As I am writing this, my husband and I are back in Sydney from a 3-week holiday to the Philippines and Korea. This is our first visit to Seoul, South Korea, also the first time travelling with three of our college friends/housemates(we used to live together in one apartment). It was so nice to take this trip and catch up with them again, like a mini reunion. Months before this trip, I already did a few research online on the places best to pay a visit to, the food to try, etc. I also made reference to my friend's itinerary when they went to Seoul last April. And our friend, Neyna, also prepared our itinerary. Itinerary/planning ahead saves time, thus, making the most of the holiday. Not included in the plan, though, was the particular places to eat. We took it as part of the adventure. So here goes our Seoul adventure...
19 October 2015 From Manila, we arrived at Incheon International Airport at around 9pm, exchanged currencies(about 2-day budget since exchange rates at airports are usually low, Myeongdong rates were higher), then immediately looked for a taxi to bring us to Hyundai Residences, our home for the next five days. Taking the train or bus was not an option since our hotel is a 10-15 minute walk from the nearest station (not a good idea when you're dragging along heavy luggages :D).. Since there were 5 of us, it was economical for us to take an avanza rather than take 2 regular size taxis. We were introduced to a taxi/avanza driver named Mr. Kang, at ₩95,000, he gladly drove us to the hotel. It was roughly about 45-min drive(without traffic) from airport to hotel. And at the same price, he who also agreed to drive us back to the airport after 5 days. We thought it was a fair deal for didn't have to worry about our ride to the airport anymore.
(at Incheon airport)
Late dinner, consisted of cup noodles & some packed meals from 7eleven next to the hotel, was not that bad actually. Banana milk drink & gimbap were my favourite. Then it was time to hit the sack and recharge for the next day's start of the adventure.
20 October 2015 We left the hotel at around 9am, just after breakfast at Steiff Cafe..We head out to Changdeokgung Palace and joined in the Huwon(Secret Garden) tour, which lasted more than an hour. Taking so many photos, we basically were left behind by the group and we would just catch up on them.
For lunch, we asked the locals as to where the nearest restaurants are. Then our tired feet and hungry tummy directed us to Yongsusan, Biwon Branch. We didn't have any idea about this resto since we didn't have mobile internet. The place looks so fancy & classy to us, though. The food was amazingly delicious! We didn't even thought of taking a sexy food photo :) It was the most expensive meal we had in this entire trip @ ₩81,000 but it was totally worth it!
impatiently waiting for our lunch :)
Next stop of the day was N Seoul Tower. I think the best time to be here is right before sunset so that you can get a panoramic view of Seoul and observe how the city below slowly transforms from day to night. What really draws the crowd up here are the lovelocks, aside from the view of course.
We took Namsan Oreumi, a free outdoor inclined elevator, to & from Namsan Cable Car. From here, it's just about 10-15 minute walk to Myeongdong.
Last stop of the day was Myeongdong shopping strip for a little bit of cosmetics shopping and dinner.
busy shopping strip of Myeongdong
bibimbap for dinner
21 October 2015 a day of full fun at Everland! I was, personally, a little skeptical about Everland because i thought it would just be like another theme park. I was proven wrong. The place was huge! Our eyes feasted on all of the halloween displays and autumn colours, the gardens, the different architectural replicas, taking no notice of the thrill rides at all. Ahh well, except for the steep slope of the roller coaster and that other crazy swinging 360 degree ride. You just can't help but stare & wonder if i'll ever get the courage to ride one. We enjoyed watching the parade too. And yeah, special thanks to the lady at the ticket booth for giving us 50% discount on entrance fee. She had a soft spot for Filipinos(I'm guessing)..
In getting there: from Gangnam station we took the 5002 bus then boarded the Everland free shuttle bus.
In going back: we took the train(Jeondae-Everland Station) for there were no buses anymore. It was quite a long ride with a couple of transfers that got us to Hoehyeon Station(Namdaemun Market) for we planned to do a little bit of market shopping but unfortunately shops close at 7pm (we got there past 10pm). Special thank you to the train staff who helped us with directions.
22 October 2015 Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace we agreed not to enter the palace, instead, we just waited for the scheduled changing of the guards. Killed time by taking photos, people watching and doing silly time-lapses..
...then took a stroll towards Gwanghwamun Square
...then to Cheonggye Plaza, the starting point of the Cheonggyecheon Stream. It's so amazing to see the transformation of this stream from what used to be a concrete elevated highway.
impatiently waiting for our lunch :)
Next stop of the day was N Seoul Tower. I think the best time to be here is right before sunset so that you can get a panoramic view of Seoul and observe how the city below slowly transforms from day to night. What really draws the crowd up here are the lovelocks, aside from the view of course.
Last stop of the day was Myeongdong shopping strip for a little bit of cosmetics shopping and dinner.
busy shopping strip of Myeongdong
bibimbap for dinner
21 October 2015 a day of full fun at Everland! I was, personally, a little skeptical about Everland because i thought it would just be like another theme park. I was proven wrong. The place was huge! Our eyes feasted on all of the halloween displays and autumn colours, the gardens, the different architectural replicas, taking no notice of the thrill rides at all. Ahh well, except for the steep slope of the roller coaster and that other crazy swinging 360 degree ride. You just can't help but stare & wonder if i'll ever get the courage to ride one. We enjoyed watching the parade too. And yeah, special thanks to the lady at the ticket booth for giving us 50% discount on entrance fee. She had a soft spot for Filipinos(I'm guessing)..
