Sweet Escape to South Korea: My Love-Hate Relationship with BWAMTrip by Arine

Hello BWAMTrip,

It’s been almost 1 year since my trip to South Korea with BWAMTrip, and I still can’t forget the excitement and the drama :). Well, the story began 2 years ago. I have loved K-Drama a lot and lately, I love K-Pop too. I have brought a K-wave in my office. I have a group, a lunch group to be exact. We watch K-Drama in our lunchtime.

The magic of K-Drama has enchanted us. The places, the casts, the culture, even the OST. So, we started to search and search and search. Nothing impressed us, mostly because of the tour price and its itinerary. I can’t remember how many scrolls and how many hashtags I have used until I found BWAMTrip and add its official LINE. I doubted BWAMtrip at first (the recent activity in its LINE was years ago, back then), but after the super long chat (thanks to super patient Admin), I asked my friend to join SPRING 2017 trip. They agreed, instantly. Why? Because BWAMT offered us Installment payment. WOW! I can’t save money for a long time, so installment scheme really helps.

We were super excited that time until the Drama began. We were informed that our trip was rescheduled from end of March to early April. We were upset, but couldn’t do anything.

The Trip

On April 3rd, 2017, we headed to Seoul. Full-service flight, two thumbs up. It released our disappointment, little bit. Then, after hours, we arrived in Icheon. Everything was smooth until we got off the Bus. We had to walk like 1K or less to get to our Guesthouse. My friend almost fainted, her face turned pale. I kept talking to her to keep her consciousness. We were exhausted and upset (like I said, I am not a backpacker) and nobody care (we forgot that we’re not the center of the universe).

With our foolhardiness, driven by our disappointment, we explored Seoul and Busan by ourselves (we are the group of 5). Sometimes we’re lost, but it was fun. We went to incredible places, we eat like locals, shop like locals, and commute like locals. We even book the hotel in Busan by ourselves and we’re proud of that.

The experiences

We had great experiences, and it wouldn’t happen without BWAMTrip. Maybe it seemed like you ignored us, but I realize now that you believe in us, you want us to decide what’s best for us. You just don’t want to tie us with a damn strict itinerary. You want to make us the real traveler (I won’t say a backpacker because I will never be one).

Thanks for rescheduling the trip, so we can enjoy the cherry blossom longer. Thanks for ignoring us, so we can go wherever we want. Thanks for the trip and new friends. Thanks for making us stronger. Thanks for the priceless memory, I can remember my whole life. Thanks for every moment I can feel until today. Thanks for making me attend Sunday Mass in Myeongdong Cathedral, it is priceless, I wouldn’t make it if you give us an itinerary.

I was sorry for being like a spoiled brat.

Thank you with all of my heart, my Love-Hate friend. HAPPY BIRTHDAY and keep up the good work, do everything with a good heart, good intention and the good things will follow.

XOXO

Arining Tiyas (Arine)