Seoul Searching (How NOT to Get Lost in South Korea)

I admit I only became interested in South Korea after watching too many Kdramas! Are you guilty as well? Well, I've been hooked on it for 2 years I think. So, my curiosity lead me to booking a flight for a family of three and the rest, as they say, is history! I am writing this entry right now because a lot of my friends are asking me about my Seoul trip and tips. I might as well share this through this blog and hopefully help many others as well.

I have 4 things I planned to do or go to on this trip:
 

	Kdrama sites: Coffee Prince Namsan Calbe Car Teddy Bear Museum Seoul Tower Gwanghamun Square Gyeongbok Palace Cheonggye Plaza/Stream		Korean Culture/Experience: Seomyeon Market KTX/Korail-Busan KTX/Korail-Seoul Myeongdong Night Shopping Namsan Cable Car Seoul Tower Namdaemun Market Dongdaemun Market Everland Resort Gwanghamun Square Gyeongbok Palace Cheonggye Plaza/Stream
	Coffee Shop hunting: Starbucks-Busan Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Angel-in-US Coffee Cafe Bene Coffee Prince Hello Kitty Cafe		Explore Korean food: Korean Porridge Iced Beans Samgyeopsal Seoul Burger Street Food Kimchi Fried Rice

The gadgets I used on this trip are: my smartphone Samsung S3 White, power bank with 5600 mah and the pocket WiFi I rented out from Olleh.

The apps I installed specifically for this trip are:
 

Google Maps	This app is very useful in finding the places you need to go. The directions it provide is very detailed, from walking to crossing streets to boarding what bus number and train stops. It also provides on-the-dot reference on time of arrival of buses and trains you will ride. This has been the most used app I installed in my trip. I also used Goole Earth (on my laptop) to have the street view of the addresses and GPS coordinates I got from the internet and from my research. I used this heavily with Google maps to re-check if the address is correct and if the place I want to go to have the same picture of those I searched online. It's a good thing I used this because some addresses are incorrect or with wrong GPS coordinates. Fyi, I never got lost with this on my smartphone. Promise!
Google Drive	To save a soft copy of your itinerary scanned copies of your passports, visas, bank certificates, tickets and documents that I might need for this trip or at the immigration. I always make sure I have multiple photocopies of my whole family's passports, tickets and itinerary on my bag and luggage. Worst thing happens; I can access my Google Drive from my smartphone.
Trip Advisor Seoul City Guide	Just in case we have a lot of time in our hands and my itinerary isn't holding up to expectations, I downloaded this app to get a guide on this trip.
Bank Online App	Some establishments (actually hotels) don't accept cash payment. They can only accommodate credit card as your settlement option. I downloaded this app so I can check on the balance at the end of each day (if I did too much shopping!).
Viber	I have this app on my phone beforehand, but I used this frequently while I was in South Korea to stay in touch with people back here in the Philippines. And I get to call and text for free (using a pocket wifi)

I included all GPS coordinates and addresses to help you on your trip. I'm sorry for those looking for quick guide on how to get to place from the itinerary because I did not provide that. I find it easier for me to follow the Google maps and follow its instructions. It is really easy to understand once you have the right GPS coordinates and addresses. I encourage you to put a star (or save) those places you want to go before you catch that plane. That way, you just have to log on to your Google maps and there you can access your saved places and addresses.

This is the itinerary I made to fit my schedule with a 6-day trip in South Korea. The day 2 to day 6 itineraries can be interchangeable according to your preference. So feel free and enjoy South Korea!