In getting there: from Gangnam station we took the 5002 bus then boarded the Everland free shuttle bus.
In going back: we took the train(Jeondae-Everland Station) for there were no buses anymore. It was quite a long ride with a couple of transfers that got us to Hoehyeon Station(Namdaemun Market) for we planned to do a little bit of market shopping but unfortunately shops close at 7pm (we got there past 10pm). Special thank you to the train staff who helped us with directions.
22 October 2015 Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace we agreed not to enter the palace, instead, we just waited for the scheduled changing of the guards. Killed time by taking photos, people watching and doing silly time-lapses..
...then to Cheonggye Plaza, the starting point of the Cheonggyecheon Stream. It's so amazing to see the transformation of this stream from what used to be a concrete elevated highway.
...had lunch at the nearby Tom N Tom's Cafe
...then took a taxi to Bukchon Hanok Village (Korean traditional houses) but it is still being used as a residential area so as courtesy to the occupants we have to walk around in minimal noise.
...then took a taxi to Namdaemun Market for a bit of night market shopping, though not much because it was nearly closing time.
23 October 2015 Nami Island is spectacular during Autumn. It is when every leaf becomes a flower(i think i've read that somewhere).. with a slightly cool breeze it became even more mesmerising for us who grew up in the tropical & humid part of the world.
one last mouthful
selfie by Tina (with us doing our silly time-lapse dance)
In getting there: we had quite a bad luck because the initial plan was to take a tour bus at Insadong but it was already fully booked. We didn't realise that there was a reservation. And it was just that one bus that goes to Nami port. So pressed with time, we took a taxi to Sangbong Train Station.. then get off at Gapyeong Station.. then took a taxi to Nami port..then board the ferry to Nami Island.
In going back: we queued for a taxi at Nami port(in front of 7eleven) to Gapyeong Station.. then boarded an express train (it just took 3 stops) & we got off at Cheongnyangni Station & we transferred to Line 1(purple line) back to Jonggak Station where we had samgyeopsal for dinner. (Sorry, Self Bar, we kept looking for you but we can't find you. Apparently, it was closed down).
24 October 2015 Flight back to Manila was at 9pm.. Pick up time by Mr. Kang (the taxi driver) was at 5pm.. so we still had basically the whole day to spare to do some shopping for pasalubong(gifts) and side trips..Hubby & i went to visit Myeongdong Cathedral, Myeongdong shopping strip & Namdaemun markets.. while the three ladies went to Han River and Namdaemun Markets as well.
Myeongdong Cathedral
All-in-all it was a fun-filled, light, easy, no-dramas kind of short holiday with friends. The food! Yes, I'm going to miss the food! We have many Korean restaurants here in Sydney but nothing beats eating Korean food in Korea. And we we're blessed with good weather during the five days that we were there. I really hope that we'd get the chance to do it again in another country.. soon!
A few things i took from this trip that are surely applicable in future [trips]:
1. have an itinerary...be flexible..have other options (ask from friends who have been there)
2. do the research..there are so many references nowadays like what you find in the internet, blogs, youtube etc
3. when travelling to non-English speaking country, be sure to ask the hotel reception to write down the name, address and
contact number of the hotel in the local language so that it would be easier to get home when taking a taxi
4. don't be scared to ask the locals (but just be mindful, double check, coz they might point you to the wrong direction)
5. have a medical kit for headache, upset stomach, nausea etc.. (coz for this trip i didn't bring one)
6. don't stray too far from your budget (i know its tempting but do you really need to buy more stuff that may not need once
you get home?)
7. when travelling in a group, have a common fund, for common expenses like food and fares.. splitting bill is boring and
oftentimes a bit of a hassle
8. Maps do come in handy (train maps, city maps etc).. don't rely too much on the internet(what if you go offline or you've
come to a blind spot?)
1. have an itinerary...be flexible..have other options (ask from friends who have been there)
2. do the research..there are so many references nowadays like what you find in the internet, blogs, youtube etc
3. when travelling to non-English speaking country, be sure to ask the hotel reception to write down the name, address and
contact number of the hotel in the local language so that it would be easier to get home when taking a taxi
4. don't be scared to ask the locals (but just be mindful, double check, coz they might point you to the wrong direction)
5. have a medical kit for headache, upset stomach, nausea etc.. (coz for this trip i didn't bring one)
6. don't stray too far from your budget (i know its tempting but do you really need to buy more stuff that may not need once
you get home?)
7. when travelling in a group, have a common fund, for common expenses like food and fares.. splitting bill is boring and
oftentimes a bit of a hassle
8. Maps do come in handy (train maps, city maps etc).. don't rely too much on the internet(what if you go offline or you've
come to a blind spot?)
Seoul train map..though an old copy but still very useful
prepaid ticket & refund ticket machines
at Lotte mart, there is an area for diy boxing your groceries free of charge
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