A Guide to the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX)

Updated as of June 30, 2019

Exactly a month ago, the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) was officially opened to the public. Dubbed as the country's first landport, PITX is a 75,000 square meter modern terminal that serves as a transfer point for passengers from Metro Manila going to Cavite, Batangas, and Quezon, and vice-versa. With inputs from inter-modal stations in London, Singapore, and Melbourne, the terminal promises to deliver a first world experience with passenger-friendly facilities, multiple connection options, and a myriad of dining and shopping options. 

The Two Juanderers decided to check out PITX and see how things are for Juans who will be visiting the nearby provinces of Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, and the Bicol region. Update: Daily Lucena, Daet, Naga, Legazpi, and Sorsogon trips are now available in PITX.

The Terminal

The terminal is organized into three levels that integrate in-city and provincial vehicle transfers. The ground level houses the ticketing counters, the departure bays for premium point-to-point, city, and provincial buses, and the departure and arrival bays for jeepneys, taxis, and ride-hailing services. The second level holds the arrival bays for buses. The third level contains the departure and arrival bays for UV Express, the private vehicle facilities such as parking spaces, and will eventually be the connecting level to the Asia World Station of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project.   

Bus bays within PITX

Food Trip: Islas Pinas Food and Heritage Village

Are you growing tired of the usual food courts? We've got some great news. Things are looking up in the food court industry. Some food courts are now becoming restaurant type of experiences rather than just places for quick bites. These have been turned into places to hangout and enjoy the atmosphere. 

One such place is Islas Pinas in Pasay City. Dubbed as a food and heritage village, this indoor dining hub is a collaboration between the Double Dragon Group and Chef Margarita Fores. 

Islas Pinas is a new food hub in Metro Manila

Islas Pinas is an expansive 2,500 square meter food hub that features various flavors from the different regions of the Philippines. It also features a picturesque interior design showcasing the country's most popular landmarks. There are recreations of the old-town charm of Vigan's Calle Crisologo and the breathtaking Ifugao Rice Terraces, and re-imaginings of the Chocolate Hills, the Palawan Limestone Cliffs, and the enormous walls and buttresses of Paoay Church. 

Tarsier Conservation Area: Not Exactly A Conservation Sanctuary

An up-close encounter with a Tarsier is probably one of the top must-dos for visitors to Bohol. After all, the Philippine Tarsier is considered one of the smallest primates in the world and is very rare. 

So when we planned our trip, we made sure to include seeing the Tarsier in our to-do list. We may have made thorough work on our flights, accommodations, and itinerary but we admit we missed to research on the right sanctuary we should be visiting as we left it to our tour driver to make the decision. 

The Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area looks promising from the outside

After making a mandatory stop at the Chocolate Hills, we were dropped off at the Tarsier Conservation Area in Loboc. We bought the tickets and walked through the entrance while under the impression that it is a responsible and non-exploitive animal sanctuary.

From the inside, it looks like a huge animal cage

Shangri-La's Boracay Resort and Spa: A Beautiful Tropical Hideaway

With the reopening of Boracay Island exactly a week ago, everybody gets a second shot at enjoying one of the world's best beaches. However, to maintain the island's pristine condition, the government has implemented various restrictions. One of which is to require visitors to book only in accredited hotels and resorts. Only by showing proof of booking confirmation will visitors be allowed entry into the island.

Shangri-La's Boracay Resort and Spa

If you're wondering where to stay in your Boracay comeback trip, let's take a look at Shangri-La's Boracay Resort and Spa, one of the luxury hotel options that has helped Boracay earn its reputation as one of the world's best island destinations. This is also where we stayed in one of our previous trips to Boracay.

Here's our review of this luxurious beachfront property.

Bohol: A Budget Travel Guide for Juans

We've seen travel and tour packages to Bohol priced from PHP5,000 to PHP7,000 per person. Some may think these are well-priced but these packages do not include meals, shopping expenses, and surcharges. The total cost would easily come up by another thousand or so. So why would you want to book these packages when you can create your own 3D2N itinerary for under PHP4,100 all in? 

