My Happiest Memory in Seoul

In case you’re wondering why I named my blog 'meheartseoul'. Yes, this blog was started after my first trip to Korea in 2012. It was a DIY trip after the travel agency canceled the tour as they don't have enough participants. So disappointed because they only informed us less than 7 days before the traveling day. We couldn't find other agencies that could match the date as they suggested later date which it's impossible for my hubby to change the applied leave from his company.

Desperate me decided to plan and travel on our own. Lucky that I have few kind and helpful Korean friends to checked through my whole itinerary and transportation especially from one province to  another one.

Our 9 days of amazing virgin trip covering some parts of...

  Seoul (Cheonggyecheon, Gangnam, N Seoul Tower, Myeongdong).

Met the private tour guide that supposed to accompany our nine days trip in Gangnam. However, we ended up travel ourselves because of calculation error and ended up it's a lot more expensive than our budget. Nonetheless, he's helpful and kind to assist us in booking interesting accommodations such as minbak in Udo Island, Caravan glamping at Jaraseom, and also flight to Jeju and back. 

When he refunded us the balance after deducted all the payments, we even asked his suggestion where we could find authentic Hanjeongsik, and he even assisted to call and reserve the table for us at Samcheonggak on our last day in Seoul. 

Jeju Seogwipo (Yakcheonsa Temple, Jungmun Beach, 

Cheonjeyeon Waterfall and breathtaking Jeongbang Falls).

 

 Udo Island (ATV ride to scenic spots of this beautiful island

and lazying at Seonbinbaeksa beach to catch sunset).

Awesome experience and right decision to stay overnight in White Castle Minbak. Halmeoni, the owner of the minbak was kind to invite s inside her house and boil hot water for our ramen and we'd some fun chit chat. I think Halmeoni had hard time to understand because of my poor grammar.

 Jeju City (Just Jeju (Hallim Park, Hyeopjae Beach, Biyangdo Island,

    Yeongduam Rock, Geumneung Beach, Jusangjeolli Cliffs, O'Sulloc Museum).

Visited all of these places was made possible because we found friendly Mr Park Kisanim (taxi driver) to drive and show us the beauty of Jeju Island in 9 hours.

Busan (Haeundae Beach, Haedong Yonggung Temple, Dongbaek Park, 

Haeundae Dalmaji-gil, Gwanggali Beach, Mt. Hwangryeongsan).

Million thanks to Oppa and his wife, to be frank we only correspondents through emails as I was online seller and sourcing children apparels from Korea. But when he knew that I was going to visit Busan, he insisted to spend their precious time to accompany and show us around... yes, even though he's super busy with his businesses. Thank you so much~!

As we'd to leave early in the morning, Oppa had brilliant idea to drive us up to Mt. Hwangryeongsan, so he could see the whole beautiful Busan from the top of the mountain!

Gyeongju (Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, 

Donggung Palace, Woji / Anapji Pond and Daereungwon Tomb Complex).

 

Jaraseom & Nami Island.

 Seoul (Itaewon, Dongdaemun, Hangang Park).

We're really happy to visit charming places, tasting delicious local delicacies, interacting with locals and experience Korean culture throughout the trip in Korea. But if I have to choose only the Happiest Memory in Seoul, then it was on our last day in Seoul...

 

 Changdeokgung Palace.

Our first palace visit in Seoul wasn't Gyeongbokgung, but UNESCO World Heritage Changdeokgung Palace. Glad that they provided free guided English tour for us to know more about the palace and functions of the halls as well as where the last royal member stayed. 

 King Sejong Story (세종이야기).

From Changdeokgung, we headed to Gwanghwamun Square where the statues of King Sejong The Great and legendary Admiral Yi Sun-Shin stood. We walked around and found King Sejong Story exhibitions underground it.  

We're so engrossed by his awesome inventions and awesome to find out that how he created Hangul for the sake of his people which enormously contributed to Korean civilization. Didn't notice the time passed so fast and we quickly browsed The Story of Admiral Yi Sun-shin before left the hall.

 Samcheonggak (삼청각).

From the exhibition hall, we walked to Kyobo bookstore at Gwanghwamun as there's shuttle bus provided for Samcheonggak's guests .

Didn't expect that to see such a huge and beautiful Hanok style buildings and charming garden there. We're lost until the staff guided us to the correct building. I was shocked when walked pass the familiar building shown on Korean Drama 'Feast of the Gods'. 

