specific people, simply email us to let us know. We are maintaining a list of those who have booked at the hotel so it won't be a problem.

Accommodations in Seoul for the Wedding

Accommodations in Seoul for the Wedding

We’ve figured out what we believe to be the best plan for accommodations for those in Seoul for the wedding. We’ve identified three places in close proximity to one another. We have booked ourselves into one of them, Vabien Suites II. It is reasonably priced and will serve as the "home base" for our group of out of towners. The other two options are intended to give people just that – options. One is a little more expensive and the other even a little more expensive (though this seems to vary depending on when you run the search. Descriptions to follow for each so find the one that best suits you and your needs. As mentioned, we'll be at Vabien Suites II and to the extent that we have a shuttle to and from the wedding ceremony and/or reception, it will be from there. I've included links to Expedia for two of them and another booking site for the other. You may also want to go through trip advisor, which will check for deals at other websites. In each case, availability should not be an issue but let us know if you encounter any problems with your bookings. If going with Vabien Suites II and you get a higher rate than CAD90-100 per night, less us know and we'll try to work something out directly with the hotel. Note that there is not a block of rooms set aside for the wedding party. It isn't common in Korea like here so it has proven to be more trouble than its worth to try to sort out. Please just go through something like Expedia.

We have booked at room at Vabien Suites II and will be there (the few hours we don’t have other engagements!!!!) on the day of and days around the wedding.

Obviously, feel free to do your own research and find a different place you like more!

1. Vabien Suites II

The standard rooms here tend to either have one queen size bed or two single beds (which appear to be the size of double beds). It is located adjacent to Seodaemun subway station and just 2 km (1.5 miles) from Seoul Station, and City Hall. Namdaemun markets and Gyeongbokgung Palace are within a few kilometres. The hotel has a shuttle bus to downtown Seoul, a fitness center and golf practice system, sauna and steam rooms, and complimentary use of computers with high-speed Internet access. All guestrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art video security, desks with complimentary (high-speed) Internet access, televisions with cable/satellite service and DVD/CD players, and fully equipped kitchenettes.

Currently, through Expedia there is a sale on for rooms at this hotel that is very reasonable.

Rates are approximately CAD95 per night, including all taxes.

The hotel is in close proximity to 24-hour convenience style stores and all rooms have kitchenettes. This may be important for those looking for simple meals. It is also extremely close to a subway station, making it easy to get around Seoul and back to your hotel. Breakfast is available at the hotel but is not included in the room price.

It is also close to an Outback Steakhouse – which I’m told in Korea is actually pretty good! For those a little concerned about what they’ll be eating everyday in Seoul, this is the type of place to keep in mind just in case!

To book through Expedia, click on this link:

http://www.expedia.ca/Seoul-Hotels-Vabien-Suites-II-Serviced-Residence.h1442455.Hotel-Information?chkin=04%2F09%2F2013&chkout=07%2F09%2F2013&rm1=a2&hwrqCacheKey=bab8c857-f1b3-4e2a-8502-dfbe59eded1fHWRQ1372131492984&c=7dcc8db4-1474-4362-b32d-d16b22a9be40&&hashTag=default&rfrr=-30461

One issue with going through Expedia is that things are not always refundable (though the one I booked is up until the day before I arrive - cost $3 a day extra for that).

For ratings and reviews on Vabien Suites II, see the link below to trip advisor:

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g294197-d598299-Reviews-Vabien_Suites_II_Serviced_Residence-Seoul.html

 2. Vabien Suites I

Slightly more upcale and potentially a better option for those with kids or who want a multiple bedroom suite. It is located approximately 100 metres from Vaben Suites II.

Its amenities include a restaurant, Vabien, a health club, complimentary wireless Internet access and complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access. Breakfast is also available at the hotel but is not included in the price. Kitchenettes include microwaves, cutlery and utensils, refrigerators and stovetops.

There are not currently any deals on Expedia such that the multi-room suites that include a queen size bed and two single beds run a little over CAD200. It may be wise to wait a little bit to book to see if a deal becomes available. Again, availability should not be an issue.

