Monday, April 02, 2018

Travelling with a baby: Korea Day 5, 6 & 7 Daegu [[airbnb + Mount Palgong + Korean Home Experience + Seomun Market (서문시장) + Banwoldang]]

Day 5 of our trip saw us travelling from Seoul to Daegu via the KTX and settling into our airbnb. The train ride from Seoul to Daegu was approximately two hours. 

Upon arrival, we were shocked by how layback the little city was. It felt totally different from modern Seoul. The taxi stand was a distance away from the train station and there was no proper road leading to it. We had to walk a long and uneven gravel path before reaching the taxi stand.

We were not the most impressed by the city at first glance. However, this was just the beginning of a hidden treasure to be explored! Daegu turned out to be way different and better than we thought of it.

Classia
Address: 927-1, Namsan 2(i)-dong
Direction: Dongdaegu to Banwoldang (Line 1, 5 stops, Exit 21)

Starting with our airbnb, situated at downtown central Banwoldang within the Classia building, it was impressively clean and modern. though the loft apart was still as small as ever, it was pleasantly comfortable. Just like a home away from home! Highly recommended!

Mount Palgong
Direction: Banwoldang to Dongdaegu (Line 1, 5 stops, Exit 1). Take Rapid 1 (red bus Geuphaeng-1(급행1) to last temple stop.

The next day saw us exploring Mount Palgong. Our initial plan was to include a visit to Donghwasa temple too. Unfortunately, the original road to the temple was closed. To get to the temple, we had to walk to the previous bus stop to get to the alternative road leading to the temple. Hence, we gave it a miss.

Upon reaching the last temple stop of the Rapid 1 route, we were greeted with fresh air and lots of greeneries. Such a relaxing lovely sight! The people spotted up here are mostly retirees, having leisure strolls or practising tai chi in groups!
 After obtaining a map and receiving directions from the information center (very impressive korean elderly who can converse in english!), we made our way to the Mount Palgongsan cable car center.

The scenic ride up to Mount Palgongsan was less than five minutes. Soon we were up on Mount Palgongsan breathing in the fresh chilly air!

If you are someone who loves greeneries, this is a place not to be missed! Though there is really not much to be done with a baby on Mount Palgongsan, I actually enjoyed every second of it very much.

Miss Kwek loved it very much as well! The quietness along side the fresh chilly air was the best combination for Miss Kwek to take her nap. She slept for almost two hours up on Mount Palgongsan! For once, we were able to enjoy our lunch slowly without having to entertain her!

Lifes good up on Mount Palgongsan!! lol.
Soon it was time to bid Mount Palgongsan goodbye as we made out way down back to the city for our playdate with our Korean friend!

Korean Home Experience
Our Korean friend who stays in Daegu, invited us over to her place for a playdate. Just like in K-dramas, the Koreans hospitality is awesome! Her Omma prepared some traditional Korean cakes and sweet potato for us as tea break (unfortunately, we were so eager to eat, we forgot all about taking photo!) and also cooked a table of traditional Korean delicacies for us as dinner!

We had such an awesome time at their home with great view, fresh cool air and home cook. We also learnt so much about the Korean culture and lifestyle through their family! An experience money can't buy!


Seomum Market
Directions: Banwoldang to Sinnam (Line 2, 1 stop, Exit 1)

Go straight to Dongsan Intersection. Turn left, and go straight for 300m. Turn left, and continue straight for 50m.
Seomun Market is one of the main markets with a long history in Daegu. Seomun Market offers a wide varieties of goods from dried seafood, food, homewares to clothings. We had so much fun walking around Seomun Market!

We were able to find a decent selection of children related items at very affordable prices. We ended up purchasing some pajamas sets and tops for her.
If you love knitting, crocheting or sewing- Seomun Market offers a very good variety of yarns and cloths in every kind of fabric you wish for! I was so tempted by the yarns but held back because of limited luggage space.

Dongseongno
Address: Samdeokdong 1-ga, Jung-g-Daegu-si
Direction: Sinnam to Jungangno (Line 2, transit at Banwoldang to Line 1, 3 stops, Exit 2)

We headed to the 'Orchard Road' of Daegu, Dongseongno, after we were done with Seomun Market. Though the street is short and small, it does not lack the usual korean brands found in the other bigger korean shopping street.

We window shopped for awhile before settling into a restaurant in one of the mall for dinner. It was one of the best dinner we had! Proper sitting and our favourite budaejjigae. No better way to conclude our short stay in Daegu!
We would love to return to Daegu in future to hike the hikes we didn't managed this time round with Miss Kwek! We are off to Jeju Island next! Stay tune to my next post.

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