This was my first time, uulanin ng first; first international travel, first time sa Korea, first time sumakay ng eroplano, first time to travel. Oh di ba?! hahahah.
Babala: Ito'y isang photo blog, expect na puro pictures at konting caption lang, nakakatamad magtype hahah charot (mahilig lang magpicture)
Hmmm.. paano ko ba sisimulan? hahah .. Gusto ko ikwento lahat, kaso hindi ko alam saan ko uumpisahan .. Sige umpisahan natin sa ticket, March 2016, nag-abang ang magaganda kong officemates sa piso-fare ng Cebu Pacific. Luckily, may nakuha sila, balikan pa, for Php 4,882.64 to be exact and that's for 7 days na. Ayan na! kasama na ako, binibigla nila kasi ako hahah charot! I've got my passport last May 2016 (isa pa yun first time kumuha passport) haha. It was a smooth transaction and no hassle sa pagkuha. I am really excited that time because I got one valid ID na! Yehey! hahahah joke lang, I got my passport na! One of my dreams is to travel local pa lang sana kaso nauna ang international hahaha. So go na bes! andyan na yan eh.
To cut it short, next naman inasikaso is ang KOREAN VISA. Applying for VISA is kind of scary especially when it is your first time. Good thing, I have a friend, actually high school classmate whom I used to ask questions regarding this. Nakapunta na kasi siya sa Korea, so tanong lang ng tanong mga bes para hindi na tayo mahirapan hahahah. He said, there is so-called show money, you must have savings because one of their requirement is bank statement and bank certificate, save at least Php 30,000 beforehand. We are not sure how much dapat meron kang nakadeposit sa savings mo, I was able to put Php38,000 one day before I applied. Isang araw ko lang nilagay yun mga bes, I borrowed yung iba to sum up that amount haha tapos kumuha na ako agad ng bank certificate at bank statement, kinabukasan nag-apply na ako VISA. Luckily I've got approved after 5 days. YEHEY! Hello Korea na talaga! haha
You can open this link how to apply for VISA. Hope this would help.
What to do first?
1. Apply for VISA a month before your scheduled trip.2. Buy Korean won a day before your travel, rest-assured that check first the rate of korean won kung saan mas makakamura doon tayo mga bes! I convert Php 24,750 = 550,000 won that time and I have a pocket money of Php 2,000.
3. Book your hostel/guesthouse ahead of time (kasi kung wala ka kakilala doon, you need to put the address na pagstay-an niyo kasi nasa application form yun ng VISA). Pero, you need not to pay ahead, me and my colleagues stayed at Namsan Guesthouse and we payed 154,000 won = Php 6,930 (doon na kami nagbayad pagdating sa guesthouse), which is good for 7 days already.
4. Buy Ticket via Klook (you can search it thru Facebook or click the link to direct you to their page), they also have an app that you can download and can save additional pesos. You can save money via klook compared buying it in their websites or upon arrival in SK. On a latter part I will state what tickets we have been bought via klook as well as the price.
5. Bring powerbanks for your phones and camera, and also universal adapter for your chargers. SK outlets have two round hole, their adapter look like this. You can buy it in any hardware store if they have available piece. We don't know this that time, that's why we rent an adapter to our guesthouse and we deposit 10,000 won per piece, and we returned it before we leave (binalik din naman ang 10k won nun).
6. To familiarize the place in SK, download their application SUBWAY (Korea Seoul Metro Navi -- to be exact), it has version on Android and iOS just searched for it. You will use this to navigate train stations and familiarize yourself with the subways (magagamit kahit walang wifi). It is very helpful, just familiarize the colors don't mind the name of the stations (baka mawindang ka kaka-pronounce hahaha).
7. Rent a WIFI at the Airport, although marami namang free wifi sa paligid mahirap na maligaw hahaha. It cost us 8,470 won each, good for 7 days n yan and 5 kami nakaconnect. Super bilis, at you will be updated sa mga social media account mo.Hahaha.
8. If you want help about what you want to know about SK, just follow @_khelp in your Instagram account or on your Facebook Account @khelpme. They will answer all of your question, they will help you find what you're searching for, just message them ahead. Kung saan trip mo kumain, saan bilihan ng magagandang cosmetic products, lahat yan sasagutin nila agad agad hahaha.
DAY 0 - Manila to Incheon Airport (October 6, 2016)
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| Sea of Clouds |
If you wish to follow our itinerary, book a 3pm flight going to Incheon and 9pm return flight from Incheon also. Mas tipid if mag-aabang talaga sa piso-fare ng CebuPac hahaha. SK trip is a 4-hour flight plus 1-hour time difference. We took 3pm flight (PH time) from NAIA, we arrived at 8pm (SK time). But there is also a Travel tax of Php 1620, to be paid in the Airport after we checked-in our luggages (Note: we already do Web Check-in the night before our departure, CebuPac will email you beforehand).