Day 1

2:00pm	Leave for NAIA (Manila) terminal 3
4:40pm	Flight from Manila to Busan (MNL to GMH)
08:40pm	Arrival at Gimhae Airport GPS Coordinates: 35.174861,128.946434     - Please take note of +1 hour from Manila time difference Claim Pocket WiFi at Olleh Location: Gate 3, 1st Floor, Departure Area Map: Image courtesy of http://roaming.kt.com/renewal/eng/center/center.asp     - I advise you get a pocket WiFi if you are travelling to South Korea without the tour package or tour guide because this will come in handy (trust me..). And I advise, too, to reserve on-line because you might not get any pocket wifi on the spot if there are too many tourists walking in. - Website where I pre-booked/reserved my pocket wifi: http://roaming.kt.com/renewal/eng/reserve/reserve.asp - I paid KRW 8,000/day (around Php300/day) for unlimited use of the internet service which is very affordable. It goes with the charger, cable and red compartment to put in the three things together. Do not lose any because you will be charged accordingly. - For me, this is a very reliable pocket WiFi provider in South Korea. I used this from Busan to Seoul and I was happy about the fast connection and can use it with ease. - Make sure you bring your own smart phone on roaming with blocked GPRS/internet services (so you will not be charged) - Check with your service provider what network to use in South Korea so you can receive sms without charges. For Globe users, use the SK Telecom. For others, please contact your service providers. - (for Globe users, please take note that you cannot ask for blocking services once you are in South Korea. Be sure to do that before you leave the Philippines.)
	Take Taxi from Gimhae International Airport to Ibis Ambassador Hotel Busan GPS Coordinates: 35.161809,129.061876 Or use this: GPS: N 35° 9' 43.65'' E 129° 3' 42.65'' Address: 573-7 Bujeon-dong Busanjin-gu 614848 - BUSAN Travel Time: Around 30 to 40 minutes
10:00pm	Check in at Ibis Ambassador Hotel Busan With Reservation No. _______________________
10:30pm	Quick dinner at Mini-mart

Day 2

07:00am	Breakfast at Starbucks (same building as Ibis Ambassador Hotel) Buy Starbucks Seoul Tumbler (for souvenir)
08:00am	To Seomyeon Market GPS Coordinates: 35.156724,129.057331 - Follow GPS on how to get there
11:00am	To Lunch at Seomyeon Market (Korean porridge)     This is a must try Korean food. If you are at Seomyeong Market, there is an aisle of restaurants serving this kind of porridge. You will see big pots cooking at the window of their restaurants.
12:00nn	Check out from Ibis Ambassador Hotel Busan
12:30pm	Korail KTX Train from Busan to Seoul,Gyeongbu line (Regular Pass) GPS Coordinates: 35.114845,129.041515 Address: Address: Choryang-dong Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea     - Take the taxi from Ibis Ambassador Hotel Busan, it's really cheap and easy! With your luggages in tow, this is convenient. - A high speed train that runs around 305 km/h or 190 mph! Whoa! - Please check your date of travel to South Korea. Your travel dates may run into one of their holidays and long weekends which makes getting tickets at KTX hard to get. If you are travelling on those dates, you might want to pre-book your KTX tickets online. This is the website: http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/eng_index.jsp - If you are not planning to go back to Busan, just get the Regular pass and don't get the KR Pass, it's a bit cheaper. I did this because my flight back to Manila is from Incheon international Airport. - Travel time varies from 90 minutes to 120 minutes. Book or get the ticket with the quickest travel time. That train skips some stations but will definitely stop at the last station which is Seoul.
03:00pm	Arrival at KTX Seoul Station GPS Coordinates: 37.554531,126.970663       Grabbed burgers at Lotteria Burgers (Inside the station) and tried their burger to try their own fast food burger joint and iced beans from what I see in Kdramas.
04:00pm	Metro Hotel, Myungdong GPS Coordinates: 37.565084,126.983692 Address: 199-33, Eulji-ro 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-845, South Korea Phone +82-2-752-1112 | Fax +82-2-757-4411 Reference Confirmation No: _____________________     - Take taxi. As I said this is cheap fare. It cost us around KRW 6,000 from Seoul Station to Metro Hotel Myeongdong. - Metro Hotel is rated #5 of 380 hotels in Seoul. It is in the heart of Myeongdong. Really, once you go out the door of this hotel, you can shop and dine. There is a nearby 7-11 convenience store, a money changer, restaurants offering local Korean cuisine to fast food chickens, burgers. The English speaking staffs is very friendly and accommodating. Lebecca and Emily made our stay very comfortable. Their willing to help goes beyond customer service. Superb job, Metro Hotel! Check out their website if you want to see more about this hotel: http://www.metrohotel.co.kr/
06:00pm	Stroll at Myeongdong Area, Night shopping     - This place comes alive at night. There are so many people shopping and looking for a dining place. - Dining is not a problem in this area. There are way too many restaurants so eat 'til your belly hurts! (We couldn't eat dinner at dinner time because we are still very full after eating burgers from Lotteria Burgers)
10:00pm	Go back to hotel

