South Korea 2014 - For The Fourth Time! (Budget)

Annyeong Haseyo!

Fourth time to visit The Land of the Morning Calm ^_^

My favorite country in ASIA! "SOUTH KOREA"

Check out my 1 week escapade!

Loving South Korea - For the Fourth Time!

South Korea 2014: Day 1 - Namsangol Hanok Village, Express Bus Terminal, Viva Polo

South Korea 2014: Day 2 - Seoul Rose Garden and Aiins World

South Korea 2014: Day 3 - Seoul Land and Seoul Zoo

South Korea 2014: Day 4 - N Seoul Tower and Cafe J Holic

South Korea 2014: Day 4 - Jeju Air (night at Jeju Island)

South Korea 2014: Day 5 - Jeju Island (Jusangjeolli Cliff, Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls)

South Korea 2014: Day 5 - Jeju Island (Teddy Bear Museum and Chocolate Land)

South Korea 2014: Day 6 - Jeju Island (Sunrise Peak, Seopjikoji and Sangumburi Crater)

South Korea 2014: Day 7 - Last day in Seoul (Insadong, Unhyeongung Palace)

South Korea 2014: Day 7 - Last day in Seoul (You Who Came From The Star Exhibit)

*Namsan Guesthouse for 3 nights: 65,000 KRW per night for 2 pax (June 6 - 9)

Namsan Guesthouse 3

*You and I Guesthouse (Jeju~Si) for 3 nights: 50,000 KRW per night for 2 pax (June 9 - 12)

*Entrance Fee to Aiins World is 10,000 KRW (450 php), I only paid half (5,000 KRW) 'coz my new friend pays the rest^_^

*Food: Lotteria that cost 4,500 KRW per meal, Hans Deli at Jeju Island cost 3,900KRW and up. A TwoSome Coffee cost 5,000 KRW up. Viva Polo (Italian Restaurant) ranges from 10,000 KRW and up.

Korean streetfoods cost 700 KRW and up: Odeng (fishcake) = 700 KRW, Kimbap = 1,500 KRW, Tteokbokki = 2,500 KRW, Sausage BBQ = 3,000 KRW, Ice Cream = 2,000 - 3000 KRW

Pork Cutlet Omurice 5,900 won

Sausage Omurice 5,900won

3,900 won

Strawberry Smoothie 5000 KRW

3000 KRW each

10,000 KRW per set

dukbokki 1500 won

yogurt ice cream 2000 won

bibimbap 5000 won

kimbap 1500 won

Odeng 700won

Sausage 3000won

  

3000 won each(yummy Korean street foods) 

*Roudtrip ticket via AIR ASIA: Manila to Incheon has 25 kilos check in baggage (shared) and Incheon to Manila has 40 kilos check in baggage (shared).

*Roundtrip ticket via JEJU AIR: Gimpo to Jeju has no check in baggage.

* T- Money Load: 50,000 KRW for 1 week, including transportation to and from Airport and touring Jeju Island.

T Money re-loadable card

*Entrance to Chocolate Land: 3,000 KRW that can also be use for discount inside the museum, we use ours to buy Blueberry Cheesecake and Cafe Latte.

*For hanbok wearing experience: We paid 3,300 at Unhyeongung Palace, but you can also try it for free at M Plaza in Myeongdong.

KTO at M Plaza (Myeongdong)

Check out my other post of South Korea Trip Budget

Trip to South Korea 2013 (September) - 4 days
Trip to South Korea 2012 (November) - 1 week trip
Trip to South Korea 2012 (February) - 4 days

South Korea 2014: Day 4 - Jeju Air (night at Jeju Island)

June 9, 2014
Day 4 - Jeju Island

Finally we're off to Jeju Island! I'm super excited, we only have two days to explore this beautiful island.

We fly via Jeju Air at Gimpo International Airport:
How to get here:
From Myeongdong Station we get off to Seoul Station.
Take KORAIL from Seoul Station and get off to Gimpo Station.(Gimpo Airport is connected to Gimpo station).

Gimpo International Airport

It only takes 1 hour from Gimpo International Aiport to Jeju International Airport.

Flying with Jeju Air feels like I'm riding a non A/C public bus! I'm not sure if all of their plane is like this, but hell yeah it was really hot! The only thing that interest me is LEE MIN HO's magazine! Lee Min Ho is the current endorser of Jeju Air.

Jeju Air is one of the cheapest airline that flies to Jeju Island, but their online booking is so complicated. I really had a hard time booking at their website, I have no choice but to contact their customer service via email and they do the booking for me. Voila! Jeju here I come.

Welcome to JEJU ISLAND!

Jeju Island formerly Cheju Island, is an island off the southern coast of South Korea, in the Korea Strait, southwest of Jeollanam-do Province, of which it was a part before it became a separate province in 1946, and more recently Korea's first and only Special Autonomous Province. Its capital is Jeju City.












Arriving at Jeju International Airport we head to the information center to ask for bus number that will take us to Jeju-si. We need to ride bus No. 500, it will stop at City Hall where You & I Guesthouse is located.

YOU & I Gueshouse
Address
2 East 1772-10 Ido-dong, Jeju City (08 Gwangyang way 1-2) (690-827) // west of Jeju City Hall, BA

How to go here:
By Taxi: Ask taxi driver to take you to haebaragibunsik (behind Dunkin Donuts)
By Bus: Take bus no. 500, get off to Jeju City Hall

Our double bed room (50,000 KRW per night)

The Common Area/Kitchen/Pantry is located at the basement of this guesthouse.

