24 Hours in Seoul!

The 9th of October marked one of the biggest events of the year for South Korea, Global Gathering 2010. (Well not quiet as big as the Grand Prix!!! But still pretty big)

We spent the day exploring the throbbing streets of Hongdae (Hongik University) before making our way to the DJ festival.
As usual, we stayed at the great backpackers, Blu GuestHouse, where a room for 8 people cost us each W17 000 (about $17) for a comfortable bed and a nice hot shower.

The free market, which is right by the Universities campus is a great place to find good bargains, and great bits and bobs!

Here is a short clip of a very interesting street procession:

And of course the most AWESOME Lomography shop in Seoul! (remember Farmboy's Fisheye camera...they have loads of them for sale and of course the film and every other kind of accessory!)

As day turned into night, we made our way to the concert;

The high-lite of the evening was Justice & Fatboy Slim, with a great line up of other great DJ's in between.
For info on other events happening in and around Korea, check out InterPark (where you can also buy tickets!)

*S*H*O*P*P*I*N*G ~ Daejeon’s ‘Old Down Town’

One of my favouite things about Korea has got to be the shopping! The colours are fantastic, and the fashion...well lets just say that nearly every girl here looks like she has stepped off the runway :) The best thing about most of the stores they cheap! Obviously the bigger brand names are expensive, more so than South Africa, but the smaller boutique's! I could get lost in them for days :)
So i've decided to dedicate this post to the best places to go shopping in Daejeon:


1. Old Downtown (Eunheng-dong area).

There are two places here, one underground, and the other above ground. The underground shopping has hundreds of cute and unique stalls, while above ground has some of the bigger stores like Apple Store and Zara, and a whole bunch of sporty shoe shops. And of course, a million coffee shops/ restaurants, bars and clubs :)


Directions:


Subway: get off at Jungang-no  station (number 105 just before Daejeon Station), and then just follow the hoards of people! You can get go above ground any time by going up the stairs situated along the walkway at different places.

By bus to Jungano Subway Station: # 1, 101, 103, 201, 201, 317, 511, 613, 615, 701 (then just go underground via the big green stairs in front of you)


By bus to DownTown 'above ground' area: # 2, 103, 107, 201, 311, 313, 514, 603, 612, 615, 701


Happy Shopping!

*S*H*O*P*P*I*N*G ~ Daejeon's 'Old Down Town'

One of my favouite things about Korea has got to be the shopping! The colours are fantastic, and the fashion...well lets just say that nearly every girl here looks like she has stepped off the runway :) The best thing about most of the stores they cheap! Obviously the bigger brand names are expensive, more so than South Africa, but the smaller boutique's! I could get lost in them for days :)
So i've decided to dedicate this post to the best places to go shopping in Daejeon:


1. Old Downtown (Eunheng-dong area).

Exploring Gung-dong *Chugnam University area*

Jumping on a random bus and exploring Daejeon has been quiet a regular occurance for FarmBoy and myself lately...and the latest spot to be crawled was Gung-dong, which is the very student centred area surrounding Chugnam University, where Santa Claus and the Shisha House are found. Basically the area is jam-packed with restaurants, coffee shops, Nori Bangs (kareoke bars) and bars, as well as the usual knick knack shops.

Here are a few we stopped in to check out, and will definately be heading back to soon!

MECA

A fabulous board game coffee shop, where you pay a very small fee (W1 000) and choose from the endless supply of board/card games and play to your hearts content.

Aparantly these boardgame havens were realy popular about 6-8 years ago and used to occupy every corner! But now the craze has died down, and just a handful are left...such a pity.

Directions: The 115 and 109 bus stop right outside Santa Clau, but Bus # 48, 101, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 113, 114, 115, 119, 121, and 706 stop at the University Front (Western) Gates, from there you just take a stroll into the bustling streets to Gung-Dong...

Howl at the Moon

A fabulously funky bar with loads of character.

I'm not sure whether its the uber friendly owner, or the fact that he has all kind of instruments for any customer to pick up and play top their hearts content, but this bar has definately found its way onto our 'must visit regularly' list...

Howl at the Moon is right accross the street from MECA, so either make your way to the Shisha House and walk up the road, or get to Chugnam University (directions above) and explore!

Exploring Gung-dong *Chugnam University area*

Jumping on a random bus and exploring Daejeon has been quiet a regular occurance for FarmBoy and myself lately...and the latest spot to be crawled was Gung-dong, which is the very student centred area surrounding Chugnam University, where Santa Claus and the Shisha House are found. Basically the area is jam-packed with restaurants, coffee shops, Nori Bangs (kareoke bars) and bars, as well as the usual knick knack shops.

Here are a few we stopped in to check out, and will definately be heading back to soon!

