Day 5: Korean Saunas (Jjimjilbang) Part 1: Siloam Land Fire Pot

Going to a sauna (jjimjilbang) was another highlight of our trip especially for my hubby who love it so much!! After shopping, it is a good place to go to relax and detox. Saunas are usually opened 24 hours and charge a higher rate after night time. There were some saunas in Myeongdong but they do not allow both genders to be together or is gender-specified. Luckily I had done research before going to Seoul. The first sauna we visited was Siloam Land Fire Pot which is located near Seoul Station. On reaching the station, we realised that the map I have printed out was different from the one at Seoul Station. It was too brief, showing only the main streets. Luckily there was a kind soul who came to us seeing that we need help and even brought us there! Koreans are so helpful!!

We walked towards Lotte Mart and through it and ended up on a traffic lights below an overhead highway. And yes, we can see the word " Siloam" just across the road! Tha man was really helpful as he brought us ALL the way to the entrance and even told the staff we want two tickets which costs us 12,000 Won
(SGD 13 for entry after 8pm) !! So nice of him!! Gamsahamnida!




The fees range from 5000 Won (SGD 5.50) to 12,000 Won (SGD 13)


Once we got our locker keys and clothing we had to go to the gender-segregated room for our lockers. After stepping into the room, I had to remove my boots and socks and place them in a small locker just enough size for your footwear. Next I went to the counter lady who exchanged my footwear locker key for another locker key to put my other barang barang. I took 2 pieces of towels beside the counter which I will use later in the sauna. We were supposed to take a shower at the basement where the bath area is also located and change into the orange costume for our sauna experience. Do not worry as only the basement level and the locker area has naked people. All the other levels are unisex and we are allowed to be dressed.

Siloam has 6 levels. Sauna rooms such as oxygen room, salt room and white/blue jade room can be found here. You can enjoy many facilities such as massage chairs, manual massages, pc and games room, restaurant, fitness room etc. All of these are charged individually.



  

blue jade room




The hottest sauna room..





You can enjoy massagess here but they are SUPER expensive!!

Our overall experience at the Siloam was quite good. Our body aches seemed to disappear after the experience! We felt refreshed and energetic too! My husband suggested going for another trip on another day. That shows how much he love it! However we did not return to Siloam but went to a different spa for another experience (read about it on the next post)

Summary of Siloam Sauna:

Advantages

- they have many sauna choices
- the massage chair is cheap (Won 1000, SGD 1.10) and good!
- the clothes are cleaner and newer
- there are free mini lockers for putting your valuables like camera while enjoying your sauna

Disadvantages


- location may be a little tricky to find
- you need to pay CASH for using other facilities like the games room, pc room





Day 5: Hongdae (홍대) : Cats Cafe, Hello Kitty Cafe, Free Markets

Hongdae(홍대) is the term given for the area around Hongik University. There are many interesting shops and cafes such as the hello kitty cafe, cats cafe and dogs cafe.We went Hongdae on a Saturday to check out the free market just opposite Hongik University because it is the only day of the week that is opened (1-6pm). The crowd was huge at the free market!! There were many stalls selling handcrafted craft items such as accessories, bags, jewelry and clothes etc.



The other highlight of going Hongdae was to visit the cats cafe as I am a feline lover. This was our first experience and I was very excited when I saw a cat mascot on the street. It must be promoting the cats cafe!! And true enough when I looked up to the buiding behind, I saw the signage "Toms Cafe".

Before stepping into the cafe, we need to change our shoes to their in-housed slippers. Every visitor has to disinfect his hands before touching the cats. The admission fee is 8,000 Won (SGD 9) inclusive of a drink per pax. Quite cheap! Before ordering our drinks, the staff showed us some guidelines for handling the cats.


My hubby was so tired that he just sat down on the table playing with his iphone games. As for me, I couldn't wait to sayang (pet) those cute and beautiful cats!! There were mostly teenager girls in the cafe. Females loves cats more than males?


Here are the shots of the cats in the cafe:

After leaving the cats cafe, we proceeded to have our dinner nearby. At this point, we noticed the crowd on the streets is getting larger and larger. Even the subway station became the busiest of all that we have been to! We could not believe that the crowd is so HUGE at Hongdae. We reckoned it is due to the free market that is only opened on saturdays and also the vibrant nightlife that so many koreans and tourists flocked to!

How to get there:
Hongik University Station line 2, exit 5