Happenings in October - AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum

Tuesday 8/10/24

I am already familiar with the AVENE Cleanance range as I am currently using Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel and Cleanance Comedomed. Hence, adding AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum to my routine felt like the perfect complement to complete my skincare set. Thanks Daily Vanity for introducing the product.

AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum is suitable for people with sensitive, blemish-prone skin. Its lightweight, watery texture infused with Avène Thermal Spring Water, feels incredibly soothing upon application. 

The serum absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving behind a hydrated, dewy glow without any greasy feeling. The serum is free from fragrance. I noticed it effectively soothed redness and did not trigger any breakouts or discomfort. It’s the perfect addition to my skincare routine.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 2: Namsangol Hanok Village + Namsan Seoul Tower

After returning our hanboks, we walked back the route toward the Ginseng Chicken Soup area, trying to look for suitable places for lunch along the way but none caught our eyes, so we ended up back at Seochon Hanok Village for a late lunch. 

It was already 2.40pm by the time we settled down for Salon de Donkkasu. This small yet popular eatery was nearly full and we were lucky to get a table immediately.

We were given a complimentary soup after placing our order, it was creamy and tasty.

The menu was simple with only seven options, most of which were pork except two with fish. I got Pork Tenderloin Cutlet at ₩11,500 (or S$11.31). The cutlet was coated in a crispy crumb layer that provided a satisfying crunch, revealing lean meat inside. It paired well with the sauce and rice.

Salon de Donkkasu (Tonkatsu Salon)

20 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Operating hours: 11.30am to 3pm and 5pm to 10pm from Mon to Fri, 12pm to 10pm on Sat and Sun

It took us 20 minutes to walk to Gwanghwamun Square to see the statue of King Sejong. He was the fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty and regarded as one of the greatest rulers in Korean history.

We were at Gwanghwamun Station (Purple line) and needed to head toward Chungmuro Station (Orange line). We purchased EZL Card for public transportation at a convenience store for ₩5,000 (or S$4.92) each and topped up money to take train.

It was nearly 5pm when we reached Namsangol Hanok Village. Since it was along the way to Namsan Tower, I decided to drop by here and explore.

Namsangol Hanok Village is a recreated village featuring historical traditional houses, pavilion and  garden from Joseon era, giving visitors a glimpse into Korea's past. Admission was free which attracted many tour groups to visit.

It was a relaxing spot, allowing us to bask in the ambiance of the recreated village, which felt like stepping into an ancient garden surrounded by natural beauty.

The village would have felt more charming place if I had not already visited the palace. After the palace, the buildings here seemed quite similar. Hence, I decided to skip the structures and focus on exploring the beautiful garden instead.

We just stayed for 15 minutes in the village and quickly made our way out for next schedule.

Namsangol Hanok Village

28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea 

Operating hours: 9am to 8pm from Tue to Sun

We boarded bus 01B in front of Daehan Theatre at Chungmuro Station Exit 2, heading to Namsan Tower. The journey was just five stops with a fare of ₩1,400 (or S$1.38). The entire bus was packed with people heading to the same destination as us, we stood throughout the way.

We arrived at Namsan Seoul Tower at 5.35pm, just in time for the sunset. Being an iconic location that  appeared in many K-dramas like Boys Over Flowers with its memorable cable car scene, it was a popular attraction among tourists.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 2: Guard Changing at Gyeongbokgung Palace + Tosokchon Samgyetang

 I had a better sleep yesterday with me going to bed at 11.30pm, woke up at 4.40am, then again at 6am and remained awake since then. It was already better compared to my previous trips.

I got out of bed at 8am to prepare for a full day out. While taking turns in the bathroom, I turned on the television to watch Pororo the Little Penguin.

We reached Gwanghwamun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace at 9.55am, just in time for the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony. The gate looked even more impressive than the one I had visited yesterday against the cloudless sky.

The area was packed with crowds after I entered the gate, with many eagerly waiting for the ceremony. Quite a number of people were dressed in hanbok, creating a captivating and vibrant scene.

The royal guard changing ceremony is held twice daily at 10am and 2pm, re-enacting the traditional guard changing procedure from the Joseon Dynasty.

It was so interesting to watch such a historic parade in the midst of a modern world. The rituals, vibrant hanbok and throbbing drumbeats filled the air with the spirit of centuries past.

The royal guards marched around the parade square, giving everyone a clear view of the ceremony. Watching the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is highly recommended if you visit any palace, it is a sight not to be missed.

After the ceremony, we did not immediately enter Gyeongbokgung Palace but made our way out to Bukchon Hanok Village for breakfast. As we walked, we enjoyed scenic hill view, a sight I could never get tired of.

We passed by many hanbok shops when on the way. This area was the nearest to the palace, so many visitors chose their hanbok design from the shops here.

It took us 20 minute walk to reach Tosokchon Samgyetang near Seochon Hanok Village. This restaurant is famous for their Ginseng Chicken Soup, often drawing long queues during peak hours. As it was only 10.40am, we got a seat immediately upon arrival.

The restaurant had several dining areas and we were led to the most inner room, which was not yet full. The interior contained rich wooden elements, from tables and chairs to doors, creating a traditional ambiance.

The set included kimchi, radish and mineral water. They also had a container for us to dispose the chicken bones into it. 

I had Tosokchon Ginseng Chicken Soup at ₩20,000 (or S$19.67) which featured a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, served in a rich milky broth infused with ginseng, pumpkin seeds, black sesame, jujube fruits and various other seeds. The meat was very tender, falling off the bone effortlessly.

