[Part 1] 164. Ulsan 울산 Day 2

We spent the whole day at home and frankly speaking, I can’t quite remember what I did.
We watched Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea and I spent pretty much the rest of the day clearing part of my backlog of blog entries.

Dinner was really good and his mum gave me the best part of the fish- the fish head.
It was fleshy and I ate a fish eye for the first time but I didn’t like it so I passed the other to EH.

After dinner, we went for a 2.5 hours walk around the neighbourhood and went to the stadium where we walked a few rounds round the track before sitting on a bench and talking for quite some time. I like times like this :) He bought me potato toast and street food too. 맛있었어! 

[Part 1] 163. Ulsan 울산 Day 1

I have 5 more days left before the start of my final semester in Silla. Not looking forward to it at all because I’ve just heard that my favourite and best Korean teacher ever, 이 선생님,  will be teaching the Chinese students instead of us ㅠㅜ nooooooooooooooo :( 참 슬프다 ㅠㅜ

Once the term starts, I won’t be able to go to Ulsan often so I decided to head to Ulsan today.
Set off for Seomyeon at around 1pm and I headed to Hana Bank to update my bank book and got a new book too because I ran out of pages for my old one. I love the Hana Bank branch at Seomyeon. It’s relatively empty and I never have to wait for more than 5 minutes for my turn.
Bought someone’s favourite 코코호도 walnut snack for him and arrived in Ulsan at almost 4.17pm, which was around the time I left Ulsan last Friday. Yes, I remember things like this lol.

Thanks Ah Ling jie for the charm bracelets! 

As usual, we went to a mart to get food before heading to his place. But on our way to the mart, there was an injured cat in our path and we didn’t know what to do. EH wanted to shift it to the side of the road but he didn’t know how and I think it was best that we didn’t touch it because we might injure it further and it was bleeding so much too. We stood by the car, wondering what to do until a car came behind us and we had no choice but to drive away so that the car could pass :( Poor cat! And we were so afraid that the car behind would think that we were the ones who injured it. What a situation!
On our way back to his place, we stopped by 땅땅치킨 which I’ve wanted to dine at for the longest time and it was finally open when we were there! But right after I had made the payment, his mum called him and told him not to buy the chicken because we were going to eat raw fish for dinner instead! Luckily, the cashier allowed me to cancel the order. But yet another missed opportunity to eat chicken.

Back in his home, everyone waited for me (so stressed!) to finish a nutritious drink his mum prepared for me before we set off for the seaside. We did some sightseeing while his parents bought the raw fish.
It was so cold by the seaside! I was only in a thin hoodie and my faux leather jacket. The daily temperature range is getting wider and wider these days as we head into end winter early spring. Just earlier today, I was perspiring in Seomyeon as I went about running some errands and then I almost froze when I was in Gangdong.

Row of 횟집 with raw seafood

East Sea 동해

We were in Gangdong 강동 

Headed back to his place and we had a very sumptuous dinner that left us so full that EH and I went for a walk after dinner and ended up at his primary school’s tracks where we met his parents who were exercising there too.

The table got fuller with more dishes after I took this photo

EH brought me to a very brilliant spot where we could see the sights of Ulsan.

[Part 1] 162. Spa Land

I woke up at 9am instead of my intended 8am but since I had the whole day to myself, it was cool.
Managed to wash up and head out before 10am to catch the 10am shuttle bus out but in my haste, I forgot to bring my shampoo and soap along :(

The journey from school to Centum City is slightly less than an hour
reached at 11am. the entrance to Spa Land is between Prada and MCM on the 1st floor of Shinsegae. There’s another entrance from the outside of the building too.

Once you enter Spa Land, purchase an admission ticket from the counter on the left.

Image from the Spa Land brochure

Image from the Spa Land brochure

Once you’ve made the payment, go up the escalators and deposit your shoes in your shoe locker (your locker number is printed on the slip of paper given when you make payment; not the receipt!).
Mine was 523.

Once you have put your shoes into the locker, lock your locker and remove the key. You should have your key with you at all time and you use it to make payments too e.g. for your food, spa treatments, etc.

Next, go to the (final) entrance and you have to slot the metal part of your key into the small slot on the right side of the machine to enter.

Present the slip of paper with your number to the lady at the counter to collect 2 towels and your jjimjilbang “uniform”.

The entrance to the ladies’ area is on the right.

Look for your locker. I really love the locker area here. It’s double the size of the ones you normally have in other jjimjilbangs. And there’s even a mirror and a slot for your jewellery and watch and what not.

Put all your stuff in and then strip lol.
Koreans normally shower first before going to the jjimjilbang and then bathing again before leaving.

The onsen area was quite crowded when I was there so I headed to the outdoor area which was really nice! The outdoor area’s only for ladies :) I got into the water at 11.20am and wanted to leave after 10 mins (as advised) but I figured that the indoor baths would still be crowded so I decided to stay put in the outdoor spa which was less crowded but it got more and more crowded towards 12pm and I was kinda feeling hot so I eventually got out at 11.55am.

Image from the Spa Land brochure

I headed to the indoor onsens and soaked in one pool before heading to the 28.6 deg C one before feeling quite weird from having soaked in the outdoor hot one for too long so I decided I had enough of the onsen for the day.
I really like it that there are standing bath areas. I’ve never liked sitting stark naked on those white stools while bathing and most of the seated bath areas were already “choped” with other women’s bathing stuff already. Spa Land provides bath polish cloths for free too and it happened to be of the same colour as the Body Shop one my dad gave me for Christmas. Very thoughtful gift from my dad and very useful in Korea too :) My skin felt so smooth after using it!
Yes, and each bathing point comes with shampoo, soap and a bar of soap :)

I explored the jjimjilbang area for awhile but because I didn’t want to perspire at all, I didn’t enter any of the sauna rooms and headed up to the 2nd level instead to check out Shim Spa. I’ll leave the saunas for another time.

Image from the Spa Land brochure

Image from the Spa Land brochure

I had a 20% discount coupon for Shim Spa treatments, which I got from some Global day event last October. I was recommended the hydration facial when I only wanted to try the cheapest- the purifying one, because my skin’s “sensitive and troubled” ㅠㅜ There wasn’t an available therapist right away and the next available slot was at 3pm. You can make reservations in advance for the weekdays (except Friday). Admission to Spa Land is only for 4 hours and you have to pay additional charges for any additional time. But if you spend at least 10,000원 or have a Shim Spa treatment, you enjoy a free extension of 2 hours. I got into the spa at 11am and had to get out by 3pm but thanks to the free extension, I could have my treatment without incurring the extension fee.

Since I had another 2 hours to spend before my facial, I checked out the relaxation bar before heading for lunch at the restaurant which is also operated by Westin Chosun Hotel.

Image from the Spa Land brochure; what’s on the 2nd level

I had a hard time deciding what to eat and eventually decided on the nutritious beef kalbi (rib) soup and it turned out to be the best one I’ve ever eaten. It’s also the most expensive one I’ve eaten in Korea at double the normal price but it’s still half the price of what you’ll get in Singapore for that quality.

Just enter the restaurant and find a seat and a waiter will come up to you to take your order.
The soup base is really good because of the ginseng and dates, I think!

After lunch, I still had another hour to kill so I headed back to the relaxation bar to read my magazine on my iPad till it was time for my facial.

I was brought to a room with 4 beds, so you don’t get to do your facial in a single room. 

The therapist held out a sheet to “shield” me so that I could remove my top and bra in privacy.
She first began with massages on the upper part of the upper body and went slightly down my cleavage (telling you in case you’re not comfortable with that so if you’re considering a facial treatment, beware ㅋㅋㅋ). Then, she massaged in the facial products before applying a mask on me for more than 10 minutes, during which I dozed off. The facial lasts for 50 mins.
I’ll probably not get another facial done anywhere anytime soon if it doesn’t involve any extraction of blackheads or whiteheads. I don’t think it’s worth it if it’s just for the facial products that are applied on the face. I’d rather invest in good products and use them myself! But I was curious about the treatments offered by Shim Spa so I gave it a shot and if you like massages with a facial, then this might be for you. The massages were pretty good.

