The End of Seoul-ly Ours Nov 2015

Day 9

 

As per the previous trip, Day 9 is always the most tiring day. Our battery level always hoover around 2%, always on the brink of shutting down. Sigh~ People go holiday is go relax. We also go relax but somehow relax until no battery. May be tired physically but happy emotionally and mentally. :)

 

We had an extremely slow start in the morning. It was so slow that it was not even a joke. Usually, we would take around 1.5 to 2 hours to prepare but on Day 9, we took 3 HOURS! 3 awfully slow hours. We did the usual - shower, make-up and light breakfast but since we were soooooo tired, we paused at every single action. The slow motions and pauses added up to 3 hours.

It was a cold rainy day. The rain was so cold that the rain water numbed my fingers. I can only be very glad that Dan's precious one and only umbrella was with me so that Bec and I did not have to share one small umbrella.

 

What better food to keep us warm in this cold weather other than the yummy porridge. While we were really tired, we had a good time bitching/ sharing about the previous night.

After the porridge, we decided to head for the cat cafe. It was my first visit to a cat cafe. By right, I should be pretty excited but I was so tired that I just wanted to sit down and daze out forever.

 

I am not sure if this is a really popular cat cafe or people are just hiding from the rain and cold. The cat cafe was kinda too crowded for comfort. When I first saw the crowd, these thoughts ran through my mind.

 

'So crowded. Don't go in la.'

 

'But very cold outside leh. Go in and keep warm la.'

 

'So many people also hiding from the rain and cold ah. The Koreans also scared of cold ah.'

 

So we went in and managed to settle ourselves at a cosy corner. I was so tempted to just sit at that corner forever but cannot right~ So I forced myself to stand up and walk around a bit. Just THAT little bit so that I can convince myself that I did go to a cat cafe. Haha. But I did not interact with any cats. I guess I was too tired to do anything more. All the cats were just as tired as us. Haha.

 

This sleepy cat is the perfect illustration of how tired we were. It never move, didn't even twitch a single muscle.

 

I was dozing off (like it) when I was sitting down in the cafe too.

 

Eventually, this kitty succumbed to its tiredness. I so wanted to lie down and sleep too.

 

After lazing around in the cat cafe for a while, Bec suggested to make a move to our next destination. I was really reluctant to move. I was thinking 'SO FAST?!  Can sit a while more anot?' But then again, it doesn't make sense to sit in the cat cafe when we were doing NOTHING there so we left.

 

Next on our itinerary was the lantern festival. Since we were that tired it was raining, we deciced to cancel this visit. It was raining so we probably would not be able to have a good view of the lanterns. Go liao also waste effort. Plus it was REALLY COLD. So after some light shopping at Myeongdong, we headed for home.

 

Yes, we went home to sleep for an hour. It sounded as if we were wasting time sleeping right? But we desperately needed this hour of nap so that we can be energized for our last night @ Ellui. Haha.

 

 Day 9 is really a classic display of our tiredness. We took 3 hours to get ourselves out of the house, spent only 3 hours on the streets (inclusive of travelling time) before we head home for a nap. Might as well sleep in right. Next time, we just sleep in ok???

 

After an hour of sleep, we touched up our make-up and headed for Ellui in the rain. The nap did wonders to replenish our energy level!

 

Their guest DJs for the night. He must be famous cause everyone else were damn high about him.

 

As usual, Dan came around 2ish and rolled. He was very grateful that we brought his umbrella to return to him. It was no joke that he really treasured this umbrella a lot when he deposited it into the locker. So love ah???

 

 

My Last Day

 

Both of us didn't do much on Day 10. We had dinner downstairs and now I fully understand why Bec was unable to da bao their soup for me. It was machiam hot pot. Anyway, we had a very brief dinner before I made my own to the airport for my night flight. I am very glad that I changed my flight to a later flight so that I had more time on the last day to go out, pack bag, claim tax rebate and all. Haha.

All in all, I really enjoyed this trip and Bec's companionship. Bec has matured much over the years and became much more accommodating and giving. Also, she took really good care of me and made sure that my needs and wants were answered. AWESOME butler!

