Never have I ever been this truly excited, scared and listless all at the same time.
Never have I ever been this truly excited, scared and listless all at the same time.
Never have I ever been this truly excited, scared and listless all at the same time.
Such a thing of great preserved beauty, the structures that I once thought to only exist in period dramas swept me off my feet with it's divine intricate majesty.
November 4, 2014
Being the eclectic travelers that we are, we chose not to get the map for the whole village, instead we just go wherever our feet takes us. So among the the sea of map carrying tourists along the alleys of Bukchon, Mona and I found ourselves walking around the quiet residential areas, admiring each and every bit of what Bukchon is known for.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Seoul Food Diary: Day 6 - Bukchon Brunch at the Espresso Coffee
Thursday, November 27, 2014November 4, 2014
The morning of our so-called default tourist "culture day". We found ourselves inside a cute cafe located within the Bukchon Hanok Village area.
Cheon Song Yi
You Who Came From The Stars Exhibit - Out of Seoul Diary: Day 5
Thursday, November 27, 2014November 3, 2014
No words need to be added. Dunkin' Donuts will forever be relevant in any travel.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Seoul Diary 2014: Day 5 - Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Thursday, November 27, 2014
November 3, 2014
It felt as if we never left. An iconic figure greeted us as we entered the Dongdaemun Design Plaza,
November 2, 2014
I've always had this fantasy of trying the legit Jajjangmyeon everyone loved to devour in the dramas.
November 2, 2014
November 1, 2014 & November 5, 2014
It reminded me of home. You know, that warmth you feel when you have your loved ones around. I loved this place so much, it deserves to be visited twice(or hopefully, even more in the future).
November 2, 2014
I guess, a Korea trip for us is never complete without a meal from the Lotteria.
November 1, 2014
This one needs no introduction...
November 1, 2014
Known for it's magnificent looking tree-lined streets, hip culture, and energy, Garosu-gil was such an experience.
November 1, 2014
It’s impossible to walk around any Seoul neighborhood without
running into a coffee shop. A mix of good
food, creative interiors and everything indescribably cute, I was sold.
November 12, 2014
What makes a weekday night bearable? Good food, great company,
and comfort.
October 31, 2014
An after all-meat feast cafe chill out.
October 31, 2014
I’d have to be honest, it took me awhile editing the photos
for this post.
November 10, 2014
October 31, 2014
You might think it’s insane for a person like me to be so
worked up about a seeing a certain tree, but I have no intention on
apologizing.
This lonely tree is located within the heart of Seoul’s
Olympic Park. Olympic Park is an impressive leisure facility in which historic
remains from the Baekje Era share space with modern state-of-the-art sports
stadiums, an eco-friendly forest, and spacious grassy fields. A legacy of the
1988 Seoul Olympics, the park not only houses the country’s largest sports
arena, but has also become a place where Seoul residents come to relax and
unwind. (Taken from the http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/
website)
It was not only the tree that blew me away, it was the whole park. The incredible scene of the Korean fall was evident. I could walk around this park forever, and you’ll never hear me complain.
I remember the three of us (Murphy, Mona and I) took time, and just sat by the lonely tree. We just sat there, and breath it all in. It was one of those moments where everything felt so scenic, I don’t want it to end.
The lonely tree and the Olympic park didn’t feel like
something that I went for because someone significant went there. It was so
much more. It was one of those places that you will see yourself coming back
to.
P.S. Totally super non-related drabble:
We took a bus from the Seokcheon park area to reach the Olympic Park. And one thing is for sure, the bus experience is definitely not like in the dramas. I was basically holding on for my life whilst inside. It was not a smooth ride as I thought it would be. People were so chill, I don’t really know what I am doing wrong.
Another P.S., because BUNNIES!
November 9, 2014
October 31, 2014
As I walk on the streets filled with crunchy autumn leaves, I found myself in such a bliss. Never have I ever loved such a season. Never have I ever thought I’ll get to breath in autumn in person.
Then, there it was. It was round, yellow, and floating.
I saw it from afar, and boy… if only I could run and hug it
so tight, I would.
The Rubber Duck knows no frontiers, it doesn't discriminate
people and doesn't have a political connotation. The friendly, floating Rubber
Duck has healing properties: it can relieve mondial tensions as well as define
them. The rubber duck is soft, friendly and suitable for all ages!
(Taken from Florentijn Hofman’s website)
I finally met the good ol’ rubber duck that I've been
fantasizing on seeing for years, and in my favorite place/city/country on
earth at that.
The duck will be on display from the 14th of
October to November 14th by the Seokchon Lake Park, across the new
Lotte Mall.
P.S. Everyone’s favorite little penguin wants some lovin’ too!
October 31, 2014
What a beautiful accident it is to find ourselves Insa-dong.
Insa-dong Street is a street of Korean traditional culture with antique art and book shops, traditional teahouses and craft shops. It is one of Seoul's leading gallery streets and has been the location of many art galleries since the olden times. (Taken from the Seoul Metropolitan Government Tourist Guide Book)
I really hate it when something happens, and the itinerary I worked hard on(with matching color codes and tables, as well as maps) gets slightly ruined in a way. But maybe getting lost, and letting go of the itinerary is worth the risk after all.
