“Applying for a Chinese Visa for the First time”

I and one of my good friends decided to visit Beijing for vacation. However, entering China needs a valid visa. It was my first time applying for a Chinese Visa. I was not that nervous anymore because I already had an experience with another country.  I would say that applying for a Visa in Chinese Embassy is quite easy. The processing time is fast based on my experience. 

Here are the steps in Applying for a Chinese Tourist Visa:

1.       Gather the entire requirements needed for the Application.

Here is the link to the Chinese Embassy website:  click here 

-          Original Passport (at least 6 months validity)

-          Photocopy of Passport’s front page (2^nd Page) and emergency contact page (last page)

-          Latest Passport sized colored photo in white background

-          Fully Accomplished Application Form

Here is the direct link: click here

-          Round Trip Airline Ticket

-          Hotel Reservation  

-          Travel Itinerary or Plan, if any

-          Bank Certificate with original receipt of request and include a copy of the 6-months transaction history

-          Income Tax Return (ITR)

-          For Employees: Original Certificate of Employment (COE); For Business owner: Business Registration issued by SEC or DTI

-          Old Passport, if any

2.      Once you completed the above requirements, you may go to the Chinese 

      Embassy located in front of Mapua Institute-Makati. The exact address is below:

   Chinese Consular Office

   2^nd Floor The World Center Building

   330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue,

   Salcedo Village, Makati City

Notes:

        Application form must be neat and completely filled out (put N/A for not         applicable and never leave blank space).

            Filing of Visa is open from Mondays to Fridays, except Holidays, 9am to             11 am only.

        First come, first served basis. No appointment is needed.

        Make sure to bring at least 2 valid ID’s because at the building’s front 

       desk, you will need to surrender an ID and they will give you a guest pass         before you can enter the premises located at the  2^nd floor.

        Near the entrance, at your right side, there is a desk and an officer who 

        will check your documents, and give you an applicant number if

        everything is complete. 

        There is a number written on each window, which serves as your guide 

        on where to fall in line

        to submit your requirements.                                           

        The Embassy personnel will give you a pink claiming slip which 

        includes the date of passport

        release.

        You’ll pay for your visa fees when collecting passport.

           Here are the Visa Fees:

            Single-entry Visa: Php. 1,400

            Double-entry Visa: Php. 2,100

                 Multi-entry with 6 months validity: Php. 2,800

                 Multi-entry with 12 months validity: Php. 4,200

             The regular processing time is 4 working days.

        The pickup time for visa release is from 9am to 11am only.

        The visa application validity is for 3 months from the date of issuance.

        Hope everyone will have what they hoped for and be able to enjoy your 

        vacation in China.

South Korea journey continues… Exploring Jeju Island

(Third Day) It was spring time when we visited Jeju Island, South Korea on April 2014. We came from the Gimpo Airport in Seoul and landed to Jeju Airport in Jejusi. We stayed at Vision guesthouse which is a very cozy place to leave in.

Our first agenda is to visit the Southern part of Jeju. We visited Mt. Hallasan, Jungmun Beach, Mysterious Road, Oedolgae Rock, Jeongbang falls, Saeseom Island Saeyeongyo Bridge, Jusangjeolli Cliff and of course my favorite place Teddy Bear Museum where some of the scenes in Princess Hours was shot. Sue, our tour guide/driver/manager/owner/maintenance/cook of the guesthouse is a superwoman. She is so welcoming and took us to the best restaurants in Jeju so we could taste authentic Korean’s cuisine.  Every meal we had is truly “simot-sarap”. The meal cost us 500 to 800 PHP per head but it’s worth the price my dear. She accompanied us to the Jeju's traditional markets Dongmun market for our delectable dinner and some window shopping.

(Fourth Day) The Next day, we ate our breakfast and explore the Western part of Jeju. We went to the West coast line, Hallim Park, Buddhist Temple visit with the Big Buddha, we had an orange picking session, head to the Health and Sex Museum and of course Love land.  It was a day of admiring the trees, fruits and flowers Korea has to offer. A religious and nature escapade in deed with some naughty side trips that will make our green minds loiter. My most awaited activity of the day is eating. During our lunch we ate at a seafood restaurant and the main dish is the “Abalone” which we ate dipped in vinegar. The cost of our meal is 500 to 800 PHP per head.  At night, we ate street foods which can be found near our guesthouse.

(Fifth Day) The Following day, after our breakfast, we wander through the Eastern part of Jeju. We climbed the Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, went inside the Manjanggul Cave, visited Seopjikoji, and enjoyed the Miniature Park. It was a day of adventure and fun. We had to literally climb a thousand of stairs to reach the peak which is truly worth it because of its awesome view and feeling of accomplishment. I will never fail to commend our delicious meal from lunch to dinner. We tried the Black Pork for our lunch which is one of the delicacies in Jeju.

(Sixth Day) The Final day, we had to go back to Seoul in the morning after we ate our breakfast. We were very much accommodated by EastStarJet on our round trip flight from Jeju to Seoul, and vice versa. The ticket price cost PHP 5,400- PHP 6,000 round trip.

