Loved Seoul
Auckland > Seoul, South Korea > Busan
Had quite a bumpy flight over and a rather dramatic landing as we were thrown around in our seats, first to one side then the other, but all ended well.
This trip will have an extra challenge with not only different languages, but also the alphabet is different until we reach Europe – Korean, Russian, Mongolian, and Persian. I am starting to learn the Russian but Korean and Persian, not a clue.
Spent our first day walking for hours which we love to do, saw so many interesting sights and met so many people. Love Seoul – it’s clean, vibrant, and different to what we have experienced before.
Visited the Namdaemun Market – some street food:
Bug cases similar to cicada shells but a different bug – NO, definitely was not tempted – or how about chips in batter and deep fried
It’s a tradition to wear beautiful dresses when visiting the 14th Century Guyeongbok Palace which was the seat of power for 500 years
The narrow alleyways of Bukchon Hanok – a taste of old Seoul.
The stream which runs through the centre of the city is a quiet retreat to walk and was just across the road from our hotel.
Many interesting buildings – this one is curved glass
Deliveries are done mainly by motorbike
I have never seen soooo many markets and shops – I don’t know how the owners make a living with so much competition. All different types of shop are grouped together, whether its tools, wedding fabrics, books, paper, lighting, fire extinguishers etc etc. The shops are very small and spill out onto the footpaths.
This is full of different coloured paper.
This shop had so many tools customers had to walk on them, they were all over the floor.
Grinding on the side of the road – no eye protection, obviously no Health & Safety issues here. He asked why we were taking a photo – all the people here are so friendly and interested.
Wendy Choi who has helped us so much even though she wasn’t acting as our agent – was lovely to catch up for coffee !!
Toilets here come with instructions, which is very handy except they are in Korean and Braille. AND the seat is heated!
I have soooo many more photos but I think that’s enough for now.
Day 2 – Seoul to Busan
This morning we caught the very fast Bullet Train to Busan. The countryside is quite hilly so there were quite a number of tunnels. Lots of paddy fields and market gardening but no animals.
We were picked up from our hotel to go collect our bikes and get Customs clearance. We created a lot of interest when uncrating the bikes and again people were very helpful and involved when putting them back together.
We will be activating a tracker once we get on the bikes in a couple of days so you will be able to follow our route by clicking on the link which will be available.
Wonderful to see that you are on the road again.
Best wishes from Team Kiwi
Thank you. Looking forward to getting on with our riding. We will have a day in Busan tomorrow then head north on Thursday.
Loving your ride already. Please keep it coming with as much content as you can provide, recognizing that this takes a lot of your time and energy. Especially enjoy your positive attitude.
Hey Steve!! Good to hear from you again 🙂
wow thank you so much nearly like being with you
If only I could post the full experience including the sounds and smells!!
Wicked cool guys we are onboard for the ride!!
Great to have you along !!
Great photos and update. It makes us itchy again …. Looking forward to your updates from the road.
Enjoy your ride.
TinTomKiwi 🙂
Having a day in Busan taking a bit of a look around but mainly getting the bikes packed up, putting the visors and handguards etc back on – that sort of stuff. Will be on the road tomorrow, and looking forward to it.
Hi Guys, Good to see you happy on another venture.
Oh so exciting, we will be watching your travels and enjoying your updates. Travel safely. Jane and Rex xx