I must thank Wifi Korea for being located in this area, for if not for them, I won't be able to walk the alleys of Insa-dong during our trip. (Also, if you're going to Korea, get their services. Awesome people, and awesome Wifi, you'll never be sorry.)
With a pathway of frog fountain benches, and line of trees. Insa-dong felt so authentic, vintage and in character. I felt lost in its feel. It's like I could walk around its path all day and I'll never get bored.
We randomly decided to enter this alley where we spot old looking houses, which turned out to be an alley of teahouses and galleries. Plants were abundant everywhere. There's like tea by your left, ceramics to your right. It felt as if my fantasy teahouse Pinterest board came to life. I was above the clouds.
What I hated so much about myself, not only during when we were in Insa-dong, but also during the whole duration of our Seoul trip, was the fact that I tend to be shy whenever I take photos of things I like to keep in memory. But maybe I'll discuss that in another entry.
If given another chance to fly back to Korea, I'll definitely put Insa-dong on my list.
October 30, 2014
You might be slightly wondering... why the hell are we eating Italian food on our first night in SEOUL?
You might be slightly wondering... why the hell are we eating Italian food on our first night in SEOUL?
If you happen to be a casual, or hard core listener of Korean
pop music, the name Viva Polo would certainly ring a bell. Or if you happen to not
even care what KPOP is, do google Viva Polo, and it will refer you to “EXO’s
Park Chanyeol”.
Viva Polo is an Italian chain restaurant (yes folks, it’s
not the only Viva Polo in Korea.) owned by the family of EXO’s Park
Chanyeol. Which serves pizza, pasta and all that default Italian food we all
love to devour.
Our first day in SEOUL is also the 23rd Birthday
of my SEOUL travel buddy Mona, who adores (yes, I will tone it down with the word “ADORE”)
Chanyeol. So we do believe that it is just very fitting to celebrate it within the walls full of his(Chanyeol's) most
beloved face.
We impulsively ordered the Four Cheese Pizza and the
Spaghetti with Meatsauce within seconds. For the reason that we arrived at the
restaurant 15 minutes before closing time.
You could say that we were so stressed, and tired trying to
come to the restaurant on time, or we were just hungry, or it is just so delicious in its own way. But I thought the dishes we ordered tasted divine. It
was the right blend of the Italian flavors you have always wanted. And don’t
get me started with the good bountiful amount of cheese. Korea knows how to maximize the use of cheese in every
dish, I was sold.
Find your way to Viva Polo by stopping at the Myeongil
Station (Line 5, Purple Line) and get off through Exit 1. You just enter the first alley you see after you go out of Exit 1. You will never be lost, I swear.
***SOME POINTERS THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER IF YOU ARE
SERIOUSLY GOING TO VIVA POLO***
- Check the opening hours. Either call or check the info regarding the resto. The staff was itching to close the place whilst we were still eating… I know, it may have been our little mistake. But that was so damn rude also. We, the fans are your source of your income. Your food may be good as hell. But Viva Polo staff, never… ever… mistreat us.
- Keep in mind how long will it take for you to get there. Because damn, we spent a good hour or two riding the train to Viva Polo. It is located far from the default SEOUL spots. It’s like an oasis of somesort. So better be ready with your subway battle plan.
- If you’re really, really, seriously, no doubt super really in love with Chanyeol, or just a casual fan of EXO and think you could stand seeing his face in every corner of a room for like a good hour or two, go. Go devour the moment whilst you are there. Because that place is one heck of a Chanyeol shrine and I am not even kidding. I got sick of his face, but I still adore him anyway.
- Or if you are just casually just around the area and crave for some pizza and pasta, go! Go and get that Viva Polo!
After 7 days, 23 hours, 35 minutes, and 22 seconds, my journey in the beautiful land of South Korea ended. So much had happened, I honestly don't even know where to begin.
Seoul had given me such precious memories I can't even believe to myself that I've happen to obtain. So much laughter, so much tears, and so much feelings that I myself still can't even contain.
Whilst I was there, I decided to document a part my everyday musings with my phone. And ended up posting them on instagram:
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| Day 1: Lessons were learned, we got to see how things worked. You never fail to amaze me SEOUL. |
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| Day 2: Albert Camus once said, "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.". SEOUL, once again... you never fail to show me how amazing you are. |
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| Day 3: Be still... my heart. He's here. SEOUL, we didn't have to fall in love... we would've climbed down slowly. |
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| Day 4: “The path of love is such a path that whoever stepped into it, lost himself.” - Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. |
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| Day 5: "If you want to, and even if you don't, things are bound to happen. Earthlings call it as fate." |
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| Day 6: "Every romantic knows that love was never a noun; it is a verb." - Shannon Alder |
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| Day 7: One thing is for sure... I don't want to leave. |
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| Day 8: SURREAL. EPIK. HIGH. |
