Hello everyone! What's up? I missed sharing my thoughts here on Steemit. That is the reason why I brought my journal with me in Korea to fill it with ideas and thoughts that I will be sharing to all of you today! I've been away for just a week but that feels so long, though from time to time I come here lurking, checking and visiting @steemph fam over Discord. So I never missed out the $12 value of SBD. Sorry! just still can't get enough of it! But let me move on and start sharing a new story about my 2017 Seoul, Korea travel!

Kamusta sa lahat! Na-miss ko mag-share ng mga naiisip ko dito sa Steemit. Ito yung rason kung bakit dala-dala ko yung journal ko sa Korea para punuin ng mga ideas at istorya na ibabahagi ko naman sa inyo ngayong araw! Nawala ako ng isang linggo lang pero parang ang tagal din, kahit na paminsan-minsan ay sumisilip naman ako sa pamilya ng @steemph sa Discord. Kaya hindi tayo nahuli sa balita tungkol sa $12 na halaga ng SBD. Sorry hindi pa din talaga ako makapaniwala ! Pero move on na tayo at mag-umpisa na sa bago kong kwento tungkol sa byhae namin ngayong 2017 Seoul, Korea!

I wandered to Korea with my great perhaps and his kind family from the early week of December. The trip was led by Ate Anjie, she's the woman behind the award-winning agency Chrisann Travel and Tours where I work(seriously?). She travels to 3 and more different countries in just a year. I know right that's everyone's ultimate travel goals!!!! I'm planning to do an interview with her soon to share her inspiring story here in the dimension of Steemit.

This trip was planned on board right after our tour in Taiwan last February 2017(Yes! planned inside the plane while we are heading back to Manila). I can't believe that it came to reality. Far-fetched that I get the odds and land to Korea that I only watch on TV before. Because of the K-drama and K-pop invasion, I'm sure that there is a legion of people whose dreaming to visit the country of Oppas just as I do. We prepared EVERYTHING that we needed to get an approved visa. And that's it! Let's start with the Visa.

Gumala akong Korea kasama ang minamahal ko at ang kaniyang mabuting pamilya sa unang linggo ng December. Ang trip na ito ay pinangunahan ni Ate Anjie, siya yung tao sa likod ng award winning agency na Chrisann Travel and Tours kung saan ako nag-tatrabaho(di nga?). Umaalis siya ng bansa sa loob ng tatlo o higit pa na beses sa isang taon. Alam ko, ultimate travel goals!!!! Plano ko na gumawa ng interview sa kaniya soon para maibahagi din dito sa dimensyon ng Steemit ang inspiring niyang buhay.

Ang pag-alis naming ito ay plinano sa loob ng eroplano last Feberuary 2017(Oo! Sa loob ng eroplano habang pabalik kami noon ng Manila galing Taiwan!). Hindi ko akalain na ang plano na yun ni Ate Anjie ay magkakatotoo. Hindi ako makapaniwala na makakarating kami ng Korea na simula nung highschool ay napapanuod ko lang sa TV, dahil sa pag-invade sating mga pilipino ng K-drama at K-pop alam ko na marami ring nangangarap na makarating sa bansa ng mga Oppa gaya ko. Inihanda talaga namin ng mabuti ang mga kailangan para makakuha ng approved visa.
Ayun! Mag-umpisa tayo sa pagkuha ng Visa.

The visa application process is simple. And take note, it's free! Just send the complete requirements you need, see every detail in this link. Go to the Embassy of Korea then submit your visa application form with your documents. Come back after a week. The process is quick! No long queue and no interview happened in my case. Quick and stress-free!

Madali lang ang proseso sa pagkuha ng visa. Take note! Libre pa! Ipasa mo lang ng kompletong requirements na kelangan na makikita mo sa link na ito. Pumunta lamang sa Korean Embassy at ipasa ang visa application form at mga dokumento mo. Pagkatapos ng isang linggo ay balikan lamang. Sobrang bilis ng proseso, walang mahabang pila at interview kaming naranasan. Mabilis at stress free!!

