travel tales

Saturday, July 23, 2016

2016 July: South Korea: Flavors of Gyeongju

Silla Ssambap
Food: Korean table d'hote with rice wrapped in vegetables (traditional Silla dining) @ 11,000krw (440php, 2016)
Personal Preference: 8 out of 10
Too many for one serving. They don't offer less serving.

2016 July: South Korea: Never had a hearty experience yet? Visit South Korea!

My two weeks, was a tummy filled trip at all. Thank you to all the foreign travelers whom I met on this trip, especially to the locals who have extended their hand in helping me all the way to make it a memorable one.

4th day: Daegu: I’m in the protestant Church grounds when I accidentally saw a billboard with filming location site of Love Rain. I met students from Seoul who were able to help me order tea from ajumma at C’est la vie cafe. I even got additional candies together with saranghae sign from ajumma before leaving the place.

5th day: Daegu: I did received candies from unnie (a korean wife with his Australian husband, roaming around Bisuel Mountain with their son and mother-in-law). Thanks for interpreting the words from group of ajummas.

Monday, July 18, 2016

2016 July: South Korea: Busan: Motel You-Are In

Motel You-Are In
모텔 유-아 인
143-4, Bujeon 1-dong, Busanjin-gu, Seo-myeon, Busan, South Korea
부산진구 부전동 143-4, 서면, 부산, 대한민국
Click to book Motel You-Are In, Busan in Agoda
Dates Stayed: July 14-16, 2016

Motels should not be frown when you have no choice in a place or when you are in a budget trip. As seen in several dramas, this was also an option for female characters, Choi Ae-ra spent a night in one when he hosted an event in a province in Fight for My Way (2017). Also Jung Hae-Ra stayed in a hotel when she run away from their house in Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me (2018). Just always be mindful in selecting a place, scan each corner and read reviews.

Price: Considerably affordable, given that this was book in few days prior to the scheduled date.

Location: Accessible by Exit 8 (stairs) and Exit 10 (escalator going-up only) and far Exit 13 (elevator) from Seomyeon Line 2.

Check-in: Every time the receptionist is missing, he is probably managing the parked cars outside.

Room: Standard Room – very clean and comfortable. Has separate table and chair for tea and coffee bags. Has water heater. There is a separate computer to use (although no Microsoft Office).

2016 July: South Korea: Suncheon Guesthouse Happy Tour

Suncheon Guesthouse Happy Tour
순천 게스트하우스 행복여행
15, Yeokjeongwangjang 2-gil, Yeonhyang dong, Suncheon-si, South Korea
Phone: +82 2 6022 2443, +1 866 656 8207
Dates Stayed: July 9-14, 2016
Click to book Suncheon Guesthouse Happy Tour in Agoda

Price: A bit pricey for solo room given that it is traditional Korea-style bed with no separate table or desk. On the other option, the price for the dorm type is acceptable.

Location: 10minutes walk from KTX station. Nearby the bus pick-up and stop points (heading to Suncheon Bay or Drama set, City tours)

Check-in: Quick and easy, I did pay for the rooms upon arrival and I was accommodated in no time.

2016 July: South Korea: Daegu: Sono Business Hotel

Sono Business Hotel
소노 비즈니스 호텔
86, Myeongnyun-ro, Daegu Central Area, Daegu, South Korea 700-440
중구 명륜로 86, 대구시내, 대구, 대한민국 700-440
Tel: 82534237778 or Email: sonohouse[@]naver.com
Click to book Sono Business Hotel, Daegu in Agoda
Dates Stayed: July 4-7, 2016

Price: Expensive for private stay, but affordable if you’ll choose the dorm type.

Location: It is strategically located between Line 2 (Banwoldang Exit 2 (with nearby elevator) and Myeongdeok Exit 3) and Line 3 (Monorail) Myeongdeok. Nearby 2 bus stops.

2016 July: South Korea: Gyeongju: Chacharang Guesthouse

Chacharang Guesthouse
차차랑 게스트하우스
119-4, Noseo-dong, Gyeongju City Center, Gyeongju-si, South Korea 780-931
노서동 119-4, 경주 시내, 경주, 대한민국 780-931
For any questions related to the property, please contact directly via Tel: 821084406005 or Email: kjinyg02@naver.com.
Click to book Chacharang Guesthouse, Gyeongju-si in Agoda
Date Stayed: July 2-4, 2016

Price: Affordable for dorm type. (1755php for 2 nights)

Location: Roughly 5-10 minute walk from the bus station. But heading back to Gyeongju KTX you can take buses from the bus stop just across the street.

2016 July: South Korea: Busan: Sukbak Dot Com Guest House

Busan Sukbak Dot Com Guest House

부산 숙박 닷컴 게스트하우스

2,3F,408-3,Chorang-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea

동구,초량동,408-3번지,2층,3층, 중구, 부산, 대한민국

For any questions related to the property, please contact directly via Tel: 827046514112 or Email: busanyado[@]naver.com

Click to book Busan Sukbak Dot Com Guest House in Agoda

Date Stayed: July 1, 2016

Price: Very affordable since this is just an overnight stay for less than 8 hrs, 636php is good enough for a bed and bathroom use.

