Last day in Kota Kinabalu and Seoul, Korea

The next day we had breakfast as our last official activity included with the tour.  And said goodbye to some of the people in our group.  Then we had to decide what to do with our last day.  We didn't leave until 2 am that night (technically, the next day). 

We had a very long breakfast what with the rotating people who were joining the table, on their way away that day. So, it was kind of a late start.  Our check out time was noon so we milked that for as much as we could before we brought out bags down to reception to store until it was time to leave for the airport.  

I wanted to do some shopping.  There is a touristy area, Gaya Street, that I wanted to check out. Gaya street is hardly up to the level of some more tourist adept cities.  But Joe followed me into every tourist shop there was (about four).  I don't think I actually bought anything (although I did try every sample of mango chocolate on offer) until we happened on a little convenience store where I bought some spices. 

We did find a very cool tea shop where I bought some tiny bits of tea for my friend Dave, who appreciates a good quality tea.   Who knows if it is really good quality but the store was so awesome and the owner so nice, I wanted to buy something. 

Joe found another restaurant for lunch, more tourist friendly this time.  It was Indonesian, Joe wanted to find some dishes he had when he had been in the area in the past.  We ordered six appetizers!  It was a lot of food.  No tiny tapa plates in this place. And no dayglow pink beverages.  

We added rice to sop up all of that yummy sauce

We had a very long lunch. Joe had mentioned that he had never had such a long breakfast and then an even longer lunch.  Plus shopping.  I let him know he was turning into an awesome travel girlfriend :) 

An to top that status off, he even agreed to go to a movie - Bridget Jones' Diary part 4.  I never thought he would agree to that one but I think I had broken him by then.  We went back to the hotel lobby to use their wifi to figure out where/when the movie was playing.  In the mall by the water.  Not far.  So, we headed down there in time for the start.  But the online info was incorrect, the only movie playing was Malay with no subtitles.  I am willing to watch almost anything to kill two hours but I remembered that I had seen another theatre not too far away, in another mall on the water. 

Our stroll along the waterfront, between malls

Once we had entered three malls along the waterfront, we found the other movie theatre.  The only English movie playing at the right time was a Marvel movie which completely escapes my memory. [Character Name] A New Era?  Whatever, it was total fluff despite the extreme violence.  

The movie theatre

It was pouring rain when we tried to leave the mall.  I will never again travel without buying a local SIM card. I keep telling myself it is only a few days and I will be under the guidance of the group. But even one day without internet is almost impossible when travelling now.  Not like the old days (she says creakily from her rocking chair).  

Anyway, the mall info desk ordered us a cab and we made it back to the hotel, mostly dry.  And then off to the airport (reception desk ordered the cab).  

I had a bit of Ringgetts left so I ended up buying some of that mango chocolate and a magnet or two.  We could only find one seat so when I got back, Joe headed off to explore a bit. Just as he got out of sight, there was an announcement that our flight was 'pre-boarding'.  It's not a big airport but it is big enough to swallow Joe.  I told the guy to watch out for the only tall white guy in the airport!  He's hard to miss, being a head taller than pretty much everyone else.  He came back eventually and we 'pre-boarded' which just meant we moved to another waiting area.  More seats this time but no more shopping or coffee options. 

I don't really remember that flight.  I know that Asiana Air was way better that Jeju Air.  They fed us breakfast.  Noodles!  I am going to miss noodle breakfasts.  

You'll remember that I had done some research on the free tours in Seoul for our eight hour layover.  It was a bit confusing to find but we found someone who took us to the place we needed to go and then pointed to the next place we needed to go.  But we got waylaid by someone who kept asking questions. Come along or step aside!  We found the line.  When we got to the front, there was only one seat left!  I blame the question person.  But the single lady behind us was happy.  

So, instead of the free tour, we made our way to the train into the city.  I didn't take any pictures. Or maybe I did and they didn't stick.  My second SD cared or maybe my first camera, was acting up again.  This time, I had looked at a map in the train station to see where we might want to go.  Unlike the last time I had a layover in Seoul and just left the train station with zero plan, and promptly got super lost. 

Apparently, I took one photo on my phone.
It's not exactly the best enticement to take the train

This time we headed to a big street market.  Namdaemun Market.  The market was one subway stop away so we decided to do that. Me becauese I didn't want to walk that far, Joe because he wanted to see the subway. But of course nothing is easy.  We had to find a money changer because the ticket machine doesn't accept foreign credit cards.  No worry, we now had enough money to eat.  

Something that I thought was interesting?  
Writing, counting, music?  Unknown
Not little sausages, that much I remember.

bakery for a treat and coffee 

The market was several blocks square.  I didn't buy anything except some food at a few stalls. It was an excellent way to have lunch while still on the move.  I did break down and buy some mitts. It was soooo COLD!!  

Joe with normal Korean for scale

Mitten store

my new mitts

And that was Seoul.  We went back to the train station with 15 minutes to spare to catch our train back to the airport. But that train was sold out!  And I could see the next one only had four seats left.  I grabbed them just in time!  We were still fine to get back for our flight but if we had missed that one, we might have had a very expensive taxi ride to make it in time.  

Air Canada flight for 10.5 hours. No upgrade to Premium Economy for this one.  All told, it was 30 or so hours to get home.  Lovely Carolyn was waiting for us at the Victoria Airport and took me home and that was that.  And now I end this blog, a week after I got home.