2016 Nov: South Korea: Flavors of Seoul

Gyeonggi-do

The Farmer's Table

Location: Heyri Artinus 1F, 1652-393 Beopheung-ri, Tanhyeon-myeon region, Paju town, Gyeonggi-do province | Heyri Art Village

Heyri Art Village Gate #4, straight ahead until the first intersection, first quadrant on the right.

Food: pizza (25,000 KRW = 1,000 PHP) 

Personal Preference: 9 out of 10, definitely a posh restaurant, thus expensive.

2014 Feb: South Korea: Seoul Food

There is nothing to worry when it comes to food – I did not plan anything for lunch or dinner, since good food is anywhere in Seoul.

  

Restaurant found on the second floor open until 2am (near GS25, Myeongdong Exit 8)

Food: 9 out of 10

Value: Affordable

Atmosphere: 9 out of 10

Location: near GS25, Myeongdong Exit 8

Glad that this decent restaurant is still open to welcome us on our first midnight in Myeongdong.  I love the man-made cherry blossom tree inside. 

Underground Hole in the Wall Japanese Restaurant

Food: 9 out of 10

Value: Affordable

Atmosphere: 9 out of 10

Orders:

Location: Seolleung station Exit 1, turn left before Posco, on the third block, take the stairs to go underground of Italian Bistro (along Teheran-ro 78-gil, Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu)

Unique experience that reminds me of Gion, Kyoto - we were actually seating on the floor while eating.  I miss it.

2014 Feb: South Korea: Seoul: K-pop Residence

My fouth time in South Korea, third time in Seoul and third time to have the base camp in Myeongdong.

Taking an AREX for the second time is less expensive than taking a bus, but I personally prefer the bus since I don’t want line transfers and its hard to bring luggage in stairs (2011-2012).  Unexpectedly, the plane is delayed on its arrival fro 2 hours to pick-up passengers in Manila hub.  That makes our arrival in Incheon delayed from 20:05 to past 22:20.  We still need to take the shuttle train going to main terminal, queue at the Immigration, wait for the luggage, and we can no longer take the airport bus 6015 going Myeongdong.

I still wonder for a while if there is a possibility to take a night bus, until with a snap I got to process my thoughts immediately - "I need 10000 each (thanks to the extra won we have from our previous trips), I need our old T-money." Rushed to 7-11 to top-up, get down to lower ground take the connecting walkalator, rushed to the train entrance (not sure if I did take AREX, but looks like not, it is an all-stop train going to Seoul Station.  We were able to find our way out and we were literally running, Im pushing our 2 4-wheel luggage to speed us up.  When we get on the station entrance, there are already guards, I said "to Myeongdong Station", and they let us pass - this is the last trip from Seoul Station for Line 4 going to Myeongdong.

This year (2014) on Exit 8, there is already an escalator, but because it already passed the operating hours it is no longer moving, we still have to take the stairs.  After crossing 3 sub streets, we were able to find our hostel.

K Pop Residence II Myeongdong

http://md2.kpophouse.co.kr/?lang=en 

Book K Pop Residence II, Seoul, South Korea in Agoda
Reception hours 07:00~23:00

4-2, Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

Price: Average for an accommodation in the middle of Myeongdong.  If you prefer cheaper accommodation outside shopping district, there are lot to choose from. 

Location: Good – On the side street of Myeongdong, it is the 4^th and 5^th level of the building, just above Kang Ho Dong’s Baekjeong BBQ restaurant.  Just outside the main street, you’ll immediately see Etude, Face Shop, farther left, you have Forever 21, and GS25 (25-hour convenient store).

2011 November: South Korea: Hawkers in Myeongdong

Myeongdong is not a cheap market, but it is a shopping heaven for those who are addict to buy anything and everything.  Aside from the high-end shops of Zara, Uniqlo, Lacoste, Nine West, Forever 21, Guess, etc; cafes like Starbucks, Coffee Bean, Café Pascucci, etc. that are success under the sun.

Less in the morning, but the place becomes a street of hawkers more at night!  Loving this night photography in one hand.

2011 November: South Korea: Lantern Festival

That late afternoon, it was starting to get dark.  I was walking from Myeongdong to Cheonggyecheon Stream.  Along the way, they started to open the lights, emphasizing the autumn leaves of the piles of the trees along the street.  So I started to shoot with my camera.  Upon reaching the stream proper, it started to rain, so it’s a choice between freely walking under the rain or holding the umbrella on my left hand and keeping my right hand steady.  Too bad I can’t use the tripod that rainy evening - so proud to say, all were taken by my steady hands under 10.5 degrees Celsius in Seoul.

