Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toGiSB_Svqs
Date: Thursday 18 April 2024 – Saturday 20 April 2024
Location: Antwerp, Brussels, Paris, Incheon

Summary

• Journey to South Korea: Sev describes his travel from Antwerp to Incheon, including the challenges and experiences at various airports.
• Arrival and Exploration: Details about the arrival in South Korea, navigating immigration, and exploring Incheon International Airport.
• Day 1 Activities: Visiting Songwol-dong Fairytale Village, Freedom Park, and Chinatown despite rainy weather.
• Day 2 Adventures: Exploring Songdo Central Park, visiting the National Museum of Writing Systems, dining at Zaneuk wine bar, and some night photography.

The Journey (Day Zero)

Weather (Antwerp): 6°C ☀️ Mostly sunny. (XWeather)

It was a beautiful day to begin with. The suitcase was packed, the backpack was ready, and I was all set to embark on my second trip to South Korea since the Corona Pandemic. With my passport and travel documents checked, everything seemed perfect.

The alarm clock rang at a quarter to 5 am. It had been a short night, and although I was still tired, I got up and prepared for the long journey ahead. After a quick shower and freshening up, I double-checked everything I needed. I still had some Korean cash left from my last trip, about €400, safely stored in an envelope. I took out the money and placed it with my passport and credit cards.

I made a cup of coffee and ate a peanut butter sandwich, my usual breakfast. After finishing up, I picked up my keys and exited my house, suitcase and backpack in hand.

Currently in Antwerp, I needed to get to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, a trip that would take more than two hours. My plane was scheduled to leave in the afternoon, so I had plenty of time. I opted for public transportation to avoid the hassle of finding a parking space for my car. Thus, my voyage began.

The weather in Belgium was nice, a rare occurrence these days. The skies were clear, although it was still cold, which was normal for the time of year. I arrived at Antwerp Central Station and took the train towards Brussels Midi Station. My next train from Brussels-Midi was at 8:15 am, and it would take me directly to the airport. The TGV, a high-speed train, connected all the way to the South of France, but I only needed to go for two stops. I arrived at the airport a little before 10 am. The train was packed, and instead of my reserved seat, I had to stand between two carts. Not cool, TGV!

At the airport, I checked the terminal screens to find where I could drop off my checked-in suitcase. I had already checked in the night before using the app, but I still needed to print a label at the check-in desk. It was all self-service. After sticking the labels on my suitcase, I dropped it off at the luggage drop-off and headed to border control. I got through easily and quickly found myself at the gate of my flight. There were still a few hours to wait, but soon enough, it would be time to board the plane and settle into my pre-assigned seat.

The plane ride would take about 14 hours, and I would arrive at Incheon International, Terminal 2, the next day at around 9am in the morning.

Day 1 – The Arrival

Weather: 22°C ☀️🌤️🌥️ Sun with Clouds, and warm. (XWeather)

The Airport Song

Finally, I arrived in South Korea. My first task was to get through immigration, but the sight of the long lines was daunting. I had hoped to explore the beach that day, but getting through immigration took at least an hour and a half. Once I finally passed through, I headed to the luggage claim hall, retrieved my suitcase from the carousel, and proceeded to the main arrival hall. My first order of business was to lighten my backpack by transferring unnecessary items into my suitcase.

Next, I went to the telecom booth to pick up my WOW-card, which I had ordered weeks ago online. The package included a WOW-card debit card with an integrated T-Money card loaded with 10,000 WON in T-Money credits and 30,000 Debit credits. It also came with an SK Telecom e-SIM for unlimited data and a train ticket to Seoul. This card is a must-have when visiting Seoul, and I’ll do a separate review of it soon. The queue at the telecom booth took another hour, as there were so many people. It was much busier than my last visit.

With about three hours to kill before I could check in to my Airbnb, I decided to explore Terminal 1 of the airport since there wasn’t enough time to visit the beaches of Seonnyeobawi (Incheon). I took the metro down to Terminal 1.

As soon as I arrived, the airport’s annoying song filled the airport hall, and it got stuck in my head for days. I explored Terminal 1, admired the house-in-a-house art piece in the main hall, and visited some spots I recognized from popular K-drama shows. The terminal was both popular and beautiful. I had lunch at Burger King—so much for Korean food—and by the time I finished, it was almost 2 PM, time to head to my Airbnb.

The Airbnb

The journey to my Airbnb took over an hour and a half. I remember arriving at the building an hour past check-in time. I had hoped to be there by 3 PM, but it was already close to 4 PM.

The Airbnb room itself was small but adequate. Interestingly, there were still some Christmas decorations up, even though it was April. It felt a bit odd, but I didn’t mind too much. The room had everything I needed. The area wasn’t particularly interesting, but since I was only staying for two days before moving to Seoul, it was fine.

Instead of exploring more that evening, I decided to call it a night. I took a shower and watched some Netflix. The room came with two servings of ramen noodles, which made for a simple dinner.

Day 2: A Fairy’s Tail & Songdo

Weather: 16°C 🌧️🌧️ Overcast with light showers (XWeather)

Songwol-dong Fairytale Village

Feeling a bit jet-lagged, I decided to get an early start to the day. The forecast promised a lot of rain, so I quickly got ready, anticipating a wet day ahead. I wanted to have breakfast at the bakery I found the day before, but it was closed. Instead, I popped into a convenience store and grabbed some provisions for the day.

My first destination was Songwol-dong Fairytale Village, a charming town adorned with fairytale figures and murals. It’s a relatively small village, and I imagine it gets quite busy when the weather is good. Unfortunately, it was raining during my visit, which kept the crowds away.

Next, I visited Freedom Park, located just next to the village. This park offers a peaceful escape and is known for its historical significance and beautiful views. Afterward, I wandered into Chinatown, also nearby, where I enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere and unique cultural sights.

Songdo Central Park + Zaneuk

In the afternoon, I headed to Songdo Central Park, hoping the rain would clear up. Unfortunately, it continued to pour for the rest of the day. My first stop was the National Museum of Writing Systems, though I only had a coffee there. Afterward, I went to G-Tower, but since it was past 5 PM, the observation deck was already closed.

Undeterred, I decided to have dinner at Zaneuk, a wine bar near Songdo Central Park. (Click here for a review of this restaurant/bar that I’ve written) By the time I finished dinner, I attempted some night photography in the park. However, as it was getting late—past 11 PM—I decided to call it a day and took the last metro back to my Airbnb.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my journey to Incheon, South Korea was a mix of excitement and challenges. From the early morning start in Antwerp to navigating the busy terminals of Charles de Gaulle and Incheon International Airports, every step was an adventure. Despite the long lines and rainy weather, I managed to explore some charming spots like Songwol-dong Fairytale Village and Songdo Central Park. The trip was a reminder of the beauty of travel and the unexpected moments that make it memorable. Stay tuned for more updates and reviews from my South Korean adventure!