Monday, November 24, 2014

Seoul Travelogue: Day Three

Day Three!

Typed out a super long post then blogger decided to error me and save a blank draft. Fuck my life.




Levon's favourite station to visit to toilets.

We were due to visit Ssamziegil Mall for Hanbok photos, 
but contrary to online information, the mall is only open at 10.30 am.

So we visited Jogeysa Temple first!
Across the entrance to Ssamziegil Mall there is a signboard to the right, leading to a lane.
Walk down the lane and the temple is across the road.


Adorable Incheon Games Mascot in front of the temple!
Bimb couldn't resist.


 Laughing Budhha, without the gigantic belly. :3


Pagoda.




The temple exudes a very peaceful and muted aura,
quite unlike the bustling and busy Kwan Im Thong Temple in Singapore.


Love the intricate and vibrant details of the roof!


The combination of modern and traditional buildings is a common sight in Seoul.
I always wonder, why can't this be the same in Singapore?
It's quite sad that we're losing our heritage as we progress on.





Found a nice spot for ootd's on our way back to Ssamziegil Mall.


My camera kept capturing the #holyrays hahahaha.


Ssamziegil Mall is located at Insadong, a place for souvenirs.
The store we're visiting allows us to take neoprints in hanboks, for a cheap price.
It's located at the top floor, all the way to the end of an extension.



Thoughtful under the (Hangul) Alphabet tree.



There was a variety of hanboks available for us to choose.

Photo credit to Bimb

In case you dont know what to choose, I've done my research, and here's a guide:

Nobility and the upper class wore bright, vibrant colors in rich material like silk,
while common people wore muted colors in simple material like cotton.
Gold can only be worn by royalty.

A woman's hanbok is made up of the jeogori (top) and chima (skirt)

Jeogori lengths vary according to the eras.
In the early Joseon era, it ended at hip length, while it was above waist for late Joseon.

Image credit: Google

Rainbow striped jeogori are worn for special occasions.

Image credit: Google

Dangui are worn over the jeogori and only by the upper class.
Gold accents can only be worn by the royalty.

Image credit: Google

And in case you're worried about being mistaken for a gisaeng (ahem, entertainer),
they usually have jeogori made of translucent material and also have a wider band at their waist.

Image credit: Google

So yay, we're nobles. :D





HAHAHA only sok's feet can be seen. #shortwoes


Taa-daa, the completed product!

Visited Jiyugaoka Cafe at Yunposun-gil 46.
They are recommended for their homemade cakes; especially Tiramisu, and Strawberry Shortcake.


Unfortunately both flavours were unavailable, and we chose Red Velvet and Mille Feuille.

Pretty cakes, but it didn't live up to the hype.
The iced chocolate was bland as well.


Levon and her HUAY.

Autumn ivy


See this tak glam bimb!!
Oh my god hahahahah laughed our shits out.


Tak glam Levon too. hahahah.


Stopped by a charity stall for Kimchi Pancake, that was bigger than Bimb's face. HAHAH.


Our next stop, Bukchon Hanok Village, is a residental area. 
Tourists are reminded to keep the volume down.
Honestly I don't think I'll like it if there were people taking photos of my house and such!





This very nice Korean guy and his girlfriend were helping us take many shots!
Gf was like, more background! left a bit more! hahahah.







 

Marvelous expanse of blue sky, white clouds and #holyrays hahahahah.


We also had the opportunity to enter one of the hanoks!




Proceeded on to Gyeongbokgung Palace, and along our way we chanced upon Softree!

Organic Milk soft serve with honeycomb chips - costs 4800 won.
I love the soft and not too sweet ice cream, but the honeycomb was a pain to eat.
You had to spit out the wax, which was ughh.




Levon and Bimb also showed love for the handsome model. HAHAH.


Look at which celebrity we ran into !



Photo credits to Bimb!

Paparazzi kena spotted by manager. NO PHOTOS PREASE.

Gwanghwamun Gate


We were very lucky to chance upon the changing of guards ceremony!




Love the vibrant costumes, and best yet, we had the chance to try them on for free.
It's available at the left entrance of the main gate at certain timings, and limited slots only.

Palace guards fall in for selfie!








Geunjeongjeon - Main Throne Hall



Stone markers indicated where court officials of different ranks stood.
Me and Bimb were super eggcited over this, cause we were reminscing over our fav drama.
Make that the only period drama we both love: The Moon Embracing The Sun. :3




Selfie Queen level up - group photo AND Geunjeongjeon. LOL



Now Levon's thoughtful under the real tree.


Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. 







Ahahahaha Bimb trying to disturb Levon.



We exited via the West Gate to Toksochon, which was two junctions away.
Le famous Samgyetang - Ginseng Chicken Soup.

We went at 4 pm, so there was no queue. 
During peak hours, the waiting time is approximately 30 minutes.


Both traditional floor seats and table seats are available.


Homemade Radish and Cabbage Kimchi!
The cabbage kimchi is the best I've eaten in Seoul.
Wished I could tapao it back :x


Taadaaa. Samgyetang - 15,000 won per bowl.
For additional ginseng, add 6000 won.
For black chicken, it's 22,000 won.
Minimum order of 2 bowls is required for 3 pax and above.

We poured in the ginseng wine into the soup for enhanced taste!
The soup actually is light and very comforting, perfect for cool weather slurping :B
I loved the glutinous rice too!



Backtracked to Gyeongbokgung West Gate and walked down to Gwanghwamun Plaza.








more #holyrays. ;p


Pretty bff with golden glow!

Creative use of recyclable materials to make the figures!


King Sejong the Great.

Admiral Yi Shin-Sun


Tribute for the Sewol Ferry Accident.
Saw how a bunch of very passionate adults suddenly start rallying for the cause.


Cheonggyecheon River 
Just two decades ago this was a dirty stream with people washing their laundry and dishes.
Can you imagine?









Photo credits to Bimb

We went back to Insadong for souvenir shopping.
Insadong is much busier at night, with its streets filled with performers and stalls.

Heard a singer who blew us away!


A video posted by @xinovel on
Video credits to Levon


Visited a Jjim Jil Bang - Korean Bath House after that.
Dragon Hill Spa is located at Yongsan station, Exit 1.
After a long flight of stairs from the exit, turn right and walk straight.
It's covered with neon lights so you won't miss it.

A very unique experience, I would say.

There are same gender areas and mixed areas.
If you want to enter same gender areas, you are expected to go nekkid. :O
So if you're uncomfortable with it, go to the common areas.
Which is what we did, because.. wtf.

Word of warning though, the changing rooms are probably already full of naked people.

All photos from here koped from Bimb!


I can't remember how much we paid for the entry,
but it was cheap, and there were vouchers from the subway cards we purchased earlier on.



Traditional Charcoal Kilns, with varying degrees of heat.
Its like entering a gigantic old oven; I felt like a pizza.

The kilns in the room was moderate, and the one outside was hottest.
Bimb and Levon couldn't stand it and ran out.
I wanted to run out but Sok told me to sit down and it would be better.
Which was really true!

Quite shiok cause you feel like you're really burning fats. hahah.


Cold room !
Omg I can stand the heat but not the cold.
Teeth chattering and shivering like mad, but still stayed in there with them hehe.


We also completed the experience by nomming on sauna eggs!
The eggs were weird and completely not what we expected.

3 colors - white, brown and black, but when its peeled open, the colors are opposite!
The white egg had the darkest brown egg white and the black looked like normal.
The flavours are also the opposite, with the lightest being strong and black almost normal.

Never judge an egg by its color.

WHEW LONG POST DONE OMG.
DONE TWICE SOME MORE. rarr.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...