Seoul is big. It’s busy, vibrant, colourful and can be a little overwhelming, especially if one is in a sleep-deprived state after an 11-hour trans-Pacific flight.
But landing at Incheon, going through passport control and collecting our luggage was probably one of the smoothest arrivals we’ve had. We were able to use the luggage trolleys to move our bikes and bags to the train fare gates and then just slide it all onto the train when it arrived.
Forty five minutes later we disembarked at Gongdeok station and assembled our bikes in a corner of the platform. A very nice custodian lady even took away our bike boxes. Getting out of the station was confusing because there were about 9 exits but some connected to other trains. A young woman came to our aid when we got stuck at a fare gate and talked to a voice on the intercom explaining we needed to come back in so we could exit through the right gate.
Once on the street and oriented we rode our bikes to our rented accommodation through a sultry Seoul night. The Han River bike path was teeming with people cycling, running, exercising on trail-side machines and walking dogs.
We tried to stay up as long as possible but the sleep deprivation was too much to withstand.
We spent the next two days exploring the city but since it is so large we really only saw a tiny bit of it. Public transit is excellent, cheap and easy to use. We bought a T-cars at a convenience store and loaded it up with some cash. A bus ride is 1300WON, about $1.30. The subway is 1400 WON. Google maps has limited functionality in Korea but it works perfectly for getting transit directions anywhere in the city.
We walked a lot. Kilometre upon kilometre checking out neighborhoods, markets and palaces, stopping for food and drink when we just couldn’t walk any more.
2 l o v e c y c l i n g 
Great intro
That’s a feast for the eyes and mouth! Happy Thanksgiving in Seoul
You really stand out in that first photo. Not because you are tall and caucasion – but because you are not using your cell phone! Have a great trip.
C
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Mmmh liking your trip and blog!Sylvia
Hi Paul, Hi Jan!
You are both amazing travelers! Breathtakingly so! It seems just yesterday you were in south east Europe. Suddenly you pop up in Korea. It’s always a joy to read your articles.
Will you get to Taiwan? I can’t recall if you have already visited my favourite Asian country. Taiwan has dedicated bike lanes throughout.
Have fun in Korea.
Thanks, Jim. Taiwan is not on the menu for this trip but we are going to Japan.
Thank you for the interesting pictures. There sure are lots of people! and lots of food.
Mom
As I have said before…you guys get around! Have fun!!
Well, Since we met in a campsite in Germany 2013, you guys never stoped exploring. Katja&I have been on our bikes as well. Never like you. Quite an inspiration to follow your tracks.
Note on Seoul pictures: people around you are all looking at their phones. You seems invisible…
How many countries have you two visited? I know you were in Southeast Asia years ago. I remember you visited Vietnam, but I’m assuming this is your first trip to S. Korea. I think I read today that nearly 50% of Koreans own dogs. Contributing to that is the fact that S. Korea has the lowest birthrate in the world (around .78). That’s a problem!
Safe travels!