August 26, 2012
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Trip back to Seoul (Korea Day 5)
We decided to head back early in the morning so woke up at 6am to get ready to head back Seoul. It was much mistier this early. We had the super large peach bought last evening for brekkie and checked out, walking using the main road (for cars) which made it a lot easier to pull the trolley luggage along. Reached the bus stop in 10mins, around 7.25am, and saw troves of tour buses started arriving at 7.30am. The public transport number 7 arrived at 7.40 and we were then on our way to the central bus terminal (having an online map was very good in guiding us where to alight, as I had previously bookmarked the station, although the bus driver also informed us as we told him we were heading bus station).
There was an elderly man who was asking us if we were heading back Seoul, and which station. Trying to tell us that he could taxi us back for 30,000won, compared to 34,000 if we took bus. Initially skeptical, we took it though. Along the way we found out that he was heading Seoul anyway and if he didn’t have any passenger it would have been an empty trip for him (and costing quite a bit as I counted about 10,000 won in toll fees). The weather started turning rainy halfway but driver continued on his speedy gonzales driver (okay, slight reduction in speed) so while wife was sleeping, oblivious to surrounding, I was feeling rather tensed at times.
Once we hit Seoul, the meter on his cab started and he was taking us to where we were going, not just to the bus terminal so I gave him more than the negotiated price. It was pouring back in Seoul and the traffic jam was really bad – I figured it would have cost us 1/3 if not for the traffic. In any case, we reached residence at 12pm right when we were told we could go put our bags in while cleaning took place. Tried to open the lock but it didn’t work. Right then, the host Ahram came by and got us in. The previous tenant also just came up so we left the bags and went for lunch downstairs.
At 1pm, went back up and met up with Ahram who showed us how to work various items in the flat. Nice cosy place (without a t.v. but does have a stereo) and washing machine which we put to use immediately. There was a drying area just above the aircon condensor – HOT! so the clothes dried very quickly and came out nice and fluffy. Wife loved this place, calling it her favourite residence in Korea. We found it from Airbnb and it’s called BBUNGALOW2 (the second BBUNGALOW by Ahram whose nick is BBUNG), called King’s Place and it’s 5mins walk to GyeongBokGung, which is also the name of the main palace just a bit further down.
As usual, resting means I fall asleep almost immediately, and later part of the afternoon, we went to walk around the area. First stop was the palace GyeongBokGung. We walked mostly the perimeter of the palace grounds without entering (i.e. paying entrance fees) before heading further down and passed by some high end residences such as Somerset Palace Residences, before walking further on to Insa-dong. There were lots of artistic items here but we were getting tired so sitting down took priority. We settled on the 4th floor of one of the main buildings with bricky walls and had waffles with ice cream. Rested, we walked a bit further down and finally we had some road side food before heading back in a cab while experiencing a fantastic sunset with most reddish sky colour.
I kinda woke up midnight and just went around a bit before heading back again.
More misty in the early morning
Could see the Buddha from our room.
XL Peach!
Back to bus station
and back to Seoul. First meal back here… seesaw
Our residence for next two nights
Wife’s fav
Fav drying place… just above the aircon compressor
Crossing the road to GyeongBokGung Palace, after sleeping in for a long time.
Wife clothes in the laundry so wearing my t-shirt
IV drip for trees
Compare a tree on IV with one that has leaves
Somertset Residences (expensive place to stay)
Reaching Insa-dong
Spectacular skies in Korea in the evenings