Panglao Island in Bohol

Here's our guide to doing it.

Flights
Airfare can be one of the biggest expenses when traveling. But you can always take advantage of airline promotions and schedule your trip months or even a year in advance to drastically reduce transportation costs.  

For our trip to Bohol, we booked our tickets back in November 2017 during Air Asia's Red Hot Sale. At that time, round trip fare from Manila to Tagbilaran were offered at 16 BIG points plus taxes and fees. Luckily, we were able to book promo seats and managed to score a pretty good deal for 6 persons. We each paid 16 BIG points and PHP415.24 for round trip flight tickets to Tagbilaran. 

Tip: To book cheap flights, be always on the lookout for unbeatable flight deals. When you find one, be ready to make an immediate purchase as these deals sell out really fast. Lastly, be flexible. In a lot of cases, adjustments of a day or two in your travel dates can make a big difference in the price or availability.  

Airfare: 16 BIG Points + PHP415.24 total per person 

Baclayon Church: Beauty in Faith

Most tourists may be drawn to Bohol by dreams of seeing its natural wonders and beautiful white sand beaches but unknown to some, Bohol holds some of the oldest churches in the Philippines that are steeped in history. Central to these churches that date back to the early years of the Spanish colonization is the Baclayon Church. 

The beautiful Baclayon Church

Baclayon Church was built in 1595 and is regarded as the second oldest stone church in the country. It took more than 200 local laborers and at least 10 years to complete the construction of the church. It was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1994 and a National Cultural Treasure in 2010. It was heavily damaged in the earthquake of 2013 but was later restored in 2017.

Here's what you need to know about Baclayon Church.

Location
The Baclayon Church is located in the coastal town of Baclayon in the southeastern part of Bohol. It is a heavy-set stone church that lies along the main highway and overlooking the sea. It is approximately 6 kilometers from the provincial capital, Tagbilaran City. 

Bohol Bee Farm: What's The Buzz About?

As our world becomes busier, we tend to yearn for escapes. We long for settings that are entirely different and more scenic than the daily chaotic urban culture we are part of. It is no wonder then that agritourism has started a fad of its own. Agritourism sites offer an escape to the countryside, away from all the hassle and bustle of city life to simpler, greener, healthier, and sustainable spaces. These sites also offer amazing and unique learning experiences, whether it's nature walks, plantation tours, fruit harvesting, organic cooking classes, or wildlife exploration. 

The Philippines, traditionally an agricultural country, has no shortage of sites thriving because of this new tourist interest in farms and eco-tourism havens. One such destination is the Bohol Bee Farm, a beautiful agricultural haven best known for bee cultivation and organic farming. 

The Bohol Bee Farm in Panglao

Here's what you need to know about Bohol Bee Farm.

Location
The Bohol Bee Farm is located within a wooded coastal enclave on the southern side of Panglao Island. It is approximately 8 kilometers from the New Bohol Panglao International Airport and 9 kilometers from the famous tourist strip, Alona Beach. It is near the Panglao Island Circumferential Road so it is easily accessible via public transportation. If you're on a packaged tour or a private van service, you can ask your driver to include Bohol Bee Farm in your itinerary for the day.
     
The Farm and its Features
The farm began in the early 2000s as a one-hectare vegetable garden with a few bee colonies. The owner, Victoria Wallace, sold vegetables, homemade breads, and honey in little glass bottles. Finding a market, she soon opened a restaurant in a cottage and a modest-two room vacation inn. Here she showcased the recipes for her pastries, spreads, and other food items made from ingredients in her organic garden. 

Chocolate Hills: A Stunning Natural Wonder

Beyond the capital city of Tagbilaran, much of Bohol remains refreshingly rural, an island province endowed by nature itself with spectacular beaches, gorgeous waterfalls, forest-fringed rivers, countless caves, vast mangrove reserves, and a rare double barrier reef regarded as the cradle of ocean biodiversity. However, the otherworldly landscape of the Chocolate Hills is quite unlike anything else in the world. As such it is one of the places you really should not miss.

