Seat Sale. Booked a flight. Acquired Visa. Completed Itinerary.
Destination: Seoul, South Korea
It was July 2012 that me and my friend Abby saw the airfare sale
from Cebu Pacific Airline going to Seoul, South Korea. Since we were both K-pop
lovers, we immediately booked a flight dated March 9-13, 2013 bound for
Incheon, South Korea without any second thoughts. “The more, the merrier” as
the saying goes, we also invited our colleague and co-Kpop lover Koinoniah and
my other friend Lynne along with her sister Ynah. This was actually my very
first out of the country vacation so I’m really excited. I even did a self-study
of the Korean language (Hangul) because I believe that it will be helpful on
our trip. To make sure we won’t miss any important places, we worked together
to complete our 4-day itinerary and voila! All of us were more than ready to
invade the ”Land of the Calm Morning”.
Finally, after 8 months, the most-awaited day has arrived.
Touchdown Korea! Winter is about to end and the temperature was as cold as the
freezer. It was 6:00 am when we arrived at Incheon International Airport, the
8-time Best Airport in the World. I was truly amazed with the airport and it is
so organized that even if it is really huge, we never got lost.
Korea Travel Tip #1: After getting off the plane,
passengers need to ride the airport train going to the arrival hall. Follow the
proper airport procedure to avoid delay. It is also advisable to go the Korea
Tourism Board Visitor Information Services to get maps and brochures. Don’t
forget to buy a T-Card (Transportation Card in Korea) at any convenient store
scattered inside the airport. Top it up with at least 10,000 won. It is a
must-have for tourists.
Our First Korean
Subway Ride
Korea is widely known for having the best transportation
system in the world. So, instead of riding a bus or renting a taxi going to our
hotel, we opted to take the AREX train (Airport Railroad Express), the train that
is directly connected to Seoul Subway Station. It was our first Korea train
ride and from there, we had our first glance of Korea. The view of the melting
snow on the trees, the thick fog that cover the mountains and the rays of the
morning sun that touches the field were all breath-taking that I couldn’t find
the right words to describe it. And after approximately 45 minutes, we were
already at the heart of Korea.
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Our group when we first landed at Incheon International Airport
and the AREX ride (Airport Railroad Express) going to Seoul Subway Station.
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When we arrived at the Seoul Subway Station, we were greeted by the beautiful morning view of Seoul. At that moment, I instantly knew why Korea was called the “Land of the Calm Morning”.
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| The "Calm Morning" greeted us upon arrival at Seoul Station |
Meanwhile, since we want to get the most out of our stay in
Korea, we didn’t plan to waste our precious time. We immediately searched for
the transfer line going to Myeong-dong Station (Line 4, Exit 3) where our hotel
is located. It was already 8 o’clock in the morning and rush hour for many
Koreans. With our heavy luggage, we faced the bustle and found our train.
Korea Travel Tip #2: Koreans value their time. Before you
ride the escalator, make sure you’re on the right lane. If you’re in a hurry,
use the LEFT LANE otherwise use the RIGHT LANE.
We never thought that our first Line 4 train ride would be
memorable. Our T-Cards failed to swipe for an unknown reason. Since we weren’t
able to swipe our T-Cards at the Entrance Gate, an Ajhussi helped us get through
the "Free Pass" gate. When we were about to take the Exit Gate at
Myeong-dong, our cards failed to swipe again, the gates wont open and we can't
get out. The screen kept on displaying "missing IN". We felt uneasy
and tried calling the subway helpdesk officer but got no answer. We were
staying at the free pass gate and when an Ahjumma passed through it, we hurriedly
followed her. Luckily, the gate didn’t close, so we were able to get out
gracefully. =P We laughed so hard after the incident but at the same time felt
guilty of what we did. So technically, our first Line 4 train ride in Korea is
FREE. How was that?
Korea Travel Tip #3: If the T-Cards failed to swipe on the
swiping machine, check if the load is enough. Lots of machines are scattered on
the subway station so you can check and reload anytime. If the load is sufficient
but still won’t swipe, call the subway helpdesk officer. Tourists may also seek
the help from their fellow passengers. Koreans are very helpful and they will
assist you.