Imagine how they created those marvelous Subway lines.

With the help of Ate Anjie's travel agency, the Airport Transfer and Hotel was already been booked we haven't arrived in Korea yet. So in our arrival to Incheon Airport, there was nothing to worry about. Regarding to the itinerary, I did not prepare one this time

Due to the advance and class of transportation in Korea, we did not get any problems in terms of commuting because Kuya Choi and Kuya Glen were good at reading and understanding the map of Seoul Subway provided by the Hotel.

Just follow the leader. Trace their tail just like that!

Sa tulong ng travel agency ni Ate Anjie, nakabook na din ang Airport Transfer at Hotel hindi pa kami nakakarating ng Korea. Kaya pag-dating namin doon ay wala ng hassle. Tungkol naman sa itinerary, wala akong naihanda sa pagkakataong ito.

Dahil mabilis at maganda ang transportasyon doon hindi naman kami nagkaproblema dahil magagaling naman sila Kuya Choi at Kuya Glen sa pagbabasa, at pag-intindi sa mapa ng Subway Map ng Seoul nakuha sa Hotel.

Kaya follow the leader lang. Buntot-buntot lang ganon!

We didn't avail tour package since the offers were expensive, and we want to explore on our own! The kind of adventure that you do not know in what station to descend, the kind of thrill you'll feel when the train left you. Who had been left behind at the train station? Watch out! ☹

Hindi kami kumuha ng tour package since ang mamahal ng mga offer, para mas exciting na din! Yung tipong hindi mo kabisado kung saan ang bababaan mo, yung tipo ng takot na mararamdaman mo kasi baka maiwan ka ng tren. Sino kaya yung naiwan ng tren? Haha ABANGAN! ☹

Shortly, we breeze in at Incheon Airport after a four hours ride from Manila. As usual, I sat on the window seat. My favorite place of the airplane! I love taking photos of clouds, even it was in the darkest of the night still, I keep looking out of the window. Lingering to see a UFO pass by. Of course, if that happened, I will take videos of it and upload it promptly to YouTube and make it break the internet. LOL!

Madaling araw na kami dumating sa Incheon Airport. Apat na oras din ang biyahe mula dito sa Manila. As usual, sa window seat kami umupo. Paborito kong pwesto yun, mahilig kasi ako kumuha ng litrato ng clouds, kahit gabi na at madilim, pasilip silip pa din ako sa labas. Nag-aabang na may makakasabay ng UFO, siyempre vivideohan ko yun tapos mag-titrending siya sa YouTube. LOL

When we landed inside the territory of Korea, the Pilot announced the weather and temperature in Incheon and Seoul. Immediately, everyone had put their own jacket out and wear it! Whilst I'm just calm in my seat because I already wore mine. I thought... I'm ready and my jacket was enough to fight the cold weather of Korea. Pretentious, as always!

Nung nasa teritoryo na ng Korea yung eroplano, nag-announce yung Piloto tungkol sa klima at panahon sa Incheon at Seoul. Kaya yung mga tao nag-labasan na ng kaniya kaniyang jacket, ako chill lang sa upuan kasi nakajacket na ko. Akala ko ready na ko at ang ang suot kong jacket ay sapat ng laban sa lamig ng Korea. Ang yabang ko pa e! Ako pa ba?

And this is it! As the plane ground to Incheon Airport, I glimpsed out and saw the snow falling from the sky. OMG! That bust into my brain that it's real! OH, MY, GOD IT’S SNOWING! Obviously here in the Philippines, we do not have this kind of miracle. And that makes me feel so eager, I want to get off the plane right away and run but I keep my excitement inside. I just don't want to look like a naive over the snow. Pretend like it's not my first time! However, I couldn't help it and put my phone out to take videos as the snow pour down to the wings of the plane.