A Dream Come True… A Visit to Seoul, South Korea

On April 2014, my birth month, I went to Seoul, South Korea for an 8 days vacation. It was a well deserved holidays and a birthday present too.

South Korea has been on top of my list next to the United States. A day before my birthday I am so excited and here comes the night of my born day which signals my departure from NAIA to Incheon International Airport via AirAsia. I am too excited to be irritated on a 2 hours delayed flight from the said carrier.  Upon arrival, I had to go through the immigration process of the country. The airport was so nice and cool. It was spring time when we came and the weather in South Korea at that time is 8 degrees Celsius, and it is a big challenge for me since my body doesn’t like cold temperature but I am prepared. Yes, I brought a couple of jackets, scarves and boots.

My First day has been a very long day because it’s the longest plane journey I ever been to plus I have to search for our accommodation alone since my relatives are already there for a couple of days before my arrival. My only companion is a map I downloaded via internet and pasted it on my travel journal. We stayed at Duriworld House which cost 700 to 800 PHP each per night for 8 people.  It’s like a maze going to the said guesthouse because the place looks kind of the same. There were K-Mart, 7-eleven and Mini Stop stores everywhere so I really had a hard time finding it. After I checked in, I walked to the Hongdae Shopping Street and Hongik Univesity. I ate Auntie Anne’s pretzels for my snacks and some shopping of cosmetics.  At night, we ate a scrumptious Korean smoked grill dinner and roamed around the area. The cost of our meal is 500 PHP per person.

Our Second day, we woke up early and ate our American style breakfast.  We rode a train & a bus and dropped by the Gangnam Area on our way to the park. Then, we went to the blissful place of The Everland. It was a happy ever after feeling roaming around the beautiful amusement park with colorful flowers everywhere. We enjoyed the “tulip festival” at that time. The ticket price is 44,000 KRW. We ate our lunch inside the area and went home late in the afternoon.  On our way back to our temporary home, we bought some delicious street foods that serve as our dinner.

Our Third day is our scheduled flight to Jeju Island to explore South Korea more on a countryside level.  

We stayed in Jeju Island for roughly around 4 days. I will need to skip this and will put it 

on another post.

On our Sixth day, we went back to Seoul and stayed at the same hotel (Duriworld House). We went shopping at Insadong, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Shopping distirct. We also went to Cheonggyecheon Stream & Cheonggye Plaza as well as the Gwanghwamun Square, and Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin.  We bought some “pasalubong” and enjoyed an appetizing lunch & dinner.

On my Seventh day, I had to continue my journey alone since they left earlier than me. After breakfast, I decided to go to the Botanical Garden BCJ (Byeokchoji) in Paju-si Gyeonggi-do Region (7,000 KRW). It was the shooting site of some of my favorite Korean dramas Heartstrings, City Hunter, You’re Beautiful, and 49 Days (Pure Love). I also went to the Gyeongbokgung Palace and luckily saw the Palace Guards. At night, I headed to the Namsan tower and tried the Cable Car ride (8,000 KRW) which I truly enjoyed because I saw the breath taking view of Seoul going to N Seoul Tower.  At the guesthouse, I ate my one last ice cream cravings in a cold weather to satisfy my taste buds and then packed my things for tomorrow’s flight.

My journey comes to an end, the Last day in Seoul and I do not want to go.  I woke up early and head to the train station to Incheon. I bought a strawberry milk drink and a sandwich with white peanut butter filling inside for my quick breakfast. It feels like I am one of the characters in a Korean drama eating and drinking such kind of foods inside the train station. I had to take endless souvenir and “selfie” shots before going back home  and while waiting for my boarding time. It was a memorable experience which I will truly treasure forever and I am also looking forward to my next visit (cross fingers).  

An Escape to Puerto Galera

It was on February 2012 when I and my loved ones went to Puerto Galera for a family outing.

We rode a bus to Batangas City from Manila which cost PHP 150-200 each. Then, we walked to the ferry terminal at Batangas Pier to take us to Puerto Galera in Mindoro.  The ferry cost PHP 500 round trip per person.

We stayed at Mindorinne Oriental White Beach Resort for 2 nights.  We savored on every mouth watering food we could possibly have. We party all night long; girls drink cocktails while boys chose hard drinks. I tried the famous Mindoro sling and enjoyed every sip of it. 

The following day, we head to our first activity which is the snorkeling. We were able to mingle with the beautiful fishes living in the sea. We moved to our next agenda which is the island hoping. We jumped from one island to another and even tried the freshest coconut juice on a sunny weather to quench our thirst.  We also checked out the coral reef and pearl shell and admired its beauty. Then, we went inside caves that can be found in the Island and took pictures as our souvenir.

At night, we had a karaoke session, availed an island massage for some relaxation, tried hair braiding with the locals, had my butterfly heart tattoo and indulge drinking fruit shakes.

On our last day, we chose to roam around the island after breakfast. We bought some “pasalubong” as usual, and tried the photo booth for another souvenir.