DAY 8 - 12th Feb: Ewha Univ,Gyeongbukgung,Itaewon

It's Sunday!

So there's a special breakfast prepared by the manager!

But it's beef soup >_<

We've told the manager before of what we consume & what we don't since we're Muslim,

lucky he remembered and prepared us something else! *thanks*

While we're having our breakfast, there's 1N2D show on tv.

It shows the members visiting 'Gyeongbokgung Palace',

along side with the Professor that went to Namsan Mountain with them in Gyeongju before.

Since we haven't been in the palace, we decided to go there later today.

We've heard that Ewha Univ is a beautiful campus,

so we decided to go and take a look ourselves.

Anyway it's just couple stops away from Hongik Univ Station by subway.

Wow! Indeed, a beautiful place.

The flower wall at the entrance, the unique underground building(?!),

even the surrounding area is a bit chic compared to Hongdae :D

We wanted to walk around,but our legs didn't cooperating.hehe.

So,we headed to our next destination!

The Gyeongbokgung Palace!

Just took the subway straight to the Gyeongbokgung Station,

which is within the palace area,very easy right?

We're shocked to see the sea of people there actually,

since last Sunday when we came the amount wasn't as many.

Then I figured,people flocked to the palace upon watching 1N2D featuring it earlier today.

Unlike our 1st visit, this time we got plenty of time,

bought entrance tickets and rent a PDA.

This palace is impressive, I adore the bright colors used in decorating it.

The unique patterns on the walls, and we observed the palace

whilst listening to the PDA,giving us detailed explanation of what is what.

Using the entrance ticket of Gyeongbokgung,

we're able to get into the National Folk Museum too.

Amazed by the presentation at the museum.

Before heading out we bought some souvenirs,

and hot coffee too,since it's cold outside!

Then again,we went to the Gwanghwamun Square,

we figured there's a door to Sejong Center underneath the mighty statue.

There's no admission fee,it's free!

So we went inside, after strolling around for some time,

we arrived at a section where we're given chance to write our names,

using the traditional method,

with traditional brush, ink, and even paper,

also get our 'art' displayed later on!

The person in charge of the section complimented our Hangul writing,

she said, we must've been very used to the Korean words.

After long day of exploring the history,

we head to Itaewon.

Well, you know, we've been missing our protein (meat,chicken,lamb,etc)

very much ever since we landed in Korea.

So Itaewon is the heaven for Muslim visitors!

There's lots-lots-lots of halal eateries in Itaewon,

especially from the exit 3.

With Foreign Restaurant in mind,

because we've watched 'Eat Your Kimchi' team went there,

we headed straight to the restaurant.

There's buffet, for 16 500 won per person.

We literally ate like we never see meat,lamb and chicken in a million years!! xDDD

Although later on I thought the amount of food we consumed

shall not cost us more than 10 000 won per person,well,

we got our protein anyway..who cares.

It's getting dark, we headed to our nest.

Kepada sesiapa yang nak kirim apa2 (yg appropriate lah kan-kena bayar of course!),

dengan penuh ikhlas saya nk buat 'open counter'.

Sape2 berminat, tulis kt bwh apa yg korg nk kirim,

nt kami2 akan survey harga dlu,kalo brg2 tu mcm spesel ke apa,

like kain ke, hanbok ke, baju ke,kasut ke,Bigshow merchandise ker,

Kpop souvenirs ker,poster ke,album ke,etc lah

setiap kiriman jgn la lebih2 dari 1kg kot,

first 10 come first serve or akan di consider dlu oleh kami2.

OK? Pape hal nt akan D update lagi.

CLOSED already. kpd kak Jaja, email me your address ye.

Day 7 - 11th Feb : Gwangjang Market, Angel Wings!

Brrrr,annyeong! I think the weather is getting warmer,

thought it's nearer to 0C,

but as we checked,it's -11C.

hahahaha,have we lost our senses?

So,it's Saturday again! We arrived here last Saturday,

this whole experience feels like dream.

Coming to the beautiful land that we always watch on 1N2D.

