6 Days Seoul, South Korea Itinerary: Visa, Travel Info, Budget, Getting Around

 

http://english.seoul.go.kr/life-information/visit-to-seoul/

Because I am Korean drama fanatic, I immediately grabbed the PISO sale of Cebu Pacific to South Korea. Just like our previous out of the county travels, we waited for 9 months. It also means we have 9 months of preparing the itinerary, accommodation and the most important one is VISA.

VISA
  How to Apply and Get a Tourist Visa in South Korea


BUDGET

Airfare (Piso Sale from Cebu Pacific Air): Php 7,500.00
Travel Tax: Php 1,620.00
Terminal Fee:  Php 550.00
Accommodation:  Php 18,000.00 for the six of us for 5 nights
Nami Island Tour:  23,000 won or Php 920.00
Everland: 32,000 won (with discount voucher) or Php 1,280.00 
T-Money: 20,000 won for 5 days or Php 800.00
Palace Tour: 3000 won per palace or Php 120.00
Pocket Wifi: 5,000 won per day or Php 200.00


Budget for food depends on your preference. We usually eat a lot and tasted most of the street foods sold at Myeongdong. You can buy yourself a decent meal at fastfood joint for 5,500 won and 8,000 at a Korean restaurant. Samgyupsal is quite expensive. If you are a coffee lover, have an extra budget for coffee because there are many coffee shops in Seoul.

WIFI 

Some places have free wifi in Seoul. But if you want constant wifi, you an rent one at the airport or at your accommodation. We rented ours for 5,000 won per day that may be use by 5 gadgets. Internet connection is super fast. 


ARRIVING AT INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT  

Upon clearing the Immigration and claimed our baggage, we finally entered the arrival area. Our cousins who are working in Korea welcomed us. We were so hungry we ate at McDonalds before riding the bus to Seoul.

Though it cost more, we opted to ride the bus than the train for convenience because the bus will lead us directly in front of our hostel. And we have many luggages, it might be difficult for us to take the subway. Bus ride from the airport to Dongmyo Station cost 10,000 won and the express train cost 8,000 won. There are two types of train. The express that will take you non stop at Seoul Station (43 minutes) and the all stop train (56 minutes.)

Good thing we checked the weather before we arrived. It ranges from -3 degree and 9 degree. We bought some jackets and boots for this trip. 

As for currency exchange, you can exchange money at the airport or banks in downtown. 

Local currencies in the Republic of Korea (ROK)

1. Bills : 50,000 KRW, 10,000 KRW, 5,000 KRW, and 1,000 KRW
2. Coins : 500 KRW, 100 KRW, 50 KRW, and 10 KRW 

Getting around Seoul is convenient and cheaper by bus. We didn't use the subway because of steep stairs. We used our cellphones GPS and maps for direction and route options. Don't bother asking locals because on our experience, they were poor in English and in telling direction. If you're having difficulty, better ask a policeman. There are also tourist information booths around the city. You better get a map.

 
 

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How to Apply and Get a South Korean Visa in the Philippines for Filipino

This is our first out of the country family getaway that requires a visa. Since we have plenty of time to prepare, we prepared first the documents needed. We also submitted NSO birth certificate and marriage certificate as proof of relationship.

STEP 1: Gathering of Documents

A. Tourist Visa Requirements for Filipino Employees (for me, my husband and my sisters who are currently employed)
1. Application Form
2. 1piece of Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable, and Korean Visas will not be counted)
6. Original Certificate of Employment
   (must include applicant's position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number (cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address)
7. Original Personal Bank Certificate
   (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
8. Bank Statement
   (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
10. Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316

B. Tourist Visa Requirements for Filipino Businessmen (for my father and my mother)
1. Application Form
2. 1piece of Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable, and Korean Visas will not be counted)
6. Photocopy of Business Registration from SEC or DTI
7. Photocopy of Business Permit or Mayor's Permit8. Original Personal Bank Certificate
   (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
9. Bank Statement
   (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
10. Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316

I had a little bit problem (actually it's BIG) in preparing the travel documents of my 2 sisters. They are working in our small family business and they do not have an ITR. I called the Korean Embassy to raise my concern and the lady told me that if they are working, even though in a family business, they must have an ITR. Oh well, they just made a visit at the BIR Regional Office and applied for a TIN.

STEP 2: Submission of Application 

You have an option to submit all the documents personally at the embassy or thru a travel agent. Since Taguig is just 2 hours away, we opted to go to the embassy personally.

1.  The embassy is located at 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634. 

2.  No need for appointment. First come first serve. Filing of visa application is open from 9 to 11 am only, Monday to Friday. We were at the embassy at around 8:30am and finished at 9:00am.

