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I am Ulyssa Elaine - Travel, Food and Lifestyle Blogger

March 2, our second day in South Korea. Continuation of South Korea Day 2: Gwanghwamun Square and South Korea Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace.

After visiting the palace, we opt to go to Bukchon Hanok Village. We asked the tourist information desk beside the admission center of Gyeongbokgung Palace on how to get there. Luckily, the locals were helpful and provided as a guided map for easy navigation.

Bukchon Hanok Village is the home of hundreds of traditional houses, called "hanok" during Joseon Dynasty. It is located between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. 

Note: Bukchon Hanok Village was not built to be a tourist attraction. The area now is a residential neighborhood so be mindful with some etiquettes when visiting the place. Be quiet and do not litter.

We didn't manage to tour every sides of the village to respect the locals living there. Our intention was to visit the Hanbok Costume Rental. We really want to experience wearing Hanbok. The rental costs KRW 7,000 and there's no time limit. Please use your own camera.


After paying the rental fee, we were assisted by the local inside the traditional house. I really thought that we have to remove all of our clothes in a closed area like comfort rooms, etc. Good thing it never happened! We just removed our jackets. The local assisted us and put the traditional dress on top of our clothes. We didn't manage to put makeup and started to take photos. :)



What I love about renting here -> The traditional "hanok" house was our backdrop. :)




Here's the complete address and contact number(s) of the Hanbok rental place.



How about you? Have you been to this place? Share your experience.
Sunday, June 26, 2016 No comments
March 2, 2017 - After visiting the Gwanghwamun Square, we crossed the street and walked going to Gyeongbokgung Palace. We passed by Korean Telecom Building and saw a miniature of Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics. 


We were actually heading to PyeongChang province on our 3rd day and we were excited to go there. I will post our experience on my next post.


We did some photo-ops on this place. According to some news, KT, South Korea's largest telecom provider will set to provide 5G network services for the upcoming PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. This technology will allow users to access up to 20Gbps or can accommodate up to 250,000 users simultaneously. Moreover, the viewers can also access high-definition "360° VR" to see the games.



We are looking forward for the upcoming winter olympics and also for the new 5G technology that will be launching soon.



For the reference on how to get here, just look on this building when you passed by the road going to Gyeongbokgung Palace from Gwanghwamun Square. Enjoy!



How about you? Have you visited this place? Share your thoughts.
Sunday, June 26, 2016 No comments
March 2, our second day in South Korea. Continuation of South Korea Day 2: Gwanghwamun Square.

As I said on my previous post, our theme for this day was to go to "historical places". Gyeongbokgung Place was one of them. 




Gyeongbokgung Palace was considered by Time Magazine as Top 1 on Seoul: 10 Things to Do.

It was the first royal built by the Joseon Dynasty in 1395. It is also considered as the largest palace of all the five palaces in South Korea. 






We failed to witness the changing of royal guards but we had a chance to have photos with them. This ceremony takes place twice a day in front of Gwanghwamun Gate at 10 am and 2 pm.



From the Gwanghwamun Square, we crossed the street and walked to the direction of Gwanghwamun Gate (main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace). Please refer to the Google Map below.

Screenshot from Google Maps

Note: The palace is closed every Tuesdays. We went there on a Wednesday.



Address: 03045 161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 

Admission Fee for Foreigners: KRW 3,000 (ages 19-64) / KRW 1,500 (ages 7-18)

Website: http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/ Available in KR and EN



How about you? Have you been to this place? Share your experience.

Sunday, June 26, 2016 No comments
March 2, 2016, our second day in South Korea. I planned our itinerary for this day. Our theme for today was to go to "historical places".

After having a breakfast at our hotel, we travelled from Myeong-dong Station to Gwanghwamun Station. It took us 13 mins to get there.

From Myeong-dong Station, take Line 4 going to Dongdaemun Station and then exit at 9th car and transfer to Line 5. From Dongdaemun Station, it takes 3 stations to go to Gwanghwamun Station, and then exit at the leftside (Exit 3). 