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| Let us capture the beauty from above |
As we arrived at the Incheon Airport, we buy T-Money Card (4,000 won) and load it 30,000 won at one of the convenience store there. This card will be used on subways and public buses even when buying goods at any convenience stores. And on your last day in Korea, your remaining balance may be refunded at any convenience store inside the airport (pero yung sa akin mga bes saktuhan lang kaya ayun wala natira hahah at souvenir na lang ang card and pwede magamit if babalik ulit sa Korea).
We pay the pick-up service van going to Namsan Guesthouse, 13000 won each (Php 585), and for the room we pay, 154000 won each (Php 6,930) good for 7 days. They serve free breakfast, cup noodles and bread.
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| Right Side of the Guesthouse |
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| Namsan Guesthouse |
We ate dinner at Two Two Chicken and it cost me 10,500 won (Php 472.50), hindi na masama kasi masarap naman at nakakabusog. Sa una siguro may pagkamahal pero first time naman namin 'toh so looking for more budget meal in the next day na.
DAY 1 - Everland (October 7, 2016)
Way back then, when I was a child I used to dream of me going to Disneyland. But at least I had a glimpse of what's it like here in Everland. Though, meron naman Enchanted Kingdom at Star City sa Pilipinas hahaha. Iba pa rin if you will experience the magical world of these Themed Parks.
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| A dream is a wish your heart makes |
Ahm papunta doon, nag-commute kami hmm mga 2 hours byahe gnun, malayo sya pero worth it talaga pag punta doon. From public transportation, the environment, super linis talaga. And you can trust the people around, no one will harm you unless they are in a hurry, hindi sila nagsosorry (based sa experienced namin) if meron man konti lang, because people in Korea is so busy person, they are so productive na talagang may hinahabol na oras. Kulang na lang makipagslamman kami sa kanila pag nabubunggo nila kami, tatangkad pa naman nila hahaha. Gumilid na lang kayo and mag usap sa tabi, wag haharangan ang daanan. Also, super disciplined ang mga tao. Doon ko nalaman na when you were riding on an escalator, "Stand on the right, walk on the left" policy, well-organized talaga sila kahit mahaba ang pila sa escalator, wait for your turn. Hindi lang sa escalator as well as sa pagpasok sa door train.
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| Let's go girls :) |
One more thing about elders, wag na wag uupo sa upuan ng mga matatanda, person with disabilities, pregnant women, or children, kung hindi tititigan nila kayo at kulang na lang paalisin kayo hahaha magbasa ng signage as well as bago pumasok tignan anong door yung pinapasukan nyo. Based on our experience, nauna kami sa train to the point na walang tao sa upuan then napapansin namin all of the elders in front of us is tinititigan kami, hahaha pababa na kami ng malaman namin na may sign na the seat was for elders and person with disablities. Hahahaha unahan bumaba mga lola nyo.
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| Public Transportation |
After so many train transfers, stations, we finally arrived at the bus stop where they can service you going to Everland, in less than 30 mins to be exact.
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| While waiting for the bus going to Everland |
WELCOME TO EVERLAND
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| To find fortune that is smiling on you |
Pagkadating na pagkadating pa lang talaga namin, super naamazed na kami. Bumalik sa pagkabata yung feeling ahahha. Ang lawak ng lugar, super laki and super ganda. Next photos were some of the attractions inside Everland. Hindi namin nasakyan lahat naexcite kakapicture eh hahahahah ..
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| Halloween Themed |
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| Happy Halloween! haha |
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| Too many flowers, so much inlove |
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| I love *toot* haha |
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| Everland's Ride-All-You-Can Pass |
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| Attractions at heart :) |
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| Cable car |
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| The princess had arrived..charot haha |
This girl right here gonna rule the world. Sit still, look pretty.
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| It's Super Girl! |
It is not who am I underneath, but what I do that defines me.
--Batman
(So ang labas ako si batgirl? hahah)
And my favorite part in Everland is...... KOCHIA HILL .. hahaha .. ang mga rambutan sa SK .. ang cute .. (parang ako.. charot). Soooooooo beautiful, nakakaamazed.
