Preamble
Derrick and Lauren were already heading to Taiwan to take engagement photos and hang out with Mom. When a side-trip to Korea was brought up, the siblings were all looped in, but unfortunately, the Irish team couldn't make it. Mike and Rosina were up for a New Years trip, though!Ambling
Day 1 29-Dec SFO 12:00 - ICN 18:00
We landed and waited at the airport for the other 3 to join us from TPE. They were meant to land at 8pm, but their departure was delays so we wandered the airport, exchanged some cash, figured out how to get transit passes, and found the bus we would need to catch.When the whole team was assembled, we finished getting passes for everyone and hopped on the hour-long bus ride to our hotel, Hotel Rian. The hotel is located in one of the many alleyways of Seoul. I think this location and hotel is actually a great deal, and the area isn't as scary as some reviewers found. I felt fine wandering the alleys alone. Don't be intimidated by alleyways! You'll need to explore them later anyway.
After we checked in, we went to McDonald's because we were too tired to explore and it was pretty late -- we just wanted something fast and easy.
Day 2 30-Dec Hongdae, On'go Food Tour
Since we booked more than some minimum requisite number of nights, Hotel Rian comped us our first morning's breakfast. I have found that Asian hotel breakfasts are far superior to the "continental breakfasts" you find back home. Rian was no exception. Hot, fresh food and plenty of it!While the rest of the team finished prepping for the day, Mike and I walked to Citi to get some cash.
Upon reassembling, we realized Mom was too sick to join for a day of walking, especially since she wanted to be well enough for the dinnertime food tour.
The kids hopped on the subway for Hongdae. Derrick played reminiscent tour guide and we got to eat random street food. Mike loved it! His favorite kind of food is random and unhealthy. Bonus points for things you can share and eat while walking to the next stall. Cheese-covered is a plus, too.
After a good bit of wandering, we stopped for an extended coffee break at a dog cafe! The fluffiest cafe I've ever been to. The place is clean and the dogs all smell freshly bathed (the dogwash facility is visible through a glass wall at the back).
In the evening, with Mom feeling "good enough," we made our way to the start of the On'go Food Tour.
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