The Seoulite

A love like this... how romantic.

There are specials listed... but many don't change. If you go for lunch... get the green chicken curry. It's what the servers are always eating too. There are real bay leaves in the dish.

From certain angles, it looks like you tripped into a friend's apartment in the Czech Republic. The art here changes every monthly and it's for sale as well.

Sturdy furniture for lots of reading, writing and people watching.

In the afternoons, you may even be able to meet the artists and share a cup of tea while you see them work.

Hungry? Have a four-cheese pizza. The food here has the homey taste of a bed and breakfast.

Here is an assortment of sausages, carrots and broccoli.

Shin Seung Hun filmed music jams over at OPP. This is definitely a celebrity dive type of place. The espresso here is quite amazing.

We chose the night shuttle. Pack some sweet potatoes. It picks you up at 10PM. You ski from Midnight to 5AM. Get back to Seoul by 6AM or 7AM! Much better than spending all night drinking and stumbling over girls in some smoky bar!

Vivaldi Park is excellent in every regard except for the skiing. The slopes are almost flat and non-existent. The Seoulite where the rest of the mountain was... but sadly there is none because this place has extensive condos, hotels, restaurants, water park, sauna, karaoke bar, and other activities besides skiing to keep people amused. But speed, convenience, service and everything related to running a good business is top-notch here. Gotta respect them for working what they got!

You can almost ski into the hotel.

'I've never snowboarded before.' 'That's okay honey, I'll teach you.'

Equipment at Vivaldi Park is very decent. And not too expensive to rent. If you do night skiing... renting equipment, even jackets and the lift ticket was all together 40,000 won. Ye-ah and a free ride from Seoul too.

Half-yawn. Half-yell. Full Self-Ca. Who skis at this hour? Koreans of course!

Here's a shot of the top of the mountain. Even after all these years... the boarders seem here to stay. The Seoulite is old school and he'll stick to skis and scotch. Kids these days. There's K-pop pumping out of speakers as you ski down the hill and as you ride up along the lift.

Take a break with seafood stew. So warm and delicious on a cold, freezing night.

Karen is giving me the ATL finger. Why so shy about taking photos?

Fortunately, The Seoulite is always down for a picture!

Exactly how cold was it? Over minus 16 degrees... without any wind chill. Seriously, it was one of the coldest nights in Korea... and the coldest I've ever skiied in. So cold that I started to worry about frostbite... but needed to get these photos!

After riding the lift to the top, it's too cold to ski right away. Warm up your body in the lodge and heat up your gloves first!

So that's what I look like when trying to keep warm...

Drink a latte at the top of the mountain. At 3AM. It feels so wicked. How do they get electricity and food up here?

Back at base camp... the weary rest their heads. At about the same hour... many Seoulites are in a similar position on a club table from alcohol debauchery.

Back home on the coldest night this year. No need to stay at the hotel... sleep on the bus. Didn't get to see the view on the way there or back but what does it matter. Seoul is the best!

The palace was originally constructed in 1394 by King Taejo and 'Gyeongbokgung' was named by minister Jeong Do-jeon.

Gyeongbokgung was continuously expanded during the reign of King Taejong and King Sejong the Great, but part of the palace was burnt down during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598).

During the regency of Daewon-gun in 1867, the buildings were reconstructed and formed a massive 330-building complex with 5,792 rooms.

Standing on 4,414,000 square feet (410,000 square meters) of land, it was a symbol of majesty for the Korean people and the home of the royal family.

In 1895, after the assassination of Empress Myeongseong by Japanese agents, her husband, Emperor Gojong left the palace and the imperial family would never return.

In 1911, the government of Japan demolished all but 10 buildings during the period of Japanese occupation, constructing the Japanese General Government Building for the Governor-General of Korea in front of the throne hall.

At the end of the Second World War, major buildings on the site included Geunjeongjeon, the Imperial throne room (national treasure number 223), and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (national treasure number 224), which stands in an artificial lotus lake, resting on 48 granite pillars.

The pavilion is depicted on the 10,000 won Korean banknotes.

Today the palace is open to the public, and houses the National Folk Museum of Korea. The National Museum of Korea was there too, until it was relocated to Yongsan-gu in 2005. Currently there is an exhibition of cars. Yes, it's a Cadillac.

Study! Study! Study! To excel in the imperial era you had to write excellent poetry. No engineering or math for the royal Koreans!

Archaeological work has brought 330 building foundations to light. The main gate to the palace, called Gwanghwamun, is now being restored to its original state, to be completed in 2009.

I am making excuses to share the numerous photos I took by making captions with information off of Wikipedia... and now I've run out. There is a magical beauty here.

When Korea was annexed by Japan in 1910, most of the 200 building on the palace grounds were torn down by the Japanese, leaving only a dozen structures.

The map near the front entrance shows the arrangement of the complex during the latter part of the reign of King Kojong. It shows the major hails, pavilions, offices, storerooms, gates and bridges of the 419,100 square meter grounds.

