Jimjilbang/Korean Spa

This is something I was really looking forward to after frequenting the Olympic Spa in Lynnwood for the past few years. Korean Spas are ubiquitous and fortunately for me the one in my neighborhood (Blue Spa) is located just across the street from my apartment building.  Cost is $7 and includes shorts/top/locker key.  This allows access to the hot/cold pools and steam/dry saunas and all the facilities photographed below.  I do not have photos of the actual bathing/pool areas because it's weird enough being a foreigner in the spa, but to pull out a camera where a bunch of naked women are bathing might just get me 86ed from the place!  The body scrub is the real thing with the ajummas (older Korean women) scrubbing so hard that if you have your eyes closed you might think you're skin is bleeding! I actually lost three tenths of a pound after I was finished! The price for the scrub is $22.  The full treatment includes scrub/massage/cucumber facial and lasts about 50 minutes for $60. They have other packages at $100 and $120 but I don't know what that'll get ya. I had my face/eyebrows threaded for $15 and that was cool. There are not many cheap things to do in Korea so I love my jimjilbang especially since temperatures have been below freezing for months.

This spa was built in the 90s as was my whole planned community.  It's a bit dated compared to a lot of spas, but it is so convenient and clean that I don't venture out to too many others.

Lockers

Jimjilbangs often take up several floors in a building.  This stairwell leads to the a coed area.

Even a playroom/daycare for children.

Restaurant.

Restaurant.  TVs are all over the relaxing coed floor.

Workout room.

Lots of space to just lay around and nap. I like the jazz mural in the background.

Computer/gaming room.

Awe, the massage chairs. $2 for 20 min and oh so gratifying! 

Each mineral room has a temp gauge above the door.  They also have big TVs enclosed in glass so you can sweat and watch a cooking show!

This is my favorite. Little red pebbles form to your body and comfort every inch of skin.  They're like quicksand!

Another warm room to rest.

And pong too. I should say table tennis, they take it seriously here!

View from the workout room, my neighborhood.

This one will heat you up in no time! It's like a miniature world entrance.

More ping pong.

The cafe' has smoked eggs, smoothies, chips and ramen of course! Koreans bring this food/drink into the hot rooms.

Yup, if ya wanna cig you can go into this room.

Reading room.

Trying to show you the outfit they gave me.

You can buy toiletries and clothing too.

Yeah, that's my just -woke- up look! Putting my shoes in the first locker then off to the clothing locker.

Notice the half circle with the three flames on the lower signage. This indicates a spa.  Just walk around any neighborhood and you can spot the spa. They are all 24 hours. For an extra ten or twelve bucks you can stay overnight...seriously!

Here's the outside of the building.  Look up and you'll see the flame.

National Museum of Korea

Spent a day at this museum. I love that the admission charge was $0. In fact all museums and palaces and other national venues with historic or educational value are either free or just a couple of bucks to visit. Even the traveling exhibit, Pompeii, was only $13. It encourages locals and visitors to learn and appreciate the Korean culture.

The Asian collection includes Hindu and Buddhist statues, white porcelain, celadon and metal arts.

The building itself is stunning. In a city with over 10 million people the space is large enough to accommodate thousands of people each day without feeling crowded. There are 15,000 pieces on display.

The grounds and temples that surround the main building will be beautiful come spring. It comprises 22 acres with many picnic and rest areas.

A model of a temple.

Up close with the ten story pagoda in the lobby.

There is more marble in this building than I have ever seen!

Korean bellas are praised as the finest in the world for their unique structure and exquisite designs. The sound can reverberate for many minutes when rung.

This is a three story scroll!

Just one of the many statues of the Buddha.

You can see how the size of the pagoda dwarfs us!

Thailand with Andea

Andea arrived in Korea on December 24th and we headed to Bangkok then Krabi then to Ko Lanta Island. Here's a few pics in no certain order!

I loved the colors of Thailand. The bright whimsical nature of the Thai people is a total contrast to South Koreans
Here are the tuk-tuks lined up at our hotel on the island of Ko Lanta ready to take us to town for a couple of bucks. These are actually pretty safe compared to the scooters!

Fresh coconuts everywhere. 

This is  a popular salad with shredded green papaya before it ripens. Thai food has a artful balance of sweet, spicy, salty, sour components that make it light and refreshing.

OMG I was so happy to see this tub in our hotel room in Bangkok. It is rare to have a tub in a Korea. That's another reason the Korean spas (jimjilbangs) are so popular. 

Andea outside of the Marriott in Bangkok. 

This is a stall at the weekend marketplace, one of 1300 stalls selling food, clothing, arts and crafts. The fruit is so fresh so ripe, so delicious and cheap! Blenders are  ready to make whip up any combination you can think of!

The king. They love their king. You'll see his photos and the royal family all over town.  Did you know it is illegal to say anything bad about the king?

Lots and lots and lots of prawns. I could at them day and night! 

Infinity pool at out hotel overlooking part of downtown Bangkok. It's pretty cool to be in the middle of a city and feel like you're at a beach!

This is an internationally famous  and most unique restaurant named Cabbages and Condoms. It was conceptualized to promote safe sex and  family planning and to generate income to support community development. Yes, everything you see on these mannequins is a condom!! The food is fantastic!

This is the outdoor dining area of Cabbages and Condoms.

At the overground subway caught in a rain/wind storm, but not deterred from finding a frozen yogurt place!

A trip to the Grand Palace which was the home of the royal family from 1782-1925. Official ceremonies are still held here amongst numerous temples and buildings and courtyards. Tens of thousands of tourists visit daily. It is truly breathtaking.

Between the ferry and the Grand Palace are a number of cafes side by side. We had to try the phad thai and it was yummy!

This is on Krabi Province.  We took an excursion to several islands.

These are called longtail boats.

The ideal is to have this place to yourself!

Yeah, their friggin' everywhere in every language. I don't get the appeal.

Arriving on the island of Ko Lanta. Our hotel, Twin Lotus, was on the beach. 

Our beach stretched for a good half mile and had little shops and currency exchange places and even pharmacies. 

One minute they're splashing around and the next minute they become my dinner!

Yeah, this is our infinity pool on the beach on the island in Thailand with waiters delivering fruit kabobs and cocktails!
It's so nice to get to a place that exceeds your expectations! No children allowed. So quiet. Acres of lush tropical plants and pools and bridges and every need and desire is met!

In the little town, choose from a myriad of stalls with the food cooked on site. If it's made by Mama, you know it's good!

Massages for $6  an hour, no kidding.  Lots of these places and right on the beach  :) HEAVEN!!