Edi ayan na, pag-landing ng eroplano sa Incheon Airport, nakita ko na sa bintana yung snow sa run way. OMG! Dito pa lang nag pumasok in sa utak ko yung OH MY GOD nag-iiSNOW sa labas! Siyempre dito sa Pilipinas wala nun kaya excited ako. Babang baba na ko pero dito ako nagpapahalata kunyari hindi ako ignorante sa snow. Kunyari hindi ko first time ito! Pero di ko din napigilan ilabas ang phone ko habang nag-hihintay makababa. Vinideohan ko na mula sa bintana yung pagpatak ng snow sa pakpak ng eroplano.

As I step out, I shivered in coldness. The black leather jacket of an action star did not work. It's funny, I looked like some pressed garlic, I can't even move properly. My walk is so awkward. I lose my boastfulness from the plane. But promise! I cried in glee to witness for the first time the season of winter. I might sound superficial but people who are into the fascination of nature are like this. I was dazzled by the snow.

Unang hakbang ng paa ko sa Airport, manginig-nginig ako sa lamig. Yung black leather jacket ko na pang-action star ay hindi umubra. Nakakatawa para akong piniping bawang, hindi na ako makagalaw ng maayos. Ang awkward ng lakad ko. Nawala yung kayabangan ko kanina sa loob ng eroplano. Pero promise! Naluha ako sa saya na makita first time maka-experience ng snow. Mababaw na sa mababaw pero ganun tayong maka-kalikasan. Manghang mangha ako sa snow.

And so, my Instagram boyfriend called me out to capture my first moments in the snow. He found a good spot in front of Incheon Airport, while we're waiting for the Airport transfer to the city Seoul. He took a lot of photos, but most of it was blurry, his hands were freezing!

There's a smoke that comes out of our mouths, just like what we could experience in Baguio, Tagaytay, and Taiwan but the smoke here is stronger because of the icy ambiance.

Kaya naman tinawag ako ng instagram boyfriend ko para kunan ng litrato at moment sa unang experience ko sa snow. May nakita siyang magandang spot sa harap ng Incheon Airport, habang naghihintay ng sundo papuntang Seoul, ayun kinuhaan niya ng litratong ito, ang dami niyan kaso puro blurred karamihan kasi naninigas-nigas na din yung kamay niya sa lamig!

Tapos may usok na lumalabas sa mga bibig namin, may ganun sa Baguio, Tagaytay at Taiwan pero mas malakas yung usok dito kasi nagyeyelo ang paligid.

I'm not the only one who took pictures with the snow, all of us had brought our phones out like a kid, we are so happy to wallow in the snow! Not by missing this here in our country. But…. owing to the good times of the experience that will sail you back to your childhood, and would insinuate you to stay outside and play even your fingers were is freezing like an ice cream. I would not have to plan to go back inside the airport until I felt tired. The door wasn't opening because I'm entering in the EXIT side, such an epic show! I even heard Koreans laughing.

Say hi to clumsiness. And, I'm proud!

Hindi lang ako ang nag-papicture sa snow, siyempre lahat kami nag-labas ng kaniya-kaniyang camera na parang mga bata, ang saya kaya ng snow! Di lang dahil wala nito sa atin. Basta…. kakaiba siya maranasan, parang magbabalik ka sa pag kabata. Yung gusto mo na lang tumambay sa labas kahit parang ice cream na sa lamig yung mga daliri mo. Hindi pa ako talaga papasok ulit sa Airport kung di pa napagod sa snow e. Pero ayun, pumasok na din ako. Epic fail ayaw magbukas nung pintuan kasi sa Exit ako pumapasok, nag-tawanan yung mga Koreano. Say hi sa pagka-mali-mali ko. Proud ako!

We are getting ready to come back to Manila when I took this photos inside the room where we stayed for a week. So I'm sorry if it's a bit messy and the free teas, coffees, toiletries, and slippers are all gone, I've already put them in our baggage. (Yeah, I hoard those kinds of things!). The room and the area are perfect, it was surrounded by restaurants, train station nearby and you will only walk a few blocks to reach Myeongdong. It's the most well-known shopping spot in Seoul!