So sad that the show will be ending after 6 years , :(

We lost the chance to go to their last recording the other day.

Using the 'Seoul in 1 day' episode as our reference,

today we're heading to the 'Gwangjang Market'!

The place that Mc Kang Hodong went in that episode.

It's a huge market, not really like too traditional market,

but it does sells almost everything from foods to hanbok to kimchis,etc.

There's so many small eateries that sells bibimbap too.

As in the episode, Mc Kang Hodong ate a huge bowl of bibimbap,we'd wanna try too.

But we really have to choose carefully,

since we didn't wanna risk ourselves of eating any haram food.

We scanned the shops thoroughly,and we decided to eat at this ahjumma place that has no appearance of pigs,or anything haram,just bibimbap.

Just before that we bought this veges pancake from an ahjumma,

thus we only ordered a bowl of bibimbap for 5000won.

The ahjumma greeted me with a 'Ni Hao', asking whether I came from Hong Kong.

What? Hong Kong???? Instead I said 'Malaysia' out loud!

hahaha, surprisingly, the ahjumma knew about Malaysia,

and said 'ah,Malaysian, they speak great English' ~well,in Korean of course.

Then we wandered in the market,we found a place that sells kimchi,

many types of them. We tried some of them and bought some 'small crab kimchi'.

After a good hours of strolling around the Gwangjang market, we walked by the stream to Dongdaemun. We wanted to see around the market,but then it's getting colder and our legs was hurting. So we just went straight to our next destination.

All I remember is 'Wangsimni Square'. Just that.not more.

By having just that as direction, we headed to Wangsimni Station,Line 2,which is quite far away from our Dongdaemun station.

Well,just in search for the 'angel wings'!!

It's been said that after the original wings at Ihwa Village made popular by Lee Seung Gi,

the villagers were annoyed by the large amount of visitors flocked there to see the mural,

so they did something unexpected by washing away the mural :(

and after sometime, it's resurface again at the Wangsimni Square.

We're so excited to see it!

I even flashed my Airen's Tshirt!! xDDDD

It's very-very cold,despite the sun.

And since it's Saturday,we wanted to go to the Hongdae Flea market.

The location was right,playground in front of Hongik Univ,

the timing was right,Saturday 1pm -6pm......

but there's no flea market or what so ever!!

Later I learnt that the flea market was not held during Feb,

since it's held only during March-November.

Went home after long day of strolling.

Ouch,our legs........ so lenguh laaaa.....

Around Hongdae

Through out our stay in Seoul, we only stayed at one place, Hongdae!

It's very nice there,since the hostels & GHs are located in the neighbourhood.

We get to see & experience the Korean lifestyle better here.

The line 2,Green line,connecting us to many great places.

So we didn't have to transfer too many time.

Hongdae is a lively place,rather very calm during the day,

and so much fun when the dark take over!

The clubs,the small food stall, the cafes,

the young people adds so much more color to Hongdae.

Well,I'm not too good with words,so let the pictures do the talking :D

*Morning walk *

*calm morning Hongdae*

*busy intersection outside exit 2,line 2,Hongik Univ Station*

*of many interesting art (?)*

*live performance on the street by indie band despite the coldness*

*playing games*

*aah,so tempted to buy those* xDD

*of so many cafes*

*2nd shop of Coffee Prince,runs by MBC*

*the 1st Coffee Prince cafe*

*hello Kitty themed cafe*

Day 6- 10th Feb : Naksan Park & Dinner at Yeolbong?!

So it's Friday!

Went to Sinchon,which is a station away.

Nothing much,just wanna check it out.

Found Sogang Univ there. *wave at Kak Zarina*

Went inside and snap some pics,it's nice campus.

Like being in a garden much?

But we didn't walked around much,bcuz our legs were not in their best condition. D:

Well,actually also becuz we're saving it for Hyehwa later.

After Sinchon,we went to the line 4,Hyehwa Station.

In search of the Ihwa Village, the village that Seunggi went in the 'Seoul 1 Day' 1n2d special episode. It's where the angel wings and some beautiful murals located.

