{"id":667,"date":"2013-03-09T20:10:10","date_gmt":"2013-03-09T12:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.joel.net.au\/?p=667"},"modified":"2026-11-07T01:06:25","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T17:06:25","slug":"funky-seoul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/day.lat\/lon\/2013\/03\/09\/funky-seoul\/","title":{"rendered":"Funky Seoul"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Bustling
Bustling Nightlife Street Illuminated by Neon Signs and Korean Restaurants \u2013 Seoul, South Korea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, two days into my South Korean visit and I’m quite impressed! It has a bit of a cold, dark, dank Tokyo feel, but that’s probably largely due to the season. It seems much easier to travel around Tokyo than in Tokyo because so many people at least seem to know some English. Those who speak fluent English haven’t been afraid to come out and help me when I’ve looked dazed or confused while trying to find my hotel or navigate the subway system. <\/p>\n

\"Cheonggyecheon
Cheonggyecheon Stream Waterfall and Cheonggye Plaza in Central Seoul \u2013 South Korea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My hotel room is TINY, but I knew that when I signed up. It’s only $50 a night, and it had rave TripAdvisor reviews, so I jumped on the deal. It has everything you need (private shower right over the toilet, big HD colour TV, teapot, fridge, bed). I’m very happy with the place, in hip Sinchon, full of funky shops, bars, and restaurants, and right on the excellent subway system. A bit of a university neighbourhood, which is always nice. The people who run it are very nice, speak fluent English, and are very good at offering suggestions on what to see and do.<\/p>\n

\"Colourful
Colourful Neon Signs, Restaurants and Bars in Seoul’s Itaewon Entertainment District \u2013 South Korea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Seoul is very safe, and I’ve found most people very friendly and patient with a foreign-language speaker like myself. I always feel obligated to ask how safe the area is for me to walk around with a camera, and I often get laughed at like it was a stupid question because it IS so safe.<\/p>\n

\"Heungnyemun
Heungnyemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace, with Bugaksan Mountain in the Background \u2013 Seoul, South Korea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Royal
Royal Guard Drummers During the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace \u2013 Seoul, South Korea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I headed out to Gyeongbokgung Palace to check it out, along with a few other things in the neighbourhood this afternoon. It’s an amazing, huge place that borders the South Korean President’s house in the back. Sadly, the Japanese destroyed the place TWICE over the years, burning it to the ground in 1592 and tearing down a previously restored version during WWII so they could plop their own HQ in its place. Now restored again, we’ll see how long it lasts this time!<\/p>\n

Gyeongbokgung Palace Snoop<\/strong>
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Map of the route \u201cFunky Seoul\u201d: 2,164 m, 62 m of climbing and 46 m of descent, elevation between 33 m and 58 m, time 01:11:02. It starts at 37.57655, 126.97555 and ends at 37.58135, 126.97818 (latitude, longitude).<\/p>