Trip to Korea by Vago, LeX Paradise Contest Winner

A guest post share by Vago, LeX Paradise Contest winner with his experience about journey to South Korea.


Getting My Kimchi On

When I signed up for Lex Paradise contest, I didn't expect to win. That's why I was so surprised when I did. Still, what a cool thing to win a free flight from Malaysia to South Korea. Never mind that I was in Turkey...

So, I bought a flight on Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur and booked my ticket from KL to Seoul and back. I've been writing about many of the places I saw on my mini-Asia trip on http://www.vagobond.com/ but I wanted to just write a short guest post for Lex Paradise about my flight with Air Asia X and my impressions of South Korea as a whole.

First of all, Air Asia X. Without a doubt those flight attendants are the sexiest flight attendants I've ever come across. Those tight mini skirt uniforms and the bright red color. Wow. I've often regretted living in an age when flight attendants all seem to be over 50, gay, or appearance challenged – Air Asia X has said “Never mind the complaints about equality” and done something wonderful. They've made flight attendants glamorous again. This alone makes air travel more bearable.

On board, the flight attendants were courteous, friendly, and even flirty. The service was great and the onboard meals were actually tasty and regionally oriented. The airport in KL is the LCCT or Low Cost Carrier Terminal and a bus can get you there from KL Sentral for about 10 Ringgits. Inside the terminal were plenty of places to have coffee or lunch and the check-in process was easy and enjoyable to the eye, thanks to the very cute employees they also have working at the desks.My only complaint with Air Asia X was that I wasn't in business class since the seats looked incredibly comfortable but that's my own fault for not upgrading.

Korea Beach

Arriving in South Korea, I was astounded by how beautiful and filled with activities the airport at Incheon was. As I said in my video, I wanted to eat Kimchi, so I decided to go straight to it by booking a room at the Kimchi Hostel in the party center of the city, Hongdae. The Kimchi Hostel is quiet but well connected with the Hong Guesthouse and the owner invited me to go out, drink shoju, and party with the guests and staff within minutes of my arrival. First though, I asked where a good Korean BBQ place was and I sat down with an Italian guest to have a feast of Korean deliciousness. BBQ beef (kelbi), three types of kimchi (pickled cabbage and vegetables), a miso soup, salad, and a bunch of things I didn't know. It was sooo delicious.

Korean Palace

Over the next few days in Seoul, I toured palaces, visited museums, and seriously explored the underground world that is connected by subterranean shopping centers, the metro, and even underground museums. Seoul is vibrant both above and below the surface. In the nearby traditional village (reachable by the subway) I watched farmers dance and learned how to weave a straw rug.

Vago and Korean Friends

I wanted to see more of South Korea so I headed out of Seoul to visit the town of Sokcho and take a short trip up to the DeMilitarized Zone (DMZ). With two new Korean friends, I gazed out at desolate North Korea and toured the DMZ Museum. One thing I found for certain is that Korean people are polite, kind, and generous. They are almost always in a hurry though so don't get offended if they shove you out of the way.

Korean Traditional Dance

From Sokcho, I headed south to Samceok (you can read about the Penis Park at Vagobond since it might be a little much for Lex Paradise). From there a visit to Andong and then on to the coastal city of Busan where I had a lovely walk on the beach, ate more and more and more Kimchi, and finally took the bullet train back to Seoul. Back in Seoul I did some amazing shopping and of course, I ate more Kimchi with my friends at the Kimchi hostel. I was sad when my time was up, but happy that the ride to Incheon was as simple as a subway ride. To be honest, I scheduled a whole day to explore Incheon International Airport with its shopping, starlight gardens, bars, pubs, and massage.

Back in Kuala Lumpur, I was unable to find the time to go meet Lex in person in Penang, but to be sure, I am grateful for the opportunity to visit South Korea and hope to go back again sometime in the future. 


Thanks Lex! You Rock!

If you have any though to share, please do not hesitate to share it here! 


Cheer!

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The horrible experience end up nicely in South Korea !

The Blogsherpa Travel Carnival: 
Travel Safely

One night, I am so desperately going with my ASEAN friends to taste the best Indonesian cuisine in Daejeon downtown. My feeling was so happy and exciting because I love to taste various kinds of delicious dishes. We went there by bus overwhelmingly and walk fast to the restaurant!

The name of the restaurant call "CINTAKU" mean "my love" and we step into the place then order the Indonesian dishes! SUDDENLY! I feel there is something missing at my back of my pant pocket!!! What! My wallet is gone!! @#$%^& My friends were shock with the drastic change of my expression!!

That time I have no ideas what to do, my mind went blank and only the words of "Search for it now!!" pop up in my mind! I went out the restaurant and search along the route I passed by, my friends help me as well... we went to bus stop ask people around with sign language (that time Korean not really good), but no one saw it. I am so scared! Then I realize it might drop in the bus, then my Korean friends call the bus station officers to check for my wallet when the bus off service. 

After few hours, the officer calls and told that nothing has been found. I am so sad... Because all the important documents inside my wallet are important, not only Korean ID card and others Korean documents but the Malaysian documents as well, it included Malaysian ID card, driving license, bank card, medical card, membership card and some others important stuff. I am totally freaky out! I can't really sleep well all night long and keep worrying! 

Well... next day after has report to international office, all of my Korean friends said " LeX, please don't expect your wallet will be back, almost impossible it will happen, cheer up man!" some said " LeX, I lost my wallet too, but as an advice please don't expect to be back!", my best buddy said " LeX, stay calm, you still have passport and the documents can be apply back! don't worry". So, it seem like I have to forget about my wallet, it will never return! It made me cannot really sleep well for a week. Is was horrible! !@#$^&*() 

Few days later I apply back my Korean ID card, bank card and others as well. As for Malaysian document, it needed to wait until I back to Malaysia and reapply again, so lame. Every night, I keep thinking how I drop my important item! Then I realize my wallet too thick due to too many documents inside it and not really fit into my pocket! Ah! Stupid mistake. 

My advices are, when you travel anywhere please!!  

- Keep your wallet as thin as possible.

- Put all un-relevant items out of your wallet or hand bag such as, (as of my case) Malaysian  
   cards or others  card which is not applicable in Korea.

- Put your wallet in zip pocket or zip hand bag. 

- Please don't expect to get it back if you lost your wallet! 

It was really terrible experience, and sad! However it ends very soon!

After one month, international relation officer call me “LeX, I have good news for you! An uncle found your wallet! You will receive it by next week!" then my responses is "Oh My God!! Oh My God!! My wallet is coming back!" it really surprises me! But I hope all the documents remain, as for the cash I don't mind if the he take all of it. 

When the week comes, I receive my wallet in a neat package. I quickly open it and check everything! You know what!!? Everything still there, even all the cash!! Oh my oh my! is miracle!! So, now I know why Korea recognizes as one of the safest country in the world. 

Anyway, this horrible experience end up with a nice memory and it was a lesson for me! Because this is the first time I lost my wallet!! and is last time!! So, anyone out there please take my advices! ^_^

The Blogsherpa Travel Carnival: Travel Safely

Please continue stay tune with LeX Paradise

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