DAY 6 in SEOUL - Visiting Garosugil

Exiting from exit 8 of Sinsa Station(Above), we just looked for the tallest building - seen in the photo below and walked towards the building for about three blocks until we reached a corner where the area’s tallest building was(Below)

Then we turned left(Below) onto our shopping destination - Garosugil Street. Garosugil runs perpendicular to two major streets and you can access it from either ends too.






As the Korean name implies (Garosugil means “tree-lined street), this street is famous for the trees, which line both sides of the 700m-long promenade. In summer, the trees’ verdant green leaves provide welcome shade for shoppers, and in autumn these ginkgo trees turn golden. Garosugil Street in often been referred to as ‘Europe in Seoul’. However unfortuantely for us, when we arrived there, they had just trimmed the trees so we didn't get to see the full splendor of this famed tree lined street.





(Above)Don't the above building look like a scene from Europe?


(Above) This European like building is actually a cafe on the ground level and The Business Hotel on the upper floors.

It would not be too difficult to imagine oneself walking in a European street at Garosugil with it's row of trees lining the streets filled with trendy cafes with French European names, little boutiques and fashionable hip yuppies having a cuppa there. The place is dominated by French and Italian cafes which add to the European atmosphere. The boutiques are filled with pretty baby t shirts, lacey / sun dresses
accessories.


(Above) Gayle had a nice time popping in and out the whole street of boutiques


















(Above)Isn't this outdoor cafe romantic?




Above) We came across this very avant garde boutique shopfront fronted by a glass structure that descends into the basement.

After this while of walking, we wanted to rest our legs and stopped at Twosome Place, the local version of Coffee Bean or Starbucks which has many branches throughout. Their prices also didnt look stratospheric. More importantly, the cakes just looked yummie! And they indeed taste yummie!


(Above)Inside the cafe






(Above) Pretty cakes on display at Twosome Place




(Above) When we first arrived in Seoul, we were wondering what were these that were given to customers at foodcourts, cafes. It is actually a guest pager which will light up and vibrate when your order is ready to be collected at the counter. Heard that it recently just came to be used in Singapore.




(Above) Always a Faceshop at every corner of Seoul. The branch here seems more upper class with staff in lab coats.


(Above) Land is at a premium at Garosugil so cars are stacked up in an automated stacking parking system.

Leaving Garosugil at the end of the day, we headed back to our place at Anguk and stopped by a popular Korean BBQ restaurant for dinner. It is a must to eat Korean BBQ for the experience, with the smoke suction funnel hood in front of you.




(Above)Gayle expresses her happiness at being surrounded by tasty side dishes.


(Above) Us posing before dinner


(Above) As always, let the staff do the cooking if you arent sure.


(Above)Fragrant and succulent Pork belly cut and cooked, ready for serving.


(Above)Preparing the lettuce wrap for the pork belly. Fill it with onion, sauce, green chilli before putting the pork in.

With a full belly and a accomplished day completed, we headed back to our service apartment for a good rest and do some packing as we would be changing accomodation the next day.

For Jen who asked about the location of this bbq eatery, we don't have the name since it is all in Korean characters- however it is located in a side rd named Hwasin-gil. When you enter Hwasin-gil, about 50m down there is a big carpark space on yr right and there are two restaurants at the carpark space) the one on the left as you enter the carpark is the one we went to. Hwasin-gil is just afer the Jonggok Subway Station entrance.

DAY 6 IN SEOUL(PART II)- Visiting Seorae

(Above) Sinbanpo Station - stop at Seorae

From Samsong station, we took the subway to Sinbanpo Station to reach our next destination - the town of Seorae where the French community gathers in Seoul.
Seorae Village is Seoul’s French district where there lives a community of French nationals who work and commute within Seoul. There are also Koreans who are admirers of French culture who live there too. This is the place to get a slice of French stuff within Seoul.About 800 French people, which are about a half of French population in Korea, live in Seorae. Therefore, it is called as a "little France" - or more perhaps more appropriately "petite France." French people began living around here because the French Embassy School in Korea moved there in 1985. As the French corporations such as Carrefour, TGV, CLSA, and Bank Renault began to enter the Korean market after 1990, Seorae grew as the staff of these companies populated Seorae. Thus, the village became what it is known as the French district of Seoul.


(Above)Exiting from the train, we reach the platform at Sinbanpo station.


(Above) A reminder of the threat posed by North Korea - Chemical gas masks stored readily for use at the subway stations in the event of an attack.


(Above) Spied a new coke flavor - cherry coke - taste more like Fanta / F & N Grape


(Above) Kia display inside the station - showcasing the new Kia Sportage SUV and Kia Magetis Saloon.


(Above) Coming out from Singbanpo Station, we came across this authentic French bakery called Alaska and asked the friendly staff there for directions. We also bought some aromatic French croissants too. From the bakery, walk to the junction just ahead and turn left up the road. Head all the way to the next junction.


(Above)Clay tennis courts are subtle signs that tell you are in an affluent part of Seoul.






(Above)Passing by new condominiums and apartments along the way to Seorae. Truly affluence strikes you at every corner with new glitzy buildings and apartments.


(Above)Reaching the junction, turn left in direction of Seorae


(Above) Look for a overhead bridge and Seorae is just right down the road.


(Above) After the overhead bridge, you should be able to see this orange painted cafe. Continue down the main road and you will come across Seorae street which is designated by a street sign.






(Above) Seorae street - rows of French inspired shops


(Above) French sounding pet clinic

The first thing that tells you that you are in a French town are the three coloured pedestrian sidewalk that stretches 300m from the entry of Seorae road until the Banggae Middle School. This sidewalk is painted in red, white and blue which are the colors of the French flag.

Road signs are written in both French and Korean which shows the harmony of the French and Korean communities living in Seorae Village together. Examples of such signs are "Attention ecole (Attention School District)" and "Hospital Ste-Marie" .Many roads here are also named after places in Paris such as Montmartre.






(Above) French Korean national flags hang together as a symbol of close friendship between Seorae and France


(Above) The French International School at Seorae


(Above)Apartments at Seorae inspired by the chateau design


(Above) Walk down this main street to head back to the Sinbanpo subway station


(Above) Finally reaching Sinbanpo station on to Sinsa station to reach our next destination - Garosugil Street.