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.

Joseph's Private Resort ~ 4MA9 Outing 2012

Joseph's Resort ~ Infinity Pool

This is my first outing with my dear section, 4MA9. At first, I am not sure whether should I join my classmates and friends or not. I don't regret coming since I really enjoyed swimming and eating with them. This is the only outing I joined during my college years.

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.

Luxury Townhomes: Damai Resort

I arrived at Florida without knowing we will stay at Damai Resort. I didn't even know it is called Damai because my brother didn't mention it to me. He just told us that we will stay in a house where we can cook. I honestly love Damai. The reason is that the design is so luxury. I just become very amazed when we went inside. My brother and his friends decided to rent a unit because it is near Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and supermarket. We stayed there for five days and four nights.

2012 Spring: Walt Disney World ~ Epcot

Epcot

Epcot is one of the parks of Walt Disney World. It is divided into Future World and World Showcase. Future World includes Spaceship Earth, Imagination! Pavilion, The Land Pavilion, Mission: SPACE® Pavilion, The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion, and the Universe of Energy. World Showcase features countries such as Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada. When I saw the buildings from different countries, I got the feeling that I am right there.

2012 Spring: Walt Disney World ~ Magic Kingdom

Cinderella Castle

Walt Disney World is my dream amusement park. I always love amusement parks because they are cool and fun. We went here last April. This is one of my memorable travels in USA. Tickets can be bought at the venue, but we bought our tickets in the Disney Store at Orlando, Florida. We traveled by car, then we rode a Ferry Boat. Magic Kingdom is far from the parking lot. Other option to travel is the monorail from the parking lot to the theme park.

2012 Spring: Universal Orlando

I insisted that we should go here because I learned that it is the only "Universal Studios" that has "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter". I am fan of Harry Potter movies. Universal Orlando has two parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure. If you choose for only one day in just one park, the ticket costs $88. If you prefer both parks like me, the ticket costs $123 per pax. It is not advisable to spend only one day for both parks because $123 is expensive for only one day, but we had no choice because in the next two days, we will go to Disney World (Magic Kingdom & Epcot). In the future, I will definitely come back in Florida to complete all the rides in Universal Studios and Disney World for eight days. It is cheaper for both parks, for four days because it will only cost you $40 each day. So, 4 times $40. I will just have to pay $160. We also purchased coupons for meal. It is eat all you can at participating restaurants. It costs $20.99 and the servings always come with desserts (cake or cookies). For me, they provide big servings for everyone. That's why I'm always full because we always stopped for a while in a restaurant to eat.

one of the participating restaurants

add-on: unli meal

We bought tickets at the park. We waited for at least 45 minutes because there are lots of tourists. For less hassle, you can buy tickets online. We ate first before strolling in Universal's Islands of Adventure. My favorite is "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter".

I really enjoyed "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey". I really felt that I am Hogwarts student as I walk in corridors. I saw paintings talking to one another. The classrooms of Harry, Ron and Hermione look real. The last part of the journey is the best. I soar above the castle grounds as I joined Harry Potter in his adventure and coming face-to-face with magical creatures. I met dementors face-to-face.. They are giant. The experience is one of a kind and unforgettable. I will always visit this every time I will go in Universal's Islands of Adventure. I planned to ride Flight of Hippogriff, but I had a problem because of the locker. Before we entered Hogwarts, we had to put our things inside the locker. It is free. It doesn't need keys because you will only need your fingers(biometrics). The problem was my finger wasn't recognized, and it troubled me because many people were waiting for their chance to open their own lockers. Good thing, there are staffs who helped me open my locker. I gave the locker number and they asked if my ID is inside the bag. I showed them my state ID. 

Hogwarts

looks familiar, right?

Welcome to Jurassic Park

Another great experience was Jurassic Park. I thought we will just ride the boat. Surprisingly, it has its own story like Harry Potter. We screamed when there was total darkness and suddenly, we went down for about 85-foot.  We were wet, really wet.

just what had happened to us

want to try this

Hope to visit this soon

We didn't have enough time to visit everything because we still had to go to Universal Florida. That's why I recommend four days for both parks. Going there will make your legs exercise. 

