Wednesday, June 15, 2011

6-days South Korea 1st Winter Get-away

every budget traveler's dream, feel the chill !!
February 23-28, 2011 wednesday to monday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional tasks: to conquer the Everland’s T-express (world’s most steepest roller coaster) and experience the snow for the 1st time

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
timezone -  +0900H UTC
capital - seoul city
currency - south korean won (KRW) 1KRW = 0.04PHP, 1USD = 1,080KRW
basic phrases - Kamsahamnida (thank you), hwangyong-hamnida (welcome), annyeonghaseyo (hello)

After the invasion of South Korea by forces from the North on 25 June 1950, the resulting war between the two Koreas ended with an Armistice Agreement, but the border between the two nations is the most heavily fortified in the world. After the war, the South Korean economy grew significantly and the country had transformed into a major economy, a full democracy, and a regional power in East Asia
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea

alloted budget for 6-days tourist stay

check-in luggage just borrowed

the preparation:
availed the incheon-manila round trip ticket @ 101010 cebu pacific promo fare that cost only php3,543. In my work, over 3 months before the travel, I informed my immediate superior that I will file a leave without mentioning any of this, hehehe!

january 24, 2011 we filed application in Korean embassy in fort bonifacio, taguig where in we did over an hour road trip due to being lost to that U-turn. Finally, we reached that building then stayed there for almost 30 minutes only. And on January 31, all of us granted a single entry C-32 code visa for 59 days duration of stay. Here was the list of requirement I have passed;

wikimapia location of korea embassy in makati city

how to apply visa in south korea ?

visa requirements;
1. certificate of employment - almost 5 years in work as ordinary employee, with average salary (original copy dated jan.17, 2011)
2. personal bank certificate - less than 45k in BDO (orig copy dated jan.18, 2011)
3. income tax return - 2009 edition, clear copy - 2010 is available on march, embassy knows these stuff.
4. 1pc. white passport pic size of 35x45mm - others used blue color, don't know why but it is also accepted according to them
5. fully-accomplished application form, N/A to the fields which are not applicable. - available online but we've decided accomplishing this in the embassy
6. orig passport with immigration stamps from Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
7. photocopy of passport data sheet - 1st page of the passport, the one that has picture

Korea embassy address in the Philippines:
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
122 upper mckinley road, mckinley town center
fort bonifacio, taguig city 1634

February 1, we started to estimate all expenses on the entire journey, i.e. travel tax, accommodation, tourist spot’s fees, transpo’s, foods, presents, etc. we came-out for a budget of php22,000. Thus, korea winter get-away will have an estimated cost around php22,000 on minimum value for 6-days stay.

incheon international airport

along the roads of seoul city

the work before the travel:
of course, traveling for 6 days and filing a leave of absence for 4 days in work is really a big issue. With terms and conditions apply, finally, I am deeply relaxed to continue my preparation on pursuing this winter travel. It was really hard to beg my boss wherein I have a major responsibility during those vacation leaves and no one else in my office can take in charge.

Buying the winter attire:
I bought my bubble jacket in sm surplus php899.75 large size, another simple jacket in an ‘ukay-ukay’ for php200. gloves and scarfs will be on the korea as the winter is on its last days, there is a possibility that it will have a much cheaper price compare locally.

snow, snow in dmz area

strolling seoul city by day

strolling seoul city by day

strolling seoul city at night

records set for this event:
this will be my 1st time ...
1. on a winter-season country
2. to go abroad with a fellow traveler-friends the whole duration of the trip
3. on a trip beyond 3 days outside Philippines
4. on a country that hosted world cup and Olympic games
5. to travel with check-in luggage

anyways, i divided this wonderful journey into different set of posts to be more specific on its content;

5 comments:

  1. Hi! Very informative blog! And you take good travel photos.

    I was wondering where the downloadable file of your Korea tour budget is, though. I also plan to travel to Korea, soon!

    Thanks! =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can attest to the very cold winter in South Korea. Seoul was just freezing, but I managed to make the most of my three day trip after
    flights to manila.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love Korea as well. I've been to the city once and I am planning to go by next year. Winter is a good season in Korea as well as the spring. I love the different and beautiful spots in this country. thailand holidays

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've never been to South Korea yet. How I wish I had the money to travel anywhere in the world. South Korea seems like a beutiful country. I've heard that they also have beuatiful hotel and luxurious resorts. I look forward to visiting this country in the near future.

    Kimberley Accommodation

    ReplyDelete
  5. South Korea is one of the countries in Asia that I would love to visit. I've heard and read a lot of great things about this country. It is also known as one of the most livable countries in Asia.

    Holiday Park

    ReplyDelete

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