Korea - Seoul Stop Over To India

3rd Aug to 5th Aug 2007

We got off to a good start considering that we had the days a little confused when we where travelling. We thought we where travelling on Friday night 3rd Aug, but turned out it was Friday morning, luckily we had done a double check of times on our departure. Feeling a little rushed in packing we made our departure time and date.

One of our friends had told me about a first class lounge you can pay to use before the flight in UB and it was such a good tip so we didn't have to line up to check in for the flight as every man and his dog seemed to be leaving UB on our flight.

Picture: View of Seoul from Seoul Tower

The flight went well and once we arrived we went to the Lotte Hotel by the transit bus from the airport which was very easy to find and use. The hotel we found quite nice except for the cost of having washing done and couldn't get over the high cost of room service. I suppose we were in a first world country again so prices sure did get higher. We decide to find a local restaurant for dinner.

Picture: Paige with Hotel employee who we called the Princess Lady

Day 1- Went to Dangdaemum Market to find it was a series of streets which where lined with shops. What we consider market style isn't the same as what they consider it in Korea. Getting around we decided to use the train system which was very easy to use. The only problem was working out which way was the best to exit to the roads above the subway system. We found the areas of the subway system are lined with shops and at times you think you are in a mini mall. Dinner we found a small restaurant that was down a little alley way. Ben was surprised I decided to lead the way and try such a out of the way place. Paige loved the grilled fish they served which was cooked out side the front door.

Day 2- The day started off quite wet and got worse. We visited the Gyeongbokgung Palace which was like most palaces we had seen in other Asian countries, which are heavy in the Chinese influence. We headed off to find the Janghanpyeong Antique Market but found the series of shops where closed due to a public holiday. Hmm, no one told us it was a public holiday. For dinner we tried a hot pot meal that we cooked the meat at our table in a pot heated from below on a burner. We got talking to a couple of American solders who where at the next table. Interesting people to talk to about what other people thought about Americans.

Picture: Changing of the Guard at the Palace

Day 3- Visited the N Seoul Tower. We caught the cable car from the bottom to the top of the platform of the tower. The weather was quite over cast so happy to see the view from the first level and we decided not travel the rest of the way to the top of the tower. We then headed to Insadang shopping area which on Sundays is a traffic free zone. Amongst the small art galleries are small art and craft shops which we strolled along. It reminded me of China town in Singapore.

Picture: Seoul Tower

Picture: Paige & Ben at Street Market

Day 4- Our last day in Seoul was spent wondering around searching for some camera equipment for me. Mongolia isn't really the place to purchase such items. I have been told I can order in from China but will take three months to arrive.

Picture: Writing brushes in shop window

I think Seoul is a nice city to visit, a bit expensive. Nice to be in a first world country for a change which is clean, has some interesting food and generally nice people. Would we go back? maybe but not in a hurry.

Picture: Street Artist