Blogs from Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Today, we were heading to Korea. That would be South Korea because the guy in charge in North Korea is a bit of a plonker and doesn't make visitors very welcome. And we'd heard it was just the opposite in South Korea where everyone was going to be friendly, welcoming, happy, family-orientated and enjoy inter-acting with visitors. I was already imagining a flag-waving, singing, dancing reception along the lines of the Olympic event in that country. Bring it on! I managed to keep my lighter through all the departure airport faff this time so things were already looking up. We had a Cathay Pacific 777 plane which was spacious, had wide seats and a British pilot, which I always find reassuring for some reason! It was only a three hour flight but the smiling cabin crew ... read more

The North kept issuing threats but the South Koreans are unfazed. Those threats have become so regular that life remains normal here despite the newspaper headlines. Shops and night markets remain open, karaoke bars still blaring, glasses clinking as soju (Korean vodka) bottles are emptied, and restaurants and food stalls a-steaming with their specialty dishes! LOSING ONE'S SOUL IN SEOUL? Totally wasted. Completely zonked out. We'd likely never do this again. That is, taking a midnight flight to arrive 4am in Seoul. Good thing Incheon Airport is so welcoming. We stayed, glued to our seats in the airport's Cafe Pascucci , sipping our fav black liquids to start our day. No luck. Our energy level hit rock bottom for lack of sleep. Took a taxi to take us to Nine Tree Hotel in Myeongdong, a good ... read more

The next day I went to eat spicy rice cake at a store a few blocks away from my hotel. Spicy rice cake is the main thing I wanted to eat in Korea. I’ve seen it in many Korean tv shows and drama and I really wanted to eat it. It was indeed very yummy. It was spicy but nothing overwhelming. It is made with cylinder rice sticks with noodles, eggs some cabbage and spring onion. After eating I wanted to eat it everyday. If you are going to Korea I suggest trying spicy rice cake. I just decided just to walk around looking at streets and stores. Just down the streets from where I ate I found a store called ABC MART. It was a big shoe shop. There was everything from Nike to Vans. ... read more

Went for my 4th Seoul trip from June 3 to 20. For the first week, was leading 4 friends together with my wife Doris. Traveled around Seoul via subway, with lots of walking in between stations and at the sights. Despite it being my 4th trip, there were still places and things which were new! Had been telling the group that this is a trip where all previous experience have been poured in, so they're getting the best! And we did get the best! Everything planned was completed except for one - going up Namsan (which was completed by the way, as we were staying just around the base of the mountain).... read more