Home Away From Home: The Zaza Backpackers Hotel
We arrived at Zaza Backpackers Hotel at around 9:00 am and
found out that the check-in time is 2:00 pm. However, TJ and James (Zaza
Backpackers staff) allowed us to leave our luggage on the hotel while we stroll
around and get back on the specified check-in time. Abby made the reservation
in advance and booked a 3-day, 4-night stay at Zaza Backpackers. The
accommodation was very affordable and we paid a total of 440,000 won for our
stay. Technically, each of us paid 88,000 won. For tourists like us that were
travelling on a tight budget, this is really the best find.
TJ and James were fluent in English, very friendly and
accommodating. We highly recommend Zaza Backpackers Hotel to all travelers who
want to experience a home-away-from-home stay in Korea. Visitors can enjoy unlimited wi-fi internet
connection, unlimited coffee and unlimited conversations with the staff. The
location is near the subway station, not to mention that it is located in
Myeong-dong, one of Korea’s best shopping places. It also provides easy access
to Seoul's best tourist spots like the N Seoul Tower and Namsan Folk Village. There
are lots of nearby restaurants and money-changer too. You can check out their
website for reservations: http://zazabackpackers.com. They also have a facebook page www.facebook.com/zazabackpackers.
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| We love Zaza Backpackers! |
Day 1: Back To The Old Korea Days
Destinations and Directions:
1. Bukchon Hanok Village (Line 3, Anguk Station, Exit 2)
2. Korea’s 2 Famous Palaces
- Gyeongbokgung Palace (Line 5, Gwanghwamun
Station, Exit 2)
- Changdeokgung Palace (Line 3, Anguk Station, Exit 3)
3. Korean National Folk Museum (Inside Gyeongbokgung Palace)
Korea Travel Tip #4: For tourists, we recommend that you
create a complete itinerary list. Include necessary details such as the correct
address, subway station, and transfer route and exit numbers. Korea has the best
subway system and is extremely fast. So
if you know exactly where you are heading to, it saves you time. However, if
you’re the type of tourist who wants to explore Korea on your own, you may also
do so. Each station / exit will surely lead you to some of Korea’s best finds
and hidden treasures.
Our first stop was Bukchon Hanok Village. Here, we found different
Korean houses, ranging from the traditional up to the modern type. Up here
gives tourist a great view of the city. A lot of activities are offered here
such as Tea Ceremony, Kimchi Making and many more. We just strolled around and
enjoyed the weather.
After Bukchon, we headed to the Korean
National Folk Museum. While walking, we noticed the Korean’s love for art and
the value they give to it. There are lots of street murals and art pieces, all
of which are creatively executed and successfully captured the eyes of many
tourists including us.
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While strolling around Bukchon, we bumped into a group of Korean students who just had their art class.
They were all very adorable!
|
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| Certified “Eye Catchers” while on our way to Korean National Folk Museum |
The Korean National Folk Museum contains
all important information about Korea’s colorful history. It is connected to
the Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of Korea’s Famous Palace. The place is very picturesque and we can’t
help but take a lot of shots just upon the entrance.
The Gyeongbokgung Palace is said to be
largest palace. It is truly a sight to behold. Some of the scenes on the hit
Korean drama “Jewel in the Palace” were filmed here. We enjoyed the place beside the pond, we felt
relaxed as the cool winter breeze touches our face.
After our short tour at the Korean National
Folk Museum and Gyeongbokgung Palace, we walked towards the Jongno Station
where we found another palace, the Changdeokgung. On our research, the “Secret
Garden” is located inside the palace. But since its already 5:00 PM and we are
already tired, we didn’t get inside. Instead, we just took some pictures and
walk straight to the nearest subway station. On our way, we saw a little cart
that sells waffles. We tried some and it tastes good!
Korea Travel Tip #5: The streets of Korea are best travelled by walk. Wear comfortable shoes (sneakers / flat boots). Korea has lots of steep stairs so you should be ready. In my case, I wore high cut boots with 1-inch heel. I easily felt tired and my feet ached so bad that I can’t even walk. That’s really a big NO.
