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

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Penultimate day of the trip, and off to Ara West Sea Lock Certification Centre to pick up my certificate and medal.
A walk down to Seoul Station, then the 45 minute Arex ride to Cheongna International City Station

Off at Cheongna, then it's about a 2km walk to the start of the path and the certification centre

 

[Noel Mugavin]

In to the building and took about 15 minutes to get the certificate and medal. Certificate is free and the medal 12 000won, about $15





Back to the train and again off at Seoul Station.
Walk back to the hotel and guards at Sungnyemun Gate




Out and about, had BBQ for lunch. Mostly walked through Namdaemun Market and picked a bit of this and that up for people at home.
Late afternoon nap, then back out and Shabu Shabu for dinner


More wandering




Flavoured almonds make great omiyage

 

[Noel Mugavin]

The medal

Lunch

And a nice surprise on Korean tv when I was scrolling through channels before going to sleep

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Flying home today, so some early morning exercise getting the steps in
City Hall

Admiral Yu Sun-sin





King Sejong the Great




Entrance gate to Gyeongbokgung Palace

Back to the hotel and a last look at the view


Walk to Seoul Station, the Arex express to the airport.
Cathay Pacific to Honk Kong

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Phone photos from my morning walk











Off to Seoul Station

 

[Noel Mugavin]

45 minutes or so Incheon




And a last bibimbap

To the newly opened Ine World Lounge. Much nicer space than the previous option of the Koran Air lounge

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Able to have a shower, grab a coffee and a couple of chicken wings, then off to the flight to Hong Kong.
777




Duck salad, then a chicken dish. Was okay.




Couple of hours at Hong Kong before the flight to Melbourne. Left an hour or so late. Nothing to eat for me until breakfast, had a decent sleep.


Thankfully no nightmare transfer to the domestic terminal, unlike what you sometimes get at Sydney.
Pleasant flight from Melbourne to Perth, fortunately had an a330 rather than a 737.
Picked up a book about the Claremont Serial killings, made the time fly by.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Amazing effort @Noel Mugavin
Very impressed with your stamina!
Great photos and TR, thanks for letting us ride along with you.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

To finish off, was pleased with myself for completing what I failed to do the previous year. Was very fortunate that I had no issues with the bike.
Riding in April rather than June/July was a bit more pleasant temperature wise, however I did cop a couple of wet and windy days. Country side was definitely more colourful in July, a lot of leafless and drab vegetation coming out of the winter months.
I do question myself re the way I do/did the ride, I probably didn't take enough time to take in the sights along the route, being more fixated with reaching my end of day destination. My cautious nature I guess, but did take a bit of a step forward in that regard by not having any accommodation booked the day I rode to Namji.
To next year, I'm back to Korea, this time completing the last 2 of the 4 River Paths. This will comprise of the Guem River Path, Ocheon (5 Streams) Path, Yeongan River Path and the Seomjin River Path. These are a bit more isolated and travel through the centre and the South-West of the country. Hopefully will get the Bukhangang Path done as well.
8 - 9 days on or with the bike and should be about 650 - 700kms. Will still pre-book accommodation as being more rural probably less options if I just roll up into a town.
Thanks for reading.

 

[RB]

Well done Noel. Looking forward to reading next years adventures