MECA

A fabulous board game coffee shop, where you pay a very small fee (W1 000) and choose from the endless supply of board/card games and play to your hearts content.

Aparantly these boardgame havens were realy popular about 6-8 years ago and used to occupy every corner! But now the craze has died down, and just a handful are left...such a pity.

The Shisha House...

So our wonderings round Gungdong (the area surrounding Chugnam University) took us right onto the doorstep of The Shisha House, a very funky hubbly/hooka/shisha bar owned by the friendly Frenchman, Frederic...

Prices for hubbly range from W7 000 ~ W10 000, and they have a VAST selection of beers.
When they say that some of their flavours are *strong*, be warned...they mean *STRONG*. Farmboy and I tried the watermelon, and, well let's just say if ur looking for more of kick, this is the one to try. They also have milder flavours like peach * melon.

From Santa Claus its just a 1 min walk up the street. Here are directions from Fred :)

My bar is located in Kungdong, Yuseong-gu, near "santa Claus". The closest subway is the Yuseong Spa. Then you walk toward Chungnam university. You past the language center on your right, go through the parking lot. turn right from the university side gate then the first left. then go strait, til the end of the street. However I recommend you to take the cab from the subway station and ask for Kungdong Teigeuk ankyongwon (궁동 태극안경원)

The one side of the entrance is 'bricked up' so could be hard to spot at night, so just keep your eye open for the blue sign on the side of the building :)

The Shisha House...

So our wonderings round Gungdong (the area surrounding Chugnam University) took us right onto the doorstep of The Shisha House, a very funky hubbly/hooka/shisha bar owned by the friendly Frenchman, Frederic...

Prices for hubbly range from W7 000 ~ W10 000, and they have a VAST selection of beers.
When they say that some of their flavours are *strong*, be warned...they mean *STRONG*. Farmboy and I tried the watermelon, and, well let's just say if ur looking for more of kick, this is the one to try. They also have milder flavours like peach * melon.

From Santa Claus its just a 1 min walk up the street. Here are directions from Fred :)

My bar is located in Kungdong, Yuseong-gu, near "santa Claus". The closest subway is the Yuseong Spa. Then you walk toward Chungnam university. You past the language center on your right, go through the parking lot. turn right from the university side gate then the first left. then go strait, til the end of the street. However I recommend you to take the cab from the subway station and ask for Kungdong Teigeuk ankyongwon (궁동 태극안경원)

The one side of the entrance is 'bricked up' so could be hard to spot at night, so just keep your eye open for the blue sign on the side of the building :)

Santa Claus Pub...

Nestled in the heart of Yuseoung, a short walk from Chugnam University lies Santa Claus ~ pub/bar/restaurant/pool lounge/chill spot.

It doesnt claim to be anything fancy, as it's not...but it's a great place to watch soccer games, have a beer, hang out and play pool with your friends.

The owner is really friendly, and they serve yummy Western food (a bit pricey~ W10 000 for my burger and tiny coke) but good nonetheless. They also have loads of Western alcoholic drinks, so you dont have to fork out for a whole bottle of vodka when u just want a double and coke :). There are 2 for 1 specials on most nights ~till 11pm for guys and till closing for girls.

Santa Claus is near Chugnam University,but is not that close a walk. So the best way to get there is to go by bus, bus# 105, 109, 115 all stop right outside Santa Claus, the stop is called Hanbit Apartment (it's announced in English). We actually walked all the way from Yuseoung Spa Subway station (it took us about 30 mins) so if you come by subway, get out at exit no#7 and then transfer to bus 105, 109 or 115, as it goes

straight past...its about a 5 min bus ride from there.

Santa Claus Pub...

Nestled in the heart of Yuseoung, a short walk from Chugnam University lies Santa Claus ~ pub/bar/restaurant/pool lounge/chill spot.

It doesnt claim to be anything fancy, as it's not...but it's a great place to watch soccer games, have a beer, hang out and play pool with your friends.

The owner is really friendly, and they serve yummy Western food (a bit pricey~ W10 000 for my burger and tiny coke) but good nonetheless. They also have loads of Western alcoholic drinks, so you dont have to fork out for a whole bottle of vodka when u just want a double and coke :). There are 2 for 1 specials on most nights ~till 11pm for guys and till closing for girls.

Santa Claus is near Chugnam University,but is not that close a walk. So the best way to get there is to go by bus, bus# 105, 109, 115 all stop right outside Santa Claus, the stop is called Hanbit Apartment (it's announced in English). We actually walked all the way from Yuseoung Spa Subway station (it took us about 30 mins) so if you come by subway, get out at exit no#7 and then transfer to bus 105, 109 or 115, as it goes

straight past...its about a 5 min bus ride from there.