On this lovely morning, we headed out for Myeong-dong, about 40 minutes by metro from our hotel in Gangnam. I have to admit that our choice of destination was a bit random, as I know less about Korea than I do about Japan. In the end, we opted for this emblematic shopping district of Seoul, which really lives up to its name! There are shops everywhere here—a real paradise for skincare and fashion lovers.
I popped into the 'Line Friends' shop, which is dedicated to the K-pop group BTS. It was a really cute atmosphere and there was loads of merchandise featuring the members, including accessories, goodies and other collectables. Every corner of the shop was full of charming details, which I'm sure would delight any fans of the group.
We stopped off at Sushiro for lunch, which is also in the Myeong-dong district. Sushiro is a Japanese sushi chain where you place your order on a tablet and the sushi arrives directly via a conveyor belt. It's ideal for satisfying a small appetite like mine, and it's a great, practical, and fun experience.
Once we'd had our fill of energy, we headed for Doeksu Palace, one of the five great royal palaces built by the Joseon dynasty, right in the centre of Seoul.
(We got in free just by showing our passes).
What makes it special is the mix of traditional Korean architecture with Western-inspired design, especially in Seokjojeon Hall, which has a European style. It was originally built as a temporary residence, but it became the main palace for several kings. Nowadays, it's a popular place to walk around, with its relaxing gardens contrasting nicely with the modern buildings of the surrounding city.
As night fell, we headed to Namdaemun Market to check out the night-time atmosphere. The place was a lot busier than it had been this morning, with lots of street food stalls and happy crowds. Later on, we decided to check out the famous 'Starfield Library', which I keep seeing on social media and which particularly appealed to me as someone who loves books. So we made our way to the Coex shopping centre.
To be honest, it wasn't quite what I was expecting. From what I'd seen in the videos, I'd imagined it would be a huge library. As it turns out, it's a small library right in the middle of the shopping centre, accessible from almost every aisle. The space is on the small side, and many visitors come mainly to take photos. There are a few students studying there too, but the lighting isn't great for reading for too long. Overall, the place is impressive for its design, but perhaps not as pleasant as you might imagine for those who love to read.
We thought we'd have dinner in the shopping centre after we'd finished at the library. We had pizza at an Italian restaurant. We had to place our order on the tablet. The sign said the dough had been out for at least 48 hours. I went for a half-Margherita and half four-cheese pizza. The menu also included pasta dishes and salads. I have to say that the taste was pretty good overall, although I thought the tomato sauce could have been better. It was a similarly pleasant surprise for South Korea.
After a great dinner, we headed back to the hotel, taking a leisurely walk to digest and enjoy the last of the city lights. We're going to get a good night's rest because tomorrow is going to be busy! We're planning to take the hop-on, hop-off bus to see the highlights of Seoul without rushing. This will be a great chance to explore the different districts of the capital, its emblematic monuments and its lively little streets, while having the freedom to get on and off at our own pace. It's going to be a great day out!
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