Seoul to Seoul (Re-mastered)

[OZDUCK]

Great effort. Thanks for posting.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

No thanks






Pleasant cruise back to the hotel where I had another short nap

 

[craven morehead]

Fantastic effort and great TR ...... Congratulations

 

[Jacques Vert]

Well done!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

In my initial planning I was going to take a bus back to Seoul, ride the short distance to Hanam, then ride the 70km Bukhangang Path the next day.
Physically I was fine, but mentally I was done. So a day at Spa Land instead, followed by a hit at an indoor golf centre
No photos, tonkatsu for lunch at Spa Land, Bibimbap for dinner, and a wander around Sasang

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Short walk over the road to the bus station, where I had booked a seat on the 10.00am service. Bus was on time, threw the bike in the under bus compartments and settled in for the 4 hour drive back to Seoul.
Nice, clear day


Fairly empty on the bus, only about 8 people on it. Fare if I remember correctly was less than $15




Daegu, I think




About 2 hours in there is a20 minute or so stop at a service centre


Bus got in to the Seoul Express Bus Terminal, which is a couple of blocks from Banpo Bridge and the Han River.
Quick message to the bike shop that I was about half an hour away, and I was off for the last 7 or 8 km of riding for the trip
On arrival, no one at the shop, so sent a message. Reply - no dramas, door's unlocked, just drop it off inside. Easy


It was then what looked an easy walk on the map to my hotel near Yongsan Station. Bit harder than it looked, but eventually got there.
Hotel looked better on bookings.com as well, however once again, it did the job and I was only here for 1 night


Shower, then a walk to the station and up to Myeondong for some dinner and a bit of shopping


Bit of wandering, bit of food, then back for to the hotel

 

[Black Duck]

My experience with unmanned shops - so many just leave things unlocked with a phone number to ring for help. They will usually wander back to help if you need it or just say leave the cash.

My pottery family do this. I asked years ago about moving stock back inside at closing time and they just said don't bother - no one would steal and anyway there is CCTV. Even the 7/11 in that town, you can go into late and just swipe your card. No staff around.

I think things are changing a bit unfortunately but there is still little theft especially outside Seoul.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Up early, out of the hotel, on the subway to Seoul Station and then the short walk to drop my bags off at the Hotel Gracery where I would be stating for my final 2 nights.

Coffee and breakfast at Starbucks, then back on the subway to the Jamsil District and a wander around the 1988 Olympic Stadium area.

Unfortunately, couldn't get into the main stadium


Gymnastics complex

Was a bit of activity as there was a soccer game scheduled for later in the day. Not played in the main stadium, rather in the baseball stadium next door.

More wandering around the main stadium




Shopping mall right next to the stadium, very run down and decrepit








Jamsil Arena, home of the Seoul Samsung Thunders basketball team.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Maybe it was a baseball game


Back to Seoul Station, walked through Sungyemun Gate

Checked in


Bibimbap at a little restaurant in the underground mall leading to Myeondong, bit of shopping before back to the hotel for a nap.
Wandered through Myeondong after dinner, then another early night

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Lunch and dinner