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.
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Last tasty bento boxes |
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Kyoto central station |
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Lovely and clean |
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Over the water to the man made island airport |
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Final Japanese queues |
A little commentary on Kansai sinking airport.
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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.
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Made it |
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Always exciting to get a new country stamp |
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very comfy bus to town |
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Bright lights toll booth |
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Incredible architecture |
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Nothing special, location good |
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good for a day or 2. |
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Another country were I can't even translate the signs |
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Oh yeah! They made me get two different plates of meat Too much food! $28 CAD with a bottle or 2 of Soju |
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Ate here a couple of times |
I actually didn't eat much seafood in Korea and may this is why??
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Not sure this advertising would work in Canada. Show cute piglets and the food they become |
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My rice, seaweed snacks at 7-eleven |
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Underground shopping malls |
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Looks like a Honda Cub |
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pick your sticks and hotpot them Did the french really invent fondue?? |
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Helpful chinese girls guiding us through |
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Getting used to glasses... |
Moved East near the Fish Market to wait out the typhoons in the Philippines.
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A 182 cm white guy with a big backpack and yellow diving bag No one notices...phone zombies |
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Exited to wrong side, but nice views |
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Baseball in Korea! |
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Neighbourhood looks dirty, but not really, that's just Korea. Reminded me of "Parasite". |
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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!
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you'd think laundry is lined up, but there are actually 4x washers and 4x dryers. Never a wait. |
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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.
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Quality meat for an all you can Eat! $30/pax |
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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...
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A pro beer pong table with hostess that runs the game. |
A taste of the activity and sounds of Hongik area.
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Still going at 3am... |
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A long, but wonderful walk home |
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Massive catholic church |
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Sunrise... |
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Some renta-bike chaos you would not see in Japan. |
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"63 Building" |
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Saw a lot of these blue bumpers |
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Nice cheap eats near the hostel $5 CAD, SPICY! |
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Mostly organised garbages |
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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.
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lovely train station |
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Gyeongbokgung Palace |
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Regular tourist dressed up |
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Photo from the museum. |
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Met another friendly local Keong who joined me. Retirees get in free. |
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We both appreciated the time |
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Orange tree! |
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So often we forget to look up |
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Climbing Bukchon Village |
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Great views from top of Bukchon Village |
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OMG! I was tempted |
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Sick! |
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Changgyeonggung not open |
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curious little park |
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Nazi Koreans?...No...Hitler got it from Asia The Manja is actually a Buddhist symbol |
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Gold buy and sell street |
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Near Jongmyo shrine |
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Cheonggyecheon stream |
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Myeongdong Church |
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weird, i can only see the front of her pants... |
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"Xrated Pink Your Moment" |
Off to Itaewon area again.
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Great pano from hostel roof |
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Some energy for the night
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Continuing to meet friendly Russians Like a bank heist; Captain, Speed, Muscles, Brain |
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$20 to get in at 230am including a good drink |
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many restaurant tables have these drawers. Great idea! |
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I ordered Pork, but was it dog? |
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Garbage pile on walk home |
Last night in Seoul.
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waiting for something like a parade? |
A few live shows in the streets of Hongik
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I've been looking for Beef Gut Not really, haha |
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By accident I ordered the full meal package with Beef Gut and 2 liters of coke/spirit. uff. |
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Another 6 km walk home |
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This is the moon depending how much you have drank |
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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.
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Are they screaming? seeing family chopped and plated. |