For this South Korea trip, I will be covering 2 new cities; namely Ulsan and Daegu where both are located in the south-eastern part of South Korea. In time to come, I hope to be able to cover more cities in South Korea.
As I will be driving for this trip, I have decided to revisit Gwangju again after falling in love with this city when I was there last year before spending my last 2 nights in Seoul.
Before everything else can get into place as planned, stepping inside the departure hall is the first step to the start of adventure. ☺️
Chilling out at my all-time favourite lounge.
Enjoying sumptuous dinner & supper prior to boarding for my red-eye flight.
Freshen up with a good shower prior to boarding.
Goodbye Singapore and Seoul you soon.
Warming up with a glass of bellini & orange juice before hitting the sack.
Time for breakfast prior to arrival.
Selection of sliced fresh fruits with croissant.
Braised rendang style beef, fried seabass with belado chilli sauce, stewed jackfruit in coconut milk and begedil potato cake served with steamed rice.
Swift arrival in Incheon Airport after a good night rest on board.
Next, will need to make my way to Seoul Station via AREX from Incheon Airport for my KTX ride to Ulsan at 13:48 hrs.
Exchanging KTX ticket at Seoul Station for the Seoul to Ulsan and Gwangju-Songjeong to Seoul tickets.
Savouring quick snack at Seoul Station thereafter.
Followed by chilling at Doré Doré café before my trip to Ulsan.
Time to depart Seoul for Ulsan.
Ulsan, here I come……
Arriving into Ulsan Station after 2.5 hrs.
My humble abode for the next 2 nights.
The room is quite spacious. However, the feeling is like staying in a guesthouse instead of a hotel. Why so? They don’t even provide for a proper bathing towel. 😱 It’s just like a guesthouse, which typically provides for a small hand towel. 😭 Seriously, how can one clean and wipe oneself dry with just this! 🤦♂️
After checking in, did the usual recce around the area for familiarisation.
Visited Dream Square, where I am supposed to pick up my rental car from Lotte Rent A Car tomorrow. You can also find some shops and restaurants here too.
Spotted this eatery outlet inside Ulsan Station selling traditional ramyeon. You know what happens next…. 🤭
Caught hold of this pop-up store, Sowoldang selling Ulsan’s local specialty; Pear’s Cake & Red Bean Jelly.
Ending the night with a dinner at Bigsun Chicken.
Goes extremely well with a cold glass of Terra beer. 👍
Starting the morning with a nice breakfast at Dunkin.
The donut is chewily soft. As good as Mister Donut.
Afterwhich, went over to Lotte Rent A Car at Ulsan KTX Branch to pick up my rental car.
Collected my rental car Kia K3, which I will be driving for the next 5 days.
Made my way to Greetvi Coffee, a cool ocean-view café in the eastern part of Ulsan.
Within the café architecture, there are a total of 3 floors offering unique and captivating ambience.
There are various ocean viewing spots on the 1st floor where you can sit and enjoy your coffee.
This is another spot right outside the café entrance and you can also choose to relax by sitting in the bean bag provided as well.
This is the indoor sitting area inside the café on Level 1.
Level 2 indoor sitting area overlooking the ocean view.
Another different section on Level 2, the cinematic view experience.
Level 3 outdoor sitting and viewing area.
Mesmerising rooftop view experience. This is so beautiful.
This is what you will get to see when you sip your cuppa.
A mouth-watering selection of pastries.
They offer a good selection of cakes too, leaving you spoilt for choice.
Cream Cheese Financier, Matcha Prezi, Salted Butter Bun, Custard Moccha Bon, Iced Blueberry Cream Latte & Vanilla Latte.
I really love the vibes of this seaside café and I will be back again if I ever have a chance to be back in Ulsan.
Next, made a visit to Ganjeolgot, a park in Seosaeng-myeon, Ulju County, Ulsan.
Looks like my descendants and I will have a prosperous life ahead. Huat Ah!
You can easily spend a good amount of time enjoying yourself at Cape Ganjeolgot.
Look what I see? A 3 storey-high Gong Cha café outlet! 😱
Adjourning for lunch at Yeatnal Calkooksu.
After a satisfying meal, headed over to Daewangam Park, a seaside park located on the east coast.
The park has a walking trail that passes by a forest of pine, cherry blossom trees, magnolias, camellias, apricots, and forsythia. You can certainly spend some quality time and have fun exploring the park.
You can take a walk at the 303 metre long first suspension bridge in Ulsan.
View taken from the suspension bridge.