The ginseng found in my soup. 

I liked that the ginseng flavour was subtle and not overpowering. The chicken had absorbed all the goodness from the broth, making it a nourishing dish to have for a cool day. This was going to be my best meal in Seoul.

The chicken roasting in process if you prefer roasted version. They also had white and black chicken options but I preferred the white chicken.

We finished our meal in exactly an hour at 11.40am and were shocked by the line forming outside the restaurant. I was so glad we came early, if not I probably not keen to join in the long queue.

Tosokchon Samgyetang

5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Operating hours: 10am to 10pm daily

Seoul (South Korea) Day 1: Deoksugung Palace + Myeongdong Kyoja + Cafe de Paris

As we stepped out of our hotel onto the street, we were surprised to see the road packed with people and surrounded by police. While in the cab earlier, we had also noticed a few police buses, initially thought it was related to Armed Forces Day on 1 Oct.

The police were armed with gear and shield which felt unusual to us, something must be amiss.

It turned out there was a protest by the construction workers' wing of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (those with red band on their head), they were all making their way toward Sungnyemun Gate. Many police were activated to manage any potential disruptions. While it seemed like a regular occurrence in Seoul, it was quite an eye-opening experience for us.

We finally arrived at Deoksugung Palace at 4.30pm after 20 minute walk and observing the protest. I decided to visit this palace as it was within walking distance from our hotel, a convenient spot to explore on our first day.

There are five royal palaces in Seoul with Deoksugung Palace being the smallest among them. This historic site served as the residence of King Gojong, the last monarch of the Joseon Dynasty.

Deoksugung Palace is where tradition meets modernity with the centuries-old architecture set against the backdrop of modern buildings near City Hall.

Deoksugung Palace (德寿宫) means "Palace of Virtue and Longevity" in Mandarin, was renamed in 1907 with the hope for the emperor's long life and prosperity.

Thus place was a great place to stop by and the entrance fee was quite affordable. Despite being the smallest palace, there was plenty to explore. I also noticed that not many visitors were dressed in hanbok here, just like us.

This was the nine rank system that used to categorize the government officials.

This is the only royal palace featuring a blend of traditional Korean architecture and Western-style colonial buildings. This unique combination nestled beautifully with the nearby City Hall.

The walkway gave a colonial charm featuring classic pillars, elegant handrails, and tall windows and doors that added to the details.

Coming to an end of the exploration.

We spent an hour at the palace, marveling at the preserved architecture and absorbing the rich history surrounding us. It was an experience, stepping back into a time of tradition.

Deoksugung Palace

99 Sejong-daero, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

Operating hours: 9am to 9pm from Tue to Sun

Entrance fee: ₩1,000 (or S$0.98) or free if wearing hanbok

We walked towards Myeongdong Shopping Street which was quite a long walk from Deoksugung Palace. Our first stop was to find food since we had not eaten much today. Opening the Kakao App, we looked for nearby recommendations and Myeongdong Kyoja popped up.

We arrived at Myeongdong Kyoja around 6.15pm and the eatery were already full house but we got seats at a shared table. The queue moved fast as people came, ate, and left fast.

With only four items on the menu, ordering was quick and easy. I had Kalguksu Noodle at ₩11,000 (or S$10.82), which had a comforting, flavourful broth that refreshed my palate with every sip. The noodles were smooth and filling.

We also shared a plate of Mandu Dumplings at ₩12,000 (or S$11.80), packed with meat. It was great to finally enjoy a hearty meal after only having a cake today.

We finished our meal and left the eatery in half an hour as we saw the queue forming along the staircase.

Myeongdong Kyoja

29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

Operating hours: 10.30am to 9pm

One item on my shopping list was HBAF (Healthy But Awesome Flavors) Almond Nuts. I was looking for multipack but seeing the high prices, I decided to explore more options before making a purchase.

I bought two pack of masks from Olive Young at ₩17,900 (or S$17.60) after a tax refund. By showing my passport for purchases over ₩15,000, I received an instant ₩1,000 refund. I also picked up a pack of BT21 almond nuts from Seoul Mart at ₩10,800 (or S$10.62).

After an hour of shopping along Myeongdong Street, we were pretty much done with the things we wanted to see. Looking for a spot to rest our feet, Cafe de Paris caught my eyes from far with their prominent three storey cafe.

There was a miniature Eiffel Tower placed in the cafe, paired with table and chairs featuring Eiffel Tower shaped leg. The decor was unique and added a Parisian touch to the atmosphere.

We both had a Real Orange Juice at ₩9,500 (or S$9.34) each. It was pricey, but they used a whole orange for each drink, complete with the orange peel to show the freshness. The juice had a refreshing, citrusy twist, perfect for quenching our thirst.

Many cafes here seemed to be self-service. We ordered at a kiosk, collected our drinks from the counter, and returned the trays after finishing.

Cafe de Paris

26 Myeongdong 4-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

Operating hours: 11am to 11pm daily

After lazing in the cafe for 1 hour 20 minutes, it was already 9.10pm. We decided to make our way back to the hotel.

We stopped by CU Convenience Store two streets from our hotel to purchase water supply and a pack of cookies. I was so tired by the time I reached the hotel at 9.50pm.

My haul for the day. 

It was a relaxing first day in Seoul as we got familiar with Myeongdong and the taxi app, exploring popular food spots along the way.