Ging-ging the Explorer: 서울 Visit (20111028-1103)

This trip was a dream come true for me!! I'm such a hallyu addict since highschool. I think it all started when I watched My Sassy Girl and Windstruck. I said to myself that when I will have a chance to travel abroad, South Korea will be on my #1 list. haha! I even had a digital perm and haircut before this trip.. Crazy!!

Day 1 - Arrival in Incheon International Airport

3:55pm (Manila time) - Departure in NAIA Terminal 3 via Cebu Pacific Flight 5J191

9:00pm (Seoul Time) - Touchdown South Korea! :)

I had my 1st Language Barrier experience in Family Mart (Incheon Airport) just to buy and put credits for our T-Money. T-Money card is used in Korea for Local Buses & Subways in Seoul to avoid the hassle of buying tickets. If you want to put credits on your T-Money, just say "Charge" followed by the amount in order for them to understand you. *wink*

T-Money card is 2,500 KRW. I think 20,000 KRW amount of credit is enough for 1-week.

We took Airport Railroad (AREX) to Seoul Station to meet Violette and Ruth, then subway to Daebang Station (Line 1). I really love their Subway, you can explore the entire Seoul area. Wishing that we have this here in Manila.

Our first accomodation -> Seoul Foundation of Women & Family (with a non-english speaking care taker.. haha!). We arrived after midnight because of our delayed flight, then this non-english speaking care taker was sort of scolding us in Korean Language; like a dad scolding his children.. We were very clueless on what he was saying! =)) I thought that we were going to sleep outside the hostel.. Whew!

Meeting time for the itinerary! =)

Day 2 - Nami Island & Dongdaemun Market

Check out ->Seoul Foundation of Women & Family

Check in -> Hi-Seoul Youth Hostel

(We were trying to capture the fog...)

We left our bags in the Hostel then off to Nami Island. (Gapyeong Station)

Yeongdeungpo Market-> Singil (Line 5)-> Yongsan (Line 1)->Sangbong(Line J)->Gapyeong (Line G)

Lunch time! (Samgyeopsal)

After Namiseom Island, we went to Dongdaemun Market

Gapyeong Station -> Sangbong (Line G)-> Hoegi (Line J)->Dongdaemun (Line 1)

Day 3 - Changdeokgung Palace, Insadong, Namsan Tower

Changdeokgung Palace (Anguk Station)

Yeongdeongpo Market->Singil(Line 5)->Jongno3(sam)-ga (Line 1)-> Anguk (Line 3)

Insadong

Etude House

꿀타래 / kkultarae

불고기 / Bulgogi

Namsan Tower

Day 4 - Everland & Kangnam Area

Yeongdeungpo Market -> Yeongdeongpo-gu Office (Line 5) -> Gangnam (Line 2)

Gangnam Station (Subway Line 2, Exit 6), take bus 5002 at the bus stop.

Day 5 - Coffee Prince, Namdaemun, Myeongdong, Hanbok, Banpo Bridge

First Stop: Coffee Prince (Yeongdeungpo Market -> Yeongdeongpo-gu Office (Line 5) ->Hongik University (Line 2))

Note: Coffee prince employees are very strict, you must order first before you can take pictures.. haha!!

Next stop: Namdaemun Market

Hongik University -> City Hall (Line 2)-> Seoul Station (Line 1)->Hoehyeon (Line 4)

Hot bar

Next Stop: Myeongdong

Hoehyeon -> Myeondong (Line 4)

Hanbok Wearing at Seoul Center for Culture and Tourism (M-Plaza) - This is for FREE!! :) Employees were also very nice to us. They even assisted us on how to wear their traditional dress.

Last Stop: Banpo Bridge

Myeondong Station -> Seoul Station (Line 4) -> Yongsan (Line 1) -> Seobinggo (Line J)

Too bad we went there on November 1, because the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain on Banpo Bridge is only operated between April and October. (For 20 mins at 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 8:00pm, 9:00pm)