First Time to South Korea: Day 4

 
This is our last day in South Korea. Each day  is a treasure that we will always remember. I am very thankful to my mom for granting my request to travel.

First Time to South Korea: Day 3

Han River Cruise with Buffet

We enjoyed our buffet at Ramada Seoul Hotel. I love their food because they are a lot and delicious. It is really comfortable to rest there.

First Time to South Korea: Day 2

at MBC Dramia

We got good sleep in Daemyung Resort. We had our buffet breakfast. There are lots of food and drinks. We could always go back whenever we want. We left Daemyung Resort after our breakfast. Then, we headed to Seoul.

First Time to South Korea: Day 1

At Nami Island

We safely arrived to Seoul Airport around 4:00 KST. Thanks to Jeju Air. We had to walk for 5 minutes to the Immigration after riding a subway/train(had to walk for few minutes to go here). Seoul Airport is really big. Stamping passport is one by one. It is different in Philippines because it could be by group. Then, we went to get our luggage. I'm so strong that I can carry my heavy luggage. Of course, I helped my mom to get hers. Thanks to my extra weight that I become stronger. After that, we went to exit. While going out, I said in my mind that "Wow! This is the exit where Korean actors go out. I watched it in some Korean Dramas. I'm so happy." We had to wait for other travelers of "Hallyu Korea", our tour package. I quite wondered why it is called Hallyu Korea. I realized it later on. The reason is that we would go to MBC Dramia, a shooting location of historical dramas in South Korea, and Star World on the 2nd day and 3rd day, respectively.

Jeju Air with Bigbang

my boarding pass from South Korea to Philippines

My first time to board Jeju Air was last November 1. I just noticed that delays are inevitable when your departure is from Manila. I didn't understand the cause of delay. My first flight with Korean Air was also delayed last March 2012. There was also one-hour and 30 minutes delay when we went back here in Manila via Jeju Air. The reason for this was the heavy rain in Seoul. It's good thing that it rained after our tour in Seoul.

Daemyung Resort

Gangwon-do Goseong-gun Toseong-myeon Wonam-ri 403-1

This is the place where we spent our first night in South Korea. I like the room assigned to us because it's big and clean.

A Guide to South Korea

A view from N-Tower

South Korea is a must visit country. I am very happy that I was able to travel there with my mom and my sister. We really enjoyed traveling.

Korean Visa for Filipinos

Short-term Visa

My mother, my sister and I are very happy when we learned that our Visa Application for Korea were approved. Thanks to Jeju Air for assisting us. We submitted our applications with the necessary requirements to Jeju Air on a Tuesday; Jeju Air forwarded our requirements on the next day, and we knew the result after a week. It is our first time on applying the visa.

Here is the Korean Visa requirements summary I got from Jeju Air.

Basic Requirements

·         Original passport (6 months valid from the date of travel)

o    Submit Old passport if used within the last five years

·         Photocopy of passport’s first page (ID page) and visa or arrival stamps to any OECD countries within the last 5 years

·         1 Passport sized picture with white background

·         Completely filled-out visa application form

Short-term Visas(C-3) for Tourists: Single Entry (Requirements as per qualification):

Employee

·         Original Employment Certificate (include Tenure, Position, and Salary)

·         Photocopy of Company Identification Card

·         Original Personal Bank Certificate with receipt

·         Photocopy of Individual Income Tax Return (ITR) or Form 2316 (the previous year)

Businessman

·         Photocopy of Business registration SEC or DTI

·         Photocopy of Mayor’s or Business permit

·         Original Personal Bank Certificate with receipt

·         Photocopy of Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) or Form 2316 (the previous year)

Student / Child

·         Original School Certificate for Students

·         Photocopy of School Identification card for Students

·         Photocopy of NSO Birth Certificate

·         Photocopy of all Documents of parents

ü  if NOT travelling with both parents, Original Affidavit of support and consent by the parents or guardian (Notarized) is required

Retiree/Senior Citizen (55 years old and above)

·         Original Certificate of retirement or  Photocopy of Senior Citizen Identification Card

·         Original Bank Certificate include the receipt from the bank

·         Other proof of funds such as land titles, Vehicle registration, Pension Certificate, Country Club or Golf Club, Stocks

Note:

1.        Applicants may submit other proof of funds such as land titles, Vehicle registration, Pension Certificate, Country Club or Golf Club, Stocks Certificate as supporting documents in case they cannot submit one of the requirements of their qualifications.

