Day 4 - Namdaemun Market

For this trip...Nasreen did most of the research. And what she did was to find a halal place wherever we go. Which is just brilliant! It is super detail like this one at Namdaemun which once u reach Hoehyeon Station, take Exit 6...u just need to walk straight. You will pass the shop..stop for a break..and then just go straight till you reach Namdaemun Gate.

After a while an Indonesian couple reach the place and we have a nice chit chat. Of course, they stopped for the kebab as well and were very happy to finally able to eat meat! :P

Alas, we have the energy to roam the market! Yeh!

One thing about shopping in Korea is it is very expensive! They also won't entertain bargains. Some of them are quite "garang" too. But this guy over here is very different. He try his best to speak english to us and it sound so funny. "Woman! Listen! This...very nice!" In the end, i think we all bought from him. Hehe.

Do look out for item on sales which will be place in the center like this. Sometimes it is a 2nd hand item but still on a good condition. Laili and I both grab a jacket!



There is one place call "Jewel Park" situated nearby Exit 1. An ideal place to look for brooches, bangles, necklaces....and all alike. I forget which day, but i think it close on Saturday. So, do check if it is open or not because it is really a must visit place if you go Namdaemun.

Day 4 - Gyeongbokgung Palace

The day started with breakfast at a kafe nearby to hostel. One thing about Korea is there have many kafes. So coffee lovers will blend well with Korea. :P

Took the metro to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

and it stops right at the entrance of the palace! no need to worry about getting lost over here.

it is certainly a very big palace. you can actually spent the whole day, or like us, half a day...

photographers sure will spent the whole day! :P

as i said...photographers can spend the whole day..as i am not sure how long..but all the picture above are taken only up to main entrance! so, bring a good bottle of water, some snacks, a good walking shoe..and you are good to spent your day here.

spent some time at the museum.

I LOVE YOU

From Wikipedia,Gyeongbokgung, also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, is a royal palace located in northern Seoul, South Korea. First constructed in 1394 and reconstructed in 1867, it was the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty. The name of the palace, Gyeongbokgung, translates in English as "Palace of Shining Happiness."

Nearly destroyed by the Japanese government in the early 20th century, the walled palace complex is slowly being restored to its original form prior to destruction.

Go visit!

Day 3 - Insadong

Insadong resonates with antique/artwork item. Antique/artwork item resonates with expensive. :P But fret not, we found a good shop in Insadong which will be shared at the end of the post. Well, i guess, in Korea, you should not expect to shop so much as the standard of living and currency value is way higher than Malaysia. At least, for backpackers like us. :) That aside, i would say Insadong is really a nice place to visit. Well, you can't buy, but you will for sure enjoy looking.

Starbuck


The streets/shops of Insadong


Entrance to the mall

Nothing interesting to buy tho....

Aha! this is the uncle. His shop is directly opposite the mall's entrance.

He has been to Malaysia and he gives good discount. That is really important as most of the shop won't entertain customers who bargain.

Peace ya all!

Day 3 - Sindang Dong Topukki Town

From Namsan Tower, we took the bus back to the nearest metro station. There is one funny moment here as we missed the stop. Somehow the metro station that we wanted to go is not in the route. Although the bus driver said he will go there. In the end, we need to take the bus twice! Miscommunications i guess. ;P

Our next destination is Sindang. (Exit 8) Nasreen read through the forums that there is a dish called Topukki and it's only made from vege, fish cakes and noodles. There's a lot of shop there. In the forum, it's not really stated what is the name of the restaurant. So, we walk around as every shop try to lure us in. In the end, we stopped at this shop. Probably because the owner is a woman who like a nice umma. :P

At first, it is quite hard to communicate with the owner. We wanted to tell her no meat. But we do not know how. Then i saw a picture of a cow on the wall. So, i pointed it to her and gesture my hand saying No. She smile and nodd. Later she ask her daughter(i believe) to double confirm with us as she can speak English. :D

Like mama preparing dish for daughter right?

Nasreen look so happy that her wish is finally coming true.

Takde la kempunan balik Mesia.

So, do visit Topukki Town at Sindang to taste it. I am not sure which is the best restaurant there. You can google up on them so that you don't appear as lost as us when u get there. :D