[GANGWON] Budget and Itinerary

FRIDAY: 7 November 2014

Jungnang/Gyeongchun (Hoegi - Sangbong - Gapyeong) - 1,950

Gapyeong Bus (Gapyeong Station - Nami Island) - 1,200

Nami - Jara Zipline (Nami Island Package) - 38,000

Gapyeong Bus (Nami Island - Gapyeong Station) - 1,200

Gyeongchun/Jungnang (Gapyeong - Sangbong - Hoegi) - 1,950

KRW44,300

Estimate of KRW1,000.00 = PhP40.00

TOTAL – PhP1,772.00

[CHUNCHEON] Nami Island By Air

Nam-i Island, you’ve probably heard about it. Once upon a time there was this popular Korean drama called Winter Sonata shot in a beautiful island somewhere near Seoul. That's the Hallyu version of the story. Technically, Nam-i Island was born with the creation of a dam and the consequent flooding of some areas. A wise entrepreneur thought it would be profitable to turn it into some sort of amusement park. After it was featured in the drama, the rest was history.

[BUSAN] Budget and Itinerary

FRIDAY: August 17, 2012

Taxi (Makati - NAIA 3) - 140.50

Travel Tax (NAIA 3) - 1,620.00

Terminal Fee (NAIA 3) - 550.00

Cebu Pacific (Manila - Busan) - 1,404.00

Snacks (Cebu Pacific) - 200.00

PhP3,914.50

Light Rail (Gimhae Airport - Sasang) - 1,300

Light Rail (Sasang - Namcheon) - 1,400

Taxi (Namcheon - Pusan Hostel) - 6,700

KRW9,400

INCHEON: Spa on Air

I have always wanted to try staying at Spa on Air even just for one night so as to satisfy my curiosity. Although I have already been in a jimjjilbang before, I wanted to know how this one differed, it being at the airport and all. It turns out it does not differ that much. I am not sure if there is a sauna but what I did see in there was a thermal pool, one hot (45 degrees) and the other cold (26 degrees), both of which were too extreme for me to even enjoy.

[NORTH GYEONGSANG] Budget and Itinerary

MONDAY: August 20, 2012

Bus (Nopo - Andong) - 15,300

Dinner (Korean Style Restaurant) - 8,000

Taxi (Andong Bus Terminal - Andong Hotel) - 7,300

Andong Hotel (1 Night/Double Aircon) - 40,000

KRW70,600

[ANDONG] Masks, All Masks!

Should masks be fascinating? The only thing that they ever do to me is freak me out, which is so not cool. So why even bother dropping by the Mask Museum and dropping another 2,000 won for admission? Bus. They have a schedule which they do follow, and ours was not due for another hour. Instead of loitering in the traditional eatery where we had lunch and deprive other tourists of seats guaranteed to fulfill their gastronomic fantasies, we decided to just head out and see what the museum has to offer. It was indeed a learning experience.

[ANDONG] Queen Elizabeth Was Here

One of Andong’s more popular claims to fame, aside from astounding topography and well-preserved architecture, is Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in the 90’s. It is said that the monarch asked to be taken to the “most Korean” place in the country and they all ended up here. Andong seemed to be more than pleased to receive her and now they even house a collection of items and photos of her visit in a museum found by the entrance of Hahoe’s Folk Village. It also seems to be the only one with aircon in the area, so if you are dying of asphyxiation from the heat, you can seek refuge in there and pretend to admire the United Kingdom’s queen. The entrance fee is already included in the 3,000 won admission for the folk village.

[SUYEONG] From Centum to Gwangalli

After what seemed like an endless walk at Centum City and the sudden shortage of places to visit because of some Monday spring cleaning conspiracy of sorts among the main attractions in the area, I decided to walk all the way to Gwangalli Beach. Could you really blame me? The map makes it seem so easy. Well, it is, if your definition of easy is more than an hour of walking. What you are guaranteed to admire about the stroll though are the sights you are bound to see. If not for the sun, it would have been a leisurely walk. And so I recommend doing this before sundown. Sights? What sights?

[HAEUNDAE] Meeting Dongbaek's Mermaid

Please stop spreading rumors that Dongbaek’s mermaid and I are an item. The only bond we share is our common predisposition to being alone. Besides, I don't date people with fins. Wait, erase that. I don't date. Period. As for this mermaid, I really don't know what her glitch is. Seeing that she's somehow stoned, wait that doesn't sound right, "made of stone" is the term. I could only infer that she got into a fight with Medusa or something. The only other supernatural being I know who shares the same set of powers was a Physics teacher in my high school, and I'm not even sure if she has ever set foot in Busan.

[HAEUNDAE] Haeundae's Parasols Don't Come for Free

I really thought that they were free, until someone saying “You are not allowed to use that” in Korean came over. The good news was that I understood what he said perfectly. I have reviewed that sentence construction before. So yes, it was still a triumphant moment. It was not that humiliating because people simply didn't care. When you're sunbathing on a beach under a very angry sun, you wouldn't either. I asked him where to pay and how much. He gave me a figure that was affordable, but it was already a big turn off for me. I thought those parasols were government provided, HAHAHA. What was I thinking! And so I just took a stroll and checked out the Busan Aquarium.

[GEUMJEONG] Beomeosa's Temples

Oh no, it's another boring temple blog entry. Why do I frequent temples anyway? An agnostic Catholic like me has no business visiting other religious structures. Well, to tell you the truth, I really don't know. I always toss in a temple in my itinerary whenever one is available and on the way. They somehow give me some sense of inner peace that I do not even want to explain. No, I don't want to dwell on this. Come to think of it, it's probably the atmosphere that fosters the said sentiment. If you look at those temples, they all look red to me.

