KOREA TRIP BY LIM FANG HAU (23 SEPTEMBER 2005 TO 25 SEPTEMBER 2005)

PRE-DEPARTURE DAY

Assembled at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (“KLIA”) at 11pm. Approximately 60 staffs went for the Korea trip (fully sponsored trip by the bank, Affin Merchant Bank Berhad) in the first batch.

DAY 1 (23 SEPTEMBER 2005)

Departed from KLIA at 1 am. Arrived at Inchon International Airport, Korea at 8.30 am. Proceeded to Kyongbok Palace in Seoul. Kyongbok Palace, built in1934 as the main palace of Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1910) by its founder King Taejo, it is the most comprehensive and grandest of the five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. Nothing much to describe as I could not appreciate much of the history of Korea. Lunch at Tajmahal Restaurant in Itaewon. The Indian food tastes bad and there was no desert at all. I had no choice but to follow the whole group. At 2.30 pm, proceeded to the National Folk Museum (the “Museum”) of Korea in Seoul. The Museum was located on the grounds of Kyongbok Palace, has exhibits which illustrate the history of the Korean people, the traditional lifestyle of a Korean people, and the lifestyle of a Korean from birth to death. The Museum building was built in 1972 and it is a synthesis of various traditional Korean architectural structures. It originally housed the National Museum of Korea until 1986, was then remade and the Museum reopened on 17 February 1993.

At 4 pm, proceeded to Dongdaemun Market. It is basically a silk market. The biggest items are fabrics, clothing, leather goods, women’s and children costumes, bedding, house wares, footwear, sporting goods, etc.

At 5.30 pm, proceeded to Shinchon Street. There were numerous coffee lounges, restaurants, snack bars, beauty saloons, shops for clothes, accessories and various fashion items, theatres for live performances, jazz cafes, rock cafes and nightclubs as ell as departmental stores and shopping centres, all catering to university students or to young people.

Dinner at Evergreen Restaurant at 8 pm in Itaewon. Had Indian food for dinner. The dinner was much better than lunch as there were desserts served.

Checked in to Renaissance Hotel in Seoul at 9.30 pm. Travelled to Hard Rock Café at 11 pm to see the nightlife there before returning to the hotel at 11.50 pm.

DAY 2 (24 SEPTEMBER 2005)

Woke up at 6.30 am. Had breakfast in the hotel. At 8.30 am, started the journey to MBC Drama Filming Studio in Yangiu, located by 1.5 hours drive from Seoul. This is a famous place for filing Korean drama. Toured the studio for two hours. Departed for Seoul at noon for lunch. Had lunch at a local restaurant. The Ginseng chicken soup tastes nice.

At 3 pm, visited National (duty free) ginseng outlet. Korean ginseng is recognised throughout the Orient and everywhere as the world’s best, with the greatest efficacy as an ancient tonic elixir and stamina builder. At 4.30 pm, visited amethyst factory. There were different sizes of amethyst.

At 5.30 pm, visited Myeongdong market. Myeongdong has long been the trend-making centre of Korean fashion. Every back alley has cafes and restaurants serving snacks and delicacies for moments of refreshment while shopping.

At 6.30 pm, visited Namdaemun market. Within just a few minutes’ walk from Seoul’s ancient South Gate is an open-air market of the same name. It is close to downtown area and deluxe hotels, boasting the very best selection of merchandise in the nation.

At 8.00 pm, had dinner at Asoka Restaurant in Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon. Had Indian food for dinner.

At 9.30 pm, returned to hotel for rest.

DAY 3 (25 SEPTEMBER 2005)

Woke up at 6.30 am. Had breakfast in the hotel. Departed to airport at 8.30 am. Stopped at the duty free shop near the Inchon International Airport. Shopped for one hour before continuing the journey to the airport. Checked in at the airport at 10.30 am. Flight to Kota Kinabalu departed at 11.30 am. Arrived at Kota Kinabalu at 3.30 pm Malaysian time (transit flight). Loitering around the Kota Kinabalu International Airport for an hour before taking the transit flight back to KLIA. Arrived at KLIA at 6.45 pm. Checking out and finally reached home at 9.30 pm from KLIA.

Ten (10) interesting facts about the entire journey to Korea:

1. The weather during autumn is very cooling with temperature of approximately 17 degree Celsius. Quite a suite weather to run.
2. Seoul, the capital city of Korea, has a population of approximately 11 million.
3. Some roads in Seoul have 8 lanes on each sides and this makes 16 lanes on both sides of the road.
4. Most of the Korean have it difficult to speak English and the common language spoken is Korean.
5. Due to environmental awareness, the chopsticks used by the majority of the Korean is made of stainless steel.
6. Korean ginseng is rated as the best in the world. This is followed by the Chinese and Amercian ginseng. Ginseng trade is monopolised by the government.
7. On every meal, the Korean would take Kimchi, a raw cabbage mixed with spicy ingredient, together with other dishes.
8. The currency used in Korea is Won. 1,000 won is almost equivalent to US$1, which is equivalent to RM3.70. If you are spending in Korea, you are also indirectly spending US$$ as most of the things in Korea are expensive.
9. Hyundai Sonata (2.0 litre, automatic gear) in Korea cost 17 million Won (equivalent to approximately RM65,000). In Malaysia, a Hyundai Sonata cost approximately RM130,000 due to import and excise duty and is considered a luxury car. Hyundai Sonata is affordable to ordinary Korean and is commonly used as a taxi in Korea.
10. Most of the Korean prefers local made products as their spirit of nationalism is high. This is proven by the fact that hardly any Japanese cars can be seen on the road side even though the car market is open. Infect, I only saw 2 Honda Accord in Korea and some European cars.