Korea...

Korea... what can I say. Just as I had thought Girl's Generation, Gangnam Style and plastic surgery. But to be fair, if my wife wrote this blog I am sure it will be a different tone altogether. Its a women's paradise after all! 

First meal - Ramen

Namdaemun

Stayed at Lotte World Hotel for the 1st 2 days. The first day we got there on the 5th, we went searching for food and had Ramen, yes I know having Japanese in Korea..that's the product of globalisation. Decided to go to Namdaemun market in the evening, only to find out it was actually relatively far from Jiasil station where Lotte World was. We got there also to realise it was not a night market. Walked a bit and decided to go into one of those roadside stalls with the plastic covering the sides (those you see on Korean dramas, so I have been told). Had some chicken bbq-ed on skewers, some octopus pancake and wash it all down with Korean so-ju. Damn I practically stumbled back to the hotel.

Jaeson Dynasty Tomb

The next day we went to a nearby tomb where the last emperor of the Jaeson dynasty rest. Nice walk in the morning, calm before the shopping! And one of the few shops that really catch your attention (maybe because they are at almost every corner) are shops selling facial products! Face Shop, Nature Republic, Skin Food, Etude House.. in your face (no pun intended)!

Moved to Myeong Dong on the 3rd day. It is supposedly the orchard road of Korea. This place is probably as big as Simei estate where I stay but the whole place is nothing but shops! And once again in this small area, there are like 4 Face Shops, 4 Etude House... I mean its just overflowing with facial products store. Why will an area need so many?

Korea is all about shopping and eating. But even the eating is not spectacular.. how often can you eat Korean food? It taste the same probably because of the sauce they use. But I actually liked the kim chi in Korea not sour like the ones you find in Singapore. And food is not exactly cheap in Korea. A bim bim bap will cost about $8. The cheapest meal we had was at one of those obscure noodle place. Now eating Korean food at our foodcourts feels cheap.

In 3rd Tunnel 

The highlight of this trip was the DMZ or the de-militarised zone, the border between the democratic South Korea and the communist North. It is so interesting to know that technically the north and south is still at war because the only thing that was signed in the 1950s was a cease fire agreement but never a peace treaty. And during this time the North have been digging tunnels into South Korea in preparation of maybe a surprise attack. The South found 4 tunnels and the last tunnel was found in 1999. You never know that there may be more still not found.

Visitor Pass

The new leadership in the North has also been creating tension and the tour agency has already warned us that the tour may be cancelled if there is any border issue. And it seems the day I was there, was the day the North claimed they had a nuclear warhead for every state in America....

I was glad I made it clear to a good friend of mine that if anything happens I have policies only with Prudential and the monies have been planned for my kids in the case of emergency. He laughed it off saying its not going to happen. Well yes but you never know, just in case was what I told him. That's the reason I bought the policies.... just in case...

The tour went on smoothly enough and by the evening we were back in the hotel and the next day we were flying back. After a day of touring the border, my legs were tired and I was seated in the couch in the room when wife said she is going shopping... if you don't want to come, you nua in the hotel first. One hour later we meet at the restaurant. Will whatsapp you.

I stayed in the hotel and played Candy Crush...

The amazing thing is that wi-fi in Korea is literally everywhere and its free! and fast!

On the day we were going back we stuffed all the facial products into the luggage when suddenly a thought struck me. We did not book the same flight! Therefore I have to maintain 20kg and so does she. But we only have 1 big check in luggage! Went down to the lobby put the luggage on the weighing machine.. 32kg! Had to repack and manage to share the load.

Went to the airport really happy knowing I am seeing my little girl soon! Well as for Korea, friends have told me Jeju island is beautiful and all, well it seems there is diving there.... can consider...