The guesthouse provides free breakfast: eggs, bread, jams, coffee.

cook your own

The Kitchen

This guesthouse also have "Powder Room" (as what they call it), where you can blow dry your hair and do your vanity thingy.

Free use of washing machine

We just walked within the area near our guesthouse since it's still early and we don't have any plans yet on what to see. It is a bit colder in Jeju, more laid back city compared to Seoul.



Dinner at Hans Deli.



Loving South Korea - For the Fourth Time! ^^

After 9 months, I'm back to "The Land of the Morning Calm"! I hadn't had enough of South Korea! My favorite country in Asia. But this time Jeju Island is part of this 1 week vacation, but only for two days, I'm really excited for this trip! Aja~Aja~ ^_^

Seongsan Ilchulbong 

TICKET

Seoul
This time I'm flying via Air Asia Zest, total cost of our round trip ticket is P14,512.00 for two person. With total of 25 kilos check in baggage from Manila to Incheon and total of 40 kilos check in baggage from Incheon to Manila. 

Without the check in baggage round trip ticket is P 5,906.00 (1 pax)

Jeju Island
Our round trip ticket for Jeju Island via Jeju Air cost 173,400 KRW or 7,534.58 PHP. I had a hard time booking my flight in Jeju Air, because of some security features using credit card. I did some research and found out that I can send an email to their customer care and they will booked your flight, you just have to give them some information, and wait for their response.

MONEY MATTERS

I usually exchange my PHP in Czarina Forex Exchange, but this time I switched to "Naila's Money Changer". They have better rate but the place is kinda far, I think they always have the currency you need. The buying rate of 1 PHP is 0.0443 KRW, Czarina's buying rate is 0.048.

Korean Won

ACCOMMODATION

Seoul
Still rules my heart "Namsan Guesthouse 3"! We just love staying here, for so many reasons! Location is one of the major reason - MYEONGDONG! Few minutes walk to Namdaemun Market, near to subway, near to N Seoul Tower, etc etc etc! The room rate is 65,000 KRW for two people per night. They have free breakfast and you can also use their kitchen for cooking. Free use of computer, washing machine, iron. You can also leave your luggage for days!

Jeju Island
We stayed in "You and I Guesthouse"  located in Jeju City. Room rate is 50,000 KRW for two people per night. Location is good, near to bus terminal, near to some fast food chain (Lotteria, Han's Deli, 7-11, etc.). They provide free breakfast, free use of computer and washing machine. The only cons is they don't have lift/elevator, our room was located on the fourth floor, good thing we only have our backpack and only have light clothing. Overall, I still suggest this guest house because the room is spacious (even the rest room) and the staff were so nice too, very helpful to our Jeju Island tour!

WEATHER AND CLOTHING

Our travel date is June 6 to 13 and yes summer is approaching! For this trip we have some light clothing like dresses, shorts, blouses. The weather in South Korea is also changing, so we also bring light jacket.

VISA

Just like before I've submitted all necessary requirements and our visa was approved, we both got multiple visa! Yey~

My sister's requirements:

• Birth Certificate
• School Certificate
• Photo Copy of School ID
• Passport
• Photocopy of Passport
• Notarized Affidavit of Support
• Application Visa form with picture
• Photocopy of VISA (Korean Visa)
• Travel History: Hongkong, Macau, Singapore, South Korea (twice)

My requirements:

• Birth Certificate
• ITR
• Certificate of Employment
• Bank Certificate
• Passport
• Photocopy of Passport
• Application Visa form with picture
• Photocopy of VISA (Korean Visa) 
• Travel History: Taiwan, Singapore (twice), Malaysia, Hongkong, Macau, Thailand (twice), Cambodia, Vietnam, South Korea (thrice)

for more information about applying Korean Visa: click here

ITINERARY

Day 1 (June 6)
Namsangol Hanok Village
Myeongdong
Express Bus Terminal Undeground Shopping Mall
Viva Polo (EXO Chanyeol's Mother Restaurant)

Day 2 (June 7)

Aiins World

Seoul Rose Garden

Day 3 (June 8)

                                Seoul Land                                                                             Seoul Zoo

Day 4 (June 9)
Namsan Tower
Cafe J Holic
Flight to Jeju Island
Night at Jeju Island

N Seoul Tower

Cafe J Holic

Day 5 (June 10)
Jeju Island

                   Jusangjeolli Cliff                                                    Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls 

      Teddy Bear Museum                                                          Chocolate Land

Day 6 (June 11)
Jeju Island

Seongsan Ilchulbong

           Seopjikoji                                                                   Sangumburi Crater  

Day 7 (June 12)
Flight back to Seoul

"You Who Came From The Star" Exhibit at Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Do Min Joon's Library

Insadong

"The Heirs" filming location in Anguk Station

Unhyeongung Palace

Day 8 (June 13)
Flight to Manila


TRAVELER'S ESSENTIALS

Electricity and Voltage
The power outlet in Korea is type C & F same as type used in France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Turkey, and many other countries.You can bring your own multi-voltage travel adapter, I'm not sure if Namsan Guesthouse provide adapter, you can also buy from the convenience store in Korea. I always bring universal adapter and extension cord.

Banking/ATM
Cards with the Plus and Cirrus logos are the easiest to use and most widely accepted in Korea. Some places even accept international cards like China UnionPay, Maestro, Electron, and JCB cards. I have tried using my BPI International Card withdrawing at some ATM in Myeongdong, Seoul Station and Gimpo International Airport.