Seoul: The Soul of Asia

 Hihi, I'm back from Seoul... Well, 1st off, I wanna give a shout out to Jong Hyun, Lina and Min; our hosts. Thanks for hosting us for 6 days and 5 nights. Although its my 1st experience in couching, but thanks to you guys, this experience was a not only great but a memorable one. This is the building I lived in while vacationing in Seoul; Gangnam-Gu

*This explicit sculpture helps me to find

this building everytime ^^*

*The out look of the whole building. On the floor that I lived in

I saw this door with a sign "Shinee World" in Korean. 

Only know about it when my friend came 

and she is a big fan of Shinee; well 

of MinHo actually. Thus, on the next day, she wanted to

ring the door bell but was hesitating so, I just pressed it for her...

but no one answered... Then on the last day, she decided to

give it another try... and she noticed that the door was not fully closed thus she rang the bell again.

This time, we heard a man saying "Nugu saeyeo" and I got excited thinking that maybe its not the fan club 

but rather the star themselves.... Unfortunately it wasn't, but then again if it isn't 

why would u put up such sign? We speculate maybe its the manager... *

*2nd floor; more like an attic. But it is comfortable*

*The office area; so during the day, this place is our hosts'

office but when it comes to night...

Its our place to sleep...*

Seoul.... Hmmm, what can I say? Well, No. 1) the subway is so so crowded!!! Especially during peak hours, its like the sheep's are out for a walk.... whenever the train's door opens! If ur travelling in a group, it is possible that some of ur friends will get left behind, thus I suggest that everyone shud know the route to whatever places that u wanna go and make sure everyone have the Seoul Metro Map... and if ur not sure where u are, ask! It's Seoul, the number of people who are able to speak English is high... Thus, just go ahead and ask... Seoul Metro have I think about 12 lines... U might wanna highlight the stops and the interchange stations that will get u to ur destinations... Its less confusing and more convenient this way... Oh, and be aware or rather alert when ur taking Line 2 (green line) as it moves in a circle and also it has two lines outside the circle... so u really have to pay attention to the screen...

No. 2) Don't be surprise when ur being bumped by people; as if ur like a wind or something... cause its very normal that some will not apologise; so juts let it go... I have no idea how many times they have bumped into me as if I'm not a being =,= 

No. 3) If ur goin during winter season, make sure ur wrapped up and also have ur moisturiser or ur mist ready... cause ur skin will dry really fast and will be really dry! 

Now... where I visit??? 

Day 1: 24/12

a) Gupo Station, Busan

    Now, to all who wanna travel to Seoul using Mugunghwa... My advise is, go to the station and purchase a ticket in advance, so u'll be guaranteed a seat especially during festive seasons or public holidays... If u go one that day itself; like my friend and I, u'll end up standing the whole 5 hrs journey... and it will definitely kill ur back and legs! Well, u can steal someone's seat once in awhile but if the owner is there, u will have to get up and stand. So do purchase the ticket in advance and ticket price differs on weekends and weekdays. Generally, standing is cheaper than seating but u are only allow to purchase standing after all seating are sold.  Ur last stop will be Seoul Station from there u can get on Seoul Metro to go everywhere ur heading. 

*Gupo Station*

*Mugunghwa train ticket; standing*

Day 2: 25/12

a) Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung

 Both of these palaces are next to one another... As in Changgyeongung is in Changdeokgung. In   Changdeokgung you will also get to tour Secret Garden of the palace... Its scenery is superb and you will also get to see the places that King during that period spent for leisure...  

 

*The entrance to Changdeokgung*

*The entrance to the palace*

*1st building u'll see when u enter 

Secret Garden... Its a tour so, for Secret Garden there will be a tour guide,

available in English, Chinese and Japanese*

*The pond next to it. Its frozen, but not

hard enuf to be walked on ^^*

       Entrance to Changgyeonggung is just right next to the entrance of Secret Garden...

*This tree is said to be 700 years old and u can see it on

your way out of Secret Garden*

b) Dongdaemun

    All girls will enjoy this place... One of the shoppin haven in Seoul. Here you can find branded goods and there are lots of shopping malls... So I think u'll need a few days, if u really wanna go to all the malls... but goods here are expensive and cannot nego as its fixed price. On the way to the shopping area, we came across something amazing...

*See the ice sculpture? No idea whether is it man-made

or that it was a fountain and got frozen... So yeah, I think it will look

beautiful during night when the lights are on*

c) Gangnam Station

After that, I went exploring around the area that I lived in... and because it was Christmas... the street was filled wif couples and families.... 

