Western Front Line.....

After the heart pounding JSA tour, my journey between the South and North Korea continues. We headed next to Imjingak Tourist Resort, which is located 50 kilometers northwest of Seoul. It where you can see the Memorial Altar, Freedom Bridge, Unification Bell. Here it is less strict and not that intense like in JSA. You can take more pictures and can stroll the areas more freely but still with caution.

Between the Line.....

Watching war movies, documentaries & reading books about war particularly about north and south are some of the things I enjoy on my free time. Am I weird?? I just like history since high school days. I have so much respect with the Soldiers and people who have had experienced being in a war. Putting myself in their shoes, I don't know what will happen to me just hearing the loud sound of guns and bombs. I'll have nervous breakdown.

Lotte World 롯데월드

I've known Lotte World because of the drama Stairway to Heaven led by Kwon Sang Woo , Choi Ji Woo & Kim Tae Hee. Since then I included it in my Seoul Bucket list . Filming drama on it really has a big impact on SK's tourism.. I think so... Aside from that if the weather isn't in your favour you can still go out and enjoy, Lotte World is the best place to go. Since it has indoor  and outdoor Theme Park. So instead of sobbing and waiting for the rain to stop in your hotels you can go here and enjoy.

Songdo Central Park

My first blog after 2 years....ooohh quite long. I think this is the perks of having no work at the moment. I'll try to post a lot of my Summer and Spring in South Korea.

Its Springtime, was hoping to see it but in Songdo it's not yet time. I have been curious about Songdo by the influence of the Song Triplets in the Korean Series Return of Superman. It was almost known as the home of Song Daehan, Minguk and Manse (Song Il-Gooks Sons). It was 4 years ago when I first saw it on TV, but I always fail to include it in my itinerary. And finally now done!!

Outside Seoul.....Oido...

Well, I know most people visits the common tourist places..... But somehow I think it will be more fun to try some places that isn't a common ground. Since I have been in Seoul so many times that I tried to look for something new. My friend wanted to go to Oido for a very long time since watching "Foxy Lady"  aka "Whats up Fox?" Chun Jung Myung as the lead actor if you still remember way back 2006. It is the place where him & the older girl she likes talk about her illness and his feelings towards her etc...

Anyway so we decided to go there to finish her unfinished business.

Hyehwa Station: Marronier - Daehangno

Every station in Seoul Subway, there is an interesting place or things to do. I got off at Hyehwa Station to see Naksan Park and Ihwa Mural Village, but along the way I have discover a lot of things, that I didn't know that I was walking too long already.

I didn't know that this place was Daehangno & Marronier Park. Along the way there are many cute boutiques, coffee shops (which I like), restaurants, theatres. It is an entertainment street.

As you go, you'll see Marronier Park where you can enjoy listening to live musical performances, dance groups, Arts/ sculpture and young artists who will draw your portraits. Group of young people watching and a lot of family gathered around the park.

Daehangno is where you'll find a lot of performing arts & theaters. Youngsters are on the street selling tickets for the show. If only I have time when I was there I think I would watch it. So if you've got time, try watching one, who knows one of these new comer theatre actors and actress will become famous in the future. :)

In my point of view, this area is like a combination of Hongdae and Sinchon Station so it's not boring. A lot of fun things to do.

Here are some snapshots while I walk along the street.


Around Hyehwa: Marronier Park

Autumn Grounds

Yeouido Strip (여의도)

Yeouido Park

Every time I'm in the Land of the Morning Calm, I prefer staying around Yeouido even though it's a bit far from the tourist area.

It is Seoul's Financial & Business district (aka Manhattan of Seoul), counterpart of Ayala, Makati in PH. Maybe that is why it feels like I'm home. It is surrounded by Han River. It can be reach by Subway station - Yeouido Line 5, National Assembly & Saetgang, which are both Line 9 (these are only the Stations that I've tried).

Starbucks Famille Park

Before my short Christmas vacation, I will post a short blog on my latest coffee collection.
Starbucks Coffee Seoul have open a new branch in Express Bus Terminal Station. It is also known as Starbucks Famille Park. You can easily find it once you exit the Station.
Its nice to go there when the sun is about to set to capture the beautiful lighting of the Cafes facade.

The interior is cozy, more like a European style.  It has a high ceiling with pretty chandeliers. During the time we visited the cafe, its hard to find a seat, luckily we are just two so we didn't have to wait for a long time to find one.

It's the biggest Starbucks I have visited so far. Though there are a lot of visitors its still relaxing and quiet. The two things I always look for in a Cafe.