We had  8 course Yuha Sura (Yuha Royal set meal). The menu included Seasonal Porridge & Water Kimchi, Mug Bean Jelly with Beef, Bamboo Shoot Salad with Ripe Persimmon, Grilled Scallops, Assorted Pan-Fried Delicacies, Korean Beef Sirloin Bulgogi Salad, Japchae, Rice Cake, Grilled Pork Neck, Makgeolli, Sikye and fruits for dessert.

They only serve you another dish after you finish the one on your table, and you'll need to wait for awhile for them to prepare it freshly from the kitchen. Do set at least 90 minutes to enjoy these tantalizing and appetizing meal in this calming Korean classical ambience.

Excellent customer service too, as when they knew that I didn't eat beef. The chef came out to check whether I want to change it to pork instead. Was really impressed and it totally matched on what stated on the menu list "A dining table prepared with sincerity for you someone special."

The price was ₩45,000 / person, and it worth the price with the quality authentic Korean food, services for this high-class Korean-style restaurant. 

Lotte World Shopping Mall => Lotte Mart (Seoul Station) =>

KTO HQ => Deodeokbap => Cheonggyecheon Stream.

It's free time as we didn't schedule anything between lunch and dinner. So, we went to Lotte World to buy ginseng, snacks and gifts. But it was super crowded and we retreated to Lotte Mart in Seoul Station. 

Then went to KTO HQ, but sadly the Hanbok Experience counter was closed already and they suggested us to go to Myeondong. But, it's too troublesome to carry big and heavy box around. So we just had fun taking photos with standees at Hanbok and Hallyu Experience Zones.

Kurt came all the way to Seoul just to meet us for dinner. He brought us to Deodeokbap restaurant to have grilled Deodeok set meal. I thought deodeok was ginseng as it looked and tasted like ginseng. It's really delicious and I even asked my other friend to help me buy deodeok kimchi when he came to Singapore. I tried to pan grilled it but it's not as yummy as what we had there ;P

After dinner we strolled along the Cheonggyecheon stream with colorful laser lights displays. As he can speak English, we had no problem communicating and talked almost every topics from Singapore to Seoul, worklife, our trip,... 

I'm blessed to know and have them as my friends. This was definitely unforgettable trip we had.  My Korean friends making this trip possible and memorable one. They showered us with care, welcomed us as if we're their own family. Texted me almost everyday just to check whether we need help, update us on the weather forecast, and host us in their house, guide and even pampered us delicious meals. 

Even Halmoeni, Kisanim, Imo, and strangers that we just met assisted and did their best one way and another to make us feel so comfortable as if we're home. 

 Happiness is when you're surrounded with friendly Koreans.

Our Happiest Smiles~!^^

Yes, it's this magic of heartwarming 'Jeong (정)' that keep me wanting to revisit Korea again and again.  많이 감사함니다~!^^

K-Pop Residence Chungmuro (Myeongdong)

We literally reached Seoul early morning, it was around 12:30am when we stepped out from Myeongdong station as it took 1 hour 20 minutes including transfer time. Then, our nightmare started when we found out that elevators and lifts were not operating~!!!

Miserable us have to carry 4 luggage and backpacks total up to about 75 kg.

 

Let me introduce our life saviour, Mr Yoo Chang Hyeon.

We almost cried climbing the endless staircases. Then suddenly a good Samaritan appeared and asked my son what he was doing. Then my son said that we're moving the luggage. Then he helped us carry the luggage not only to the next level, but to another flight of stairs too. Though we still need to carry to the street level because he needed to close the station. Thank you so much for your extra miles services~! 

 

We walked from Myeongdong Exit 4 to K-Pop Residence.

Previously we stayed at Sejong Hotel which was just less than 10 steps from Exit 4. How we wished that we could quickly check-in and sleep there, but too bad we're staying at K-Pop Residence.

 Reception Hours 08:00 - 23:00.

Hubby said it's nearby, but I think we walked for about 20 minutes? Dead tired when we finally reached the hotel. But, we only found the note sticked on the glass door in front of the receptionist stated that they closed at 11pm. Therefore we need to follow the instructions to get our room key and connect to WIFI.

Family room with 2 double bed.

This was the only photo I took on that night, the above photos were taken on the second day. The room was pretty small and we didn't have space to walk after putting our luggage and shoes. Anyway, we're quite satisfied as the room and toilet were clean. Although the bed was hard, but nonetheless I still prefer to sleep on the bed than floor at Jjimjilbang common area. 

