Seoul & Jeju Day 3: Ewha Women University, Edae, Nanta Wedding Show

Day 3
Summary: Ewha Women University > Edae Fashion Street > Hello Kitty Cafe > Nanta Wedding Show > Korean BBQ Buffet

Breakfast at Paris Baguette (Hapjeong station) to start our 3rd day at Seoul! Paris Baguette is almost everywhere in Seoul, just like Starbucks in Singapore. I am so in love with the chewy sweet potato pastry (forgotten the name) that i keep thinking about it every other day. Unfortunately I couldn't find it at any of the PB outlets for the rest of the trip. *Weird*

Purple sweet potato latte. Addicted.



Ewha Women University was Korea’s first educational institute for women. It is one of the best-known university in Korea. Once stepped out from the subway exit, follow the female students crowd. You can't go wrong... 

Subway: Ehwa Women Univerity Station, exit 2 & 3, 5 mins walk.

Ewha is also a popular photo taking zone thanks to its uniqueness architectural design. The university is open to visitors. Visitors are allowed to use the facilities such as shopping mall, cafe and various shops. We spend almost 2 hours wandering around the university. 

CC is also popular as a photo taking zone thanks to its exterior eye catching uniqueness and spatial specialness. This area is open to visitors, not only to Ewha university's students, so the visitors can use entertaining facilities inside ECC, such as cinema, shopping mall and various shops. Great tip would be, it is commonly said that Ewha's ECC is the best place for night view. If you have the chance, make sure to visit the school at sunset! - See more at: http://www.samsungcntblog.com/2014/05/samsung-ct-student-reporter-visit-to-ewha-womens-university-campus-complex-ecc-designed-by-dominique-perrault-and-constructed-by-samsung-ct/#sthash.OfpPwk3u.dpuf

Jeff is so proud because he is the only male here

The unique staircase

Different colors of the leaves

Shopping time! Since we are at the Ewha Women University, how can we missed the famous Edae shopping street?
 


Gigantic!

New bag to contain my shopping stuff! Hees

There are lots of interesting cafes and shops for clothing, shoes, bags and accessories. There was a saying you should shop at university area in Korea. Those are the areas where you can find the best bargain because Korean students are trendy on budget! We have fun browsing through the bargains on the rack. If you are planning to get plenty of accessories, this is the place to go!

Lunch at Bonjuk, the Korean Traditional Porridge Restaurant.

Hearing lots of raving about it, Bonjuk is on my "restaurant-to-eat" list. We ordered a bowl of mushroom oyster porridge for 8,500 won. It was smooth and delicious. Rice grains are fine. Me and hubby concluded that this is something that we can eat everyday in Korea.

Plenty of sides come together with the porridge. Great accompaniment! I especially love the beef slice.

Please do not miss the popular street snacks at Edae... We bought some teokbokki & dakkochi. Taste good!! 

We took the subway back to Hongdae for the Nanta Wedding Show at 5pm. There are always discount package going on for booking online through Nanta's official site. We got the tickets online for a 30% discount. Do check it out!
https://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr:444/Nanta/en/Ticket/InfoTheater05.aspx


Since we were early, we decided to visit the famous Hello Kitty Cafe! The cafe is decorated all with Hello Kitty. A fantastic spot for Hello Kitty Fans!

Even the toiletsss!! Kawaii~

And we got our tickets for the Nanta Wedding Music Show! *Clap clap*

We got an upgraded to VIP seats for free! What a lucky day~ *Clap clap clap*

This way to the theatre please...



The show was interesting especially for those who like musical. It was a non-stop fun and switched from break dancing to slow ballerina and a mix. You do not need to know Korea language to understand the show. PS: Jeff laughed non-stop throughout the show. ('@')

Hongdae is not only full of bars, clubs and cafe, but is also popular with street musicians. We caught striving musicians busking along hongdae streets after the music show... A crowd was attracted around them after some time! Great singers!

We finally settle down in a Korea BBQ buffet restaurant for our dinner. Great variety but not to our expectation. We are expecting something different from what we usually have in Singapore... *Slight disappointment*

Happy face tho

Finally, a photo to conclude our damage done at Edae! :P
 

See |11 Days Itinerary in Seoul & Jeju |

See |10 Surviving Tips and Travel Tips to South Korea |
See |Self-Driving Guide in Jeju Island| 
Back to |Seoul & Jeju Day 2: Yeouido Park, Noryanjin, Hongdae, Trick Eye Museum| 
Continue to |Seoul & Jeju Day 4: Gimpo Aiport, Jeju International Airport, Check in Dreaming Forest Pension, Jungmun Tourist Complex|

Seoul & Jeju Day 2: Yeouido Park, Noryanjin, Hongdae, Trick Eye Museum

Day2

Yeouido Hangang Spring Flower Festival (April 12~20) i - See more at: http://discoveringkorea.com/140302/koreas-cherry-blossoms-and-2014-spring-flower-festivals/#sthash.h1UK3ZqF.dpuf

Summary: Yeouido Park > Noryanjin Fish Market > Hongdae > Trickeye Museum

Knowing that the peak of cherry blossom is over, we still wanted to try our luck...