*Saw Super Mario...Just have to take a pic of it*

*Then BB Cream got jealous and asked to

take a pic to... all ready wif pose^^ 

so cute*

*This one is taken for Yan Yee*

*Cars everywhere*

*Then saw this sign which says

 "Happy Walking". After reading that I felt a bit lonely...

Cause I was indeed alone!*

*Guess what these people is queuing up for?!

The answer will shock u!!!

.......

......

......

Okok, there are queuing for fortune telling....

Yup, its very popular in Korea

as everywhere there is either one of two or

the whole street of it*

To be continue...

Guilty Pleasure over Weekend

20% 30% 50% Wat do u think of when u see this?! I freaked! Thank goodness I brought my debit card over! Or I'll be cryin rite now whilst figuring how to survive thru out the month. 

Etude House, The Face Shop, Skin Food, Missha, and Nature Republic are all having these signs up! And it was C-R-A-Z-Y! Especially Missha, since its up to 50% off on most of its best selling items; in Seomyeom- full house. People are pushing everywhere; hard to get in and out! I realised one thing thru this; people here will push u aside while ur looking at the products as if ur not looking at it =,=. Seriously, that woman; just said "Jogiyeo" push and stand in ur place! What the hell?! Am I not looking at the products u eyes-less woman! Its a good thing that I'm a bit unwell that day, or else u'll be listening to English scolding like u never did b4!

But, since I'm also in a good mood as I finally bought products for my face ~HAPPY~

*Super Aqua series- cleanser, hydro cream n emulsion

only for RM 67 (psss- all 50% off)*

Then also had a nice cup of Hot Choco in Cafe Beane (Korean version of Coffee Bean). 

*Xmas everywhere. See the people standing there; unlike Malaysia, u can see

all ages of guys enjoying coffee in cafes- without laptops, 

they just sat down wif their coffee n friend

n talk*

*My Hot Choco- too sweet, avoid ordering this

unless u really like super sweet drinks or

things; 4500 won (RM 13.50)*

On Sunday, Yan Yee n I went to Busan National University. Y?! Shoppin of course! Clothes there are really pretty and fashionable. Compared to Napodong; too crowded, Busan Dae is way better, not crowded at all... very nice to shop; although the fitting rooms and toilets are really small. But its not too bad. In Busan Dae, there is a cafe which I think everyone would want to go 

*Welcome to Snoopy Cafe*

*Ordering counter*

*Interior of the lowest floor*

*The ceiling of the whole cafe*

*Displays*

*The wall of the lowest floor*

*Merchandise; soft-toys, small notes books,

thermos*

*Big Snoopy greeting u*

*Mugs (cute rite?) and thermos*

Since both Yan Yee and I was hungry we ordered set branch.

*This big thingy here buzzes when ur order is ready for

u to pick up. Its normal to see this buzzer in all cafes and dining places. 

Its so convenient! Malaysia cafes should have this*

*Our set branch. Its was really YUMMY; especially Sunshine

eggs and the juicy pork sausages. 

How I miss sunshine eggs ~sob sob~ 

The cup wif snoopy is 

Hot Choco*

*Never knew there was a Mrs. Snoopy until 

I saw this. Lots of displays along 

the stairs to 2nd floor room 1*

* The first thing u see is this...

So get ur camera ready! Cause u'll definitely see

it when coming up*

*Interior of 2nd floor room 1*

*Suitable for homework or assignment time. N also 

couple time ><*

*Xmas display outside the connector to

2nd floor room 2*

*Entrance to room 2*

*Here its more noisy as people here are chatting and also

there is a smoking area for smokers*

*Also have private rooms for big group of people and its

suitable for group discussion but make sure 

u don't make too loud and much noise; cause it will be

annoying!*

*Big Snoopy chit-chatting wif small snoopies*

*This is the female toilet. Its so cute; as if Lucy is

saying "Here! Here! Toilet

is here!"*

*A pic wif everyone b4 departing; I will

be back soon wif Aliza, San, Yan Yee

and Eonni* 

After that, when shopping around more and I bought this cute little pumps ~~ So HAPPY~~~

*Korean shoe size is very different from Malaysia; they go by

hundred like 230, 235. This is from I Love Flat, cost about RM 57 (19 000 won)*

#Kar Yee cute or not?!#

After hours of walking and looking for this place, finally v've found it! Its called Pasta Bueno, its in the eating area of Busan National Uni. 

*Crab Salad, Bacon Tomato Spaghetti, 

and

Chicken Creamy Spaghetti*

*Bacon Tomato Spaghetti*

*Chicken Creamy Spaghetti*

*Crab Salad; its crab stick*

*The interior of Pasta Bueno*

What a fruitful weekend?! Now I must save $$ for my Seoul trip on 24/12 =)