First stop at War museum. LC told us about the history of the Korean War while we surveyed the battleships, planes and rockets being used during those days. We hunted down the famous ‘turtle ship’ scaled down size in the museum , pretty cool with spikes on the top.
Then we visited the Seoul cultural village and did dress up for photo shoot. The girls looked pretty in our hanbok- traditional korean costumes.
Next, I went on shopping frenzy at Goto mall - Seoul underground mall with rows of shops selling Korean fashion clothes, shoes, bags, accessories and cosmetics, you name it, Goto mall has it. Left and right lanes filled with bargained goods, all at 10 000 won, some a little more. Prices here are the best and the variety is limitless. We spent about 2 hrs here. Kids were bored and they were allowed to entertain themselves with phone games . For once, mummy had no rules as she was too happy shopping and buying things. The only downside of this place is limited choice of food and cafe for bored husbands and kids to wait. So they had to tirelessly tag along the lanes of the women world.
Then we visited the Seoul cultural village and did dress up for photo shoot. The girls looked pretty in our hanbok- traditional korean costumes.
Next, I went on shopping frenzy at Goto mall - Seoul underground mall with rows of shops selling Korean fashion clothes, shoes, bags, accessories and cosmetics, you name it, Goto mall has it. Left and right lanes filled with bargained goods, all at 10 000 won, some a little more. Prices here are the best and the variety is limitless. We spent about 2 hrs here. Kids were bored and they were allowed to entertain themselves with phone games . For once, mummy had no rules as she was too happy shopping and buying things. The only downside of this place is limited choice of food and cafe for bored husbands and kids to wait. So they had to tirelessly tag along the lanes of the women world.
Myeong Deong
We went Seoul forest park for some morning exercises - Cycling! The park is pretty and mostly shaded with mature trees. There is a small playground for younger kids. Kids cycled on 3-wheeled carts while the two of us went on the regular bikes. We cycled most of the park and went hunting for deer, but to our disappointment, they were caged up, not free roaming like the ones we saw in Japan.
We had porridge lunch , super yummy but not quite enough. Then shopping again ! Myeong deong is great for cosmetics, all the shops lined up the streets , you can hop from one to the other, compare prices and promotions. Many of the shop assistants speak Chinese, so it was not difficult to ask for help at all. The kids went to a cat cafe with dad while I had an hour to buy some more face masks n make up. Final treat for the evening was our long awaited Nanta show! We watched once in Bangkok 3 years ago and we laughed our lungs out, the second time we watched it seemed a little anti climax, not so funny anymore but we still enjoyed it.
We went Seoul forest park for some morning exercises - Cycling! The park is pretty and mostly shaded with mature trees. There is a small playground for younger kids. Kids cycled on 3-wheeled carts while the two of us went on the regular bikes. We cycled most of the park and went hunting for deer, but to our disappointment, they were caged up, not free roaming like the ones we saw in Japan.
We had porridge lunch , super yummy but not quite enough. Then shopping again ! Myeong deong is great for cosmetics, all the shops lined up the streets , you can hop from one to the other, compare prices and promotions. Many of the shop assistants speak Chinese, so it was not difficult to ask for help at all. The kids went to a cat cafe with dad while I had an hour to buy some more face masks n make up. Final treat for the evening was our long awaited Nanta show! We watched once in Bangkok 3 years ago and we laughed our lungs out, the second time we watched it seemed a little anti climax, not so funny anymore but we still enjoyed it.
We visited a palace in central Seoul. LC enjoyed exploring the palace grounds while the three of us waited in the shade. We aren't thrilled by buildings and architecture to start with but one who loves history like him could get lost amongst the pillars and walls for ages.
Insadong was the place for arts and culture with interesting shops and personalised stuff like key chains and pencils. We bought some pretty bookmarks as souvenirs. We had lunch at an authentic Korean restaurant with stone fried beef and chicken. After a sumptious lunch, we walked a while and sat down again at a tea shop that sells the best matcha green tea, from tea leaves, to coffee, ice cream, cookies and cakes. It really is a one of a kind fragrant tea I have ever tasted.
Later in the evening, we caught the 'Jump' show. A team of 10 actors entertained us with their marshal arts and slap stick humour. A holiday in korea can't do without a Bbq dinner. Nate looked forward very much to slaps of thick pork grilling on hot stones. I didn't like how I smelled after dinner.
Insadong was the place for arts and culture with interesting shops and personalised stuff like key chains and pencils. We bought some pretty bookmarks as souvenirs. We had lunch at an authentic Korean restaurant with stone fried beef and chicken. After a sumptious lunch, we walked a while and sat down again at a tea shop that sells the best matcha green tea, from tea leaves, to coffee, ice cream, cookies and cakes. It really is a one of a kind fragrant tea I have ever tasted.
Later in the evening, we caught the 'Jump' show. A team of 10 actors entertained us with their marshal arts and slap stick humour. A holiday in korea can't do without a Bbq dinner. Nate looked forward very much to slaps of thick pork grilling on hot stones. I didn't like how I smelled after dinner.
