Seoul Searching

This trip was as usual a backlog. I took a vacation to Seoul Korea last May 2015. It should be September of 2014 but since I wasn't able to pass the requirements for our travel it was delayed to May. This is my first trip to Seoul and it was actually a dream come true. I am a fan of koreanovelas so imagine my happiness when at last our travel date was finalized. I am in fact pushing if we can go on a side trip to Jeju Island. I've been hearing a lot about it and of course watched it in most korean dramas so I wanted to see it myself. Unfortunately, it is not possible to go to Jeju because due to conflict with our itinerary. When you go to Jeju that will only be the place you will visit because you don't need to secure a visa. So from MNL you will make a stop over to China then Jeju. In contrast to the South Korea trip that you need a visa. My heart is broken but i must choose between the Jeju and Seoul. Having 5 days maybe it is better to tour the city than be on an island. So South Korea was the choice. 

The usual Korean food with Side dishes. They really have so much side dish. The rice was so good. I ate about 4 rice! The meat was tender and well marinated. It is so tasty. The vegetables are really fresh. Kimchi and Barbeque is a menu staple. (i have no decent food photo because i was so hungry i need to eat right away)

For breakfast, it is always American Buffet. Our trip was arranged by an agency so the food and all was included. I was so busy with work so i don't have the time to really DIY this trip. 

His name is Peter, That is his English name. He was a working student. He was the photographer invited by our tour guide. We don't know that at first so when he asked us to pose for a photo op we willingly obliged to find out on the way to the airport that he would sell us the photographs. We we're surprised that its already compiled in a book like piece, not bad. He sure was ready. Its kinda pricey but I think its worth it. 

Here are his shots. There's 10 or more but i just chose what I will post. It is really clean/clear shot this ones are just taken from my phone. I haven't scanned it until today. lol 

This is Korea's national dress the Hanbok. You will often see this with a simple design without pockets and lots of colors. This is worn as formal wear to traditional festivals and celebrations. For kids, this is worn during their 100th day old or birthdays. Some wear it on weddings. 

We also had a shot making KimChi but i wasn't able to get a picture. 

The shots above were taken in Everland. Everland is South Korea's largest theme park. it has a zoo and water park. I was amazed finding out that this was actually operated by Samsung. I don't have shots in the rides except the cable car you will use going down because the day we went there is Korea's parents day so it is full of people. Sigh. To know more about Everland see their website http://www.everland.com/web/multi/english/everland/main.html

(photo taken from website)

As of today these are the ticket prices for Everland. Ours was already part of the trip package. 

One Day Ticket:

Adults: 52,000WON = 2,158.87 PESOS

Children: 41,000WON = 1,702.18 PESOS

Night Ticket: 

Adults: 43,000WON = 1,785.59 PESOS

Children: 34,000WON = 1,411.92 PESOS

Two Day Ticket:

Adults: 81,000WON = 3,363.73 PESOS

Children: 64,000WON = 2,657.76 PESOS

These were taken in Nami Island. I bet most of you recognized this place. This is where they did the shoot of popular Korean Drama Endless Love Winter Sonata. Its full name is Namiseom Island (남이섬 종합휴양지).  

It is located in Chuncheon. It became famous for its tree lined roads and the drama that I've mentioned above. It is a moon shaped isle. We rode a ferry boat going in the island because that's the only way to get here. The ferry boat is accessorized by Flag of different countries. Again, because we only had limited time we weren't able to fully tour the island. :( We were just given more or less 2 hours in this island. The only thing we did i buy drinks and take a picture because the island was so big if you'll walk. 2 hours isn't enough. I just found out that  they have a swimming pool and water-sports facilities for motorboats and water skiing, as well as a theme park with a merry-go-round, shooting range, roller skating rink. Lodging facilities such as resort villas and bungalows are available for visitors to stay on the island. Too bad we don't have much time. 

 Activity Dates 
Recommended period to visit: May, July-August, October

Operating Hours 
Ferry Schedule
07:30-09:00 (30 min intervals)
* First ferry: Departure from Gapyeong Naru 07:30 / Nami Naru 07:35
09:00-18:00 (10-20 min intervals)
18:00-21:40 (30 min intervals)
* Last ferry: Departure from Gapyeong Naru 21:40 / Nami Naru 21:45

Admission Fees 
General Rate: Adults 10,000 won 
Discounted Rate: 8,000 won
* Discount is applicable with proper identification to:
- Middle/High school students
- Persons with a disability (Level 1-3)
- Seniors ages 70 years and older
- Foreigners (passport or alien registration card)

Special Rates: 4,000 won
* Special rate is applicable to:
- Children (infant - elementary school student)
- People purchasing late admission (Dec-Mar: after 18:10 / Apr-Nov: after 19:10)

Group Discount (groups of 20 people or more): 10%
* Kindergarten, school, or welfare institution group leaders receive 1 free ticket for each 20 children.