I only got few pictures, coz I was a bit tired, and too cold that night. After sipping my hot latte and a few shots I left for Sinchon.

Seoul Lantern Festival

Since 2009, Seoul has been displaying beautiful and colourful at Lanterns at Cheonggyecheon Stream. It is known as Seoul Lantern Festival which is held yearly, every first Week of November for two weeks. Lanterns displayed were made by local and international artist. I have seen the festival twice, 2012 & 2014 and still find it very interesting.

Here are some of the photos from 2012 & 2014.

Short Trip to Jeju Island Part 1

October 25 2011, My first time to experience the cold Autumn season... After our 6 hour long flight from Singapore to Incheon International Airport, we run towards Gimpo Domestic Airport via Airport Express for our flight to Jeju, via Asiana Airlines. So worried because we might miss our flight.

Luckily we arrived at the domestic airport on time.

Oops, before checking in to Jeju, took a quick shots of the Chrysanthemum Festival at Gimpo Airport.

Flower Bear

Welcome to Jeju Island!!!!!

Jeju Island is known as a honeymoon destination. So don't be surprised to see a lot of couples walking on the island, very sweet and .... ^^*

It is a self governing province in Korea. It is the smallest province in the Country. It is 1hour via plane from Gimpo Domestic Airport. It can also be reach by cruises, ferry but it will take longer hours. A lot of Korean drama filming were shot here. Like Secret Garden, Princess Hours, All In, Dae Jangeum and a lot more.

It is a volcanic island surrounded by sea. You can see a lot of different shaped rocks formed like dragons, dolphins and other creatures you can imagine along the sea shores. They say that it was made by volcanic eruptions hundreds years ago. Everything was nature made attractions.

N Tower (N 서울타워)

My favourite landmark in Seoul is Namsan Tower. It is always included in my itinerary  every time I visit Korea. It has a lot of things to offer that captured my heart. The surroundings, nature, the perfect view of the city and it feels refreshing. Well they say its a romantic place, yes it is.

It is a memorable place for me, when I celebrated my birthday with my family last 2013. Though I have been there 4 times already, I won't get tired visiting it again.

For K-Drama fanatics, a lot filming where done here like Boys Over Flower, My Love from the Star, My Sweet Seoul and a lot more.There are ways to reach the Tower, by Cable Car & by Public Bus which is the best way to save time and energy.

If you don't want to go at the tower, you can enjoy the park or just sit and chit chat at the benches around it.
The Teddy Bear Museum is also located inside the tower, but the ticket is different from the Observatory. I'll be posting about Teddy Bear Museum soon.
They offer some discounts for tourist. Just check at the ticket counter right outside the Tower. There area also restaurants, like N Grill (french Restaurant) its quite expensive for me, Best Burger in Seoul which I haven't tried, Nterrace - a Cafe & Bar, Sweet Bar and Hancook Restaurant.

I highly recommend the Hancook restaurant located below the observatory deck. It is Buffet Korean Restaurant. The menus are all good and with a very nice view of the city. When you buy the buffet, you don't have to pay for the observatory entrance ticket,  so better decide if you'll try or not so that you can save some won. Also, Lunch and Dinner have different price, lunch is cheaper but for a great view, Dinner would be the best time, seeing the city lights up at night while enjoying the menu.

Museum Day: War Memorial of Korea 전쟁기념관

After Lee Samsung Museum, we went to War Memorial since it's in the same Subway Line. Time is very precious when travelling so better target areas that are close to each other on the same day. Well that's how I arranged my itinerary.

There are different exhibits in the Museum, but I was not able to see everything. I have only visited the outdoor exhibit, where the fighter planes, tanks, military equipment and other war memorabilia are displayed. 

I'm a fan of War movies, that's why I enjoyed my time here. I grew up hearing stories about war from my grandfather, seeing this beyond what I used to imagine was remarkable but somehow sad and a terrifying event. 

Museum Day: Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

We called this in our itinerary as Museum day, since we are visiting 3 museums which includes Korea National Museum and War Memorial Museum. Some may find this boring, but I don't (sometimes). Visiting museums is like reading history so I kinda like it especially the War Memorial Musuem. 

BTW, on our way to the museum we asked a lady for directions, she smiled wide and was happy to know that some people still find time to visit museums. And she gladly walked with us to the Samsung Museum where she works. Admit it, most tourist in Korea usually visits places which they have seen on dramas and promoted by artists. [like me ^^,)]

First stop is Lee Samsung Museum of Art.