The back garden of the palace used to contain the main part of the Governor-General's residence during the Japanese era. With the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948, President Syngman Rhee used it as his office and residence.

In 1993, after President Kim Young-sam's civilian administration was launched, the Japanese governor-general's residence in the Cheong Wa Dae compound was dismantled to remove a major symbol of the Japanese colonial occupation.

These guards give those British ones in front of Buckingham Palace a run for their money. They look like mannequins... but some will talk and take pictures with you.

Here to greet you is a replica of a Greek or Roman ruin complete with fountain and classical music.

When it is time for a crazy sale, they will put merchandise right out in the foyer. Korean ladies are notoriously aggressive when it comes to sales. Don't be alarmed if you feel a lot of elbows.

I almost died taking this picture. Do not occupy someone's space in front of sale merchandise if all you're going to do is act like a tourist! For your safety!

Here's the secret to efficient shopping... particularly for male Seoulites who don't like to spend a lot of time shopping. Since department stores are so accessible, periodically go in and take the escalator to the men's clothing floor. There are usually special sales racks like this one with heavy discounts. Be sure to check both floors - there are usually two - and both the up and down escalator platforms. If it's perfect, get it. If not, then just ride back down. It's the best ten minutes you can spend if shopping pains you. You'll end up with a really nice wardrobe that doesn't take a lot of time and money if you do this consistently over time. It's so awesome. For girls who like that whole hunting and discovering part of shopping... carry on. I will never accompany you though.

Here are shirts on sale. By the way, Seoulites refer dress shirts as a white shirt... it doesn't matter if it's blue, checkered or pink. If it is a dress shirt that's what it is... a white shirt. So if a sales clerk asks if you're looking for a white shirt, don't say no... I'm looking for a green one. Just say yes.

And these are the best white shirts in the world... Brooks Brothers no iron slim fit. You will never have to go to a dry cleaners again. Currently 30% off... price is still mucho inflated than the US... the Seoulite admits he wandered from the escalator. They got perturbed that I took this picture though. Yes, 'perturbed' because it was a prissy type of mad. Don't they know I will be sending thousands of people to their store now? Who knew Brooks Brothers was at Lotte Department Store in Jamsil?

Relax looking at this pretty fixture upstairs in the food court... which is really a bunch of restaurants. A true food court in a US mall type of fashion is usually found in the basement level of a department store right next to its grocery section.

Women's floor. I will only look at it from a distance.

Entrance to Lotte World! It feels a lot like Disneyland... but right in the heart of Seoul. It is so easy to get here.

Admission ranges from 20,000 - 30,000 won with discounts after 5pm. The park is open 365 days a year until 11pm. An annual pass costs 150,000 won.

Want a flavor of what it's like inside? Just go towards the ice rink and look up. The third level is Lotte World... the indoor portion. The second and first floors are publicly accessible parts of the mall and skating rink.

This is a great ice rink. One caveat. The air in here is very stuffy. Not enough oxygen. It's like living in a biosphere.

The inner rink is reserved for young skating prodigies and their trainers. These little Seoulites can twirl on a dime!

Lotteria... the Burger King of the Lotte empire. Never eat here. It is so disgusting and bland. If you're going to eat fast food... better eat it right... like at the Krispy Kreme a few stores down.

Do you need a vacuum cleaner or toothpaste after going to the amusement park? Head into Lotte Mart which is a few steps away from the entrance to Lotte World.

And get a souvenir before you leave.

N Seoul Tower is a communication tower located in Seoul, South Korea. Built in 1969, and opened to the public in 1980, the tower measures 236.7 m (777 ft) in height (from the base) and tops out at 479.7 m (1,574 ft) above sea level. It has also been known as the Namsan Tower or Seoul Tower. After the tower's original owner merged with the CJ Corporation, it was renamed the N Seoul Tower (official name CJ Seoul Tower).

Ride the Cable Car up or go on foot. It's 974 steps or so.

They have jazzed this place up with techno music and LED lights. Some Japanese Tourists who looked like housewives were dancing. And these lights made kids go crazy into some hyper trance. It all feels like Disneyland now. On Grad Night. Remember that?

Buy your tickets to the tower here. It's separate for the Cable Car. Remember to keep your Cable Car ticket for the ride back down! I almost threw mine away and was about to look at 974 steps. Or so.

Even if you don't go up, the view is spectacular.

This is so Ian Schrager.

Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. It's a Small World after all... It's a Small World...

Oooh.... it's like the Fantasia Light Show. Thump thump thump goes the music in the background.

The DJ booth is up there.

If you haven't been since the new corporatized ownership, then you should go. It's so sleek and modern. The old design looked Communist frankly. This is much nicer for American latte liberals.

Literally. 1500 feet above sea level and you can still get a nice romantic latte.

Only 9,596 kilometers to LA if you look out this window. That's 5,962 miles.

Fancy a wine tasting?