January 2023 – Kau Kau Sistahs

As part of our time together, Lupe and I traveled to Seoul, Korea with Non-Stop Travel in November 2022. https://nonstophawaii.com/tour-item/2023-seoul-mahalo-shopping-tour/ — This was the first time we traveled to another country together. This was the first time that either of us went to South Korea. It will not be the last time. I specifically went because it was affordable and mom wanted me to take a trip aboard.

When we landed, we went directly to the hotel and we were treated with a bento for dinner. It was huge and tasted really good. I was hungry and it was the side dishes that I loved the most, the kim chee and taegu. Lupe noticed that the texture of the taegu in the bento was different from the stuff we get at home. The taegu was softer and had more “sauce” on it.

We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Namdaemun in Seoul which I loved. https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/selsn-courtyard-seoul-namdaemun/overview/

The hotel was perfect and affordable, definitely somewhere I would return to when I go back. It was had easy access to transportation – a bus stop in front of the hotel, the entrance to the subway down the road, and when we needed a taxi. There was a variety of coffee cafes, restaurants, and shops. The convenience store, GS25 and CU were nearby. I went to the GS25 at least three times a day, including getting my T-money card for the subway. Finding musubi and onigiri made me feel at home because it reminded me of the 7-11 up the street. https://gs25.com.vn/en/about-us/

We went to Seoul during the middle of November, which was cold and a coat, scarf, and gloves were necessary. We are from Hawai’i and the changing of the seasons are not as beautiful as it was in Seoul. I loved the colors of the leaves.

On the ground floor is the Cheong Kwan Sapoon Sapoon Cafe, which is where I would purchase tea and coffee on my way out or when returning from a day of sightseeing. One thing I tried was a Red Ginsengccino which was a blend of red ginseng and coffee. It was bitter because as I learned in Korea, ginseng is bitter but good for your health. There was a variety of desserts and pastries. https://marriottbonvoyasia.com/restaurants-bars/courtyard-seoul-namdaemun-CheongKwanKang-SappoonSappoon-Cafe

The best part of the morning was at Momo Cafe which is the restaurant in the hotel. It was a morning buffet that featured Korean and American style food. It ranged from fresh fruit, pastries, kim chee, hangover soup, noodles in soup, omelets, bacon, and hashbrowns. There as even an espresso and latte machine which Lupe used often. I read various reviews before getting to Korea, but I have to say that I was happily content after each meal. The service was also excellent. https://marriottbonvoyasia.com/restaurants-bars/courtyard-seoul-namdaemun