More sightseeing and tea

I had a great last day in Seoul. I decided in the morning to go on a City Bus Tour starting at Itaewon Shopping Street (across from the hotel). It’s a very cost effective way to get to the sights and allows you to get on and off the bus whenever you want. For 10,000 Won (not quite $10) it is a great way to see the city. My first stop was Namsangol Traditional Korean Village. This village has restored five traditional Korean houses from commoners to royalty, with a pavilion, a pond and a time capsule which makes it a perfect spot to take a walk. The time capsule is scheduled to be opened in 400 years (when Seoul turns 1,000 years). The surrounding parks invite you for a stroll and you can even participate in a Korean Tea Ceremony. When I was at the village it was not available since a group of students booked the time.

         

I went back on the bus and went to Seoul Tower. After a walk up a steep hill, I reached the top and the view is amazing. To me, Seoul is a more bustling city than Tokyo. This view from the top and the traffic on the streets illuminates that. Again, a lot of schools were visiting the tower but there was no wait to get up. Apparently, Seoul does not have any building restrictions when it comes to the height of the buildings (Kyoto has a height restriction of 30 feet). I have never seen as many apartment high risers as in Korea.

I made a great find today at Insadong Market. In a back alley just off the main street, beside a garbage dumb was a great teashop and tea room.

I went inside and loved the atmosphere. The name of the store is “Tea Story – Beautiful Tea Museum”. It isn’t really a tea museum but a tea store with a small exhibition isle of a local potter. Beautiful tea ware! I tried some Korean Black Tea from Hadong. It has a nice taste – not as strong as an Assam but stronger than Ceylon. A hint of spice and almost a subtle taste of Keemun. They also serve a great green tea waffle with Banana, Blueberry and cream. Yummy!

Before going back to the hotel I also stopped by another tea shop where I was on our first day in Korea. I picked up a couple of things (Azalea tea from North Korea, and Hydrangea). They are very yummy but not very cheap. Actually, while traveling through Korea, I noticed that tea in general is very expensive here. I thought it would be cheaper due to the close proximity to China and Japan. Well, this assumption proved to be wrong. I also met the store owner, Yang Kyung Nyun, and she is a very knowledgeable shop owner. She is already in business for 19 years and if you make it to Seoul, you should stop by her shop. When talking to her, you will learn more about the “energy” of tea. Ask me for her address when you travel to Seoul!!