Seoul Girl

It’s that time of the year once again. the one that we rather forget than confide. but we are inevitably doomed and must face the music of drudgery, “the bikini season”. Unless your name is Naomi Campbell or Kate Moss, most of us feel awkward in a bikini as a whale would in a pond.

As much as we dread it, we can’t deny our love for the sunbathing and cool slash on a hot sticky seoul summer days. So ignore your winter love handles and muffin tops on your waist, suck in your tummies, and squeeze into those suits.

But where to you ask? well, we are stuck in a rat hole with a closest water source being Han River. That doesn’t give us more of an option to work with. Unless your idea of a good time is smelling like a toilet for next few days, I highly recommend that you avoid it at all cost. Instead try out the following:

1. Go to Itaewon Hotel. Itaewon Subway line 6, Exit 1. Instead of walking straight, make a quick turn around, so heading the opposite direction and then look to your left and there behold is the hotel. The pool is on the rooftop. Follow the direction. It costs 10,000won. It has a college springbreak vibe. People are there to be “seen” or be “scoped” out. The weekends are very crowded. Bring your own towel.

2. Go to Hyatt Hotel. It has one of the nicest outdoor pools and gardens. A reminder: The pool is designated for their guests. But if you choose to ignore this rule, then I recommend that you “look the part”. Dress nicely and don’t be loud, rude, and obnoxious. Incognito is the operative word here.

From near stations Samgakji(lines 4,6), Sinyongsan(line 4), Yongsan(line 1), or Noksapyeong station(line 6), catch the smaller green bus #03 heading to Kyeun Rhee Den neighborhood (which is the neighborhood directly across from Hay Bong Chun Neighbor near Noksapyeong Station). The bus directly goes and stops at the hotel (it’s the last stop). When enter the hotel, take the escalator down and follow the sign to the pool. Before entering outside, grab one of the green towels. If you get caught, you are required to pay about 45,0o00 won to continue using the pool. So don’t get caught. also, do not order drinks/food. They get directly charged to the room. Good Luck!!

There are many other pools throughout Seoul, like public pools near Han River and other hotels. but I am not familiar with those.

If you are confused: Contact me: Jennyminsook@hotmail.com

Check the website for further direction to the hotel

http://seoul.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Head down to Boryung, south of Seoul, a west coast town.

The higlight of the city is of course the beach and the mud house. The Mud House is a day spa specializing in mud treatment facials, body massage, and bathhouse. It’s located near the beach and Tourist Information Desk. You can’t miss it!! The bathhouse costs 10,000 won. The facial costs 20,000. The full body massage costs 30,000won. I highly recommend the full body. It’s worth every won. Please make it very clear that you are only interested in your choice. If you choose the facial or full body massage, do not approach the information desk. Instead go to the other counter selling the mud beauty products. A warning for squimish North Americans. you are required to be fully naked(birthday suit) for this treatment. First, you are placed in a heated casket like a tanning bed to relax your muscles. Then you are fully lathered and massaged with the local beauty mud. Afterwards, you lie in a sauna to allow the mud to harden. Then you rinse off and then placed in a jacuzzi spa. It completes in about 2 hours.

During the day at the beach, it feels relatively calm, but the town really comes alive during late at night. There are carnival rides away from the beach, but on the beach, you can expect to see small fireworks, horse drawn carriages, miniature motorbikes, bonfires, and other festivity madness. The only thing lacking is one those creepy clowns with a killer, evil smile and blurring ” Chi gul lay”=”I am gonna kill you”

Direction:

From Express Bus Terminal(same as subway Line 3 Orange), get a ticket to Daecheon The ride takes about 2 hours. At Daechon station, buy a ticket to Boryung. The last bus of the day arrives at 10pm. Stay on the local city bus for about 15 minutes and the bus will stop at the resort town. You’ll know once you arrive, it has a carnival festivity feel.

The main road leads right to the beach.

The city hosts the annual Boryung Mud Festival in July: for further info on the festival and accommodations, check the website below.

www.worknplay.co.kr/buryeongsites/boryeongsmotels1.html

The annual Buddah’s Birthday Festivities in Seoul, Korea 2007:

Dates: May 18 - 20 (Lighting of the Lantern scheduled for May 9, Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony scheduled for May 24)
Venue: Jogyesa Temple, Seoul Plaza, and surrounding areas
fees: Some participation fees and site admission fees may be charged.

Tourism Information: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Inquiries: +82-2-2011-1747 (Korean, English)
Homepage: http://www.llf.or.kr/ (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, French

Program Date & Time Venue :
Lighting of the Lantern May 9 (Wednesday) (scheduled for) 7:00 pm Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall

Exhibition of Traditional Lanterns May 18 (Friday) ~ May 24 (Thursday) Bongeunsa Temple at Samseong-dong

Yeondeung Nori (festival eve celebration) May 19 (Saturday) 19:00~21:00 Insadong ~ Jogyesa Temple

Buddhist Street Festival May 20 (Sunday) 12:00~20:00 Jogyesa Temple (from Jogyesa to Boshingak and Anguk Rotary)

Opening Ceremony for the Parade May 20 (Sunday) 16:30~18:30 Dongdaemun Stadium

Lotus Lantern Parade May 20 (Sunday) 19:00~21:30 Streets of Jongno
(between Dongdaemun Stadium and Jogyesa Temple)

Daedong Celebration May 20 (Sunday) 21:30~22:30 Jogyesa Temple (from Jogyesa to Boshingak and Anguk Rotary)

Buddha’s Birthday May 24 (Thursday) 10:00 (lighting of lanterns 18:00) Jogyesa Temple and all temples throughout Korea

Location:
*Jongno: Get off at Jonggak Station of subway line No.1 Go out of Exit No.3
*Jogyesa Temple: Get off at Anguk Station of subway line No. 3 Exit 6
*Dongdaemun Stadium: Get off at Dongdaemun Stadium of subway line No.2, 4, 5
*Bongeunsa Temple: Get off at Samseong Station of subway line No.2  Turn right at the alley of Hyundai Department Store and walk straight for 10 mins.