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| The entrance of Changdeokgung Palace |
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| Filled waffles made our day! Yum! |
Day 2: Seoul, The Best Shopping
Haven!
Destinations and Directions:
2. Gyeongbokgung Palace: Royal Changing
of Guards Ceremony
3. Cheongyecheon Stream (Line 5,
Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 5)
4. Insadong (Line 3, Anguk Station, Exit 6 )
5.Dongdaemun (Line 4, Dongdaemun
Station, Exit 8)
6. Myeongdong (Line 4, Myeongdong
Station, Exit 4)
We woke up early and left the hotel at 7:00 am. Our first stop was Gwanghwamun Square. The temperature dropped to zero degree Celsius and we were all freezing. Before we get out of the station, we saw a statue of Haechi, the official mascot of Seoul. We also met a new Korean friend. He said he was also a tourist and would like to become friends with us. We happily strolled around Gwanghwamun Square and saw the statue of King Sejong, the founder of Hangul (Korean Alphabet).
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| Haechi warmly greeted us on our 2nd day at Seoul. |
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| Our group posing at Gwanghwamun Square |
Korea Travel Tip #6: Wear the proper clothes for the season. It
will help you move comfortably and enjoy your walk in the streets of Seoul. When
we were at Gwanghwamun Square, we were so cold that we barely able move our
fingers.
While strolling around King Sejong’s statue, we heard an unfamiliar sound. We saw Gyeongbokgung Palace and immediately thought of the Royal Changing of Guards Ceremony. We run across the Gwanghwamun Square and watched the ceremony. It was fantastic and very colorful. Although not allowed, we still took great pictures with the guards. =)
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| The Royal Changing of Guards Ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace |
Inside was a great view of the
Gyeongbokgung Palace that we didn’t saw when we were at the Korean National
Folk Museum. Here, we took our very
first official group photo. I posted this to my SNS account and it earned so
many “Likes”. We love this photo!
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| Abby, Kat, Lynne, Ynah and Koinoniah..the Seoul Sisters! |
From Gyeongbokgung Palace, we walked
straight to Gwanghwamun Square and visited Korea’s famous 8.4 km stream, the
Cheongyecheon Stream. It was a man-made stream that stretches within downtown Seoul
up to the Han River. The stream has a path
on both sides and decorated with art and statues. Many Koreans walk
here, some even do picnics. It was calm and relaxing here so we stopped for a
while and enjoyed the sound of the flowing water.
 |
|
The
relaxing ambiance of the Cheongyecheon Stream makes it very attractive
to many
tourists and natives alike.
|
I really wanted to stay longer at
Cheongyecheon Stream but my friend Lynne needs to meet her Korean friends so we
immediately went back to Myeong-dong. We went to a Korean Restaurant near
Pacific Hotel and there, we enjoyed a scrumptious lunch. This was our first
time to experience the Korean cuisine and I must say, it is really one of the
best around the world. I’m never fond of eating vegetables or spicy foods but
Seoul changed my palette preferences. I seriously love Bibimbap and Kimchi!
Thanks to our new friends, Mr. Hong ang Mr. Kang! Good food, great friends!
Korea Travel Tip #7: Never miss the opportunity to taste Korean food. There are a lot of restaurants around Seoul that serves great dishes at very affordable prices.
After lunch, we went to Insadong for
another traditional korean cultural experience. Down the Anguk Subway Station
was an eye-catching wall that was decorated with hand-painted tiles. Each tile
has its own story and it clearly showed us Korea’s love for art.
 |
|
Another certified eye-catcher
at Seoul
|
At Insadong, we found great Korean crafts,
antiques, art, tea houses and souvenirs! To accommodate more tourists, the
street is closed for vehicles during Sundays. Most of the items are sold at
very affordable prices. Korean store owners are also open to haggling so no
need to worry if you don’t have much money. We also get to meet an Ahjussi who
gave us great discounts on lots of his items. He was really kind and friendly.
