timsteltravels

[timsteltravels]

04Dec - Sat

https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/requirements-and-process

Ok we’re following mothership’s route for day 7 PCR test at Kanbuk samsung hospital -

https://mothership.sg/2021/11/pcr-test-south-korea-hospital/

Luckily today - Saturday, the hospital is open - 8:30am onwards.

However, after we reached, we were told that they opened till 12pm & unable to generate results on time for our flight tomorrow at 1030am.

Hence we kakao Taxi back to our hotel & asked our hotel receptionist to call other hospitals to check. But most of the hospitals close on sundays.

Fortunately, we found a hospital recommended by an influencer - seegene medical foundation.

We quickly kakao Taxi there & reached at 0930am. It requires prior reservation but we didnt have time to do so.

Surprisingly, by 10am we finished all the testing! Mouth swab included as well.

110k won each person! Cheapest PCR test ever! & its the most efficient one too! With koreans speaking really good english here as well.

Location on Naver map:

[Naver Map]

Seegene Medical Foundation

서울 성동구 천호대로 320

http://naver.me/GiUI4aAl

We went to lotte world department store near us & bought alot of stuffs back to sg for frens & family.

& we bought the crab roe - Ganjang gejang for ~$50+ sgd & some sashimi (35k won) for our late lunch. & had it in the hotel.

Went to a massage beside my hotel - 70mins cost 59k won.

Had a good nap & they even do a paraffin treatment for my feet.

PCR test results came out around 1+pm.

Decided to go down to itaewon for dinner n explore e clubbing scene there.

The clubs behind hamilton hotel are freaking crowded! We hopped to 2 clubs and its free entry.

Managed to take the subway back to myeongdong station to our hotel & reached back around 1130pm.

Budget (Updated as of 04Dec)

Flight cost: $1349

Insurance: $126.77

Accomd: $593.97

Car: $246.28

Petrol (Gasoline): $100 (86k won)

PCR arrival at SG: $280

PCR arrival at Incheon: $360 (180k won each)

K-ETA: $25.56 (for 2)

Sim card: $42.32

Skiing for 2: $95 (81k won)

T-Card top up: $35 (30k won)

City Tour Bus (1 day ticket) to nami island+garden of morning calm: $18.60 (16k won)

Ferry ticket to nami island: $30.30 (26k won)

PCR day 7: $256 (110k won each)

Total: $3558.70

[timsteltravels]

03Dec - Friday

Left our hotel at 730am, took subway from myeongdong station to wangsimni station & managed to board the 0806am ITX train (Korean Rail) towards nami island.

Reached Gapyeong station 45mins later.

Just infront of Gapyeong station, there’s a bus stop & we took a city tour bus that cost 8000won per pax to go to nami island & garden of morning calm. Its a 1 day ticket so its quite worth it.

We went to the ferry ticket terminal & paid for 26k won for 2 for ferry tickets to nami island.

We took the ferry back at 130pm to the port.

Had to wait till 325pm for the bus to garden of morning calm, as we missed the 1pm bus. So we chill at a cafe instead.

Garden of morning calm is nothing impressive during the winter period as its just alot of lights surrounding the trees, plants, flowers, etc…

So we decided to take the tour bus back to gapyeong station at 5pm.

We managed to stop at cheongpong station instead of gapyeong as the bus is taking a long time. Then we took the subway to jungno-gu & walk to a popular dessert place for dinner - called cheong-sudang - link below:

https://www.siksinhot.com/en/P/1258896#layer_store_big_map

Ordered a souffle pancake & a fruitea - awesome to end a long day.

We managed to take KaKao T - a taxi app - similar to grab or gojek or uber - really damn useful.

It’s really affordable.

In the end we take away some beef soup rice (11k won) & some chicken & pork in a stick (9k won) for dinner. Kind of alot for 2 pax. Just the beef soup rice is actually sufficient as they were really generous w the appetizers (kimchi & raddish).

Updated news to require daily testing on top of day 3 & 7 test after arrival in Singapore (dec 6th onwards).

