Go, Miguel ,Go!: Traveling to Seoul, South Korea (Preparation-Solo Trip)

Tripod na katulong ko sa pictorial yung black

Day 0 - Traveling to Seoul, South Korea ( Preparation -Solo Trip )

Day 1- Traveling to Seoul, South Korea ( Day 1- Downtown Seoul)

Day 2- Traveling to Seoul, South Korea ( Nami Island Tour)

Day 3- Traveling to Seoul, South Korea ( Other DIY Tours)

Date of Visit: May 15-May 19, 2013

Accommodation: Seoul Hostel center

Airline (Cebu Pacifiic)-

Booked last Oct 12,Manila to Incheon-May 15,2013- PHP 2336.50

Booked lat Feb 28,013 Incheon to Mnl-May 19,2013-PHP4993.50

-Airfare with both 15kgs baggage allowance

Number of Pax: 1 (Solo Travel)

In order to enter South Korea you need to secure a VISA .

Here’s my preparation before the trip

-Had my Target Travel Date and Booked Airfare Tickets

- Reading Blogs /Online Forum in Pinoy Exchange- Filipino Blogs of Andy,Chyng,Eros,Gorio Lakwatsero ( for my Itineraries)

-Had reservation at Seoul Hostel Center (3nights-via email, no reservation fee needed)

-The most important was the VISA Application

Visa Day Application

Submitted these documents

-Bank statement original ( Php 52000)

-COE (Certificate of Employment)

-ITR (Income Tax Return- photocopy)

-Passport

-Passport ( 1^st page photo copy)

-Accomplished VISA form downloaded from their website ( picture must be glued not stapled it will not be accepted)

- VISA is for free (during my visit)

I prepared for other documents to support if the consul will ask for it ( RT Ticket, Hotel Reservation( email),Payslips, CompanyID)

At the embassy (April 12,2013), get your visitor pass and Filipino personnel will assist you which window you will queue into. The whole process lasted for only 15 minutes ( the personel – Korean ) checked my documents and then she gave me a claimed stub dated ( April 19,2013)- 5 working days.

Accdg to the blogger,gorio lakwatsero 5 days is a stress waiting part what if I got denied (“TY na lang sa ticket”)

Released my VISA by April 19,2013 (“ I’m so Happy , SOKOR here I come !’)

-During of my plan visit, anytime the war will escalate from the between the two Koreans, I continuously monitoring the travel ban.

-Working straight and exchange my offs /leaves

-Exchange my PHP 20000 to won at Sanrys (Market Market Branch ,Taguig)

-Packed up,what outfit per day, necessities

-Downloaded Phone application - subway ,metro,learn korea ,maps me offline map

-Printed and photocopied copies –Ticket,Passport ,COE,ITR, IDs ( left all of these at my bag at my lodge for security purposes)

-Brought local snacks- biscuits, cupcakes etc.

The Travel Days ( May 15-19)

Day 0 :

-Home-Taxi –airport

-Terminal Fee ( P550),Travel Tax( P1620)

-Immigration Officer- asked for my work, checked the visa sticker, seen my passport (had prior stamps from other SEA countries, stamped!

-Going to Boarding Gate and switched my phone to roaming.

-My flight (15:55)delayed 25 mins, 4 hour flight ,slept, didn’t mind the CebPac games

Landed at Incheon Airport (Best Airport ) my phone carrier switched now SK Telecom.

-Before deplaning , listen to the assigned carousel belt of your baggage)

-Follow your passengers, don’t worry signs are multilingual.

-rode train to Immigration ( Presented my passport/disembarkation card concourse),Biometrics,/Photo/IO scan my passport, stamped the visa sticker part and hand it to me.

Welcome officially to SOKOR

Then got my baggage from the assigned carousel,

-Arrival area

Based on my research ( guys wearing black shirt/jacket approached me offering taxi services to seoul ( “Hey Man!” and I ignored them)

-at 7 11- purchased TMoney ( octopus,ez link card counter part of Hongkong ,Singapore)

-Got airport info maps.

-Next look for AREX ( Airport Railroad)Check their sites for fares, schedules, and follow the sign to AREX/

-Checked my offline subway map, (Incheon airport to Seoul -45 min).

-Transfer from AREX to Line 1,City hall and JOngkak Station (exit 2)

Jongkak ( station near my lodge)

-Seoul Hostel Center ( From Jongkak –exit 2-walkstraight –dunkin donuts –turn left – look for starbucks/family mart.

Found the bldg.,but the lower part of it is a resto , an no signage of my hotel (in English). I only depended the pictures and directions from their website. Thank God, a local guy assisted and lead the way to my hostel which is the reception is located at 2^nd-3^rd floor.

-Checked in and paid around 1030 Korean time ( advance 1 hr from PH)

` -My room –no window, shared toilet, free wifi, water coffee

-10000 won key deposit (refundable)

-Texted my Mama ,unpacked, FB post, Yosi at their rooftop

-prepared things for tomorrow (IT, what to bring)

-Temperature during my visit (summer time in Korea- like temp in Baguio City, Philippines)

Here are my pictures of Incheon Airport and arrival