The area of Gwanghwamun Square has a long history. It was open to the public since August 1, 2009. The square is divided into 6 sections: 

  • Recovering the History of Gwanghwamun Gate Plaza
  • Reenacting Yukjo Street Plaza
  • Korea Main Plaza
  • Civil Participation Urban Culture Plaza
  • Downtown Plaza
  • Chenggyecheon Stream Connector

We weren't able to complete the 6 sections because we're running out of time. We have 3 more attractions lined up on our list for that day. Yes, we squeezed our itinerary to fit for one day.


The only section we've been to was "Korea Main Plaza", where the Statue of King Sejong the Great is located.



After having photo-ops, we crossed the street and headed to the historical "Gyeongbokgung Palace". I will share it on my next post. :)

Tip: If you plan to go to Gyeongbokgung Palace, go here first. The entrance of the palace is walking distance from this place.

How about you? Have you been to this place? Share your experience.

Sunday, June 26, 2016 No comments

Wangbijib (왕비집), which means Queen’s House is one of the famous Korean BBQ Restaurant in Myeong-dong. Every tourists must try this and you will finally love Korean cuisine. 

I read on some blogs that they waited for almost 30 minutes or more on queue before getting the table. When we arrived, there are few people but we didn’t wait that too long. The table was already set when we got there. 





I googled the location and the restaurant details so you won’t be lost when you get there. The restaurant is just located next to Hazzys Building and is located at the 2nd floor of Beautiplex store.


We will definitely go back there soon!


How about you? Have you been to Wangbijib Restaurant? If yes, what's your experience? If not, may you recommend some restaurant? Share your thoughts.
Sunday, June 26, 2016 No comments
Sundays are the best when you are with your family, right? We make it a habit to go out every Sunday. 

For today, we opt to hangout at Molito Lifestyle Mall located in Alabang. It is just across Alabang Town Center. This lifestyle area was built in 2012. It has a park, dining and entertainment setting. There are variety of restaurants here, such as Japanese, Thai, Italian, Chinese, etc.


Molito is a great place to hangout with families because of it's ambiance and elegance.


Note: It is not a sponsored post. I usually passed by on this area everyday (Mondays to Fridays). It is just a walking distance from my work.

How about you? Have you been to this place? Where do you usually hangout with your family?
Sunday, June 05, 2016 No comments
Our flight from Manila to Seoul was 7:10 am to 12:30 pm via AirAsia Philippines. I never experienced any problem with them and hopefully we will ride again with them soon. I will post our experience on a separate post. 😊 

Our South Korea Day 1 trip was a very short but a memorable one. Yes, because we started our trip as late as 4 pm. Right after we reached our place in Myeong-dong, we met with our high school schoolmate Karla. We miss you Karla! Hope to see you again soon! 😊 


We told her what’s our first itinerary: Namsan Tower!!! Wooh! I first saw this when I watched Boys Over Flowers and then the next one was My Love from the Stars. I’m very meticulous when it comes to itinerary and I make sure that I’ll research it first before I go there. I chose this itinerary because I believe that sunset to night time is the best time to go there. (Based on what I saw on the KDramas! Hehe. :)

Courtesy of Dramafever

From our place in Myeong-dong, we walked going to the Namsan Cable Car Station. From Exit #3 of Myeong-dong, walk straight to the left of Pacific Hotel. Just go straight ahead. Warning: You will feel very exhausted when you reached the Namsan Cable Car Station because it’s a long walk uphill. So be ready. 😊 

I purchased a group of two roundtrip tickets going to Namsan Tower. It costs KRW 17,000. 




After reaching the other station uphill, we roamed around to see the famous, Namsan Tower’s Love of Locks. 


Unfortunately, we didn’t put any lock(s) here because I want to put locks with my special someone soon. 😊


We first experienced freezing 0 °C after 20 years!!! Yes, how long was that. We first experienced it when we was very young way back 1996. 😊 


After the freezing experience at Namsan Tower, we went back to Myeong-dong and tried our first Traditional Korean dinner experience. I’ll post this on my next article. 😊 


How about you? Have you been to Namsan Tower? Share you experience.
Sunday, May 29, 2016 No comments


There are several ways to go from Incheon International Airport to downtown Seoul.
Disclaimer: Since we were just only 2 girls and we were first time in Seoul, we took Airport Limousine Bus for hassle-free travel. We didn’t find any problems when we took a ride with it. Good thing, our hotel is near in Airport Limousine bus stop at Myeong-dong Area. :)



» Airport Railroad Express (AREX) «

Image courtesy: Airport Railroad Co. Ltd,. http://www.arex.or.kr

AREX operates two trains: the Express Train from Internation Airport to Seoul Station and the All Stop Train that services 11 subway stations.

