Destination
Travel Diary - By Vidya Singh
The Seoul of a City
Seoul Traveling
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From the window of an airplane, Seoul looks like a sort of fantasy land. It is a small city, with mountains for its border, and a winding river cutting it in two. Previously, I had been in India for a cousin’s wedding, and on a whim decided to stop over in Seoul, South Korea. Air China has flights six days a week, so getting there is convenient. Seoul’s international airport is one of the largest I have ever seen. I met my guide, Shin Lee, promptly after leaving the airplane. We took the subway to my hotel, the Hotel Crown Insadong.
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There are four subway lines in the city, with trains that actually run on a schedule. Although it was crowded, everyone was polite. Downtown is known to be a popular part of Seoul, but I was interested in staying there because of the large shopping areas nearby. The streets in Seoul are narrow and made of cobblestone, something like downtown Manhattan. The sidewalks were lined with restaurants and shops of every kind, and the modern look of it all also exuded a sort of ancient charm.
Healthy Eating Made Simple
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My hotel was comfortable and affordable (only $91/night!). My room was on a high floor, so I had a perfect view of Seoul’s rolling mountains. Shin informed me that it is very cold in Seoul in the wintertime, so the best times to visit are in the spring and fall (because of the weather and the prices), but the snow in the winter makes for excellent skiing and sledding. Eating was the first thing I did in Seoul. The restaurants had long tables like a cafeteria, and it was nothing like the Western style of dining. I sipped on my herbal duck stew as Shin explained that Korean food is both healthy and low-fat, but also quite delicious. I was happy about this, since I had overeaten at my family’s home back in India...
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Ancient and Modern Treasures
Shin and I visited the tomb of King Suro in Gimhae. Legend has it that this king hatched from a golden egg. The rural terrain of the field made me feel like I had been transported back in time hundreds of years. We also visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of Seoul’s most spectacular sights. It is a huge, striking red and black Asian styled palace with the biggest courtyard I have ever seen, and it seemed to exude the history and power of the palace.
Another sight is the KLI 63 Building. At 817 feet, it is one of the tallest buildings in Asia. On the first floor, there is an IMAX theatre, and in the basement and subbasement, there is a huge aquarium called Sea World, which is one of the biggest in the world. There are sharks, alligators, penguins, and just about every kind of fish imaginable. Restaurants are on every floor, and there is a variety from Japanese to Italian, and many other types of Western food. The best part of 63 Building is the observation deck. On a clear day, it is possible to see a panoramic view of the entire city.
Shop ‘Till You Drop
The next day was devoted almost entirely to shopping. We went to the International Market, which is the largest market in Korea. The variety of products available was astounding- they ranged from the newest types of electronics, to clothing and jewelry. Afterwards, we stopped at the Jagalchi Market, which specializes in Western types of products, but at very low prices. Our last stop of the day was the Seoul Museum of Art. This museum has a very modern structure, but it is also a wonderful gateway into the cultural and religious history of Korea. The museum has beautifully unique works that range from portraits and landscapes to sketches and drawings. After the museum, Shin and I headed to a popular restaurant near my hotel to decided what to do on the last day of my visit.
Outdoor Fun
The next day, we went to the Han River and water-skied. Besides this, windsurfing is also very popular. Although, Seoul does not have a major beach or lake, the Han River makes up for it, because of all of the sports that can be done there in the summertime. After getting dried up, Shin and I went to do some more shopping for souvenirs, and I headed back to my hotel. The next day, Shin escorted me to the airport, and I thanked him for all if his hospitality. On the way back home, I once again looked out the window upon Seoul, and thought about how the treasures of the old city really did make it a sort of fantasy land.
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