Rica's Diary: May 2017

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Part 5: Seoul Series- Nami Island

It was extra cold and windy when we went in Nami Island. Probably the coldest day during our stay with day temperature ranges from 7-12 degree Celsius which is quite low compare to the previous days. I could imagine how cold it would be in Nami during the winter season specially when you're surrounded with many trees blowing strong and cold winds.

We arrived in Cheongpyeong (the district where Nami is located) at around 11:30am so we decided to have our lunch first in a restaurant near the ferry wharf that offers Dak galbi before we head to the Island. Actually, we didn't see any restaurant in the area that offers anything else aside from Dak Galbi so we concluded that it must have been the Cheongpyeong's delicacy.

Behind our smile.. our teeth was actually chattering because of the chilly weather while waiting for Train to Nami

Dak Galbi for Lunch! :)

Dak Galbi (spicy stir fried chicken) consists of chicken meat, cabbage, tteokbokki, sweet potatoes and other vegetables seasoned with chilli-pepper sauce... Nom nom nom.

We thought the portion was too big for us but we actually finished it all! :P

Short ferry ride to the Island

Nami Island has gained popularity in the early 2000's as the romantic setting of the hit Korean Drama.. "Winter Sonata". It was in that time that K-drama started to boom in the Philippines which I remember was first aired in GMA 7. There is basically nothing to do here but only to appreciate the beauty of nature. Although the island was quite jampacked with tourists.. there's no way we can deny how beautiful Nami Island is.. We were surprised that Nami Island has its own currency, flag and a visa issued by Namira is required to enter the Island (although the consul just collected our ticket and asked our Nationality). We later found out that Namira Republic declared itself as a governing country in 2006 in honor of General Nami's greatness. We also saw some souvenir and coffee shops, restaurants, hotels and money changer in the island. Admission fee for foreign nationals is 8000 won which includes round-trip ferry while 10,000 won for the Locals which is quite surprising because if it was in the Philippines.. it is the other way around. :P

Our favorite spot in Nami.. the sparkling water is just so beautiful

another favorite spot here are the tall cherry trees near the lake.

A tour in Nami Island wouldn't be complete without a souvenir shot in it's famous tall trees..

The winter sonata statue

Coffee and Ice cream break in Sonata Cafe

We capped the night with a delicious dinner of mandu, noodles and bimbimpab in Kwangjang market.

Mandu (Korean Dumplings)

Bimbimpab for the 4th time :P

Mandu noodle soup

Always,

Rica ♡

Part 1- Seoul Series: Cherry Blossoms in Yeouido & Myeongdong
Part 2- Seoul Series: Gyeongbokgung Palace & Bukchon Hanok Village
Part 3- Seoul Series: Insadong & Dongdaemun
Part 4- Seoul Series: Kwangjang Market & Gangnam
Part 5- Seoul Series: Nami Island
Part 6- Seoul Series: Last day in Seoul

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Part 4: Seoul Series- Kwangjang Market & Gangnam

KwangJang or Gwangjang Market is the nation's oldest and largest traditional market and is the local's favorite for stores selling linens, silk and hanbok. But for tourists like us.. it is the haven for FOOD.. especially the streetfoods. The hardest part is making a selection as every food stall looked and smelled amazing. Among the popular streetfoods here are Tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), Odeng (soup fish cake), Sundae (blood sausage), Pajeon (Korean vegetable pancake), bibimbap, Mandu (dumplings) and Yukhoe (seasoned raw beef). It was really a regret that we only visited this market on our 5th day when it is only located across the hotel we stayed in .. We should have visited everyday :P

The Kwangjang Market

Late lunch of Korean pancake, fried mixed veggies, tofu and meat. Yummy!

Our order being cooked in front of us.

Taaddaaaahhh...

After our delicious lunch we then headed next to Gangnam..

Gangnam is said to be the neighborhood for the rich and famous in Korea (in 2007, Gangnam was ranked as the 10th expensive shopping center), thus, made PSY's 2012 Hit Song.. "Oppa Gangnam Style" -- Oppa refers to boyfriend/ close guy friend or brother and Gangnam style (or rich style) for an oppa who lives in Gangnam. The hit song has made a big impact to music and tourism industry not only in Gangnam district but to the whole South Korea. As a tribute for his contribution in boosting the City's tourism.. a stage dedicated for him with his popular horse dance was made located right beside the Gangnam station exit 11. The area surrounding the station are important commercial and entertainment district with many impressive buildings, shops, bar, clubs and restaurant . We just roamed around and appreciate the modern & vibrant City.

Jan right at the center of Gangnam Station

Gangnam Road

Impressive buildings everywhere

The people of Gangnam dresses nicely too

Tae Tea :P

Yummy strawberry Shake

The neighborhood of rich and famous

Tribute Stage of PSY right beside Exit 11 of Gangnam Station

For dinner, we had another delicious sangyeopsal dinner in a restaurant near the alley of the station. We ordered a set of meal with pork belly+pork shoulder+squid barbecue+kimchi jjigage+1 drink for 31,000 won. We also add up Cass beer and rice to complete our sumptuous dinner..

To be continued...

Always,

Rica ♡

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Part 3: Seoul Series- Insadong & Dongdaemun

We didn't know that Insadong is just walking distance from the hotel we stayed in until we got lost locating the subway to get to Yeouido and saw the signboard that we're actually right in the heart of Insadong.

-- but it was only in our 4th day that we got to explore this famous market. Insadong has a very fresh and relaxing vibe.. it's not as crowded as Myeongdong and a lovely place to wander around for its wide arrays of interesting shops, modern art galleries, themed cafes and authentic restaurants. At one point, Insadong was used to be the biggest market selling antiques and artworks in Korea. So if you're looking for antique pieces or modern paintings/artworks to bring home or give as souvenir gifts.. Insadong is definitely one you should visit.

the lovely street of Insadong

Famous shopping mall in Insadong full of artworks and antique shops

You could also have your face caricatured by young and talented artists

Our lunch. :)
Jan ordered Pork Curry while I ordered spicy squid. The squid is literally spicy more than I could imagined! :P

Gyeranppang (Korean Egg Bread). Yummy!

Jan and the model of Hanbok rental shop. She looks like a doll!

After an hour of exploring Insadong, we had a coffee-break in this art gallery cafe. We super love the contemporary and vintagey concept.

I dont know how to call this but I just poured strong hot coffee on top of Vanilla Ice cream. Perfect blend of bitter and sweet, I love it.

As always, cafe latte for Jan.

Later that afternoon, we went to Dongdaemun via subway line 5 and alighted right in Dongdaemun Design Plaza or also known as DDP which is the newest iconic landmark of Seoul for its futuristic design that is often being compared to a design of an UFO.

DDP by day

We wanted to see how DDP looks like at night so we waited for an hour and had some snack first. We crossed the street to the mall and found Shake shack. Yay!

Doota Mall with handsome Song Joong-ki as model <3

Shake Shack in Dongdaemun!! :)

Yumyum

We also checked the nearby Cheongyecheon Stream before the sunset. The stream was once a neglected waterway hidden by overpass. In 2005, the stream was transformed into recreation place and is now one of the tourist attractions that always pop up when you search for "places to see in Seoul"..

Cheongyecheon Stream during sunset

And then we went back again to see the beautiful lights of DDP at night.. DDP was also one of the film setting of the famous drama "My love from the star"..