We just strolled around and took some photos. We took some rest and drank coke. We only visited "Shrek 4-D". I just loved the 4-D experience.

Both parks have many attractions, but the day is not enough because we also have to wait for our turns. Both parks close at 6pm. It is early to be compared to Disney World. Next time, I will buy Universal Express Pass so that I can fully enjoy the whole day of rides and adventures.

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.

Southwest Airlines

Last April, I traveled with my family from Maryland to Florida via Southwest Airlines. Well, they provide good service. That's not my first time to ride in Southwest Airlines. That's third time. The first one was on 2010 when we went from San Jose, California to Baltimore, Maryland (vice versa). I don't remember well how long our travel back then because it's not direct flight. We had to stop in some states like Nevada (Las Vegas) and Utah (Salt Lake City).

The thing I like about their airline is their tissue. Too bad, I lost the one I had back then and the latest one I got. Their tissue has the map of America in which shows the different state's name and locations. Next time, I will definitely take photos of it. About the food, since it just domestic/local travel, they give peanuts/nuts and juices. You can ask for sodas such as coke and sprite (had a funny story about the pronunciation).

Usually, they are on time, but sometimes, they will text you that the flight got delayed due to weather/rain. Then, two hours before the flight, they will text you that the time went back or changed to other time. For example, your flight is on 8:45pm. They will text you, that it has moved to 9:45pm. Well, don't relaxed too much because they will/might text you that it has moved again to 9:00pm. It's better to be earlier than to be late. It happened to us during our flight from Florida to Maryland.

They also offer wi-fi on board. Back then, I think they still did not have it. But last time, I did not use wi-fi because it is not free. It's 5$. I did not search for any details since it is expensive for me because I will board the plane for only two hours.

Southwest airlines has "Rapid Rewards" program. That is like the Y flyer program of Philippine Airlines.



Disclaimer: Pictures are not mine.
Source of pictures: Google

2012 Spring Travel Guide for Filipinos

Here are some guidelines if you will travel from Philippines to USA that is connecting flight via Korean Air:

Departure at NAIA airport:
1. Check in your baggages - give your ticket, passport and green card

Weight baggage depends on your airline.

2 baggage ~ maximum 23kg each

hand carry ~ maximum 12kg

2. Pay the terminal fee - 550pesos, give your passport, green card, and boarding ticket
3. Immigration - the slip should be filled up then give it to the person, give the passport, green card, boarding pass and the stub given from the terminal fee.
4. Putting the bags in the scanner, removing shoes
5. Gate 11 - right side 




Arrival at Incheon International Airport
1. Go to "Transfer"
You have to show your passport, green card and boarding ticket. Then they will inspect you and your hand-carry things.
2. Go to assigned gate.
3. You can go shopping or dining at the airport.

Departure at Incheon Airport
1. Go to the assigned gate at the boarding ticket.
2. Wait for your seat number to be called so that you can board.
3. Show your passport, green card and boarding ticket.
4. After that there is inspection of your hand-carry bags due to Nuclear Security Summit 2012)
5. Boarding the plane.

Arrival at Washington Dulles International Airport
Travel is about 14 hours
1. Once you go out from the plane, you will ride a bus/vehicle that will take you to the Immigration.

2. There are two lines. One is for the USA citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents of USA. The other is for the visitors.

3. You have to prepare your green card, passport, re entry permit(sky blue that looks like a passport) and customs declaration. Customs declaration will be given during your flight in Korean Air and have to fill up your details. One declaration for each family is enough. These should be shown to the assigned officer. They will sign and stamp your passport and the customs declaration. He might ask you something about the customs declaration.

3. Pick up your bags.
4. After that, you will have to walk until you meet an assigned officer to get your "Customs Declaration".
5. That's it. Hello to USA.

source: my travel experience last March 27-28, 2012

2010 Canada

We just stayed in Ontario, Canada for few days. My brother probably chose Comfort Inn because it is near to Niagara Falls. I really love Niagara Falls. :)

2010 USA ~ Spring

First Ever Church that I visited in USA

United States of America is the first country that I had visited. I stayed in USA for 45 days last 2010. During those days, I visited these states: California, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, New Jersey, New York City & Connecticut. I didn't have pictures in Virginia because we just slept there for one day.