Here we are! Yeouido park, early morning of Day 2.

The park was still beautiful with dried petals of cherry blossom all over the floor. We rented bikes for 3000 won/hr and rode through the park down to Han river. Nice activity on a breezy morning. 

Subway: National Assembly Station. Exit 1 or 6, 5 minutes walk.



Dried petals of cherry blossom all over the place

Having fun with the dried petals

Ahem... Trying to be silly.

Head off to Noryanjin Seafood Market- the seafood heaven in Seoul. Once you exit from Noryanjin subway, you would immediately get the smell of fish in the air! Follow the direction of ajummas with a basket full of seafood and you will be able to locate Noryanjin Seafood market.

Subway: Noryanjin Station. Exit 1, 5 minutes walk.

Various seafood. You name it, they have it.

We got ourselves a thick slice of salmon, 4 abalones,  4 sea urchins, 2 giant prawns. It cost us about 55,000 won. The stall owner bring us to the back of the street into a restaurant. Many locals are having their meals here. Here, you can choose to have your seafood cooked (BBQ/steam/soup). Additional charges to get your seafood cooked.

Very fresh salmon sashimi

Abalone is best to be steamed.

I just don't know how to appreciate RAW sea urchin. Jeff have them all. "Delicious" he said.

After the seafood feast, we took the subway to Hongdae. (Subway: Hongik University)

More food indulgence over here at Hongdae... We spotted the famous Beans Bins Cafe. They have one of the best waffle and sweet potato latte in Seoul. SWEET POTATO LATTE is a must try in Seoul. *Shout out loud*

Beans Bins Cafe Address: 163-19, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 11am-1am

Trick eye museum is something that i looked forward to... It is located in the lively Hongdae district at the second basement floor of the Homi-hwabang building (not easy to find, please ask around). 

The staff at the counter told us that trick eye museum is opening in Singapore during May 2014! Me and Jeff "ARE YOU SURE?! Why are we here?" haha...

Admission fee 15,000won; 12,000won with discount coupon.

A very crowded afternoon. It was however extremely interesting to find 2D art pieces transformed into 3D illusion through the camera finder. 

Reminders:
1. Your CAMERA! Remember, remember, remember to bring your camera!
2. TRIPOD or MONOPOD. Although website indicated that there are staffs helping to take photos, but they are just too overwhelmed with the tourists. So, do it yourself.
3. You might want to consider doing this EARLY MORNING at 9am to avoid the big crowd.

 

One of my favorite shot

The ticket includes an admission to Ice Museum, located inside the Trick Eye Museum. Visitors can experience and enjoy ice sculptures, igloos, slides, and more. Nothing much you can do here. We couldn't stand the cold and left after taking a few pictures.

 

See |11 Days Itinerary in Seoul & Jeju |

See |10 Surviving Tips and Travel Tips to South Korea |
See |Self-Driving Guide in Jeju Island|
Back to | Seoul & Jeju Day 1: Check in Wonderhouse |
Continue to |Seoul & Jeju Day 3: Ewha Women University, Edae, Nanta Wedding Show|

Seoul & Jeju Day 1: Check in Wonderhouse

Day 1

Yeouido Hangang Spring Flower Festival (April 12~20) i - See more at: http://discoveringkorea.com/140302/koreas-cherry-blossoms-and-2014-spring-flower-festivals/#sthash.h1UK3ZqF.dpuf

Summary: Changi Airport >  Incheon Airport > Check in Wonderhouse

A traveling day for us... 

We reached Incheon Airport at 9.30pm. After grabbing T-money transportation card from a convenient shop at airport, off we go. To Hongdae!! Train service is available from airport to various places. But do take note of arrival time of the last train. Another safer option would be using their bus service.

Do take note of the arrival time of the train. Last train to Hongik University departs from airport at 2321

First picture together in Korea!!

The train is mine! All mine!! HAha... Few passengers at this odd hour. Not going to happen in Singapore... MRT is alwaz pack no matter where and when...

 
We arrived at Wonderhouse (it is only a 10 steps away from the Hapjeong subway exit)!! A sweet little loft equip with a small kitchen (with simple cooking facilities). Although there were some hiccups, the owner responded and resolved them fast.

Our stay at Hongdae

Every night, we sat here. Soju-ing while enjoying the night view.

Supper. Soju is crazily cheep here. 1,200won, equivalent to SGD1.5 per bottle.

We are happy with our 3-night stay here.

Good night Seoul.

See |11 Days Itinerary in Seoul & Jeju | 
See | 10 Surviving Tips and Travel Tips to South Korea | 
See |Self-Driving Guide in Jeju Island| 
Continue to |Seoul & Jeju Day 2: Yeouido Park, Noryanjin, Hongdae, Trick Eye Museum|