A Dream Come True… A Visit to Seoul, South Korea

On April 2014, my birth month, I went to Seoul, South Korea for an 8 days vacation. It was a well deserved holidays and a birthday present too.

South Korea has been on top of my list next to the United States. A day before my birthday I am so excited and here comes the night of my born day which signals my departure from NAIA to Incheon International Airport via AirAsia. I am too excited to be irritated on a 2 hours delayed flight from the said carrier.  Upon arrival, I had to go through the immigration process of the country. The airport was so nice and cool. It was spring time when we came and the weather in South Korea at that time is 8 degrees Celsius, and it is a big challenge for me since my body doesn’t like cold temperature but I am prepared. Yes, I brought a couple of jackets, scarves and boots.

My First day has been a very long day because it’s the longest plane journey I ever been to plus I have to search for our accommodation alone since my relatives are already there for a couple of days before my arrival. My only companion is a map I downloaded via internet and pasted it on my travel journal. We stayed at Duriworld House which cost 700 to 800 PHP each per night for 8 people.  It’s like a maze going to the said guesthouse because the place looks kind of the same. There were K-Mart, 7-eleven and Mini Stop stores everywhere so I really had a hard time finding it. After I checked in, I walked to the Hongdae Shopping Street and Hongik Univesity. I ate Auntie Anne’s pretzels for my snacks and some shopping of cosmetics.  At night, we ate a scrumptious Korean smoked grill dinner and roamed around the area. The cost of our meal is 500 PHP per person.

Our Second day, we woke up early and ate our American style breakfast.  We rode a train & a bus and dropped by the Gangnam Area on our way to the park. Then, we went to the blissful place of The Everland. It was a happy ever after feeling roaming around the beautiful amusement park with colorful flowers everywhere. We enjoyed the “tulip festival” at that time. The ticket price is 44,000 KRW. We ate our lunch inside the area and went home late in the afternoon.  On our way back to our temporary home, we bought some delicious street foods that serve as our dinner.

Our Third day is our scheduled flight to Jeju Island to explore South Korea more on a countryside level.  

We stayed in Jeju Island for roughly around 4 days. I will need to skip this and will put it 

on another post.

On our Sixth day, we went back to Seoul and stayed at the same hotel (Duriworld House). We went shopping at Insadong, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Shopping distirct. We also went to Cheonggyecheon Stream & Cheonggye Plaza as well as the Gwanghwamun Square, and Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin.  We bought some “pasalubong” and enjoyed an appetizing lunch & dinner.

On my Seventh day, I had to continue my journey alone since they left earlier than me. After breakfast, I decided to go to the Botanical Garden BCJ (Byeokchoji) in Paju-si Gyeonggi-do Region (7,000 KRW). It was the shooting site of some of my favorite Korean dramas Heartstrings, City Hunter, You’re Beautiful, and 49 Days (Pure Love). I also went to the Gyeongbokgung Palace and luckily saw the Palace Guards. At night, I headed to the Namsan tower and tried the Cable Car ride (8,000 KRW) which I truly enjoyed because I saw the breath taking view of Seoul going to N Seoul Tower.  At the guesthouse, I ate my one last ice cream cravings in a cold weather to satisfy my taste buds and then packed my things for tomorrow’s flight.

My journey comes to an end, the Last day in Seoul and I do not want to go.  I woke up early and head to the train station to Incheon. I bought a strawberry milk drink and a sandwich with white peanut butter filling inside for my quick breakfast. It feels like I am one of the characters in a Korean drama eating and drinking such kind of foods inside the train station. I had to take endless souvenir and “selfie” shots before going back home  and while waiting for my boarding time. It was a memorable experience which I will truly treasure forever and I am also looking forward to my next visit (cross fingers).