2.        Applicants could be asked to submit additional documents as per consul’s evaluation.

3.        All visa applications are subject for approval, processing normally takes 7 working days.

4.        3-4 working days processing (subject to consul’s discretion) if applicant travelled to any countries listed below within the last 5 years:

List of OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Countries

§ Australia

§ Denmark

§  Iceland

§ Mexico

§ Slovenia

§ Austria

§ Estonia

§  Ireland

§ Netherlands

§ Spain

§ Belgium

§ Finland

§  Israel

§ New Zealand

§ Sweden

§ Canada

§ France

§  Italy

§ Norway

§ Switzerland

§ Chile

§ Germany

§  Japan

§ Poland

§ Turkey

§ Czech Republic

§ Greece

§ Portugal

§ United Kingdom

§ Hungary

§  Luxembourg

§ Slovak Republic

§ United States 
 

I'm still a student that's why Jeju Air submitted my requirements with my mother's who is an employee. All of us submitted the requirements. However, I and my sister did not submit our old passports. I forgot to bring mine while my sister did not give hers because the staff of Jeju Air said it's fine even without the old passport. My sister has stamp of arrival at China in her old passport while I have stamp of arrival at United States of America. I also have American Visa in my old passport. However, both of us submitted all the photocopy of our stamps on arrival, and departure and my photocopy American Visa to Jeju Air. My sister is quite nervous because she might get denied while I and my mom would be approved. She only visited Beijing, China, Hongkong and Shenzen, China in the last five years.

Korean Air & Seoul Airport

Seoul/Incheon Airport

I traveled via Korean Air for four times. Twice when I went to USA, and twice again when I returned here in Philippines. There is no direct flight from Philippines to USA via Korean Air. That's why I had to stay for few hours in Incheon airport while waiting for my next flight. I spent my free time drinking Starbucks, eating in Korean resto, strolling and buying Korean goodies. You can also take a shower or rent a room to take a nap while you are in the airport. You don't have to pay won (Korean currency) just to buy food/drinks or stuffs as long as you have US dollars, but they will give won as your change.

my breakfast

receipts from shopping/eating

Outside the airport; before take-off

I love the meals of Korean Air. They are delicious and plenty. They offer pasta, bibimbap, chicken, beef, ice cream, and side dishes such as fruits. They also offer tea or coffee. They have soda  and juices, too. Every time that I am done, I am really full and I can't eat anymore the desserts. From Philippines to Korea, there is one meal (breakfast) and snacks. It's breakfast because you will arrive in Korea around 4am. The travel takes four hours. The time in Korea is advance of one hour here in Philippines. That's why you have to check their time because you might miss your flight. From Korea to USA (Virginia), there are two meals (lunch and dinner) and of course, snacks. The travel takes 14 hours. Yeah, it's long and my legs were tired sitting. While you are in the plane, you can watch movies, listen from the music, or play games. During my time, I watched "Breaking Dawn Part 1" and "Blind". "Blind" is a Korean movie. About the flight attendants, they are pretty and tall. They are always smiling.

my breakfast from Philippines to Korea (Korean Air)

free bottle of water and I can fully charge my gadgets (ipod shuffle & galaxy note)

It is not easy to buy plane tickets here in Philippines because you need a travel agency to book and pay for it. If you live in USA, you can pay online. If you will travel via Korean Air, I recommend you to avail "Sky Pass". It's free and you can earn and redeem miles for your next travel. You can enroll online. Even though booking is difficult, the travel experience is great and fun.