 

We did a lot more interesting stuff for this trip too. The above collage is a perfect summary of some of our highlights for the trip, from hoping to see bao ge (again) to too much walking at Mural Village, DMZ, Everland, Common Ground, Royal Tomb and lastly, sharing the same icy rain experience.

Our simple OOTD collage.

 

I think both of us are not as creative when it comes to OOTD. Pictures also boring. I guess we were just going through motion but I already have a lot more new ideas for the next trip and OOTDs. Haha.

Since clubbing was the essence to this trip, how can we miss out a collage of the happenings? Haha. In short, music was AWESOME, dancing was FUN, people were TALL and INTERESTING (okay, some were short). If you are interested in the clubbing details, kindly refer to Bec's blog. I am too lazy to type further but I am sure she has written a lot more.

 

Seoul-ly Ours Nov 2015 - Day 7 & 8

We are getting to the end of  Seoul-ly Ours Nov 2015 posts. :( Now that this post is on Day 7 and 8, I will conclude my entire trip in the next post. I have been delaying my writing as I do not wish to "end" my Seoul trip yet. It probably sounds silly as the trip had already ended when we returned. Well, it didn't end for us as we were still reminiscing about the good times when we are writing these posts. Now that it is getting to end of my writing, my memory starts to get a little fuzzy and sad. 

Day 7

First on our itinerary was Seolleung Royal Tomb. I like scenic places and I do want to take a look at their royal tombs. Moreover, it was where Bec took her winning photo so I wanted to ter her by going to the exact same spot for a winning photo too. Haha.

I guess Bec had enough of me photobombing her so it was her turn. Must be cannot tahan me anymore.

When I heard that it was a royal tomb, I was expecting a very secluded place with slight spookiness. Yet, this royal tomb was located in the middle of a bustling neighbourhood. In fact, if I didn't know better, I would think that it was a park, a normal park.

So you have to pay a nominal admission fee to get into this park. I can accept the fact since it is a royal tomb, I guess it can be classified as a tourist attraction. Since it is a tourist attraction, it needs to collect some fee for maintenance right. Yet, I was surprised when I saw so many Koreans strolling in the park during their lunch break. I thought it must had been free for them but they had to pay too. There are actually people paying to stroll in a nice park on a cooling day. Maybe the Koreans do visit in summer but the inner polar bear me will only do this when the weather is cool.

Bec had been telling me about the stairways - the spirit stairway (meant for spirits) and the normal stairway (meant for us).

The spirit way.

If you had walked from this direction, you would not know that you are not supposed to. But then again, usually people walk towards the building and not away from the building. So chances of you committing the same mistake should be low (unless you are Bec).

The Tomb.

Nice place. Nice view for the deceased King.

A pity that the tomb was partially barricaded so we could not take a full frontal shot. It would be nice and impressive.

Our trip was a little too early into the season so the leaves had yet to turn into the beautiful autumn/ winter colours.

Our Black and White OOTD.

We were just walking around the park in peace with random jokes and teasing at each other when 2 ladies approached us to take a photo for them. We did and they wanted to reciprocate our kindness by 'forcing' us to take a picture together. They were really nice to find a good angle and lighting for us though.

After the walk, I had accumulated so much sand in my shoes that I had to empty them before leaving. While in the midst of doing that, I was talking so loudly that I embarrassed Bec in the public but that Korea man also one kind one la. Got so interested in our conversation that you need to move and stand beside us anot???

Lunch @ Sinsadong. Super hungry! This was also one of the days when I was feeling really hungry but Bec told me first thing in the morning 'We will only eat after the royal tomb.' Thoughts such as 'You want me to die from hunger?' 'When can we eat?' were racing through my mind till we were done with the park.

After lunch, we just roamed around Sinsadong till it was time for us to make our way to Myeingdong for our Kimchi class.

Us in the traditional costume before Kimchi class.

When we arrived at the Kimchi class, we saw a family wearing these costumes and taking photos. I thought the class provided side business as well but actually, all students get to try on one costume for some pictures before the class.

