Wanderer South Korea's Amazing Race - Pre Departure

my first travel with tourist visa!

Rather than having a travel agency arranged for our tourist visa to South Korea, we made a research how to apply and did it ourselves. It was too easy. Just make sure you have the complete requirements.

1. Apply for tourist visa at least 60 days before your scheduled flight.

The requirements are as follows:
1. Fully Accomplished Korean Visa form. Download the form for your convenience and fill-out prior to your schedule of applying for the visa  at the embassy. (Note: The form can be downloaded from the embassy's website too. Click the link of the embassy below)
2. Photocopy of Passport
3. Certificate of Employment
4. Income Tax Return
5. Bank Certificate
6. 2 pcs Passport size ID pictures (Canadian Visa)

No fees for stay of less than 60 days!

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines
122 Upper McKinley Road
McKinley Town Center
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634
Office Hours: 08:30-12:00 and 13:30-17:30
Email Address: dipinfom@mofat.go.kr
Contact Nos. 
Phone number: 02-856-9210

Fax number: 02-856-9024
Extension numbers:
260 – for passport
240 – for family registration and other related documents
220 – Visa 1
230 – Visa 2
302 – Visa 3 (Filipino)

Website: http://embassy_philippines.mofat.go.kr/english/as/embassy_philippines/main/index.jsp

Taking C5 route, the embassy is after the Petron Gas Station

2. Research for the "Must Sees and Must Do", accommodation and weather.

• Start with some research. Where to stay? What to do? Understand the metro subway.
• Ask a friend/colleague of who’ve gone there already. So for me, I asked Tonee’s help who is kind enough to share her blog. From there, I got some ideas where to go and where to stay. Seoul 100 guidebook is helpful. You may refer to my blog also.
• Prepare an initial itinerary and share with your co-wanderers. Come up with common interests.  This will make your trip more fun!
• Check for South Korea’s weather forecast.You need to prepare clothing suitable for South Korea’s weather. 
• Make early reservation for your accommodation. On our first 4 days, we stayed at Hongdae Guesthouse, a dormitory-style guesthouse located within Hongik University's vicinity.  Check out my blog about Hongdae Guesthouse. Then, during our last 2 days/1night in Seoul, we transferred to Bukchon Guesthouse to experience Hanok, South Korea's traditional house. 

3. Learn about their transportation system.

South Korea's transportation system is very convenient and tourist friendly.  We took airport bus from/to the airport, took shuttle bus to the tourist destinations and most of the time the subways. We never took a cab and it was a "well done" for me!!

Here's one of the helpful links about South Korea:

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_1_4.jsp

Sharing our actual itinerary:

Travel dates: May 20 to 24, 2010

Day 1: Thursday
AM Yeouido Park, National Assembly, COEX, Kimchi Museum
PM Everland

Day 2: Friday

AM Insadong (Skin Food), Gyeongbokgung Palace
PM Dongdaemun, Myeongdong, Namsam Park, N. Seoul Tower/Teddy Bear Museum
Day 3: Saturday
Whole day Namiseon Island
Night Night Shopping at Dongdaemun
Day 4: Sunday
AM Incheon – Sin-do/Si-Do Island (Full House Setground)
PM Anguk/ Transfer to Bukchon Guesthouse
Day 5: Monday
Whole day Nandaemun Market
Lotte Department Store
PM Flight back to Manila