A Few Hours Left to Savor Seoul

This is the part that I hate most about traveling. The time you realize you only have a few hours left before you leave for home, and you still want to do so much. You've learned to love the place and everything in it, and you don't want to go just yet. That bittersweet feeling.

Our flight was at 2000H so we did a last-minute shopping at Myeongdong (the place to be. Haha). Actually we just wanted to spend the remaining money in our pockets. We did not want to bring home our Korean moolahs so might as well spend them. 

At 2pm we were ready to head for the airport. Luckily we can ride the airport limousine bus this time. It stops just a few blocks away from our building. It was the most comfortable bus ride ever, and dropped us off right at the airport entrance.

Limousine Bus. Very comfortable and hassle-free. I didn't want to get out the moment we arrived at the airport. Lol.

Time to say goodbye to Korea!

We were eager to go to the airport for one reason only -- to see the Hello Kitty Cafe. Unfortunately we did not have much time left before boarding so we just took pictures. We were hoping to stay there while waiting for our flight but it seemed futile since the cafe was very far from our boarding gate. Very disappointed (insert sad face).

This was the best part. Just waiting for our flight home. We loved Lotteria so much that we decided to bring some for dinner. Hehe.

The best part about this day was just sitting and relaxing at the boarding gate waiting for our flight, realizing we were so blessed to have experienced what we've experienced, looking at photos, exchanging laughter and funny stories of our South Korea adventure. And lastly, the thought that we're just a few hours away from home somewhat gave me a feeling of excitement. 

Seoul, Korea: A Visit to the Sea Creatures

Day 5. COEX Mall

It was officially our last day of roaming around Seoul so we decided to make it as easy, hassle-free and relaxing as possible. Our only plan for the day was to see the Aquarium at Coex mall. We were supposed to travel 2 hours to see the border between South and North Korea. The DMZ. Unfortunately though we did not research ahead of time and later found out that the DMZ closes every Monday. Too bad.

The COEX mall was so big we did not have the luxury of time nor the energy to walk around. The only reason we were there was for the famous aquarium. Indeed it was stunning. I've never been to Manila's ocean park so I can't really compare. But the former was really huge, too huge that it has a map.

The entrance in itself was creative. Those were real fish, btw.

 

 

Entrance fees. Quite pricey for an aquarium, I must say.

 

Who would've thought these weed-looking creatures were fish? Haha. Amazing. Forgot what kind they were.

They have a quite impressive presentation of fish.

School of fish. I've never seen so many salmons in my entire life. haha.

Deadly piranhas

I'm not really a fan of aquariums. I'd rather swim into the ocean to experience their natural habitat and see them for myself instead of the artificial man-made aquariums. But it turned out fun. I know I wouldn't see a piranha anywhere else except inside a four-walled glass container. Hehe. Still, for me the place was too costly. It was amazing and impressive but I guess I'm not really an aquarium kind of person. LOL.

Since it was our last day in Korea, we decided to feast on authentic Korean food--an eat-all-you-can buffet dinner. Yey!

The buffet dinner cost 11,900 KRW per person (almost 600php). Not that expensive but sooooo worth it! Some Korean buffets in Cebu even cost more but not that good.

Now this is what I say as really worth your money! Indeed authentic Korean food is ZE BEST! I have never eaten soooo much in my entire life! Haha!

We consumed everything. lol.

Dinner was perfect! It was a nearby restaurant, a few blocks from our place. They had a variety of everything! From appetizers and sauces to meat products (beef and pork in different marinades), seafood and drinks. They also serve rice and pasta. The staff were also very polite and accommodating. Gladly the one who served us spoke English. Hehe.

Sunday, Seoul Tower and Shopping!

Day 4. La Cathedral, Myeongdong Shopping Center and Seoul Tower

It was a sunny Sunday morning. First on our list was to hear mass at La Cathedral. It was one of the largest Catholic churches in Seoul located just along Myeongdong.

The cathedral from afar. Started the day right with a prayer.

After church a stroll along Myeongdong streets seemed appropriate before we head off to the much anticipated Seoul Tower. Shops just started to open as it was still 10am. We passed by stalls, cosmetic shops and  then H&M came to view, with a big red SALE sign at the window. A short stroll then turned into 2 hours of shopping. Haha.

Nagpanic sa h&m!

Myeongdong streets were not so busy at this time. When it starts to get dark this place gets jam-packed!

WARNING: This ice cream should be shard by 2 or 3 people. We passed by an ice cream corner and it looked enticing! We didn't realize it was too much for each of us. The ice cream started melting and we had to hastily eat them all at once! It was literally dripping everywhere! That's what you get from being too greedy. Lol!

It was 12nn when we started off to Seoul Tower-- a 236-meter tower sitting on top of Mt. Namsan. We opted for the cable car going there. From the streets of Myeongdong we walked our way to an outdoor elevator leading to the cable car station. It was an inclined elevator, which amazed all of us. From the station we paid the admission fees (7,000 KRW round trip per person). After tickets were distributed we had to wait in line for our turn to ride the cable cars. The cable car was similar to Hongkong's (the one going to Ngong Ping). Everything but the floor was made of glass, except this time it was so big it can accommodate a maximum of 48 people. We got a better view of the mountains below us. You can actually see everything, and that moment when I looked at the ground and saw the distance from it going farther and farther and us going higher to the mountains sent chills to my spine. Haha!
 

