One solo trip taught me the basic essentials of independent travelling. I gained lots like packing the really necessary stuff; learning to recognise your way around & taking pic of urself on YOUR own (note - i was still using the non-digital camera at time of travel) and; overcoming the language barrier via non-verbal methods (and that includes sincere efforts to try communicate in the native language).
Day 1:
I didn't book any accomodation prior to arrival. Meijin remarked that i was "adventurous" when i met up with her & Charlene in SG after the trip. Charlene said she wld never do such a (stupid) thing. Spent the entire morning finding lodging with my heavy MacPac. Thanks to a kind soul, i finally got one.
Later that nite, i got lost in the vicinity where i was staying. How did that happen? Well, on my way out with the landlady's English-speaking daughter, i got so engrossed with our chat that i forgot to familiarise myself with the surroundings. Worst of all, i did not take down the address! I tried to call from the phone booth to ask for directions (din wanna trouble my landlady to bring me back). After several futile attempts circling the neighbourhood, i sat there & cried. The streets were so quiet & there i was..hungry, scared & tired. I hadn't slept after i touched down at 7am :(
I chided myself & tot "so stupid..u think crying's gonna help meh?". Finally, I called to ask the landlady's daughter to pick me up.
Day 2:
Was so tempted to stay in bed and not go out. Guess i was a little traumatised the nite b4. I did forced myself to get up eventually. Afterall, i had intended this trip as a proof to myself that i can be independent.
After b'fast. i took the subway to do some hiking at Pukhansan. It drizzled the minute i touched down at the start point *frown* Not wanting to take chances, i reluctantly bought an umbrella. From there on, i always include a brolly in my packing list.
On my way back, i went to get bus tickets for my trip next day to Seoraksan. It was a fun challenge trying to get myself understood where i wanna go & when+what time i wanna depart/return. Thankfully, the manager at the bus interchange was polite & patient. Once again, I was impressed bythe Koreans' helpfulness.
It was dusk when i left the interchange in search of HRC. Zhiwei has asked me to get him a HRC tee. Knowing how expensive cabs are in Seoul, i die die take subway & ask my way ard. Imagine my pride & joy when i finally found HRC, following a passerby's general directions & my newfound instincts!
Day 3:
Checked out & headed for Sokcho. By now, i had devised my own method to communicate with the Koreans. Since they dun understand me when I tried to speak Korean, i wrote some common phrases on a piece of paper. If my initial contact failed, i wld flash them the question i wanted to ask. It works! At least, it got me to Sokcho..hee.
Again, i din arrange prior lodging. I alighted & asked some elderly folks for the nearest accomodation. An uncle gestured me to follow him. Strangely, i did. I tot it shld be safe since it's bright daylight. He brought me to his hse & met his wife who explained to me (in 3qtr Korean & 1qtr Eng) that they have a room for temp stay. I immediately took the offer since price was the same as the one at Seoul city, with free meals thrown in *snigger*
I rested early that nite.
Day 4:
Set off early to Seoraksan...well, not that early..at 9am :P Another booboo was awaiting me. After some hiking, i realised Seoraksan thru Sokcho entrance was closed for trekking :( The cute ranger advised me to take a bus & try the other entrance at Seorakdong.
It was quite a long wait at the bus stop. An elderly granny chatted me up. Despite the language barrier, we cld roughly understand each other (with my hard-to-comprehend Singaporean-accent Korean).
Seorakdong was a total contrast to Sokcho. It was very commercialized with lotsa tourists. I was even surprised to see a cable car facility leading to the summit. With a climber's pride (ah seid..cheeeey), i refused to take the cable car to reach the top. I switched my plan to just enjoy the hike to whichever point i can reach.
After a long day, I went back to the homestay & ate the same food. I also watched a Korean variety show & laughed along. Hahah..i cldn't understand but somehow found their actions funny when they tried to sing "Fly Me to the Moon".
Day 5:
Arrived back at Seoul city *yawn*. Called the recommended stay by Lxxxly Pxxxxx. Argh, I won't ever go back there again. Weird crowd, old facilities & inaccessible to subway stations.
Worse of all, i caught a chill in the room later that nite. I had gotten used to sleeping on heated grounds & warm Korean-styled "tee lum" at the homestays. It felt terribly miserable when i vomitted in my own room *pout* At least when i fell sick during Rinjani trip, i got friends to "sayang" me. I was all alone this time *sob sob*
Day 6:
I tried to go out but returned back to the hostel within an hour. Din wanna risk fainting on the streets. Decided to cut short my trip by 1 day. Called Joanne & updated her. Later, I stayed in my room & slept thru the entire day, only to wake up to COOK so that i can take my med.
Day 7:
I was relieved when the plane finally landed home.
Well..my greatest gain is that i seemed to have developed an instinct after this trip...a traveller's instinct...knowing when to be on ur guard, suspecting u may be heading the wrong direction within a short while. While I wouldn't say i disliked travelling alone, I definitely didn't enjoy it IMMENSELY either. One thing for sure - there was smtg "happening" everyday!