[One year-term Passport]
Fare: 35,000 won

[Integrated Passport including Naminara Republic and Tamnara Republic]
Fare: 50,000 won
* Passport holder is able to enter Namiseom Island free of charge within the passport period.
* Issuing and inquiry: 
Chuncheon Nami Tourist Information Center +82-31-580-8114
Naminara Republic Immigration Control Office +82-31-582-2186

Available Facilities 
[Exhibits]
Pyeonghwarang, Yanggu White Porcelain Gallery, UNICEF Hall, Ryu Hongjuin World Folk Instrument Exhibit Hall, Yu Qing Chung Sculpture Park Happy Garden, Drama Gallery, Junghwa Art Gallery, Nami Gallery, Hoban Gallery

[Performance Halls]
UNICEF Sharing Stage, Manner Square Outdoor Stage, Water Stage (Swimming pool stage), Outdoor Music Stage, Song Museum Magic Hall, Under-stage Amphitheater, Youth Stage of Belgrade

[Small Theme Gardens]
Sujaewon Garden, Changpyeongwon Garden, Hwaseokwon Garden, Sequoia Family Garden, Namipungwon Garden, Baekpungmilwon Garden, Nami Dodamsambong, White Birch Forest, Dew Garden, Tomb of the General, Lover’s Woods, Cheongyeongwon Garden, Changgyeongwon Garden, Unchi Garden, Nakusong Royal Garden, Cheongpungwon Garden, Pitowon Garden, YMCA LiPia Garden, Hampyeong Garden

[Culture Experiences]
Handicraft Studio, Nami Eco-school, Nami Island Glass Workshop, Picture Book Playground 

[Seminar Rooms]
Andersen Hall, Myeonggang Hall, Imaginary Star Paradise, Gongsimwon

[Restaurants]
Nami Island Hua Jia Won, Huyusona, Peace Room, Café Amuse, Di Matteo, Gomok, Seomhyanggi, Yeonga, General’s Rest Area, Coffee Gongbang, Eco Café Hobansae, Bamnamu Tteokbokki, Sun and Moon Live Café

[Others]
Muslim prayer room, Nursing room, ATM, money exchanging place

Facility Utilization Fees 
[Electronic Bicycle]
Try-way: 30 minutes 10,000 won / 1 hour 18,000 won

[Electric Car Tour]
Electric Tour Car (Nami Island riverside tour): 5,000 won (about 20 minutes / 1 person)
* Tour guide included in price

[UNICEF Train]
One-way: 2,000 won (Boarding platform: Seonchakjang Station / Jungang Station)

[Zipwire]
Fare: 38,000 won
Operating hours: April - October 09:00-19:00 / November - March 09:00-18:00
* Operation may be discontinued in the case of snow, rain, or strong winds
* Inquires: +82-31-582-8092

[Sky Bike]
Fare: Ages 13 and older 3,000 won / Ages 12 and under: 2,000 won

Pets 
Only pets weighing 5kg or less are permitted.
* Pets must be on a leash at all times.
* Pets are not permitted inside buildings.

See the website for more details. Just click on above the full name. (details about the fees and rates were from the website)

This is the only photo I have of the N Seoul Tower. Again because of limited time of an hour we couldn't make much. Before going to the top you need to get in line of the elevator. When we went here it is so packed with people. hence, longer lines. When I was about to buy a lock they were already calling me because it was time to go. I was so heartbroken. Moving on, N Seoul Tower is now YTN Seoul Tower. It is commonly known as the Namsan Tower. It is located in Namsan Mountain Central Seoul. It is a communication and observation tower in Korea. Until today, it broadcasts the signals for Korean Media. Because of time constraint I also don't have the picture of lovelocks with me. 

N Seoul tower is popular among lovers because this is where they put lovelocks. Both the couples name were written on the locks as they believed that if you do this you won't break up. I just don't know if that really is true or us people are hopeless romantics. There were also sweet couple photos and letters on the tower. 

( You can see almost whole of Korea from the Tower. PS: Photo not mine. Grabbed from the web. credits to owners. )

For more information about N Seoul Tower rates, activities,getting there, operating hours and reviews. Please visit their websites: 

N Seoul Tower (N 서울타워)

Seoul Tower

Above pictures were taken in Le Petite France. it is nestled in Gyeonggi province. It is a french style like village. This was a location that was constructed for a Korean drama show. I just forgot what show. but the shows that filmed in here were TV drama 'Beethoven Virus', ‘Secret Garden’ and ‘My Love from the Star’.  They have settled in the idea not to  tore down the place if no one is filming it. They opened it to tourists and now one of Korea's attraction. The concept of Petite France encapsulates ‘flowers, stars, and the Little Prince.’ For more information for rates, operating hours, facilities. Click on the name Le Petite France in bold Letters above this post. 

