I promised to post about my trip to South Korea. Sorry for the late update, I was so busy with my work and life that I didn’t have much time to sit and write about my trip to Korea. I’m going to update my activity in Korea by day. Maybe this can be a good source for the next officers who will be chosen to go for the COTI programme.
Our group left to Korea on 9th May (11.30pm flight) and we reached Korea around 7am (6am Malaysian time). I didn’t have good sleep in the flight coz the seat was quite uncomfortable as it doesn’t recline much. I think I had about 1 or 2 hour sleep only. By the time I woke up, my neck and arms were aching like hell coz I was sleeping in a weird position.. hehehe..
So, once we reach at the Incheon Internationa Airport, we got our bags (i brought 2 bags) and headed to the arrival hall. The COTI officer Mr. Park was already waiting for us at there. Then everyone was taken in a bus to our hotel, The Grand Ambassador Hotel. The journey from the airport to the Grand Ambassador Hotel was about an hour. Mr. Park explained to us a bit about the scenery and Korea during the journey. All of us were so tired due to lack of sleep and I did try my best to open my eyes and listened to Mr. Park’s explanation. hehehe…
AT the hotel, we were given some briefing about the programme and they gave us a handbook and the lectures material as well. AFter that, we were divided into 5 groups (4 members each). Each group were given a task, not a difficult task though. My group was asked to go to the N’Seoul Tower and Dongdaemun Market. Subway transport card was provided to each of us… this card was very convenient coz it was very easy for us to commute from one end to another end…
Waiting for the bus
Anyway, my group comprising Alex, Suhaizak, Isabella and I embarked our journey to the city of Korea with no experience. hehehe… yup, we knew nothing and with the instruction given in the paper we went to take the bus to go N’Seoul Tower. The transportation in Korea is quite easy and I don’t think you’ll ever get lost… You need to pay 800 per person for a bus ride, unfortunately, we didn’t have small change at that time. Luckily, Bella had 2000 won and the bus driver was kind enough to accept 4 of us for 2000 won (he refused to take 10,000 won… Korean people are very honest).
walking in the rain from the hotel to the bus stop...
AT the N’Seoul Tower, it was cloudy and we couldn’t actually see the tower completely as it was covered with fog. But we took pictures of the gates filled with locks. The purpose of those things u can buy a lock, make ur wish and leave the lock there and wait for the wish to come true. Then, we left to the Dongdaemun Market. We took a bus to to the Myeong Dong Station and from there we took the subway train to the Dongdaemon Station. Dongdaemun Market is heaven for tailors as they have various types of materials and accessories (eg. buttons, ribbons etc). We were bored so we got out fast from that place. AFter lunch, we head back to the hotel.
The Locks in N'Seoul Tower
in the Subway train heading to Dongdaemun Market.
My room number was 623 and I didn’t go out in the night since dinner was provided in the hotel by the COTI officials. Besides, I was tired so, I decided to go to bed early after unpacking…
Room in Grand Ambassador Hotel
P/S : Actually, there are more pictures, but it’s in my laptop. Later, when i have time, I’ll try to update it with more pics.
