South Korea: Gyeonggi English Village Paju Camp

Gyeonggi English Village Paju Camp
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Location: South Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Paju-si, Tanhyeon-myeon, Eoreumsil-ro, 40
website

South Korea: 2016 Seoul Lantern Festival

2016 Seoul Lantern Festival

This has been an annual activity in Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul, where lanterns sit on the water.

Accessibility: Purple Line No. 5 Gwanghwamun Station Exit 5 [Map]

Links: Official Site, Visit Korea, My 2011 Visit

2016 Themes:

• Han River Theme Lanterns
• Municipal government's and overseas' lanterns
• Participating corporation's lanterns
• Artists' lanterns
• Children's character lanterns

2016 Nov: South Korea: Flavors of Seoul

Gyeonggi-do

The Farmer's Table

Location: Heyri Artinus 1F, 1652-393 Beopheung-ri, Tanhyeon-myeon region, Paju town, Gyeonggi-do province | Heyri Art Village

Heyri Art Village Gate #4, straight ahead until the first intersection, first quadrant on the right.

Food: pizza (25,000 KRW = 1,000 PHP) 

Personal Preference: 9 out of 10, definitely a posh restaurant, thus expensive.

Seoul: Hongdae: Swanhouse

Swanhouse 

156-2 Donggyo-Dong, Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea, 121-816

서울시 마포구 동교동 156-2 마젤란 21 빌딩

Magellan 21 Building, Donggyo- Dong, Mapo-Gu, Seoul-City

Price: Discounts you might get from Agoda is not applicable, as it is fixed rate when you pay it upon arrival at 100,500krw/day. [Date Stayed: 2016 November]

Location: Got this place from Agoda, however it looks to be part of airbnb.  This is not a guesthouse where you’ll see other guests, computer unit or a tour desk that you’ll meet each time you go out for the day.  This is like a condo unit in a building nearby the university belt. 

From Line 2 Hongik University (Hongdae) subway station Exit 2 (with escalator), it is just 1-2 minutes walk going to Magellan 21 Building (just beside Jewel Shop - DOROCY at ground floor).  

2016 Philippines: Flavors of Kapitolyo

United Coffee 
Location: 16 United St, Pasig, Metro Manila
Food: coffee, tea, sweets, cake
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Unitedcoffeeph/
Personal Preference: 7 out of 10.  There is a narrow passage and stairs before getting there.  

Philippines: Flavors of Taguig (2016)

Passion by Gerard Dubois [Restaurant Closed] 
Location: Shop C2 of the NetPark, 5th Ave, Taguig
Food: pasta, vegetable salad, cake, macaroons
Menu: http://www.passionbygd.ph/menu.php
Personal Preference: 8 out of 10.  Pastries are for sale after 8 or 9pm.  Wide choice of ice cream and macaroons.

Japan: Nagasaki: Huis Ten Bosch

It was just so surprising to see this place that will never failed to let you feel to be in Amsterdam when you are actually in Nagasaki, a bombed site in Japan.

Huis Ten Bosch was also featured in South Korea's Battle Trip variety show.
Transportation: Hakata station→Huis Ten Bosch station 1.40hr（JR Express train）
Departure Time：every hour
Price：JPY3,800

* Only 5 direct trains and others should transfer at Haiki station.
Ticket Details 

3 Types of Travelers who deal with Foreign Exchange

When travelers go out of the country, after preparing their flight tickets, accommodation and visa, what comes next in question is the preparation for money.  Here comes the questions on like where to buy third currency or if is it good to have USD instead?

Preparation for Money

Type 1: Traveler who wants to have 3rd currency prior to landing

In Manila, you can get 3rd currency (i.e. JYP, KRW, HKD) from major banks and money changer (i.e. Czarina or Sanry's).  Click below to know today's buying and selling rate of dollar or available 3rd currency (yen, won, hkd etc) in the metro:

BDO - https://www.bdo.com.ph/cn/mobile/forex

BPI - https://www.bpiexpressonline.com/p/2/2091/indicative-exchange-rates

You need to find the rates under Selling column (which means the bank will sell their 3rd currency to you).

For example, if you need 500,000krw in hand, then you have to pay:

BDO (at 0.0429 rate) = 21450php

BPI (at 0.05 rate) = 25000php

Process for BDO:

1. You need to have an account at a Mall BDO branch 

2. Call the branch to post the request for reservation (it will be ready by 3-5 days, upon availability as they still need to verify with their main branch)

3. Call again on the agreed date to make sure that it is ready prior to your visit

4. Upon confirmation on the phone, prepare a copy of your flight ticket, passport, account number (should be on the same branch), TIN number, cash (or credit from your account)

In the comparison made between BDO and BPI (2017 September), based on the Sell Rates, it is more cheaper to transact in BDO.  However, this is not always the case.  You should be able to compare the rates between banks to know where to buy at a better price.

Type 2: Traveler who wants to carry USD instead

Some say if you pass by USD, you will be double charged by the applicable tax charges.