Fun time playing at the health gate. Sadly, I can only complete squeezing through past 4 of the 7 squeeze through challenges. 🤣
View of Ulgi Lighthouse taken from Daewangam Rock.
Coffee break at Mega Coffee after a good time at Daewangam Park.
Followed by a quick munch break at Mom’s Touch.
One for the road dinner at Saebyeokjib.
Checking out of Jade Hotel to head over to Daegu.
Pit stop at Cheongdo Saemaul Service Area for recharging.
This service area is huge and it’s like a mini mall with food and retail outlets.
Having my late breakfast at the food court in the service area.
Headed off to Apsan Park next, Apsan Park is a large wilderness park located in the south of Daegu, South Korea. It covers a series of valleys and peaks of Apsan Mountain.
There are a series of trails that can lead to the various peaks and Apsan Observatory if you choose to hike up.
Alternatively, you may choose to take the Apsan Cable Car to go up to the Apsan Observatory.
You just need to purchase the cable car ticket from the station.
The cable car ride will take about 5 mins.
Apsan Observatory, located in Nam-gu, is a famous tourist attraction in Daegu.
It offers a panoramic view of the city. Apsan Observatory’s architecture has been praised for combining the city, nature, history, and future. Besides being a tourist attraction, it also serves as a place where Daegu citizens learn about their city.
There is also the Sopra Observatory right outside of the restaurant, Scala dei Apsan where you can enjoy a great city view too.
A cinematic feel of the viewing experience.
Taking a light refreshment at the restaurant.
Cooling off with a nice ice cream on a hot day.
Enjoying the ride back down to the ground station.
Next up, visited 83 Tower, a symbol of Daegu and it offers an incredible view of the entire city.
The tower also has a revolving restaurant and Sky Lounge, offering top cuisine and night views of the city.
Had a super late lunch at Rimini Garden on level 4 of 83 Tower.
There is also an E-World adjacent to 83 Tower.
A European-style city park decorated with waterfalls, fountains, lights, and flowers, with rides, exhibitions, art spaces, and restaurants that all ages can enjoy.
Proceeded to check in at Toyoko Inn Daegu Dongseongro for my next 2 nights’ accommodation.
Room size is decent as it can’t go possibly wrong with a Japanese chain hotel. 😉
This hotel is centrally located right smack in the main Daegu Dongseong-ro shopping street similar to that in Myeongdong or Ximending in Taipei.
Catching a live music busking performance.
Settled for late dinner at Chedaol, a typical restaurant serving local comfort food.
Waking up to a wet day 4 morning. It is forecasted to be raining for the entire day. 😔
Simple, no frills complimentary breakfast provided by the hotel.
After breakfast, made a trip to Suseong Lake, a big attraction in Daegu.
You can spend time walking around the entire lake for the different viewing spots.
You can also take a nice leisure walk under shady trees around the lake.
There are also many nice restaurants and cafés in the vicinity too.
Having my morning fix at Coffeesmith near the lakeside.
Well, this is one of those rainy day activities to do. 😅
Thereafter, headed over to Donghwasa Temple, located on the south side of Palgongsan Mountain, about 22 km northeast of Daegu.
You can admire the various beautiful Buddha sculptures within the temple ground.
There are also various prayer halls where you get to see devotees coming by to offer prayers.
Oooh….I love this nice maple tree colour.
Decided to drop by Seomun Market for a light lunch after the temple visit.
Seomun Market is the largest traditional street market in Daegu, South Korea, containing more than 4,000 shops. You can spend a good amount of time here too, especially on a wet day. 😉
This is what life should be all about! 😋😋😋
More indoor activity at The Hyundai Daegu, which is near to the hotel that I am in.
Nice view taken from the Gates Garden on Level 9 at The Hyundai Daegu.
What a rare find! Happen to spot the filming scene of Queen of Tears in The Hyundai Daegu.
Chilling out at Walking Cup café before dinner.
One for the road dinner at Yoogane before leaving Daegu tomorrow.
Clearing up the first laundry load.
Having a quick breakfast prior to checking out. This morning, I will be leaving Daegu for Gwangju.
Stopping by Nongong Service Area for a quick rest break.
Spicing things up with a piping hot bowl of ramyeon at the food court. All-time favourite comfort food while in Korea.
Refuelling at Jirisan Service Area after another long drive.
Decided on a quickie lunch before continuing with the next 100km drive.
Made a trip visit to Penguin Village Gwangju for my first stop. Do not expect to find real penguins here or you will be disappointed. 🤣
Yangnim-dong Penguin Village Craft Street is a narrow alleyway located behind the Yangrim-dong Community Centre.
