Trip Report: Fifteen Hours In Seoul

Fifteen hours are not sufficient for a traveler to appreciate a travel destination, but when you have an international travel planned for every month for the remaining of the year, you will have to make do with that little time you have to appreciate a city that you have yet visited. In my case, this city was Seoul, Korea .

Hour 1 (5:00am): Arrived in Seoul from Hong Kong . Only slept for a couple of hours since it was a red-eye flight. Accessed the Airline lounge for some coffee and breakfast.

Hour 2: Asked tourist information counter at airport the best/most economical way to travel to Seoul . Also asked which areas I should hit mainly. Girl at counter (Miss Kim) spoke fluent Mandarin (the Beijing kind; not surprising given the Chinese Capital’s proximity to Seoul ) and provided some clear directions. Took bus 605 to Dongdaemun Market.

Hour 3: Slept through the entire bus ride

Hour 4: Arrived at Dongdaemun Market. This is the shopping area famous among tourist, according to Miss Kim at the tourist information counter. Was unimpressed with Dongdaemun (The Eastern Gate). It needed a pain job badly. Most shops were closed since it was still early in the morning. Walked around to experience the morning calmness of Seoul .

Hour 5: There were more shops that were open and there were more people on the streets (mainly those rushing to work). Went to Pyeonghwa Fashion Market and Dongdaemun Shoes Market – both places were clothes and shoes bazaar offering affordable merchandise. Not my cup of tea though.

Hour 6: Had breakfast from streetside vendor. Sign language came in handy. Had a piece of egg toast with ham (Korean version of croque madame I guess). Also checked out a few shopping malls in the area.

Hour 7: Took the subway to the Cheongdam area to meet up with Sang for lunch. The subway system in Seoul was extensive. The subway car seemed clean and the travel from Dongdaemun to Cheongdam took almost an hour ( Seoul is apparently a pretty big city).

Hour 8: According to Sang, the Cheongdam area was the hippest area in Seoul , offering a vast array of luxury shopping malls and hip restaurants. Drove around the area in Sang’s vehicle made by Samsung (first time riding the car manufactured by a company known for its mobile phones, at least in the US )

Hour 9: Had lunch at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant located near Itaewon that was popular among locals. They served thinly cut meat that you cook yourself at the table then dip it in a very tasty soy sauce. They also served this very yummy miso based soup with tofu. Of course Sang did all the ordering and I didn’t even bother asking him what the name of the restaurant was. He also paid for lunch. I felt blessed.

Hour 10: Hung out at the Itaewon area. According to Sang, this is an area famous among foreign expats and tourists alike. This area is filled with restaurants, bars, traditional Korean bathhouses and hotels. Had coffee at a French restaurant.

Hour 11: Insisted that Sang should go back to work and not hang out with me. Walked around by myself and came across a traditional Korean bathhouse. Since the admission was only $4, it was worth checking out. It looked highly in need of a renovation. Spent 30 minutes dipping in super hot then super cold water with four other 60+ year old men. The bath really helped invigorate someone with a serious lack of sleep from the night before.

Hour 12: Took the bus from Itaewon back to the airport. Had a great conversation with this Kiwi next to me who now lives in Fiji (I was truly envious of him). Also dozed of for half an hour during the ride.

Hour 13-15: Did some work at the airline lounge. Cleared many emails from my inbox before getting back to work once I arrived home.

Seoul seemed to be a very nice city to visit but its pace was a tad slow for my liking, especially when I had spent the last four-five days in a place like Hong Kong before going to Seoul.

Flight Report: OZ204 ICN-LAX

Carrier: Asiana Airlines
Plane Model: B777
Flight Class: Business Class
Sleeper Seat: Yes (angled lie-flat)
Duration of Flight: 10 Hrs 45 Mins
Date of Travel: Sep 19, 2006



After a brief visit to Hong Kong and Seoul , I was ready to return home to do some work that were piling up at my desk while I was away. I was very much looking forward to flying with Asiana Airlines again and trying out its new business class seat. Asiana is now my favorite airline, much better than Singapore Airlines or Thai Airways if I may add.