Pauwi na kami ng Manila nung naisipan kong picturan yung loob ng hotel kaya pasensiya na kung medyo magulo at wala na yung mga free tea, coffee, toiletries at tsinelas kasi nilagay ko na lahat sila sa loob ng bag (Yeah, hoarder ako ng mga ganiyan!). Maganda ang room at location kasi katabi niya lang yung mga kainan, malapit sa train station at maglalakad kana lang ng konti Myeongdong na. Yun pinakasikat na shopping center sa Seoul!

What I and my great perhaps like the most about Holiday Inn Express is… It's located beside 7-11, you will surely survive to the place where you want to go if there's 7-11 nearby, they sell almost everything that you need. At least to me, 7-11 is a life saver for travelers. Their branch here was so cute! It looked like a small themed café, the seats were nice! It is relaxing to spend time inside, and they have a heater. We frequently come here to buy rice because some restaurants in Korea do not serve rice. FYI!

Pinaka-nagustuhan namin ng great perhaps ko sa Holiday Inn ay kahilera lang niya yung 7-11, pag may ganiyan sa lugar na pupuntahan mo siguradong makakasurvive kana kasi lahat ng kelangan mo meron silang tinda! Life saver si 7-11 sa buhay ng mga travelers. Ang cute pa ng branch nila na ito kasi para siyang small themed café, ang ganda ng upuan, relaxing tumambay at may heater. Madalas dito kami tumambay, at bumili ng kanin kasi yung ibang restaurant hindi nagseserve ng steamed rice. FYI!

It was not my first time to see a toilet bowl such as this, I had seen one back in Taiwan. But I think, I fancy this more 'cause this is way easier to use. Just like me, I know that you do not understand what was written to make this thing function, but I'm sure that you got the how it works based on the drawing or pictures that you see. I had fun using this, I know that this is not a necessity for a house. But it would be so hilarious to have one at home while you're sitting on the throne and busy over your phone. HAHAHAHA

Honestly? I still prepare tabo and timba. I'm a Filipina!

Haha! Hindi ko naman first time makakita ng ganitong toilet bowl kasi may ganito din sa Taiwan noon. Pero mas gusto ko ito kasi mas madali siyang gamitin. Alam kong gaya ko, di niyo naintindihan yung nakasulat pero alam ko gets nyo yung function kung pag-babasehan yung mga drawing o pictures na nakikita niyo. Tuwang tuwa talaga ako dito, alam kong hindi naman kailangan nito sa buhay pero ang saya lang gumamit nito habang nakaupo ka sa trono at busy sa cp.

Honestly? Tabo at timba pa din tayo. Pilipina ako!

I adore everything about Holiday Inn Express. Hi-tech and neat. And the staff from front desk to utility are pleasant to their guest. They are cheerfully working, smiling and responding to questions. You could also change your money from USD to Korean Won at their front desk. They offer a breakfast buffet from 6am-9:30 am with different kind of foods and every food from there was are all scrumptious! I already missed eating the croissant and griddled mushroom with oyster sauce. I forgot to take photos of it because when it's time to eat, I only eat. It just depends if I remember to take a picture before nibbling everything. I rate Holiday Inn Express 10/10, If you want to get accommodation with them or you want to check their rates then just click here.

I love everything about Holiday Inn Express. Sobrang hi-tech at malinis. Ang babait din ng mga staff from front desk to utility. They are all happy working, smiling and answering questions. Pwede din magpapalit ng USD to Korean WON sa front desk nila. Meron din sila breakfast buffet from 6am-9:30am. Sari-saring pagkain at super sarap lahat! Namimiss ko na nga yung croissant at yung ginisang mushroom with oysters sauce. Hindi ko lang napicturan kasi pag kainan na, kain lang talaga ako! Depende nalang kung ma-alala ko kumuha ng picture. Rate ko ng 10/10 si Holiday Inn Express, kung gusto niyo itry ang accomodation nila o i-check muna ang rates, ay pindutin lamang dito.

Let's go and start to go around Korea

Tara na at libutin ang Korea!

