Day 8: A Valentine’s Day to Remember — Flying from Seoul to Macau (14 February 2025)

 

From Incheon to Macau

 

Spending Valentine’s Day in the skies felt like the perfect way to start a new chapter of our adventure! 💕 We left Incheon International Airport in the morning, bound for Macau, feeling excited to swap the winter chill of Seoul for the bright lights of the casino city.

 

By the way, you may also check out my full summary post here for a day-by-day breakdown.

 

Unexpected K-Pop Encounter at Incheon International Airport!

 

What we didn’t expect? Our first encounter with an actual K-pop star airport moment! 😆 At the Air Macau check-in counter, there was a sudden flurry of excitement—journalists, fans with cameras, and airport security guards bustling around. We never found out exactly which star it was, but just experiencing the energy of a fan rush up close was thrilling!

 

 

The flight itself was about 4 hours, and surprisingly, the in-flight meal included kimchi! 😂 A little taste of Korea in the sky felt comforting as we said goodbye to Seoul.

 

 

Once we landed at Macau International Airport, figuring out how to get to Broadway Hotel was a bit confusing at first. Thankfully, we discovered the free shuttle service! The shuttle makes a loop from the airport to Galaxy Macau, then finally to Broadway Hotel. It was convenient once we figured it out, and soon enough, we were checking into our hotel, ready to start our Macau adventure.

 

Dinner at Broadway Food Street

 

For our Valentine’s dinner, we decided to skip the crowds and opt for something a bit quieter. Nestled along Broadway Food Street, we found a cosy restaurant serving Sichuan cuisine. The warm, spicy flavours of Sichuan peppercorn were perfect for the cool Macau evening. It wasn’t a fancy, candlelit dinner—but it was intimate, comforting, and exactly what we wanted after a travel-heavy day.

Exploring Macau at Night

 

After dinner, we took a leisurely evening walk from Broadway Hotel to The Venetian Macau. The night air was cool and breezy, making it such a pleasant stroll. There was a sense of quiet romance in the air, and we found ourselves just enjoying the moment, hand in hand. 💑

 

As we approached the Cotai Strip, the neon-lit skyline of Macau came to life in front of us. Bright lights, towering hotel façades, and dazzling digital billboards turned the skyline into a colourful masterpiece. The reflections danced across the water, and it felt like the whole city was alive and sparkling just for us. ✨

The Venetian itself was grand and full of life, but honestly, the simple joy of walking under the glowing Macau sky was more memorable than any attraction. It felt like the city was the perfect backdrop for our Valentine’s Day—glamorous, romantic, and just a little bit magical.

 

A Beautiful Ending to Valentine’s Day

As we ended the night, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this adventure. Here’s to many more Valentine’s Days around the world, together. 🌍💕💖

Day 7: Wrapping Up in Seoul — A Leisurely Last Day by Cheonggyecheon Stream (13 February 2025)

 

From Gyeongju to Seoul: Saying Goodbye to the Ancient City

Our morning started early as we packed up and prepared to leave Gyeongju, our home for the past few days. Before boarding the express bus, we made sure to buy some Gyeongju traditional bread—small, sweet red bean pastries that reminded me so much of Doraemon’s favourite dorayaki! It felt like the perfect edible souvenir to bring a little piece of Gyeongju back to Seoul.

 

By the way, you may also check out my full summary post here for a day-by-day breakdown.

The express bus ride back to Seoul was smooth and comfortable. I spent most of the ride quietly looking out the window, watching the rural landscapes slowly give way to the busy suburbs of Seoul. It felt bittersweet knowing we were leaving the peaceful historical vibes of Gyeongju behind.

Once we arrived at Seoul Express Bus Terminal, we made our way to the subway station to head to Dongmyo Station. Once we exited the station, I just had to take this classic tourist pose photo outside the subway station—with our luggage, of course. Hahaha!

 

Lugging our luggage past Dongmyo Flea Market, we caught glimpses of vintage treasures and bargain hunters digging through piles of clothes and knick-knacks. Finally, we arrived at Seoul N Hotel, checkedin, dropped our bags, and took a short rest to recharge for our last day in the city.

 

Strolling Along the Cheonggyecheon Stream

After a refreshing break, we decided to spend the rest of the day at one of Seoul’s most beloved spots—the Cheonggyecheon Stream. It was the perfect choice for our final day: no rushing around, just a relaxing walk to soak in the atmosphere of the city.

