Before we left the airport in Japan, we could already feel some of the hustle and bustle about to come our way in Korea. More pushing and shoving, for example.
We landed in Seoul and stayed that night close to the airport while we got our bearings. The next morning we took an airport bus into central Seoul and found our hotel in Myeong-dong – a very, very busy and popular shopping and eating area. Our hotel was small but had everything you needed included a free ramen maker, hot drinks and free bottled water. Very cool.
We explored the sights of Cheonggyecheon (a paved walkway alongside the river to miss the central hustle and bustle) and Gyeongbokgunk Palace. There were many, many tourists dressed in traditional hanbok dress as you get free entry to places wearing it – plus you can take a gazillion Insta photos wearing it!
Next we explored Seoul Station (what a maze that is!), the main gate to Seoul (Sungnyemun Gate), wandered through lanes and lanes of Namdaemun Market.
We finished off the day walking up to the N Seoul Tower just as it was going dark.
We tried an all you could eat Korean BBQ – pay £11 each for 2 hours and eat all you could (including ice cream).
Janet then did a day trip to the DMZ area (the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea). Tensions are not great between the two countries right now so some places were off limits however bizarrely there is still a goldola ride you can do over to the DMZ area and also a fairground just next to the South Korea civilian control line – crazy!
Talking of tensions, there was a political protest while we were in Seoul with apparently over 100,000 people taking part. Most people we saw seemed to be supporting the side wanting the president to step down after declaring martial law in December, being impeached and then having it overturned. It was all very friendly and everyone was well behaved – more like a parade than a political rally.
Next we are off to Jeju-Do – an island off the South Coast of South Korea. It is an hour and 10 minute flight and can you believe that each way costs about £9 each! You wouldn’t even cover the taxes on a UK flight for that!