2011 November: South Korea: Green Residence

I arrived at Gimpo Domestic Terminal, Wednesday, Nov 16 2011 11.55 am. I asked the information counter on which parking area will I be able to take bus 6001. It is on area #4-5 and was able to catch it after waiting for 10mins. The fare is 13000won (520php) for almost an hour travel time to Myeongdong (Stop: Sejong Hotel). On the street near Exit 8, I walked straight until I reached ABC shop. Behind the bank is a double glass-door, inside is the elevator going to 17F for the Green Residence.

Green Residence
Location: 17F Tae Heung Building, Myeongdong, Seoul
Website: http://www.seoulgreen.com/index.html (page no longer available)
Trip Advisor Reviews

I started my inquiries with them by July and finalized my booking on the same month for my stay on November. They also agreed that I can pay on cash upon arrival and there is no need to provide the credit card details. I again reminded them of my booking a month, then next, a week before my arrival.

Shoes are not allowed inside the hostel, so you have to change to their provided slippers. The lady was very good in letting me know their facilities, she tour me around and discussed some ground rules.

This hotel has very negative review on Trip Advisor but I still decided to book here because of:
1. weather: I think, since it is a cold Autumn, I don’t think I would need an air conditioner or fan; and
2. location: it is not on an elevated area and is on the center of Myeongdong
Good thing I did not feel suffocated on this very small box.

2011 June: South Korea: Leaving Nami & Visiting Namsan Tower

Travel Date: June 22, 2011

Destination: Namsan Tower

We started early, since we know that we will have a lot of stops along Central White Pine Tree Lane due to our heavy bags. First ferry leaving from Nami Wharf is at 8.30am, but we missed it. The boat immediately left without passengers, so we tried to catch the next one.

We met Chae, a Korean painter working in New York for years. He painted 2 rooms (105 and 107) in Nami Hotel. He was is good enough to accommodate our taxi fare going from Family Mart (ferry wharf) going to Gapyeong Station. It took us around less than 2 hours before we reached Seoul Station.

During that long discussion with him, we knew a lot on he’s travelling. He is proud that Korea’s season is so distinct compared to other countries. The 3 month cut between Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall is so clear based on experience. He is also a climber in Himalayas and a frequent visitor in Nepal.

[Read more about Nami Island]

We missed breakfast and had lunch (grilled beef with seaweeds) in a Korean Restaurant, upper level of Seoul Station.

Zaza Backpackers (http://zazabackpackers.com/) in uphill area of Myeongdong is our 3rd guesthouse for this trip. This place does not accept more than 2 months advance reservation. They are attentive in answering my inquiries in mail, but due to some conflicts in their building permit with the Korean government, we had multiple reservation issues with them. It is almost 10-15minutes away from the train station. However, we were not able to find any lift or escalator on that station, thus, it is hard if you have heavy luggage.

The place is clean and the room is well lighted with windows. The bed is soft with clean pillows and sheets. Air-conditioner is working well. The television has no English channel. They also have hair dryer.

Since they will provide the pass code for the digital door lock, it looks like you are not secured from them. One time, we were watching tv and somebody unlock our door, so we requested the owner that we change our pass code, where we are the only ones who know it (even the owner does not know it during the rest of our stay. Then we shared it upon our checkout).

The common room has 2 computer units with internet connection. They have a phone which can be used for international calls, but Philippines is not included. They also provide maps and guides for tourists.

Hangers, adaptor and doormat are available upon request. Too bad that there are no slots for hangers, they do not have cabinet as well. They do not provide toiletries and big towels. There is no elevator, so you have to carry your luggage if you are staying on the upper floor.

Late afternoon, we started walking on the upper area of the street to find the Cable Car Station. We bought the one-way ticket worth 6000 won (240php), and the trip lasted for less than 3 minutes. The combo ticket for Teddy Bear Museum and Viewing Deck is 14000 won (560php). We had a late merienda in Twosome Place.

The Teddy Bear Museum (http://www.teddybearmuseum.com/) has 2 exhibit halls - The Past: Historical Seoul. Closed last Nov 2013.

The Present: Today’s Seoul

The bears used in Goong (Princess Hours) are in this Museum (Although, the actual location shoot of Princess Janelle and the Queen was in Teddy Bear Museum Jeju). There are also several special Joon Bears, inspired by Bae Yong Joon’s drama series: Winter Sonata and The Story of the First King's Four Gods.

Due to bad weather, there is a zero visibility in the Observation Deck. We took photos of the Manila prints. The stamps available in the shop is on package to a postcard that is not related to Namsan Tower, so we did not bother to send one.

We took Yellow Bus 02 going back to Myeongdong.