It's actually located at the feet of Naksan Park, so it's like 2 in 1.

We hiked all the way up there.

And it's snowing!!!! almost heavily!!

ahh,my first snow!! hehehehe

On our way up,we saw so many beautiful arts/murals,etc.

And we did found the Ihwa village on our way down.

It's been washed away by the villagers,so it's true.

No more angel wings :(

Frustrated,we came back to our hostel.

Later,again,as usual,it's strolling Hongdae time again! xD

We really like it here, it's so much fun.

Tonight our mission is to look for Yeolbong Hongdae Branch!

This restaurant is owned by Se7en & managed by the dancers team,the Hi-tech crews.

When we found it,we realised,how close it is to their clubs! haa!!

Had our dinner there. We ordered 'Naldubap' , some sort of rice with fish eggs & tofuu.

Just that,with no chicken. The ahjumma was so amazed and asked why.

So we simply told her we didn't eat meat. She nodded & served us,still :D

Thanks ahjumma. On the stairs going up to the Yeolbong,

there's display of Bigbang's,2ne1's & stars picture,flocking to Yeolbong!!

We head back to our hostel to get some sleep :)

Day 5 - 9th Feb : out of luck!

Actually we tried to check out this morning. We left our bag at the hostel first and head out to Incheon Airport. Why? We wanna send BIGBANG off to NYC. However,there's some issues arises, which airport, Gimpo or Incheon?? Some said Gimpo,some said Incheon :( We're so unsured but still boldly went to the Incheon airport. We arrived just about on time, but we never met anyone. We searched the info from internet, words coming saying that Bigbang departed from Gimpo Airport. WHUUUUT???!! Which one is true???? Ahh,so we wondered around the airport anyway. And send some postcards to friends back home.

On our back home, we stopped at Hapjeong station, to buy some winter jacket,since it's getting too cold. We bought 2 jackets for 30 000 won. After that we came back to pick up our backpack. We're heading to Yeouido later on thinking that we could catch the last filming of 1n2d. So,before we move out we asked Mr Lee to check whether or not they'll do their opening from the famous KBS stairs. Arrgh,Mr Lee said 'Nope! They're filming by the sea. And will end up at Daejeon,also by the sea. He warned us not to go anyway,since it's gonna be colder there. ㅠㅠ

OUT OF LUCK!!!!!!!! ㅠㅠ

However,we did made our way to see the KBS Building. It's indeed colder there too,bcuz it's by the river. Our plan was to stay around there, but there's no budget hotels or hostels nor GH there. After strolling around the Yeouido Park, we went inside of KBS lobby and use their internet cafe,for free. I think,we stayed inside for good two hours. ㅋㅋㅋ By the way,when we arrived,we saw Danny Ahn of GOD hosting his radio show.

Since we yet to figure out where to stay for the night,we searched for nearby jimjilbang. It's clearly stated in the site that we shall take bus #823, unluckily,the bus with that number never come our way :( So last resort,we retrieved back to the 'Birdnest Hostel'.

Upon arriving at the hostel,AGAIN, Mr Lee greeted us with a big laugh,hearing our story. We told him we'll be staying there for the next three days. He said of course,and told us that we could pay when we ready,and before checking out of course. Thanks Mr Lee Donguk!

Later on that night,we decided to go see the oh-so-famous-Hongdae nightlife.

Wow! Hongdae is indeed the place where youth hang out.

Dressed to impress, they all either queing to enter clubs or just meeting friends at the so many cafes to choose from.

*kids are lining up to enter clubs*

It's so lively. We went to the 'Club Street' and indeed 'nb club' is very famous. The queue is sooooo long!

One of many cafe

We make our way to nearest G25 to get us some hot coffee.

We saw few youth looking inside a cafe, Coffee Smith Cafe

so we just went with the crowd,and it's Davichi!!

They're singing for a live show shooting. We stayed.

Later that night, there's also Bobby Kim!!

OMG, from out of luck,we actually got so lucky!

However no pics of them.