Express Train will take about 43 minutes going to Seoul Station, with a rate of 14,800 won. An All Stop Train will take about 56 minutes, with a rate of 4,250 won for adults, 3,040 won for the youth and 1,900 for children.


» Airport Limousine Bus «


Image courtesy: Incheon International Airport www.arex.or.kr

Airport Bus is located next to Gates 4 and 9 inside the arrival floor (1F) and outside next to Gates 4,6,7,8,11,13 and 9C.

There are two types of airport buses: Deluxe Limousine Bus and Standard Limousine Bus. The first one operates non-stop or shortened routes to major destinations and have comfortable seats with more space. The rate to downtown Seoul is 14,000 - 16,000 won. The other one is more crowded with smaller space and more stops. The rate is 9,000 - 10,000 won.

On our way to Myeong-dong, we rode on Standard Limousine Bus since we are not in a hurry. Going back to Incheon International Airport, we rode a Deluxe Limousine Bus since we we didn’t want to be late on our departure.


» Taxis « 


If you find the two above hassle, just take a taxi. Exit the airport through Gates 4 and 8 only of the passenger terminal (arrival area), cross the street and go to the taxi stands (4D-8C). Caution: It is really expensive depending on your destination. :)


How about you? Have you travelled to South Korea? What mode of transportation did you take when you travelled from airport to your hotel? Share your experience.
Saturday, April 30, 2016 No comments

I am one of many people who don’t want to indulge on credit card. My Mom always reminds me that never, ever get a credit card. I’m also scared being in a position with many debts. That’s why when I heard that BPI launched BPI My ePrepaid Card and I’m also going to South Korea, I decided to get my own BPI ePrepaid Card.

I know it’s hassle to go to the bank and load this card but I need to do this in sake of not getting in to many debts. Hehe. 

Going back to the topic, here’s the process of how I booked a hotel online.
P.S. I booked my hotel in Seoul through Agoda. :)

» Step 1: Search for hotel «

Type your destination as well as indicate the date and how many guests will stay at the hotel.



» Step 2: Accessibility «

Search for a nice hotels that near in subways, bus stations as well as shopping area.



Take note: it’s good that you check also the rating of the hotel and the reviews. This is also for your safety. Ratings with 8 and above is good already. :)

I chose at Myeong-dong area because I want to stay near in shopping areas. :)

» Step 3: Budget, Free Cancellation and Perks «


Find a hotel with your budget range. Better to have a hotel that offers a free cancellation or pay later option.



I always book with Pay Later option and also Free Cancellation. I booked our hotel in Seoul with Pay Later option because I have time to save money. Hehe. 

For me, hotels within Php 5,000 / around $100 range is good already since South Korea is a First World Country and everything seems to be expensive.

» Step 4: Double-check «

Check the price first before paying. Do you think Php 35,000+ is enough for 7 days travel? If you are already sure, sign up or login to your Agoda account.



» Step 5: Pay Now or Pay Later? «



Choose from the two. If you are already have a fund, then go for pay now option. Don’t worry because you booked the hotel with FREE CANCELATION. So anytime you can cancel your hotel booking. Otherwise, go on to Pay Later if you don’t have funds yet.

Since I just have a Prepaid Card, put your Prepaid Card details.

This is just a sample only.

Then hit the BOOK & PAY LATER button! Hooray! You made a transaction! Make sure to pay your hotel before the indicated date. Check also your email for the payment details that Agoda will send to you.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I just shared my experience. :)



How about you? How and where do you book your accommodation when travelling abroad. Share your experience.
Saturday, April 30, 2016 No comments
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I'm Ulyssa Elaine, a skinny girl from the Pearl of the Orient Seas, Philippines.

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