Day 5 in Seoul - Part 3 (The Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Strawberry Picking)

Part 3 of our Day 5 in Seoul is the day's highlight  ~

Strawberry Picking!

Seoul has the reddest and most luscious strawberries we have seen and being to able to Pick-Our-Own right from the vine was very exciting.

Strawberries are very healthy and good for us. I was actually surprised of the many health benefits of eating strawberries.

• anti-aging
• anti-oxidant
• boost memory
• good for the heart
• regulates blood pressure
• aids digestion
• good for eyes and bones health
• lowers depression
• helps burns stored body fat
• strengthen the immune system

The health benefits list wants me to just keep on eating strawberries. 

Leaving the Strawberry farm with (4) container full of strawberries

was a perfect way to end our day. 

#OurDeliciousTrophies

This tour is part of the tour package I got through Klook and came with a trip to Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm.

Day 5 in Seoul - Part 2 (The Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Strawberry Picking)

We booked this tour through Klook, together with The Garden of Morning Calm and an afternoon Strawberry Picking.

Our 2nd Tour Stop is the Naminara Republic ~ a tiny half moon shaped island made famous by Winter Sonata, one of the first wave Korean Novelas that started the K-Fever in the Philippines.

No amount of rain can damp the spirit of a true Winter Sonata fan (I admit weeping buckets of tears over the Winter Sonata Marathon).  We came equipped with umbrellas ~ unfortunately our shoes weren't as prepared (walking through mudded roads).

Looking at the bright side, there were lesser visitors due to the rain down pour (So, " Yes, bring-it-on, but not too much".

There were snowmen everywhere ~ taken from the Winter Sonata drama of course. 

Nami Island is one huge open art gallery ~ check out these wonderful art installations:

Though we got soaked, our shoes got dirty and there were lots of activities were  closed during our visit, we still enjoyed our stay.

A trip to Nami Island on a clearer skies is highlight recommended ~ though I am guessing getting pictures without photo bombers will near impossible then (#HaizzTheProsAndCons).

The place is amazing and though small, a days trip is a must to fully enjoy Nami.

Please follow of next stop, The highlight of our Day 5 ~ Strawberry Picking :P

More from our Seoul Korea trip up in my blog, just click the link: 

• Day 5 in Seoul - Part I (The Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Strawberry Picking) 
• Day 4 in Seoul (A Private Tour : Seoul ~ Sanjeong Lake, Pocheon Art Valley and Herb Island) 
• Day 3 in Seoul (Seoul City Tours: Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Folk Museum, Jogyesa Temple and Korean Folk Village) 
• Day 2 in Seoul - Part 2 (War Memorial of Korea, Grevin Wax Museum and the funny Nanta Show) 
• Day 2 in Seoul - Part I (War Memorial of Korea, Grevin Wax Museum and the funny Nanta Show)
• Day 1 in Seoul (Namsan Tower)

Day 1 in Seoul (Namsan Tower)

I am excited to post about our latest family adventure ~ a trip to the land of fire noodles, kimchi, KPop idols and "oppa": The Republic of  Korea or commonly known as Seoul Korea.

It was an easy travel from Manila to Incheon via Air Asia. I got Premium Flex seats (first row seats for extra leg room was like heaven, I did not feel once that we were travelling on budget air) at really good rates as I booked our flight really early (about six months in advance, lol!).

TIP:  Please come early at the airport and save yourself the stress of possibly missing your flight.   Give yourself extra lead time, especially if your flight falls on a long holiday or weekend.

Yup, we were early... #CoffeeMuna

On board Air Asia on first row - we love the extra leg room. 

DAY 1 

• Arrival / Hotel Check-In / Namsan Seoul (N Seoul) Tower .  

We arrived at Incheon airport at 12nn.   

After clearing immigrations, we claimed our pocket wifi and local sim cards, pre-booked through Klook. 

I have been using this (Klook) attractions/tours booking site for sometime now and find it quite efficient.  Most of the attractions we have visited in our Seoul vacation is done through Klook as well. 

