South Korea (Part 1): NAIA, Philippines - Incheon Airport - Ann Guesthouse - DMZ - Myeongdong

I'm taking my travel to a higher level as I would not be needing a passport only for my next travel but a visa. KOREAN VISA.

Yes, I would be exploring the Land of the Morning Calm this coming October 9-14, 2012 (We got a promo fare Manila-Incheon and vice versa for less than 5K). Correct, I would be in a country (for the first time) that experiences 4 seasons and so lucky me as FALL is the best time to visit Korea, they say. PLUS 2011-2012 is VISIT KOREA YEAR!!!

I'm sssooooo excited to tell you my whole Korean experience though I only have a few pictures. You'd know later! :(

How to get a VISA

Okay, so let's start with the visa. We applied for a visa in Royal Prince Travel International. It's a travel agency located in Juana Osmeña St Capitol Site Pob., Cebu City, Philippines (the same block as Bo's coffee). Supposedly, the Korean Visa is free if you stay for less than 90 days but considering that there's no Korean embassy in Cebu, all applications have to be submitted in Taguig. And it would be far more convenient if a travel agency does this for you (if you are really busy and so far away) than going there yourself. In our case, we paid P1,500 each. All you need to do is complete the list of requirements. For more information on the visa, you may visit this page.

So, we completed the requirements, submitted them (praying for a problem-free application) and after around 2 weeks, I got my passport back with the visa on it!!!

THE TRIP

Before anything else, here's our ticket:

It is to be noted that the Manila to Incheon is around 4 hours. Also, Manila is behind by 1 hour from Incheon.

While waiting at the airport, we googled the ground temperature in Korea, it was a whooping 17 degrees to 20 degrees Celcius. It was really fall season and I'm super excited!

VISIT KOREA YEAR!

Upon arrival, we immediately posed for some pictures. We're glad that 2012 is part of VISIT KOREA. It's a program focused on South Korea's tourism industry.

We immediately went to the carousel to get our baggage. I loved their airport. It was very clean and organized. No doubt, it's the World's No. 1 Airport according to the survey by Airports Council International.

We changed our dollars to Korean won, Korea's currency, in one of the money changers in the airport. Then, following the signs, we proceeded to the bus terminal.

Gosh, it was so cold when we went out. We bought our tickets from a booth located at the terminal. As a traveller, you should know what bus no. you would be boarding. It is best to research before anyone goes to a not-so-familiar place. In our case, through the website of our guesthouse. It was bus no. 6002. When you have a baggage, it will be placed in a storage area and you would be given a tag.

Most airports in any country are located in a place farther from the city. The same goes with Incheon. It was a 45-minute bus journey before we finally arrived. The best thing about this is we got to see Seoul slowly unfolding before our very eyes. We alighted at a bus stop opposite Dunkin Donuts which is near the Hongik University train station exit. And my God, I lost my tag. I didn't know how since I was just sitting there. Thank God, the driver gave me my bag though he had said something and thankfully I never understood it. Haha

So, we would stay in Ann Guesthouse. It's the No. 1 guesthouse in South Korea according to trip advisor.

I had my review here.

We knocked on room 514 where we were greeted by a very smiling man and her wife, Ann, came after with a wide smile as well. They were very hospitable. Since we could not check in early, they let us change at the bathroom.

Our original plan is to visit DMZ (De-Militarized Zone) but when we emailed an agency, they said their tours are full on this schedule already. But, we didn't lose hope, we asked Ann if she knew any tour group that goes to DMZ. She immediately called someone. Then, we just had one! Yeah, there was a scheduled tour to DMZ at 8 AM that fetches tourists from various guesthouses. Luckily, they parked just below the building where we stayed. It was already past 7 AM. So, we changed our clothes and went down. Before boarding the coaster, we bought some light breakfast at Dunkin Donuts.

So, in the coaster, we were with some foreigners. It was not really full. Our first stop was Imjingak. We have to wait for a bus that would bring us to DMZ.

    

When our bus came, we boarded for DMZ. Before heading to this place, make sure you have your passport with you. There are times when the armies would ask for it. In our case, they only walked in the aisle and got off.

So, our very first stop was the Dorosan Station.

The story of this station was very inspiring. It is said to be the only symbol of hope that the 2 divided countries may reconnect. It's actually a railway that when you face to the other side - some 205 KMs, it would actually be Pyongyang of North Korea already. But still, until now, it remains a HOPE.

the facade

the thought of it

very inspiring

just imagine - it's already pyongyang out there

see Mr. Bush there?

they're required to serve

list of people who donated for the construction of this station

Then, we went to the Dora Observatory.