BDO (at 48.1500 rate), you pay 21450php to get 445.482 USD

For example that you went to IBK to buy KRW upon arrival,

IBK (at 1,106.59 rate ), 445.482 will be 492,965.9263 KrW which is lower value compared to "Type 1" traveler.

That still depends on the rates on the airport exchange banks (i.e. Incheon Airport) which normally have low rates.  Some would say that departure area foreign exchange booth has better rate than the one in arrival area.

For Seoul, you can exchange few bucks in the airport for your transportation  to the city.  In the city, you can exchange in banks, malls, or convenience stores (specifically 7/11 in Myeongdong has good rates).  If you prefer doing your transaction on banks, you may check the exchange rates they have from below:

• Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) 
• KEB Hana Bank 
• KB Kookmin Bank 
• Shinhan Bank 
• Woori Bank 

For Japan, we normally transact in banks, they would need your passport as well. 

Type 3: Traveler who prefers cash less transaction

Make sure that your ATM or credit card has been activated to be used on international transaction, call your bank to activate this service.  (Same goes for those who are using credit card transactions, you  need to notify them about your travel advisory prior to your flight.  Otherwise, your transaction may not go through or be tag as fraud).

Upon your arrival, you can just go to a partner ATM machine, and your PhP money will be automatically converted to local currency (i.e. KrW), ready for your withdrawal.  Ask your provider o know the allowable maximum amount that you can withdraw when going abroad.  Keep in mind that multiple withdrawals means multiple deduction, just stick on your planned budget and refrain from over spending.

Warning:  When traveling on high-season like autumn for Korea, most are experiencing scarcity of won even on banks.  Just make sure to have enough allowable time for your banks to reserve the won you need before your flight.  I normally do the reservation notice 1 month before my flight. 

I personally started as Type 2, then I'm moving to be Type 1.  However, I have read this comment in Trip Advisor, "I don't understand the concept that people buy a currency for a country before they arrive? Are you worried they won't have any more when you land?" [Read further]

For me, I guess it is more of paranoia or just being ready that I have money to spend in that point in time.  I don't want to use credit card because HSBC rates are just too high when converting the charges.  If in case I'm too hungry upon arrival, I still have to line up for the money changer before buying the food.  Or if my flight was delayed and I need to catch the last train heading to the city, instead of having an instant cash to buy the ticket, I still have to line up for the money changer or ATM machine.  

It will all depend on what type of traveler you are when it comes to preparation upon arrival or spending money or if you have enough time to spend at the airport to do the queues.  

Anyway, just enjoy the moment and seize the situation you'll be up to. 

Read more discussion on Trip Advisor Threads:

Exchange Currency in Seoul 

Exchange Rate in Incheon  



What to do with your left over money?

• Make sure to spend your remaining coins in buying snacks at the airport or when playing with the telephone booth.  Money changers on your home country normally do not accept coins.
• With your bills, you can opt to change it to your local currency at the airport before your departure.  Not all 3rd currency are accepted in the banks of the Philippines (BDO Mall money changer did not accept Malaysian ringgit and Indonesian rupiah last March 2016), so make sure to check first.
• Sell your bills on other travelers you can find from forums like Pinoyexchange.
• Add few of the bills to your collector's item. 
• Keep it, save it, you'll never know when you will be back to that same country, but next time head out to the provinces (especially for  won in Korea as there are other destinations like Busan and Jeju apart from Seoul, and yen for Japan as there are other airports like in Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka apart from Tokyo).

Updated: 2017 October

Long Layover in Incheon Airport: Quick Seoulful Escape

Inspired by recent questions in Trip Advisor, here is a sample itinerary for those having almost 12 hours layover in Incheon Airport.  I also suggest to not take a risk in skipping your flight, so make sure to remove and reduce a place in your Seoul experience to have enough time on your way back to the airport.

Luggage Storage & Lockers - 

You are not going to the city with your luggage!  Just in case you have it with you, there are lockers in the airport. 

These are located in the public area of the Passenger Terminal (on the 3rd & 1st floor). 

Rate: approx. $5 - $9 USD per day. 

Hours: 0600-2200

Locations:

• Arrivals - Korean Express Parcel Service  - Level 1F, near Exit F/3F.  
• Arrivals - Hanjin Express - Level 1F, near Exit A.
• Departures -  Korean Express Parcel Service - Level 3F, near Check-in M.  
• Departures - Hanjin Express - Level 3F, near Check-in A.

Reference: https://www.sleepinginairports.net/asia/seoul.htm

Expense and Schedule

You can exchange some money that is possibly less than 100USD.

City Collection: Sydney

Sydney - Starbucks City Mug 

Stamps

Philippines: Palawan: Coron: 6D 5N Itinerary

Sharing our 6D 5N (Feb 23-28, 2016) itinerary for Coron, Philippines.

Accommodation: Where to stay in Coron?

