Travel Experiences: October 2014

2014 SUMMER IN JEJU & SEOUL PART 7

With limited time left, we ventured to Hongdae and Insa-dong area. We visited the restaurant BoA filmed her MV, Hongdae weekend flea market and Insa-dong market.

The Design Museum

What: BoA filmed her "Only one" MVs at this cafe. BoA fans may wish to visit this restaurant!

Exterior of The Design Museum

Pretty interior

Displays

Latte in ultra cool cup!

Omelette sandwich

Grilled chicken burger

The Weekend Bazaar at Hongdae is rather crowded with youngsters. Stalls sell unique handmade products.

Shops along the road

Stalls situated at the common area

One of the many stalls selling handmade products

Exterior of restaurant that sells army stew

Autographs by famous artists who patronised this restaurant

Army stew with cheese

Side order of chicken wings

Nature cafe is located along the main road at Hongdae. While sipping your cup of drink, you can take photos with the sheep in the shop. Yes, there are sheep within the shop :)

Entrance of Nature Cafe. You need to walk down the stairs

Sheep within the shop. But beware of the smell :)

Next we visited Insa-dong since we already had enough of Myeongdong. Insa-dong is a neighbourhood of traditional culture too. You can make your own dojiang (seal) as a keepsake.

Street of Insa-dong

Some wood sculptures

Traditional shop selling handmade craving seal

Ajussi craving the word 'happiness' in korean on the outside of the seal

Oh wells, it's dessert time! Who can ever resist churros and ice cream? Yup! I guess.... No one! ha!

Coffeechu

What: Prefect churros

Where: Subway Line 6, Hangangjin Station, Exit 3

Exterior of Coffeechu

Wonderful churros served with ice cream and chocolate star biscuit

As usual, time flies when you travel. It's time to bide goodbye to Seoul. We packed our luggage and took the airport express bus to the airport. Settled our brunch at the airport before boarding.

Beef stew

Seafood bibimbap

And off we go....

This time round, I visited more places, including experiencing more of korean's traditional culture, instead of shopping trips. Definitely a more enriching travel!

I shall visit South Korea probably in 5 years' time? Shall see! :)

2014 SUMMER IN JEJU & SEOUL PART 6

Rise and shine! We had simple breakfast and Issac Toast sandwich shop which is located along the road on Myeongdong before heading to Bukchon Hanok Village to experience some traditional Korean culture. Also, we had the famous mandu and chicken galbi at Myeongdong!! :)

Exterior of Issac Toast

Sandwich made on the spot

Hot sandwich to start the day :)

Bukchon Hanok Village

What: Korean traditional village surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine. Visitors can experience and learn Korean traditional culture.

Where: Subway Line 3, Anguk Station, Line 2

Anguk Station

Bukchon-ro signboard

Map of Bukchon route

Bukchon Tea Guesthouse

Houses along Bukchon

Scenic spot for phototaking

View from top

Mobile information service staff

Teacher ajumma teaching visitors on handmade mirror

Many colors to choose from!! I did a pink mirror!

Entrance to hands-on bookmark-making session

ajussi setting up tables for making of bookmark

A blue bookmark for him

Myeongdong

We had some mandu at Myeongdong Kyoja Restaurant in the early evening to avoid crowds. As usual, we shopped around Myeongdong area and had Yoogane for dinner again!

Mandu restaurant

10 mandu!!

Ediya coffee located nearby

Yoogane!!

Chicken Galbi

Cafe bene dessert to end the day :)

2014 SUMMER IN JEJU & SEOUL PART 5

An adventurous day in search of K-Pop Entertainment companies! As expected, these companies are not easy to find. We walked and searched high and low and managed to find the 5 major K-Pop Entertainment companies!

JYP, Cube, FNC and SM buildings are located within vicinity but YG Entertainment is located far away from the other entertainment companies. But fret not, if we can find them, you can find them too! :)

1) YG Entertainment

What: YG Entertainment has produced hit artists like Bigbang, 2NE1 and Se7en.

Website: www.ygfamily.com

Where: 397-5 Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul