I don't know how to categorized my trip to Seoul, Korea as enjoyable or not. There were list of things that made the trip very enjoyable....but there also the less enjoyable side of the story.
Upon departure from KLIA and arrival at Incheon AirportThe thing is the trip was not a well prepared trip....it more a spontaneous one. We made up our mind just in a blink. The next day...three ticket was paid and confirmed for me, my mother and my younger sister-in-law, Malia one week before the departure date. We were following my brother-in-law's wife, Ayin and her entourage to Seoul since they were familiar with Seoul.
Only the poster of Lee Min Ho for Dunkin DonutsOur flight was on 8 July 2009 at 11.30 p.m. and arrived at Incheon International Airport, Seoul at around 7.00 a.m. the next day. We all were so excited if we could encounter with Korean actor... as for me the Boys Over Flower, Lee Min Ho.
Got some photo taken with Korean actor....hehehehe...actually only with their paper replica scattered around Seoul as they signed endorsement with various product.
From left : With Rain @ Incheon Airport, with Kim Hyun Joong @ Myeongdong and
Dennis Oh @ Myeongdong
The most preferred place in Seoul was Dongdaemun. I loved Dongdaemun....and I wish I stay at Dongdaemun area...with so many shops, markets, mall and shopping complex along that stretch. You could find fabrics (cotton, polyester, silks, etc.), beaded laces, ribbons (love the ribbons), wholesales markets that open from 12.00 a.m. til 12.00 p.m, high rise shopping complex fill with shoes, handbags, accessories, food court & cafe', scarf shops, many ready made blouse with good materials and very good sales persons (means of very good...they entertain you and friendly).
Partly of things that catch my eye
I've stayed at Nandaemun area which was famous for their accessories market. Their accessories was really really really nice and good in quality and I like everything that I see. However, the sales person in Nandaemun was not so friendly as Dongdaemun. We stayed at a budget hotel in this area...which was very cheap and clean but not so comfortable. The other thing that was cheap at this area was the bedsheets and duvet cover set. The lacy type with embroidery. Very very nice and Aunty Ruby (Ayin's mom) bought one set of the lacy and embroidery bedsheets complete with duvet cover and bedskirt. Another thing that I can't resist the cotton night gown...very very cute and sweet.
I hate the expensive taxi fare. Since we love going to Dongdaemun, we were commuting from Nandaemun to Dongdaemun almost every day and the taxi fare killing us plus the massive traffic jam.
Eating in Seoul quite challenging for Muslim, I only manage to find two Burger King, a small KFC and nada McDonald's. We have their sticky rice for dinner with sambal ikan bilis, serunding and telur masin...which I think was the most tasty food ever in Seoul. Because of not much choice of food, we had sushi at Lotte Shopping Mall which was expensive and on my last day, we had the rice cake with ramen and seafood (our first Korean food), the rating was just okey...not more than that...plain okey.
There were several Free Duty Shop in Seoul. June til July was the sales season...even Duty Free Shop was on sales but everything was expensive...very expensive...better buy in Malaysia. But still bought shirt from ZARA for myself and Man.
Deoksugung Palace
In front of the Museum of Art
We also went for sightseeing on our third day in Seoul after our second visit to Dongdaemun. We went to the Deoksugung Palace and Museum of Art. Then at night we went to Namsan Cable Car and took the ride to Namsan Tower. I'm not so fond of cable car...I haven't even step a foot on any cable car in Malaysia.
Namsan Park, Cable Car & Namsan TowerOverall the trip was okey and quite enjoyable....beside the times 3 for the currency. :) It was quite an experience for a trip to a country that converse mainly in their native language without a tour guide.
Blueberry Cheese Cake
War Memorial
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