16 September 2011
Incheon Airport
Time to leave Seoul, unfortunately, I could have used another week it seems. And I never really left Seoul either.
Leaving is pretty easy, today I am going to the worlds best airport to fly on the worlds best airline, which means I am excited.
Some last minute research revealed there is an in town check in building, so I decided to go do that and wave good bye to my baggage.
This was smooth, the lady there new I was connecting in Tokyo to Qantas to Sydney, then to Adelaide, and that I would have to collect my bag in Sydney, transfer terminals in Tokyo etc.
The airport is a long way from the city, 70km according to a sign. I could either take the train or the bus for the same money (about $10).
I did the train on the way here so I will take the bus, and look out the window, since I am early anyway.
This is me, in my hotel room, the Ibis Ambassador Myeongdong. I have no complaints, internet worked flawlessly, they had a couple of english tv channels, room was always clean and the bed was fine and it was very cheap.
And it had a good view, this is the view out of my window.
My last ride on the Seoul metro, second only to Tokyos metro apparently, Seoul is also the worlds second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo, I wonder whats in 3rd place? Shanghai maybe.
The in town check in, no lines here at all. By using this, once you get to the airport you just go through the dimplomatic point and they view that your passport is stamped and you go straight through.
Waiting for the limo bus, these guys tried to remove this sign and something snapped and bulbs shattered etc.
The limo bus lived up to its name, the most comfortable bus I have ever been on. 2 x 1 seating, chairs that are semi laid back permanently, tv etc.
The road to the airport follows the river, its amazing how many bridges go over it, and once you are between Seoul proper and Incheon, how many are under construction, I stopped counting at 10.
Seoul has its very own gold building, just like Shenzhen (which seems to have 10)
The Korean national assembly, seems to be in the middle of nowhere. Today is a fairly hazy sort of a day, but I had great weather the whole 2 weeks, basically no rain to speak of and weather in the mid 20's (thats 70's for those of you who refuse to accept the metric system).
Crossing over the giant bridge to Incheon island.
The bridge seems to go over a giant sea of mud. I guess the tide really goes out here.
The departure hall, its not as massive as some other airports.
The aesthetics at the departure lounges are nice, real plants everywhere, great view out the window.
You can watch planes take off and land all you want, I did.
The terminal is bigger than it first seems, theres 2 long fingers that run off the main arc, which arent just gates but shops and restaurants as well, theres also a train thing to a concourse terminal.
Both Korean airlines are in the main building, most non Korean airlines are in the concourse part.
In the middle section theres lots of singing, dancing, swordplay, cultural activities (I think I saw a calligraphy lesson going on), and kids playing orchestral versions of the theme from the godfather.
Redundant photo is redundant.....except to get to.....
Photo number 300, the last photo I will take in Korea unless something happens and my flights delayed or North Korea launches an attack or similar. My lunch, more salad, only with deep fried chicken, I like to think its been fried in beer so I can have beer and chicken, which seems to be the thing to do.
BRB, going to Tokyo.