Click here for Klook booking discount for first time users: Klook Discount Code

TIP:  Although it may seem that you are getting the attraction tickets at a cheaper price through Klook, be wary of your card's forex.  It can add up big time. I use to charge my Klook purchase using an International Card, but was dismayed by the huge forex conversion rate  (at P52 / USD, the credit card company charged me P54 / USD). I now use my BDO credit card with a rather more reasonable forex charges.

We bought Airport Bus Limousine tickets for Bus # 6015 (priced at W14,000 for adults and W11,000 for child). We were supposed to get off Ibis Hotel, which is just a block away from Metro Hotel where we will be staying.  However, traffic was bad the day of our arrival. The bus driver (forced) dropped us off (and other tourists) at Myeongdong Station (about 3-4 blocks farther our hotel).  Sad to say "yes, they have crazy drivers too".  It was a good thing I studied the Myeongdong map a little and we got to our hotel with minor hiccups.

TIP: Don't forget to buy your T-Money (see picture below).  They came in very useful as we used the public transportation system  in some of our itinerary.  You can also use your T-Money in most convenience stores. 

The Metro Hotel

Our home for our next 7 nights in Seoul is Metro Hotel.  It is literally a stone throw away Myeongdong shopping street with easy access (5-10 minutes walk) to 2 subway stations. 

  

I booked the Family Flex room.  The room is about 40 sqm with 3 double beds.  It was comfortable for our family of 4 with more that enough space for our luggage.

  

The hotel has a pantry area for guests at the 2nd floor.  There is a closed area and an area which opens to the famous Myeongdong shopping street.

The famed Myeongdong shopping street as viewed from The Metro Hotel's 2nd floor Pantry Area.

TIP:  Book directly at Metro Hotel and get free breakfast.  Breakfast is simple, but enough to start your day.  They also change 2-3 viands daily, and includes Korean dishes.

 

N Seoul Tower

I got our N Seoul tickets via Klook. Our package included entrance to the observatory deck, Hello Kitty Island and SSentoy Museum.   

From our Metro Hotel we walked our way to Myeongdong Station (used the underground walkway and exited through Exit #3, which led us to Bus Stop where we waited for the Namsam Shuttle Bus #5).  We boarded the bus and paid using our T-M0ney (bus fare is discounted by W100 if you use a T-Money).

We got off at the N Seoul Bus Station and walked a steep 300 meter road to the top.  It was good we have our good walking shoes on.  

The N Seoul Observatory

Remember to visit the rest room for a breathtaking surprise #BestSeatInTheHouse

TIP:  Schedule your trip to N Seoul on a weekday. We were there on a Saturday night and it was really crowded. 

Skip the line by buying your ticket on line (we got ours through Klook and literally saved 1-2 hours waiting time).

Hello Kitty Island

I felt like a child again as I roamed Hello Kitty's Island.  I was so thankful, my boys were game and accompanied me to the "Pinkiest place on Earth" #MachoMenAreNotAfraidOfPink.

Everything at Hello Kitty Island is so CUTE (and PINK)! 

SSentoy Museum

Next to Hello Kitty Island is the SSentoy Museum.  Now it was the boys' turn to have fun.

We left N Seoul Tower at 10am and re-traced our way to the Namsan Bus Terminal to board Bus #5 and  got off at Myeongdong Station.  

TIP:  Take note of the last bus trip and make sure you are at the bus station before that time. 

It was a leisurely 10 minutes stroll from Myeongdong Station as we were welcomed by the bustling and busy Myeongdong Shopping Street.  We can't help but stop for a some of the Korean famous Street Food.

Japchae, Cabbage Omelette,

Roasted Lobster, Egg Bun and Corn

#HmmSarap

It was a literally filling 1st night for TeamPetilla at the City of Seoul.

"Annyeonghi Jumuseyo (Goodnight)" everyone...

Day 2 Seoul is just hours away!

Follow our Day 2 in Seoul by clicking on the link below
Day 2 in Seoul - Part I