I've already been in Korea for 4 months. It has gone by so quickly. In this time I have visited Seoul 5 times. The first time was for a friends birthday night out, I arrived at around 5pm and left the following day at 2pm. So it's safe to say I did not see much of Seoul that time - apart from a few bars in Itaewon and Hongdae...
My next trip to Seoul was when my dad came to visit. This involved a lot more touristy things. We had 3 days to cram in as much as possible. We arrived in Seoul around midday on a Saturday and headed straight for Nam San tower. I think it is known more to locals as N. Seoul tower. We got to ride the cable car up and ate cheese and onion popcorn whilst looking out at the views over Seoul.
Next, we took the subway to Itaewon, one of the main areas for eating, drinking and shopping. We went to a thai restaurant for dinner where to our surprise we witnessed a rat being smashed to death as we ate our dinner... Not quite what you want when you're out for dinner but it was an experience.
The next day we went on a tour of the DMZ. It was amazing to get so close to North Korea. Since coming to South Korea I've started to read a lot about North Korea and everything that has happened since the Korean war until now. It really does amaze me. The tour was excellent. The first stop was Imjingak park and Freedom bridge, then we went to the third infiltration tunnel, then Dora observatory and Dorasan station and finally we passed through Unification village on our way back into Seoul. I loved the whole thing. It was amazing to use binoculars at Dora observatory. You could see all the way to Kaesong - the old capital of Korea before the country became divided and where they have that Industrial zone with workers from both the North and South.
The next day we went on a tour of the DMZ. It was amazing to get so close to North Korea. Since coming to South Korea I've started to read a lot about North Korea and everything that has happened since the Korean war until now. It really does amaze me. The tour was excellent. The first stop was Imjingak park and Freedom bridge, then we went to the third infiltration tunnel, then Dora observatory and Dorasan station and finally we passed through Unification village on our way back into Seoul. I loved the whole thing. It was amazing to use binoculars at Dora observatory. You could see all the way to Kaesong - the old capital of Korea before the country became divided and where they have that Industrial zone with workers from both the North and South.
The rest of the day was spent wondering around Insadong - a lovely part of Seoul, so many little shops! We also visited Gyeongbokgung Palace.
On Monday morning we went to the Samsung visitor centre:
After the Samsung visitor centre we went to Itaewon in the search of some brunch. Originally we wanted to head to Wolfhound where they do an amazing all day breakfast. It's pretty standard as all day breakfasts go but when you haven't had one in a while it's the best thing ever! Sadly, because it was Monday Wolfound was closed so we went to a place called The Flying Pan Blue. The menu was full of different pancakes and french toast. It also served toasted sandwiches. This was one of the best places I've eaten in Seoul so far....
There is so much to see and do in Seoul. So far I've taken a trip there at least once a month. Even at this rate I don't think I will see everything, but I will give it a good go!
Hopefully will have some time to write more in another blog about Seoul but for now I will leave you with this..
Until then..
잘가 (Jal ga) - See you!
xoxo
Hopefully will have some time to write more in another blog about Seoul but for now I will leave you with this..
Until then..
잘가 (Jal ga) - See you!
xoxo