Yep, flew in Sunday evening and woke up at 4:30am Wednesday morning to catch a flight out to HK. So it was two full days filled with meetings in Seoul. Not bad for a work trip, if I don't say so myself :) When we arrived, I got off the plane and walked into an airport that looked strangely familiar … even though I've never been to … so I guess the designers for Changi Airport can only do one kind of design lor :P It is a real pretty airport though 🙂
After an hour on a mini van we reached our hotel which was a great place. Not too expensive for a comfy bed, a small kitchenette, a washing machine (which I didn't get to use) with free broadband … what else can you ask for?
It had a Starbucks close by and a major subway station. Totally would recommend it to anyone who's looking to go to Seoul but make your reservation through www.hotelwide.com … it gives a better internet rate.
In the 2 days I was there I realise Seoul is quite the city that doesn't sleep. With a major road running in front of the hotel, everytime I looked out of the window the traffic was heavy.
So on the first night, Michelle, Chee Wee and I braved the cold and headed to Myeoung-Dong for dinner. We followed Michelle as she confidently navigated us through the slightly confusing station. She told us when to get off, which platform to change to and which train to transfer to and viola … we've crossed the Han River and arrived to a young hip part of Downtown Seoul … well, at least from what I saw it came across young and hip to me. It even had a stage for hip hop performances … made me wonder what tourists think of Orchard Road in Singapore.
Oh well, the 3 hungry Singaporeans found the first place that served also vegetarian dishes and went right in. I had a typical Korean noodle dish with a whole bunch of fresh veggies with Korean chilli sauce. It was yummy but so very spicy … so spicy I had to 'wash' my noodles in the soup 😛 but so yummy I couldn't stop eating it.
The next two days was filled with work so most of what I saw of Seoul was through office windows or the window of our mini van … and I'm pleased to report the Koreans seem to like us enough.
And on the last night there I ventured on my own to check out a vegan bakery and a vegetarian restuarant. I had a vegan chocolate chip cookie before dinner … it was yummy and started to wonder why they don't have a branch in Singapore. Then I navigated the subway station on my own and found a quaint little vegetarian place which served a traditional Korean fare veggie style. It was buffet style with all-you-can-eat kimchi, fresh veggies as well as Korean style stir fry. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the meal :) My favourite bit was the rice … sticky wtih beans for extra protein!!
After dinner I walked around a really sweet art-sy district. It was filled with cute little local designer shops as well as fine art galleries to roam through … and then you turn the corner and there's street art too 😛
So when we rose before dawn to catch our flight, I thought I should come back to Seoul for fun soon. For now though, I was glad to say goodbye, the chilly spring where temperatures ranged from 2 – 10 degrees is not my style … I'm truly a tropical city girl 😛
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