He made our Insadong stroll very memorable.
 |
|
Insadong is such a
great place to shop for souvenirs!
|
Another attraction here at Insadong is the
Ssamziegil Mall. Also nearby is Jogyesa, a buddhist temple. At Ssamziegil Mall,
we enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and a funny-shaped bread. Picture taking is not
allowed in Jogyesa Temple because it is a sacred place. Inside the temple were
three huge Buddha and Koreans offering their prayers. Did you know that majority of the Koreans are
Buddhist? That is why there are many Buddhist Temples in Seoul such as Jogyesa.
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|
Now
you know why I said it was a “funny-shaped” bread?
|
Korea Travel Tip #8: I recommend
that you drop by at any Korean Buddhist Temple to deepen your understanding on
Korean religious beliefs and practices. The
Great Buddha will surely be happy to meet you. =)
After Insadong, our next stop will be
Dongdaemun. We bumped into Ahjussi again (the person who gave us lots of
discounts at Insadong) and he said he was going to Dongdaemun too. However, he
advised us not to take the subway. He got a taxi for us and instructed the
driver to take us to Dongdaemun. It was our first taxi ride in Korea. The taxi
driver is friendly and told us that he has been in the Philippines (our home
country). The taxi ride is short but it gave us a different view of Seoul streets
outside of the subway.
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|
Us
enjoying our first taxi ride in Seoul, Korea
|
Dongdaemun is also another famous shopping
district in Seoul. This place is famous
for their wholesale markets and interconnected malls. Upon arrival, we went
straight to the underground mall because we were chilling already. We were
surprised that inside the underground mall were tons of items such as shoes,
bags and clothes that are sold at affordable prices! We also drop by at the famous
Doota Mall. The interiors are glamorous. It has everything that any tourist
would want to buy. We didn’t get to see the other nearby malls because we are already
hungry and tired. So we went over to the food stalls located outside the mall
and enjoyed the yummy Korean streeetfoods!
Korea Travel Tip #9: Never ever miss the chance to taste all Korean streetfoods! They are very delicious and affordable. You can find it anywhere and there are varieties to choose from. There’s Kimbap (rice wrapped in seaweeds), Mandu (Dumplings), Tteokbokki (Stir Fried Rice Cake), Pajeon (pancakes), Bungeopang (fish-shaped bread with filling) and many more! To tell you the truth, the lunch with Mr Hong and Mr. Kang that I mentioned previously was our only decent meal during our stay in Korea. We were always eating streetfoods the whole time so we didn’t bother going to any restaurant nor cook our own food.
We left Dongdaemun half past 6 o’clock in the evening and immediately went back to our hotel to take some rest before we explore central Myeong-dong, our last shopping destination! We were really excited to know what Myeong-dong has in store for us!
Myeong-dong
is great place to shop for cosmetics, accessories, clothes and many more. Just
a walk away from our hotel, we decided to have our dinner here. It was our
first time to see a “Silent Party” (Koreans dancing on the street wearing
headphones). It’s really cool! =) We also visited some Korean cosmetics shop
like Etude House and Face Shop. We were happy to get exclusive discounts and
yes, we spent almost half of our pocket money here. But of course, it’s all
worth it.
Day
3: Our Endless Love, Seoul!
Destination and
Direction:
1. Naminara Island (Line 1,Jongno
Station, Exit 1 -> Tapgol Park -> Bus to Gapyeong Warf)
2. N Seoul Tower (Line 4, Myeong-dong
Station, Exit 3 -> Follow signs from Pacific Hotel)
3. Teddy Bear Museum (Located at the
base of N Seoul Tower )
We
left our hotel at 7:00 am to catch the bus at Tapgol Park going to Gapyeong Port.
Our friends TJ and James helped us make the reservation. The bus left at exactly
9:30 am. The trip lasted for an hour. From Gapyeong Warf, there was a ferryboat
that took us to our next destination, Naminara Island, which is the famous
shooting location of “Endless Love: Winter Sonata”.
Korea Travel Tip #11:
In Seoul, bus schedules are strictly followed. Don’t be late or else
you’ll miss the bus and wait for the next trip.
We
each paid 15,000 won. The package includes the round-trip fares for the bus and
ferry. We were advised that the same bus will be back at 4:00 pm to pick us up.
