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.
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.
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