For my previous post on Day 7 of my Seoul 2014 trip where I went to Myeongdong Cathedral and N Seoul Tower, click on this link:
http://vanvanscully.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/seoul-2014-day-7-myeongdong-cathedral.html
Thanks for being so supportive you people out there giving me reads and love! <3
Your views mean heaps to me!
So on the last day of my Seoul 2014 journey, I left the hotel at about 11am (but left my bags with the reception so I could return in the evening to get them and head to the airport).
It was pouring that day (mind you) and the weather was just terrible! I ended up being stranded at Seoul Station which resulted in my trip to Angel-in-us Coffee to warm up with some caffeine!
Angel-In-Us’s 엔제리너스 name implies that coffee is God’s gift delivered by angels. Only the best-quality arabica beans are roasted using the pure roasting system (a method of suspending coffee beans in the air to roast them evenly). A fresh, smooth coffee taste is guaranteed at Angel-In-Us coffeehouse. A range of desserts are also available so you may enjoy a light meal with your coffee: sweet and moist maple bread, Belgium-style premium waffles, bagels, muffins, sandwiches, and more. The interior of the Angel-In-Us stores are characterized by antique tables and chairs under soft lighting, providing a cozy ambience.
(http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?gotoPage=1&cid=1552578)
The coffee was excellent and so was the ambience! It was a great place to people-watch and to chill-out but I figured that it would be a waste of my time (and money) to spend my last day stranded in a coffee-house because of rain. So i got my butt off the chair and went to the convenience store to buy an umbrella... it was time to take some good photos no matter how heavy the rain was.
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| To go to Changdeokgung 창덕궁, you'll have to head to Anguk Station 안국역and take about a 5 minute walk to Changdeokgung 창덕궁. |
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| There were heaps of schoolgirls there probably on a school tour of some sorts - so the place was packed at the entrance areas, but it was pretty quiet by the time I entered. The ticketing office is on the left side of this photo (can't quite be seen here). |
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| The Ticketing Counter |
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| Admission Fees: Sorry I didn't realise how blur this photo is. But if you've got supersonic eyes~ |
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| Muddy grounds from the pouring rain. |
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| Beautiful Autumn =) |
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| Entrance to the Secret Garden within Changdeokgung. I didn't want to pay more to enter the place, so I took this photo for you interested parties. I've heard that exploring the Secret Garden is better when you take the guided tour. |
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| You can buy the entrance tickets into the Secret Garden here if you made a last minute decision that you want to go in! This ticketing counter is just outside the Secret Garden entrance. |
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| The entrance to Changgyeonggung 창경궁 - which in my opinion is the most beautiful! |
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| A guided Korean tour which I obviously could not join haha! |
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| It was raining so heavily and it was so cold. This effect is actually from the frosting of my lens having to constantly wipe off the water. There was a Korean Photography club of sorts around that area as well, and they were definitely 10x more prepared than me. They had their cameras wrapped with plastic bags etc to protect their gear. |
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| I apologise in advance for my fascination with these benches and red leaves. I was here taking photos for a good 5 minutes and spent the next 5 just admiring how beautiful this scene was. |
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| My favourite place in Changgyeonggung. The aesthetics of this building is just spectacular. |
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| This building is actually a garden of gorgeous plants and flowers. SECRET GARDEN MOMENT =) |
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| Mandatory last shot before leaving Changdeokgung where I had the best time ever this Seoul trip. If you're feeling stressed and need some peace and quiet, it doesn't get any better than this. |
Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon (창덕궁과 후원) [UNESCO World Heritage]
99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 종로구 율곡로 99 (권농동)
Opening Hours: Closed on Mondays
Regular Tour (Changdeokgung Palace)
April–September: 09:00-18:30
October: 09:00-18:00
March & November: 09:00-17:30
December–February: 09:00-17:00
Last admission: 1 hour before closing.
Huwon - Secret Garden Course (Guided Tour only)
February–May & September-October: 10:00-18:00
June-August: 10:00-18:30
November-January: 10:00-17:30
Website: eng.cdg.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
How to Get Here: Alight at Jongno 3 (sam)-ga Station (Subway Line 1, 3 or 5), Exit 6.
- Go straight along Donhwamun-ro Street for 10 min. OR
Alight at Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 3.
- Go straight for 5 min.
Changgyeonggung Palace (창경궁)
185, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 185 (와룡동)
Opening Hours: varies so be sure to check the Korean tourism website or their webpage
Webpage: jikimi.cha.go.kr (Korean, English)
How to Get Here: Enter through Changdeokgung OR
Alight at Hyehwa Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), taking Exit 3.
Go 20m and then turn left at Seoul Jongno Pharmacy (서울종로약국).
Go 180m and then turn left at Jeongmin Onnuri Pharmacy (정민온누리약국)
Go 200m and then turn left. Go 60m and then cross the road to arrive at
Changgyeonggung Palace.
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Headed back to Myeongdong for O'Sulloc and also to meet my Singaporean friend and her travel buddy at Myeongdong at night and we had some awesome Dalkgalbi!
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| One of my big misses ever since leaving Korea. |
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| End of the Korea trip with Soju ㅎㅎ |
Once I bid farewell to my friend, I headed back to the residence to get my luggage and head over to the airport. Initially, I thought I would have the opportunity to take the airport bus from the hotel and after lugging my heavy luggage over, I was told that the last bus service was at 6.30pm. I was so exhausted but I had to keep going otherwise I would miss the airport train as well. I lugged my luggage up and down steep slopes and headed to Seoul Station, where I boarded the airport train that took me to Incheon International Airport.
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| The crowded train - thankfully I managed to get a seat. yes this giant pink thing is only my hand luggage which is sitting on my actual luggage. |
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| At the counter full of feels - but happy that I could put my heavy luggage up on that conveyor belt! |
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| The Scoot Plane back to Taiwan and Singapore. 안녕 Korea! Thank you for a good time! |
And that's it for the Seoul 2014 trip! I'll try to include some food reviews and get on with my family trip to Taiwan which took place in December!
BTW: I've finally decided to get a facebook page! Like it for more updates:
https://www.facebook.com/thehungryvan
Till then,
Fly Safe and Eat Happy,
V