We paid about SGD 80.00 per night, booked from Agoda.

Since the room was kinda messy on the second day, let me take photo with 'Psy - Oppa Gangnam Style' with his horse dancing pose.

We can have free breakfast although it's not stated when we booked the room.

 Bread, cornflakes, milk, juice, tea and coffee. 

Kids having their cereal with milk, my hubby

and I ate toasted bread with strawberry jam and butter. 

 You can use toaster, microwave, fridge and other utensils in this dining area. 

It's kinda self-help area where you browse internet with PC and also use the washing machine to clean your dirty clothes. Too bad, there's no drying area so we'd to hang them in our squeezy room. There were only 2 hangers in the room, so we had to lay the pants on the heated floor. 

 

Ready to go for our next destination after breakfast.  

View of N Seoul Tower from the window

outside the receptionist area.

 K-Pop Residence Chungmuro (Myeongdong)

 94-1 Inhyeondong 1(il)-ga (53 Mareunnae-ro), 

Jung-gu, Myeong-dong, Seoul.

Insadong, Dongdaemun and Myeongdong

Walked out from Unhyeongung Royal Palace we saw this van selling hot and sweet Hotteok, which is traditionally baked for a hundred years! It's a popular Korean Street Food especially during cold winter season.

 

 Bought my new thermal earmuffs (1,000 Won a pair),

but after this photo was taken, they turned into a blanket for my tummy (nom nom nom) :P

We walked comfortably around this neighborhood 

because these hotteok made our tummy warm and added energy to our feet.

Oh... I remember this building! We took taxi and passed here from Nambu Bus terminal to Center Mark Hotel. That's when I'd to stop my Skype conversation to 1330 as I wanted to know about March First Movement Day because the driver didn't know the way to our hotel.

'낙원악기사 지하시장' Paradise Underground Market.

It's comprehensive shopping center for musical instruments.

We didn't go in to explore because the opposite street seemed to have more interesting shops and more people there.

 Yuhooo so many shops... let's check it out! 

 

Korean traditional desserts and colorful confectionery such as

Tteok (떡), Injeolmi (인절미), Yakgwa (약과), Yeot (엿),...

 

 서래갈매기살.부속고기 - Soerae Steak House with so many types of meat.

But, we're not hungry yet, as we had Samgyetang at 3pm.

   

But couldn't resist these Mandu (만두).

They look like donuts or Chinese donuts (咸煎饼 = Xián Jiān Bǐng).

Let me call them Korean donuts instead of Mandu, since they're also made of dough

and fried instead of steamed or boiled. Anyway they didn't taste like Ham Chim Peng :P

We're near to Center Mark Hotel as that Jongno Tower is located 

diagonally opposite of the building.

 

I recognized this big Traditional Painting of Korean Wrestling (Ssireum) and...

This Painting of the Sun, Moon and the Five Peaks (Irwarobondo = 일월오봉도)...

 

 means we arrived in Insadong, which is walking distance

from Unhyeongung and our hotel~!

Actually, my friend had already brought me here on my first day in Korea. We walked from Samcheongdong to this place.Looking from the above map I think if you're adventurous and have good sense of direction you can walk also walk to tourist sites such as Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace.

 Busy Insadong Street at night.

 Tadaaa... We're in Ssamzigil!

 Ssamzigil Map.

Ssamzigil... Smile~^^

 Insadong Alive Museum.

 

Wanna know what this Poop Bread (똥빵 = Ddong Bbang) tastes like?!

Beautiful Hanok-style Restaurant.

 Another Hanok Style cafe.


 What building is that?

Then I told my hubby that I want to go to Myeongdong to shop and we took taxi there...

I asked my hubby: "Ehh?!!! Why Dongdaemun?!!"

My hubby said he was confused as just now I told him that I wanted to go to Myeongdong, and why I asked the taxi driver to come here.He didn't ask me because he thought I changed my mind! Heol~!!! What happen to my mind. Maybe my brain was playing Shiritori game. Myeongdong => Dongdaemun. 

Thanks to my clever brain that we had to take subway to Myeongdong~!!!

  

Shopping time @Myeongdong street!

 Myeongdong Art Theater (명동예술극장)

N Seoul Tower seen from Myeongdong.

 Before going back to our room...

 

We went to Caffe Vergnano 1882...

   

...ordered hot drinks and called it a day!