[GYEONGGI] Budget and Itinerary

FRIDAY: June 10, 2011

Seoul Metro (Myeongdong - Gangnam) - 1,100

Dunkin Donuts (Munchkins x20 + Iced Choco) - 8,200

Bus (Gangnam - Everland) - 1,800

Entrance Fee (Everland) - 38,000

Locker (Fee) - 2,000

Locker (Fee) - 2,000

Snack (Pineapple Slushee) - 2,500

Snack (Corn Dog) - 2,500

Snack (Churros) - 2,800

Souvenir (T-Coaster Photo) - 7,000

Dinner (China Moon) - 10,300

Bus (Everland - Gangnam) - 1,800

Seoul Metro (Gangnam - Sadang - Seoul Station) - 1,100

KRW81, 100.00

Estimate of KRW1,000.00 = PhP40.00

TOTAL - PhP3,244.00

[YONGIN] Everland!

Considered by many as Korea’s very own Disneyland, Everland offers a lot of thrills for both theme park enthusiast and plain wanderer alike. Located at the city of Yongin in the province of Gyeonggi, the park is just around an hour away by bus from Gangnam Metro Station. Another station in Southern Seoul where bus connections can be found is at Jamsil in Songpa, meaning you could combine your Lotte World and Everland tours for one day of jam-packed thrill, but I would suggest that you allot a day each for both. Inside the theme park are various gardens including a big rose garden, Mardi Gras inspired parades in the afternoon, an animal safari, various rides including a wooden roller coaster considered as the steepest in Asia and second worldwide, and lots more. Next door is a water park called Caribbean Bay, the entrance fee for which you have to pay for separately.

[SEOUL] Budget and Itinerary

SATURDAY: June 4, 2011

Taxi (Makati - NAIA 3) - 125.00

Travel Tax (NAIA 3) - 1,620.00

Terminal Fee (NAIA 3) - 750.00

Cebu Pacific (Manila - Incheon - Manila) - 7,182.91

Hidden Spring (500 ml) - 50.00

Hot Chocolate (Cebu Pacific) - 80.00

PhP9,807.91

[SEOUL] Cheap Electronics and a Lot of Foreigners

Directly north of the Han River and right smack in the middle of Seoul, Yongsan could probably be referred to as the “heart” of this city if based on location alone. Other than that, this district is popularly known for its electronics market and that area of the city notorious for its night life, party scene, and foreigner attendance. Yes, I am referring to you, Itaewon. If it is night life you seek, in Itaewon it is night life you get.

[SEOUL] Wish Upon a Tower

There is an island in the middle of the Han River dubbed as Korea’s Wall Street and is said to be one of the most affluent districts in Seoul. There you'll find the offices of  TV giants MBC and KBS. There is also a tower that goes by the alias “63 Building” which houses the highest art gallery in the world. I went there for that tower, and I got lost in that island.

[SEOUL] The Tower and the Palace

N-Seoul Tower a.k.a. Namsan Tower is probably the most famous in Korea despite the existence of other more interesting rivals such as the Jongno Tower or the 63 Building in Yeoui-do. However, although the last two might both have their own gimmicks to lure tourists in, Namsan actually has more tricks up her sleeves: a Teddy Bear Museum; a veranda full of “love locks”; an observatory; and a revolving restaurant. Oops, I forgot the cable car. The two other skyscrapers suddenly became boring.

[SEOUL] The Grand Palaces of Jongno-gu

There are around six palaces in Seoul. I know they have: Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeonggung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Unhyeongung, and another one whose name I just forgot, --Guigung something. The first three along with Unhyeongung and the Jongmyo Shrine are all located in Jongno District in northern Seoul. The suffix -gung means “Palace” by the way. After reading one too many info stands I’ve come to know that most of these palaces were built because the other was destroyed by an invading force or the reigning monarch just wanted a different residence for himself or his parents, etc. “Look, Pa, we just can’t live under the same roof anymore. I’ll just build you your own palace a few hundred meters away, okay?”

[SEOUL] Long Day at Lotte World

I liked Lotte World better than CoEx, as a mall that is, but this is a very biased opinion. Lotte World obviously has the advantage. Both are linked to a couple of hotels but Lotte has its own amusement park and Seokchon Lake to back it up. CoEx cries unfair. Well, whoever said that life is not unfair lied, CoEx. Anyway, the two malls are located in the neighboring districts of Gangnam and Songpa in Southern Seoul. To get to Lotte World you just have to hop on a Seoul Metro train and figure out the connections yourself. Just remember that you are headed to Jamsil station. It won’t take you an hour to get there from Seoul Station. If it takes longer than that then you might be going the wrong way. Perhaps you boarded the train headed to Incheon, hahaha. Bon voyage!

[SEOUL] Not that Impressed with CoEx

I'm sorry but I wasn't that impressed with Co-Ex, but before you pelt me with Kimchi you have to understand that where I'm from, saying that we have "many" malls is an understatement. CoEx doesn't have the advantage of a bayside view that gives the Mall of Asia its charm. It could probably rival Greenbelt in terms of the chic factor but this is mainly attributed to the people who go there. Koreans are very fashion-forward and they are probably the only ones who could give the Japanese a run for their money in terms of fashion sense, no matter how outrageous it might seem at times. Greenbelt, on the contrary, would remain trendy with or without the people, in my opinion. The building's orientation linking it to a tower could probably rack in some extra points but this becomes fairly negligible when pitted against KL's Suria KLCC. There's just no winning against the Petronas Twin Towers.