Soul of Asia : Day 5

 <<27th September 2013>>

Today is Friday. What a beautiful day! We start our day with breakfast at guesthouse as usual. Today is gonna be a long day for us since this is our last day to hang around. We'll be back to Malaysia tomorrow morning. Our first destination is National War Museum at Itaewon.

>> Route : Hoehyeon Station (Line 4) ---> Samgakji Station (Line 4 Exit 12) Just walk ahead about 5 minutes; Fare : KRW1,050. No line transfer....yeayyy!! 

They're having some sort of army celebration outside the hall.

The grounds of the War Memorial of Korea were once the headquarters of the Korean Infantry. Many experts from different fields were consulted numerous times and exhaustive research was done in order to complete the exhibits. This memorial is the largest of its kind in the world.

I can't say what's inside because we didn't come into the museum hall.

symbolic of South and North Korea unification...hopefully the day will become reality

 2nd destination for today...Seoul Central Mosque

I meet a lot of Malaysians today while walking to the mosque area. Hahahaa...we arrive there by the time male Muslim want to perform their Solat Jumaat. Sungguh menyibuk, kan! Hihiiii...meramaikan umat Islam kat Itaewon~~ While waiting them finish the solat, we go to eat. Yesss...the most anticipated activity. It's not hard to find halal restaurant since Itaewon are famous as halal food centre.

>> Route : Samgakji Station (Line 6) ---> Itaewon Station (Line 6 Exit 3). Walk straight until you find fire station. Turn right and go uphill about 100 meters. At three intersection, turn left and walk about 200 meters.

 

What the meaning of trip if you don't spend money, right! To complete the trip, we go to Insadong to look for some souvenirs.

Insa-dong Street is one of the most memorable attractions in Seoul and represents the focal point of Korean traditional culture and crafts. Stores in Insa-dong specialize in a wide variety of goods that can only be purchased or appreciated in Korea: hanbok (traditional clothing), hanji (traditional paper), traditional teas, pottery, and folk crafts.

Make sure you have enough money to pay for all the souvenirs. It will completely make crazy when looking at those souvenirs. Just name it...it's either cheap or expensive. It's all up to you. For us, we only buy at this one shop. However, I've forgot the shop's name. The young lady (seller) can speak Malay a little bit. Wowww!!! The shop recommended by one of our friend and the young lady also admit that a lot of Malaysians come and buy at her shop. Since we don't have much time, we are shopping in  a rush. I think if we could spend time leisurely, it will be great.

 

>> Route : Itaewon Station (Line 6) ---> Yaksu Station (Line 3) ---> Anguk Station (Line 3 Exit 6); Fare : KRW1,050

 

Don't worry because there is Tourist Information Centre nearby the station. If you are not sure or need some help, just go and ask them. Let's go PIC!! We need to hurriedly go to Namdaemun Market to buy some stuff ordered by our friend. Well...Namdaemun market, to be specific at Lengddang 렝땅 (a building that are famous with brooch) close early around 5-6 pm. Hahahaa...we walk like a cartoon already...we are out of time!

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Travelers said  Namdaemun Market is a heaven of shopping activities. Yes...I admit but we don't have enough time to enjoy it. Only 2 hours...because we've promised to meet our new friend at Dongdaemun around 8pm. Luckily, I'm not a shopaholic.

As promised, we meet our new friend at Dongdaemun Station. Since this is our last night at Seoul, our new friend whom we met at subway station early day of our arrival here treat us and bring us surround Doota for another round of shopping. 고맙다 친구야 (Thank you, friend)!

 

Last round...hanging around Myeongdong.

 

Remember when I said about new cardigan yesterday? Yes...this is the one. White knitted cardigan with ribbon ;)

 

 

We are finally saying goodbye to each other at Hoehyeon Station. Thank you friend for accompanying us around and treat us tonight. Till we meet again...안녕~~

Total expenditure for Day 5 : KRW67,000