It's actually a place where you can get a closer look of North Korea. There were telescopes but picture taking is prohibited on these areas (there are marked areas where one may stand for picture taking). You can actually see a pole in the North side. And South Korea has one as well and they actually compete as to which is taller. They say it's the North that's bearing the title and 2nd tallest in the world.

see the telescopes behind us?

Then, our last stop in DMZ was the 3rd tunnel. It was one of the tunnels discovered by the South Koreans. They say that both countries have been digging the tunnel until they met halfway. As the North Koreans knew this, they painted the tunnel with black and told the South that they have been coal mining. Though I'm not really sure what's true, you actually get to see the black paint when you descend. It's a bit narrow in the farther end (2 lines only). So what to expect at the end? It's just a hole actually. That when you peep through it, you get to see a brick. And they say you're looking at the North already (closest ever).

best DMZ pic!

just outside the 3rd tunnel

this was what happened - accrdg. to them

After the DMZ tour, we stopped by a souvenir shop. I got to buy a cracker (with my name on it) and chocolates that are made in North Korea.

We then headed to Insadong, South Korea's cultural street. Yes, indeed it was. I would let this picture speak   for it.

Cultural Street

We were planning to have lunch and had a hard time deciding as there were so many authentic Korean Restaurants there. As in!

authentic restuarants!!!

can you see the vines?!

while deciding where to eat

But we have to choose as we were so hungry. We entered this restaurant. I just forgot the name. So sorry.

tree of notes!

the doorway!

the food!

We had fun walking past through various shops selling paintings, food and whole lot more Korean-made items. Here, we passed by Starbucks, one of its very few shops that do not bear its English characters.

very rare

Insadong is indeed worth a mention in anyone’s Seoul itinerary.

After Insadong, we went to the nearest subway station and found ourselves back at Anne's Guesthouse. We freshened up as we have a mission tonight. To see the Coffee Prince!!!

the effort just to find that coffee shop

After spending some time in the room and making the most of google maps, we finally went out. Our first stop is the Coffee Prince. It’s either we do not know how to use google maps or the people we asked to don’t just know the place that we spent almost an hour walking back and forth to find it. OR maybe the Koreans do not have an idea it’s called Coffee Prince back in the Philippines.

Okay, so my friend used her phone and googled it again. We went back and turned to this street, then turned right again, then went straight. Finally, were able to find it. That’s why no people know it; it was not called Coffee Prince after all. You would only see a familiar sign at the door. (Why wouldn’t it be? It’s on our TV screens for months!)

awww! that image!

Okay, so we entered. As we did not have dinner yet, we never really planned to order and would've wanted to just take some shots. But then, the store staff won’t just let us if we do not order! So, my colleague asked if a tea would be OK.  But oh my, IT WAS NOT! You need to order COFFEE!!!

So, we went out (there was not even one customer there) and took some pics at the façade only.

oh, how fulfilling to finally see you

After that incident, we walked ourselves back and had some Korean BBQ. That Area in Korea was actually called Hongdae. It’s a party district. So, you see bars, restaurants and a lot of people (mostly teenagers) hanging around as this is also near Hongik University.

one of the cafes in Hongdae

our dinner

hungry

On our way back, we happened to pass by a coffee shop named Coffee Prince! It's just meters from the guesthouse. It had the name but it was not the shooting location.

another Coffee Prince

We planned to meet our other colleagues who just arrived that evening. As they would be staying in Myeongdong (shopping haven), we found ourselves going there!

hello Myeongdong!

Myeongdong was a very lively place. Shops are everywhere! And not just any shops but famous brands and not to mention,  BEAUTY shops!!!

so lively!

They stayed at Diamond Hotel. It’s actually within the vicinity of the shopping area. I finally met them (I only knew 2 out of 5)!

As they had no dinner yet, they went to a Korean restaurant. We stopped by a coffee shop adjacent to the restaurant and bought a cup. Coffee is just everywhere in Korea. The best thing is their interiors. They’re so cute and unique!

the korea team!

the food!

After some time, we bid goodbye. Tomorrow’s gonna be a very exciting day!

South Korea (Part 1) - NAIA, Philippines - Incheon Airport - Ann Guesthouse - DMZ - Myeongdong

South Korea (Part 2) - Petite France - Nami Island - Dongdaenum

South Korea (Part 3) - Gyeongbukgong Palace - Lotte World - Namdaenum - Dongdaenum - Stream

South Korea (Part 4) - Bukchon Hanok Village - Palace - Garusogil, Gangnam - N Seoul Tower - Incheon Airport