You would think that making kimchi is easy right? I thought so too. Just take some paste and rub rub the cabbage can liao ma. I totally forgot about cutting the radish and what not. For someone who can't even hold a knife properly, I probably needed 1 hour to cut that chuck of radish into fine strips.

This family is a family of chefs or what sia??? Even the young chap cuts really fast and well. When I was just into my 5th cut, these people were already done with their chuck of radish. All radish were equal size one leh. Why you all so FAST?! So we had to speed up and I end up with radish chips.

The teacher could not bear to look at mine so she helped me with the cutting. TSK! I got not enough time what!!!

After all the cutting, rubbing, massaging etc, each of us got to bring home our own pack of kimchi. My very own one with the radish chips. Haha.

On a side note, the kimchi class was located beside a plastic surgery or aesthetic clinic. I peeked in through the entrance and it reminded me of our GP clinic. The number of patients in this clinic were as many as the number of patients in our GP clinic on any other evening. Interesting phenomenon.

Kimchi class ended early for the day and we chilled the night at Twosome cafe.

After the coffee break, we headed home to prepare for Club Syndrome. Despite all the preparations on Bec's end, we cancelled the plan. Actually, I felt bad cause I know I made Bec cancel the club night. I mean I was really tired and Bec was only into her face mask at 11pm. Based on our usual preparation time required, I am very sure we will only step out of the house at 1am. Late la~ After mentally calculating the time, I went like 'Like that what time then go out?' I immediately regretted saying that. I think that offended Bec as well. Then she decided to call the night off. So night 7 was spent sleeping in.

Day 8

Though we slept early the previous night, I do not remember waking up feeling super refreshed. I probably woke up feeling not so tired. Simi idea.

We were going to a NEW place. I came across this place when I was googling for new places to go. After 2 trips, we had covered most of the tourist stuff so we needed new spots. I chanced upon Common Ground but did not read into details. All I remembered was containers and shopping. I sent Bec the list and she was game for it. I guess she read up even more cause she told me the stuff there are slightly on the high end.

I had no idea what Common Ground was about. I thought it would probably be flea market style but in containers and by the sea. Hahahaha. By the sea, cause SG containers are by the waters one mah. Sua gu dao~

After the usual morning routine, we arrived at Common Ground. Looks pretty nice and neat from the outside.

I like the exterior espeically that big blue wall below 'Common Ground'. I think it makes a superb OOTD backdrop.

These containers are so neatly lined/ stacked and numbered. Totally different from my imagination. I imagined the containers to be beige and randomly scattered over a fenced compound. Haha.

The interior.

Shops selling the usual female apparel (different from those found at Hongdae etc but more expensive. Way more expensive, like S$70 for a denim skirt), guys clothings, shoes, make-ups, bags, accessories etc.

Really cool display at the entrance. Confirm is youngster hangout but at a out-of-nowhere location.

Some alien exhibition whereby they alienised everything including iron man (which I been calling it Ultraman in Korea. I dunno why too. Even Astro Boy became Ultraman in Korea) etc.

After combing the ladies section, we went over to the guys' side. Boring.

In the middle of the compound, there were 4 food trunks. I love food trucks. Based on the influence from TV shows, they are supposed to sell GOOD FOOD! Ok, TV and reality are 2 different things k.

I was so hungry that I needed and wanted  to eat from these food trunks but I think Bec wanted to eat at our next destination. I was like 'eat a bit snack first la'.

While waiting for our deep-fried disappointing food.

I can't remember where we went after Common Ground though. I only remembered it was a long journey back and I was feeling really tired. I didn't want to sleep cause I felt that Bec would be equally tired and she might want to nap too. Despite thinking so, I fell asleep the very next second.

Once again, we went back to Sinsadong. I had no recollection what we did before our massage. We probably went to buy Bec's jacket and oogled (me only) the guy who was giving out freebies. Haha.

After that much of walking, we really needed a good foot and body massage. If not for the accumulated walking and tiredness, I would not want to have any (more) massage in Korea. I feel is not nice la.

