Where to Stay in Seoul: K Hostel, Jongno-Gu, Seoul South Korea

Upon reading blogs about Seoul, I found one blogger that recommended K Hostel because of its location. On our search at AirBnB for accommodation, I found one near Seoul Station and it cost USD 500 for 5 nights (for 7 persons). I also search for hotels in Myeongdong and Dongdaemun area but it cost around Php 85, 000 to 100,000.

We chose K Hostel and it only cost Php 18,000.00 for 5 nights for the 7 of us with free breakfast and fast wifi. You can also bring take out food and eat at the community room. You can also cook your own food and use the facilities but make sure to clean your mess after.

The room is spacious and also the bed. My husband and I shared the same single bed. The bathroom is also clean and spacious with hot and cold shower.

The location of K Hostel is very convenient because it is right across the bus stop that will take us to most places and even in airport. There are also many Korean restaurant and mini mart nearby. The hostel is also walking distance to Dongdaemun Market. During weekends, there are many locals selling their second hand goods in the area.  

The hosts were friendly and they understand English too. You can get tourist maps and other stuffs at the counter. We got a magazine for free with Lee Min Ho at the cover.

The reception is located at the second floor. They don't have elevators but they have ramp for luggage. The staffs were also helpful in carrying our big luggage. 

The hostel also has a rooftop were you can have a barbeque or just sit and sip your coffee.But it's so damn freaking cold!

K Hostel Dongdaemun
200-25, Sungin-dong, Jongno-ru, Jongno-Gu, 110-825 Seoul, South Korea
www.khostel.net

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6 Days Seoul, South Korea Itinerary: Visa, Travel Info, Budget, Getting Around

 

http://english.seoul.go.kr/life-information/visit-to-seoul/

Because I am Korean drama fanatic, I immediately grabbed the PISO sale of Cebu Pacific to South Korea. Just like our previous out of the county travels, we waited for 9 months. It also means we have 9 months of preparing the itinerary, accommodation and the most important one is VISA.

VISA
  How to Apply and Get a Tourist Visa in South Korea


BUDGET

Airfare (Piso Sale from Cebu Pacific Air): Php 7,500.00
Travel Tax: Php 1,620.00
Terminal Fee:  Php 550.00
Accommodation:  Php 18,000.00 for the six of us for 5 nights
Nami Island Tour:  23,000 won or Php 920.00
Everland: 32,000 won (with discount voucher) or Php 1,280.00 
T-Money: 20,000 won for 5 days or Php 800.00
Palace Tour: 3000 won per palace or Php 120.00
Pocket Wifi: 5,000 won per day or Php 200.00


Budget for food depends on your preference. We usually eat a lot and tasted most of the street foods sold at Myeongdong. You can buy yourself a decent meal at fastfood joint for 5,500 won and 8,000 at a Korean restaurant. Samgyupsal is quite expensive. If you are a coffee lover, have an extra budget for coffee because there are many coffee shops in Seoul.

WIFI 

Some places have free wifi in Seoul. But if you want constant wifi, you an rent one at the airport or at your accommodation. We rented ours for 5,000 won per day that may be use by 5 gadgets. Internet connection is super fast. 


ARRIVING AT INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT  

Upon clearing the Immigration and claimed our baggage, we finally entered the arrival area. Our cousins who are working in Korea welcomed us. We were so hungry we ate at McDonalds before riding the bus to Seoul.

Though it cost more, we opted to ride the bus than the train for convenience because the bus will lead us directly in front of our hostel. And we have many luggages, it might be difficult for us to take the subway. Bus ride from the airport to Dongmyo Station cost 10,000 won and the express train cost 8,000 won. There are two types of train. The express that will take you non stop at Seoul Station (43 minutes) and the all stop train (56 minutes.)

Good thing we checked the weather before we arrived. It ranges from -3 degree and 9 degree. We bought some jackets and boots for this trip. 

As for currency exchange, you can exchange money at the airport or banks in downtown. 

Local currencies in the Republic of Korea (ROK)

1. Bills : 50,000 KRW, 10,000 KRW, 5,000 KRW, and 1,000 KRW
2. Coins : 500 KRW, 100 KRW, 50 KRW, and 10 KRW 

Getting around Seoul is convenient and cheaper by bus. We didn't use the subway because of steep stairs. We used our cellphones GPS and maps for direction and route options. Don't bother asking locals because on our experience, they were poor in English and in telling direction. If you're having difficulty, better ask a policeman. There are also tourist information booths around the city. You better get a map.

 
 

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5D/4N Hongkong Getaway Itinerary

Last November, I was lucky to grab Cebu Pacific's seat sale from Clark to Hongkong. 

