Land of the Morning Calm: Korea 2012 Day 3 (Part 2)

I'm now on the second half of my Day 3 post! So to continue:

After the morning stroll at the palace, we've decided to go back first to the hotel to take a rest and have lunch at Doota Mall. After that, we continued our sight seeing! Next stop: N Seoul Tower!

For Koreanovela Addicts, most of you would probably rememeber this place as the place where Gu Jun Pyo met with Gum Jan Di (right?haha!) in Boys over Flowers! And for Thai Movie Lovers, you would know this as the place where "Hello Stranger" was shot! Haha! 

Anyway,trivia aside, The "N" in N Seoul Tower stands for "NAMSAN"; it is a mountain located centrally in Seoul where a tower is situated, and which is viewable from all points around the city. Seoul tower is famous for the "LOCKS OF LOVE", wherein couples would bind their own locks on the railings and would throw the keys (not allowed anymore, so just keep it haha!) as to signify "Forever". They said that a koreanovela actually started this "act" and everyone else just followed; and now, the whole deck is full of locks! Amazing! 

You would actually feel the love upon ascending the decks and it is just REALLY MAGICAL! Love!

When going here, you can either take a bus or hire a taxi like we did. If you have a private car, you could park it and from there you'll ride the namsan cable car in going to the mountain ( we did this the first time, but since we have a 2-year-old with us, we chose the more convenient way). 

Trivia: it was in the cable car where jun pyo and jan di slept during their first date hehe 

Anyway, here are the pics:

(Lunch at Doota)

(Road going to the top)

THE Locks of LOVE!

( don't throw your keys! Haha!)

Now, you can go here and just take pictures on the deck or you could actually explore the entire tower and the teddy bear museum inside. We chose to do both! Hehe

(Elevator going to the top)

( observatory )

( Korean Resto HanCook! Actually there is also a rotating restaurant here in Seoul Tower but you would have to make a reservation to eat there! Wish we could eat there the next time we come back! Haha!)

( Inside the Teddy bear museum)

That's it for Part 2 of Day 3! Hope you had fun reading my post!

Xoxo,

Butchik

Land of the Morning Calm: Korea 2012 Day 3 (Part 1)

This is it!!! I'm finally Masipag!! Actually, I'm thankful to the blogger app for iphone/ipad because now, I can finally create posts even if I'm on-the-go!

So anyway, I'm now on our Third Day! Yay! I will be posting two parts for this day since it was a Long 

One! Hehe! Here's Part ONE:

On our Third day, we've decided to just stroll around the city. We've started our day early and first went to Gyeongbokgung Palace. You can take the train in going here since it's literally in the middle of the city, with it's own station. One of the things that we love when travelling in a foreign country is the fact that we can actually take the public transportation, which we don't get to do in the Philippines. 

There are a lot of Palace around Seoul,so you have to choose the ones that you would like to explore. As for us, we were torn between Gyeongbokgung (The Largest Palace)  and Changdeokgung Palace (The one with a secret garden). However, we chose Gyeongbokgung since it holds more history. 

(Trivia: It was in Gyeongbokgung where the first source of Electricity in Korea was generated via the big  Hall located inside the Palace. This was also where the Royals held their parties before; will show you the pics later)

We strolled around the palace; but since it was already our second time (my mom,dad,sister,and I) we just took a rest, and let my brother and sister-in-law to roam around hehe. It was really a perfect day to just sit down and enjoy the cold weather. It was not really full-time spring yet when we came, so there were not too many cherry blossoms this time as compared to our first visit. But still, the palace looked great and it was just really the perfect day!  Here are the pics from palace:

( if you want to see the change of palace guards, go to gyeongbokgung around noon or before noon hehe)

( the hall behind us is the one that I mentioned above, which is the first source of electricity in Seoul)

( feeling part of a tour hehe)

( view from the outside)

( in Gwanghwamun Square)

( typical Scene in Seoul: Tradition meets Civilization) 

Will post the second part of this post asap! Haha!

