April 9, 2017

Seoul Trip

A throwback post too for about 6 months back, my last trip after graduate before entering to the working society. This post brings back a lot of memories of me being in Korea still having this flowy long hair wearing contact lens, the most beautiful moments in my life I guess. But coming back with really dry skin, the weather there though cooling but dry. 

When we first arrived in Seoul, it's T-card top up for public transportation usage. Do visit the Korea Tourism Organization located at Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur before you depart. You get to redeem a lot of free stuff and booklet from them after answering a short survey form, definitely help you save up a bit. 

After asking around, we managed to finally sit on the All Stop Train heading to our hostel in Hongdae. We opt for this as it's much cheaper costing 3850 won for a 50 minutes ride as compared to the AREX Express line that took 43 minutes to Seoul with no stop but cost 8000 won for a one-way ride and we need to ride the commuter back to Hongdae which is more time consuming and hassle.


The sky is already dark when we reached our hostel. Two aunties and four young people carrying their luggage searching for their hostel in the middle of a busy road. We got a sweet police to show us the way using his internet connection. We then settled into our room, placed our luggage and are all ready for our first dinner in Korea and a night walk around the neighbourhood and that's how we spent the first day here.

Here's a few tourist spot I manage to visit while I'm in Seoul:

1. Gwangjang Market


It's a morning market where you can try out lots of traditional local food, souvenir, clothes, and snacks


2. Gyeongbokgung Palace


You can witness the royal guard changing ceremony at the gate. We took a few pictures here and leave without entering the palace. Anyway, the ticket will cost you 3000 won only if you are interested.

  


This photo is taken when a group of police pass by, I think they had some sort of training happening. They all looks good and debonair.

Art exhibition going on at the Subway station of Gyeongbokgung Station, it's stunning with some Chinese calligraphy.


Just an attractive yellow jeep that catch my eye.

The walk and look back pose *wink*


3. Bukchon Hanok Village


A Korean traditional village where architecture admires and a good place for the youngster to take ootd photos. There's some stall opening too for perfume and tea art.










4. Namdaemun Market


A large traditional market you can shop with much lower price on clothes, shoes and accessories. The food here is cheaper and good too. You see fewer teenager and tourist here, most of them are ajumma which makes you feel more to the countryside.


5. MyeongDong


Shopping street for all the skincare and makeup ladies. Pack with people with sales girl from China speaking good Chinese and English you got no worries on communication and bargaining. You can use credit card here if you didn't bring cash and there's a lot of tax refund (do remember to bring along your passport for instant deduction) with giveaway free samples when buying in bulk. In conclusion, discount and sales are happening in almost every shop, just beware to not get into their setup as they will introduce you to buy in bulk but actually by buying it individually the price is still the same so think twice if you really need that much before you even pay for it.


6. Ehwa University


Didn't get to take a photo here only food photos on the next post because shopping street actually all looks the same :P A place where you get cheap clothes and accessories.


7. Hongdae


Another random street of Hongdae I come out at night for some snacks. A very happening place when it reaches night time. People starts to have picnic laying down their mat on the grass or park for some chat and beer time. To experience the local culture, we do buy fried chicken and beer for the last night having small talk while snacking at the park but on the bench :P They do have free market too near the university area selling pretty handmade stuff every Saturday between month of March to November at 1.00pm - 6.00pm 


Some photos on the different side of Seoul. 

1. The long stair from the underground subway station to the ground, imagine if the escalator at the side is not working. *facepalm* During the busy hour, you can see lots of Korean is actually climbing these to rush for the subway. No wonder in average there's not fatty though they drink a lot. 

2. The door in Seoul city are mostly without key and automated with password like what you watched in most of the Korean drama. Just scan your palm on it and the number pad will appear, key in the password and tadaa you can enter your room with the correct password!

Off to Jeju island, the walkway from the subway to the Gimpo airport.

Very lucky to had the window seats for such a beautiful view.

No comments: