We started bright and early at 6:50 a.m., hopping on an hour-long bus ride to the Hyundai Asan Factory. Along the way, we were given the cutest little breakfast box. The fruit was surprisingly fresh — I had no idea I liked kiwis so much. The sandwich was also delicious, especially with the sweet and savory sauce (no tomatoesfor me though).
At the Hyundai factory, we were greeted by mini car models in the lobby before heading into the real deal. We learned all about the car manufacturing process — it takes around 20 hours to build a single vehicle, and the painting stage alone can take up to 11 of those. What amazed me most was the efficiency: they finish one car every 52 seconds! The machinery was incredibly advanced (and expensive), so I think it’s safe to say a car factory won’t be in my future anytime soon.
After the tour, we headed toward the Han River for a scenic cruise — but not before another hour-long bus ride, which was surprisingly relaxing. For lunch, we had bento boxes, and the bulgogi was easily my favorite part. While waiting for the boat to arrive, we browsed a nearby convenience store on the boardwalk, and I tried banana milk for the first time — it was lovely! I really hope I can bring some back home. Once aboard, the cruise was a refreshing break from the heat thanks to the cool coastal breeze. Feeding the seagulls was both nerve-wracking and fun — they’re surprisingly precise, diving down to catch snacks mid-air or scoop up ones that were dropped.
During our free time today, I had the chance to visit the COEX Mall across town — and let me tell you, they have everything in there. There’s even an aquarium inside… can you believe that? But the real reason I went was to see the Starfield Library. It was a little smaller than I expected, but it completely made up for it with how stunning and glamorous it looked. I’ll definitely have to go back again — hopefully next time I can pick up a book.For dinner, we stopped by a Japanese restaurant for sushi, and honestly, it might’ve been the best sushi I’ve ever had. The spread was huge! While I wasn’t a fan of everything on the table, most of it was absolutely delicious.
Before heading back to the hotel, we took a slight detour and visited a peaceful Buddhist temple tucked right in the middle of the city. Toward the back stood a large, striking statue, and we even discovered a hiking trail nearby. It looked a little rocky — probably not ideal for a daily hike — but the scenery was incredible. It was such a memorable and calming experience, and I can only hope tomorrow will be just as amazing.