Headed home and prepared for Club Octagon. Just before leaving for Octagon, Bec made me drink the "hangover" drink (which was actually just energy booster like red bull). I can't remember if I finished the whole bottle. All I know was I was super hyper when I reached the club. I didn't even drink any alcohol but every inch of my body was ready to dance. Even though Bec was feeling slightly down and I knew it, I could not control my happy emotions. WTF did you ask me to drink??? 

We had 2 hours of fun before Dan joined us.

We spent most of our time at the main dance floor before spending a little time in the hip hop or R&B room. Dan loved the music here and was 'rolling' the night away. He was so busy 'rolling' that he literally forgot about our existence. 

A 10 seconds snippet of my favourite music for the night. 

After the first 2 trips, I told myself to record my favourite piece so that I can still listen to "korean" music while in SG. I love their edm. Don't care about the orientation k.

The night ended well. :)

Seoul-ly Ours Nov 2015 - Day 6

Day 6

Day 6 could easily be one of our most packed and tiring day. We have Everland, Language Exchange event and drinks @ Y1975.  Just listing them alone already makes me feel tired. Considering the distance and the limited time, it seemed a challenge to check all these. 

Bec really wanted to visit Everland. I knew she wanted to visit some zoo thingy in Everland but I had no idea what she was talking about. I had been to Everland donkey years ago but I had no recollection of animals in Everland. Anyway, I was sold to the idea when she mentioned it was featured in Running Man. Anything featured in Running Man goes well with me.

So we woke up early, prepared and took a long train ride before changing to a bus to get to Everland. While queuing for the bus, we were excited about it being our first bus ride. Yet we were disappointed as it was not the usual public bus, it was just a designated coach catered solely for Everland. I had yet to fulfill the dream of taking a public bus in Korea. I probably fell asleep in the bus journey (again).

I just had to take a picture of this tree as it was featured in Running Man before!

After getting the tickets, we headed straight for Zootopia. Bec had made it very clear that she was not going to take any rides so I had no intention to take any ride, especially with someone who is not genuinely excited about the rides.

Bec was like feeling jittery about this very mild cable ride and that was when I realised she was afraid of height(?). Damn question mark la. Didn't she take all the rides in USS like Galatica? I know it was work obligations but since she could overcome whatever fear she had/has, she could still do it now right??? Anyway, I am easy-going so I did not force her.

The way down to Zootopia. Just when we were reaching, I think I told Bec to jump off the seat. Haha.

The first animal that greeted us was the polar bear and it coincided with its feeding time. The zookeeper was throwing the chucks of meat to the polar bear. It started with the polar bear standing on dry land enjoying his piece of meat. Then the zookeeper threw the next piece nearer to the water. Reluctant to get its body wet, the polar bear just stretched his paw a little forward to scoop the meat out from the water. The zookeeper seemed to have the agenda to get the polar bear wet or to get it to "work" for its food so the zookeeper threw the next piece of meat even deeper into the water. You could see that this really pissed the polar bear off cause it turned to 'diao' the zookeeper before moving itself into the water. Hungry so no choice right. By the end of the feeding, the polar bear was already swimming in the water for its lunch.

You might be thinking 'Go until Korea to go zoo ah?!' I probably had the same idea too but I can tell you... It is different!!! In Singapore Zoo, you always see only ONE white tiger, ONE orange tiger, ONE male and ONE female lion etc in their respective enclosures. The ONE count of the species continued throughout the entire zoo. In Korea, in Everland, I have never sees THAT MANY number of a single species in ONE SINGLE enclosure.

Super many of whatever this is in their enclosure.

Super many cute little foxesy running around also.

Then we took the bus ride to see many more animals in the 'open'. So amazing that I wanted to go again or even just to ride the bus again.

This is my favourite part! These bears were trained to listen to the drivers' commands and perform certain tricks to entertain us. The bears could be chasing the bus on their hind legs, turning around in circles or just enjoying the snacks that the driver threw out to them. Amazing to see these interactions at such close proximity.

After Zootopia, we cabled back to explore other parts of Everland.

We walked past this tiny arcade where we had a try at shooting. I had no idea how this worked. Did it go by the number of times that your darts hit the soft toy or did it count by how many soft toys were knocked off? Anyway, their staff super bo chap so we also anyhow lah.

