South Korea: View from Seoul Sky Tower

If you crave for more view of Seoul from the top and you have the money to splurge on, you might want to experience it from Seoul Sky Tower. It's another business venture of Lotte Group.

Going up here is a bit expensive at the price of 27,000 KRW (1080 PHP, 2017), yet with limited attractions they can offer at the top. Since it was just open to the public early 2017 expect for long queues before you can reach the observation deck. It is suggested to visit during early morning for shorter queue.  Or you may want to visit by late afternoon to experience both day and night with sunset on the background.

South Korea: 6 places to see in Gyeongju in 2 days

Gyeongju is a walkable city when you plan your visit according to nearby target destinations.  Having an available internet for GPS location and maps.google.com is much helpful on your return bus tour to the city.

Transfer to City

From KTX SinGyeongju, take Exit 1.  Take Bus #s 700, 203, 50, 51, 60, 61, 70, 71 will be heading to the city proper, passing by Intercity Bus Terminal.

Day 1 (nearby the city center)

Ancient Tombs and Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)
169-5, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. Constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok (632-647), it was used for observing the stars in order to forecast the weather. This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves, and was designated as National Treasure No.31 on December 20th, 1962. [Reference]

South Korea: Jeollanam-do: Boseong: Beolgyo: Literature Museum

I never heard about this place, Beolgyo, not until I had a talked with my overnight dorm mate in Suncheon. She was reading the novel that was blocked by the government for a time.  She said it depicts about politics, leftists, those that are against the administration and sufferings from Japanese invasion, minor and major incidents that locals from Beolgyo experienced.  Given that the place is the location of a 10 volume novel that she was about to read, she was still in the 2nd volume but that already inspired her to see the place.

"Taebaek Mountain Range tells the story of Korea’s partition into North and South after its liberation from the Japanese occupation at the end of the Forties. This period of tremendous social and political upheaval has defined Korea’s destiny as a divided country. For Jo Jung Rae, understanding Korea’s past holds the key to the future – to resolving the ongoing confrontation between North and South Korea." [Reference]

Philippines: 5 days Itinerary to Manila

If I'm traveling to the Metro Manila, which places should I visit?  Hopefully the following sites can help you plan your trip to Manila, Philippines!

Day 1

There are less green field in the metro, but if you want to see one, why not grab the opportunity to also visit the oldest university. Visit University of Santo Tomas (UST), in España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila.  You may opt to use the gate in Governor Forbes (Lacson St), since this is used for the public (closer to the hospital).  You can mention that you like to visit the church to get inside the campus grounds.

Philippines: Ayala Musuem, Makati

A well spent Saturday afternoon in the metro, we got a chance to visit Ayala Museum for around 4 hours.  

Must Visit Amusement and Theme Parks in South Korea

Do you want to have some rest from reality life and want to spend sometime to bring back that childhood inside of you?  Here are some of the theme and amusement parks found in Korea that can be included in your itinerary on your next trip.

Everland (에버랜드)

Part of Trip Advisor's Top 25 in Asia,  Everland is a must visit to experience the T-express wooden roller coaster as seen in many variety shows!  Get here using Bus 5002 from Gangnam Station or take train to Jeondae Everland Station.

Location: 199, Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

South Korea: Daegu: Hill Crest

Hill Crest (힐크레스트)
1003, Gachang-ro, Gachang-myeon, Dalseong-gun, Daegu
대구광역시 달성군 가창면 가창로 1003 (가창면)
http://www.hillcrest.co.kr/

Hillcrestkoreais an eco-theme pack packed with special events and programs that change with the seasons to give visitors a fresh new experience each spring, summer, fall, and winter. This 3,000-pyeong, large-scale herb garden and mini theme park includes a large area of Metasequoias and the only green tea field in the Yongnam Area. [Reference]

I was monitoring gps location on maps.google on when I should get off.  However, I missed the preferred stop and get off on the next stop.  Good thing I choose the correct path on walking back.  You'll see the woody buildings (above) from the main road.

[Admission (Garden + Zoo Zoo Land + Red Maple Road)] Weekdays: Adults 8,000 won

South Korea: Lotte World, Jamsil Station

Travel Date: June 23, 2011
Destination: Lotte World
Even if it is raining outside, we started the day early. We had our breakfast at Paris Baguette with pastries, coffee and milk for 10,200krw (400php).


From Myeongdong station, we had to transfer 2 lanes (green and pink) until we reached Munjeong station. This is where you could find Rodeo Street – an outlet shopping center in Korea. While studying for this trip, I learned that you can’t find any Esprit shop in South Korea. They have more local brands in the area and a few outlet brands of which I’m familiar with. Running shoes at Nike and Adidas range from 2500-4000php. There is also The North Face outlet, and I was able to buy a Columbia jacket for 55000krw (2200php).