We’ll be arriving on dec 5th so i daily testing doesnt applies to us but day 3 & 7 testing still applies.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/vtl-travellers-covid-19-testing-daily-7-days-singapore-omicron-variant-2356791

[timsteltravels]

02dec - thursday

Saw the news here -

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-korea-confirms-first-cases-of-omicron?utm_campaign=stfb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2AuBgFWKUHRXuhifVLYZKvKduPOJBPfn3Bk1SQWKfAy5stokKop3EYJTc

5 cases of omicron in korea.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/south-korea-travel-singapore-vtl-quarantine-covid-19-omicron-variant-2351496?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&s=08

Friday onwards those who travel to south korea needs to quarantine for 10 days?!!

Thankfully we don’t need to.

🇰🇷 Here's a walkthrough for how to take your mandatory (for trips 8 days or longer) PCR test during your South Korean vacation.

➡️ https://bit.ly/3lcEqZF

- An eg of a PCR test taken on day 6/7 (we wont be taking at the hospital mentioned by the article)

- Pre departure test covid testing can be ART test since Nov 11?!!!!

VTL travellers from Singapore will not be required to serve a 10-day quarantine which South Korea will impose on all inbound visitors from Dec 3.

South Korea tightened its border measures after its first 5 Omicron cases were confirmed. https://str.sg/3xNG

- in e end no quarantine is required even if you travel after this coming friday.

[timsteltravels]

01Dec - wed

Drove 190km (2.5hrs down slightly south of seoul).

Left hotel around 7+, reached about 10am.

We went to
- Yong Pyong Ski Resort - Largest ski resort in Korea (Mid Nov - Apr) - better - north east side colder (based on research from link below)

https://www.yongpyong.co.kr/eng/skiNboard/utilizationFee/lessonCharge.do

Based on research:

Yongpyong’s lift passes are reasonably well priced by international standards. A Basic Day Pass (8:30 am – 4:30 pm) costs ₩76,000 (US$70), providing unrestricted access to the resort’s four mountain zones.
Tickets are similarly priced at High 1 (₩78,000), Phoenix Park (₩76,000) and Alpensia (₩69,000) – all of which are substantially smaller than Yongpyong. Jisan Forest (₩73,000) and Bears Town (₩69,000), both located in Gyeonggi-do, also charge similar rates despite being comparatively tiny.
Ski rental at Yongpyong is excellent value. Skiers can expect to pay around ₩25-35,000 (US$23-32) per day for equipment. Half-day discounts, however, are minimal.
So to expect around $100+ per pax.


Fees are quite steep by world standards, particularly if you’re looking for private tuition. For two hours of private instruction, expect to pay around ₩300,000 (US$277). Group classes (max 7) run at ₩70,000 (US$65) per person. - However we found out that group lessons only applies to the locals there.

Hence we decided not to enroll stella for group lesson.

What we paid:

Discount due to event:

Lift pass: 32k won for 2

Ski equipment: 20k won for 2

Ski pants rental: 12k won

Ski jacket n pants: 17k won

Total paid: 81k won.

The food there was great.

We had an authentic bibimbap which is quite spicy at their “food court” for lunch.

& after skiing, we had delicious tacos & toppokki & some meat on a stick.

We tried to drive back before nightfall around 5:30pm but yet the sky went dark quickly.

We reached back our hotel @ 8pm.

& had a quick meal nearby before crashing.

Latest Budget

Flight cost: $1349

Insurance: $126.77

Accomd: $593.97

Car: $246.28

PCR arrival at SG: $280

PCR arrival at Incheon: $360 (180k won each)

K-ETA: $25.56 (for 2)

Sim card: $42.32

Skiing for 2: $95 (81k won)

Total: $3118.90

————————

We realized that the car insurance is provided by the car rental company - lotte world car rental shop - hence we canceled our car insurance that we bought separately & managed to get a refund!

[timsteltravels]

Seoraksan national park map guide.

We took then ulsabawi rock course.

[timsteltravels]

29Nov:

Slept for 5 hrs.

Left seoul at 7+am, drove off towards Seoraksan National Park @ Sokcho & reached around 10am.

Driving in Seoul is quite crazy, i got horn once & other than that, slight panic driving with my gps holder - my wife - while trying to make her less panic so that it will help me to stay calm while driving & navigating at the same time.

