Our last day in Seoul was a Monday, which narrowed our sight-seeing options since many things are closed. No problem! We headed up to Hanok Village to see the historical buildings up there. In a city that is stocked full of concrete and tall buildings, it is really amazing when you look down an alley and see these adorable little old wooden houses tucked in corners.
Since it was another steamy day, we stopped for an iced coffee in a hanok building turned coffee shop. How Korea can love coffee so much while Japan basically is ignorant of its existence is beyond me, but we decided to take advantage of abundant iced coffee while we could!
Since Luke didn’t make it to Myeongdong with Anna-Sophia and I previously, we decided to head that way so we could introduce him to some of the funny stores like Art Box, Line Friends, and, most importantly, the Butter store. While at the Butter store, I had to buy a reusable shopping bag with the syrup friends on it. Three little bears with syrup tops, sort of like honey bear bottles at home. Why? Who knows!
Along the way, we explored the Cheonggyecheon River. The city has created a lovely river walk, including stepping stones that you can use to cross.
Korea wasn’t that easy for me to eat in, but I did want to be sure that my carnivore family had a chance to enjoy Korea BBQ, so I found a place that also served bimbimbap in addition to all the meats so I could eat. They give patrons bibs – we all agree that is something all restaurants should adopt!
After a hearty meal (Anna-Sophia liked the meat so much that we had to order another plate for her!) we collected our belongings from our old hotel and hailed a cab to a different hotel. Inchon Airport is **nowhere** near Seoul (Tokyo-Narita copycat), so I booked us in a hotel near the airport to make the early flight the next day less painful. It was a really pretty hotel location, right along the waterfront (and effectively in the flight path for the airport).
On the DMZ bus tour, we were talking to some guys from Norway. They were saying that the would go back to Japan in an instant, but maybe not Korea. I think they were selling Korea short. Yes, it is certainly a bit less polished than Tokyo, but that is what I found so charming. You can see, hear, and feel the area changing and maturing, much like an adolescent. Tokyo has grown up already. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and comparing them seems unfair.
I would’ve liked to have spent another day in Korea to explore something other than just the city. I’ll keep that in mind for next time. 🙂
Vacation Days 