Korea Report: Yongsan Electronics Market and Lotte Mart

I know I've stated in my previous report that Seoul is probably a great place for women especially girls who loves cosmetics!  It's definitely cosmetics and skincare heaven but that does not mean there's nothing for the guys!  This post is to prove that the dear men in our lives can enjoy Korea as much as girls!  

I, the tour agent of this trip!  Did the itinerary weeks before I left the country.  I made sure to insert something for the hubby!  He's been way too sweet to accompany me on my shopping trips to various cosmetic brands and its even sweet how he help me carry the stuffs I purchased!  Being the considerate wife that I am *ahem* hahahaha  I insisted to take him to the electronics market!

Yongsan Electronics Market, is a retail market comprising over 20 buildings housing 5,000 stores that sells anything from computer peripherals to cameras, mobile phones, appliances, etc...  This area is super big and I don't expect to walk all of them in half a day!  We've decided to take a peek and have an idea how "Electronics Market" in Seoul looks like!

The Electronics Market is located on Subway line 1, at Yongsan Station.  Once you come out of the station, you will be walking to another building which is a train station terminal to enter the Terminal Shopping Center.  Most major stores open from 10:00am to 8:00pm and most of the stores are closed on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month!  Keep in mind that the department stores and many shops in Seoul closes on a Monday!

A picture to show that you can see an arrow pointing to the Electronics Market...

We were only able to visit one building nearest the train station and we gave up because our feet our dead tired!  Here are some ninja shots!  The place is huge and very clean!  Most of them do not have the price posted on the product which means one thing --- you are expected to bargain!

On a side note, Mr. AMW wanted to purchase the newest Samsung Galaxy S which he thinks will cost cheaper as Samsung is a home grown brand.  Learned that most of the phones there are sold with phone plans and Koreans can get there phones for free.  If sold separately, it'll cost us a millions of Korean Won which is around Php50,000+ (approx $1,100+).  Way more expensive than purchasing it locally!

Nail Art Tutorial: "Stripey" Nails

Hey sweet readers!  I am still on my Korean Trip hangover stage and I still have a lot of stories to share!  As promised, I will try to squeeze in something aside from the Korea Trip so you won't feel like this is a Korean Travel Blog!  *hahaha*  Before I went on my trip, I only have a couple of minutes to do my nail art!  I wanted something really quick and easy and I think this is one easy nail art anyone can try!  

Oh, before I start the tutorial, I had my nails done in a salon as I don't want to take too much time doing my own manicure and pedicure, I've had it cleaned and applied with 2 coats of polish!  I can't seem to remember the shade!  Sorry!

Step 1:
Apply a base coat prior to polish application.  Apply 2 coats of your preferred base color.

Step 2:

Using L.A. Art Deco in white or any white polish using a thin brush from bookstore, create a horizontal line anywhere you like!  The lines do not have to be perfect and don't worry about lines drawn on finger.  You can clean them up later on.



Step 3:

Next, I pull out the rest of the L.A. Art Deco colors I have and use the red color to apply random lines. 



Glittery Silver

Sky Blue



Black

Step 4:

While waiting for the lines to dry up, wet your q-tip with a nail polish remover and remove excess polish on the sides of your nails.

Step 5:

Making sure the lines are completely dry, apply your preferred top coat to protect your nails.  I used Elianto Top Coat.

Quick and easy nail art of the week minus too much complications!  Anyone can do it and again, lines do not have to be perfect!

I had this nail art on while I was traveling in Korea and its funny how 2 sellers like it and gave me discounts on my purchase! :)  Aren't they sweet?

Have a great weekend everyone!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Korea Report: Deoksugung Palace

I originally planned to go to Gyeongbokgung Palace which is the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty.  Good thing I researched online and learned the palace was close on a Tuesday so I chose to go to the 2nd choice palace instead --- Deoksugung or Deoksu Palace which means the “Palace of Virtue and Longevity”

Deoksugung is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul and housed various Korean Royalties way back until the Japanese came at the turn of 20th century.  Base on research, this is a palace built with Western Style.  Due to the destruction, it was sad to learn that only one third of the structures that were standing before the Japanese  Occupation remains.

The main entrance of Deoksugung Palace called Daehanmun Gate

Adult ticket costs 1,000 Won (approx Php40.00/less than $1.00)
Children (7 to 18 years old) 500 Won (approx Php20.00/less than $.50)

Korea Report: "Winter Sonata" Land (Nami Island)

Nami Island or Namiseom's name was originated from General Nami, he died at the age of 28 after being falsely accused of treason during the reign of King Sejo, the seventh king of tthe Joseon Dynasty of Korea.  Sounds a bit like the times of China Dynasties!  I've studied Chinese History and after my tour in Korea, I am really interested to learn more about the Korean history as well!

To get to the island, we have to go to the Ferry Wharf and buy tickets there!  We pass by Naminara Republic and that's where we line up for our ferry ride.  Ferry ride takes approximately 5-8 minutes and it's the best time to take a breather and enjoy the view of water and mountains!

Once we reached Nami Island, you can see the tomb and tombstone of General Nami.  Although his grave wasn't discovered, you can still see a tiny "hill" built where his body was supposed to be buried.  It started out as a pile of stones then a tour company arranged the grave with soil and developed Namiseom into an amusement park!

We did not walk by the grave, I don't want to step into something else you know! *shudders* hahaha

Korea Report: Adventure On the Way to Nami Island

Good morning everyone!  I'm back home, but as promised, my Korea Report will continue to share my wonderful journey!  I've got loads of requests to write more as it looks like a lot of you are traveling to Korea soon!!!

If you plan to travel Korea, Nami Island is probably one spot you'd like to include in your itinerary.  You're probably a fan of the hit Korean Series "Winter Sonata".  In my case, it's not because of Winter Sonata that I would like to visit this place (it's actually a cherry on top of the whole ice cream).  In my case, I've seen gazillions of photos online and Nami Island consistently looks gorgeous on all 4 seasons!  I'm sure it's definitely a photographer's dream to take shots in this lovely place!

Nami Island or Namiseom is actually a tiny half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon.  It's actually a couple of hours away from Seoul!  I'll talk more about Nami Island when we get there, I've created this special post to write about our adventure going to Nami Island!  Boy was I glad I'm prepared with directions before we headed to the said island!  It's one travel experience my calves and legs won't forget! :)

Wherever you are staying, try to get online and click on their interactive Seoul  Subway Map on how to get to Cheongnangyi Station on Line 1.  When you get to the Cheongnangyi Station,  exit  4 and follow signs to Cheongnangyi Train Station which is located outside the subway station!  It's actually next to the Lotte Shopping Center.

When you get in the station, purchase a ticket to Gapyeong Train Station for 3,800 Won (approx Php152.00) good for one way.  If you don't know where to purchase the tickets, you can always ask the helpful information!