Link to Expedia:
http://www.expedia.ca/Seoul-Hotels-Vabien-Suite-1-Serviced-Residence.h5089289.Hotel-Information?chkin=04%2F09%2F2013&chkout=07%2F09%2F2013&rm1=a2:c0:c3&hwrqCacheKey=bab8c857-f1b3-4e2a-8502-dfbe59eded1fHWRQ1372131965312#

Link to trip advisor
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g294197-d655897-Reviews-Vabien_Suite_I_Serviced_Residence-Seoul.html

3. Fraser Place
This is the 3rd option. It is a little bit of a walk away from the other two, maybe 10 or 15 minutes. This place may work for those with kids or for a group of people who want to stay together in an "apartment" style hotel. The description of amenities is:

Ideal for extended stays in Seoul, this all-suite hotel is 0.2 km (0.1 mi) from the Namdaemun Market and within 0.6 km (0.4 mi) of the Seoul Museum of Art and Deoksugung Palace. Seoul Station is 9 minutes away. Fraser Place Central Seoul features an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness center with sauna and steam-room facilities. A brasserie, open all day, offers indoor and seasonal outdoor dining. A spacious suite includes a gourmet kitchen, 2 LCD TVs, a DVD/CD player, a washer/dryer, and 2 bathrooms. Living rooms come with sofa beds. Wired (high-speed) Internet access is complimentary.

Right now, there isn’t anything available through Expedia. There is another website, see the link below, with rooms available ranging in price from USD113 to around USD200. It gives information on the maximum number of adults allowed in the room and other useful information. NOTE: Korea is the same as here, you can get away with more people in the room than you register if you feel comfortable doing so.

http://www.agoda.com/asia/south_korea/seoul/fraser_place_central_seoul_residence.html?asq=bs17wTmKLORqTfZUfjFABuEBmGLFAoChyuzdVlnoC17DoR6FrWJq8LIzgIJ7FMtK5LmC99aESpVXDvjDTzMM8f9pK07lLHSlia04j%2bwUzNtfjZDyz8Ym%2f3BbDgRPB0c7ikhAFVsrpBOOf27L1p6mEgF%2bRAxxHTWCmAJiQDx8MwkjZ93V4AuSnPuYPXdw%2fxW%2f611dx184UwC0QDpf8Nu7MPfGCWI5LRvlpuD%2fI41Bgx%2boAya%2bk2YmcnvvkPnZW4CJva5mNYj9o35%2b970I0pj3dQ%3d%3d

This one really seems to have the best additional amenities such as the fitness center and restaurant and the swimming pool. Good things to keep the kids occupied as well!

Korean Weddings - What to expect

Korean Weddings?!

Many of the people planning to make the trip to Seoul in September for our wedding have asked questions about the differences between a Western wedding and a Korean one. As you would expect, there are many differences between what is common in Canada and what is common in Korea. Watch the video at the link below from two people who started out in Korea teaching English and who have become professional bloggers still living there. Actually, a lot of the stuff on their website is worth checking out!

http://www.eatyourkimchi.com/what-are-weddings-like-in-korea/

Something to be clear about. Our wedding ceremony will be a little different. The best way to describe it in English is to say that we are going to do a "Korean King Wedding" for our ceremony.
Google the keywords "King wedding or Royal wedding in Korea" that and you will find a youtube video to see what it will be like. Or simply click on this link:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUpvfVSTkHA

This is something that will be a unique experience for everyone, including HwaYoung! If any of my friends want to help carry me in??? Let me know! King and Queen for a day...

THIS WILL HAPPEN QUICKLY! The whole ceremony will be about 30 minutes tops. 

*DON'T BE LATE OR YOU WILL MISS IT!*

You will see after this ceremony as people make there way to the lunch area something I want to point out. The normal procedure for what follows goes like this. The guests will give an envelope (their wedding gift) and for that they will get their "meal ticket".

  Don't feel pressured by this!! 

