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Hello!

Welcome to Often Away. I use this space to document my travels and hope you are inspired to get up and move!

Seollal in Seoul

Seollal in Seoul

IMG_0074 Over Seollal (Chinese New Year), we had a few days off and decided to take a trip up to Seoul.  We did some touristy things outside because there's no better time to be outside in Korea than in the winter...IMG_0136

First we went to Gyeongbokgung Palace and wandered around the grounds and museums.  We also got some good pics with the guards outside. IMG_0137IMG_0295IMG_0140IMG_0139IMG_0143IMG_0089 IMG_0196

Throughout the trip, we ate...alot...of great meals.  Breakfast was probably the highlight of my day everyday.  Pancakes galore!  We ended up going to some of the top brunch spots in the area - The Flying Pan and Suji's Place.  Both were amazing and I'm counting down the days until I'm back in Seoul...Ulsan is really lacking in the breakfast department.IMG_0200 IMG_0201

In between eating our weight in pancakes, we pampered ourselves with nights at the jimjilbang - Dragon Hill was much needed after walking around for several days in the cold and The Foot Shop's little fish took care of our feet. IMG_0209 IMG_0219

Wait...back to treats.  Orea bingsu (basically shaved ice with ice cream on top).  Incredible...that is all.  IMG_0192 IMG_0187

Seoul Tower and locks of love. IMG_0189 IMG_0190IMG_0296

We visited Noryangjin Fish Market to try some octopus...live octopus.  We bought fresh baby octopus from a vendor who wasted not time chopping it into pieces.  We ran upstairs with our still wiggling sea creature, popped into a restaurant and sat down to eat the little guy with some side dishes and beer...because beer makes everything easier to eat. IMG_0125 IMG_0121 IMG_0120IMG_0131

Terrifying at first, since the tentacles were still suctioning onto the plate and moving on their own, but once I tried it, it wasn't that bad.  Success!IMG_0134 IMG_0150 IMG_0105 IMG_0109 IMG_0148

Literally translates to "poop bread" because Koreans love talking about poop.  But it's just red bean inside...don't worry - I draw the line at live octopus. IMG_0149IMG_0265

And it wouldn't be a trip to Seoul without some night time fun.  We spent a night in Itaewon and then stepped up our game to Gangnam at Club Ellui.  Champagne was enjoyed, dances imitating robots were danced, and napkins were thrown! IMG_0239IMG_0262

Jinhae Cherry Blossoms

Jinhae Cherry Blossoms

Thailand Revisited

Thailand Revisited