Seoul Trip Part 2 Day 10-14

Continuing from the previous post.

We have come to the end of this long post soon. I am sure many readers is keen to know what's the ending like for my last leg of the trip.

Day 10(October 13): Bukchon Hanok Village +Naeun & Friends

Good morning everybody! Did everyone have a good night sleep? It was a tiring day yesterday and to those readers who is not there, you are tiring of reading long post too, am i right? Don't worry i promise you that this post will be longer! The itinerary today is Bukchon Hanok Village and meeting my friends.

Bukchon Hanok Village is a village of traditional houses situated on top of hills. It is located near the Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung Palace etc. Today many of this traditional houses operate as restaurant,guesthouse, offices and lots more. The unique thing is the architecture of the houses. There's 8 Photo taking spots with 2 trails in Bukchon Village. Most of the photo taking spots offers visitors the best photo angle you can take to see the uniqueness of the village.

To get there: Take train to Metro Line 3 to Anguk Station. Exit 2 and walk 300m till you see Tourist Information Center.

 As for me i only managed to cover 4 out of 8 of the Photo spots because of lack of time and the place is huge! As usual I will let the photo explains the beautiful village of Bukchon Hanok Village.

The next part I parted ways from the group as they continue to shop at Namdaemun while i meet my friend, Naeun and her friends. I wonder if i should tell everything that happened? I want to keep it for my memories.

Well let's go with it. Naeun is a friend i know from SNS a few years back. Every time when i visited Seoul she will be jealous of me because she is a Seoul person but I know Seoul more than her. Everything else shall be private then.

So our day begins and we met at Gangnam station. I was using Kakaotalk Wifi since my EG Simcard have problems. So once i get the Wifi i was told that she would meet me at Exit 11. So I decided to wait on top instead of bottom. Okay waited for about 10 minutes since Wifi signal still strong. She told me she is already here and was wearing red. I look around i only saw one girl wearing red. My first opinion that the girl is pretty and has a thick make up. Her eyebrows is long too. I was about to approach her when i receive a message that she is waiting for me downstairs. I was shocked out of sudden. I make my way down and she grab hold of my hand the moment i reach down. Phew, I was saved from embarrassment, if only i approach that girl, i might embarrass myself. I told Naeun about it and she laugh at me, why so bad!

So headed for lunch at the place where I always wanted to bring her. We talk quite a bit and get to know each other better. It's like in 2 or 3 years we have talk offline and this is the first time we are talking face to face. I am happy that she would meet me because previously back in 2010 my sister Jieon didn't want to meet me! Thanks Naeun for welcoming me to South Korea with open hearts. We headed to Apgujeongrodeo next to Coffee Cojjee. Coffee Cojjee is the place where Naeun always go even alone to drink coffee there while having glances of looking at idols. Some information about about Apgujeongrodeo,it's situated near Hanggang Park and it's home to luxurious brand boutique. Often you can see idols, actor, actress hanging out here. It is home to a few well known entertainment company like SM Town,JYP etc. I didn't go to this place but I know it's there.

So we headed for Coffee Cojjee and at the front there's two Black Idols van. Naeun told me it was 4Minute and something starts from B. I can't remember who but i saw the guy idols. They were tall and skinny. Oh my god. So we found a place and sat down. Ordered Green Tea Latte and she ordered Caramel Ice Blended. It was so nice and i enjoy it so much. At that moment of time, I was the only guy in the cafe. Rose can see through my shyness and she told me don't worry, she's there for me. Then as we make our way out, Naeun help me take a few photos of albums signed by Kpop idols.

Next we went to Ttukseom Resort and as usual it is just beside Hangang river. It's our first time there so we visited most of the place and was amazed by the structures and place. We went into the Museum there and learn a little about Hangang Park, Of course we doesn't miss taking photos of the beautiful scenery. It was really nice there to spend the Sunday together. Initially she wanted to ride the bicycle but then it was too crowded that we decided to take the Couple duck boat. I was afraid of the water but nonetheless i don't want to disappoint her so I go along with it. We spend 35 minutes on the boat and we watch sunset together.

