Diana P Travels

We had lovely weather on Sunday and took the subway to spend a day in Songdo. On our way to the Hanok village we passed the tri-bowl, an exhibit hall that looks like three bowls sitting in water. The Hanok village was built in the traditional Korean residential style. Most original Hanok structures were destroyed during WWII, and have been rebuilt throughout the country. On my last visit here, we stayed in a Hanok. It was so comfy sleeping on thick pads on ondol-heated floors.

Walk, eat, repeat!

Before heading off to Chinatown, where Caroline stayed her first week, I started the day at A Twosome Place café. I said hello to the young lady, then ordered cappuccino and carrot cake in Korean. We were on the same page until she asked in Korean if I wanted cinnamon. When I clearly didn't understand, she just said "cinnamon" in English. Hahahaha! I got cinnamon. 

Soraepogu is a port, which I love. A nautical theme runs throughout the area and this statue is located on the street near the subway. 

I planned this trip for several reasons. First, I wanted to see my daughter Caroline and bring her winter clothes, including a heavy coat. Second, the only season I hadn't visited Korea was Fall. Finally, I love to travel and this is one of my favorite places. 

London called! We answered! When we arrived in London, we were told we had no room because we should have checked in earlier. After a few phone calls that was sorted and we stayed on the top floor of a lovely boutique hotel. We spent the remainder of the day getting our bearings and walking through the city center.

We cleaned the condo, took one last selfie, and left in an Uber taxi for Shin-Osaka train station, where we went our separate ways to catch trains to different airports. By the time I got to Haneda my bags were getting heavy so I found a rolling cart (what a blessing!) and had one last tempura meal in the airport.

On our last full day in Japan, we took the train to Kyoto where we had lunch near the Happy Terrace at the top the sky dining hall. I love the little restaurants where you have a heated grill between you to cook your meal. We had a delicious beef rice (that reminded me of a dish my mother used to fix) and grilled veggies. 

Today we got a late start and had lunch of soup, rice, pork cutlet, and barley water in the Chuo district of Osaka. Our first stop was at the Harry Wood hedgehog café, where we spent a half hour with Brûlée, our sweet little hedgehog. We watched him sniff, eat worms, and sleep (great life!). 

We spent several evenings in the Dōtonbori (or Dōtombori) area, which is the shopping and neon-lit nightlife district in Osaka. We could walk there from our condo, so we kept going back for all the touristy stuff.