After the instructions, we hurriedly get off our bus and started our Nami
Island journey!
Nami
Island is so picturesque. The island changes its look as new season approaches.
During winter, the place is covered by snow. During spring, the green leaves
take place. During the fall season, the leaves turn orange. The beautiful and
perfect line up of trees was the main attraction in the island. We took a lot
of photos there. We also found the exact spot where the famous Korean drama was
filmed. The island is complete with amenities so tourists will surely enjoy
their stay. Biking is also a good way to enjoy the island. We rented colorful bikes
for 5,000 won (1 hour). It was tiring yet a truly enjoyable day for us! I can recall that we were all asleep during
our trip back to Seoul suburb. =)
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| Nami Island’s beauty is incomparable and timeless. |
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| Different faces for different seasons. |
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| Biking is the best way to stroll around Nami Island. |
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| Nami Island is the famous shooting location of Endless Love: Winter Sonata |
We
were back at the hotel at 5:00pm and rest a bit. Just bought noodles and Twotwo
fried chicken for dinner. At 7:00pm, we left again to climb up to the N Seoul
Tower, a romantic place in Seoul. Our hotel is just a walk away to Namsan Cable
Car, one way to get to the tower. From there, we saw the beautiful nightlights
of Seoul. It was such a breathtaking view!
When
we got off the cable car, the magnificent light of N Seoul Tower greeted us.
Inside the tower is the Namsan Observatory where tourists can have a complete
360-degree view of the whole city. At the base of the tower is the Teddy Bear
Museum. Inside the museum were different teddy bears depicting Korea’s history
and culture. They were dressed in different costumes and most of them are
moving. There was also a teddy bear dressed like Psy (famous Korean pop star). They
were all adorable that we want to take them home!
The
entrance to the Teddy Bear Museum is 8,000 won, however, if you also want to
visit the Namsan Observatory, you need to pay additional 6,000 won. We just
went to the Teddy Bear Museum because it is already late. Another memorable
thing that happened here is that we saw a Korean actor. We actually didn’t
recognize him at first and when people started to “panic” around him, we
suddenly thought that he maybe a popular one.
Another
attraction in the N Seoul Tower is the “Lock Tree”. Why is it called the lock
tree? As the name implies, the tree is full of locks. Well I guess Koreans are
really romantic. Couples write their names on a lock and hang it on the tree.
It’s like a representation of their love for each other, a promise. A sealed
vow that only the heart holds the key. How romantic was that huh? =) Since we
came here without any partners, we decided to lock our love for Seoul instead.
=)
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|
We promised our love for Seoul!
|
Day
4: Our Happiest Day EVER!
Destination and
Direction:
1. MBC Dramia (Line 3 Nambu Bus
Terminal, take bus going to Baegam, ride a taxi)
2. Everland Theme Park ( Bus#10 from
Baegam to Yongin Terminal, Bus 5005 to Everland)
3. Gangnam (Bus 5005 from Everland,
drop off at Gangnam Bus Stop)
4. Namdaemun Market ( Line 4, Hoehyeon
Station, Exit 6 )
This
was our last day in Seoul. Though we stayed late last night, we still managed
to wake up early and head on to our last few destinations. We went to Nambu Bus
Terminal to catch the bus going to Baegam. The trip lasted for almost an hour
and from Baegam, we rode a taxi going to MBC Dramia, the famous filming
location of many Korean Dramas. This place is quite far but we highly recommend
it to those who are huge fans of Korean dramas like Jewel in the Palace,
Dong-yi, Jumong, Moon that Embraces the Sun and many more! The place replicates
the old Korean village and palaces. We never thought that we will also make our
ultimate dream come true, to wear the “Hanbok”, Korea’s traditional
clothing. The hanboks that we wore were
all exact replica of what we saw in the Korean Dramas. Mine was worn by
Dong-yi. It was all worth every won! We are all very happy!!!!!!!
 |
|
Let’s travel back in time at MBC Dramia!
|
 |
|
Our happiest moment ever! Living our ultimate Korea
dream!