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| Kung may Carrot man, may Rambutan girl |
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| Talikod effect, p |
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| Annyeong Haseyo ahaha |
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| Hello there :) |
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| Ang lawak mga bes! haha |
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| Meet Lour :) |
We leave Everland at around 6pm umulan na kasi nung gabi and some tourists where going home already. Dahil umulan nga, hindi na kami nakapunta sa next stop namin which is Hangang River/ Han River. According sa pinagtanungan namin hindi rin matutuloy yung rainbow fountain doon kasi basa na ng ulan ang wiring sa Banpo Bridge. We went back to Myeongdong and witness the night market and some stores around. We also try different foods there, which is masarap naman.
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| Food Stalls |
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| Busy street at Myeongdong |
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| Korean Traditional Cookie/Sweets |
Who would have wonder, we will meet the Korean Cookie guy.
Croissant Taipanyaki
It costs: 1500 won
It is a bread with a filling inside, either Banana, Cheese, Nutella, etc. I choose nutella that time, and it was delicious and super worth it sa price.
It's a crepe with a banana and nutella on it. Hindi ko sya na-try pero nakita ko paano sya gawin. Mukha naman syang masarap.
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| Egg Bun |
This is a Egg Bun, the price ranges from 1000 won - 2000 won, depende sa stall na bibilhan mo. It is a bun where the egg was cooked in the middle. Whole egg sya, so kada kagat may egg super sulit.
Day 1 Expenses:
Everland Ticket: Php 1,416.00 via Klook
Transportation: 6,900 won roundtrip (commute lang kami)
Food: Lunch + Dinner 9,480 won
Snacks: 3,500 won
DAY 2 - Palace, Hanok Village, Dongdaemun (October 8, 2016)
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| Changdeokgung Palace |
Entrance Fee: 10,000 won (5 palaces to visit). Pero two of it lang navisit namin, nakakapagod bes, more more lakad. We had an English tour inside the Palace where we met different people, some of them were Chinese, Korean, American, Canadian and Filipino. After that we visit Secret Garden also located inside Changdeokgung.
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| Hey #SeoulSisters! |
Welcome to the King's Landing! charot! hahaha.. Behind us is the Kings Place, where the King stayed here long time ago. It so detailed, the ceiling, the architecture itself, everything was so beautiful.
SECRET GARDEN
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| Limang bibe hehe |
GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE
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| Main Entrance |
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| Guards at the Palace |
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| Add caption |
Gyeongbokgung Palace Changing of Guards
BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE
Let us visit the house of Lee Min Ho in his movie Personal Taste here in Hanok Village, iba talaga kapag may kasama kang avid fan. Hahahah.. Mapapasama ka na lang sa paghahanap kung saan yung bahay nya dito.
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| Lour the Avid fan hehe |
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| It takes courage to stand alone |
The feeling is mutual nung makita ko yung place, hahaha, feeling ko nasa loob si Lee Min Ho. After Hanok, we took a glimpse at Dongdaemun. We ride a bus going there and mabilis naman ang biyahe and super lamig na sa labas, kulang pa ang tatlong patong na damit. Hahaha.
DONGDAEMUN HISTORY & CULTURE PARK
I am very tired as we dropped here, ang sakit na ng paa ko kasi sa Secret Garden pa lang ang lalayo ng mga pagitan ng palace, more more lakad. Ramdam ko na dito yung lamig, gustung-gusto ko umupo na that time pero sige lakad, hahaha. There are also food stalls here and the place is crowded, puntahan talaga sya. Foodtrip? walang problema sa place marami sa daan, may mga mall din sa palagid.
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| Flower Lights |
We witness the Dongdaemun Flower Lights, I feel amazed and it is cute. The placed was filled with these lights, sabayan pa ng sobrang lamig na hangin, grabe suko ako hahaha. Pero kung ito makikita mo, waaahh titiisin mo ang lamig.
Day 2 Expenses:
Palace Ticket: 10,000 won (5 Palace attractions)
Food: Lunch 6,500 won; Dinner (free)
Snacks: 3,000 won
DAY 3 - Insadong, Myeongdong Cathedral, N Seoul Tower (October 9, 2016)
Okay, on the third day in SK, we visited these three popular places, makikita ito sa mga Korean Movie, or KDrama (if mahilig ka doon). First stop is Insadong, sikat sya as one of the Shopping Capital in Korea. If bibili ka ng souvenirs, trip mo kumain ng kumain, marami ring food stalls sa daan.
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| Shopping stalls |
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| And then I realized ADVENTURES are the best way to learn |
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| Eating Pupu Sandwich |
I like the taste of this pupu sandwich, it is a waffle with a nutella filling inside. And it only cost me 1,000 won. Super sarap, wag mo lang iisipin yung structure niya.