From this station we transferred to Jamsil Station and look for our way going to Lotte World.

Lotte World, Jamsil Station, Subway Line 2 & 8, Exit #4
Open: Mon - Thu : 09:30 - 22:00; Fri - Sun : 9:30 - 23:00
Admission: Adults 26,000 won = 1040php (Admission and free performance viewing)
Passport: Adults 38000won = 1550php (Free usage of all facilities, Includes admission (all-in fee to 4D, carousel & light roller coaster ride; star avenue) ; free tour of Folk Museum)

South Korea: Everland in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

Everland is not the first theme park I have visited in my trip to South Korea.  In fact I have visited it on my 4th trip, even there was a delay in my plans to see the place, it is still worth a visit for tourists.  My main intention is to try the T-express as featured in variety shows.

For any season in the country, there's a reason to see the place: Spring (for the tulip festival and rose garden), Summer, Autumn (for kochia shrubs and some maple trees) and Winter (indoor rides and snow buster).

2014 Feb: First encounter on Everland
Due to sudden left and right turns in the morning, we left Seoul very late in the afternoon for Everland. 

How to get there?

Bus 5002
Take Subway Line 2, alight at Gangnam Station, Exit 10 [2014].  Walk forward for more than 5-10 minutes (passing Giordano, Krispy Kreme, until Who.A.U.), take Bus 5002.  It will take more than hour to reach the bus terminal for the Everland shuttle service.

Upon checking Google Maps (Jan 2017), not sure if there is road construction near Exit 10, you may want to check first the map, before moving to bus station between Exit-6 and Exit-5 (in front of NH Bank, Kookmin Bank).  It will still be the same Bus 5002 (heading to Everland).

How to get to Everland

From there, wait for the shuttle service, travel time will be another 5-10 minutes, before you can reach the Everland gates.

South Korea: Seoul: Itinerary for First-time Visitors and Beyond

Welcome traveler!  From my learning and experience I hope the tips and guides below will also help you plan and enjoy your upcoming travel in South Korea!

Go to the following topics:
How to Apply for Visa: Guide and Tips for South Korea Trip
Rules in South Korea Embassy (Taguig, Philippines)
When is the best time to go in Seoul in terms of weather?
How to find cheap flights to Incheon (Seoul) and Busan
Encounter with the Immigration Officer
Airport Transfer: What to do on late arrivals or delayed flights?
Airport Transfer: How to reach Incheon Airport with early flights?
What transportation card to use?

Accommodation: Where to stay in Seoul?
Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Seoul?

Budget Travel: How much does it cost to travel to South Korea
Where and how to get Korean Won?

Where are the markets and where can I go shopping?
What application or interactive map to use for locating a place and getting directions in Seoul?
How hard it is for someone who doesn't speak Korean to make their way around the country?
More Tips on traveling around the city
How to stay connected while in Seoul?
Where to get discount coupons in Korea?

More Sample Itineraries for South Korea [for frequent flyers]

South Korea: Things to do in Digital Media City

1. Art Appreciation (Sculpture and Building Architecture)

2017 May: Japan: Fukuoka: Hakata Gofukumachi Hostel Takataniya

Hakata Gofukumachi Hostel Takataniya

9-5 Nakagofukumachi, Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan 812-0035

博多 呉服町 ホステル 高谷家

博多区中呉服町 9-5, 博多, 福岡, 日本 812-0035

Email: takataniya[@]gmail.com

Link: http://takataniya.com/English/facility.html

Book Hakata Gofukumachi Hostel Takataniya, Fukuoka in Agoda

Where to see cherry blossom in Seoul after spring season?

Do you think it is possible to find cherry blossoms anytime of the year in Seoul? My answer would be yes, I'll share with you 3 locations to satisfy your wish to to see cherry blossom even if it is summer, autumn or winter in the city.  It may be not genuine cherry trees, but the places will bring you back to the scenes we have seen in dramas. 

104 Hwa-dong, Jongno-gu (near Bukchon-ro 5ga-gil in Samcheong-dong and Bukchon areas)

The street where Grim Reaper visited Sunny (nearby her house) to confirm her past and erase the sad memories she had with him. | Goblin Episode 12

Spring Festivals and Flower Areas in South Korea

Let us not limit ourselves to cherry bloosom when it comes to spring season in Korea.  Apart from beojkkoch (벚꽃) per its Korean name or sakura (桜) per Japanese term, there are other flowers and festivals we can enjoy for the rest of months of April and May in South Korea.

South Korea: Seoul: Ewha University

Ewha Womans University is a private women's university in central Seoul, South Korea founded in 1886 by the American Methodist Episcopal missionary Mary F. Scranton.  - Wikipedia

Address: 11-1, Daehyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Motto: Knowledge·Goodness·Beauty