Then she ask me if i want to meet her friends and I agreed. Even i was shy, well it's good to expand my contacts there. We headed for Janghanpyeong and as usual our first time again. We met another three of her friends there, Haemin,Gayoung and Misoo. At Janghanpyeong that night there's a festival and the side of the roads were filled with night markets, there's two performance and guess who is the DJ? Park Myungsoo the guy from Happy Together! The whole place was like a disco and it was my first time having that feeling and I kind of liking it. We headed for dinner and we get to know each other better from there. So towards the end, Naeun need to make a leave first as her house is 2 hours away from Seoul. I stayed with Haemin and Gayoung. I promise to meet Naeun the next day to continue our conversation. Haemin, Gayoung and I settle for Coffee at Ediya coffee. There we talk a lot and I enjoyed talking to them. We talk in basic English and Korean, it was fun though. We talk a lot of things and as usual I can't disclose anything that we talk here. So after that we parted ways and Gayoung accompanied me to Wangsinmi where she go home from there and for me back to BoA Guesthouse. It was really an enjoyable night and we hope to meet again during my next visit to Seoul, maybe next year. 

Day 11(October 14): Gwanghamun Square & Myeongdong

The next day we continue to Gwanghamun square. Gwanghamun square is located near Gwanghamun palace. There are two statues one is Admiral General Yi Sun-Shin and the other is King Sejong statue. Both of statue is a famous figures in korean history. There are a lot of foreigners visited this area to take photo of the statue. Towards General Yi Sun-Shin statue there is a place where you can put on the Royal Hanbok and take photo with it. It's really beautiful and make from real gold.

How to get there: Gwanghamun station Line 5, Exit 2 and walk 3 minutes

Remember i told you that cheonggyecheon stream begins from Gwanghamun, it's indeed the starting point of the stream. We walk from Gwanghamun till Myeongdong. It's actually less than 1km not that far and is very accessible. If you walk at night, there's a light show in various part of the stream. It's really beautiful and you can walk all the way till Dongdaemun fashion town! Superb isn't it. Arrived in Myeongdong Euljiro-il(1)ga 45 minutes after walking from Gwanghamun. It was really a far walk, then we decided to come back in the evening as some of the place is close. We went for a stroll in Ewha Women's university. It's similar to Hongdae Area where the area mostly catered to fashion for the university students. Indeed most of the things is for girls so guys there's a few shop where you can shop. 

How to get there: Ehwa Women's University station line 2

At night we were supposed to go to Insadong, the place where you can buy korean ancient artifacts and also Ssamziegil the open air shopping mall. It was a good walk around the area but we were too late. So next we went to Hapjeong station where Homeplus is situated. For a walk around Homeplus is like Giant. It's so huge and is situated near our place. We didn't know this place until we found out by chance.

Day 12(October 15): Eid Adha at Itaewon & Suwon.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha to my Muslim readers. Today is 9 Dzulhijah 1433 in Islamic Calendar. We celebrate Eid Adha this year away from our home and lovely ones. It was really a good experience performing Aidil Adha in Seoul. We rushed to the Mosque in Itaewon to get space in the mosque, fortunately we managed to get to the basement. Everyone wanted to go in as it was drizzling, but no choice most of the late comers prayed outside with drizzle and cold wind. It was really cold that morning.

As for me, i went to Suwon on my own to visit Naeun. I need to pass her presents that i bought for her. The train ride took me 2 hours from Itaewon. I got lost once but it was actually the right place. Met her around noon and I exited the wrong door that she didn't manage to find me and i stood still while she come to my rescue. Finally met her and we settle lunch first before we parted ways. I was told to her house its another 45 minutes of bus ride. I really wanted to visit her but guess she is busy that day so we didn't get the opportunity. To your disappointment there's no photo in Suwon as well, I'm very sorry. Next time i visit Suwon i will take lots of photos okay. 

At night we shopped last minute in Seoul and settle our dinner at Hollys Cafe. I took a very nice photo of the cafe. The drink was good too. It was our last night at BoA Guesthouse and it's sad to leave Seoul. Time pass really fast when you are having fun right.

Day 13(October 16): Seoul/ Incheon

 The next day i left our unused leftover food and donate to BoA kitchen. We took the photo with BoA as well, she's a young manager and really kind. She ask me to add her on Facebook and we took photo together before leaving for Incheon. Definitely we'll come back to BoA guesthouse in our next visit to Seoul.

Next we make our way to Incheon Airport Welcome guesthouse. Journey took 2 hours on AREX and bus. It was located 5 minutes from the Airport and very accessible to the Airport but not the city centre. Arrived checked in and we left for Seoul again to get last minute souvenirs and to complete our to buy list. We went to Myeongdong, Namdaemun then we visited Incheon. It was my plan to visit Incheon town, very high technological city with a huge shopping mall Incheon Square 1. If you watch Running man you will know about Incheon Square 1.

How to get there: Take Incheon metro to Dongchun Station,Exit 2. 

Walked around homeplus and make a round in the shopping mall before taking the bus back to our stay at Incheon Welcome Guesthouse.

