Seoul Fantastic- Part One

On the 6th of March, I had a wonderful day planned of cycling from East Coast Park to Pasir Ris with my secondary school freaks(friends). And then a wonderful dinner planned for after cycling.

FAILED.

On the way to cycling I was planning what time to meet Geri the day after. When she asked, is your flight at 1am today or tomorrow? Seriously, if not for her I wouldn't have made this trip or would've needed to pay a huge amount for another ticket. MY FLIGHT WAS AT 1AM ON THE 6TH NOT 7TH. I hadn't packed, I only booked a hotel from the night of 7th, I hadn't mentally prepared myself to be flying off to Seoul in a few hours. It's been my dream to travel to Seoul for years, so I really did need at least 24 hours to prepare myself okay. With my mind crazy preoccupied, cycling was cancelled. I probably would've driven right into a puppy or something tragic. And with my flight at 1am, dinner was cancelled. 

But these girls still magically made it such a great day. I don't know how they do it. I've always been to thankful for these two. But now, I'M EVEN MORE THANKFUL. (I want to tear) They honestly just took charge of everything and was like 'Okay, so her flight's at 1am, she needs to be at the airport at 11pm. She needs to pack, shower, wash clothes, checkin, sort herself out. Okay so, we leave here at 5. Okay?' 'Okay, so leave here at 5, let's go walk of a while and have lunch. Okay?' So much hearts for both of them! They figured the fastest way for me to get home. And even came home with me to help me pack. OMG. SO MUCH HEARTS! 

After all the the hurdles (which were actually very small hurdles. Cos I realised I was already packed, there was no online check-in option, and washing clothes doesn't take three hours to wash), I was on the plane to Seoul, Korea! It was a perfect plane ride. Further more, I had a (really good looking) Korean oppa (Yes, I just said oppa) next to me who looked after me throughout the flight, transit and second flight. When the man sitting infront of me reclined his chair while I was eating he jumped into action immediately to ask the man to put back his chair. He waited for me while I queued for long queues to walk with me, helped me with luggage, and helped me in Incheon airport. Ah, so cool. 

Perfect arrival weather! 

Day 1- Myeongdong

The first day was very Singaporean; shopping. Shopping here is incredible and cheap! I am, however, talking from a British point of view. I think the next few posts will highlight how cheap Seoul is. So DON'T be misled, I am a Londoner. London is expensive. 

Mascot luring us into a cat cafe. 

Jolene! My singaporean friend who's also holidaying in Seoul 

We went straight for the famous Myeongdong Kalguksu and Mandu! Also where GoMiNam came in an episode in He's Beautiful! 29, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 

HUGE SERVINGS

Me and Jolene walked past here and said 'okay, dinner's sorted'

Happydays

We then headed to Myeongdong's underground shopping mall. Clothes-wise its not that great. Myeongdong shopping district is definitely better. BUT, if you're a camera fanatic like me, specially a film camera fanatic, PLEASE GO THERE. They sell canons, nikons, olympus, pentax, LEICA at reasonable prices. I have yet to go there to buy one (or two). 

We came back to the heart of Myeongdong for a street food dinner. 

You will find street food vendors dotted everywhere. You will never go hungry or broke, cos its cheap! 

My favourite ddukbokki! Maybe not so favourite anymore, I've eaten enough to last a life time! 

Lights, my favourite thing to photograph. 

Day 2- Gyeongbukgong Palace, Blue House, Samcheongdong-gil and Hongdae

After the shopping for the first day, we felt a sightseeing day was necessary. 

A message to se7en from fans outside YG entertainment's building. The guest house we stayed in is just a 3 minute walk away. 

Gyeongbukgong palace! Made it in time for a performance of the changing of the guards. 

So colourful. 

Banchan! 

 Our starving selves walked into a restaurant that sold Jjgaes (stew). And order kimchi and soondubu jjigae! 

I honestly thought I was a big eater until I stepped into Seoul. :O

me.

Bukhansan in the background! Weather sucked this day, 'twas foggy, really foggy. (Psst! City hunter!)

Breathtaking. 

Police were everywhere, seeing that the Blue House houses the president. And my naturally dodgy looking self thought it was best to avoid them. So we walked up this random cute street! 

Samcheongdong-gil! Where many hanok(traditional) houses are populated. Its a short but steep walk up to the Bukchon village! 

Cute fire hydrant. 

Steep. 

I was so mesmerised by the crazy amount of cable sticking everywhere. 

I walked past the Hello Kitty cafe and promptly walked away because of my ever-growing fear of this mouthless cat. 

Popped into Haagen Dazs for a short sneaky rest. 

We decided it was too early to head back. And it being a Friday night, we knew there would be live bands playing in Hongdae. So we made our way to Hongik University subway. But we were so tired by the time we got there that our feet naturally brought us back to our guest house, a walkable distance from Hongdae. No live bands were seen. Ha, phail.

Hongik Univ. area

Seoul is really really amazing. It has been treating me very well I have to say. Everyday I'm happier than the day before that I've been bless with this opportunity to come here. I feel like everything exists to make their citizens happy. (I'm talking here from a tourist's point of view. I don't read politics or work here, so I wouldn't know what its really like!) Take for example their subway system. It plays a cute jingle fanfare every time the train approaches. I actually found a link to the fanfare -> Here. How cute right?! People here TALK on the subway. If they're with someone, they talk! Technology is way advanced, but they don't let it take over their lives so that talking is almost non-existent! The trust they have for their citizens is incredible too. Not to mention the trust WITHIN the community. I witnessed a couple offering ddukbokki to a random lady while queueing up for a ride at lotte world. She accepted, they ate together, they dont even know each other!! And my favourite thing, the respect the younger generation has for the older one is SO COOL! I watched a group of notorious looking boys holding on to an old ahjumma on the subway because it was bumpy and she was unstable. Cutest thing ever.

Sorry about the rant. This country really ticks all the boxes of the country I want to live in. And unfortunately the same can't be said for the country I currently live in. 

Meh.

Peace out. Cue abrupt ending with a cute photo. x