Category Archives: 35mm Film

Transportation in Korea

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Transportation in Korea is just like any other foreign country where language is a barrier or the uncertainty that creeps in BUT once you get over that fear, it’s actually a pretty convenient place to be at. Fear not, at most just alight, spot nice looking people on street, smile while asking for directions and at this point, an ADDRESS to which area you’ll like to be at is VERY important (so always keep a name card of your hotel with you all the time), the last thing to do is to thank them. Who knows, you might meet extremely nice and helpful people who would even take the effort to go with you just in case you get lost.

Yes, we met very nice people and I’m thankful for that! So to the random strangers that we’ve asked for directions, YOU ROCK!

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There are a total of 4 different kinds of buses available in Korea that serves different purposes. Blue, Green, Red and Yellow. I’d check out what the actual differences between these coloured buses and post in another entry instead.

The width of the subway trains are larger as compared with what we have in Singapore or even those in Thailand. It allows commuters to stand in 2 rows yet have ample space for people to even walk pass thus making it easier for those who does moves in and not hog the door ways.

But as all country it has it’s ‘fiercer’ people who does jolt their ways into the subway trains, so do keep a look out. Generally it really depends on which area you’re in. But do expect a little jostle – makes the trip more authentic right?

Taxi’s are generally expensive in Korea but if you’re traveling in a group + if the distance isn’t that far (of course you have to make your own calculation in terms of distance through  maps), my advice is to just take the cab instead. The good thing about taking the taxi is that it saves a whole lot of time trying to ask for directions and which exit you’re supposedly to be at.

Koreans take their bicycles really seriously! I see bike riders on a daily basis (but I was shy to take a photo of them because some of them were cute looking people) on the streets, even on subway trains. You see them everywhere! Which is a good thing, SAVE THE EARTH!

On our way to Hongik or also known as Hongdae area in the bus! Take note at the 2:20 mark where the nice lady’s voice makes the announcement of which bus stop we’re at. I must commend Korea for having such a feature especially in a country where language and reading is a major problem to tourist. All you need is a pair of ears to listen out on which area you’ll like to be at and listen up.

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This concludes photos taken on film by the Olympus MJU II for the Korean trip to which the next post onwards would be solely digital shots from the Canon G10. I had fun shooting on film but I guess I have to be totally stocked up the next time I travel and I’ve also learnt to work with the camera.

Daejeon 대전

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Daejeon 대전 is quite like Seoul still filled with many shopping malls but I think it’s a little quieter as compared to the city. You must be wondering, why Daejeon? Well, we wanted to experience the KTX train ride (since I’ve never taken a bullet train per say) and with a time/price limitation, Daejeon was one of the safest choice. I wouldn’t say that it was a regret coming here instead of Busan, which was our original plan. But in some sense, I think we should have been a bit more brave to venture out (Definitely the next time round I visit Korea, I’d love to drop by Busan).

The only difference that I noticed is that the width of the subway train is smaller as compared with those in Seoul and people seemed to be nicer. Since we started the journey a little later than planned, we had to cut short our trip by mealy exploring the city area instead of the outskirts which might take about an hour to reach. There is a Science Park since Daejeon is famous for it’s Science and Technology or Research universities especially like KAIST which I had to give it a miss, well, science and me doesn’t goes quite well together. ^^

Not too bad for a short trip out of Seoul – had fun walking and exploring the streets for fun stuff. And I can finally say “I HAVE SAT IN A BULLET TRAIN…. WHEEEEEE!’

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Sights seen from the KTX train.

View from the Daejeon Station – even the air’s way nicer and the sky’s clearer than Seoul, which I think it’s a ++ point.

Excitment!!

KTX Korail Train.

My all time favourite shot of the trip – Introducing my Mom. :D

Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁

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A quick continuation on my Korean travel – This is Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 which is one of the major attraction within Seoul itself. I had loads of fun exploring the interior and intricate designs at each ‘palace’. Mind you, the area is HUGE! Like really huge! And I didn’t even get to explore all of the different smaller palaces within this huge compound. I can only say people living during this era has got to have 1. Strong legs 2. Healthy heart 3. A WHOLE LOT OF PATIENCE!

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If you have the stamina to walk all the way in, I believe that you can actually reach to the foot of the mountain? That’s what Mom said so and she was serious about really want to walk up THAT mountain! I almost had a heart attack!! Hmm, but correct me if I’m wrong about Gyeongbokgung Palace being connected to that mountain?

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This is one of the reason why I love Korea too – how this amazing country can fuse modern vs old together and they seem to work well. In Singapore, our town area is usually filled with only modern architectures which is why I think I had lots of fun exploring Korea too. Made myself lookout for interesting stuff instead of taking things for granted.

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Jongno 5-ga (종로5가역)

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Jongno 5-ga (종로5가역) was the area that I stayed in during my trip to Korea. I personally liked how oldish the area was, filled with mostly pharmacies (like tones of them, so fear not if you’re not feeling that well), loads of food eateries to choose from, and I mean LOADS to eat from. But not all is old, there are also a handful of cafes located around.

It’s also conveniently (might take about ~10-15 minutes to walk, 5 minutes if you’re taking the bus and less than 5 if you’re in a cab) near shopping areas like Dongdaemun which has loads of malls for you to shop NON-STOP + till the wee hours in the morning (they practically close at 5AM).

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Gwangjang Market (광장시장) – I totally adore and I think I can spend up to days just exploring the area. It’s quite an underrated market which I think it has lots to offer. I’d go into details in another post with more photos from the digital camera.

On weekends where most of the shops are closed – this area might seemed like a ‘dead town’ but I love how quiet and calm it is in comparison of the bustling city of Seoul (Dongdaemun, Myeongdong).

The stretch that we walk in/out daily from our hotel. On a Monday – Friday basis, this place is basically filled with human traffic all day long because of the eateries and noraebangs that are located within this whole stretch + there are loads of offices around this area.  You’ll never get hungry when you stay in Jongno-5 ga other than the weekends which most of these places are closed.

Lock/Key smith shop with very nice Korean Typography.

The front of a connivence store with the nicest ahjussi who was always smiling. Our daily trips to his mart (that sells basically everything) left us becoming friends and we started talking about how fun Korea is – though at some points he begs to differ. I guess it’s definitely different when your agenda of visiting a country as a tourist vs a permanent stayer.