Xoxo,

Butchik

Land of the Morning Calm: Korea 2012 Day 2

When I say Long Overdue, What I really mean is LOOONNNGGGG Overdue hahaha! This trip was way back last March 2012 and I'm only posting it right now. Oh well, better late than never! 

On our second day in Korea, we've decided to visit another amusement park. We went to Lotte World on our first day; and the next day it's EVERLAND, BABY! Hahaha! Everland is located in Yongin just around 40 minutes to an hour away from Seoul, depending on the traffic. 

My mom had been here for 3 times already, as for me, my sister, and my dad, it's only our second. But it's the first time for my brother, sister-in-law, and my cutie patootie nephew.

 In 2011, our good friend Mr. Shin, gladly brought us here via his own car. This time, we've decided to go on our own so as to not bother him anymore. Anyway, in going here, you can actually take a bus (there are several bus stops going to yongin around the city, usually near the hotels too). We rented our own limousine taxi in going to yongin since we have a two-year-old with us; but it really is more practical if you'd just take a bus. ( the transportation system in korea is very convenient anyway).

Everland is a seasonal theme park; meaning, the theme in here varies depending on the season. During the two times that we've been here, it is always Spring; and I wouldn't have it any other way. The scenery is just beautiful, with different kinds of flowers in full bloom; the weather is perfect too, it's sunny but it's cold ( the perfect weather to just stroll). 

For kids and kids-at-heart ( like us hehe), Everland is the perfect place to be. There are several rides, food carts, souvenir shops, parades, and other scheduled performances around the park. If you would go here, I would recommend you to spare the whole day. Firstly, because the park is so nice and relaxing and big that you would want to savor every second that you're there. Secondly, it's a nice experience to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Thirdly ( and most importantly), the ticket is a bit pricey so be sure to really make the most out of your visit hahaha! 

Here are the pics from this trip:

(Inside the limo taxi)

Enjoy!! And really try to put Seoul in your list of "places-to-visit"

Xoxo,

Butchik

KOREA (Day 1)

It has been more than  a week already since we had our out-of-the-country trip to Seoul, Korea. I really got bored today so I've decided to make an entry for that trip.

Day 1:

We went early to NAIA since our flight was scheduled at a very early time for the next day. We were there at around 10pm of April 17, and waited for our departure which was scheduled at around 1:15 in the morning the next day. 

We left NAIA at around 1 o'clock in the morning of April 18,2011. There were really a lot of KOREANS with us that morning (Go Figure.haha!). And so my dad, being the funny guy that he is, imitated the Koreans around which were literally sleeping on the benches! haha! Here he is doing his bit:

The process in the airport was quite easy: you check in, you go to the immigration and fill up some stuff, the immigration people will check your passport/visas, they will ask you questions for a bit (although the one who asked me that time was a tad crabby! he shouted at me! but hey, not a reason to spoil my vacation right? so I let that pass haha!), then you go and wait at the boarding area near the gate that was assigned to you. That's it!

The flight took about 3 hours; although it may seem like 4 hours because Korea is one hour ahead of the time in the Philippines. So we left the Philippines at 1am and arrived at Korea at around 5 in the morning (when in fact it's only 4am in the Philippines). Anyway, it was still a tiring flight; we chose Cebu Pacific as our  Airline, and as expected, there were no free food, or drinks (unless you'll buy). But on the bright side, nothing can still beat the feeling of hearing that you have finally arrived at your destination! The captain announced that the temperature was 6 degrees. I asked my ate if  what I heard was right and if it was really 6 degrees, and she said 16 degrees. ah okay..good..haha!! At around 5 in the morning (sorry, i forgot the exact time!haha!), this became the view from  the window! (where I was seated btw!):

HELLO INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT!

