Seoul: Looking out for Beewon


Tyre screeching, heavy breaks and soon our D7506 flight came to a graceful halt, right in front of Incheon International Airport. Here I am once again on an adventure to experience something different from a distant land. Oliee is with me on our second oversea adventure. India was our previous. While I was recollecting those memories of India, the cabin staff in D7506 stood up to disengage the cabin doors. Spring didn't hold back to welcome us this time around. Seoul is expected to shed her leaves to give way to winter. A dash of romance and sheds of colours was all I could imagine of Seoul as I soon found out later in the trip that I was right.

As we proceeded to collect our baggage from carousal 2, I came to observe the Korean advertisements sprawling along my tunnel vision. Especially those with the beautiful Koreans in them. I never doubt how important beauty was in Korea and this was clearly portrayed even in their product marketing. Samsung TV monitors adorned the immigration counters. A minute there I thought I was walking into a Samsung showroom only to have the immigration officer take a photo of me with her alien looking camera.

Oliee and I was wondering whether to take the train or the bus. The information counter told us to take the bus as it was cheaper and somewhat faster. The bus arrived on time and of course left on time. It reminded me of my public transport experience what I was in Tokyo the last time. As we travelled into Seoul, I could only think of exploring parts of Seoul. Before we did that, we had to first search out our guesthouse. A elderly man pointed the way for us. We walked past Changgyeonggung  Palace without any sign to Beewon Guesthouse. All we had was a rough map. As we scanned every corner of the street, our sight came to focus on this small sign in one of the alley on our right.

Our guesthouse happened to be nestled in a very small alley. In Seoul never underestimate their guesthouses, they could be hidden but they are pretty cosy and cute. Beewon is just that and her guests are returning customers. Partly because of her location. We found out later that she was close to the best palace amongst the four. We were also close to Samcheong-dong and Bukchon Hanok Village.