Bec tried first but no luck.

Then my turn and I was lucky to hit one soft toy down.

Our prize was this little white chick which I presented to Bec as a gift. She requested for it also. Birthday trip, birthday gift but she broke it in like 5 seconds...... Could it be any faster???

Then we spotted the carousel and I wanted to have a go at it. Other than being ji siao (I just needed to take that similar picture. It is a need ah, not want.), Carousel is just so magical and mesmerizing. I need a boyfriend to take the carousel with me at night with all the lights but Everland closes so early leh.

Randomly sealing our friendship love. I think this was some love corner for couples. It had nice backdrop and benches for couples to take their loving shot. We are also loving but we didn't want to take the boring couple shot.

Bec, nobody travel all the way to Korea to visit some LINE store to take picture with the LINE characters right??? Haha. Definitely not us. I am definitely not a fan of LINE. Like seriously, simi fan sia. But there is THE need to take a picture of LINE and we had to make it a little interesting than any other LINE pictures.

I just had to photobomb her when she wanted to be cute in her selfie.

Next time... Let's buy one of these and wear right from the beginning around the whole park.

It didn't seem like we did a lot in Everland but somehow, we were there till evening time, till almost closing time. Once again, we took the bus back. Since the bus was full, Bec kindly (and always) gave the only available seat to me. She was equally tired as well so she settled herself down on the step. Both of us napped the way back.

Next on the itinerary on Language Exchange in Gangnam. We travelled to the cafe and decided to give it a miss at the very last minute. I am not exactly sure what was Bec's reason for deciding not to go. By then, I was not too keen to go as we were meeting Dan and David for dinner. Yes yes, I was looking forward to meeting them plus we also didn't really have that much time to go for a fruitful language exchange and yet, still be on time for dinner with the guys. 

We spent some time chilling at a cafe before fulfilling our hunger with some street food. I like this new eating experience. It is similar to pojang macha and lok lok (haha) but you eat while standing. I think one of the 2 guys standing at the other side was cute. Haha.

Despite us skipping the language exchange event, we were still an hour late in meeting Dan and David. I felt so paiseh being so late as it was our first time meeting David. These 2 guys frequent this area so often that they are able to decide on the place very quickly. 

We settled ourselves down in the alfresco area on the 2nd floor. We were initially seated very near to the heater and I would also prefer us to be seated near to the heater. I mean... The weather was cold. Singapore has no cold weather. I cannot take cold etc BUT the heater was SO HOT!!! When Bec asked if I wanted to switch to another table, my mind was having a debate. 

Stay here as it will get colder into the night.

Change table cause your head and brain are melting!

Before I could answer, Dan could feel that I was already melting so we changed to a table further away from the heater. It was definitely a good move to switch table but it really got colder later into the night.

The night started well and could not end any better.I think the company made up for the absence of the language exchange and Y1975. We didn't have to break any ice with David. David himself was the ice breaker. 

Similar to Dan, David grew up in the States but he is still a Korean by nationality working in Seoul. Though Dan and David are BFF, they are nowhere similar. Dan is quiet and reserved while David is just so loud and lively. He hypers everything up.

David totally captured our full attention for the entire night. He stole all the limelight and we could not 'see' Dan for the night unless he reminded us of his presence. We had a good time listening to David cursing in Mandarin, sharing how Chinese girls will go gaga over him (or Koreans), laughing over how he made fun of Dan carrying his 'purse', introducing him to the book 'The Game' so that he can sian the girl he got to know at a friend's party, telling him how it was a pity that he missed the chance of meeting the girl again etc.

The night ended on a happy note for David, Bec and myself, maybe slightly less so for Dan as he was struggling with his "purse" at the end of the night.

A new gem place discovered tonight and it is going into our must-visit places. Let's explore this new area together in the day and night!

Walk and walk and walk... But I am loving all the walking in this cool weather.

P/S: What is the chance of bumping into someone you know in a foreign country? What is the chance of bumping into a Korean in Korea when you probably only know 1 or 2 Koreans? Too many decimals. I have no idea it is lucky or suay sia? Whatever case it is, this is my best night.