After a great trip at Jeju-Do, we made our way back to Seoul city. I've recommended to return to Seoul Backpackers after a hospitable stay previously but it was quite different now under a new management. It's not that I had any hiccup, it's just a totally different atmosphere altogether now. The consolation is that it's within walking distance to many great places (besides the hill to climb with luggages during checking in).
My main intention in Seoul were mostly shopping but with someone with me, I had to put in some touristy itinerary. I have summarised the tourist itinerary that we did since I've covered it mostly in my 2012 1/2/3 trip. However I will cover those that were not in the 2012 list.
Day 1:
Bukchon Hanok Village
Insadong
Cheonggyecheon stream
Myeongdong
Day 2:
Ski trip to Jisan Forest Resort
Government Ginseng Centre
Myeongdong
Bosingak for New Year Countdown
Day 3:
Sejong Square
Gyeongbokgung
Apgujeong Rodeo Street (Gangnam)
Itaewon
Hongdae
Dongdaemun
The first 3 days were mainly tourist locations and I was disheartened that Sopi was not keen in what the places had to offer. Since it was winter, majority of the places were gloomy and dull especially Cheonggyecheon which I loved. It was so grey this time round.
However, day 2 have been splendid. We were awoken to snowfall which lasted for about 3 hours but we were mostly aboard a bus en-route for our ski trip to Jisan Forest Resort which I booked through DMZtours.
My main intention in Seoul were mostly shopping but with someone with me, I had to put in some touristy itinerary. I have summarised the tourist itinerary that we did since I've covered it mostly in my 2012 1/2/3 trip. However I will cover those that were not in the 2012 list.
Day 1:Bukchon Hanok Village
Insadong
Cheonggyecheon stream
Myeongdong
Day 2:
Ski trip to Jisan Forest Resort
Government Ginseng Centre
Myeongdong
Bosingak for New Year Countdown
Day 3:
Sejong Square
Gyeongbokgung
Apgujeong Rodeo Street (Gangnam)
Itaewon
Hongdae
Dongdaemun
The first 3 days were mainly tourist locations and I was disheartened that Sopi was not keen in what the places had to offer. Since it was winter, majority of the places were gloomy and dull especially Cheonggyecheon which I loved. It was so grey this time round.
Ok, I have to admit that skiing was not easy as it seems. I only managed to get the hang of it after 5 hours which was also the end of the session. Sopi didn't quite got it and I've sprained my wrist breaking his fall. I would still love to try skiing again and the next time would be a proper all-out skiing session which would probably cost a bomb.
As part of the tour package, we were brought to a Ginseng Centre like the other DMZ tour so I ended up at the back of the group.
We wanted to check out the New Year Celebration in Seoul and were hoping for some firework. Even with all the research, we didn't managed to find a location that boast fireworks. The main NY celebration was ringing of the bell to usher in the new year at Bosingak. It was a new experience to me since I do not go to concerts and gigs. I believe it was the same kind of crowd control. After counting down in Korean and the bells rung, people started dispersing like there's nothing more. True, there wasn't anything more.
I noticed that my travel mate was not satisfied with the itinerary and I admitted that I was not satisfied as well. I've decided that we went separate ways to conquer our own agendas. I've brought him to key areas of Seoul which he noted for a revisit and went ahead on day 7. So what did I do on my own solo day?
I woke up early in the morning to catch the first train to hike up Bukhansan since we've got defeated at Hallasan. Bukhansan is on the northern part of Seoul and I've picked the Dobongsan Trail. There are a few tracks and peaks that I got misdirected but I still ended at the targeted destination. The trail started with a snowy terrain and the destination at 739.5m above sea level was extremely cold and rocky.
Climbing may have been torturous but climbing down was worst. Due to the snowy slippery tracks, I slipped a couple of times. I didn't had that problem going up. I could have used the spikes that I've brought but the layer of ice was very thin and I would have damaged the spikes and also make my steps unbearable. It took me about 3 hours to complete ascending and descending Bukhansan that I had to rush for my remaining itineraries.
I made a quick stop to Yeongsan to check the Gunpla shop and lunch. I knew I shouldn't expect much for toy collection in Seoul but I did remember seeing great stuffs back in 2012.
I've actually been saving the best for later, especially after hiking Bukhansan. It's time for a Jjimjilbang visit. It almost similar to Japanese onsen but there are more things that you can do there. However, do note that it'll be a culture shock to most, bare skin throughout the bathing area. I remembered what the Ski instructor advised, "You are in a different country, so no one actually knows you to talk about you." True that, and that is the reason I chose the visit on a Solo day. I don't want to be stuck thinking of my friend stark naked. That changes the whole dynamic of a Singaporean society.
Anyway, I've decided to go to Siloam Sauna for the experience. It's located near the Seoul Station and it is quite easy to navigate. You make payment of around $10 to the front counter and proceed to the respective changing area. Lock up your shoe in a locker and exchange the key for a key to a locker for your other belonging. STRIP DOWN BARE and proceed for the bathing area.
From this point on, it may get NSFW.
Wash yourself thoroughly before stepping in the sauna. There are many tubs with different temperatures to try. After soaking for 20 minutes, I proceeded to go for a scrub by the employees in speedos. For a fee of around $15, they will scrub your ENTIRE body of dirt and you'll end up feeling sparkling clean. My attendant asked whether I want to add massage for what he said "10-10 thousand won". I didn't know the value he was referring to and just agreed to it.
That was the best bath of my life. After the scrub, he requested me to rinse again to rid the dirt that he managed to scrub. Upon returning, he started massaging using liquid soap to ease the strides throughout the whole body, nothing was spared. Then he did some cracking which felt so good. Facing up, I was ensuring that the little bugger was down and he was. Don't want to get any wrong vibes after that splendid feeling. He then place a mask over my face and and continued massaging on the front, dabbling minimally on the little guy. From top to bottom, he moved last to the hair by shampooing and rubbing my head.
After a good hour or so I believed, he tapped me and said that it was over. I felt so refreshed that I didn't felt that I had a torturous morning. After the whole bath, I didn't had time to check the jjimjilbang as I have places I need to go and of course packing up. I knew I shouldn't be shocked at the price of the bath but that was also the most expensive bath of my life. The attendant actually meant 10 of 10 thousand won, hence it's about $120 for a bath.
Still smirking at the most expensive bath, I made my way to Hongdae and lastly Myeongdong to get al the items that I've mentally keeping track. I had the best time shopping and managed to control with spare expense.
Check out Satisfaction of Irrelevant Needs for more details of my list.
Also check out Facebook for more photo.
Overall, I didn't expect that I would still enjoy Korea, let alone Jeju again. Shopping is still great and the jjimjilbang is an eye-opener, not on the things I see but on the amount I paid. I foresee I will come again to conquer Hallasan. Till then...