Day 14(October 17): ICN-SGN

                                   SGN-SIN

I really hate to write about Goodbyes and going back, So I'll show you the photos. Anneyonghigaseyo Seoul
Goodbye my love,my new friends. Thank you for welcoming me to Korea with open hearts and I will come back so we can hang out again. Wait for me! I left my heart in Seoul knowing someone will take my heart and I will come back to her to create more sweet memories together.

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Seoul Trip Part 2 Day 6 to 9

If you have notice, I have given my blog a brand new template and feel. Do let me know by commenting on my post if you like this template. Without further ado i shall continue my post.

Continuing from the previous post.

From day 6 to 9 is purely about Seoul.

Day 6 (9 October): JEJU-GIMPO

The two days with YehaTour has ended and overall experience i only enjoyed 75% of the overall tour. That being said, the Seongsan Ilchulbong sunrise peak was cancelled due to the approaching Typhoon. It was a good experience and I will definitely come back just to see the Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak. Remember Catherine? She send me a few photos through email and I will share with you here. The view is fantastic but it is not the same to see it real. If i have the opportunity i will visit Jeju-do again. 

The journey back to Gimpo took about 55 minutes after taking off. As a avid fan of air plane collectors i bought a 737-800 1:100 scale model of EastarJet model. To date, it will be the largest model I've gotten to my collection. I shall talk to you about my hobbies in a separate tab and post to let you know me better.
Throughout the plane journey i saw beautiful image of Korea from birds eye view. Boxes of plantation fields, contours of river flowing,clear skies. No wonder i was attracted to it because back home it was only a bustling busy city day in and day out. Something you want to consider and since its nature, it's good for your eyesight and it will make anyone relax just by looking at it.

Arrived in Seoul at about 2pm KST(Korean South Time) and check in back at BoA Guesthouse for the rest of the stay in Seoul. Lunch and head out to Dongdaemun History and Cultural Park. The unique part of Dongdaemun is that it is surrounded with a lot of shopping malls like Doota, Migliore,Hello APM,Maxstyle, Lotte Fittin, Napyeonghwa shoes market etc. It's the place every tourist will go for shopping. In the itinerary for any tour to Seoul, they will bring you to Doota an 8 storey shopping Mall with a rooftop coffee place. Its a very nice place to Shop. Some of the shopping Mall opens from 6pm and it will closes at around 4am. Yes, it is that night life shopping you are looking for. Just remember to bring extra cash because the last train will be around 12 to 1am. Best if you can stay around Dongdaemun area.

To visit Dongdaemun: Take Metro Line 2 and drop at Dongdaemun History & Cultural Park. Most of the Exit but i prefer Exit 1-4

Near to Napyeonghwa shoes market there's a river alley where people can walk. If i am not wrong, the river alley begins from Gwanghamun, pass through Myeongdong and Dongdaemun. It's really a long walk but it's the fastest way around this part of the city. We went there just to window shopping and survey the price of the stuff there. As a guy visiting korea, other than looking at the nature landscape and people culture, I can only buy a few things there. Guys items is a lot more expensive because most of the market belongs to the ladies. If you are a lady, you will sure enjoy Dongdaemun!

*Tips: Some shops have discount. Make sure to ask first before bargaining!

Day 7(10 October): Everland Themepark

Have you ever heard of Universal Studios Singapore, Disneyland Hongkong,Tokyo? Well for Korea, one of their biggest theme park is Everland. Apart from there the other famous one is Lotte World. I am sure you have heard about it. Everland is Korea own unique themepark with various rides for the thriller to the faint-hearted. It is situated outside of Seoul city. Journey by bus took around one hour approximately from Gangnam Station.

To Get there: Take Metro to Gangnam Station, Exit 5 or 10. Walk to the bus stop at the center and take bus number 5002.

When you board the bus you can pay using T-money or cash. It cost about W2000 to Everland Themepark. The worse part is that if there's no seat, you need to stand up and seriously the bus is full everytime. If you can get a seat, you must be lucky but well not for me. Upon arriving at Everland, there's a bus from the parking lot to take you to the entrance. Purchase the tickets there and enter through the enormous gate. Welcome to Everland everybody!

*Tips: If you are a foreigner you can get a discount for the entrance tickets!

I spend the whole day inside Everland. It is my second time there and I really enjoyed it. The weather that day was unfortunately sunny and everyone was using sunglasses. The first place i go is PSY Hologram show. What so great about it is that is uses 21st Century technology of Hologram and present us a concert feeling. The hologram is very realistic and the sound is very crisp. It's like you attending PSY Concert with him and dance to the beat of Gangnam style and Gentleman. Recommended it's good!