Day 3
 

07:00am	Buffet breakfast at Metro Hotel (complimentary breakfast)
09:00am	Hello Kitty Café GPS Coordinates: 37.553341,126.922253 358-112 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea     - This coffee shop is like a Hello Kitty shop or Museum. There are a lot of Hello Kitty stuff like seats, windows, sofa, on your coffee, on your cake and everything is in pink! Girls just love Hello Kitty! Or use this instructions instead from http://www.eatyourkimchi.com/hello-kitty-cafe/#.UgtktVL5fMw : 1) Get off Hongdae station (My notes: or Hongik University Station, Line 2 Green), Exit 9 and walk straight. 2) Turn left and walk up the street. 3) Turn at your second right. 4) Keep looking to the left. You'll see it on its own side street eventually.
10:00am	Coffee Prince Café GPS Coordinates: 37.554507,126.929233 337-2 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea     - This is the real Coffee Prince site where they took shots of the majority of the scenes in the Kdrama. You will see the flower wall painting there, the memorabilia and signatures of major actors of the drama and the coffee counter where the princes worked. So enjoy and take a lot of pictures! - This is near Hello Kitty Café and you can walk from that destination to this coffee shop. - Coffee prices are higher as expected because they know you are there as a tourist and a fan of the drama.
12:00nn	Samgyeopsal lunch at Hongdae Station Area
04:00pm	Namsan Cable Car Ride (to Seoul N Tower, Teddy Bear Museum and Locks of Love) GPS Coordinates: 37.556592,126.983969 Address: 126, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Operating hours: 10:00 - 22:00 (Last admission: 21:00) Running hours: 10:00~23:00 Fees: Ages 14 and over (Round-trip KRW7,500 / One-way KRW6,000), Ages 7 to 13 (Round-trip ticket KRW5,000 / One-way KRW3,500)    Teddy Bear Museum - Adults (19+): 8,000 won - Teenagers (14-18): 6,000 won - Children (13 or younger): 5,000 won       Observatory Package (Teddy Bear Museum + N Seoul Tower Observatory) Adults (19+): KRW12,000 - Teenagers (14~18): KRW8,000 - Children (13 or younger): KRW6,000
7:00pm	Dinner at Best Burger in Seoul Seoul N Tower
08:00pm	Cable Car ride back
08:30pm	Coffee at Angel-in-Us Coffee Shop in Myeongdong Area
10:00pm	Back to hotel

Day 4

08:00am	Buffet breakfast at Metro Hotel (complimentary breakfast)
09:30am	Shopping at Namdaemun Market GPS Coordinates: 37.559105,126.977642 Address: 21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul    Or Dongdaemun Market GPS Coordinates: 37.570979,127.009688 Address: 266, Jongno-6 ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si     - Namdaemun Market is the easiest marketplace to go to from Myeongdong. Mostly, this market is open 24 hours, but most of the stores are closed on Mondays. So please check your schedule before going there.
12:00nn	Lunch at Namdaemun Market
01:00pm	Continue Shopping
05:00pm	Stroll along Myeongdong Area
06:30pm	Street Food Dinner at Myeongdong Area
08:00pm	Coffee at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (In Myeongdong Area)
09:00pm	Go back to hotel

Day 5

07:00am	Buffet breakfast at Metro Hotel (complimentary breakfast)
08:30am	Go to Everland Resort GPS Coordinates: 37.292574,127.203432 Or use this GPS: 37°17?44?N 127°12?14?E37.295632°N 127.203999°E Address: 310 Jeondae-ri, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea 449-715     - This is the Korean Disneyland. You cannot pass up this tour especially if you are travelling with kids. They have the Pororo show (from the cartoon) and other shows for kids and adults. Rides are also all over the park. The zoo is also awesome! Don't miss the safari ride. You will board a coaster/mini bus and go into gates (kinda like those gates from Jurassic Park movie) and see animals free to roam around. They have lions, bears, tigers, hyenas and much more.
07:00pm	Take the Bus back to Myeongdong, Follow Google maps
08:00pm	Late dinner at Myeongdong Area
09:00pm	Go back to hotel

