Hey guys, welcome to Incheon international airport.
The excitement, the adventure... well actually its mildly dull hence why I'm online.
After an exciting and eventful day on Monday I headed off to the tourist region Itaewon for some grub, all the excitement had plain famished me.
I enjoyed an AMAZING falafal sandwich from Ali Babas Egyptian eatery which is just the sort of place to fit in on King St. I loved it. It was my first falafal in many, many months.
Afterwards nearly faiting from exhaustion I headed back to the hotel and slept.
Tues commenced my leaving Seoul and heading out into the big grey wilderness (scary music in the background now please).
After a visit to the post office and some food I jumped on the subway and managed to arrange a bus from the bus depo, with time to kill I strolled around the surrounding area of the bus depo, which is not so entertaining so I wouldn't recommend it!!!
The bus took a little over three hours to arrive and by now it was late afternoon (4pm actually), So I hiked along the tourist trail and happily watched as bus loads of tourists drove away.
AND THEN I saw IT. By the god of smeg its gotta have been the biggest bleeding bronze statue I have ever seen! So I took a few pics to really capture the moment but I think they will fall short of the true amazement I felt.

Anyway after that I loitered, took photos yada yada, then strolled back to the bus depo and got on a bus to see Martine.
The trip from Songnisan to C'heongju took about an hour and a half with a little traffic.
I couldn't tell the bus driver where I wanted to get off (C'heongju is pretty big and there are several stops), so after much shouting at me in an attempt to communicate he dropped me off at the bus terminal where I was nabbed by two helpful girls who manhandled me into a cab and took me to Martine's school.
Bugger out of time
darn
Repulished

Hey guys am safely home now
After meeting up with Martine we did dinner and a movie then lots of sleeping.
The next morning Martine was an absolute gem and made mw a gourmet breakfast with pancakes and juice and fruit etc etc etc. I`ve decided to abduct her and bring her to Japan to cook for me.
Then I loitered around markets during the day before jumping on the express bus to the airport and home.
until next time
Live long and prosper
posted by Schmoo at 1:21 AM

Well here is the trusty two adventuring in South Korea no less!
After a quick and easy flight (our pair making it to the airport in the knick of time), we met up witht he lovely Martine whose knowledge and brochures (she has been hereby declared 'the brochure Queen') started me out on the right Korean tract with the spicy lunch (picture tears streaming down little schmoo's face) which was an enjoyable experience (an apology note has been forwarded to my intestines however...).

Martine then described the trials and tribbl-ations (ref star trek original series 'the trouble with tribbles') of the subway as we navigated to Gyeongbokgung (palace). There was an amazing trditional Tae Kwon Do display and we even ventured to the folk museum after the palace - educated pair that we are.
From there we attempted to locate a hotel. Which was about the point that I ended up in a police car with people looking in and pointing (foreigners - you simply can't trust them!!!) - Actually we had asked the police dudes for directions and they literally fell over themselves to assist two beautiful Aussie lasses in distress (well...) Although after some not so fruitful searching (and ditching the cops who appeared lost) I suggested Martine leave so she could make the 2 hour trip home while I continued strolling backpack on through the city streets until I found a decent place to rest, which I did, I'd love to give you its name but I haven't the foggiest and after 3 days I still haven't located it on a map as I'm positive the street doesn't exist.

So I changed clothes and hit the nightlife. I ate from these gorgeous street stores and I'm still alive so it wasn't too bad.
After strolling and food shopping I went back to the hotel to rest. I discovered that they have cable tv but the porn channel was so terrible I decided to watch Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt movie special instead.
Sunday rocked around and I did a heap of strolling around visiting 'things'.
I went to Jongnyo Royal shrine and Changdeokgung Palace and beautiful surrounding grounds, then hiked to city hall (bought fairy floss for lunch), then visited a few 'gates' and 'statues' and more 'palaces' before attempting to find an internet cafe. While trying to find the internet I found a French guy who I ended up having dinner with. My French was more than a little rusty and the only French lines I do know were inappropriate for the situation ((thanks Amy)).
Anyway after dinner and drinks I finally retired in the wee morning hours to catch some zzz's.

Monday morning rocks around and I was off to Namdaemun market for shopping, shopping and more shopping. I also spent all of my available funds (for 5 days) so I had to visit the bank...oops. Thankgod for Mastercard I tell you!!!
I went to Seoul Tower next which was a mildly gruelling hike up a big hill but well worth it (Tigger ran off with the camera and took a few pics-took me ages to find him).
I was attacked by a Jehovah's witness Korean woman in the women's room attempting to convert the unconvertable to the joy and light that is Jehovah... She appeared mildly confused by the statement "Tigger is devil worshipper and I'm his sex slave" (indicating little cartoon tigger tied to my waist at this time), it did end the conversation however and I managed to escape from the bathroom. and they think I'm strange - huh.
and so now here I am scribing it all down in a rather seedy establishment with more smokers than computers attempting not to choke to death.
Until next time with the amazing adventures of Little Schmoo and Tigger too.
posted by Schmoo at 2:19 AM