For the past few nights, I have been falling asleep while uploading the photos into my blog. Yesterday night was no different. Though I came back at 9pm with the intention to update my blog before sleep, I fell asleep by 10pm without much done. I woke up naturally today at 7am but continue to stay in bed until 9am. The winter weather just makes me feel sleepy which I think is good. I need to rest well during my holiday so that I can fully recharge. The feeling is good when I am following my own schedule.
As I was walking to the metro station yesterday, I was kinda distracted to explore the district I live in. One of the information board wrote that this area is known as the North Village or Bukchon (북촌-北村). In Joseon Dynasty, it used to be an upper class residential area for the royal blood and high officials. Today, however, it is a common residential area. Nevertheless, it still feels good to know that I am living in an area with good "fengshui".
Since I left my place quite late yesterday, by the time I reached Apgujoeng, the sky was turning dark. It was completely dark by 6pm and beautiful Christmas lightings were up everywhere. You probably cannot miss "the Galleria" if you have been to Apgujeong. This building is almost like a landmark in Apgujeong. From a distance, I was already mesmerised by its LED screen-like facade. The facade was displaying Christmas animation in all sort of brilliant colours. The building looked so glamorous at night that I could not take my eyes off it.
The temperature fell below zero yesterday night for sure. If not, I would not have to keep my hands in the pocket constantly to keep warm. Because of the chilly weather, I found myself more acceptable to a Christmas display with an Arctic theme. Due to that, you get to see the display on photos or I would have ignore it completely if it is in Singapore. The polar bears and igloos set up beside the Galleria attracted a steady stream of people snapping pictures with their camera phones.
Since I have been to Apgujeong a few times, the place no longer gave me the "wow". However, I still quite like looking at some of the buldings and shops there. Very nice to look at but I will hesitate to go in unless I have money to burn. I was looking for "Ah Kun Kaya Toast" at Apgujeong but found that the shop has since closed down. Does it means that kaya toast and high class does not mix? What a shame.
My original intention is to move to Busan today. However, perhaps my experience with Air China flight delays and being stranded in an overcrowded Beijing Airport has taken away my urge to move from place to place. So I will be staying in Seoul afterall until I depart for Beijing again. Being very comfortable in where I am staying now is also a reason why I decide to stay. I think it would be better to save the time spent on travelling and finding accommodation for something more meaningful. I shall be taking short trips out of Seoul by train and then return at the end of the day. Any place within 2 hours of travel from Seoul will be nice.
As I was walking to the metro station yesterday, I was kinda distracted to explore the district I live in. One of the information board wrote that this area is known as the North Village or Bukchon (북촌-北村). In Joseon Dynasty, it used to be an upper class residential area for the royal blood and high officials. Today, however, it is a common residential area. Nevertheless, it still feels good to know that I am living in an area with good "fengshui".
Traditional Korean-style and modern houses are interspersed in Bukchon.
View of Namsam Tower when walking down a slope in Bukchon.
Since I left my place quite late yesterday, by the time I reached Apgujoeng, the sky was turning dark. It was completely dark by 6pm and beautiful Christmas lightings were up everywhere. You probably cannot miss "the Galleria" if you have been to Apgujeong. This building is almost like a landmark in Apgujeong. From a distance, I was already mesmerised by its LED screen-like facade. The facade was displaying Christmas animation in all sort of brilliant colours. The building looked so glamorous at night that I could not take my eyes off it.
The Galleria displaying Christmas animation in brilliant colours.
The temperature fell below zero yesterday night for sure. If not, I would not have to keep my hands in the pocket constantly to keep warm. Because of the chilly weather, I found myself more acceptable to a Christmas display with an Arctic theme. Due to that, you get to see the display on photos or I would have ignore it completely if it is in Singapore. The polar bears and igloos set up beside the Galleria attracted a steady stream of people snapping pictures with their camera phones.
Polar bear family inside a man-made igloo. Very nice for photo.
Adorable polar bear ready for you to hug and take a picture with.
Stars and fairy lights telling you its going to be Christmas soon.
Since I have been to Apgujeong a few times, the place no longer gave me the "wow". However, I still quite like looking at some of the buldings and shops there. Very nice to look at but I will hesitate to go in unless I have money to burn. I was looking for "Ah Kun Kaya Toast" at Apgujeong but found that the shop has since closed down. Does it means that kaya toast and high class does not mix? What a shame.
Amelie sells beautiful cakes and cheesecakes. Be prepared to pay more.
Blue Moon jazz club is a filming site for My Lovely Sam-soon.
Homestead Coffee, another famous brand name in Seoul.
One last photo to end the day. The busy street of Apgujeong.
My original intention is to move to Busan today. However, perhaps my experience with Air China flight delays and being stranded in an overcrowded Beijing Airport has taken away my urge to move from place to place. So I will be staying in Seoul afterall until I depart for Beijing again. Being very comfortable in where I am staying now is also a reason why I decide to stay. I think it would be better to save the time spent on travelling and finding accommodation for something more meaningful. I shall be taking short trips out of Seoul by train and then return at the end of the day. Any place within 2 hours of travel from Seoul will be nice.
Hi Equinox,
ReplyDelete카메라 투자해서 고마워. 아니면 이 많은 굉장한 사진을 볼 수 없어요.
오랜 여행를 어떻게 가고 싶어요.
그런데 Equinox 씨의 blog 을 매일 읽고 꿈을 꿀거 예요 :)
citrusginger
Citrusginger, nice name!!
ReplyDeleteI believe your chance will come next year. If opportunity permits, we can go and explore Seoul together.
If there is any place or thing you want to see, just drop me a note and I shall bring the pictures to you.^^
The cold weather suit me well although I don't think I am going to see snow for this trip. 난 지금 행복해^^
아! 서울에 계속 있어서 언제나 놀러 갈 수 있겠네~ ㅋㅋ ^^
ReplyDeleteHi Equinox
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for sharing your thoughts and experience in Korea with us. The photos are great in enriching the account of your views and experiences.
I like to read your blog as it is so informative and exciting.
Thank you for all your effort in making your blog avaliable to us.
wow, Galleria looks very pretty with all those LEDs. Last time I was there in summer, nothing special was put up. But it looked grand already...
ReplyDeleteI'd love to take photos with those polar bears! They looks so cuddly =)
Didnt even know there was Ah Kun Kaya Toast... haha.
Learning a lot frm you, Equinox!
Amelie Pattisserie Cafe looks very upclass but home-y. Did you sample any pretty cake?
Apgujeong streets look very pretty!
Too bad you cancelled your Busan trip. But hopefully you have more fun in Seoul outskirts! =)
Equinox, thanks for your compliment :)
ReplyDeleteYour night photos are stunning. Do you use a tripod or put the camera on stationery object? I just can't keep my hands still while the shutter opens and the pictures always end up with "artistic" effect....
Is it from the weather forecast or how do you know there's no chance of snow?
Hi CS, thanks for all your nice words. I am just doing what I like. I am glad to know you like my blog. ^^
ReplyDeleteCheryl, no, I didn't try Amelie's cake or you will see photo of it. Cake sold there is almost like a piece of art. Beside being expensive, it looks too good to be eaten.
Citrusginger, I don't use tripod. I just used whatever support available. In your case, you need camera with anti-shake feature. The weather forecast says that sky in Seoul will be clear for the next one week. What is winter without snow? All because of global warming.