KOREA TRIP '14 #2 - DAY 4 (SEODAEMUN PRISON HISTORY MUSEUM + BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE + INSADONG + LOTTE MART + YOU ARE HERE CAFE), DAY 5, DAY 6 (GWANGHWAMUN + GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE + NATIONAL FOLK MUSEUM OF KOREA)

Deleted the diary app on my phone so I can't remember the exact days and the things I did and thought during the trip.
The following posts are going to be a lot more photo-heavy as a result.
:/ Arghh

I might not recall some of the stations for the places of interest, but I strongly recommend the visitkorea website for directions and more information!!

I know it's been a long time since I last blogged. Feeling very guilty because of this.
It's e-learning week now so I'm quite free
Keeping the promise, here goes..

==================

DAY4
Woke up at 8plus, prepared and left for Dongnimmun Station.

Visited the Seodaemun Prison History Museum.

It was cold, but the place was icy-white pretty.
Walked into the different buildings and read up on their history with a heavy heart.
The history, and the past activities engaged at the very place I was standing, was as chilly as the physical wind.


After exploring the grounds of the museum, we left for Bukchon Hanok Village at Anguk station that was on the same line as Dongnimmun. We stopped at namwon for a nice filling lunch on the way.

Namwon

Nice ambience to eat in

Huge spread of banchan

Left the restaurant with a satisfied tummy, and we continued to brave the cold as we walked in the direction of the hanok village, following the street signs.

Finally arrived at the village, snapped pretty pictures of the place and visited a museum along the way.

Left the place, and realised that we still had a lot of time left to spare. 

Grabbed a cup of coffee as we made our way back while stumbling into the territory of Insadong.

Though it wasn't in today's itinerary, we gave the place a shot anyway.

Losing control of our feet as they gave way to the numbing wind, we proceeded to the underground shopping center after buying a ricecake stick covered in honey for 1,000won.

Clothes were going for 5,000-10,000 won and I got a top for myself
With, still, lots of time in our hands, we decided to head to Seoul station which was nearby, and drop in the Lotte Mart to check off some of the stuff on our shopping list.

Nicely packed in a small box to save the 100won for a bag, and the earth lol. The packing process is fun too! Just choose a used carton at the area located near the cashier counters and start packing! Too much to bring back? Packing and shipping services available on the right too!

Went back to put down our shopping goods and went to the youarehere cafe which was near our place. Ordered a green tea latte (4,800won for regular size) which was not bad. The place was spacious, cosy and nicely decorated~

=======
DAY5
After a long day yesterday, we had the cup noodles that we bought at the mart the day before for lunch, and decided to just drop in the cafe nearby (Selecto cafe), while I downloaded my shows and continued on my drafts. Headed out to buy dinner home.

Had a chat with our new roommate who was from Canada. A nice and friendly lady.
Watched Return of the Superman while munching on our dinner.

Lol Manse. How to not love these adorable boys?

=======
DAY 6
It's the palace day today! Took the train to Gwanghwamun station, snapped photos under the happy sunny sky, of General Yi Sunshin, and King Sejong.

Went to the museum located at the back of the King Sejong statue and found out more about the stories behind these two men.

"I am infinite"

Then we then made our way to the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Can't explain my love for palaces.
The palace looks different dressed in white, against the majestic mountains.

After exploring the palace, we went to the Korean Folk Museum located in the Palace, and educated ourselves on the different aspects of the Korean culture and the live journeys of Koreans. It was fun to catch a bit of extra explanation from the Chinese-speaking guides as the Chinese tour groups walk by.

Found Lee Sooman among a bunch of other old records

We left the museum and continued walking the in the parameters of the palace as the sun was setting.

Some old, traditional shops (not opened)

It's as if I am looking back into the past, literally.

Kids fighting in the snow.

Time flies and we popped in to one of the restaurants in the alley near the palace.
The portion was huge, and the kimchi jeon was yummy! 5,000won each!

Ended the day by shopping at Butter, located at Hongik Univ Exit 1.

Upcoming post: DAY 7 (HONGDAE RICE BURGER SHOP, SHEEP CAFE), DAY 8 (SHOPPING AT EXPRESS BUS TERMINAL), DAY 9 (SMTOWN COEX ARTIUM), DAY 10