Happy Friday ladies! ๐
We had a long weekend here in Malaysia last week thanks to Labour Day, so I took advantage of it by going to Seoul ๐ It was just a quick trip and it was really quite tiring because I walked so much, but it was fun.
Donโt I look quite quite Korean here? ๐ I didnโt pay to wear the Hanbok โ its too expensive. But in the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung Palace were these cut-outs that you can stick your face into so yeah. Inexpensive way to see how youโd look wearing the Hanbok! ๐
Traditional Hanbok in a store window at Insadong
Here are some beautiful Hanbok (Korean traditional dress) that I saw in a window on my way to Insadong. Arenโt they beautiful? I was told that in Korea, its now strictly kept for formal functions like weddings, and many people may not own one because its very expensive. So people sometimes rent them if they need a Hanbok.
Iโve got some more photos below if you are interested. Its quite a picture heavy post so do be warned!
Whilst visiting Deoksugung (Deoksu Palace) which was just opposite the hotel I stayed in, I managed to catch the Changing of the Royal Guard which was a very colourful and interesting event carried out in the square in front of the main gate of the palace. I was there at about 3.30pm and they have this about 3 times a day (roughly). All palaces are closed on Monday so do be warned if you are planning to go.
Royal Guard in Traditional Korean uniform
And after the show and pagentry, you get to take pictures with the guards! There were 3 of them, but I chose this one because he was the most โleng chaiโ (good looking) of the lot and he was sweet to pose for a few shots and bid me โAnnyeong Haseyoโ LOL! ๐
I must say that my favourite parts of Seoul are the palaces because I absolutely loved all the gardens I walked through. It was Spring although there was still a chill in the air, and flowers were in bloom and trees were green and it was just so calm, relaxing and beautiful.
Cherry blossoms in bloom
Cherry blossoms were still in bloom although many had already fallen off for the green leaves to appear but I managed to catch some good shots in the Gyeongbokgung palace. This is the main palace and is about 20 minutes walk from Deoksugung which was fine by me ๐
Its just 4,600km to Kuala Lumpur from the 0 Mile!
Along the way I passed the Zero Mile stone, a point from which the distances are measured and tada! Thereโs Kuala Lumpur at 4,600km away from the middle of Seoul city! ๐
Hereโs something I just had to show you โ the toilet controls in my hotel bathroom. I stayed at the Plaza Hotel and I will be telling you about it separately because its really nice! But just look at the array of controls you can use to operate the toilet! It has a warm seat (ahhh!) and auto-flush and you really have to play around with the controls to fully enjoy it LOL!
This is a traditional carrier I tried on at Namsangol Hanok Village, which is a traditional Korean village in Seoul city where the buildings had been preserved and/or reconstructed to ancient times. Namsangol Hanok Village is open to the public and its free which is really awesome. These traditional carriers were used to carrying things and its really heavy. Incidentally, I spotted these still in use in the Namdaemun market where I saw some traders carrying their stock on their backs using one of these!
And really, what is travel if not to sample the local food!
My first meal in Seoul was Bibimbap (mixed rice) with barbequeued meat at Myeongdong, served in a large metal bowl. It was delicious although I have to say that it did taste pretty much as Bibimbap tastes at Korean restaurants here in KL. The meal was 5,000 won (about US$5) which was one of the cheapest I had. Food is pricey in Korea.
I was very lucky to have a friend in Seoul who with his family took us around by car, showed us the sights, fed us very well and even invited us back to their home and served us lunch! Because of that, I had the chance to go to the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market which I thoroughly enjoyed! I love visiting markets ๐
Strange shellfish at Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market (meongge)
Hereโs a very strange shellfish that I cannot remember its name. If you can read Korean or if you know what that is, please let me know ๐ You peel off the outer skin and eat the inside which you see on the plate. My hosts bought a bag of it, and it was eaten raw with homemade kochujang sauce. I wouldnโt say it was delicious but it wasnโt awful and it was interesting. (Update: Thank you Andrea! Its meongge or sea pineapple or sea squirts)
Here is a selection of food I had. From the top left clockwise hereโs what they are:
- The unknown shellfish as shown in the previous photo, served raw with fresh vegetables
- Homemade fish soup and rice โ so good on a cold wet rainy day!