Coron Underwater Garden - They do provide airport shuttle and banca service to their place.  They have limited choice of breakfast (due to remotely located on an island). Although, there is too short shore line, you got to enjoy their manual water activities like canoe, paddle boat and stand-up paddle.  

Tip: For better island stay experience try to contact small huts in Banana Island. 

Seahorse Hotel (Brgy Poblacion 3, Coron Town) - This is a good spot in the city, surrounded by small tour shops, decent shakes or cafes, and there is small bbq stand in front.  There are nearby massage area as well. Close to convenience shops.  They can also prepare airport transfer. 

Highly recommended for group of 4s, the room that we got has stable bed, you will not feel the movement from the person above you (or below).  Inside the room, they have separated the sections from shower room, toilet, and open area wash room (at least 3 persons can already be accommodated in parallel time).

Best Time to Visit

Experience the shining water and sky during the early summer to heat wave summer of the country (February - April).  Refrain from visiting the typhoon season on July - November.

Transportation
Prepare your airport-to-city transfer with your hotel/accommodation.  While moving around the city, you can take tricycle anywhere.  When it comes to island tours, try to haggle from different guides, better to take the service from same company to have higher chances of getting discounts or bargain the price. (Better to pay as tips to the bangkero directly on what you have taken as a discount from the company.  Specially if you are a group who has been posting demands or requests to the kuyas in pulling you and keeping you safe while on the water - you better pay their effort and don't forget that smile of 'thank you'.) 

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Coron?

Tip: Financial Commandments for Travelers

I just bought a book, No Filter,  last weekend being intrigue why millennials are so fascinated about traveling.  An eye opener, a realization - yes it is a fad, you were influenced by celebrities, friends, relatives and regular nomads to wonder the world, to be one of them, to show off?

But true apart from these negative influences why you keep on soul searching, it made you hunger for more - about the culture, the place, to know more about the people.  To open our mind on how G20 countries keep on progressing and why 3rd world are still struggling.  To learn more about our environment and to be one with nature.

The same week, I bump to an article shared in social media about - the financial commandments for travelers, from Jerome Herrera of All I Can Handle Lifestyle Blog.

Here's a snippet of the list of what will make you wonder to follow before planning for your next wandering adventure:

1. Thou shall not travel if you are in debt
2. Thou shall not travel if you don’t have an emergency fund
3. Thou shall not travel if you’re not contributing to your retirement fund
4. Thou shall not travel just to keep up with the Jones's (don't feel envious of our friends)
5. Thou shall not travel just because you feel like you’re going to miss out on life if you don’t
6. Thou shall not travel when you need to borrow money to do so
7. Thou shall not travel just to widen your horizon
8. Thou shall not travel just because the fare is cheap
9. Thou shall not travel without a budget (stay within your planned budget)
10. Thou shall not travel without proper planning

For full context, please drop by his blog entry.

South Korea: 2 weeks Itinerary for Southern Provinces

MANILA – BUSAN (and southern provinces) – MANILA
MNL to BUSAN: 5J 184 04:00pm-08:50pm 
BUSAN to MNL: 5J 185 09:40pm-12:25am
Travel Date: July 01-16, 2016

I'm sharing with you my two weeks travel in southern provinces of South Korea.  Seoul and Jeju were excluded from this plan.  But if you are looking for these 2 cities, you can go to:

• Seoul: Itinerary for First-time Visitors (2011)
• Itinerary for Jeju & Seoul v2 (2011)
• Seoul: Itinerary, Chasing the Snow (2014)

Hope these can help you plan your next trip.

Nights of Stay

• Busan – 3
• Gyeongju – 2
• Daegu – 3 
• Daejeon – 2
• Suncheon (with day trip to Yeosu) - 5

Map Reference

Accommodation: Where to stay in southern provinces of South Korea?

BUSAN SUKBAK DOT COM GUEST HOUSE (Dorm/6)
2,3F, 408-3 Chorang-dong, Jung-gu, Busan

CHACHARANG GUESTHOUSE (Dorm/6)
119-4 Noseo-dong, Gyeongju City Center, Gyeongju-si; 
http://www.chacharang.com/

SONO GUESTHOUSE (CASUAL HOUSE SONO)
86 Myeongnyun-ro, Daegu Central Area, Daegu

ROMEO MOTEL
14-13 Gyeryong-ro 636beon-gil, Seo-gu, Daejeon

SUNCHEON GUESTHOUSE HAPPY TOUR 
15, Yeokjeongwang-jang-2-gil, Yeonhyang dong, Suncheon-si

2016 Sept: 27th Philippine Travel Mart

The fun continues at the Philippine Travel Mart in SMX Convention Center.  Visit the place until September 4 8pm to get the best deals from major airlines, travel tours and hotels. 

2016 July: South Korea: Suncheon Open Film Set

This open film set is located in Jorye-dong, Suncheon. It consists of three villages each representing a different era from the 1950s to the 1970s. It has approximately 200 houses and is the largest film set in Korea. The realistic sets bring about memories of people’s youth, while younger visitors can learn about Korea’s history. [Reference]