There are lots of street food stall and you must try it talaga, mura na, sulit na sulit pa ang lasa,
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| I have tried the Sausage wrapped. |
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| Insadong Street |
This was the street at around 9-10 am in the morning, but by the time of 11am-1pm many tourists and commoners go here. And as we are walking and make bili bili hahaaha, Two tourist got our attention, they are couples from Argentina, but the girl was from France. We called them as World Tour Couples, they are visiting SK for a week then another country for the next week. To fund their travel fees, they are selling flash-drives for 20,000 won (naghahati hati naman kaming 5 doon), naglalaman ito ng videos, pictures at documentary ng trip nila.
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| World Tour from 2012-2017 |
MYEONGDONG CATHEDRAL
After Insadong, we head back to Myeongdong and search for the famous Cathedral there. Maligaw ligaw kami sa una kase sa laki ng Myeongdong at puro malls sa paligid hindi namin alintana na meron ba talagang simbahan doon, but thanks God narating namin sya hahahha.
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| Myeongdong Cathedral |
Wooohh worth it ulit sa paghahanap, the cathedral was so solemn and peaceful. Many Catholic took the mass and some tourist were taking pictures outside, syempre papahuli ba naman kami? Hahaha. I took photos from outside and from the inside, sa loob hindi ako masyado nakapagpa-feeling photographer hahaha kasi syempre we respect the cathedral and the people inside as well.
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| Captured inside |
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| It was a secular cathedral, dedicated to the rites of travel -- Robert Hughes |
N SEOUL TOWER
N Seoul Tower symbolizes Seoul and one of its most popular tourist attractions. It is commonly knows as Namsan Tower or Seoul Tower. We walk from our hotel heading to the cable car that will service you to the tower. It is night already and super lamig sa daan lalo na sa taas.
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| N Seoul Tower |
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| Hello Kitty Island, Love Locks, and Ilaw sa Christmas Tree (haha joke) |
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| Nagmukhang bata ako lalo.. |
The cable car fee is around 8,500 won and tickets to tower via Klook is Php 313. Super sulit and maganda ang place, yun nga lang you must triple or quadruple your clothes hahaha. As we reach the top, many attractions and restaurants and/or cafe ang makikita mo. Before going to the very most top (hindi pa yung sumakay ka ng cable car may mas taas pa bes! hahaha), we visited Hello Kitty Island as seen on top, toy store, showrooms, souvenir store, and many more.
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| Heart Heart Heart <3 |
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| Ironman ng Korea :D |
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| Museum and Showroom |
After patiently waiting to go up, papahuli ba naman ako sa sikat na Love locks sa SK? hahaha (wala akong lock, picture lang). Sobrang lamig na tipong yung pose ko eh #LamigPose hahahah..
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| I'm seoul inloved! :D |
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| Candid number 1 |
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| Candy Store at the top of the Tower |
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| From Korea to Manila with Love |
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| 2,625.7 km away from Manila |
Woooohhhh ang ganda....ko! Joke! Super ganda sa taas. The view was amazing we are so inlove in this place na, sarap balik-balikan. Worth it talaga ang pagod, view pa lang ulam na hahaha.
Day 3 Expenses:
N Seoul Tower Ticket: Php 313 via Klook
Cable Car: 8,500 won
Food: Lunch + Dinner 14,860 won
Snacks: 3,500 won
Souvenirs: 45, 500 won
DAY 4 - Nami Island and Petite France (October 10, 2016)
Way back then, when Korean Novelas hits Philippine Television, Nami Island was well-known because of the drama "Endless Love: Winter Sonata". From that point of time I have dream of going there someday, and so then I pursue my dreams and go there. We took a ferry going to Nami and the travel time is less than 20 minutes. But before that, we travel up to Gapyeong Station then we wait for the Gapyeong Tourist Shuttle Bus (may schedule kasi ang bus and ang haba ng pila, so nagtaxi na lang kami) and we drop off to Nami Island Port. Note that: Ferry to Nami Island leaves every 20 minutes.
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| Magandang bata sa Nami haha |
Dream come true, ang ganda ng lugar, ang linis linis, yung hangin is super relaxing at malamig. The ambiance itself is calm, peaceful, malayo sa polusyon. Super loved it!
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| Naminara Island |
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| Hindi pa reddish/yellowish ang dahon |
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| Lakas maka-Endless Love haha |
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| Was able to take photo with them #SouthKoreanSoldiers |
PETITE FRANCE
Petite France was known in the Asian Telenovela "My Love From the Star" starring Matteo Do and Steffy Cheon. I am inloved with these two, also the character of Steffy and handsome Matteo. Fan ako nila noon na kahit advance ko sila pinapanood sa laptop, inaabangan ko rin sila gabi gabi sa TV.