The rented car has an inbuilt GPS but i used the Naver Map app at the same time to make sure the navigation is correct.

Seoul is basically a city - took me some time to get used to it. Speed limit is mostly 50km/hr.

But once its on the highway towards sokcho, its easier.

Just that u really need to learn to plan your route by looking through n remembering roughly when to turn & change lanes.

Speed limit increases to 80km/hr.

But near the mountain area, it increases to 100km/hr.

We drove freaking 180km (2.5hrs drive) to reach seoraksan national park from our hotel.

Started hiking at 10+am & reach the peak of Ulsanbawi Rock at 1pm (we took almost 3 hrs) via the ulsanbawi rock course (3.6km up).

Hence total 7.2km hiking distance.

Took us half the time to hike down ~ 1.5hrs - left the summit at 1:30pm, reached at the info counter at around 3pm.

We drove half an hr to sokcho - to eat some fresh seafood.

Managed to find a place called songdo sliced raw fish - we had sashimi fish in a bingsu type of dish eating style - & able to wrap with lettuce & fish soup - in a spicy hotpot. 66,000won. Quite pricey but satifying.

We walked around n went to see the sokcho fish market & saw quite alot of fresh seafood at the basement & u could even sit inside to eat fresh seafood cooked by the people there & e prices are really competitive.

We didnt managed to eat any squid sundae (recommended by my korean chiropractor) - squid wrap with some filling, as they weren’t as popular around there.

[timsteltravels]

Above picture is the namecard given by my hairdresser’s assistant for your reference.

[timsteltravels]

28Nov21:

Left hotel room at 8+ am to go to Gangnam street - which is like the orchard road of Singapore - opens around 10am.

Had my try at a hair salon recommended by a local - 35,000 won.

Really great svc, they even have an assistant to help to wash your hair, use a sponge to brush off excess hair, put on the gown & etc.

We managed to play some archery (my 1st time) - 16,000 won for 16 arrows.

Sniper rifle + pistol - 8000 won! All at a shop at gangnam street!

Managed to get some help from a local to use kakao Taxi - is what korean use to grab around.

Other than kakao taxi, uber is used but less frequent than kakao.

U can only pay cash via kakao taxi. If you select credit card, you will need a resident number in order to register in kakao talk app.

Our kakao taxi trip from gangnam to our car rental place at 47-3 Seogye-dong, jungu cost 10,700 won. Duration is about 15mins drive.

Managed to enjoy the famous ginseng chicken

at abit north of seoul: 

@ Tosokchon Samgyetang

Bill was 38,000 won for 1 ginseng chicken soup (rice is meshed inside the chicken with a huge ginseng root) + seafood pancake.

& they serve a small cup of “pao seng” liquor with strong “pao seng” taste.

[timsteltravels]

27Nov:

Reached incheon on time at 1530 sg time.

Took us 1 hr to settle all the paperwork & PCR testing.

We decided to get a quick grab at KFC (really awesome menu - different from sg) & asked for directions.

Unfortunately we found out that we are unable to take the express train from Incheon airport to Seoul as they only allow train to come in to Incheon airport due to Covid.

Hence we had to take the subway.

We had to buy a “T-card” (like an ez-link card) from a vending machine & top it up before using it.

We topped up 10,000 won to try out the usage.

Then we had to show our passport & our VTL landyard before being able to enter jnto the gantry.

Per Google Map:

Incheon airport to seoul station takes 59mins (12 stops) - blue line.

Then we change to redline for 3 stops to our hotel.

PCR test came out within 2 hrs!

We took around 5pm korean time & received the email from safe-2-go at around 7pm!

[timsteltravels]

27Nov21:

Day of flight.

Slept at 0130.

Woke up at 0330.

Reached airport at 0430.

Queue was long but thankfully we’re singaporeans.

There’s a self-check-in kiosk that allows u to print your boarding pass as well as luggage tags.

As well as a self-depositing-of-your luggage-machine.

Flight is at 0805.

We reached airport about 0430.

Checked in around 0500.

Now its 0545.