It was 11 in the morning when we left the hotel after we had our breakfast and took time preparing ourselves, apt for the long day of roaming around. It was still snowing when we step outside. Euljiro-3 station is just a few steps away from the hotel, we rode to the subway going to Gapyeong Station. From Euljiro-3 station, we transferred 3 times to other lines before we reached to Gapyeong Station.

11am na din kami umalis sa hotel. Nag-almusal muna at nag-handa para sa isang mahabang araw ng pag-lalakbay. Nag-iisnow pa din ang pagligid paglabas namin. Ilang hakbang lang mula doon sa hotel ang Eulijiro-3 station kung saan sumakay kami ng subway papuntang Gapyeong Station. Mula sa Euljiro-3 station, ay tatlong beses kami lumipat sa ibang linya ng subway para makarating sa Gapyeong Station.

https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Euljiro-3-ga-Station/%EB%82%A8%EC%9D%B4%EC%84%AC-Nami-Island

Outside Gapyeong Station, there's a shuttle bus going to Nami Island Wharf and Petitte France, so we ride to it immediately and avail a 2-way ticket. The Pilipina woman was laughing at me because I and the driver were not agreeing about the ticket price for one person. I'm confused converting Korean Won to Philippine Peso, the difference was huge! 1 thousand Korean Won cost 48 pesos. I always round it off to 50 pesos so my brain would not bleed. Sorry! I'm bad at Math. But whatever convert I do, I'm still confused!

Sa labas ng Gapyeong Station may nag-aabang na Shuttle Bus na papuntang Nami Island Wharf at Petite France kaya sumakay naman kami agad, at kumuha ng ticket balikan. Tawang tawa sakin yung ate na Pilipina din kasi di kami nag-kaintindihan agad nung driver kung mag-kano ang ticket para sa isa. Nalulula ako sa laki ng pera nila, dahil ang 1thousand Korean Won ay 48 pesos lang naman sa atin. So, palagi ko nalang niroround of to 50 para di dumugo yung utak ko. Sorry! Mahina si ate sa math. Pero kahit anong gawin o nakakalito pa din e!

We are starving when we arrive in Gapyeong Wharf, the travel from Euljiro-3 was almost 2 hours if you will add the walking, going up and down the stairs. We ate at a restaurant along Bukhangangbyeon-ro. It's so comforting to enjoy hot food in a wintry atmosphere. I like this restaurant because they serve steamed-rice, Ate Christian said that this restaurant has a branch in the BGC.

Pagdating namin sa bus stop papunta sa Gapyeong wharf, nagutom kami kasi halos dalawang oras din ang byinahe namin mula sa Euljiro-3, isama mo na dun yung paglalakad, at akyat-baba sa mga hagdan. Kaya inabutan kami ng gutom at kumain muna kami sa isang restaturant along Bukhangangbyeon-ro. Ang sarap kumain ng mainit sa nagyeyelong paligid. Okay yung restaurant na ito kasi may steamed rice sila, sabi ni Ate Christian, may branch daw sila dito sa Pilipinas.

After getting our tummy satisfied, we get straight to Gapyeong Wharf for the ferry. The voyage to Nami Island. From the wharf, will only last in 5-10minutes. Since it seems the wharf was so near to ride a ferry. Maybe, just maybe…. I could just swim to reach the Nami island, right? Okay, good luck to me if I can do it then go! (Am I fighting against myself again?)

Pagkatapos mabusog, ay dumeretso na kami sa Gapyeong wharf upang sumakay ng ferry. Ang byahe ay nagtagal lamang sa loob ng 5-10mins papuntang Nami Island. Kaya ko sigurong languyin kasi parang ang lapit lang? Osige goodluck sakin kung keri ko go!(Inaaway ko nanaman ba ang sarili ko?)

There's no seat for all the passenger inside the wharf than the few chairs in the corner. Only several people can get a chance to sit there. If you're sluggish then you cannot get to grab a seat. What's the 5mins standing to see the beauty of Nami? You could also enjoy the view of the lake from the outside of the ferry. It's awesome that the ferry is surrounded by the flag of different countries. And yes, our Philippine flag is there! The relationship between Korea and Philippines are in good terms even from the time of Marcos, Korea and Philippines were a strong ally. The number of the Filipinos working in Korea is just as many as the Koreans that are here in our country.