Location: A long walk from Busan station considering it was raining (10-12 minutes). Looks like nearby the red light street and it gets steeper on a hilly part of the road.

Check-in: All the instructions (door passcode, locker passcode, about the keys) was emailed beforehand. You just need to read and follow them.

Room: Dorm (1 Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory (Female) - Breakfast), you get what you pay for. It’s a bunk bed type, so any movement from the person below or above will wake-up the other person.

Friday, June 17, 2016

South Korea: Itinerary for 3 days in Seoul, Chasing the Winter Snow

Sharing our itinerary last 2014 as our fifth visit in South Korea, fourth inbound in Incheon. More of about chasing the snow (since it’s a bit late visit on Feb/March). Although, we did not plan to visit a ski resort. And experiencing k-drama sites until 2014.

Accommodation: Where to stay in Seoul?

K-pop Residence II in Myeongdong

Food Review

Drama Cafe

Seoul Food

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, Points of Interest, What to do in Seoul?

Thursday

Arrival in Incheon. Rushing at Seoul Station to catch the last transfer for Myeongdong Station

Friday

Breakfast at Droptop (not the actual branch for You Came from the Stars, When a Man Falls in Love)

Yakhyeon Church for Love Letter and Prime Minister (of Yoona)

Culture Station Seoul (Former Seoul Station) for Reply series

Mango Six (same branch for The Heirs)

Everland for snow buster/winter ledge

Saturday

De Chocolate Café (not the actual branch for Winter that Wind Blows of Zo in Sung)

Jade Garden (still for Winter that Wind Blows and Love Rain)

Petite France (for You Came from the Stars, it was a day after the episode that was taken in the site)

Sunday

Secret Garden

Insadong

Stroll until Myeongdong

Other sample itineraries:
For my further sample itinerary, expense, trip reports and PDF guides, please visit links below:

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

South Korea: Itinerary for Jeju & Seoul v2

Route: MNL-INCHEON-JEJU-SEOUL-MNL
Although there are Jeju Air flights, there is still no straight flight from Manila to Jeju (2014-2016).
Sharing the following path mostly dedicated to k-dramas until before Nov 2011.

Monday, June 13, 2016

2016 June: Philippines: Antipolo: Pinto Art Museum

This place was visited by Ces and Daphne weeks ago and decided to might as well visit the place.

Too bad that when we have visited the place, they had a power outage, no lights on the paintings and fans were not working. Refrain from visiting during the mid-day since there were only few shaded area. Bring a cap or a hat if you want to stay cool headed.

"Pinto", as it's name, is a gateway to arts and culture of us Filipinos! Although the building architecture looks like Greece (or what we known as #Urk from Descendants of the Sun), these stores a lot of great works and paintings of local artists.

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Japan: Fukuoka: 5 days Spring Itinerary and Tips

Travel Date: May 15 – 19, 2016 [click here for Fukuoka: Spring Itinerary (2017 May)]

Accommodation: Where to stay in Fukuoka?
Hotel Ascent Fukuoka ホテルアセント福岡
3-3-14 Tenjin Chuo-ku, Chuo, Fukuoka, Japan 810-0001
中央区天神3－3－14, 中央区, 福岡, 日本 810-0001
Phone:+81 92-711-1300
http://www.hotel-ascent.com/fukuoka/
Hotel Review

Important Links:

Food Review
Tenjin Express Bus Terminal: Routes to Kumamoto, Saga, Nagasaki, Yufuin, OIta, Kagochima, Miyazaki, etc.
100-yen circular bus route between Hakata and Tenjin areas
Fukuoka Subway Map

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Fukuoka?

2016 May: Japan: Fukuoka: Nanzoin Temple

Nanzo-in Temple (南蔵院) is a Shingon sect Buddhist temple in Sasaguri, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It notable for its bronze statue of a reclining Buddha. - [Reference]

Thursday, June 2, 2016

2016 May: Japan: Fukuoka: Kyushu National Museum

Kyushu National Museum
4 Chome-7-2 Ishizaka, Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture 818-0118, Japan
Open: 9:30 - 17:00; Closed: Mondays
http://www.kyuhaku.com/

2016 May: Japan: Kyushu: Fukuoka: Dazaifu Shinto Shrine

Dazaifu station is just 2 subway lines away from Hakata, around 40 mins subway travel. Upon exit, you'll find directions on the floor, maps, and street guides.

Enjoy the old Japanese street (this is closed to vehicles) with lots of restaurant to select from. Don't miss to take a photo on the uniquely designed Starbucks cafe. Buy out ceramics and other souvenir on this street.

Monday, May 23, 2016

2016 May: Japan: Fukuoka: Uminonakamichi

If you are looking for an easier route to bed of flowers than Nokonoshima Island, choose Uminonakamichi which is accessible by subway. But if you are not a plant or flower lover, you can skip this since this has less seating and shaded area. To hot to visit in the middle of a summer day.

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

Open: 9:30 to 17:30

Fee: 410 yen

How to get there: transfer to the JR Kashii Line to Uminonakamichi Station

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4810.html