Day 7: our last full day in Seoul

After flying yesterday, it felt good to lay in this morning and know that we were not in a rush to go anywhere. The husband and I had planned to try the hotel breakfast (ambition since day 2), but it didn't happen because we woke up at 8ish am. By the time we rolled out of bed and made it to the restaurant, it was 9am. 45minutes was not enough time for a long, leisurely breakfast; so we opted not to eat it.


Instead, we ventured out. First stop, Mammoth Coffee which was just around the corner of the hotel's entrance to wake me up; then we strolled towards Myeongdong. The street felt so quiet and clean in daylight, very different from the bustling night scene.


After strolling about, we found a congee house that was open and was pretty crowded too. In we went.

1x porridge, 1x dumpling soup, 1x a-lot-of-serve-of-side-dishes

I had read about the Korean-type-dumplings but it was our first time trying it this morning, and I was sold! It was just how I like it - plenty of stuffing! Yum. We also bought the seaweed, and kimchi from this restaurant. Sounds auntie, I know; but it was so worth it. Yes, I say so even after lugging them back because we got to share them with our family, plus continue the taste of Korea even after coming home. The kimchi was the bomb - it was spicy, just the way we liked it. At breakfast, we discussed what we could do the rest of the day and there were several possibilities that involved a hair appointment, a meal at Michelin-star restaurant (Jungsik), trek at Bhukhansan National Park....


Our morning kinda got tense after, because reality is that while on holidays, people do fight too. Between picking time/when to eat and making arrangements with the restaurant, layered with miscommunication and assumptions, let's just say that the husband and I had a squabble. I'm just putting it out there, to prove that it's normal to be grumpy no matter where you are, but the process of talking it out, being patient and having the common desire to let things be ok again - it's part and parcel of life.


After being grumpy and upset and becoming better again, we moved on with our day.

First time on a public bus in Korea. Bus to Bhukhansan.

It was about 1pm by the time we arrived at the Bhukhansan estate, which is about an hour's drive from the city. We strolled the streets and went into one random restaurant to have our lunch. It was empty besides for the owners and we spent the next hour in there (1) using the loo (2) eating our lunch (3) experiencing catfish in its full glory and knowing that I don't like it much (4) having a laugh as we struggled to communicate with the earnest ahjumma serving us.

Google translate, a menu in Korean only, a lady who speaks no English = lunch surprise!

Pot of soup

Upclose and personal with catfish

Tiny prawn!

Lunch was edible (truth: I had more kimchi than rice or soup), and we moved on to trek. By this time, it was 2pm and our first stop - getting our bearings around the place.

I'm quite sure this says national park or something.

Here's one that we can read

The next 2 hours was surprisingly lovely. We started off at the foot and upon learning that it'd take us 4-6 hours for the short route, we were slightly taken aback. (Or maybe it was just me.) The initial 20 minutes were funny, as the husband lamented "let's turn back now, this will be how it'd be for the next 2 hours... exactly like this!"

30 minutes in, we found an opening that held wooden tents. They looked like triangular huts that looked like this.

I was grossed out and did not want to go in. So he did.

Tick off the bucket list - a headstand at Korea's national park!

It felt good to sweat it out after pigging out the past week, and being in nature brings out this joy that I cannot explain. The husband and I both enjoyed ourselves, which is why I was surprised at how good it felt (zero expectations helped) - but I think we both do enjoy being in the outdoors and it was a nice, zen feeling to be with nature and feel this happy innately. It is also a great reminder of how small I am. I am only but a tiny being in the whole, wide world and all the problems and fights that we face daily seem so insignificant in the grand scheme of things in the world.


How humbling.


I'm also reminded that the husband and I are good and mature enough to not let squabbles affect us; cos if we had not let go of our ill feelings from that morning, we wouldn't have this chance to continue having fun, discovering new things and being happy in this current moment this afternoon.

I am humbled.

Happiness :)

He was braver than me!

He made me do this.

More happiness.

There was passing showers at some point and we decided to go on. It felt really, really nice. I thoroughly enjoyed myself on this short hike (we did not make it very far at all!) and if we have the chance, I'll love to go conquer more of this trail.

We turned around at about 4pm, and made our way downhill. Some parts were pretty tricky and it felt good to get our bodies moving. We retraced our steps and took the bus back to the city. It was peak hour traffic at this point so the ride back was way longer than our ride to Bhukhansan.

Upon arrival, we headed straight for dinner. The husband had some inkling of what he wanted and we ended up at this little, local Korean joint. We ordered everything on the menu! OK, we did not but it sure felt like it. Hah.

Meal for two. By our gluttony standards.

Mmmmm something new! Pork thingy. Yum!

I swear we were judged by the tables next to us, as our table was overflowing with food. The best part? WE FINISHED IT ALL.

After this super filling meal, we split up. I had scheduled a hair appointment to pamper myself and the husband decided to chill and figure out his evening.

I have steam coming out from my head

Did I say I was full? But cannot resist snack.

The treatment was so pampering and it was the first time I did a hair treatment ever, and though it was very pricey, it was a session I chose to pamper myself. I spent 2 hours there being cleaned up - super worth it because I had grit from the national park to rid of! Gross but true.


The husband decided to go for some play and he headed to the Casino. When I was done at the salom, I strolled around Myeongdong, taking in the vibes as it was our last night. I did some last minute shopping and headed back to the hotel. I spent the next hour+ continuing to pamper myself by soaking in the bath tub, and relaxing.


I had to pack but made poor progress, and then there was a surprise delivery!

Two two chicken for supper!

Fried chicken was something I wanted to eat but never got around to... so on this last night, I felt truly loved as the husband went out of his way to tapau it for us.

We ended the night packing and packing... making plans for our commute to the airport the next day... and I went to sleep with my tummy and heart full again.

It was the perfect end to this day, full of love and promises. What a week it had been!

Recap: Day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4, day 5, day 6.