|
After
our Hanbok experience, we start strolling around MBC Dramia. We saw Jang-geum’s
kitchen (Jewel in the Palace), King’s Palace (Moon Embracing the Sun), the
exile chamber and so much more. It’s like a time travel to the Joseon Dynasty! We
even spotted an actual shooting. Since we need to save time for our next
destination, we have to leave at MBC Dramia by 12:00pm. I was really regretful
not to see the famous Secret Pavilion, however, I believe that we can still
visit this place again in the future.
 |
|
Feels like we travelled back to the
Joseon Dynasty
|
Korea Travel Tip #12: If you plan to visit MBC Dramia, we
advise you to bring your own snack because the location is quite far from the
Baegam community. I can’t recall seeing any store at the vicinity.
Back
to Baegam, we waited for the bus going to Yongin Terminal. Baegam is a small
village and a very simple one. Most of the stores there don’t have English translations.
Asking for direction is also hard since not all people there speaks English.
However, an Ahjumma helped us find the right bus. =) The travel time is quite long though.
Then, after dropping off at Yongin, we searched for bus 5005 and luckily, we
easily found it. Here we come Everland!
Everland
is also one of the famous theme parks in Korea other than the Lotte World. We
paid 32,000 won each inclusive of a ride-all-you can and safari pass. I think
it was discounted because we came at 2:00pm and it is winter. We chose Everland
because we knew that it would be worth every penny. True that, Everland met our
expectations! I personally like this theme park because they offer lots of
activities here and they have complete amenities. It’s an all-in-one package
because you just not get to see different rides; they also have a zoo/safari,
ski park and indoor swimming pool. It’s
the best theme park for all ages. Because it’s still winter, we found out that
the Snow World (including the Snow Buster, a sledding ride) was closed. I could
just imagine us being crazy like kids while sledding at the snow, but I guess
that dream has to wait a little longer (sad face T.T). Anyway, another
attraction here is the T-Express. Yes, it is the steepest and longest wooden
rollercoaster in the world! Of course, we didn’t miss the chance. Abby, me and
Koinoniah were the brave ones to successfully ride the T-Express, without cuts
nor bruises (kidding). Oh well, I felt like I left my soul up in there. Haha!
After
T-Express, we went to their mini-zoo where we found polar bears, penguins, sea
otter, fox, snow lion and many rare animals. We also watched an indoor animal
show. It’s actually my first time to see a zoo. =)
Korea
Travel Tip #13: Allocate a day if you want to visit Everland. The same goes
with MBC Dramia. We were a bit regretful not putting these places on top of our
list because we didn’t get to enjoy most of its amenities due to time
constraints.
Sadly,
we left Everland at exactly 6:00 pm. We
waited for the bus going to Gangnam, the famous street here in Korea because of
Psy. The bus is full so we stood up for the whole duration of the trip. We drop
off at Gangnam and strolled around. The subway station was full of stores,
ranging from clothes, shoes and food. We got lost here…a bit. Since the station
is really big, we had a hard time looking for the correct train.
 |
| Oppa Gangnam Style! |
Back
at the hotel, we rested a bit and packed our things already. Our scheduled
flight was 6:00 am the other day so we need to have our luggage prepared. Our
Zaza Backpacker friend Sunam, helped us rent a taxi that will pick us up at
2:00 am from hotel to the airport. We
had our last dinner at Namdaemun Market. We heard that the market is up until
midnight and they serve the best authentic Korean food. We also wanted to taste
“soju”, Korea’s famous beer. We saw a “pojangmacha” (Korean food cart) and
immediately went inside to reserved a table.
The Ahjumma took our orders and we waited at least 3 minutes for the
food to be cooked. Korean food is usually spicy but very flavorful and healthy.
We enjoyed the food and the soju as well. The owner also gave us another bottle
of soju for FREE! Maybe it’s their way of accommodating tourists like us. =)
From
Namdaemun, we realized that we didn’t take pictures inside our “frequently
visited” station. Since it’s already late, only few people were there so we did
took a lot of photos to serve as remembrance. We will surely miss Korea’s
subway system. T.T