Prettiest toilet in a jjimjilbang. 

I went back down to my locker to put on my CC cream before changing out and heading to the fare adjustment counter by the entrance. Didn’t know that the safes are just located beside the counter. The exit is on the right side of the counter.

Image from the Spa Land brochure

All in all, I had a great time at Spa Land and I’ll definitely bring my brother here when he comes over in spring. It’s the most luxurious jjimjilbang that I’ve been too and I like the whole ambience and furnishing.
I decided to go to the spa alone because I think it’ll be way too awkward to use the onsen with my girl friends! And my free admission ticket’s only valid till tomorrow anyway.

Went window shopping after leaving the spa and got my contact lens solution from Emart for 7,000원. I really want to get lasik done. I’ve been wearing contact lens for more than 10 years and my cornea is already slightly stained :(

I bought fruits from a stall near the bus stop for the school shuttle bus but I think I got ripped off :( 5,000원 for the oranges and 8,000원 for the strawberries and they aren’t in a good condition :(:(:(

Came back for dinner with my new roommate, Jenna, who arrived this afternoon from Seoul. A few of my classmates were in the cafeteria too so we ate together. Good company and free ice cream (thanks Ikbol!)

[Part 1] 161. And yet another day to myself

Today was yet another makeup-free day for me, 3rd day running! It's time to let my skin rest.

In the afternoon, I went down to the admin office to check out the rates for the guestroom because my brother and/or mum might be coming to visit me in May! I also went to see Mr Yun to submit a copy of my passport and supporting documents of the need for me to return to Singapore. I have been crowned lol.

Caught the shuttle bus to Sasang and I went to Daiso to get an extension plug but it only has 2 outlet ones and the face towels available are too big :(
Next stop was Kookmin Bank where I tried to get my name for my account changed to Korean because I couldn't set up a Lotte card last month because apparently, my name has to be in Korean. But after waiting for 15 minutes for the guy serving me to call his higher-ups, I was told that it can't be done -.- Since I was there, I might as well get a Visa debit card in case I decide to fund my online shopping from international sites with my KB account instead. Had to place a deposit of 30,000원 for the transport feature for the card but I don’t think I want to use my debit card as a transport card because I don’t want to risk losing it and I also have to charge the transport feature just to use it, which doesn’t make it any more convenient than using a normal transport card or token. I don’t know why I went ahead with having the transport feature. I guess I was just fed up with being at the bank for so long and thought I might as well get it.
So all in all, I spent almost an hour waiting till my turn, half an hour for the change of name request and another half an hour for the debit card. By the time I could leave the bank, the main shutters were down and I wasn’t sure how to exit because I didn’t know where the back door was :( Luckily, a guy was leaving too and I followed him.

Went to E-mart and did my shopping and I felt a bit sad again because this was my 1st time shopping at E-mart alone in a looooong while. I forgot to use my Korea Grand Sale 5,000원 discount coupon :( What a waste because it’s only valid till 28th Feb and for a min. purchase of 80,000원 and I spent more than that! I still have 15,000원 worth of gift certificates to use. Argh. I should put my coupons/vouchers in my wallet.
I bought a hair dryer, at long last! I doubt I’ll use it but since I brought along my hairstyling tools from Singapore, I figured I might as well get a hair dryer so that I can use my tools too. I never ever have the habit of blowdrying my hair and prefer to let it dry naturally just that it takes forever. Got a Panasonic ionic hair dryer for 39,800원 and it was on sale. I think the original price is at least 45,000원.

Came back to school just in time for dinner!

I have to clear my backlog of blog entries :(

[Part 1] 160. Another day in the dorm

I woke up late again today.
I should be more productive and make full use of my vacation but I’m just in full slacking mode :(
I have so many things to do but I just feel so lazy.

There’s a huge backlog of blog entries to clear ㅠㅜ
At least I have sorted out the photos!

Dinner- just couldn’t resist one of my favourite ramyeon