Day 3 Seoul

We woke up at 10 a.m. in the morning (yes, we missed the morning breakfast yet again). Had our own instant breakfast and then went out to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Directions to Gyeongbokgung Palace from Myeongdong:

Take train from Myeongdong (line 4) to Chungmuro. Switch to Line 3 and stop at Gyeongbokgung. Use Exit 5.

I cannot actually remember which exit we took. We took the lift up and Gyeongbokgung Palace was just across the road.

We walked along the palace wall and reached the entrance of the palace. Took some photographs with the guards behind us (not allowed to touch or stand next to the guards). 

Went inside and paid the entrance fee. There was the guard-changing ceremony shortly and we were very lucky enough to get to watch it. You can check out Visit Korea website to find out more about the timing. Take note that the palace is closed on Tuesdays.

Guard-changing ceremony

We walked around some more and took more photographs. I would love to visit all the other palaces the next time I visit Seoul. 

After that we decided to skip Insandong and go to Itaewon to eat Halal Korean food instead. When in Korea, eat Korean food!

So we took the train from Gyeongbokgung to Yaksu. Switched to Line 6 and stopped at Itaewon.

When we reached Itaewon, we did not know which exit to take. So we took the one that says to Itaewon market. When we got out, again, we did not know which direction it was to Seoul Central Mosque (we wanted to eat at Murree, a restaurant that sells Halal Korean food), so we just turned right at the junction as we saw quite a number of people there. We went straight, saw a sign to turn left for the church. Incidentally, the mosque was also on the same street. So we went up the road and saw Murree Restaurant to the right of the road leading to the mosque. 

When we entered Murree, there was a guy there and another family eating. We ordered Dak DoRi Tang (spicy braised chicken with potatoes) and Galbi Tang (Korean short rib soup). These two dishes comes as a set with rice, kimchi, seaweed, spicy anchovies and another dish which i have no idea what it is (Ulfa loves it though). We also ordered the Ramyun, extra plain rice, Chaei (coffee), lemon tea and 2 glasses of strawberry juice. All in all in cost us KRW 55000. 

Hubby, Auni and I loved the Dak DoRi Tang. It is spicy and so perfect for winter. The Galbi Tang was nice, non-spicy, and good enough for the kids. The Ramyun was alright. Just like instant noodles but a little bit more springy.

I have never tried eating seaweed with rice. But after trying it out, I am a convert. We bought loads of seaweed to bring back with us to Singapore (as if Singapore has no seaweed, heh) to accompany our meals.

While we were eating, another family came in. Very friendly. While we were leaving, we found out that they were from Singapore too. They shared with us some places we can check out, like the Express Bus Terminal, for kids' clothes. They visit Korea yearly and told them that Summer is a good time to get clothes that we can wear for the weather in Singapore.

After we left Murree, we walked around Itaewon a little bit more. Bought some souvenirs for our family and then headed back to Myeongdong. At Myeongdong, we bought 3 haversacks for KRW 10000 each. Hubby bought two pairs of Nike shoes. 

Did I mention that Koreans love kids? From the elders who will smile lovingly at your children, pat their heads and help them put on their hoods (coz they are afraid that the kids will get too cold), to the younger generation, who will wave at the kids, play with them, carry them and offer them sweets and chocolates. Oh yes, they do love kids. And my kids were loving all that attention, of course. I did remind my kids that if the elders were to tell them to cover up and put on the hoods, they need to do so as it is only polite and a form of respect to the elders who were just looking out for them.

Over at Myeongdong, our flimsy, cheap, thirty-dollar stroller gave way. It did not manage to last us the whole trip. We bought it just for this trip with the intention of throwing it away at the end of the trip as we have another big, sturdy stroller at home. So we had to spend the last 4 days in Korea stroller-less.