This was taken in a food stall near our hotel. When we were finally in Seoul! HAHA. We arrived in Seoul 3rd day of the trip. Most of the theme parks and those places used as filming locations of Korean dramas were outside the city. This was the night when we sneak out of the hotel to explore. It was already past ten in the evening. We waited up until my grandmother fell asleep in the reason that she being strict, she won't allow us to go around. But you know this is a new place for me and my cousin so it was big of a deal to discover new foods and experiences. So bringing our passport and pocket money off we go outside. There is fear when we first stepped outside due to we don't know our way around, there's language barrier and its almost midnight! We first went up to a convenience store to test and buy WiFi cards but it was a total fail. The cashier inside can't understand English and the WiFi cards we were to buy is not available for the number of days we need it. We just agreed not to buy since you can sense WiFi connection at random places in Korea and we have trips outside the city so it will be difficult from where are we gonna connect. 

So we just went ahead looking for a place to eat again. Yes! haha again. Before we arrived at the hotel we already had dinner. During our stay we need to be always on the go because we had 4 hotels where we stayed in because of the location of places to visit. Usually we should be ready to leave the hotel by 9 in the morning and arrived at another 10 pm. 

We tried this food stall because it is the nearest. I forgot the things we ordered aside from spicy noodles. It is a must to eat Korean foods or their authentic specialty that we don't have back home. We tried their dumplings. It is cheap and big. I was taken aback and its flavorful as well. Thanks also to the store owner they know how to speak in English, well some of them. If in case you want to eat outside and you do had a hard time communicating there are pictures on the wall or menu you can just point it to them. That's one of my fears communication and how i'll pay. The prices are written in numbers. 

The only thing we really wanted to give a try is their famous Black Bean noodle. We just can't find a restaurant near and we aren't sure where to find any. We were supposed to go on a food trip spree on our last night but we were all jaded of the activities we had during the day so no more going out. :(

Above photos are randomly taken. 

This was their Chicken Ginseng that our tour guide made us try. It is part of the package. Ginseng is found in North America and in eastern Asia (mostly northeast China, Korea, Bhutan, eastern Siberia), typically in cooler climates. It is part of the traditional medicine for other countries. This Chicken Ginseng was so good. The chicken is tender. It has rice inside the chicken. I thought at first the rice won't taste anything since it is inside plus the fact that it has a soup. But it is so flavorful. This is good for one person only. They served it in whole chicken size. I can definitely say this is a must try! 

Korea is popular for its street foods so I created a list that you might wanna try when you visit. Some I was able to taste some are the ones I've been wanting to eat. ( street food photos are not from me. I grabbed it from the web just so i can show you what it looks like)

1. Spicy Rice Cakes/ Ddeokbokki (떡볶이)

This is I think the most popular Korean street food. It is almost present in all Korean TV and dramas. 

Rice cakes in a spicy red pepper paste sauce. Korean's love for spicy food is evident. 

2.  Fish Cakes/ Odeng/Uhmook (오뎅/어묵)

fish cakes are the cheapest street foods you’ll find. They’re skewered on a stick and left in a delicious broth

3. Sundae (순대 – blood sausage)

Korea’s version of it uses coagulated pigs blood, glass noodles and barley, with pig or cow intestines for the sausage skin. I haven't tried these but this is so popular even in korean celebrities. I wonder what it taste like.

 4. Ice Cream-filled Waffles (와플)

Waffle with Ice Cream filling. 

5. Tornado Potato/ Hweori Gamja (회오리 감자)

The potato tornado is also in the PH now i am just not sure if they taste different. 

6. French Fry-covered Hot Dogs/ Gamja Hot Dog (감자핫도그)

7. Fried Squid / Ojingeo Twigim (오징어 튀김)

We also visited Samsung Museum, Jewelry Store and Herbal Stores. We also watched their plays. No picture taken allowed for plays. For the Jewelry Store I just opted not to take one. For the Herbal Stores we all know that Korea is also into traditional medicines. They want all natural way. I think that is the reason why  they reached the age of 80 and up. They make time to eat nutritious food and Exercise. Every stop we had around can be used as an exercise ground for people. Almost all of them go to their destinations  be it school or work walking. Old people can still went up the hill on their own. I was impressed. 5 days wasn't enough to really see the beauty of Korea. Limited shopping time as well. We wish to extend our stay but we will pay another for rebooking of hotels and everything. The hotels we were checked in were 4-5 star hotels. Korea doesn't have 3 stars down they say. 

If you want to have a budget friendly travel to Korea. Their advised was just to use transient houses because it is more affordable. Anyway you just need a nook to stay the night. Tour it with your friends but make sure you have the things you need like maps and  list of destinations you want to see. Prepare an itinerary just in case it will be handy. Then commute or hail a cab.  Just a tip, Korea has better weather condition ranging from September - November  because it is Autumn or you can also visit by Spring  that is from March to May. Avoid June to August as that is their Summer Season. Remember go places you've never been to before. :)

Happy Travel! 

안녕annyeong

XO,

Ann 💋