The stream was beautiful in the late afternoon sunlight, with gentle ripples sparkling in the light. We even spotted many pairs of mandarin ducks gracefully gliding along the water. Fun fact: mandarin ducks are a traditional symbol of love and fidelity in Korea, so it felt like a sweet little blessing to see these beautiful creatures!

 

As the sun set, the sky transformed into warm hues of orange and pink, casting a romantic glow over the stream. And when night fell, the stream became even more enchanting with the soft lights illuminating the pathways and bridges. We really took our time, just strolling and appreciating our final moments in Seoul.
 

Dinner at Gukdae Tteokbokki

For dinner, we wanted something simple and comforting, so we found our way to Gukdae Tteokbokki, a casual eatery that served street food in a cosy cafe setting.

We ordered a mix of our favorite comfort foods: soupy udon noodles, fried mandu (dumplings), sundae (Korean blood sausage), and even a plate of spaghetti for a quirky twist. 🍜🍝 Everything was hearty and satisfying—the kind of food that warms you up from the inside out. It felt like the perfect way to wrap up our last night in Seoul.

 

Early Night In

 

Since we had an early morning flight to Macau the next day, we decided to head back to the hotel and rest early. As I packed my suitcase that night, I felt a wave of emotions—grateful for all the memories we’d made in Seoul and Gyeongju, and excited for the next chapter of our journey. As our last night in Seoul came to a close, our hearts were full of gratitude for the incredible experiences so far, and with excitement and anticipation, we were ready to take off for the next adventure—Macau, here we come! ✈️

Gyeongju Day 6: Snowy Farewell to Gyeongju (12 February 2025)

 

Snowy Gyeongju Morning

We woke up to a magical winter wonderland—Gyeongju was blanketed in fresh snow, turning the ancient city into something straight out of a fairytale. The snow-covered tomb mounds looked even more surreal and majestic, their soft curves dusted in white under the pale winter light.

 

By the way, you may also check out my full summary post here for a day-by-day breakdown.

 

Of course, we couldn’t resist playing in the snow for a bit—throwing a few snowballs and soaking in the moment. It felt like Gyeongju was giving us a final, beautiful send-off before we left. After a short snow adventure, we hopped into a taxi and made our way to the Gyeongju National Museum for one last dive into history.

 

Gyeongju National Museum

Gyeongju National Museum is a treasure trove of Silla dynasty artifacts, from royal crowns and jewellery to intricate pottery and everyday tools. We spent time wandering through the exhibition halls, learning more about the life and culture of the people who once ruled this region.

 

Don’t miss the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, located outdoors in the museum grounds—it’s one of the largest and most famous bronze bells in Korea! There’s also a beautiful open courtyard that felt especially serene with the snow gently falling around us. The museum isn’t just indoors—the grounds are spacious and great for a slow winter stroll.

 

Coffee Break at Ediya Coffee on Museum Grounds

Feeling a little cold, we took a cosy coffee break at the Ediya Coffee right on the museum grounds. Nothing felt better than warming up with a hot latte while watching the snowy grounds outside the window. It gave us a quiet moment to reflect on everything we’d seen in Gyeongju so far.

 

 

Exploring the Ancient Tombs Park in Nodong-dong

 

 In addition to the well-known Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Gyeongju is home to other significant Silla-era burial sites. There are four tombs that located to the north of Taejong-ro and the east of Bonghwang-ro in the Nodong-dong neighborhood. These ancient tombs are presumed to date to the 5th to 6th centuries and belong to the kings or royal family of the Silla kingdom.

 

The four tombs consist of Bonghwangdae ("Place of the Phoenix"), Geumnyeongchong ("Tomb of the Golden Bell"), Singnichong ("Tomb of the Ornamental Shoe"), and Tomb No. 142. Among these, Bonghwangdae is the largest freestanding ancient tomb in Korea, measuring nearly 82m in diameter and 22m in height. The other three tombs were excavated during the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) and revealed to be wooden chamber tombs with stone mounds.

Artifacts excavated from Geumnyeongchong Tomb include a gold crown, ornate accessories, and an earthenware figurine of a man riding a horse. In Singnichong Tomb, ornate accessories as well as a pair of gilt-bronze funerary shoes decorated with various patterns were found. In Tomb No.142, ornate artifacts including gilt-silver accessories were found.

 

 

These tombs, resembling small hills, are interspersed among the residential areas of Gyeongju, allowing visitors to experience a blend of historical exploration and local life. Unlike the more formal Daereungwon complex, the Nodong-dong tombs offer a more relaxed environment where you can walk up close to these ancient burial mounds, making them a fascinating addition to your Gyeongju itinerary. It was surreal to be able to stand right next to these enormous royal tombs and feel the weight of history.