Those giving out the tickets will be instructed that this is not necessary for the guests from Canada so you will be able to eat without having to give an envelope!! Those who wish may of course do so, we just don't want people to be caught unaware! This is very normal in Korea but obviously may be very surprising for those from Canada used to seeing a box for envelopes at the reception or a table for gifts and envelopes.

As I get more questions and learn more myself about things that may not be common in North America, I will update the blog to let you know!

Biggest thing to remember, you are our guests and we are thrilled to have you there. 

Don't sweat the cultural differences, just enjoy them!!!

Jjimjilbang (Public bath houses/saunas/spa) in Seoul

Public bath houses in Korea




One very Korean experience to be had during your time in Seoul is a trip to one of the many Jjimjilbangs.  As described on Wikipedia, a Jjimjilbang (찜질방) is a large, gender-segregated public bathhouse in Korea, furnished with hot tubs, showers, Korean traditional kiln saunas and massage tables. Jjimjil is derived from the words meaning heated bath. However, in other areas of the building or on other floors there are unisex areas, usually with a snack bar, ondol-heated floor for lounging and sleeping, wide-screen TVs, exercise rooms, ice rooms, heated salt rooms, PC bang, noraebang, and sleeping quarters with either bunk beds or sleeping mats. For the most part, these facilities are open 24-hours a day and Koreans are often spending the night there. 

This is one of, if not the most popular way for Koreans to relax and get rid of the stresses of daily life. It is very common for families to visit these spas together as well as groups of friends. Hwayoung's dad very much wanted to take me to one of these during my trip to Korea three years ago. At the time, I was a little hesitant to do so. There were two reasons. For one, the language barrier between us made doing things on our own difficult. Secondly, well, there is one aspect to these places that is a little foreign for most Westerners...

Those willing and wishing to experience a Jjimjilbang while in Korea should be prepared for one thing - nudity. 

While gender-segregated in such areas, patrons will inevitably be, more often than not, presented to you au natural. Fair warning. While in many areas you can choose to wear a bathing suit, many around you won't. Also, there will be areas where it is either considered strange to wear clothing or where it isn't even permitted!

For most areas, you will strip down in the locker room and put on the shorts and shirts given to you by the establishment:




With that said, there are bath houses that are generally considered to be slightly more tailored for foreigners to enjoy. A very famous one located in Seoul is called Dragon Hill Spa.

http://www.dragonhillspa.co.kr/hill/eng.html

With an entrance fee of about 10 bucks, this can be a great place to visit. That covers use of all jacuzzis, pools, saunas, showers and lockers. Everything else, like food and drinks, massages and other treatments, the arcade and cinema, are extra. See the link below to a blog with a great description of the author's experience at Dragon Hill.

http://bloodriceandnoodles.blogspot.ca/2011/03/dragon-hill-spa-our-first-jjimjilbang.html

Here is the link to trip advisor to see what others have written about Dragon Hill:

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g294197-d1641304-Reviews-Dragonhill_Spa_Resort-Seoul.html

For those that may want to go a little (or a lot) more high-end, another well known Jjimjilbang (Spa) is the Banyan Tree Club & Spa.

http://www.banyantree.com/en/seoul/

Another link, from CNN Travel shows what it considers the top 3 options for Jjimjilbangs:

http://travel.cnn.com/seoul/play/seouls-3-best-korean-style-spas-803323

I can't tell you my own experience at a Jjimjilbang because I've never actually gone. I expect to change this in September and very much encourage you to to the same!

Hello All

Hi,
It's  been a while we (or Trev) haven't posted on this blog!
Sorry about that.
Hopefully, you guys received our formal wedding invitation. We sent out our invitation from late last week, and started to hear R.S.V.P. from our guests!
Thank you.

Our wedding invitation is fully customized through my friend, Jang Mi. 

She used to work in a wedding invitation business. 

This is my own drawings & ideas for our invitation. 

One month later, it turned out to be this amazing design!

If you are interested customized designed cards or invitations please let me know!

I will introduce her to you.

Yes, our save the date card was also her work.

I am less sensitive regarding details of cards..