Next of, i visited the Safari there. The park is divided into two areas, the rides and the safari. Do you watch running man and remember the river safari? That's the place i went. The queue was very long. Since it got popular thanks to running man. Waiting time took almost 2 hours but it's really worth it. We travelled in a bus which can submerged in water. We met the lion,running man camel the cheetah as well as feeding the giraffe. The giraffe is the nearest animal we get in contact with. It was the giraffe that running man Lee Kwangsoo kissed! Everyone was scared when the giraffe gets close. After that we wanted to go to the other safari but the waiting time is really outrageous! So we headed for the cable car to make our way to the top. Ended the day with some churros and a long bus to train ride back home.

Day 8(11 October): Itaewon

Next day is Friday. So everyone wake up later than usual. We went to Seoul Grand Mosque situated at Itaewon. This is the only Mosque in Seoul so during Friday prayers, It will get really packed. Everyone from Seoul will come here to perform Friday prayers. I had a sumptuous vegetable beryani while everyone else had korean foods. For me i didn't choose the Korean food because its not authentic. Not like the one similar at eating at Korean restaurant. However it was good and i really enjoyed the food.

Direction to Seoul Grand Mosque: Take line 6 to Itaewon station. Exit near the kebab shop opposite Hollys Cafe. Walk straight till you see another Kebab shop, Turn right and walk up hill and turn left when you see a school. Continue walking straight up the hill. The Mosque is on the left.

Along the way there's Middle Eastern restaurant and provision shop, to get your daily groceries. One thing to take note is that, it is expensive. Since its the only Halal restaurant you can find in Seoul, you should try!  Next up on the destination we visited Namsan Seoul Tower or as known N Seoul Tower. It is situated a the Namsan mountain and can be seen anywhere around the city. It's one of the place tourist should go when visiting Seoul. Standing at 243m Seoul tower offers panoramic view of Seoul city and surrounding areas.

To get to N Seoul Tower: The fastest way is from Myeongdong Station line 4 and take the cable car up. For my case, I took the bus from Itaewon Station. Opposite Hamilton hotel and take bus number 03, Exit 4 of Itaewon station. Journey took 20 minutes to the middle of the mountain. From there you need to make your way on foot up to the tower.

There's a lot of things you can do there, for example you can go to the observatory, Teddy bear Museum and lots more. There's a place for Love locks where couple locked their love wishes there. It's so pretty and each time i visit, the number of locks increased tremendously. It was my fifth time on top there and i bought souvenirs only from the gift shop. We took the cable car down to Myeongdong station. Then we shop around at Namdaemun Market just 5 minutes walk from the station.

Day 9(October 12): Nami Island

We get ready for our trip to Nami Island today. A short introduction of Nami Island taken from Official Visit Korea Website.It is a moon shaped Island and it's situated near Gapyeong Wharf situated 63km away from downtown Seoul.

To get there the easiest: Take train to Wangsimni station. and then take the ITX Chuncheon to Gapyeong station. Travel timing expected to take around 1 1/2 hour to 2 hours by train. This is by far the easiest and cheapest way to Nami Island. There's bus services to Nami Island but It is much expensive than taking a train there.

Upon reaching at Gapyeong station, you need to cross opposite and take the bus to Nami Wharf.  There's two ways to enter Nami Island. One is by taking the ferry and second for those who want a special entry by taking the ZIPwire. It cost more taking ZIPwire but it looks fun, i didn't have the opportunity to get on the ZIPwire. The entrance tickets cost around W8,000 and if you take ZIPwire, it'll cost W38,000. 

The moment you reached Nami Island, you will be greeted by vast areas of line trees from the Wharf to the end of the Island. This island is called Winter Sonata Island because this is where the first kiss of Winter Sonata is taken. The number of tourist increased in numbers since the Drama aired more than 5 years ago and where the Hallyu wave begins. There's 4 types of transportation available at Nami Island, firstly you can walk from one end to the other, second rent a Bicycle for about W5000/ hour, Nami car and lastly the sky bike. We rented the bicycle for an hour and we managed to cover the whole of Nami Island within 45 minutes. It's really worth it to rent a bike. If you go in deeper with lesser people, you can take a picture of nice lined trees. I shall let the pictures to do all the talking alright. Some things couldn't explain using words.

At the end of the day, journey back to downtown Seoul took 2 hours in total and worse is a standing journey. Arrived at BoA Guesthouse at around 8pm, had my dinner and i'm off to sleep. It has been a really tiring day.

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