3.  Pay the visa fee

Visa Fee: 59 days (or less) stay in Korea -- GRATIS
                   60 to 90 days stay in Korea -- PHP1,800.00

4. Wait for 5 agonizing days. (Pray hard!)

5. Claim your passport after 5 days and hopefully with an approved visa.

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Baluarte ni Chavit

After eating our breakfast and packing our things, we headed to visit Baluarte. This is the info I got from their website: chavitsingson.net

Baluarte is 80 hectares of gently rolling terrains, hills and mountain sides, the structures of facilities and amenities, its phases of construction is in its best possible realistic and natural habitat for good and sound animal care.

Located along the western seaboard of Northern Luzon 408 kilometers north of Manila, bounded in the South by South China Sea, Baluarte has its breathtaking view of Vigan City. Baluarte is open to the public and admission is FREE. It is actually Governor Chavit's gift to the people of Vigan where residents are accorded free use of spaces for their livelihood programs.

Yes, It's FREE.

Animals are everywhere.

 

There is also a butterfly garden.

There is also a souvenir shop inside the Baluarte. You can also ride the pony.

There is a golden building that is so prominent. It is the house of Gov. Chavit Singson. Holy cow! It's a huge house with helipad.

Baluarte is a ten minute drive from Vigan City. Baluarte construction is still on going. Zoo patrons are given free admission and free use of its facilities in the picnic areas. It is open daily from 7am to 6pm. You are free to bring your food and be at the picnic place of your choice. We have enough comfort rooms available at the entrance. 

You can contact them at 077-722-7186.

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Calle Crisologo: A Travel Back in Spanish Time

The famous landmark of Vigan City is the Calle Crisologo. After watching the dancing fountain at Plaza Salcedo and eating our dinner, we walked to Calle Crisologo. 

The street was so crowded. Full of locals and tourist. Most of the first floors of the old houses were converted to souvenir shops and restaurants. 

Luis is so cute in his native hat.

I was amazed on how the government managed to restore or preserve the area. Vigan is also called the Heritage Village.  No wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you are tired of walking, the other way to tour the street is via riding the kalesa.

Anyone won’t regret visiting this street with scenes of old times, the Spanish era. The place is so charming and romantic during night time.

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Where to Stay in Vigan: Cordillera Family Inn

We finally reached Vigan at around 6:00PM and we easily found our nest for tonight. The Cordillera Family Inn located beside Plaza Burgos. There are actually 2 Cordillera Inn, Cordillera Inn Hotel & Restaurant that is located at Calle Crisologo. We opted to stay at the branch in Florentino St. because they have dormitory rooms here. And we were on a budget trip.

Since we were paying via credit card, their credit card facility is located at the other branch. We waited around 20 minutes for us to checked-in to our rooms. We just stayed at the reception/dining area.

The steps in their stairs were uneven. 

We got a dormitory room good for 8 pax at Php4,800. it comes with a plated breakfast. Our room was clean and the bed were so soft and comfortable.

Our room also has a huge bathroom with 2 showers and 2 toilets. It has a long sink too were you can dry your hair or brush your teeth.

THE PRICE:

If you’re planning to visit Vigan, I highly recommend this place.

Cordillera Family Inn

Florentino Street (beside Plaza Burgos),

Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

0915-7053002

 

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Batac's Pride: Empanada and the Ferdinand E. Marcos Presidential Center

Do you ever wonder if the remains of former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos is real or just a wax? And so we headed to the town of Batac in Ilocos Norte to see it for ourselves.

 We hurriedly went to the Marcos crypt because it will close at 5PM and its already 4:45pm. At the door, there were 2 securities to assist you. Picture taking is prohibited inside the crypt. 

Once inside, it was so creepy. There was a instrumental music playing and CCTV cameras and securities. Do not temp or even try to take a picture.

The mausoleum is built of adobe blocks and is stepped towards the top of the structure. The solemn interior is divided into an entry hall styled with old English standards and a bust. The family's mortician confirmed that the corpse is real, although people suspect it is a wax replica, and the real body was secretly buried in ground.

Then we went outside for the museum. There is an entrance fee of Php50.00. We didn't get inside as our minds were still full of what we learned at the Malananang of the North. And we were hungry too.

Few meter away from the presidential center, we crossed the bridge and we were at the Batac Empanada Plaza or now called Batac Riverside Empanadaan right beside the Batac churh.

There were so many stalls that sells the famous Batac's empanada. Its like a big food court. 

There are many variants of empanada. For first timers, we ordered the special. We happened to captured its preparation. 

The empanada taste delicious specially when paired with their local vinegar.

A visit to Batac will never be complete without having a bite of the empanada.

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