From Gapyeong Station, we wait again for the City Tour Bus, but unfortunately dapat nag-avail kayo nun ahead of time, so in the end we rode taxi going to Petite France. Medyo mahaba ang biyahe, so we took a nap muna and talagang nakatulog kami kahit papaano nakabawi sa pagod nung mga nakaraang araw.
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| Main Entrance of Petite France |
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| The place where Steffy and Matteo had their first kiss. |
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| With Little Prince and Little Girl |
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| Butterfree |
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| Don't know what is this.. haha.. well is a way to you |
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| Loving the art, appreciating art. |
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| Missing playing the Piano |
Overall, the place is quite amusing, lots of designs, statues, and also there is museum and cafes. For me, puro attractions lang, lots of arts at the same time, medyo boring nga lang. The place also portraying the culture of France, parang ganoon.
Day 4 Expenses:
Ferry at Nami Island Port: 8,000 won
Petite France Admission: 6,000 won (adult-with discount coupon)
Transportation (taxi going Port): 1,000 won each
Transportation (taxi going Petite France): 7,800 won each
Food: Lunch + Dinner 6,300 won
Souvenirs: 40, 000 won
DAY 5 - DMZ Tour (October 11, 2016)
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| DMZ Girls |
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a region on Korean Peninsula that separates North korea from South Korea. Going here, we had a service bus and then a tour guide that explains about some facts of Korea. You cannot take photos on some areas there, sasabihin ng tour guide kung saan part lang pwede magtake ng photos.
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| Pabebe pose haha |
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| A glimpse of North Korea |
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| Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins. |
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| Able to have picture with him #SouthKorean soldier |
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| Meet our tour guide, and his angels.. hihihi |
It is our pleasure to know the Korean History as well as the struggles battling between the two lands. We only visit third tunnel where the North Korean created. Sobrang layo nya mga bes, nakakapagod lakarin lalo na pabalik hahahaa. Pero worth it kasi atleast, we experienced it di ba na makapasok doon and makita ano meron sa dulo ng tunnel.
After the tour, we went to Lotte Mart for pasalubong. Hihihi.
Day 5 Expenses:
DMZ Tour: 40, 000 won each via Klook (Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, transportation and entrance fees, bring your passport)
Transportation (Taxi): 2, 350 won
Food: Lunch + Dinner 7,000 won
Souvenirs: 76, 820 won
DAY 6 - Gangchon Rail Bike and Ewha University (October 12, 2016)
And now, going to one of my favorite spot in SK ... Rail Park ... It still amuses me the beauty of the surroundings, the ambiance itself, superb!
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| Here we go gals! |
We travel to Gimyujeong Station to get thru Gangchon Rail Park, you will able to spot the signboard for rail park, follow the road all the way and you can now able to reach there. We ordered tickets via Klook again and it cost us 12, 000 each (2 seater = 25, 000 and 4 seater = 35, 000) for a total of five. And you can present your voucher to the ticket officer and it is less hassle, kasi hindi ka na pipila and take note una pa kami sa pila hahaha.
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| Ticket for a two seater |
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| While waiting in line |
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| Ok let's go! |
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| Padyak pa more haha |
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| Meeting at the end, nice lake view at the right side of the picture |
It was a fun experience, we really enjoy biking while seeing the ambiance. After this, we went to a coffee shop, kung saan nafeature sa sikat na palabas "Descendants of the Sun".
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| kavogera ng taon haha |
EWHA UNIVERSITY
We also visited the world's largest women institute and one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea. The place was astonishing, it was my first time na makakita ng gantong kalaking university, entrance pa lang parang malulula ka sa laki hahaha.
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| Main Entrance |
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| Just wow! |
Day 6 Expenses:
Rail Bike Admission Fee: Php 528 each via Klook
Food: Lunch + Dinner 11, 600 won
Souvenirs: 40, 300 won
DAY 7 - Last day in SK, FOODTRIP! (October 13, 2016)
Uggghhh, uwian na mamaya gabi. Mamimiss ko ang Korea ng sobra hihih. Babalik ako ulit dito. Thank you for reading my blog, hahaha. Achievement unlocked! Just finished my First Travel blog.
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| Last Lunch at SK |
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| Kumshahumnida |
Day 7 Expenses:
Food: Lunch 4, 900 won
Souvenirs: 19, 000 won
You can check my YouTube channel for the video of our Korea Getaway .. Thank you guys for dropping by! Huuuuuggss.... More blogs soon :)
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| Sending you some love.. Korean Heart sign .. |
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