Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Hongik University
So tired after almost 10 hours of flying! I have to carry the luggage up and down a long flight of stairs! Reminded me of Taiwan. =X
After putting our luggages in the guesthouse, we went to walk around the hongik university area. It's very happening! The girls dress nicely too! We were eating at the roadside stall when we met 4 students on an exchange programme from NUS! Such a coincidence..
Guesthouse
Anyway I got to talk to 2 guests at Lee and No guesthouse. I like living in guesthouse! Get to live in an authentic place and meet people from all over the world.
One of them is from England and he took a ferry from China and is going to Japan after Korea. Another one is from Germany and he travelled to HongKong and Macau and going to Aussie and New Zealand next! Everyone has a story to tell..
Around the guesthouse
Day 2 (Saturday)
Didnt really sleep well as I was awoken by the noise at the dining place - which is just right outside our room! and the wall is super thin! I met people from France, Africa and Germany. So everyday would be meeting people around the world!
4 seasons house
Mr Lee suggested this place where you can find Korea drama settings.
My 2nd fav drama - Winter sonata!
Summer rain - watched but cant really remember what is it about..but this is the real "house" of shooting"
"Tried many shots to capture the same effect..but to no avail..=P
Other dramas that im not sure what they are 
Toilet that matches me! =)
Cheonggyecheon stream that flows past the many touristy areas! 
Day 3 (Sunday)
Yoida church
Went to church in the morning, super huge church! Went to the church with a guest from US, he is wise, worldly and a SNAG who is willing to relocate to Korea! This is provided that he is from a world class uni with lotsa opportunities, didnt really like korea and got to pick up the language.
Anyway, something embarrassing happened. Addy and me got shouted for not letting seats to the elderly! They are very strict on their designated seats given to the elderly. Later did i realise that in a crowded train, nobody would sit at those seats.
Apujeong
Day 4 (Monday)Korean Folk Village
Real people
Doing the hardwork
Performances - farmers' dance and horseback acrobats
TIME TO EAT! =)
Resting by the lake
Hwa Cheng fortress
A very long walk around the fortress! 2 hours walk!
Day 5 (Tuesday)
Myeondong, Erwha Women's university
Planned to go to the palace but it was close! =( made a wasted trip..so in the end, we went to Myeondong and Erwha women uni to shop. Myeondong is a very nice place to shop! Im seriously broke! Now i have to scrimp and scrap to past the last few days in Seoul. Moreover, I went to Lottee shopping centre to shop and got myself Krispy Kreme! Got 2 free original glazed donuts! hehe..
Seoul tower
Thereafter we decided to go to Seoul tower and we climbed uphill for like 10 mins and realise we are on the wrong path! So down and up we go again. Bear in mind that we are carrying 2 kg worth of stuff and I was wearing my boots! We nearly die-d when we reached.
The view was..spectacularly normal. Same view as every tower/highland i went to.
Tiredness got over me and hence i decided to try my luck and approach a local to hitch a ride. I must really thank God! I found a guy who speaks english and is with his family. He was so nice to drive us to the nearest station of our next destination. If he has not done so, we would have been tired out and late for our show.
The cable car we took up to the base of the tower
Different angles of the tower
Heart project at the tower..all kinds of hearts
Chongdong theatreThe cultural show at chongdong theatre was good! I manage to take pictures with ALMOST all the performers..i didnt get to try on their free trying of costumes! Still feeling sore about it..
Tiring but fulfilling day!
Day 6 (Wednesday)
Demilitarized zone (DMZ) and Panmunjom (JSA) tour
Woke up at 530am!For those who dont know, this tour brought addy and me to the border of North and South. It's a so-so kind of tour group. We are surrounded by 90% foreigners/whites (incl. of UK, Europe and US). I got this tour deal from this US guy who is staying in the guesthouse. Got a almost half price tour from the package we were informed by Mr Lee. The benefit of networking and talking to people..
An eye opener! Made me want to read up on the Korean war.
The soldier was telling us that the North Korean soldiers will take photos of us with its binoculars and mentioned the many bad things we have done as their propaganda leaflets.
Look at the building in the middle..thats where NK soldiers are..The place where UN meets.
We had to climb all the way down and up to reach the infiltration tunnel said to be dug by the North Korea to invade South Korea. It's a 50degrees slope of approximate 500m! Nearly died. Been climbing too many slopes in Korea.
North korea behind me!
Day 7 (Thursday)
In the morning, I had a terrible stomache but both bathrooms were used! I got to use Mr Lee's private bathroom at his quarters. Wah, big! Not like the small space at our guesthouse. Today, we had korean breakfast, which was nice! =) While addy was sound asleep, i manage to talk to the Spanish people and found them to be friendly! =)
Changbokgung palace
We decided to give the palace a miss ..So just an entrance shot =P
Art gallaries
Went to walk around the art gallaries and saw many nicely decorated shophouses cafe!
Installation
Art pieces - scrambled
Art pieces - unscrambled
Korea!
Getting into the arty feel
Hanbuk villageAn area where real people stay in old fashioned huts.
Insadong
Bought food from Insadong, where traditional items can be found!
Around Insadong, arty modern street selling traditional goods and food.
We ate a place recommended by Mr Lee. We had the complete set of a Korean meal! It's a very vegetarian meal..but we were surprisingly full!
Day 8 (Friday)
Last day in Seoul! Time flies.. I miss the times spent in Lee's guesthouse though. Woke up feeling sick..
Dongdaemun
Anyway, in the morning, we went back to Dongdaemun for our last minute buys.
Dragon hill spa
After that, we went to Dragon Hill Spa. It was quite high class and well maintained. We went to their suana, water sauna, ice room and to the famous traditional Kiln house. We napped in the Kiln house for a while. After some time, my movements became so much slower! I got even sicker after the spa!
At Jeju! Morning was wasted because of travelling..
He brought us to the beach when we are waiting for the time to check in
He brought us to
Swiri movie filming location
Cheonjeyeon falls with 3 falls 
Jusangeolli cliff
SeongSan IllchubongWe didnt climb because its very high up!
Love land
A place with all the kamasutra stuff..For those under 21, please skip all the photos! Groups of aunties and uncles in the loveland were joking and laughing so hilariously at all the positions and "tools".
Minatures 
Oops signs
Day 10 (Sunday)
Rained early in the morning which was bad because we have so many outdoor activities planned on this day! We booked a cab to travel around.
Mysterious road
Although we trekked for only 3.5 hours, it was super tiring and cold!
*Downhill*
*Foot*
ATV It was super fun, albeit expensive. But fun! =)
Manjanggul cave
It's a cave with lava formation. It's not fantastically wow, but worth going since its a UNESCO heritage.
Dinner
We wanted to treat Kundo to dinner..but it turns out to be quite cheap.Not really a good treat. =X
Thats the end of my South korea trip..sadz.