A Mariam Lost in Korea (Part 4)

Day 5

We began our day with a visit to a craft village where we got a chance to try our hands at gold leafing.

Dog Cafe - Bau Haus Hongdae

This was one of the biggest highlights of our trip to Korea, I love dogs and to be in a room full of them was my idea of heaven! When we entered we were given a choice of small or big dogs, we picked big dogs and therefore ended up in this glorious room. 

Like the cat cafe, there was no specific entrance fee, but you are required to order at least one drink

There were dogs everywhere, it was awesome! 

But if that wasn't enough, you could buy a bag of treats, once you dished out one treat, all the dogs became your best friend! 

Day 6

A day exploring Seoul's Markets

We went to two different markets and both were filled with people, new sights and smells, it was fascinating and I felt like a proper tourist as I stared at all the new things. 

Day 7

Home time!

Time to return back to home, sweet home, Japan :)

A Mariam Lost in Korea (Part 3)

Day 3

 We began our morning, as you always should, with fried meat! 

 The ring around the fire (now yellow) was filled with an omelette/egg type substance, which was pretty delicious, though rather difficult to get out with chopsticks.

Then the museums and exhibitions...

....a sex museum? Maybe something a little more child friendly instead, ahh an optical illusion museum! 

 ohh and an ice museum...

Yep, there was a whole interior of a house made out of ice, fire, TV and sofa's included! 

Cat cafe!

Another cafe that I had read about on the internet, there are quite a few cat cafes in both Japan and Korea, but this one I had heard about years ago and had therefore set my heart upon going there :D 

The way it works is you go in, wash your hands and take your shoes off, then you have to order a drink. The drinks are not cheap, but they are essentially the entrance fee to go into the cafe, as it is, after all, a cafe. Once you have ordered your drink, you are free to walk around and make stupid noises at all the cute cats surrounding you!! Yayyyy! 

 There are also a few instructions like: don't squish the kitties, give them straws, blind them with flash, or slap them (?!). Pretty much common sense right? 

And a helpful sign reminding you that cats pee on things...

(yes there were cats in the sky too!)

 I was contently chasing cats around the cafe when all of sudden the cats swarmed at our table ^.^ 

And I gained a new best friend

 Oh and what would a holiday in another Asian country be without more Engrish 

Day 4

King Sejong the Great, often know as the creator of the Korean alphabet, also known as Hangul.

Gyeongbok Palace

We managed, through happy accident, to arrive in time to watch the changing of the Gwanghwamun royal guards.

The palace and its buildings were originally built in the late 1300s, however they have been destroyed, rebuilt and restored many times throughout history.

Though from certain angles it looks like the palace is in the middle of the countryside, with the mountains behind, as you can see from this picture, the skyscrapers are never far away.

This colour scheme and pattern went through all the buildings in the palace grounds.

We had heard that there were ponds within the grounds, but we couldn't find them.  So a helpful Korean man drew us a map with directions in the sand.

Apparently this is a game that Korean children play

And this is just an interesting looking building.