The otherwordly landscape that is the Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills is composed of more than 1,700 nature-perfected conic hills. The hills are scattered over an area covering the towns of Carmen, Batuan, and Sagbayan. There are several popular legends of the origin of the hills. In one story, the hills grew from the tears of Arogo, a giant who had been heartbroken from the death of his love Aloya. In a second story, the hills were the result of the mess brought by two feuding giants who hurled boulders at each other for days. In a third legend, the hills were dried feces of a giant carabao who plagued the town by eating everything on its path. 

Veraneante Resort: A Good Off-the-Grid Hideaway in Panglao

Often described as one of the best island destinations, Panglao is popular with travelers who are usually looking for a beach vacation. As such, there's no shortage of beautiful beachfront resorts from which to choose. However, some people may not automatically opt for a sand-centric property. Finding a good off-the-grid hideaway and staying off the beach has its advantages. You will pay a lot less. You will avoid getting stuck in a hectic tourist area. And you will definitely get that much-needed peace and quiet. 

Veraneante Resort in Panglao Island

Veraneante Resort perfectly fits the bill for a good off-the-beaten-path hideaway. Take a look at our review and start planning your Panglao getaway.

South Palms Resort: Living Up to Expectations?

Considered one of the biggest tourist destinations in the Philippines for beach escapes, Panglao Island in Bohol continues to charm and draw sunseekers from all parts of the country and the world. Its palm-fringed beaches with crystal blue waters and soft white sand are enough to make you feel like you are in paradise, but what's even better are a myriad of fine accommodations right on its water's edge. One of these is South Palms Resort Panglao. This is where we stayed in one of our previous trips to Bohol.

The breathtaking Coast Pool of South Palms Resort

Here's our review of this sprawling beach front property.

Bohol: A Travel Guide for First-Timers

Visayas may be the smallest of the three Philippine island groups but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in sights and tourist destinations. Home to many natural wonders, beautiful countryside, a seemingly endless scattering of stunning beaches, historical structures, and colorful cultural traditions, it's easy to understand why the Visayas is the country's top tourist destination for both locals and foreigners alike. 

Nestled within the center of Visayas is the province of Bohol, aptly called the "Heart of the Islands". Over the years, Bohol has emerged as a prized destination worth discovering. In 2017 alone, the province has welcomed more than 1.3 million visitors. 

The famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol

Most tourists may be drawn to Bohol by dreams of seeing the Chocolate Hills but there's much more to this central Philippine province than the 1,260 nature-perfected conic hills. Outside these hills are white sand beaches, exotic wildlife, verdant forests, pristine rivers, adventure parks, centuries-old churches, and historical landmarks all just begging to be explored and will entice anyone to keep coming back for more. 

Find out more about seeing Bohol with Two Juanderer's beginner's guide for travelers to this beautiful island province.

The Province
Bohol is an island province within the Central Visayas region. It is located southeast of Cebu and southwest of Leyte. It is composed of an oval-shaped main island and 75 surrounding smaller islands. It has a land area of 4,821 square kilometers and a population of about 1.4 million. 

Things You Won't Want to Miss at the BenCab Museum

If you ever needed a reason to visit Baguio other than the cool climate and beautiful sceneries, you could try checking out BenCab Museum. It is not exactly a new tourist destination but it is something to be experienced if you want to see Baguio in a different light.

The BenCab Museum facade

BenCab Museum first opened its doors almost a decade ago on February 27, 2009. It is a four-storey museum located 6 kilometers outside of the city, in the town of Tuba, Benguet. It houses various artworks of National Artist Benedicto Cabrera and other contemporary Filipino artists. 

If you're planning a visit, we've got six things you won't want to miss at the BenCab Museum. 

High-Flying Fun at Tree Top Adventure Baguio

Have you ever stepped outside your cozy home and ventured into the forest to experience nature and to take in its beauty? Many would say that they have already taken a walk through the forest or have done mountain hiking. Imagine, however, if you could witness nature from a different perspective - that instead of walking through the woods looking up at trees, you look down on them and cross through getting a bird's eye view of the forest.