 

Dinner at 일품소머리곰탕 (Ilpum Someoligomtang)

To end our final evening in Gyeongju, we treated ourselves to a comforting meal at Ilpum Someoligomtang restaurant. The rich, milky beef bone soup was deeply satisfying on a cold winter night, warming us from the inside out. Paired with classic Korean side dishes, it was the perfect farewell feast before heading back to Seoul!

 

 

Our last day in Gyeongju felt like a perfect farewell ❄️. The snow, the history 🏯, and the cosy moments ☕️ made it truly unforgettable. With full hearts ❤️ (and full stomachs! 🍲), we were ready to return to Seoul 🏙️ for the final stretch of our South Korea adventure. We couldn’t wait to see what Day 7 had in store! ✨

Gyeongju Day 5: Immersed in the Ancient Glory of the Silla Kingdom (11 February 2025)

 

Kicked Off the Day with a Simple Breakfast

 

We had a simple breakfast of toast with butter and coffee in the lounge area of our hotel in Gyeongju.

 

By the way, you may also check out my full summary post here for a day-by-day breakdown.

 

 

 

Daereungwon Tomb Complex

 

After breakfast, we walked towards Daereungwon Tomb Complex under the gentle morning sun. The weather was perfect—bright and cold, but not too freezing.

 

 Seeing the giant brown tombs rising from the earth was surreal. They looked peaceful, majestic, and kind of magical, especially with the soft winter sunlight casting long shadows over the mounds. It honestly felt like we had stepped into another era.

 

The Daereungwon Tomb Complex is one of the most iconic historical sites in Gyeongju and offers a fascinating glimpse into the burial practices of the Silla Kingdom. The complex is home to more than 20 large earthen mound tombs, believed to be the final resting places of Silla royalty and nobility from over a thousand years ago.

One of the most famous tombs here is Cheonmachong, or "Heavenly Horse Tomb," which you can actually enter and explore inside. It contains fascinating artifacts including a gold crown and ancient relics that showcase the wealth and craftsmanship of the Silla era.

Walking through the park-like grounds feels peaceful and surreal—especially in winter, when the golden-brown mounds under the crisp sky look absolutely ethereal. It’s a must-visit site for anyone interested in Korea’s ancient history.

 

 

Cheomseongdae, Wolseong, Seokbinggo, Donggung Palace & Anapji Pond

From there, we made our way through a series of historical landmarks that played a huge role in the Silla kingdom.

 

First up was Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest of its kind in Asia—it’s small, but knowing it was built in the 7th century? Mind-blowing. We also visited the Wolseong Palace site, then the Seokbinggo Ice Storage, which was fascinating. Imagine ancient Koreans preserving ice before freezers were a thing!

Then came Donggung Palace & Anapji Pond—this place was so serene. The stillness of the pond, the simple beauty of the pavilions, and the sense of history in the air… it was honestly one of my favourite spots in Gyeongju. We ended up spending the entire morning till late afternoon soaking in all these gems.

 

 

Yangpyeong Haejangguk

Speaking of lunch, we found this cosy local spot serving Yangpyeong Haejangguk—a rich beefy soup often called "hangover soup." No, we weren’t hungover 😅, but this soup was so hearty and warming, it hit the spot perfectly.

 

Gyochon Hanok Village

As the sun started to dip, we headed to Gyochon Hanok Village. This area is full of traditional hanok houses, quiet streets, and a slower pace. It was so relaxing walking around there—no rush, no noise, just the charm of old Korea glowing softly in the evening light.

 

Woljeonggyo Bridge

We then made our way to the stunning Woljeonggyo Bridge. If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through a scene from a sageuk drama… this is it. The whole bridge lit up in red and gold tones, with reflections in the water—it was so romantic and peaceful.

 

Before crossing the bridge itself, we had a bit of fun hopping across the stream using the stone steps laid out like a path. The whole area felt peaceful and almost cinematic, like we had wandered onto the set of a historical K-drama. It was such a beautiful and romantic way to wrap up the evening.

 

Tomb Mounds View at Night

On our walk back, we passed by the tomb mounds again—this time bathed in moonlight. The gentle lighting around them made the whole scene feel mystical and calm. It’s amazing how different a place can feel just a few hours later. I don’t know why, but the sight really stuck with me.

Gyeongju has this quiet beauty that sneaks up on you, and the more you see, the more you fall in love with it. From sunshine to moonlight, it was a magical journey through Korea’s past. 🌞🏯🌙That wrapped up Day 5. We couldn’t wait to see what Day 6 had in store! ✨