Map of World - Click a place Brad's been

October 2024 - South Korea: Seoul

Day 12-19. Definitely could have and should have stayed longer in Japan, but the end game was to see a bunch of countries in Asia so I had to continue on.  Originally I had not planned to go to South Korea, but I couldn't resist since it was right beside Japan.  Kinda like going to Australia and not going to New Zealand which if you have been following this blog or my life at all in the last 20 years you will know was one of the best decisions I ever made.  I did not hold South Korea to that expectation although I did find Seoul to be a place worth the visit especially to see all the contrasts with Japan.  Everything bigger from the cars to the people.  Mostly full size vehicles and a lot of heavy people unlike Japan.  It all made sense since it is a country tied by land to all of Asia (taller and bigger people in the North) and when you see how much they eat at Korean BBQ...And how much I ate!!! The food was definitely a surprising highlight.

Set off from Kyoto to the sinking airport of Osaka (Kansai Airport literally has a bunch of huge jacks lifting it up) which was easy to get to taking train for a little over an 1 hour from Kyoto central station.

Last tasty bento boxes

Kyoto central station

Lovely and clean

Over the water to the man made island airport

Final Japanese queues




A little commentary on Kansai sinking airport.

Goodbye Japan



Arrived at Icheon Airport in the evening after sneaking my 25 year old grandma gifted nail clippers over to South Korea (rebel!).  Bussed to town and I stopped near Capsule M hotel in one of the shopping districts on the South side of the Han river which was one of a few places I could find on short notice.  Both Tokyo and Seoul's more budget accommodations fill up completely especially on weekends which is tricky for me as "I'm a book on the day type."

Note: Train is cheaper than bus to and from the airport.

Made it

Always exciting to get
a new country stamp


very comfy bus to town

Bright lights toll booth

Incredible architecture

Nothing special, location good

good for a day or 2.

Another country were I can't
even translate the signs



Oh yeah!  They made me get
two different plates of meat
Too much food! $28 CAD
with a bottle or 2 of Soju

Ate here a couple of times

I actually didn't eat much seafood in Korea and may this is why??

Not sure this advertising would
work in Canada. Show cute
piglets and the food they become



My rice, seaweed snacks at 7-eleven

Underground shopping malls

Looks like a Honda Cub


pick your sticks and hotpot them
Did the french really invent fondue??


Helpful chinese girls guiding us through
Getting used to glasses...


Moved East near the Fish Market to wait out the typhoons in the Philippines.

A 182 cm white guy with a big
backpack and yellow diving bag
No one notices...phone zombies


Exited to wrong side, but nice views

Baseball in Korea!

Neighbourhood looks dirty, but
 not really, that's just Korea.
Reminded me of "Parasite".

Feeling of university again,
but perfect for rainy days.

Free laundry and work stations.  It was great to be honest and the administrator was super friendly once I found him.

Funny side story: I tried to book this place a few times, but it kept saying "no longer available" because the admin would only leave it up for an hour or so as he really is not supposed to be renting to travellers and only students and Korean workers that come to Seoul for the week then back home on the weekends.  I finally grabbed it and ended up staying 6 days! 

you'd think laundry is lined up, but there
 are actually 4x washers and 4x dryers.
Never a wait.


Roof top view



A night out with new kinda friend Terry living at Dakwan Hostel.  I was in need of a Korean speaker and all you can eat and a few drinks in Hongik University Area.

Quality meat for an
all you can Eat! $30/pax

We started well and Terry keep ordering and
ordering including raw beef tartar that he tried
to cook on the second round.  We got kicked out!


An age restricted "Thursday Bar" on certain nights allowed me and Terry to come in.  I'm not sure what the age was, but I didn't feel out of place in the welcoming atmosphere.  Unfortunately I was unable to de throne the resident foosball champ...

A pro beer pong table with 
hostess that runs the game.

A taste of the activity and sounds of Hongik area.

Still going at 3am...


A long, but wonderful walk home

Massive catholic church


Sunrise...

Some renta-bike chaos you
would not see in Japan.

"63 Building"

Saw a lot of these blue bumpers

Nice cheap eats near the hostel $5 CAD, SPICY!
Mostly organised garbages

lots of life underground


Big day out in the sun and moon.  Gyeongbokgung Palace and Museum for some hours where I made a new friend.

lovely train station

Gyeongbokgung Palace
Regular tourist dressed up

Photo from the museum.


Met another friendly local Keong who joined me.
Retirees get in free.


We both appreciated the time


Orange tree!



So often we forget to look up




Climbing Bukchon Village


Great views from top of Bukchon Village

OMG! I was tempted

Sick!

Changgyeonggung not open

curious little park


Nazi Koreans?...No...Hitler got it from Asia
The Manja is actually a Buddhist symbol

Gold buy and sell street


Near Jongmyo shrine


Cheonggyecheon stream








Myeongdong Church



weird, i can only see the front
of her pants...

"Xrated Pink Your Moment"




Off to Itaewon area again.

Great pano from hostel roof

Some energy for the night



Continuing to meet friendly Russians
Like a bank heist; Captain, Speed, Muscles, Brain


$20 to get in at 230am including a good drink

many restaurant tables have 
these drawers.  Great idea!

I ordered Pork, but was it dog?

Garbage pile on walk home



Last night in Seoul.


waiting for something like a 
parade?
A few live shows in the streets of Hongik


I've been looking for Beef Gut
Not really, haha

By accident I ordered the full
meal package with Beef Gut
and 2 liters of coke/spirit. uff.


Another 6 km walk home


This is the moon depending how
much you have drank

Great design


A quick look at the Noryangjin Fish Market before I left for the Philippines. This was the famous place to see in the area which was actually hard to find.

Are they screaming? seeing
family chopped and plated.