Day 6

07:00am	Buffet breakfast at Metro Hotel (complimentary breakfast)
8:00am	This itinerary I followed from: http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0003001004002&p=04&art_id=34870&lang=en       Gwanghamun Square GPS Coordinates: 37.571145,126.977008 Address: 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul     - You will see here the Admiral Shin Statue and Emperor Sejong Statue. These statues have been featured at Kdramas like City Hunter and The Love Story of Kang Chi. - At this area, go down the basement and you will see a Museum for Admiral Shin and Emperor Sejong. - We tried writing our names in Hangul characters on a parchment in the Museum. Someone is assisting all tourists there. Nice! Even my daughter tried this!        Gyeongbok Palace GPS Coordinates: 37.576034,126.976914 Behind the King Sejong statue you'll notice Gyeongbok Palace and Gwanghwamun (the main gate to Gyeongbuk Palace).     - Try to catch the changing of guards ceremony every 11:00 am. And if you ever get to Seoul on Special Holidays like Chuseok Day (Thanksgiving Day), there are special ceremonies held in each palace. - Operating hours: 09:00 to 18:00 - Entrance fees: Age 19~: 3,000 won / 2.400 won ( group, 10 or more ) Age 7-18: 1,500 won / 1,200 won ( group, 10 or more ) * Free: Children(ages 6 and under),Permanent Residency(F-5) Status Holder(Age 65 and Older) * A visit is also available with extra-ticket purchase. Combination ticket(adults 10,000won, Youth 5,000won) includes admission to others palaces(Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung(the Secret Garden included), Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Jongmyo Shrine) Information gathered from : http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/guide/guide01_tab01.jsp?dep1=1
12:00nn	Lunch at Kentucky Fried Chicken (to taste their Korean version, no gravy!!!)
01:30pm	Coffee at Café Bene (In Cheonggye Plaza area)
4:00pm	Cheonggye Plaza/Stream GPS Coordinates: 37.569224,126.978476     - This is a natural stream of water, used by early people of Korea to wash their clothes. The stream right now looks like man-made because it was renovated. But it is still beautiful! - You might have seen this from the Kdrama Cinderella Man. - I advise you go there on a late afternoon, it's not too hot and it's a nice place to hang around for a while. - Sit down at the stream side and relax. Dip your feet in the water just like the locals. Really relaxing! But the water can be cold.
6:30pm	Dinner at Yoogane Restaurant at Myeongdong Area     - Try their chicken galbi rice. Be warned! With all the red color in your rice, you know it is SPICY!!! - There is also a Yoogane Restaurant here in the Philippines (in Quezon City). You might want to test that before going to Seoul. But I love it!
08:00pm	Go back to hotel to pack everything and try to fit in the stuff we bought to the luggages.

Day 7

03:45am	Wake Up Call/Alarm!
04:20am	Check out from Metro Hotel
04:40am	Wait at the bus stop for the Limousine Airport Express (Bus)     - There is a bus stop going to Incheon International airport near Metro Hotel. (In front of Ibis Ambassador Hotel Seoul) - The first bus trip leaves at 4:40 am and every 20-30 minutes thereafter.
06:30am	Return the Pocket wifi at Olleh Location: Ground Floor of Incheon International Airport     - If you are not planning to go back to South Korea soon, you might have some money left on your T Money (card), the one you use to pay your bus and train fare,. If you do, you can change it to cash at the 2nd floor of Incheon Airport at 7-11 convenience store.
08:40am	Incheon to Manila

If you find this useful, you may share this to your friends and relatives through your networking sites. If you find wrong information here, please comment below so I can review and edit it. If you love this, please leave a message too! Good luck to your Seoul trip and enjoy!

**
   Image courtesy of http://new2.orad.ca/?attachment_id=1018
   Image courtesy of http://www.hotelcarpi.it/en/le-camere/
   Image courtesy of http://www.colourbox.com/vector/korean-traditional-a-long-epic-song-pansori-character-design-vector-5052718
   Image courtesy of http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/11463/1/1/how-to-draw-noodles.htm
   Image courtesy of http://vector-magz.com/cartoons/lightbulb-cartoon-item-2/  

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