Upon getting off the plane, we then went to the airport train, which later took us to the main arrival area..This was very new to us because usually the arrival area would be just a walk away..this ride, btw,  was very efficient for a new train comes in after every 5 minutes..

It was exactly 5:59 am when we got off the airport shuttle! I'm so glad I was able to take a picture of the time! haha!

The picture of our FLIGHT NUMBER! 5J190 Origin: Manila! =)

The immigration line was very LOOONNGGG!! But the process was quite efficient (as compared to NAIA..Will post later why!). After we passed, got our passport stamped, it was now time for:  BAGGAGE CLAIM!!! This is definitely the most fun part! You know, seeing your bags haha! During our trip, it was dad and I who were assigned in carrying the baggage..haha! What a task! It was really fun anyway..."Sariling Sikap sa Ibang Bansa!" haha! Here's the picture of our struggle:

After claiming our baggage, we then felt very hungry so we looked for a place to eat, and voila! Look at what we found! Mc Donald's!! haha!

After we ate our breakfast, we've decide to look for a cab to take us to our hotel...The travel time from Incheon International Airport to Seoul was about 1.5 hours so we took off a bit earlier in case the cab will not be able to find where we'll be staying. Oh and another thing, when we landed it was announced that the temperature was a freezing 6 degrees.. I was not really convinced because of the fact that inside the airport, it was fine anyway...but once we got out: WOOOWWWW!!! It was soo freaking COLD!!!  So it was really 6 DEGREES!! Check the look on my family's faces! hahaha!

The taxi ride was really about an hour and a half, and as we traveled, the sight was really nice! It was a bit gloomy when we arrived, a very unusual weather for the spring season, but the cab driver assured us that it would only be for a day. So anyway, I was really happy when I saw this electronic billboard along the expressway:

KEPCO Smart Grid! Where my mom and dad is working! wow! of course, this is only the main office, but still, they're a part of it! =)

FUNNY SIGN inside the CAB! Ohh...hahaha!! NO FORGET THEM OKAY?=)..But this is also SOOOOO CUTE!!

So finally, after an hour and a half taxi ride, we've finally arrived in our hotel. It was not a fancy traditional type of hotel. It was more of a Boutique Hotel: The Eastgate Tower Hotel. The thing that I immediately looked for: Internet!haha! There was a free internet in the lobby where you can also print out stuff, Nice huh?=)

Our room was actually quite BIG..as in..you can practically play volleyball in there!haha! It was also very cozy, and CLEAN! =)

Our Room number! =)

We did not feel any jet lag, so at around noon it actually felt as if it had been too long already!haha! Mom, ate, and I got bored to we decided to go out for a walk, and maybe do a little shopping. First stop: DOOTA!!!

But little did we know that malls are closed on MONDAYS! haha! We actually felt disappointed because we were not able to see any street market, or OPEN MALLS..and to think there were a lot of malls just around the corner! haha!! good thing, we consulted the book and got ourselves an explanation

View from the window

So the night came, and we asked dad to come with us, and go out. We did a litle bit of sightseeing (some malls were already open at this time, so we were finally HAPPY! hehe)

DOOTA mall at night! This mall opens at 10:30 am and closes at 5:00 AM! Yep, 5 IN THE MORNING!Haha! This was just behind our hotel! 

We did not do any shopping on our first day, and only looked at the things which we could buy.. After strolling, we then looked for something warm to drink..and the answer: EDIYA!! =)

Awww...LOVE BEGETS LOVE...

Forrest Gump! 

Wall with scribbles!! Wow, Koreans really love to SCRIBBLE THINGS!! Haha!! This wall was very adorable! =)

It was quite a long day, and we know that we still have so much to do; but this day was very fun already, that we could have practically stayed in our hotel and not get bored at all! haha! 

All the shows are korean shows, so then I was very happy to see Gossip Girl on TV! Hi Nate! haha! 

........And that ends my FIRST DAY IN KOREA! The Land of the Morning Calm! =)... 6 more days to goo!!!!