The Asiana lounge (separated into First and Business Class) at Incheon International Airport was big (unlike the one at LAX). This is not surprising since this is the home airport of Asiana Airlines . Not only did the lounge offer free wireless internet connection, a variety of food and beverages, shower facility and a pianist playing soothing music, it also offered lockers for guests to store their bags. The lockers really do come in handy when you want to do some duty free shopping and do not feel like lugging your bags with you.


Boarding for the flight was smooth. Security was tighter on this flight than others as usual since it was US bound. Upon boarding, the chief purser came over and greeted me in Korean (she, as well as many in Seoul , thought I was Korean because of my last name). She quickly apologized after finding out I wasn’t. She then informed all her flight attendants to address me in English so that I didn’t have to explain myself again. This was really impressive. Asiana flight attendants pay attention to every little detail and possess such a pleasant, friendly and sincere demeanor when they work onboard a flight -- something that even the flight attendants of other Asian airlines should take a note or two, let alone those crappy senior citizens who work on US carriers.

The seat was indeed the new business class seats (I was given mixed messages about this from the Asiana reservation agents – some said the flight had new business class seat and some said the reverse). Actually you can find this out easily. If the business class section has 4 rows of seat (no row #5), then it has the new business class seat. If the flight has 5 rows of seat, then it is the old business class seat. Asiana is introducing the new seats in all of its long haul B747 and B777 progressively. The seat was the angled lie-flat style and it provided much lumbar support hence very comfortable to sit on / sleep in. The monitor was much bigger than that of Thai Airways or Singapore Airlines. The only difference was that this was not an AVOD style in-flight entertainment. Food offered was great and tasty. There were a few choices but I opted for the traditional Korean meal consisting of bim-bim-bab, side dishes and a bowl steamed rice. The portion was generous and the food was delicious. I fell asleep for 7 hours after the meal and woke up to the flight attendants serving the meal prior to arrival. The choice was between roast chicken with potatoes and fried grouper with rice. I picked the latter. It was a tasty choice.

Before landing, the chief purser went from one business class passenger to another asking them if they had enjoyed the flight and if there was anything she could do for them prior to landing. I was really impressed by that since I have not seen flight attendants of other Asian carriers doing that (let’s not even mention those in the US !)

We arrived on time and I got my bags in less than half an hour after going through immigration. From now on I think I am going to use Asiana Airlines when I travel to Asia . Little things matter when it comes to delivering exceptional customer service, and Asiana Airlines appears to know this really well. Now if Asiana can have new business class seats in all of its long-haul flight then it will definitely give Asian leaders Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific a run for their money.

Flight Report: OZ724 HKG-ICN

HKG-ICN Service (OZ724)
Carrier: Asiana Airlines
Plane Model: B747
Flight Class: First Class
Sleeper Seat: Yes (lied flat)
Duration of Flight: 2 Hrs 55 Mins Date of Travel: Sep 19, 2006



Check in at the HK Central terminal was a breeze. I had heard great things about Asiana Airlines but had never traveled with them before, so this was my first flight with them and I was really looking forward to it.

Asiana uses Dragon Air lounge at HKIA and this lounge was pretty basic. There was no internet wireless connection and the food served was similar to those of US airline lounges (only one hot food item was available).

Boarding went smoothly and as soon as I boarded the two flight attendants greeted me with the most sincerity. They even chatted with me for a bit. As this was a night flight, only a light snack was served and one of the options were prawns with rice (actually it looked more like a full dinner). I went with the prawns and they were tasty. The flight attendants at Asiana really do render their services from the heart (unlike the Singaporean Girls that seem very robotic these days).

The seats in first class were old style lie-flat seats but they were very comfortable nevertheless. I slept for a good 2 hours (even through the rather lengthy turbulence we experienced due to the weather)

We arrived 5 minutes ahead of schedule. All in all this was a very comfortable flight for me. I think I have found my new favorite airline.

