Video of ziplining from Gapyeong to Nami Island

You've read the blog.  Now watch the videos! : )
We had a great time.  If you find yourself visiting Namiseom, do consider taking the zipline, instead of the boring ferry, to the island.
Don't worry, it's not fast like a roller-coaster.  The ride down is actually just average speed.
If you're nervous because of the height of the tower, don't be.  It's built rock solid.  It won't sway.
Now, sit back, relax and enjoy these 2 video clips taken in March 2011.

Traditional Korean Hanbok Costumes

The whole time we were in Korea, Ria wanted to have a picture taken with a Korean woman in a Hanbok dress.  Unfortunately, we didn't see anyone in a Hanbok dress in Changdeok Palace or anywhere else in Seoul.

We thought all was lost, until we got to Incheon International Airport.  While looking for a place to have dinner, we discovered the Traditional Korean Cultural Experience Zone near one of the gates (West Wing, Gate 31).  Lo and behold, there were ladies in Hanbok costumes like this one!

Ria was ecstatic!!!  At last her Korean tour is complete!  
The Traditional Korean Cultural Experience Zone has a stage at one end, and all kinds of Hanbok clothes we could try on for FREE!  And so, the Korean tourism lady helped us in our Hanbok costumes and we clicked away!

Hanbok is the traditional korean dress associated with the Joseon Dynasty.  It is formal attire worn by Koreans during special and formal occassions like a child's first birthday, weddings and funerals. 
Here we are, Annette, Ria and I, pretending to be Korean Royalty.

Thanks, Incheon Airport!  You completed our Korean Experience!

Korea on a Budget (our expenses)

We stayed in Korea for 4 whole days.  These are our expenses (more or less, P50,000.00 for 2 people, shopping not included).  
The exchange rate we used was W 1.00 (Korean Won) = P 0.04 (Phil. Peso).

Item	Particulars	Individual Expense	Expense for Two
Plane fare	Cebu Pacific Round-Trip Ticket	6,500.00	13,000.00
	Terminal Fee	750.00	1,500.00
	Travel Tax	1,620.00	3,240.00
SUB-TOTAL		8,870.00	17,740.00
Transportation	Round-Trip Airport Bus	1,120.00	2,240.00
	Seoul City Pass	120.00	240.00
SUB-TOTAL		1,240.00	2,480.00
Hotel	Toyoko Inn 4D/3N (P3,080.00/day)	9,240.00	9,240.00
Meals	P280x2/day	2,240.00	4,480.00
Attractions	Changdeok Palace	360.00	720.00
	Nami ZipRider	1,960.00	3,920.00
	Nanta Theater	1,600.00	3,200.00
	DMZ Tour	1,850.00	3,700.00
	N Seoul Tower	620.00	1,240.00
	Lotte World	1,360.00	2,720.00
SUB-TOTAL		7,750.00	15,500.00
GRAND TOTAL		29,340.00	49,440.00

Hope this helps you plan your own Korea trip.  Good luck!

What and Where We Ate

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?  So when we went to Korea, we ate what Koreans ate.  First up was Korean Street Food.  We had no idea what their names were, we just chose what looked delicious.

I chose this waffle in the shape of a fish with red bean filling for W500 (P20).  Oks lang siya.  It tasted like waffle with red bean filling.

EJ got the breaded kwek-kwek.  Ria and Annette bought mini-pancake in a cup.

Aside from waffles, Koreans are into sausages as well.

Tired after walking all day, we needed something heavier in the stomach.  Enter this dumpling place in an alley of Insadong.

W3,000 (P120) for 3 fried dumplings.

This is what they look like before being steamed and fried.

They actually taste good.  The 3 fried dumplings each had a different filling.  One had miswa noodles.  Another had ground meat.  And a third was spicy.

How can we visit Korea and not have traditional Korean dishes with kimchi?  I had no idea what I ordered, but it sure was spicy!  The meal cost a reasonable W7,000 (P280).

Onward to more western food.  Here's a Starbucks in Korean words.  Coffee here is more expensive than in the Philippines.  One tall cafe latte costs W4,500 (P180)!

Our first meal in Korea, believe it or not, was in Mcdonalds at the airport.  A breakfast meal (Mcmuffin and coffee) cost W3,900 (P160).

We noticed that Koreans take waste segregation very seriously.  For example, you have to dismantle your cup before disposing it.  The straw and plastic cover in the plastic bin; the paper cup in the paper bin; and the excess ice in the liquid bin.

