Watching the first sunrise of a new year is a popular form of New Year celebration in Korea. Before we went to sleep the night before, we checked the time the sun will rise, and set the alarm to wake us up before the sun rises. We struggled to wake up so early after a late night, but at least we do not need to brave the coldness and had the luxury of viewing the first sunrise of the new year at the comfort of our hotel room in Dawn Beach Hotel, which faces the Gwangandaegyo/Diamond Bridge.
View of the Diamond Bridge
First sunrise of 2018 peeping out from the bottom of the bridge
Sky dotted by balloons released at the Sunrise Festival in Haeundae Beach
Breakfast for the new year was settled at Mom's Touch, a popular Korean fried chicken fast food restaurant after we checked out of the hotel. The outlet was situated along Gwangalli Beach, and within walking distance from our hotel. After breakfast, we took the metro to Busan station, then catch the KTX back to Seoul. Same as our trip to Busan, we were unable to get a seat even though we tried to reserve one as soon as we reach Busan, and had to make do with a standing ticket.
Since we were not carrying a lot of luggage, we headed to Lotte Mart for some shopping before checking in to our hotel in Seoul, since Lotte Mart is just beside Seoul Station.
Lotte Mart
Address: 426 Cheongpa-ro, Bongnaedong 2(I)-ga, Jung-gu, South Korea
Nearest metro station: Seoul Station
The shopping spree added 2 boxes to our luggage, filled with boxes of Market-O brownies, Calbee Honey Butter Chips, Choco Pies, instant noodles, seaweed, ginseng tea and facial products from Innisfree. Do note that as long as you spend more than KRW30K, there will be instant tax refund.
Counters where you could pack your goodies into boxes (at no extra charge)
If you really buy A LOT, you can arrange to ship your goodies back at a charge
We took a taxi to Hotel New Oriental Myeongdong to check in before heading out for dinner at Gogung. We ordered a bibimbap (which Gogung is famous for), and a Japchae (Stir Fry Fried Noodle) to complete the meal.
Gogung
Address: 27 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Chungmuro 2(I)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Nearest metro station: Myeongdong Station
Bibimbap - Yummilicious with fresh ingredient and tasty gochujang sauce
Japchae
Before we head to bed, we tried the Samyang Hot Chicken Ramen bought from the 7-11 convenient store next to the hotel. Spicy was an understatement, but on the other hand, eating it in the cold weather does brought some comforting warmth to our stomach.
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