Seoul, Korea [ 5sept - 15sept 09]

A 6 hours night flight to Incheon Airport which my mom and myself barely slept. The temperature ranged from 20 to 30 degree clesius. Despite the bright sun shinning like in spore, it feels cool, as though we are in a shopping centre in spore. Imagine when its in the night and early morning... Lovely! Till now, i'm still having difficulty adapting back to spore's tempt!

Homestay
Sarah and Feraldine (din) were in Seoul earlier so as to experience homestay. They were so comfortable with the environment that they requested that we homestay with their host sister's house, which we did. It was definitely a great experience.

My host, Dr. Andy/WooYoung is a director of Hansei University and his wife works at the hospital. Thankfully our host is able to speak english as for his wife, it was hand signals and guessing. Their one and only 12yr old son is currently studying in the states, which would probably be a till he graduates from University, approx 10yrs? Though our host was hardly at home (and at that point of time they has some family issues), they treated us like part of their family. They had even bought an extra bed, hairdryer, toiletry, food..... Most importantly, they are extremely patient!

Our other half-host was very motherly who had prepared breakfast for everyone. Every morning at 8.20am (Spore time: 7.20am) my mom and myself would take a one min walk over to her house for breakfast!맛있다! (delicious) She has 3 boys. Namely Lee Kyuho (10yrs), Lee Minho(9yrs) and Lee Eunho(7yrs). With din and sarah staying there, it feels like she just had 2 extra kids! 시끄러운( noisy and loud). Haha.. Being with this family gives a very homey feeling.

Shopping
Most of the days we spent shopping! We would set off at 11am and be back at 9plus with only shopping at only a single street! Apgujeong Dong has the coolest clothes and the lastest fashion in korea BUT its extremely 비싼 (expensive) shopping there. Its where celebrities will shop at and celebrities hidden in huge black tinted window vans.

Dongdaemun sells extremely cheap clothes but definitely worth buying unlike spore cheap clothes and accessories! I think there are 3 buildings but one of it is for those tour groups to bring the tourist to so naturally it would be more expensive.

Myeong Dong! Probably my most favourite street to shop at! Everything you want or need can be found there. From clothes to accessories to comestics to facial products to shoes... Facial mask are given out for free which are sold like $10 per piece in spore!!!

Sinchon which have a few Universities located around that area, attracts students to shop around that area. Not exactly as big as the other markets though. Close by Sinchon is Hondae which is also another shopping area! Yes, Shopping!

Yeoju is really far from where we stayed. I think it is not within Seoul? Anyway we took abt 3 hrs to reach our destination? Anyway, Yeoju sells all the branded and sports stuff at a MUCH cheaper rate. Mind you, its all original! xD

Coex is one expensive place to shop at. Its like a huge orchard road only that its in one building. Lotte World is also a huge shopping centre with an internal and external amusement park inside. Its similar to Genting actually. GS mart and Lotte Mart are places where we bought our food, chopsticks and what ever we had brought bach apart from clothes and accessories. xD

Sightseeing
Bongeunsa, a chinese temple surrounded by many trees. It feels like it is in a tiny forest where across the road are classy and upgraded buildings. There is a waterfountain where water can be drank from. The water is really cool and refreshing!

We went to Gyeongbokgung palace and manage to catch them changing shift. It was pretty cool! xD

We went to N Tower using the route by foot. (the other is by cable car which had seemed nicer) The view was great and it was cold! Many couples can be seen there. There is a railining where couples would buy and hang their couple locks in the railing. It was pretty much filled up.

Olympic Park! My favourite sightseeing place. It took us abt 3hrs to complete the whole park. It has rained just as we reached the park and my, extremely COLD. Even with my thick pullover i was still feeling cold! And my mom broke my umbrella, actually the wind did. hahaa. Anyway, its really beautiful there. There are flower plantations, Squirrel forest and containers for people to pick up the nuts and put then in there for squirrels to eat!

Relax
We went to 찜질방(Jjimjilbang). It is korean bathhouse that is open 24hrs. A place where koreans will go there to relax. The showering area is separated into males and females and we will shower and scrub ourselves till we are red lobsters to remove the dead skin on our body. It is an open area while showering so yup, you will be all exposed! After scrubbing and changing into their clothes, we will head to the hot room tempt ranging from 60 plus to 90 plus celsius and ltr to the ice room with a 0 celsius and just keep switching. They have a room thats filled with oxygen. At the 찜질방, they provide food, gym, mats for sleeping and everything that you need. Its definitely an experience there.

Post Korea Syndrome
Korea is a place where i wouldn't mind going back again for a holiday again. Its really safe there. I love it there!
I miss the food.
I miss the weather.
I miss my dongsengs.

*Pic will be up in my FB.*

2pm Park Jaebeom, Suju Kangin, Seoul