Koreans love their waffles.  While in neighboring Japan naman, the people over there love crepe.  Di ba waffle and crepe belong to the same family?

Waffle from Lotteria.  Smoothie from Smoothie King.

Had hotdog and soda in Lotte World.  W6,300 (P250).  Expensive, but the rule applies for all amusement parks.  Mahal din naman pagkain sa Disneyland.

Aside from Mcdonalds, we ate at their version of Jollibee--Lotteria.  It's like any other burger fast food chain with burgers, fries and soda, but they also have unique Korean food products like Bulgogi burger.  And their drink is called Lotte Ria, so Ria had me take a photo.

EJ and I had a glass of beer each to toast to a successful Korea trip. 
Gan Bae!!!

Lotte World

We went to Lotte World on our last day in Korea.  Built in 1989, it is allegedly the largest indoor theme park in the world.  There are 2 kinds of entrance fees.  The General Admission ticket, which has no riding privileges, cost W26,000.00 (P 1,040.00).  And the Special Pass, which allows you to ride all the attractions, cost W38,000.00 (P 1,520.00).  We were able to get a discount after I presented a coupon I got at a tourist information kiosk in Insadong. We got the Special Pass for W32,000.00 (P 1,280.00)!

The park is divided into 2 major parts: Lotte World Adventure (indoor) and Magic Island (outdoor).  In the middle of Adventure is a large ice rink where ice skaters train.  The rides in Adventure is geared towards the family and children.

This is the map of Magic Island.  It is outdoor and features rides geared towards older and more adventurous visitors.

In SM MOA, there's a marching band going around the mall playing show tunes to entertain the shoppers.  They have this too in Lotte World, but using an all-female marching band.  It's so cool!

I like a woman who knows how to blow... a trumpet.

This is Magic Island.  You'd have to cross a bridge over Lake Seokchon to get there.

Hmmm, that castle looks awfully familiar...  They don't call Lotte World Korea's Disneyland for nothing.

Lotte World was also a film location for another Korean TV Series, Stairway to Heaven, starring Choi Ji-woo and Kwon Sang-woo.

Ria and I rode the Monorail to get a better view of the amusement park.

Outside.

Inside

When we visited in March 2011, it was Lotte World's Masquerade Festival.

One of the unique rides in Lotte World.

Lotte World can be reached by subway, taking the green line (Line 2) to Jamsil Station.  One way ticket should cost you W1,000.00 (P 40.00).

Budget:

Round-trip subway ride            P 80.00

Lotte World Special Pass     P1,280.00

TOTAL                               P 1,360.00

N Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower)

Another must-see place for Koreanovela fans is Mount Namsan located in the middle of Seoul, near the Myeong-dong arrea.  It was a film location for Korean TV Series Kim Sam Soon.

From Myeong-dong Station Exit 4, walk towards the No. 3 Tunnel.  There, you'll see a funicular.  It takes you to the first level of Mount Namsan.  The ride is free. 

From there, you transfer to the Namsan Cable Car.  This is where the final scene of Kim Sam Soon was shot.  

When we got there at around 5pm, there was a pretty long line, so be prepared to wait.  Round-trip cable car ride to the top costs W7,500.00 (P 300.00).

Ria and I pretending to be Sam-Soon and Jin-Heon.

Mount Namsan, in the middle of bustling Seoul.

Look, there's still snow!!!

That's N Seoul Tower (also known as Namsan Tower).  It was built in 1971 as a broadcasting tower.  The 4-story observation deck houses a restaurant, a cafe and a wine bar.  On its 4th floor, there is a rotating viewdeck offering a 360 degree view of the city.

Entrance to the observation deck is W8,000.00 (P 320.00).

View from the top.  You really don't need to go all the way up to the top.  If you've been on one observation deck of a tower, you've seen it all.  Ria and I have been to the Macau Tower and to Taipei 101.  Everything looks the same: small.  If you're really on a tight budget, save yourself W8,000 and stay on the base of N Seoul Tower.

This Christmas Tree is made up of locks.  Couples lock their locks to the tree and throw away the keys to symbolize that their love for each other is forever.  Koreans can be more cheesy than Filipinos.

At the base of the tower is a Teddy Bear Museum.  Ria and I did not go inside anymore.  We just took pictures of the bronze bear and the furry bear.

Budget:
Round-Trip Cable Car                          P 300.00
N Seoul Tower Observation Deck         P 320.00
TOTAL                                               P 620.00