I wanted to stay on the ferry although it's freezing. Preferably I've chosen to stay inside. We are Filipinos, we get weak in the cold. “I will just take more photos when I arrive in Nami”, I said.

Walang upuan na para sa lahat ng pasahero sa loob wharf kundi yung mga nasa gilid kaya iilan lang ang makakaupo dun. Kung babagal bagal ka di ka talaga makakaupo. Pero ano ba naman yung 5mins na pag-tayo para sa napakagandang Nami Island? Tsaka, pwede din mag sight-seeing sa labas ng ferry, nakakatuwa kasi may mga bandila ng ibat-ibang bansa na nakapalibot sa labas, at siyempre hindi mawawala ang watawat ng ating mahal na Pilipinas! Maganda ang relasyon ng bansa natin sa kanila. Panahon pa ni Marcos, magkaibigan na ang bansang Korea at Plilipinas. Kung ganu kadami yung mga Pilipino doon, ganun din kadami yung mga Koreano ngayon dito sa atin.

Gusto ko nun tumambay noon dun sa labas ng ferry kaso sobrang lamig kaya pinili namin mag-stay sa loob. Pilipino tayo, mahina tayo sa lamig. Babawi ako ng picture pag-dating kay Nami sabi ko.

Upon arriving at the island, we roam around on our own and agreed to meet each other again at the entrance of Nami. During our meandering, my eyes are brimmed with different kind of trees. Tall and strong woods will hail to you while you walk across them. The forest is important to me, and I have a special connection with plants and trees. The feeling was so graceful and ecstatic as I let my spirit lost in the timber. It felt like I was in a paradise, I can clearly hear the crooning birds. If it's not that cold at that time, I could put my shoes off and walk barefooted to feel the walks better. My clothes and socks are layered at multiple times. I want to come back here again but not in the winter, just to fulfill my goals to walk barefoot!

Pagdating namin ng Nami Island ay nag-kaniya kaniya kami sa pag-libot at nag-usap nalang na magkita muli sa entrance ng Nami. Sa pag-ikot namin sa isla, nabusog ang mga mata ko sa ibat'-ibang klase ng puno. Matataas at matatag na puno ang sasalubong sayo. Mahalaga sa akin ang kalikasan, at may espesyal na koneksyon din ako sa mga puno at halaman kaya ang gaan at ang saya ng pakiramdam ko maglakad sa ganitong lugar. Parang akong nasa paraiso, dinig na dinig ko yung awit ng mga ibon. Kung hindi lang siguro ganun kalamig e hinubad ko na yung sapatos ko at nag-yapak para mas feel ko yung lakad ko. Patong patong kasi yung damit at medyas ko. Next time siguro pag-balik ko nalang dito sa Nami Island, yung hindi winter para mafullfill ko na ang pag-papaa goals ko!

The air was pure but sometimes it also smells like a shit of a rabbit, ostrich, deer, squirrels, and black woodpecker. And it's not a big deal to me because I love animals whatever kind it is. What I appreciate about Nami is... they did not turn the island into a Zoo. I'm not a fan of those, mostly the Zoos who practice cruelty to animals. In Nami Island, they let these angels live freely, except the ostrich because as what they told me…. Ostrich snatches the foods of some tourist so they needed to bring them in just one place.

Sobrang sariwa ng hangin na minsan amoy pupu din ng rabit, ostrich, deer, squirrels, at black wood pecker. Wala namang kaso sakin yun kasi I love animals din, mapa-anong klase pa yan. Gusto ko sa Nami e hindi nila ginawang Zoo yung isla, hindi ako fan ng mga Zoo lalo na yung mga Zoo na nagmamalupit sa mga hayop. Sa Nami Island, Hinahayaan nilang makagalaw ng malaya yung mga heaven sent na creatures na ito, except sa Ostrich kasi mahilig raw sila mang-agaw ng pag-kain sa mga turista kaya kelangan nilang ilagay lamang sa isang lugar.

