SOUTH KOREA

24 July 08, Seoul

Stormy flight, so had to crash land in another city. Finally landed in Seoul at 6.20AM.
Our experience in South Korea has been a nice surprise for us. We stayed in a hotel Astoria near Dongdaemun. A 3-4 star hotel which we got at a discounted rate - there is some promotion on.

We really like Korea. It is vibrant and lively and people are very friendly - very opposit to what we experienced in Erlian! The people dress trendy and most girls have fringes. We can't believe how little time we have left of our world tour. Over here in Asia, things seem to be thriving. The South East Asian countries are doing well and not yet affected by the world economy.

We had our first Korean BBQ food - so yummy. You get marinated meat - lots of it and they cook it for you on a big round hot plate on your table. It comes with lots of side dishes such as spinach leaves, pickled cucumber, pickled cabbage (Kimmchi), pickled all sorts, the food is delicious.
South Korea is surprisingly modern. The toilet has a machine on it with 14 functions. The taxis have a translation service - you dial a number and someone will pick up who speaks English.
Not as cheap as some Asian countries, but still cheap.

We stayed in a guest house for one night where we met other backpackers such as Amy and Terence.

We went to the 3rd tunnel between South and North Korea - which was educational and sad to hear about. The troubles between the South and North Koreans is so unnecessary. We had gone on a one-day tour. The trip also got us to the ginseng shop - so expensive.

The Korean people are so friendly and respectable. We went to a local restaurant and the owner started speaking to Amit. He went back to his desk and while he was eating, he looked up at Amit and smiled and then handed out some coins, wanting to buy a coffee for Amit. Amit got up and said "Meera, look he has given me money to buy a coffee", when the man saw that he got up and gave Amit some more coins and bought me a coffee too. That was so kind. We had a photo of him and he said "Beckham" and then thought of other English names.

Met up with Sue - Korean local girl who we met through couchsurfing.com . She introduced us to lovely Korean food and showed us how to eat it, loved the Korean pancake and the chicken broth. Had a great time.

27 July 08
Had brunch in Myengdong - the shopping area and then went to Seoul Station to buy our tickets for Gyeng'Ju for the next day. We went sightseeing and visited the National Folk Museum and the Gyeongbokgung Palace. We saw a guard walk/show in old Korean costumes. As we were walking, we were stopped by a really funny Korean guy, who asked if we could take a photo of him. He asked where we were from, and then he mentioned all the international football players and he started singing the national songs of the Italy, Scotland and France. He spoke like a tape recorder and we were just watching him and gobsmacked how funny it was. He told Amit how much he liked Beckham and as he learnt that I was Danish he said - "I like Lego too!" hahahaha - we were entertained. He then bowed to us, while walking away, saying "thank you thank you, see you again, see you in your country".

Went to a shopping mall where the had good deals on watches. Dark blue and silver rado - nice.

In the evening, we had dinner with local Korean Kim - the guy Amit found on couchsurfing.com, in Sincheon. Great food, good price in a trendy student type hangout. Big beers, snacks and yummy Korean dishes. It was really interesting meeting and talking to a local - Kim was really cool and friendly and told us stories of his time in the army (had to tie his legs together every day for 2 years to sleep straight) and his travelling.

28 July 08
Left hotel at 9Am, took taxi to Seoul St. Took the KTX train to Gyeong'Ju via Dongdaemun. Nice clean trains, very comfy, great service. The hostess bow to everyone, and as the AC was not working in our carriage, a conductor told us that we could move to another carriage and then he gave us a ice drenched face towel and a hand fan. Lovely. Train journey was 2,5 hours.
Had lunch in a small local restaurant and took taxi to hotel - 1800 Won.
After checking in, we took a local bus 10 to Bulgaksa Temple (pretty) and then to Seokguram Grotto (buddha statues in granite in a small grotto). Had dinner close to our hostel, very spicy. Hardly anyone speaks English here. All very friendly. You share everything on a big pan. If you don't share - you give a bad impression.

Gyeong'Ju is beautiful - lots of flower fields, tombs, open air museum feel with all the historic building/monuments. So glad we came here.

29 July 08
Went to Tumuli Park which has various tombs with green chocolate hills-like nature. It has the Cheon Ma tomb amongst others. Went on to Gyeong'Ju National Museu, Anapji Pond and the stunning flower gardens. Had lunch in a local place where no one spoke English, luckily there was a man - a customer who was travelled from Seoul who spoke some English and helped us translate the Korean menu. We took the 5.12PM train back to Seoul. Had dinner in Myeongdong.
Last night in Korea.

30 July 08
Left hotel at 11.30AM and took bus to airport. Great shopping in duty free. Had overpricy Korean food which was awful - what a shame! Good 3 hours flight to Hong Kong. Service very good.