TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

Each country and culture has its own way of protesting, but the most daring and controversial protest acts or shall we call it publicity stunts, are none other than from our avant-garde activist hero, Greenpeace , who happens to have their headquarters in Amsterdam. Why am I not surprised? Because anything to do with charity, human rights, animal rights and nature preservation is big business in the Netherlands. We have an Animal Party that has a seat in the Dutch Parliament and thousands of 'stichtingen' (NGOs) in the country that if you close them half of the population will be jobless (OK, I am exaggerating but now you get the point). On our last day in Seoul, Dutchman and I came across an interesting protest in Jongno-gu (old city centre). Protest against the Ministry of Health by the invalids QUESTION: How does a disabled man on a wheelchair protest against a large institution such as the Ministry of Health in South Korea? ANSWER: By taking his wheelchair with...

Come to Samcheong-dong My favourite places in Seoul are Insa-dong and Samcheong-dong. Both popular and artsy neighbourhoods are located across each other separated by a main road in Seoul’s historical centre, Jongno-gu. Samcheongdong is just beside the Gyeongbokgung Palace . While Insa-dong is more traditional, cultural and sublime (I had a lovely tea in a traditional Korean tea house   here), Samcheong-dong is modern, young and trendy with an uptown-ish jive going. There are many so many trendy cafe terraces here, they are simply everywhere! I wrote a while back about the rooftop cafes in Samcheong-dong  where Dutchman and I enjoyed a cup of coffee and a bite of something, which if you were to ask me, is a must do when in the area. And because I really liked this place, I came here twice. On our last day in Seoul, I managed to shop and scored a few lovely items here. I do not travel to shop but it is impossible not to shop here as the stores have such lovely items ...

I’m going to give you a little (daytime) picture tour of this artistic and historic neighbourhood in the old city centre of Seoul. There is amazingly an abundance of lovely things to see here in Insadong, from handicraft ateliers, art galleries, antique shops, museums, to traditional restaurants, tea houses and yummylicious food street vendors. During our first night in the city, we had our Bulgogi dinner and our first try at rice wine here at Insa-dong. The evenings here are always busy, the main street turns into a mecca for street food lovers . Eat all you want and eat it anywhere =). During daytime, the place is filled with shoppers and people who are looking for the arty, classic and cultural flavour of Korea. Let us begin the picture tour! There are many Korean cuisine restaurants in Insa-dong. It is a lively place throughout the day and into the night. The dumpling is a favourite dish here I noticed. Some family owned restaurants post pictures of the matron and chef...

Where do you go in Seoul to experience a traditional Korean tea moment in a traditional Korean tea house? That would be in no less artsy and historic Insa-dong. I’ve read about Insa-dong’s chatjips (traditional tea houses) that are elusively tucked away in its small narrow alleys. You will have to navigate these backstreets fastidiously looking out for that most likely entrance door to a tea house. Luckily, while wandering the alleys of Insadong, I came across the most popular Korean traditional tea house—‘Dawon’ located inside the garden of Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art (also known as Kung-In Art Gallery). This is the oldest tea house in Seoul and located in a traditional hanok house as well. It has a lovely courtyard terrace surrounded with beautiful cherry blossom trees. Now, if you are wondering where the Dutchman is, we have decided to part ways for a few hours so I can do the stuff that I want, and he as well. Let’s face it and be honest with ourselves, men and women will al...