7 April: Namsangol, Insadong

Took the subway one stop to Namsangol Park & Heritage Village. I thought there’d be an entrance fee but it was free. Nice peaceful park, not too large and good for walking. There was one section where they buried a time capsule to be opened in 40 years’ time.

Another part of the park was a replica of a traditional Korean village. The houses were real, and for a change there was furniture so we could picture what it was like.

Long, tiring walk to Dongdaemum market. Eventually we went back to Insadong to continue exploration, it seems we like it there best. More shopping, of shoes and cheap t-shirts. We also discovered a small shopping complex that had quite hip stores, and art in the form of toilet seats and pans.

Back to hotel to drop our shopping off. Then to a restaurant behind the hotel where we had raw beef with pears (ages since we had that) and hot pot. Pretty good. Afterwards we walked the food off before going to the Korean Sauna. First we had to go inside a hot oven to sweat, then after resting we were led to the spa area. It’s like the Japanese version where you shower then try out all sorts of different baths. Middle-aged women scrubbed, washed and massaged us, it was an experience. Was like 1am when we left.

Oh, it was my birthday today.

8 April:

The morning was spent at Namdaemun market where we found some areas and stalls we didn’t see last time. Like the part where there were stalls selling nothing but kimchi. Other stalls were equally interesting.

Had lunch at a restaurant along that alley that was full of restaurants. Tofu soup, seaweed rice and stuffed pork innards. The dishes were displayed outside the shop and all we needed to do was point.

Went back to Myeongdong and circulated the blocks several times. Had green tea at a very posh and lovely teahouse, trying to kill time. We decided to go to the airport early, had dinner there and visited the duty free shops.

Good trip. Full set of photos are on flickr