The village, named because of the way the elderly residents appear to waddle like penguins, has become an exhibition space of life in the 70s and 80s.
Villagers cleaned up empty houses that had been burnt down and left unattended in the past, brought discarded items, and began displaying them on the village walls.
After spending a good time exploring the Penguin Village, I headed next to Lotte Mart Maxx.
This is a warehouse-style store known to be cheap and to sell in bulk. Very different from the Lotte Mart that you are used to visiting in Seoul Station.
My loot for this trip. ☺️
Proceeded to check in at Gwangju Aura Hotel thereafter.
I love this hotel, super spacious & clean. The best accommodation so far.
Wondered off to 1913 Songjeong Station Market, a 100 year old market recreated with trendy style.
Spotted Croquette Uncle along 1913 Songjeong Station Market.
Followed by dinner at Puradak Chicken.
Interesting light up on Songjeong Street road.
Ending the night chilling & relaxing at Lala Bread Café Songjeong.
Selection of breads and pastries at Lala Bread.
Starting the morning with a complimentary breakfast from the hotel.
Made my way to visit Jeonil Building 245 in downtown Gwangju after a satisfying tummy warming. 😍
Many Koreans tend to visit this place, especially in the month of May for symbolic reasons.
You may visit the Citizen Gallery on Level 3 of Jeonil Building 245 for the preservation history of the May 18 Democratic Uprising intact 5.18 Memorial Hall.
In May 2011, the historical value of the May 18 Democratic Uprising was highly recognized, and the records produced by the government, the National Assembly, citizens, organizations, and the U.S. Government related to the process of truth-finding and reparation were registered as UNESCO memory of the world. The registered records also include the May Diary of citizens who directly documented the May of 1980.
Viewing of the various exhibits of the May Diary.
Exhibits the scenes of press suppression and lead type sets used for printing newspapers until early 1990s.
Depicts the engagement at the YWCA. Visitors can also watch an animation film movie about the 5.18 and the media at the time.
Moving up directly to Jeonil Maru, the rooftop of the building to take in breathtaking sights.
Magnificent views taken from the rooftop.
Heading down to the entrance of the Memorial Hall at Level 10.
Artist impression depicting the trajectory impact to let visitors experience a feel of the fear at that point in time.
The helicopter strafing bullet marks are preserved intact as they were.
You can have a clearer view of the bullet marks from the glasswalk installed. Each preserved bullet mark is numbered accordingly.
The bullet marks are also being preserved on the building exterior as well.
Swinging over next to Chungjang-ro Street, Gwangju’s major fashion district, comparable with Myeongdong Street of Seoul.
The streets of Chungjang-ro are lined with shopping malls, clothing stores, restaurants, cafes, movie theatres and various other attractions, providing the ultimate experience of modern culture in Gwangju.
Decided to have lunch at Midoin (味道人).
Chilling over a nice coffee at Paik’s Coffee after a good lunch.
Café hop next at Coffee#Dessert by Mega Croffel.
One for the road dinner at Songjeong Tteokgalbi, grilled short rib meat patties at Songjeong Tteokgalbi Street as this is one of the famous food item in Gwangju.
Took a leisure walk to 1913 Songjeong Station Market and soak in the night scene after dinner.
Snacking on coin bread with mozzarella cheese at the station market.
Enjoying another round of complimentary breakfast prior to checking out.
Chilling over a cuppa at Compose Coffee.
Their drinks are the most value for money as the Espresso and Iced Americano are priced at just ₩1,500 each. 😱
I will be travelling up to Seoul via KTX from Gwangju-Songjeong Station scheduled at 11:21 hrs.
Time to depart Gwangju for Seoul.
Seoul you soon. 💜
Arriving into Seoul Station after slightly more than 2 hours.
Checking in to Days Hotel by Wyndham Seoul Myeongdong after a short taxi ride from Seoul Station.
My abode for the final 2 nights stay for this trip.
Taking a late lunch at Lotte Shopping Food Court after checking in to hotel.
The ever bustling Myeongdong Street. It’s been almost a ritual activity to spend time shopping in Myeongdong while in Seoul. (Just keeping up with the tradition) 😃
The fried chicken street in Myeongdong is always seen jam-packed with diners. Here, you can easily find one of your favourite fried chicken joints from bhc Chicken to Puradak Chicken to Everyday The Beer Chicken to Oppadak Chicken to Chir Chir Chicken and finally Daily Beer Chicken.