The newly renovated DMIA awed me. Ang ganda. Bago ang tiles. Mas madami ng check-in counters. Ngunit kaunti lamang ang mauupuan. Hindi din nakasindi ang mga aircon dahil 4am pa lang. Malinis din ang mga cr. Ang counter ng Cebu Pacific ay nasa pinaka dulo mula sa may mga upuan kaya medyo malayo ang nilakad namin para mag check-in. Pagdating sa Immigration Counter, mas marami na din. Mas mabilis ang bawat proseso. I would not mind paying the 550 terminal fee provided the services remains as it is.

The procedure remains the same. After checking-in and paying the travel tax and terminal fee, fill-up the embarkation card. Bring your own ballpen as you will still need to fill up something inside the plane. Then proceed to clear the immigration and pre-departure area.

Boarding time is 6:35am and we left DMIA at exactly 7:05am as scheduled. After 2 hours, we finally reached Hongkong International Airport. After clearing the immigration we got our bags and bought the octopus card. Hongkong uses octopus cards as form of payment for transportation and also can be use at different establishments. This card is sold for HK$150 with an initial value of HK$100. The HK$50 is refundable upon returning the card. They only accepts cash at the airport.

We did not take the airport express train because of limited budget. It cost HK$90. We took the bus A21 going to city for HK$33.

Paglabas ng airport, sinalubong kami ng lamig. Malamig na panahon ang nadatnan namin. Good thing we searched the weather before going to HK kaya nakapaghanda kami sa damit.

1 hour ang duration ng biyahe ng bus mula airport hanggang sa Nathan Road where our hotel was located. We checked-in and took our meals and started exploring Hongkong.

Here are my post regarding our Hongkong escapade.

DAY 1:

• Where to Stay in Hongkong: Golden Crown Guesthouse
• Strolling Along the Avenue of Stars
• Ladies' Market and Eat Together in Hongkong 

DAY 2:

• Ngong Ping Cable Car and Ngong Ping Village. Lantau Island Hongkong 
• Enlightened at Tian Tan Buddha
• Po Lin Monastery and Ginger Infused Tofu
   

Day 3:

• Dreams Do Come True at Hongkong Disneyland

Day 4:

• Visiting Victoria Peak (The Peak) in Hongkong via The Peak Tram
• Starstruck at Madame Tussaud's Hongkong Wax Museum
• Where to Eat in Hongkong: Fairwood Restaurant
• A Different Jollibee Experience 

 Day 5:

• Sleeping in Hongkong International Airport
• Departure

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Where to Eat in Singapore: Maxwell Food Center

One of the most popular hawkers center in Singapore is the Maxwell Food Center. 

We went here to eat the famous chicken rice.  To taste the most famous Hainnanese Chicken in Singapore - at Tian Tian. But for some reason, it was closed.

Pero sabi nga ni Drew sa Biyahe ni Drew Singapore episode, "kung saan mahaba ang pila, dun masarap kumain". Kaya heto, dito kami bumili.

Ang laki ng mga manok...

Workers were so busy.

Price:

We ordered half chicken ($11), large vegetable with oyster sauce ($5) and rice for the 5 of us.

The chicken was so yummy, soft and tender. Yung rice, lasang luya. Parang rice sa Paotsin pero mas masarap.

Sugarcane juice and soya were also famous in hawkers center.

When travelling, eat what the locals eat, eat where the locals eat. When in Singapore, eat at Maxwell Food Center.

How to get there:

Maxwell Road Food Centre is in Chinatown. Ride the Singapore MRT and disembark at Chinatown MRT Station (NE4) - take Exit A to Pagoda Street, walk down the lane until you hit South Bridge Road. Cross the street and walk south down South Bridge Road until you reach Maxwell Food Centre.

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Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

If you love plants and flowers, this new attraction in Singapore is for you. 

Gardens by the Bay is located at Central Singapore. If you are coming from Merlion Park, it is located at the back of Marina Bay Sands. The park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden. We entered at the Bay South Garden.

The most iconic attraction here are the Supertrees.

Standing between 25 metres (82 ft) and 50 metres (160 ft), these Supertrees are vertical gardens that perform a multitude of functions, which include planting, shading and working as environmental engines for the gardens. 

See the skyway bridge? You can climb it for $5 (Adult) and ($3 (Child) to take a closer look.

There is also a restaurant atop the 50-metre (160 ft) Supertree. You have to pay $18 to get in. At night, the Supertrees come alive with a light and music show called the OCBC Garden Rhapsody.

Other attractions inside the Gardens are:

    Flower Dome
    Cloud Forest
    Supertree Grove
    Heritage Gardens
    Dragonfly & Kingfisher Lakes
    Bay East Garden
    World of Plants

We didn't have much time exploring the Gardens because we were so tired.

The nearest MRT station going to Gardens by the Bay is Bayfront. Gardens by the Bay station is still under construction.

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