The downside of our Seoul experience was the bed and breakfast place, possibly one of the worst we've stayed ever. First, the host gave us the wrong room number, because he owned both on the same floor. To our horror, we walked right into the unit where there were existing guests, thankfully, no one who in then. We had a quick dinner while waiting for the host to return our call to give us the correct unit details. Then, we were not pleased with what was provided in the house. Bed and rooms were comfortable enough, but we ran out of toilet roll, some wall tiles in the bathroom fell off, the TV was not working , heaps of rubbish bags were thrown outside the apartment every evening, plus the bath towels were old and worn. The host definitely didn't keep his house maintained well at all. For $150 a night, it was so not worth it despite its convenience to the train station.
Day 5-7 Busan
We caught a train 2.5 hrs to Busan the next morning. The house was clean and comfortable with a great view of some mountain peaks. It was on the 13 floor with proper security. This apartment had the largest fridge possible. But there was no proper dining table and chairs, and no toaster, which we would very much appreciate if there was one to warm our bread at breakfast. A relief for me as I could find clean utensils and a pot to cook my oats which I could not in the previous house. We took a long taxi ride to the beach- the longest in Korea - Haeundae. It was fairly crowded, visitors sat in large round floats and enjoyed the strong waves crashing on them. We walked along the beach and strolled up Dongbaek park for some scenery shots. Dinner was a sunptious ginseng chicken soup with rice buried in the chicken. It was simply heavenly.
Day 2 in Busan was a visit to the Jagalchi fish market. Seafood is apparently famous in Busan but we are not seafood people. Octopus, squids, clams, crabs and many unidentified shell fish lined the stalls. We took a great photo there. We visited Busan art and cultural village, long steep slope up. We also went to Oryukdo skywalk and hike, kids enjoyed climbing up some large rocks. And because kids missed eating western, we found ourselves paying for Pizza n spaghetti dinner, to me, it was just Pizza Hut standard, nothing too great.
We enjoyed a lot of home family time, playing Carcasone board game - so far, hannah is the champion.
Day 8-10 Jeju
We flew from Busan to Jeju, took us about an hour to arrive. We rented a car - kia soul from Lotte mart. We were all worried for dad as it's left hand drive in korea, but bravo, he managed steady and good for all three full days in Jeju.
We arrived our final BnB at noon . It was the most incredible place we stayed - Beautiful double storey pent house, well equipped necessities plus ping pong table for kids upstairs. Coffee machine , plenty of selection of tea leaves to tea bags, clean pots n pretty bowls n plates to use, comfortable beds, a working TV where we watched two shows two nights in a row - Antman and Man in Black 1, proper dining set to have our breakfast, and complimentary drinks in the fridge! That was a pleasant and very welcomed surprise. The neighbourhood was very quiet though there was a playground just opposite the building where Nate did 10 pull ups.
LC persuaded us to visit a Crater park. The weather was nice enough, windy and hazy sunshine, surprisingly pleasant hike. We had ginseng chicken rice soup again. Of course, it was fantastic.
Morning drive to strange mystery road, then a long 1hr drive to ATV. It was quite an adventure , Nate banged into bush again but no accident . Fairly dusty grounds but very safe.
Next, we had fish n chips for lunch then a coastal hike up to Mount Sunrise. It is a favourite tourist destination with many well paved steps up, scenic shots to take. 30mins up n 15 mins down. Tourists came in pretty dresses and heels to climb this mountain.
Finally, the kids had been waiting for their amazing mazes at Mazeland. I waited at a cafe for close to 2 hrs for them to finish their adventure.
Finally, the kids had been waiting for their amazing mazes at Mazeland. I waited at a cafe for close to 2 hrs for them to finish their adventure.
Early morning hike up to Mt (next to halasan) tallest mt in Korea , 40 mins of mostly vertical stairway, boardwalk and paved walkway. But the view was pathetic , hazy sunshine day and misty . There were so many flies at the peak and we couldn’t wait to get down . What a pity.
Drove to lunch, had spaghetti at Jenny's bread and cafe, overpriced and avg quality. In Korea , eat Korean food, western food pales in comparison. A short drive to a waterfall . We've definetely seen much better ones.
The highlight for the boys was a dip in the sea by the cliffs. Unique and unforgettable experience for them. Last Korean dinner - DIY pork belly n pork slices. Dumpling soup and crab toufu kimchi soup. Yumz
Ping pong challenge continued at night.
Korea is well known for good food like their popular BBQ, and hot stone soup. Shopping for cosmetics is 1/3 the price of similar brands, and if you like korean fashion with balloon sleeves and long skirts and baggy pants, your choices are unlimited. The streets, malls and restaurants are fairly clean and comfortable. Korea is quite the world's first class city with efficient transport system and multiple malls and entertainment to make sure your nights are full.
Korea is well known for good food like their popular BBQ, and hot stone soup. Shopping for cosmetics is 1/3 the price of similar brands, and if you like korean fashion with balloon sleeves and long skirts and baggy pants, your choices are unlimited. The streets, malls and restaurants are fairly clean and comfortable. Korea is quite the world's first class city with efficient transport system and multiple malls and entertainment to make sure your nights are full.