I have decided on bhc (better, healthier choices) Chicken for dinner. This is one of the main reasons for this trip as I have always wanted to try this joint but was often put off by the long queue each time. So this time round, I will vow to make it happen!
Finally, I had my fair share of bhc Chicken. 😊
The verdict? It’s nice but not as great as I would expect it to be. In my opinion, I would think (personally) that Puradak Chicken fare much better than bhc Chicken. 😉
Starting my morning with a power local breakfast at Kim’s House.
Spotted Seoul Pastry selling crookies and cronuts. Couldn’t resist the temptation. 🤣
Oh my! Look at the selections. How can I not succumb to these!!!
Head over next to Seoul Station Lotte Mart. A visit to Korea seems uncomplete without making a trip to Lotte Mart. So, here I am. 🤣
My final loot after the visit.
Holy Molly! Look at the massive queue at Five Guys! 🤦♂️
Visited Mangwon Market next to catch a light lunch.
A spacious indoor market offering local produce, plus stalls selling spicy snacks & cooked dishes.
Cheapest place to have Eomuk at ₩700 each or 3 for ₩2,000. What a steal!
I always enjoy their twisted donut & pizza croquette when I am here.
In search of Jayeondo Salt Bread near Seongsu Station thereafter.
There is only one option, a set of four salt breads for each purchase.
The salt breads are freshly made and offered six times a day, and only 7,000 pieces are sold daily. So make sure you come early to avoid disappointment. 😅
Yay! I had my fair share of the salt bread. I must say, it’s really buttery delicious. 😋
Followed by hunting down another café, Rain Report Croissant, which is within the vicinity.
You will see an artificial lake at the entrance upon walking in.
This is a rain themed cafe that “rain” perpetually and the artificial raindrops create a serene and soothing atmosphere.
Their seating arrangement is arranged such that each and every guest gets to have a unique view of the café while enjoying their beverage and pastry.
Look at the oreo cream oozing out after cutting it into half.
Signature latte with special black sesame cream.
Fresh apple and sweet peach blending juice that expresses the sky with pink clouds.
How to go to Jayeondo Salt Bread & Rain Report Croissant?
Take the Line 2 train to Seongsu Station and use Exit 3. After you come down from the escalator, turn right at the next turn and walk about 850m. Turn to the right from the crossroad junction and you will reach Jayeondo Salt Bread. Turn to the left from the crossroad junction and you will come across Seongsu Coffee Street. From there, you can reach Rain Report Croissant with one right turn at the next junction before doing another left turn.
Chanced upon this interesting K-Street Food Mart at B2 level of Life Work at Myeongdong.
One for the road craving fix at Myeongdong Street before calling it a night.
I am at the tail end of my trip as today marks my last day in Seoul. Thankfully, I can still have a full day here as I will be catching a red-eyed flight home.
My morning brekkie at Lotteria after checking out of the hotel.
Afterwhich, I went over to Seoul Station to purchase an advance AREX ticket for my evening ride to Incheon Airport.
Made a trip to O’sulloc Tea House next for my morning perk up.
The O’sulloc Tea House in Bukchon is scenicly housed in a 3-storey high building on its own.
Sweet original milk tea with the aroma of bergamot and the full refreshing flavour of yuja.
Freshly roasted green tea with a delicate flavour.
Green tea waffle with sesame seeds, inspired by the traditional Korean roof tile, is paired with sweet green tea ice cream.
After having a nice café break, moving on next to The Hyundai Seoul, Seoul’s hottest brand new landmark shopping centre.
This is also another one of the filming scenes for Queen of Tears. 😊
Settled for lunch at the 22 Food Truck Piazza on Level B1 of The Hyundai Seoul.
This was followed by a light dinner at Seoul Station Food Court before departing for the airport.
Time to depart for Incheon Airport via AREX at the scheduled time at 18:50 hrs.
Oh, look at this! I managed to capture this beautiful stunning aurora sunset view while on the AREX. 👏
Finally, the Silverkris Lounge in Incheon Airport has reopened.
It’s a nice and cosy place to chill before the flight.
I love the laksa, especially since being our local comfort food and it’s really good with standard too. 👍👍👍
Not forgetting the great beverages too! It’s needed for a good sleep later. 😉
Time to depart Seoul for homecoming. It has been a great trip as always.
Cheers to homecoming.
Beef tenderloin with roasted mushrooms, roasted tomato and chimichurri sauce (a coriander-basil-parsley paste sauce with extra virgin olive oil).
Great meal as always though kind of heavy to have steak for breakfast. 😅