Surprise surprise! Trev picked all the fonts..

and....

this man, initially picked..

yellow and green colors there...

I am very happy that it did not happen.

We decided this blog is Trevor's responsibility and not mine.

So he will post the news and stories to help out people..

But I got a feedback recently, actually feedback from multiple people that no more updates here!

I will try to post more for you guys.

Thanks for visiting our blog!

HY

Seorak Mountain

Today, I am going to introduce a beautiful national park, Seorak Mountain to you.

Seoraksan national park

2009, when Trev came to Korea first time,

we had a family trip to Seorak Mountain.

http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=309426

(official Korean tourism website)

Seorak Mountain is the most favorite place for my family.

It has a beautiful mountain and ocean/beach, plus FOOD!

 

On the way to "SinHeung Sa (temple)"

you'll encounter a massive Buddhist statue.

SinHeung Temple is one of the easiest hiking routes in Seorak.

This temple was initiated 652. 

And it got current appearance since 1644.

Since I was in flip flops and Trev was suffering from jet-leg,

we took another easy way to climb the mountain

Cable car.

(this sounds like Trev so much, eh?)

You have to book a ticket and comeback on your schedule.

thats why we went to Sinheung temple first.

this area is called

kwonkeumsong (Fortress)

detailed information:

http://www.parandeul.co.kr/kwonkeumsong.htm

He is smiling now..but..

He lost his smile while he is climbing to the top on sketchy rocks.

I did wear flip flops, and it was such a bad idea.

Please wear sneakers!!!

It will be 2 hours from the Seoul Bus terminal.

No train but you can rent a car to drive. 

Hope some of you explore Seorak!

Busan (Southern tip of Seoul)

Busan. 

Another great city to travel to while in South Korea is Busan.



Busan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of approximately 3.6 million. It has Korea's largest beach (see the pictures below – one where the beach is busy and you can see a big difference between Koreans and Canadians in how they treat the sun and the other where you can actually see the sand!) and Korea's longest river.

That said, it will be important to take account of the weather forecast if you are thinking about going there. August and September, are generally hot and humid and the city may experience typhoons at that time and be generally rainy

The city itself is located on the southeastern-most tip of the Korean peninsula. It is located about 65km directly south of Gyeong ju (http://sayyestotrev.blogspot.ca/2012/11/trevs-really-short-testimony-about.html).

Shopping: There are also four substantial shopping areas of note: Seomyeon, Gwangbok-dong, Busan Dae Hakap in Jangjeon-dong, and Centum City in Haeundae-gu.

For information from a proper guide, see the link below to the Lonely Planet’s list of things to do in Busan:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-korea/gyeongsangnam-do/busan/things-to-do

From my perspective, it is a great place to go eat and drink and party, and see a few sites along the way.

Full disclosure, I was never more hungover than my first day in Busan after an extremely long night of drinking in Gyeong ju but I still dream about a meal I had there (while hungover). It haunts me because I couldn’t eat very much given the state of my stomach but my mouth knew what I was eating was insanely delicious.  It was marinated pork that you made lettuce sandwiches with and the pork came from the leg of the pig.  The name of the dish and the restaurant is Busan Jokbal. If you go there and don’t try it, I will hold it against you.

The other must do is to go to the fish market there - Jagalchi Fish Market. There you will find an assortment of seafood that you may never have seen before.  Attached to it, as close to the sellers of fish as can be, will be a variety of restaurants serving fish dishes.  Another vivid memory for me was the fried fish platter that we shared with Hwayoung’s best friends there. It also helped that I had fully recovered from my hangover and was able to enjoy that meal to its fullest. 

It is well worth one’s time to travel to the Southern-most part of South Korea and discover all that this city has to offer.

How to get Busan?
Seoul (Train) Station.
KTX train (Korail) will take you to Busan in 2 hours.
One way trip will cost Appox. CAD$50.


Some pics from Busan.

Busan Jokbal.

Kuk-Je market

Nuri-Maru

Haeundae Beach

Nuri-Maru

Yong-Gung Sa

 fried fish platter

Jagalchi Fish Market