d traveling family

As our time in Korea drew to a close, we decided to make our final day in Gangnam-gu even more memorable. Exploring the vibrant district known for its entertainment, shopping, and cultural landmarks, we embarked on a fantastic adventure. Our first stop was the renowned Statue of Gangnam Style, paying homage to the iconic 2012 mega-hit Korean song "Oppa Gangnam Style" by PSY. This larger-than-life statue stands as a symbol of Gangnam-gu's pride and showcases the global impact of this catchy tune. We couldn't resist taking the obligatory photo next to the statue, capturing a fun-filled memory for eternity. Next, we eagerly headed to the sprawling Starfield CoEx Mall, one of the largest shopping complexes in Asia. With over 600 stores, the mall offered a truly remarkable shopping experience. From luxury brands to local boutiques, we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a world of fashion, accessories, and unique souvenirs. To take a break from the mall's bus...

On our fourth day in Korea, we decided to step outside the bustling city of Seoul and embark on a journey to explore the serene and enchanting wonders that lay beyond. Equipped with a rented van, we set off on an exciting day-long adventure through picturesque landscapes, encountering delightful experiences at Alpaca World, Nami Island, and the Garden of Morning Calm. To ensure maximum flexibility and convenience throughout our journey, we opted to rent a van for 12 hours. The rental cost of KRW 46,000 (PHP 20,000) included the driver fee, gas, and tolls. This gave us a personalized itinerary, allowing us to explore these destinations at our own pace. Our first stop was Alpaca World, which took us approximately two hours away from Seoul. Entrance fees to Alpaca World are priced at KRW 15,000 (PHP 650) for individuals aged 3 to 64, with a discounted rate of KRW 12,000 for those aged 65 and above. We arrived just in time for the morning opening ceremonies, where a herd of fluffy alpa...

On our third day in Seoul, our adventure took us to various fascinating destinations around the city. We began our day with a visit to the DDP Fashion Mall, but to our surprise, it was closed at noontime. It turns out the mall has quite unconventional opening hours, from 8:10 pm to 5 am, making it perfect for those who love nighttime shopping. Since it wasn't open yet, we decided to explore the area surrounding the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Around the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, we stumbled upon a street bazaar named "From the Farm." This bustling market offered a delightful array of goods and local products. The DDP is a modern architectural wonder with diverse public spaces, such as exhibition halls, conference halls, the design museum, and many more. It's a hub of creativity and culture in the heart of Seoul. Our next plan was to check out the Seoul City Tour Bus, which offers three routes: traditional culture, Hangang/Jamsil, and Night courses. Since we had alread...

On our second day in Seoul, we embarked on a cultural journey to Bukchon Hanok Village, a charming residential neighborhood in the heart of the Jongno District. This quaint area is known for its beautifully restored traditional Korean houses, or hanok. The name "Bukchon" translates to "northern village," a nod to its location north of two of Seoul's most iconic landmarks: the Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. As we ventured through the winding streets of Bukchon Hanok Village, it was evident that this was not a mere tourist attraction but a living neighborhood where people call home. This realization reminded us to be respectful at all times as we explored the area, taking in the rich heritage and architectural beauty that surrounded us. Affer almost an hour of leisurely exploration, we decided to skip lunch and head to the nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace. Our goal was to catch the much-anticipated changing of the guards ceremony, scheduled for 2:00 pm. This capti...

On our first day in Seoul, we decided to take it easy and change our original itinerary. Instead of saving our shopping for the last day, we decided to kick off our trip with some retail therapy. We began the day a bit late, leaving our Airbnb in Gangnam around noon to head to Myeong-dong. We opted for the convenience of an Uber Taxi, which provided a fare estimate to our destination but still utilized a meter system, settling the fare at the end of our trip. The flag-down rate was KRW 3,800 (approximately PHP 160), and it increased in increments of KRW 100 (approximately PHP 4.25) based on time and distance. Myeong-dong is a bustling shopping district filled with international fashion brands, luxury department stores, and local cosmetics shops. You can find casual eateries serving Korean food and street vendors offering Japanese, Chinese, and Thai snacks. In Myeongdong, we also took the opportunity to exchange our US dollars. We found the rates here to be more favorable compared...

Traveling to a new country can be a mix of excitement and fatigue, especially when arriving late in the evening after a long flight. This was our experience when our family landed at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. We were weary after the four-hour journey and decided to skip the usual transportation options to Seoul City Center, even missing the customary airport arrival photo. As we approached the taxi stand, a friendly customer service representative welcomed us eagerly. We sought advice on the best way to reach Seoul, and considering our group of five, he directed us to taxi stand number 8. This stand featured jumbo taxis spacious vans capable of accommodating 6 to 10 passengers – a perfect fit for our travel-weary group. Luck was on our side when we arrived at stand 8, where a brand-new Kia Carnival awaited us. It boasted four comfortable captain seats, promising a luxurious journey ahead. While the driver couldn't communicate in English, he was polite and...