- Tteokbokki or Ddeokbokki โ rice cakes in spicy sauce
- O Gyub sal โ five layered pork on a grill
- Kimchi Jjigae โ Spicy kimchi soup
And wait. Thereโs more food! ๐
Clockwise from Top left:-
- Sausages on a stick โ street food
- Kimbap โ Rice and filling rolled in seaweed (like sushi but not)
- Pa Jeon โ Seafood pancake late night snack
- Makgeolli โ Korean rice wine which is delicious and has very low alcohol content
- Kimchi Cold Noodles โ Literally cold noodles. There were chunks of ice in there. Delicious actually.
I went to the usual shopping spots โ Dongdaemun market which is open 24 hours and is a clothes mecca; Namdaemun market which sells clothes and jewellery wholesale, Myeongdong which is a shopping area and where you can get every single cosmetic brand in the Korean market (but Iโll tell you about it in another post), Insadong where there were old buildings in the alleys between the newer buildings and cafes. I even went to the Bukchon Hanok Village which is really far away and where people still live in the traditional Korean houses which are preserved to look just like they did in days of yore. That was however due to a mistake on our part and I wouldnโt recommend you go there unless you have a lot of time on your hands.
I had a lovely time in Seoul and my hosts spoilt us silly. The weather was lovely barring the one day where it rained non stop the whole day, and I ate far too much (diet starts now!). Shopping was alright. I had lists of stuff to get for friends from cosmetics stores there but I personally did not end up with very much. Mostly some BB Creams, sheet masks and skincare, including the Tony Moly snail cream I showed you yesterday.
Another city crossed off my to-visit list and a lovely time had ๐
Paris B
eira says
PB, this post is so timely. im going to seoul in 2 weeks time. Love this post!
ParisB says
eeks! You are going to have so much fun! ๐ Its going to be quite warm there though so you wontโ have to pack so many heavy clothes and can leave space for shopping ๐ Iโll have some shopping posts coming up too ๐
shuaddict says
I love your travel posts and pictures! More, more!
ParisB says
Thanks Shuaddict ๐ Will see if thereโs more to be dredged out ๐
Pearl says
oh hi PB, ur post on ur visit really remind oh my honeymoon to korea in nov recently! during my time its autumn season, and it is reallly coolll during that time.. its great to see u manage to see the cherry blossoms n green as my time was only the โrantingโ leftover lol.
By the way, u should have make a trip to Nami Island since u are there! I bet it must be a very beautiful place during spring!
ParisB says
I love autumn! You would have seen all the beautiful trees changing colour! ๐ I didnโt have my trip planned out to be honest โ I just wanted a break and I totally forgot about Nami island! What a great excuse for another trip LOL!
Monstro says
What a fun trip! Oh I canโt wait for my shackles to come off!!!
ie. the lil one is older and easier to travel with.
Thanks for sharing and satisfying my wanderlust!
ParisB says
Youโll have a great time bringing her around and showing her things ๐ But perhaps you could also take a week off without her? Hard I know ๐
yuki says
I read one of the coinages and they mentioned that the things were expensive. Actually, u gotta bargain. I went to dongdaemun n theirclothes n earrings ate so nice!!!! 10k to 20k won? I got my shirts for 10k won which is abt 28ringgit? Not bad seeingas normal thin t shirts at fos are like 50-60 bucks now. I got these lovely pair of earrings for 10k won. Her opening price was 25k won. She said no at first but I wasnโt willing to pay. So when I walked away, she put the earrings in a plastic bag n said, โokok. 10k wonโ left with a huge smile:)
ParisB says
You got some excellent deals! ๐ I went to Dondaemun at midnight and I was tired so I was really there to just have a look-see. Wasnโt in the market to buy anything much but now maybe I should have ๐
lyn says
Thanks for sharingโฆ looks like you had a lovely time albeit a short trip ๐
ParisB says
Yes I did โ it was about 4 days but still short nonetheless ๐
Sam says
Looks like you had a lovely time- great pics. I think I want to visit Seoul now!
ParisB says
It was fun and thanks! Perhaps when you win that airline competition you could make Seoul your destination! ๐