Seoul, South Korea – 1-4 July 2024

I walk out of Seoul Train station (on Monday 1 July 2024) like a local. Helps to have been here twice in the last couple of days. I’ve been in Busan for two nights and now back to Seoul to work in the office for 2.5 days.

As I walk onto the metro I see a girl with a hair roller in her fringe. This is not the first time this trip I’ve seen this. I guess needs must.

 

The hotel is a short walk from the metro station - great planning! And I can see tomorrow’s nights hotel as well. Even better.

The lady checking me in gives me a restaurant recommendation super close to the hotel. After dropping my bags, I head out.

The sun has some heat, it’s actually nice to see after the rain in Busan.

 

 

I locate the restaurant recommended to me, say 1 person and am shown to the table. All nice and easy. The lady motions to the menu at the end of the table, great. Until it’s not…..it’s all in Korean and they don’t have an English menu. Well that’s a no then. Time to leave.

I wander around the area again trying to work out where I go. I’m about to give up and go to a place that has non-Korean food when I decide to look at one more place. It’s all in Korean with photos, I notice beer. Done! The door then says Korean pub. I’m in.

Thankfully they have an English menu - beer and pancake ordered. 

It's still light when I leave the pub and there are a lot more people around. I decide to walk around a bit more before heading back to the hotel. 

Tuesday 2 July 2024 I’m woken very early by the trains but manage to doze for a bit.

It’s pouring when I go to leave the hotel so borrow an umbrella (will need to return it tonight). My hotel tonight (for work) is half way between my current hotel and work so I decide to head there to drop my bags before heading to work.

I have the day in the Korea office. Unfortunately due to the rain the view is nowhere near as good as it would be on a good day.

After checking in (I got upgraded to a one bedroom apartment) and sorting out my bags I pick up another umbrella and head back to last night’s hotel to drop off the umbrella.

Now that I know I can translate words on my phone (so fancy) I feel more confident with ordering.

Fried chicken here I come!

 

I wake early on Wednesday 3 July 2024.  I’m not liking the dark clouds I see.

Thankfully when I leave the hotel it’s not raining.  It’s a pleasant walk to the office, without sweating like I would have if this was Hong Kong.

The view from the office is also much better today.

Lunch with a colleague is tasty! 

I then go for a walk around the streets to get some day light.

 

 

Before heading out for the Team dinner we all partake in a Partysmart Pill and pre drinking drink!!  

Dinner is a good 10 minute walk from the office.  It's nice to be out and about in Seoul walking rush hour.

 

The Team dinner is great fun!! Korean BBQ, beer and soju.

 

 

 

Thursday morning (4 July 2024) is a little hazy, I would hate to know how I would be feeling if I hadn’t taken the pre drinking pill and drink.   

I again walk to the office, nice to be outside and not sweating!

Breakfast is vegemite on bagel - soooo good!!!

Early afternoon I take a taxi to the airport. As expected it takes forever, but was quicker than taking a taxi/train to Seoul Station then the airport train.

Goodbye Korea, its been a pleasure to be back again.  Next time I must ensure my ATM works.