[timsteltravels]

Update as of 26Nov21

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/covid-19/?countrycode=KR&nationality=SG#TravelInfo$destination

We canceled our PCR test and decided to take ART for pre-departure.

But however, CNA news & ICA website did not specify which countries are eligible for the ART pre-departure test.

And based on the website above, it has to be PCR test for Korea.

Hence we had to quickly book a PCR at the very last minute. We managed to book a PCR test near my place for a walk-in appointment.

https://www.moh.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider5/covid19_test_providers/approved-covid-19-onsite-pcr-swab-providerf541b9c8b098493ca75322a33b12e0bc.pdf

Refer to above link for list of approved clinics for PCR test.

We did the test on 25Nov21 @ 4pm & got our results on 26Nov21 @ 10am (Nurse said will be before noon).

Flight is 27Nov21 @ 830am.

Close shave man!

Note that you dont have to print out the results as the results are automatically notarized & updated in your singpass app - just go into inbox & open it up, a web link will pop up to show your negative test results.

Just show the softcopy will do. ThAts per the

- nurse

- email

Flight cost: $1349

Insurance: $126.77

Accomd: $593.97

Car: $246.28

Car insurance: $107.46

PCR arrival at SG: $280

PCR arrival at Incheon: $360 (180k won each)

K-ETA: $25.56 (for 2)

Sim card: $42.32

Total: $3131.36

2 days before flying, we saw the news:

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/south-korea-reports-daily-record-4116-new-covid-19-infections-2021-11-24/

& it has caused some worry whether the korean govt will close the borders or not.

Lets just 🤞🏻 & 🙏🏻.

[timsteltravels]

Updated as of 23Nov21:

Bought korean sim card from Kday - South Korea Unlimited 4G/LTE SIM Card with Call Answering & Message Receiving (Pick-Up in Korea) https://www.kkday.com/en/product/7423?cid=4904&ud1=detail-share&ud2=app-ios

$42.32

- unlimited data

- can have outgoing calls (Need to top up)

Updated budget:

Flight cost: $1349

Insurance: $126.77

Accomd: $593.97

Car: $246.28

PCR arrival at SG: $250

PCR arrival at Incheon: $360 (180k won each)

K-ETA: $25.56 (for 2)

Sim card: $42.32

Total: $2993.9

[timsteltravels]

Update as of 22 Nov 21:

Cost of PCR test at Singapore airport during arrival has dropped from $160 to $125!!!

Updated budget:

Flight cost: $1349

Insurance: $126.77

Accomd: $593.97

Car: $246.28

PCR arrival at SG: $250

PCR arrival at Incheon: $360 (180k won each)

K-ETA: $25.56 (for 2)

Total: $2951.58

[timsteltravels]

Latest updates as of 20Nov2021:

https://www.facebook.com/93889432933/posts/10158638077712934/

From this CNA reporter’s video, it shows how the reporter went through Singapore airport to Incheon airport.

& from this video, there’s more things to print - eg reservation of PCR test at incheon airport once arrived!

[timsteltravels]

Latest updates as of 19Nov 2021:

https://cna.asia/3wZg2iV

U can save $100+ just by taking ART test 48hrs before flying to korea instead of spending $160-180 taking a PCR test 72hrs before flight!!!

& we just changed money to korean won, instant millionaire overnight. Rates wasnt as good as it was 2 wks ago whereby the highest i saw was 862krw.

[timsteltravels]

https://safe2gopass.com/

The link to book PCR test at incheon airport.

The issue i had for not being able to select the right date was because of the flight itinerary details that i saved was wrong. So remember u’ll need to update your flight itinerary correctly in order to book the PCR test accordingly.

Updated fixed budget before flight as of 18Nov:

Flight cost: $1349

Insurance: $126.77

Accomd: $593.97

Car: $246.28

PCR arrival at SG: $320

PCR arrival at Incheon: $360 (180k won each)

K-ETA: $25.56 (for 2)

Total: $3021.58

[timsteltravels]

A post by mothership:

Great video by them to show how the entry to incheon airport is like.

WATCH: 🇰🇷 Planning a trip to South Korea? Watch this video to find out what you'll need to go through at the immigration in Incheon International Airport.

➡️ https://bit.ly/3DnUDlG