Miss Lee Cafe

Miss Lee Cafe is the only cafe I visited last Month. It has many branches in around Seoul but the onw I visited is located at Insadong. I think it's famous because there's a movie filmed there.

I tried their dosirak. Dosirak (도시락) means Korean packed lunch boxes. It is usually a rice with seaweed, kimchi, sausage, gochujang, egg. There are different versions of box lunches in Asian countries like Japan (bento), Philippines (baon), Taiwan (biandang) and India (tiffin).

Personally, I think that the price is too expensive for the main dish. It's just rice, kimchi, fried egg, and sausage. I don't recommend this place for food trip. I should have tried their bingsu instead. Bingsu is shaved ice with different toppings of sweets, nuts, or ice cream and fruit.

 

The place is unique and cozy. You can leave a note, and even write in a postcard. Yes, they give free post cards with their logo on it. 

It's memorable to me because it's my first time to dine out alone. It has always been my plan to eat out alone but I'm always too shy or scared. LOL. I finally made it!

How to go there: 

Take a bus/train to Anguk Station. Then walk for 3 minutes going to Insadong.

Seoul Grand Park - Theme Garden

Trip to Seoul Rose Festival

The Seoul Rose Festival happened last May 20-22, 2016. Since my only free day is Monday, I went there on the 23rd. I think it was also a good choice to avoid the crowd. 

I was amazed by all the flowers in the venue. It's my first time to see different kinds of roses in one garden. Being a nature lover, I really enjoyed the place.

In some arches without flowers, umbrellas were hanged. It gave me an "umbrella festival feels" LOL.

On the right pic, I saw a very big bouquet of roses. It must have cost a fortune. 

Although the weather is hot, the ambiance of the place is really relaxing.

The only problem I encountered is when I ask people to take my picture. It doesn't really turn out the way I wanted it to be. 

A couple volunteered to take my picture so I can take a picture of them LOL!

I'll update this within the week. LOL!

Trip to Seorae Island

The Banpo Seorae Island is an artificial island built in the mid-1980s. It is located in Banpo-jigu District by the Hangang riverside. The island is connected to Hangang Banpo Park by three bridges. The island features weeping willows along the edges, as well as a migratory bird habitat, flower garden, water ski site, and more.

This is the most beautiful bridge that connects Banpo Park to Seoraeseom. This is the first bridge you'll see from Dongjak Station.

There are also benches like these. The pond behind me is suitable for fishing. 

The Seorae Island has also some photo spots like this rainbow.

The rapeseed flowers aren't that tall so you have to be creative in taking pictures.

I chose to crouch so that the background will be filled with yellow flowers. LOL.

The park is really relaxing. I've seen some people having their picnics there... and of course a lot of people go there to have their photoshoot.

How to go there:

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 going to Dongjak Station (Exit 2)

Address:

137-41, Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul & Hangang River Waterfront Banpo District

Admission Fee:
It's free!

Trip to Jogyesa Temple

Jogyesa temple is the center of Zen Buddhism in Korea. If you're in Seoul and you want to experience some activities of Buddhism, this is the place to go.

It's my second time to visit this place. I went here last Autumn when they have some floral exhibitions. However, this Spring the temple is filled with lanterns. 

These statues are located at the entrance of the temple. Some people bow down when they see these statues. Maybe it's a part of their rituals.  I think these are the Catholic version of their saints.

When I was young, my Catholic grandmother asked me to come with her to church. I noticed two things. First, she dipped her finger in the holy water and made the sign of the cross. Second, she used her handkerchief to wipe some statues of the saints. 

When I arrived there, I notice that there are two water bottles near this Buddha. Before I leave the place, it became six bottles. I think these bottles of water are part of their offerings.

I didn't enter the temple. I'm not a Buddhist so I think I'm unworthy. LOL. In the picture you can see a lady wearing a Korean traditional dress. I think I saw several women wearing a hanbok that day. Those women who are wearing hanbok is assigned to help in a certain activity.

I tried one activity. It's called "Bathing of Buddha". In this activity, a laddle is used to bathe the Buddha. You have to pour water over the small Buddha statue 3 times.

While pouring water say:

1st wash: "May I eliminate all evil thoughts"

2nd wash: "May I cultivate good deeds"

3rd: "May I help save all living beings"

My visit to the temple is pleasant. I've seen the colorful lanterns around the temple. I've also watched their lantern festival after few days. I will write another post about the lotus lantern festival.

How to go there:

Take Seoul Subway Line 3 to Anguk Station (Exit 6)

Walk for 140 meters and turn left at Ujeongguk-ro, after Insadong-gil.

Continue walking for 190 meters to reach the temple on the left.

Trip to Seoul Zoo