Day 1:
I didn't book any accomodation prior to arrival. Meijin remarked that i was "adventurous" when i met up with her & Charlene in SG after the trip. Charlene said she wld never do such a (stupid) thing. Spent the entire morning finding lodging with my heavy MacPac. Thanks to a kind soul, i finally got one.
Later that nite, i got lost in the vicinity where i was staying. How did that happen? Well, on my way out with the landlady's English-speaking daughter, i got so engrossed with our chat that i forgot to familiarise myself with the surroundings. Worst of all, i did not take down the address! I tried to call from the phone booth to ask for directions (din wanna trouble my landlady to bring me back). After several futile attempts circling the neighbourhood, i sat there & cried. The streets were so quiet & there i was..hungry, scared & tired. I hadn't slept after i touched down at 7am :(
I chided myself & tot "so stupid..u think crying's gonna help meh?". Finally, I called to ask the landlady's daughter to pick me up.
Day 2:
Was so tempted to stay in bed and not go out. Guess i was a little traumatised the nite b4. I did forced myself to get up eventually. Afterall, i had intended this trip as a proof to myself that i can be independent.
After b'fast. i took the subway to do some hiking at Pukhansan. It drizzled the minute i touched down at the start point *frown* Not wanting to take chances, i reluctantly bought an umbrella. From there on, i always include a brolly in my packing list.
On my way back, i went to get bus tickets for my trip next day to Seoraksan. It was a fun challenge trying to get myself understood where i wanna go & when+what time i wanna depart/return. Thankfully, the manager at the bus interchange was polite & patient. Once again, I was impressed bythe Koreans' helpfulness.
It was dusk when i left the interchange in search of HRC. Zhiwei has asked me to get him a HRC tee. Knowing how expensive cabs are in Seoul, i die die take subway & ask my way ard. Imagine my pride & joy when i finally found HRC, following a passerby's general directions & my newfound instincts!
Day 3:
Checked out & headed for Sokcho. By now, i had devised my own method to communicate with the Koreans. Since they dun understand me when I tried to speak Korean, i wrote some common phrases on a piece of paper. If my initial contact failed, i wld flash them the question i wanted to ask. It works! At least, it got me to Sokcho..hee.
Again, i din arrange prior lodging. I alighted & asked some elderly folks for the nearest accomodation. An uncle gestured me to follow him. Strangely, i did. I tot it shld be safe since it's bright daylight. He brought me to his hse & met his wife who explained to me (in 3qtr Korean & 1qtr Eng) that they have a room for temp stay. I immediately took the offer since price was the same as the one at Seoul city, with free meals thrown in *snigger*
I rested early that nite.
Day 4:
Set off early to Seoraksan...well, not that early..at 9am :P Another booboo was awaiting me. After some hiking, i realised Seoraksan thru Sokcho entrance was closed for trekking :( The cute ranger advised me to take a bus & try the other entrance at Seorakdong.
It was quite a long wait at the bus stop. An elderly granny chatted me up. Despite the language barrier, we cld roughly understand each other (with my hard-to-comprehend Singaporean-accent Korean).
Seorakdong was a total contrast to Sokcho. It was very commercialized with lotsa tourists. I was even surprised to see a cable car facility leading to the summit. With a climber's pride (ah seid..cheeeey), i refused to take the cable car to reach the top. I switched my plan to just enjoy the hike to whichever point i can reach.
After a long day, I went back to the homestay & ate the same food. I also watched a Korean variety show & laughed along. Hahah..i cldn't understand but somehow found their actions funny when they tried to sing "Fly Me to the Moon".
Day 5:
Arrived back at Seoul city *yawn*. Called the recommended stay by Lxxxly Pxxxxx. Argh, I won't ever go back there again. Weird crowd, old facilities & inaccessible to subway stations.
Worse of all, i caught a chill in the room later that nite. I had gotten used to sleeping on heated grounds & warm Korean-styled "tee lum" at the homestays. It felt terribly miserable when i vomitted in my own room *pout* At least when i fell sick during Rinjani trip, i got friends to "sayang" me. I was all alone this time *sob sob*
Day 6:
I tried to go out but returned back to the hostel within an hour. Din wanna risk fainting on the streets. Decided to cut short my trip by 1 day. Called Joanne & updated her. Later, I stayed in my room & slept thru the entire day, only to wake up to COOK so that i can take my med.
Day 7:
I was relieved when the plane finally landed home.
Well..my greatest gain is that i seemed to have developed an instinct after this trip...a traveller's instinct...knowing when to be on ur guard, suspecting u may be heading the wrong direction within a short while. While I wouldn't say i disliked travelling alone, I definitely didn't enjoy it IMMENSELY either. One thing for sure - there was smtg "happening" everyday!
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