I was curious if the museum are all about Samsung phones or other gadgets. Knowing they are famous for that kind of stuff. But it's not. It's a Korean and International exhibition center of Arts and Culture.  They have Permanent Exhibits which includes White Porcelain Wares, Metals, Paintings and Calligraphy and Temporary exhibits. And I have found out that their buildings was designed by these 3 famous architects: Mario Botta,  Jean Nouvel and Rem Koolhaas. How cool it was for me, visiting the works of this famous architects whom I can only read in books and internet. Very fulfilling. And hmmm I wonder how much this buildings cost.

Museum 1: By Mario Botta

Museum 1 is designed by Swiss Architect Mario Botta. It has a geometric shaped with terra cotta bricks external facade. So sad didn't captured a bigger closer image of his work. Can't remember why. Hope I can still go back and take another photo. Inside the museum is the Rotunda (photo below). It is a naturally lighted spiral staircase where it connects the exhibition rooms. The plan for me is amazing. 

Rotunda 

Never Never Land... Everland

Peter Pan pops up in my mind first every time I visit a Theme Park. It brings back a lot of my childhood memories when I see the rides and hear all the scream from fun and laughter. It makes me feel like a child again. Its a nostalgia.

In South Korea, Everland is one of their famous park, which I failed to try on my first visit in 2010. That I made sure I'll be going this time.

It is located in the outskirt of Seoul, about 1.5 hour ride, in my case because our hotel is in Yeouido which is a bit far in Gangnam, where we took the shuttle bus to the resort. Directions at Blog's last part.

Once you Exit #10 of Gangnam Subway Station, there are a series of bus stop which may confused you which is which. Look for this Shop, photo below which is front of the Bus Stop for Bus 5002. There is also a Krispy Kreme which you can buy snacks before for the long ride.

WHO.A.U Shop Near 5002 Bus Stop

5002 Bus Stop 

Seoul's Past & Present: Gyeongbok Palace

Having a background in every Country's culture is very important, knowing it will make you understand, respect , appreciate and realize things that will make it a more meaningful travel experience.

South Korea Cafe's: Coffee Collection

Coffee Prince fanatic...Coffee Addict...

Aside from being famous in K-Pop & Korean Dramas, it is also known for good coffees on a cute, cozy look, unique coffee shops. On its Airport alone, you will see various Cafes with different themes. And if you want to stroll along their unique shops you should go to Samcheongdong. There you will find not 2 but a lot of it lined across the streets side by side and on the hidden alleys..

Sipping a hot Latte or a cold Frappe makes my heart pound and eating their famous cheese cake or any of the cafes best seller...I find simple joy in it while staring outside the glass window...that's solitude and peace of mind. Try it...it does work on me...Its the perfect time out after a long stroll...It doesn't matter if its Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall... Its the best for all Season...

Here are some of the famous Coffee Shops in South Korea from my Kopi Collection album. I also indicated the Cafes website just in case you want to explore & wants more updated as per price and menu. But most of their websites are in Korean Language, but there's always a picture for you to see and prices so I think it is a bit easier.

Here are some of my Coffee Collection:

     HOMESTEAD COFFEE

At Jongro-gu Samcheongdong, Seoul_092010

Coffee Shop Entrance 

They served all types of Coffees (latte, espresso, cappuccino, etc), Chocolate Drinks, Tea, Fruit Juice & Smoothies . If you are too hungry they also have Waffles & Sandwiches which is around 7000 ~11000KRW.

You may find it a bit pricey but you can always share with friends, their serving is quite enough for 2 (as for me, I always need to share coz I'm not a big eater).

They also serve brunch but it may varies as per season or availability which range from 9000~14000KRW. But if you want a cheaper price they also have hotdogs & side orders (e.g fries) from 4000~7000KRW. Burgers & Salads for 7000KRW.

For more info check out their website: www.homestead.co.kr

1st Shop of Coffee Prince 커피 프린스

The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince_092010

Who would not know this famous Korean Drama "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince"? People of all ages, all over Asia & even in European Countries have fell in love with this series. I even bought a DVD so that I can watch it whenever I feel like rewinding my favorite episodes.

Number one on my itinerary list during my first landing in Seoul, is to visit the coffee shop filming location. Have to see it in my own eyes to satisfy my K-Drama cravings....

Locating the place is not that hard, but it's quite far from the Subway Station (Hongik University/ Hongdae Station). But you won't find it tiring, because as you find your way to the cafe, you will surely enjoy the cute shops/ boutiques along the way and you may end up taking photos of it or even buying stuffs sold from the shops, though its a bit pricey... Too sad, I wasn't able to take photos, because it was raining at that time.