Because I had such a busy week leading up to Christmas that I didn't have time to prepare for our trip. Yes, I had packed our winter clothes for months. But, I didn't finish packing until the 24th. I forgot to pack sunscreen, among other things. I forgot to purchase Korean Won for the trip. I haven't decided on our itinerary. All I knew was we were going to Myeongdong, Coex, a ski resort, eat authentic Korean BBQ. I had nothing else planned. I am just glad I am not a K-Pop fanatic, so that is off our list.
As always, travelling with kids comes with its own difficulties. I'd have to make sure that they are warm enough. We'd have to take frequent stops for rest and bathroom breaks. Almost all Korean fried chicken is spicy, even if they say it is NOT spicy. McDonald's is still the safest option. Fried mozzarella is almost always on the menu, much to my kids' delight.
I did not expect Google Maps and Waze to fail me. We got lost several times. Never have I been so disoriented in my life. I consider myself an expert traveller so navigating the small streets of the city should've been easy. I suggest installing NAVER for your navigation needs.
We usually travel for food and for the experience. Here are my top suggestions for first timers like me:
1) Arirang hotdog - We didn't try the hotdog but we had several servings of the deep-fried mozzarella on sticks. It was crunchy on the outside and oh-so-gooey on the inside. One random child even did a double-take and ran back to us to ask where we got it. You will find this in Myeongdong, just make a right after the ZARA building.
2) Fluffy pancakes - This was our most favorite street-food. The pancake melts in the mouth. The strawberries are sweet enough to complement the pancake. You may find this in front of Zara in the Myeongdong shopping street.
3) Ski resort - Since we live in the tropics, my children haven't experienced snow. So, this was one of the experiences I would like them to treasure. Via Klook, we booked a ride, tickets, and tickets to Vivaldi ski resort. My children got to ride the gondola, play in the snow, ride the tubes and enjoy negative zero degree weather. It is such a novelty when it's not an inconvenience. Also make sure to pack waterproof shoes and gloves. Ugg-style boots are not waterproof boots. We learned that the hard way.
4) Winter Clothes - Because a lot of people are travelling to to colder climates during the holidays, we have an assortment of cold-weather clothes available to us here in Manila. Just buy enough for your arrival. If you need to bundle up some more, the local stores in your destination would surely have them, at a cheaper price too. Most likely, they will be on sale already. You'd get tax refund too.
5) Food containers - If you are like me who brings home food whenever you travel, this is a must. I brought a big, sturdy container to protect my precious strawberries. They arrived in Manila as fresh and as plump as I bought them.
It was a fun trip. It is not an expensive city. Food and accommodations are reasonably priced. Shopping is also a good experience here.
Here I am, barely finished with unpacking, already planning to head back to Seoul.
As always, travelling with kids comes with its own difficulties. I'd have to make sure that they are warm enough. We'd have to take frequent stops for rest and bathroom breaks. Almost all Korean fried chicken is spicy, even if they say it is NOT spicy. McDonald's is still the safest option. Fried mozzarella is almost always on the menu, much to my kids' delight.
I did not expect Google Maps and Waze to fail me. We got lost several times. Never have I been so disoriented in my life. I consider myself an expert traveller so navigating the small streets of the city should've been easy. I suggest installing NAVER for your navigation needs.
We usually travel for food and for the experience. Here are my top suggestions for first timers like me:
1) Arirang hotdog - We didn't try the hotdog but we had several servings of the deep-fried mozzarella on sticks. It was crunchy on the outside and oh-so-gooey on the inside. One random child even did a double-take and ran back to us to ask where we got it. You will find this in Myeongdong, just make a right after the ZARA building.
2) Fluffy pancakes - This was our most favorite street-food. The pancake melts in the mouth. The strawberries are sweet enough to complement the pancake. You may find this in front of Zara in the Myeongdong shopping street.
3) Ski resort - Since we live in the tropics, my children haven't experienced snow. So, this was one of the experiences I would like them to treasure. Via Klook, we booked a ride, tickets, and tickets to Vivaldi ski resort. My children got to ride the gondola, play in the snow, ride the tubes and enjoy negative zero degree weather. It is such a novelty when it's not an inconvenience. Also make sure to pack waterproof shoes and gloves. Ugg-style boots are not waterproof boots. We learned that the hard way.
4) Winter Clothes - Because a lot of people are travelling to to colder climates during the holidays, we have an assortment of cold-weather clothes available to us here in Manila. Just buy enough for your arrival. If you need to bundle up some more, the local stores in your destination would surely have them, at a cheaper price too. Most likely, they will be on sale already. You'd get tax refund too.
5) Food containers - If you are like me who brings home food whenever you travel, this is a must. I brought a big, sturdy container to protect my precious strawberries. They arrived in Manila as fresh and as plump as I bought them.
It was a fun trip. It is not an expensive city. Food and accommodations are reasonably priced. Shopping is also a good experience here.
Here I am, barely finished with unpacking, already planning to head back to Seoul.
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