13 hangover cures from around the world

Hangover cures

Besides the bleeping obvious (not drinking in the first place or drinking lots of water during a night out), here are 13 hangover cures I’ve encountered while travelling around the world or that have been suggested by my fellow travelling companions. Try any combination of…

Read more

Gangnam’s Luxury Street

Gangnam

Maintaining the lifestyle of the rich and famous may be expensive, but give it a try, even if only for a day. Clicking high heels create a rhythmic soundtrack, which embodies the glamour of Cheongdam-dong Luxury Street. This high-end street aptly captures the true essence…

Read more

Tea: Korean Infusion

Korean tea

Tea was introduced to South Korea from China, around the 7th century — during the late Silla dynasty. Perhaps because it was served on a daily basis it was taken for granted. However, recently there’s been a resurgence of interest in the intricate tea ceremony…

Read more

Santana: Put Your Records On

Santana

It’s not difficult to lose yourself among the titles of the vinyl records and CDs that Mr. Lee has been collecting for decades. I gaze through his extensive collection of music to see what we have in common. I notice a few classics that my…

Read more

Hanji and Insadong’s Stationery Stores

stationery

I gently run my fingertips over the layers of folded hanji and hope the owner will forgive these small delights of mine. When I was younger I desperately wanted to own a stationery store, I think most girls did. South Korea has re-ignited that deep-seated childhood…

Read more

World’s Tallest Art Gallery

63 Building

The 63 Building – which is part of 63 City or 63 Square – is possibly one of South Korea’s most recognisable skyscrapers. You can see its golden glisten as you cross the Han River on the subway. It was the tallest building outside of the…

Read more

Seodaemun Prison

Soedaemun Prison

The sea between South Korea and Japan is called the Sea of Japan, as advised by the United States of America at the International Hydrographic Organisation. South Koreans continue to refer to it as the East Sea because the name change occurred while South Korea…

Read more

Garak Fish Market

Garak Fish Market

I’m the kind of person who could survive purely on chocolate, sunshine, smiles and salmon sashimi – not necessarily in that particular order, but you understand. My friends and I arrived at Garak Fish Market, South East of Seoul Station, in the late afternoon. After…

Read more

Kukkiwon: World Taekwondo HQ

Kukkiwon

I’d really like to think that I have something to do with the fact that some of my friends back home have seriously taken up Taekwondo since I have been in South Korea. But, truth be told, it’s probably due to the rising popularity of…

Read more

Gangnam Cityscape

Gangnam

Marco Polo restaurant is serenely perched above the skyline, on the 52nd floor of the World Trade Centre in Gangnam, Seoul. The glass elevator ride to the top is reminiscent of an amusement park ride as the world shrinks beneath my feet. The glass walls provide…

Read more

Changdeokgung Palace: Seoul’s Secret Garden

Changdeokgung Palace

My wonderful friend, Gina, and I spent the afternoon nobly frolicking around Changdeokgung Palace like we owned the place: quite literally we were pretending to be the daughters of royalty. We suspended our disbelief – no one had to know that we were ACTUALLY part of…

Read more

Incheon Chinatown

Incheon Chinatown

Incheon Chinatown is the biggest and only (official) chinatown in South Korea. Its beginnings can be traced back to the late 19th century when it was opened in an attempt to create a free trade zone for Chinese merchants and settlers. The Korean War, however,…

Read more

Portraits of Namdaemun Market

Namdaemun Market

This gallery contains 10 photos.

Namdaemun Market is one of my favourite traditional markets in Seoul. Not a fortnight goes by that I don’t visit. There are quite a number of reasons as to why I frequent it so often. You can buy anything here – from jewelry and accessories, to…

Read more

Janggi: Korean Chess

Janggi is a strategic board game that permeates South Korean society. Although Janggi is usually played recreationally, a patient crowd gathers as players begin to bet money. Men huddle around the two opponents. As horses gallop across the board; cannons fire; government officials take their positions…

Read more

Gaemi Maeul: Seoul’s colourful ant village

Gaemi Maul

I updated this post in December 2017. :) Captured by an age-old spell, Lilliput – also known as Gaemi Maeul or Ant Village to the locals – lies hidden in the hills near Bugaksan in northwestern Seoul. Once I passed through the portal, like the one found in The…

Read more

Hi Seoul Festival

Hi Seoul Festival

‘It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s Icarus!’ This is exactly how Rainbow Drops held our attention by the hand. Perhaps La Fura dels Baus, the Spanish theatre troupe, interpreted the festival memo as reading ‘high’ Seoul Festival.  This non-verbal performance opened with a white-winged Icarus soaring…

Read more