Flight Report: SQ19 LAX-SIN

Carrier: Singapore Airlines

Plane Model: A340-500

Flight Class: Raffles Class

Sleeper Seat: Yes



I had traveled on the Singapore Airlines (SQ) non-stop EWR-SIN flight several times before but had never tried its similar service out of Los Angeles . So when I had to travel to Hong Kong a day earlier and this was the only award travel ticket that was available, I took this as a good opportunity to try out the LAX-SIN flight. Check in at LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal was a smooth process. The agent was very friendly and chatty. Singapore Airlines uses Asiana Airline Lounge at LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal for its Raffles Class passengers. This lounge has got to be one of the most unimpressive and small lounge I have ever seen. Compared to the Swiss Air Lounge that SQ uses for its premium class passengers at JFK, this lounge does not serve any hot food at supper. It also looks very dingy and old. In fact the whole Tom Bradley International Terminal looks dingy and old. It is crying for a major renovation!

Boarding for the flight was prompt and done in an orderly fashion. The cabin crew greeted us with a warm smile and in a manner very typical of Singapore Airline (perhaps a tad robotic). Pre-takeoff drinks were served and reading materials and a packet consisting of eye cover/sock were handed out. The captain announced that the flight time would be 16 hours and 20 minutes. Interestingly, the EWR-SIN flight would usually take 17 hours and 30 minutes, and considering the flight from New York to the West Coast usually takes 5-6 hours, the EWR-SIN flight really cuts down a substantial amount of travel time by flying the polar route. Coincidentally, one of my acquaintances was co-piloting this flight, something I was not completely aware of until after I boarded the flight.

Raffles class was full on this flight save one seat, and I happened to be the lucky passenger seated next to the empty seat. The configuration is 2-2-2, and I highly recommend taking the two seats in the middle (D/G). Best ones are 12/14 D/G.

The flight attendants also handed out the menu. The choices for the meals offered on this flight were as follow:

Dinner:

Appetizer (Warm Thai Style Crab Cake, Teriyaki Chicken and Picked Turnip Maki, Rice Cracker with Smoked Salmon)

Caesar Salad

Entrée choices include:

-Duck Breast Stuffed with Porcini Mushroom and Wrapped in Bacon with Olive and Pine Nut Relish

-Stir Fried Beef

-Braised Northern Halibut in hot garlic sauce

-Pan Seared Lamb Chops
Dessert (Haagen Dazs Ice Cream)

Light bites between Meals:

1. Rice Porridge
2. Basil Pesto Omelette
3. Braised Egg Noodles
4. Spaghetti

Breakfast

Starter (An assortment of juice, mango and pear salad, candied ginger)

Choice of Cereals or Yogurt

Entrée Choices:

1. Seared Sirloin with Red Wine Butter, Sauteed Fine Green Beans
2. Selection of Dim Sum
3. Scrambled Eggs
4. Sweet and Sour Salmon
5. Freshly Baked Pastries


I actually did not take any dinner entrée choices above since I had pre-ordered my entrée from “Book The Cook” Program reserved for Raffles and First Class passengers. I ordered the Black Peppercorn Chicken which was delicious. I also recommend the Slipper Lobster Thermidor if it is offered as part of the program on one of your future SQ flights.

Service of the cabin crew is much better than that of many US airlines (as well as some Asian carriers). If you had taken SQ flights before, did you ever notice SQ’s inflight announcements were always made by female flight attendants (perhaps to keep up with the “Singapore Girl” image) in an English that is pronounced in a unique manner?

The inflight entertainment offers a broad array of audio, movie and game choices to keep the passengers occupied if they don’t feel like sleeping or reading. I slept for at least 7 hours in the comfortable spacebed. Even though SQ’s angled lie- flat bed is of an older generation compared to those offered by many of its competition, it is still one of the most comfortable lie- flat bed I have experienced inflight. I took a tour of the premium economy section and sat in one of the unoccupied seats for several minutes. The premium economy seat offers plenty of leg room and great head/leg support. It seems to be a very smart choice for a transpacific flight.

We landed at Singapore Changi Airport a little ahead of our schedule. Overall this was a very pleasant and enjoyable flight. It did not really seem like a 16 hour flight at all. Some people have mentioned that Singapore Airlines has lost its five-star touch, I disagree. I still think this is a very exceptional airline compared to many of its peers in the industry.