Even if there was a huge amount of people walking around Nami, we effortlessly found spots where we are the only ones who are there to have solo moments and act sweet and in love just what your grandpa and grandma Jun and Janice did here at Nami Island. Despite being bitterly cold and that we go the bathroom in a couple of times we never get tired of taking photos and create memories for remembrance. For me, taking pictures freeze time like a time capsule, whenever you want to reminisce just look at those captured moments then what you've felt at that exact time will come back to you. Yes, sometimes it feels weird to put the selfie stick out and pose but we are bloggers. And blogging is more wonderful when we share beautiful photographs with our friends and followers.

Kahit sobrang dami ng mga taong namamasyal noon sa Nami, ay nakakita pa din kami ng spot kung saan kaming dalawa lang ang tao kaya may solo moment din kami kahit papano gaya ni Jun at Janice nag-pabebe din ang lolo at lola niyo sa Nami Island. Lamig na lamig man at ilang beses pa naihi ay sige kami sa kuha ng litrato, remembrance din. Para sakin, freeze moment ang pag kuha ng litrato. Time capsule, na pag gusto maalala, titingnan mo lang at magbabalik na yung pakiramdam mo nung oras na yun. Oo, minsan nakakahiya ilabas yung selfie stick at mag-posing pero bloggers tayo. Blog is more wonderful when we share beautiful pictures sa mga kaibigan at followers natin.

Jun and Janice from the K-drama Endless Love: Winter Sonata made these miniatures of the snowman in this exact spot. They made the snowman kiss too. This is where we paused to rest. We get tired of walking by tracing back to find my missing Mi Band. Even we're far from where we stop by we came back and found it in the nook where we lay down in the snow. Thanks that it's still there and not completely gone.

Dito gumawa ng mini snow man ang mga character nila Jun at Janice sa K-Drama na Endless Love: Winter Sonata. Pinag-halik pa nga nila. Dito na din kami tumambay at nagpahinga. Nakakapagod din maglakad e, tapos bumalik pa kami sa mga dinaanan namin. Nalaglag kasi yung Mi Band ko ang harot-harot kasi, sayang naman kaya binalikan namin kahit malayo na ang nalakad. Dun namin siya nakita sa hinigaan naming snow. Salamat at hindi tuluyang nawala.

DID YOU KNOW?

ALAM MO BA?

The island of Nami or Namiseom is 4km wide and surrounded by the trees of Metasequoioa, Gingko, Cherry, Korean Pine, and Tulip. The name of the island is originated from General Nami that was accused of treason under the reign of King Sejo in Joseon Dynasty.

Ang isla ng Nami o Namiseom ay may lawak na 4km at pinapalibutan din ito ng mga puno ng Metasequaio, Gingko, Cherry, Korean Pine, at Tulip. Ang pangalan ng isla ay hango sa pangalan ni Heneral Nami na napagbitangang traydor sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Haring Sejo sa dinestiya ng Joseon.

Uploaded in YouTube by: MyNoOody

The island of Nami became known since the scenes of the K-drama Endless Love: Winter Sonata was taken in this place. It was released on the television of Korea in 2002 which was also released here in the Philippines at GMA-7 just a year after it was aired in Korea. Later the K-drama became an Asian hit, thousands of tourists have visited Nami Island and it has reached 3 million last 2014, which has been continually increasing in the present.

Naging kilala ang isla ng Nami simula ng ganapin dito ang mga eksena sa K-dramang Endless Love: Winter Sonata. Ipinalabas ito sa telebisyon ng Korea noong taong 2002 na ipinalabas din dito sa atin sa Pilipinas noon namang taong 2003 sa GMA-7. Pagkatapos sumikat ng drama sa Asia, dinagsa na ng libo-libong turista ang Nami Island at umabot pa ito ng 3 milyon noong taong 2014 na patuloy pang nadadagdagan hanggang sa panahon natin ngayon.

