The Power of Heart and SEOUL!

(As published on Hardware Zone Magazine's November 2015 issue)

What makes Seoul an ideal travel destination is that, it is a modern yet a history-rich city where one can experience its preserved traditional culture and at the same time, its cosmopolitan urbanity.

OOTD: Top and pants from Forever 21, Cardigan from Cotton On, Wedge from Landmark

 On September 2015, I went on a 4-day trip to Seoul, which was already my second. My first was in autumn of 2012 where I visited some UNESCO World Heritage sites in and out Seoul. But in my recent trip, I focused on discovering more of the city.

When deciding on where to go in Seoul, just follow your heart, and choose what you love. In my case, I like Korean dramas so I decided to visit some of the shoot locations of my favorite K-dramas. First stop was the Geongbokgung Palace, one of the sets of The Rooftop Prince. Luckily, I also got to witness the “changing of the guards” ceremony. Next stop was the Mangosix Café (Apgujeong Branch) in Gangnam, the set of A Gentleman’s Dignity. However, it has been renovated and is now known as Koffisix Coffee. I got pretty disappointed and wished I visited the Daechi-dong branch, one of the shoot locations of The Heirs instead. Lastly, I tagged along some Seoul-based Filipino friends to visit the shoot location of The 1^st Shop of Coffee Prince in Hongdae.

Changing of the guards ceremony at the Geongbokgung Palace

The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince in Hongdae

That's Yoon Eun Hye's signature inside the coffee shop

 For couples, a popular destination is the N. Seoul Tower in Namsan Mountain, which can be reached through a bus or a cable car from Myeongdong. This is where couples express their love by putting love locks in the railings of the viewing deck, just like those in the Pont des Arts Bridge in Paris.

N Seoul Tower 

lovelocks

My three favorite neighborhoods in Seoul are Hongdae, Myeongdong, and Gangnam. Hongdae is known as the university area (where Hongik University is). It is where the youth comes for shopping, dining, and clubbing. Foreign and local fashion brands, street foods and mid-end restaurants, plus bars/clubs are found here. Myeongdong is a shopping haven. It is where numerous beauty and fashion brands are; and trust me, they’re priced 3x less there than abroad. Gangnam is where high-end brands and the elites are; and is perfect for celebrity spotting.

street art in Hongdae

Korean BBQ (I love Hongdae street food)

my favorite shopping district: Myeongdong

comfy OOTD: Nike sneakers, denim top from Japan, denim shorts from Forever21 and Coach sling bag

Don’t worry about the expenses because it’s not as expensive as you think. Well that’s for you to experience; so book your flight, pack your bags, and prepare to have fun!

Hey SEOUL Sisters! (Day 6...The Last!)

It's our Day 6 (Nov. 20), and officially our last day in South Korea. It's really hard to leave this place because I've fallen in love with every little thing about this place. But yeah, I had to face the reality that I couldn't stay there for long, so we just made the most of our last day in Seoul.

I will miss this place (Pastel's Apartment at 9th flr, Prugio Apartment, Hongdae)

I'll miss our room (There are photos of those who have already stayed here)

our photo upon arrival (stressed much haha)

For our last day, Thina and I just walked around the are (Hongdae) for some last-minute shopping. In a park near Hongik University, a concert was about to happen. But despite having a lot of girls waiting for the concert to start, the place was kinda quiet, which we found weird. Anyway, we also went to the 1st shop of Coffee Prince, the original filming location of one of my favorite Korean dramas, The Coffee Prince. Unfortunately, the place was under renovation. Tsk, that wasn't my lucky day. We also dropped by the Hello Kitty Cafe to buy tumblers. Then we headed back to the apartment, had some snacks, and headed to Incheon Airport. We took the subway 'coz that's cheaper and faster. The subway fare was around 3,850 won from Hongik University station to Incheon International Airport.

Hello Kitty tumblers

K-pop concert?

1st Shop of Coffee Prince

Yeah, it's Coffee Prince's actual shooting place!

I wanted to cry tears of joy! haha

so sad :(

for me, it's so "magical" haha, I have to enter this place next time!

Hongik University :)

I just love Hongdae!

goodbye Hongdae...goodbye Seoul :(

ready to go

Before checking in, we filed for tax redemption at the Customs desk. So everytime you shop, remember to tell the cashier that you'll go tax-free so they'll give you a receipt for tax redemption. The customs officer just stamped our receipts then we headed to the check-in counter to check-in our luggage. Cebu Pacific is very strict when it comes to check-in time so better be there early. Also, make sure that you do not exceed your baggage allowance if you don't wanna repack all of your stuff in front of a lot of people at the check-in counters. It's advisable that you bring an extra bag (folded in your luggage) so in case you shop in excess, you can still have extra space either for check in or carry-on.  In my case, I brought my Giordano pouch that turns into a backpack. It's where I put some of the goodies I shopped wrapped with my jackets. I also brought an extra lock so I was able to check-in my backpack with my luggage so I didn't have a carry-on anymore. I'm quite good in packing because I always wanted to walk freely, without carrying heavy bags. Anyway, after entering the immigration gates, you can find the Duty Free shops. That's the world's best Duty Free, according to the banner I saw in the airport. Thina was able to buy a Long Champ bag for around Php 4,000 only. Anyway, it's also where you can find the tax redemption booths. The amount I was able to redeem was quite good so I just saved it to have it changed into Php when I get back in the P.I. And since I was so hungry by then, I just purchased a burger set meal for around 6,000 won. Then it's boarding time!

Total spending for the day for 1 pax:

1. Transportation - 3,850 won

2. Meal - 6,000 won

TOTAL: 6,850 won = Php 265

I can say that this has been my best travel with friends so far. Seoul is a happy place, that if only it would be cheaper, then I'll fly there spontaneously instead of Hongkong. It has exceeded my expectations. It made me love Korean dramas even more. It made me want to shift from my Apple iPhone 4S to Samsung Galaxy Note 2. It got me addicted to BB cream and other Korean beauty products.  It introduced me to a lot of new friends. You know, I just loved everything about this place and I really wanted to go back the soonest!

I just want to share some of my good finds:

This one's yummy!:)

the sleeping mask was effective for me, but the eye cream wasn't much

The BB cream is only 8000 won (Php300) and the Finish Powder is only 9,000 won (Php 345) in Korea but they're priced this much in Skinfood in Trinoma (Manila, PHL)....that's more than 3 times the price! Although I love these products that much, I'd rather go back to Korea to shop haha! There, you get a lot for less. All worth it!:)

If you're into cosmetics and beauty products, try these brands: Dr. Jart, Skin79 (You can find them in Olive Young), IPKN (from Watson's), Too Cool for School, Tony Molly, Missha, Skinfood, Etude House, Nature Republic, and Face Shop. I got at least one product from almost every brand and I never shopped that much beauty products in my life!:))

So here's my estimated total spending for the trip in Php:

1. Airfare (via Cebu Pacific's promo fare) - 6,000

2. Accommodation - 6,000

3. Travel Tax and Terminal Fee - 2,170

4. Transportation upon arrival in Seoul - 424

5. Day 1 - 1,217

6. Day 2 - 1,580

7. Day 3 - 1,368

8. Day 4 - 3,635

9. Day 5 - 650

10. Day 6 - 265

11. shopping - 5,000 (amazing! haha)

TOTAL: Php 28,309 (Less the Airfare & Accommodation, it is safe to bring at least Php 17,000-worth of Pocket Money)

So those of you who think that travelling is expensive, keep reading my blog 'coz it shows that travel can be fun without splurging. I hope my Korea trip inspired you to travel more!:)