So a day after visiting Seoul: Myeongdong Cat Cafe, we went on to visit Bauhouse Dog Cafe in Hapjeong (very near Hapjeong station exit 3) before shopping in Hongdae.
Bau House location
The procedure is: order a drink before going in to play with the dogs. Each table has a cabinet where you can place your stuff in.
Bau House Instructions
Bau House Family
The Cafe is divided into two areas: one for toy dogs to small dogs and another for the medium to extra large dogs. Being fans of big dogs, we decided to buy treats and jump into the big dogs area. Before we’re allowed into the area, the staff reminded us that treats are only for those in the big dogs area and to hold the treat inside the palm for 3 seconds before releasing the treat. (i.e. Do not throw the food or play catch.)
During our second trip to Seoul, we made sure to include a visit to a cat cafe and a dog cafe into our itinerary. After a little research, we chose Lily Cat Cafe at Myeongdong for our cat cafe. Unfortunately, we were not able to find the said cafe even after consulting google maps, naver map, and blogs. Luckily, we stumbled upon a cat mascot advertising a cat cafe one intersection after the largest Nature Republic store in Myeongdong. (coming from Myeongdong Subway exit 6)
Cat Cafe Mascot
Cat Cafe 고양이놀이터 Cat Playground in Myeongdong is located at the 3F of a building and is home to 36 adorable cats.
Continuing from the previous post of South Korea sites, this time in Seoul. Gyeongbokgung or Gyeongbok Palace is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces during the Joseon Dynasty. The present palace is actually a reconstruction of the original. The original palace was destroyed during the World War II, then left to ruins for more than 270 years. Gwanghwamun – Main Gate
If you’re a kdrama fan, I bet you’re quite familiar of this palace, since this has been a set for several dramas. Main Palace building
The Palace is a huge compound composed of clustered structures. It would be impossible to tour the whole palace grounds in just half a day. We recommend going along with the free “quick tours” available from the palace’s visitor center. Who doesn’t like free?) It would be a lot easier and interesting because you can roam the compound with having someone telling you the history of the place. The schedules for English and other languages tours are also posted at the visitor center.
How to get there:
Line 3 – Gyeongbokgung Station -> exit 5
or
Line 5 – Gwanghwamun Station -> Exit 2. Directions to Gyeongbokgung
Operating Hours:
March-October: 09:00-18:00
November-February: 09:00-17:00
* Last admission: 1 hr before closing.
* Operating hours are subject to change depending on circumstances. * Close during Tuesdays.
Interpretation Services Offered:
Tours depart in front of the Information Center at Heungnyemun Gate (흥례문).
Duration: 1hr – 1hr, 30min
Tour Schedule:
English: 11:00, 13:30, 15:30
Japanese: 10:00, 12:30, 14:30
Chinese: 10:30, 13:00, 15:00
When I saw the post How to Apply and Get a Korean Tourist Visa in the Philippines, I remembered that back in Autumn 2011, our family decided to visit Seoul and Busan, South Korea. One of our favorite places was the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple at Busan. The majestic temple is located on a rocky terrain facing the ocean. I would love to visit this place again in the near future to finally watch the famous sunrise while listening to the calming sounds of the waves. (Note to self: plan an itinerary with lighter activities!)
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
How to get there Option 1: Take Busan subway Line 2 to Haeundae Station an leave thru Exit 7. Get on Bus 181 and tell the driver to drop you off at Yonggungsa Temple stop. You will also see a large sign saying “Haedong Yonggungsa Temple”. After the bus drops you off at the gate, you can start the approximately 10 minute uphill walk to the temple gates.
Option 2: If the buses are full or you just do not want to do the 10 minute uphill walk, just flag down a taxi.
If you need a map, visit the Tourist Information Center near the Busan Aquarium at Haeundae Beach. Haeundae Tourist Information Center
One of almost every DBSK/JYJ fans’s must visit places in South Korea: Park Yoochun’s gelato shop. Okay. It was a challenge to find this place, especially when one is unprepared. We thought we could just go to Apgujeong station then ask around. Unfortunately, there weren’t many people around during that day (it was a Monday). But, lucky us, there was internet! Hyundai Department Store
From Apgujeong Station, proceed to exit 5. If you saw the Hyundai Department store at the other side of the road, you’re still good. Just walk straight, and then turn left at the first corner. Walk a few meters from there; be sure to look at your left or you’d miss it (not really). The gelato bar is in front of L’occitaine. Mission accomplished! Yeah, it was actually easy to find the shop… if you know where to look for it. We got lost for a while. timeout gelato map Time Out Gelato Bar Continue reading “South Korea: Time Out Gelato”→
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