Nami Island had met my expectation, it's identical from how I see it on TV and from the photos I see on the Internet that's why I will rate the place 10/10. The no filter beauty of the environment, I knew that I wouldn't get to glimpse the colorful leaves of the trees here because the fall was ended already, and it's currently on the winter season. I enjoyed the natural beauty of the island, and the creatures I've met here. I do not have anything negative to say about Nami Island. The volume of the tourist here is tolerable because it's not that crowded and the place is huge to find your own space to create moments with your special someone. Nami island is a romantic place, my advice to those who wanted to come here…. Bring some food or snacks with you, because Nami is also a perfect place for a picnic. I want to try to do that for next time (strike two for my Nami island Bucket list).

Our scheduled next destination after must have been in Petite France that is slightly closer to Nami. We arrived there and we stayed outside for a while, but we become so tired and decided not to go in. Hence, we waited for the bus that's routing back to Gapyeong station and returned to the city of Seoul.

It was in a rush hour by the time we headed back to Seoul so we experienced standing at the bus and Subway. But it's okay, the adventure of commuting is fun while the bus is passing through the zigzag road and goes down the mountain, I felt like we're on a roller coaster. I am thankful to the local Mister who taught me where to cling my hands and the travel become easier. Thanks to you!

As we came back to Seoul, we go straight to the restaurant near from the hotel. We ordered a lot of foods for the dinner like egg rolls, tempura, and spicy chicken. The servings are big so I ate a lot. In the early morning, I can't help but gag everything I ate out from indigestion…. Now I got a new nickname, Vomit Girl.

These are the happenings from my Day 1 in Korea as well as my review for Nami Island. I'll cut my story here so it will not become too long. Watch out for the continuation of my blog about my travel to Korea, I still have many more stories to share. See yah!

Nameet ni Nami Island ang expectation ko sa kaniya mula sa mga napanuod ko sa TV at nakikitang pictures dito sa Internet kaya 10/10. No filter ang ganda ng kapaligiran dito, alam kong hindi ko na maabutan ang mga makukulay na dahon ng mga puno dahil tapos na ang fall at winter season na nito. Enjoy ako sa natural na ganda ng isla, sa mga nilalang na nakasalamuha ko dito. Wala akong negative na masasabi sa Nami Island. Wala din sakin kung madami mang tao kasi hindi naman siya crowded at malawak pa ang lugar para mag-moment kasama ang minamahal ko. Sobrang romantic dito, tip ko lang sa mga gusto pumunta…. Magdala ng baon, masarap mag picnic dito sa Nami. Sa susunod na punta ko dito yun ang plano kong gawin(pangalawa na yan sa mga gusto kong gawin sa Bucket list ko dito sa Nami Island).

Susunod namin sanang pupuntahan nung araw na yun ang Petite France na malapit-lapit lang din doon sa Nami, nakarating naman kami at napadaan dun pero napagod na din ang lahat kaya hindi na kami tumuloy pumasok at naghintay na lang ng bus papuntang Gapyeong station para bumalik na sa siyudad ng Seoul.

Naabutan kami ng rush hour kaya naexperience naming tumayo sa bus at subway. Pero ayos lang yun, ang saya nga adventure ang feeling nung lumiliko sa zigzag yung bus pababa ng bundok tapos parang nasa roller coaster din ako. Natuwa pa ko dun sa Tatay na Koreano kasi tinuruan niya ko kung saan dapat humawak at mas naging magaan ang biyahe! Salamat po….

Pag-dating namin ng Seoul ay dumeretso kami sa restaurant na kalapit lang din ng Holiday Inn Express. Ang dami naming inorder gaya Tempura,Korean Egg Roll, at Spicy Chicken. Napadami ako ng kain. Kaya pag-dating madaling araw hindi ko napigilang mag-suka. Hindi ata ako natunawan…. Ngayon may bago na kong nickname, Suka Girl!

Ito ang mga nangyari sa aking Day 1 sa Korea pati na rin ang review ko kay Nami Island. Puputulin ko muna ang kwento ko dito para hindi naman masyadong humaba. Abangan ang karugtong ng blog na ito at madami pa akong kwento!