(The Conclusion)
MANILA, Philippines - Two days down, two more to go. As our Korean sojourn was nearing to an end, our adrenalin kept getting higher and higher. Now, it was time to explore the beautiful capital city of South Korea, Seoul. A political, cultural, commercial, financial and educational center a population of about 10 million, the city takes pride of its numerous tourist destinations and the warm and hospitable people ready to welcome every guest.
DAY 3
Our first in Seoul started with courtesy calls at the offices of those who made our tour possible. Our first stop was at the Hanatour main office where we were met by their pleasant “biggies” headed by Yun-Soo Choi, GM-Asia general team; JiWeon Hwang, Southeast Asia team manager and Jee-Min Park, Manager – Tour Planning, Philippines and Singapore. Then to the Korea Tourism Organization Office where we were handed little Korean souvenir tokens before we proceeded to the Asiana Airlines office for a quick tour of their office and a short interaction with Jungho “Geff” Yoo, Asiana Airlines Passenger Sales Representative.
Our office visits were so quick and fast that we were done a little earlier than we expected. Our next stop wasn’t in the itinerary but we just couldn’t resist the Dongwha Duty Free Shop, which was just at the ground floor of the building where the Asiana Airlines office was located. And since we had extra time, everyone, including our gracious tour guide Heather, agreed that we check it out and do a quick one-hour shopping before having a “to die for” bulgogi lunch.
The next part of the itinerary was undoubtedly one of the most exciting one – shopping! Heather took us to Dongdaemon, a huge mall and one of the biggest in Seoul. Some of us also took time to do more of shopping and strolled to the side streets around the area where a lot of souvenir items and export overruns can be bought at super low prices. Back at the coach after quite some time at the mall, everyone couldn’t help but compare each other’s “good buys.” One of my “best buys” was a pair of signature leather sandals which I got on sale. It was exactly the same as my brother-in-law’s, which he got from the U.S. at 60 percent more than the price that I got mine. Amazing!
Our last stop for the day was the 63 Square along Yeouido Island. It is a skyscraper overlooking the famous Han River of Korea. “My river,” I kidded everyone. Of course I made sure to take photos of it while we were at the Observatory Deck on top of the building. The 63 Square is composed of different houses such as the 63 Sky Art, the highest art museum in the world; the 63 Buffet Pavilion, a signature restaurant with over 200 varieties of the world’s cuisines; the 63 Art Hall which is an Imax Theater; and the 63 Wax Museum with 70 wax figures that they can truly be proud of and is definitely comparable to the best wax museums in the world. There, one can see and even take photos of some famous world leaders, historical personalities, celebrities and royalties. My favorite was the Last Supper, which took three years to complete and was highly popular at the “Portrait” section of the Guggenheim Museum’s Wax Exhibition. Before leaving the 63 Square, we had the chance to watch the Fanta Stick show, a comical-musical live show for an hour and a half. Then we headed to enjoy the pleasure of our home for our last night in Korea, the impressive Grand Ambassador Hotel.
DAY 4
Immediately after breakfast at the full-packed restaurant of the Grand Ambassador Hotel, off we went to start our city tour on our last day in Korea. Our first stop was the Ilhwa Ginseng store where we had an exclusive briefing regarding ginseng and its wonders. We also had the chance to sample some ginseng products aside from the famous tea such as candies, cookies, etc. Of course, we did a little ginseng products shopping for pasalubong back home. Then to the Jeil Amethyst Company where we were welcomed by the owner who was super nice to us and gave us an amethyst key chain each! Mine is on my office table and is for display purposes only! Cookie, Xenia and Jackie got some adorable jewelry pieces at a very good price. Really worth it! It was just there and then that I learned that aside from its sparkling beauty, amethyst is therapeutic, too.
Right after lunch, which was truly a gastronomic feast, we passed by the Blue House or the presidential palace on our way to Gyeongbokgung Palace. In a 40-acre property, the Gyeongbokgong Palace was built in 1394 and was the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) by the dynasty’s founder King Taejo. The Gyeongbokgung Palace is the grandest of the five palaces during that period.
And then it was time to head to the Incheon International Airport to catch our 8:20PM Asiana Airlines flight back to Cebu. On the way, we passed by a two-level pasalubong store where you can find anything you want for giveaways such as packed kimchi, souvenir items and other Korean delicacies to bring back home.
Time moved so fast that before we knew it, it was boarding time already. After three and a half hours we landed smoothly at the Mactan International Airport at exactly 11:40PM, 10 minutes earlier than our estimated time of arrival.
To the Cebu Tours and Travel Association (CTTA) through its young prexy, Cookie Queblatin-Chan, Hanatour through Bryan Lee and Asiana Airlines through its General Manager Visayas-Mindanao, Sung Kyoo Park, thank you very much for making the Korea tour possible! GAMSA-HAMNIDA! ?