HELLO KOREA! (Day 1-2: Cherry Blossoms, Nami Island, Petite France & Namsan)

I have been claiming this trip to Korea ever since I started binge-watching Korean Dramas in 2017; and I am so happy and blessed that finally, that dream came true! AAAAHHHHH!!! Still so surreal, though.  That's why, this trip shouldn't miss the chance to be blogged about, because again, Korea is my dream destination!

First things first, just a little background.  We availed this 5D-4N package tour at

for 35, 500 pesos only.  Inclusive of the package are the following:

• 5D-4N Hotel Accomodation at Ibis Styles Ambassador Yongsan Hotel

• Round trip Airfare from Cebu to Incheon 

• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) except for the first day

• Transportation (Tour Bus)

• Tip for the Tour Guide and Driver

• 20 kilos baggage allowance, terminal fee, travel tax
• Entrance Fees
• Free Visa Processing

Isn't this package so sulit and convenient? I do sort of a backpacker trip, but for a first timer in Korea, we submitted ourselves to an agency because first, we're going out of the country without the parentals (that's for them to worry less) and secondly, I just wanted to be a follower this time; but I am claiming it that I will try to do a DIY trip to Korea.  Next time *crosses fingers*

NOW, LET ME TAKE YOU TO OUR ITINERARY, FROM DAY1-2.

READY? LET'S GO!

DAY 1 (APRIL 12: Cebu-Seoul)

Top: H&M | Bottoms: Uniqlo | Shoes: Nike

Our flight from Cebu was at 2:30 PM and we arrived in Incheon at around 7:30 pm.  Korea is an hour ahead of our country, by the way.

From the arrival area, you'll have to take a train to get to the main arrival area of the airport.  From Incheon, we almost travelled for 1 and a half hour to our hotel in Yongsan.

We settled at around 11 pm then bought our dinner at a convenience store in the hotel.  To welcome myself in Korea, I bought the Banana Milk ~ That's Day 1!

DAY 2 (APRIL 13)

Our first agendum was to drop by at the street full of Cherry Blossoms. My heart was so happy here! Fact: I am dying to see cherry blossoms. Seeing the cherry blossoms in personal was really my considered highlight of this trip. 

Before, I was always kidding that as long as I can see one tree, then I can go home na, haha! But, truly, they are just so pretty! 🌸

 

After this, we went to the famous Nami Island, also very known as the shooting place of "Winter Sonata".   Anyways, it took us almost 2 hours to arrive here.  It was far from the city proper, plus the traffic jam because of the packed tourists going here. Yet, the island was worth the visit.  Here are our photos:

From Gapyeong Wharf, we rode the ferry to get to the Nami Wharf.  The ferry travels every 10-20 minutes.

More photos below: 

  

The photo below is taken by the tour group photographer, Jini.

"Nami Island is a 460,000 square meter island embroidered with breathtaking gardens and woods."

It was a big area, sadly, we were not able to roam around fully due to limited time.  Nevertheless, thankful to have set foot in this famous tourist destination.

 

This is the Winter Sonata landmark, a statue of the stars.

 Nami Island offers numerous recreational activities: biking, bus/train tour, river boat rides, picnic areas, music shows, exhibits, cafes, hotel and accommodation, and so much more.  

A day would really be ideal here.   

My sister was eventually lost in a sea of people.  She was searching for us.  Later on, she discovered we were just taking pictures of her! (haha)

3rd stop: Petite France

From Nami Island, it took us another hour to go to Petite France.  I was very excited to go here because "My Love From the Star" was once here in an episode, and the Little Prince is also here!

"Petite France is a French cultural village set in the Korean countryside."

"It consists of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge and experience French food, clothing and household culture." Indeed, a small France in Korea.

It also holds a small room for the Little Prince exhibit.

 

Photo op with Do Min Joon and Cheon Song-Yi 💛

The last stop for Day 2 is NAMSAN TOWER

We arrived in Namsan Tower at sundown.  We got to experience it by night time, and it was way cold.  

This place is known for all the numerous love locks hanged by the couples, to symbolize that their love is locked forever.  If you'll ask us, oh no, we did not hang any love locks there. You already know hahaha

We ate our dinner here, then we explored the place right after.  The tower offers many attractions from the basement to the its highest point: shops, tunnel, 360 degree view of Seoul, game plaza, roof terrace, photo booth and so much more.  The place was full of couples, true enough when most of the romance k-drama never miss to shoot a scene here.  Korean Odyssey and Legend of the Blue Sea perhaps.

Bigyan ng title: Sinong Ahjussi ang pipiliin ko?

THAT ENDS DAY 2!

8-8:30 am: Cherry Blossoms Street

8:30-10:30 am: Travel to Nami Island

10:30-11:00 am: Arrival and Ferry Ride to Nami 

11:00-2:00 pm: Nami Island

2:00-2:30: Ferry Ride back to Gapyeong

2:30-3:00: Travel to Restaurant for Lunch

3:00-3:30 pm: Lunch

3:30-4:30 pm: To Petite France

4:30-5:00: Petite France

5:00-6:30 pm: To Namsan Seoul Tower

6:30 pm-8:30 pm: Namsan Seoul Tower

OOTD DETAILS:

 Maroon Turtle Neck Top (Ukay Ukay for 10 pesos)

Thick White Jacket (Ukay Ukay for 50 pesos)

Metallic Pleated Skirt

Shoes all through out this trip: Nike White Casual Footwear

By the way, my travel buddies are Reyna (left) my college best friend, and my sister, Ate Nica (right).

Tip: Traveling to Korea in mid-April, that's Spring, is still really cold for me. The temperature ranges from 7 degrees Celsius until 15 degrees Celsius.  Compared to the Philippines, it's really different! That's why, if you are cold sensitive, you'll need a warmer and a thick jacket.

🌸You also get to enjoy the cherry blossoms everywhere🌸

Thank you, Airtime Travel Express for the convenient tour!  (just promoting because of gratitude😜) One thing I like about this tour is you can leave some of your stuff in the bus when dropping off a place for less hassle.

Know more things about this trip by reading my next blog post about Day 3-5!

Radiating Sunshine,

Hannah Borja