Inclined outdoor elevator going to the cable car rides.

We were amazed. Haha!

Even from the elevator you can see the beautiful city view.

The Seoul Tower was just the right place to relax. It had an open ground at the center where there was sort of a little show going on. Korean dance and martial arts were showcased. Surrounding it were benches under shades of trees, where people can sit or lie down, chat, laugh, sleep, read, run around and even eat. The fresh mid afternoon breeze from the mountains can lull you to sleep. Souvenir, food and coffee shops also surround the area. My favorite part of the place was the roof terrace where the "locks of love" can be found. People who go there hang padlocks at the tower fence with their names or little notes on them, as a symbol of eternal love.

After getting off the cable car we still had to use the stairs to get to the second level. We passed by a cafe with a good view of the city which looked like a really nice place to chill.

This greeted us. Not really sure what they were doing, though. Haha.

You can go to the top of the tower with another admission fee. We opted not to since we would get to see the same thing anyway. Hehehe.

Lunch. Gavin seemed not to like his lunch. Haha. This place has an al fresco area but all tables were full. It was the perfect spot because you get to see the entire city while munching on your fries and cheeseburger.

City view. This somewhat reminded me of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

After lunch we decided to sit back and relax at the benches nearby. We spent the entire afternoon at Namsan tower, just talking, taking photos, walking around and simply doing nothing. It was a prefectly relaxing afternoon for everyone.

Gavin and Yanna mimicking the famous Korean pose.

Korean dancers.

Breathtaking view. Such a romantic place.

Love locks for the hopeless romantic.

 

It was almost dark when we decided to head home. My sister highly recommended for us to try that delicious authentic Korean food near our place. This made us all sprung up from our lazy state. Haha.

Too exhausted to go out again, we decided to take the food home instead. Indeed it was yummy! The best I must say!

A Day at Lotte World (Seoul, Korea)

Day 3. Lotte World

Thankfully this time my brother-in-law can accompany us. He knew more about going around Seoul especially the tourist destinations. The easiest and fastest way to Lotte World from our place was the subway. The train station was just a walking distance from where we stayed (approximately 5-10minutes). Taking the subway meant a lot of walking and climbing up and down the stairs.

Having fun on our way to the train station

We arrived at lunch time. We decided to try the famous Lotteria--the so-called "Jollibee" of Korea. After lunch I decided it was my favorite fast food restaurant. No, it was THE BEST. The chicken and cheeseburger were so yummy I wish I could bring them with me in the Philippines!

Yanna taking a selfie while waiting for out food to arrive. Haha!

The first thing that came to mind upon seeing Lotte World was Disneyland. They were so much alike except for the indoor and outdoor theme parks showcased by the former. The good thing was that you get to avoid getting sweaty and smelly by going for the indoor rides first. We went there on a weekend and as expected queues were quite long. Such a shame my cowardice got the better of me, I did not risk taking the scary rides (which I immensely regret up until now).

Entrance to Lotte World. It looked so big from the outside that we actually got confused for awhile where the entrance was. You will pass through a shopping center going to another entrance for the theme park and it took us a little while to find it.

Adventure theme park entrance. I forgot the exact entrance fee that time but if I remembered it right it was around 2,000-3,000php per head for adults. 

Indoor theme park. At the center (not included in the photo) is a hug skating rink with another entrance fee if you want to skate.

 Panoramic view of the indoor theme park

I forgot the name of this ride but from the look of it and the sound of people screaming I knew I could not ride this one! Haha!

My mirror image. Haha. They also have this impressive art museum featuring 3D paintings.

Hand over the tissue, please.

Gavin and Yanna on a magic carpet ride!

That is a lot of cash!

Haha I found this funny with Yanna grabbing the bird!

The outdoor theme park.

Like other theme parks, You must spend an entire day to be able to go about the whole place, see all of their attractions and try all the fun rides. There's nothing more frustrating than waiting in queue for almost an hour and missing out most of the rides because it's closing time (this was what happened to us). Lotte World closes at 10pm, but every 8pm everything will be stopped temporarily to give way to the night parade which will be held at the indoor theme park.

The night parade. Kids line up at the side just to see their favorite cartoon characters.

After taking a glimpse of what a night parade was about, I just sat and watched the lights from afar. I can't relate much on the cartoon characters anyway. If they were winnie the pooh, mickey or the disney princesses you would never see me sitting down. LOL.

Reminded me of Disneyland's fireworks show before closing time.

After the parade we decided to go home (our feet hurt a lot at this time). We also did not want to get caught up with the overwhelming crowd at the subway. It was another exhausting yet fun day!

For more information about Lotte World (fees and rides) you can check their website www.lotteworld.com.