Tree Top Adventure Baguio Signage

Baguio's Tree Top Adventure gives Juans a new perspective on nature and all its beauty. To see trees and the surrounding mountains from at least 100 feet above the ground is an experience that is refreshing, exciting, and absolutely memorable. 

Here's what you need to know about Tree Top Adventure Baguio.

The Manor at Camp John Hay: The Ultimate Getaway in the Mountains of Cordillera

Despite the constant laments of Baguio being highly commercialized nowadays, there is no denying that the city is still a favorite destination for a lot of Juans. And when we just want to escape and have a great time with family and friends, we tend to seek out destinations that bring peace, comfort, and warmth. The Manor, nestled in a tranquil setting at 5,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by trees and beautiful views, fits the bill and is the ultimate getaway in this regard.    

The Manor at Camp John Hay

We stayed there in August and here's what it was like. 
  

Location
The Manor is set within Camp John Hay. It has one of the best-rated locations in the city as the area has kept and maintained the beauty of the Baguio of old. Although situated within one of the most popular visitor attractions in the city, The Manor remains a quiet place. This is because the hotel sits on top of a hill surrounded by lush gardens and a serene pine forest. 

The Manor sits on top of a hill

The hotel is approximately 2.5 kilometers from Session Road, 2.6 kilometers from Mines View Park, and 2.8 kilometers from Burnham Park. 

Baguio: A Travel Guide for First-Timers

During the summertime from March to May, the heat in the Philippines becomes unbearable. No wonder the American colonizers in the early 1900s, who weren't used to this kind of heat, looked for a mountain town with a cool climate to develop as a refuge from the tropical fatigue in the lowlands. It was through this that Baguio was developed and declared as the summer capital of the country.  

Baguio is a refuge from the tropical heat of the lowlands

With continuous development, Baguio has become a bustling metropolis and one of the most popular destinations for those who are looking to escape the heat and noise of the lowland cities. Surprisingly, even during the height of the wet season from July to September, the city remains to be a great destination.

If you are planning to visit Baguio, it's best to know a few of the basics. Here's our beginner's guide for travelers to this cool city.

The City
Baguio is situated within the province of Benguet in the Cordillera Administrative Region. It is approximately 57 square kilometers in size and is bounded by the towns of Itogon, Tuba, Sablan, and La Trinidad. Based on census, the city has a population of around 350,000. Common languages spoken are Ibaloi, Kankana-ey, Ifugao, Ilokano, Tagalog, and English. 

Getting Out of Bed for Breakfast at Okada Manila's Medley Buffet

Who doesn't love a delicious and hearty hotel breakfast? Certainly not the Two Juanderers and certainly not a lot of you. In fact, in a survey conducted by Google among travelers, breakfast is the hotel feature most look forward to every time. 

Whenever we travel or go on a staycation, we always make it a point to wake up early for the breakfast. Our second stay at Okada Manila was no different. As soon as we've rolled out of bed at around 6:00AM, we proceeded to Medley Buffet, the hotel's all-day dining restaurant. 

Our usual requirement for breakfast? It doesn't have to be fancy just whipped up fresh and delicious. But the breakfast buffet at Medley is not only delicious, it is fancy with a sumptuous and abundant spread. There is also an innovative open kitchen design showcasing a brigade of chefs preparing the food that adds a marvelous vibe to the morning meal. 

Here are photos of Medley Buffet so you'll have an idea of what to expect when you decide to try this awesome breakfast spot.

The Assorted Cold Cuts, Charcuterie, and Condiments Station.

Making Splash at Kawit's Water Camp Resort

Planning to escape from the daily hustle and bustle of Metro Manila? Wanting to take a break from the normal city routine without venturing too far from home? If yes, then a visit to the Water Camp Resort is one activity that is Two Juanderers-recommended. The resort is an accessible, affordable, and all-season destination that can be squeezed into any Manila-dweller's schedule. 

Water Camp Resort as seen in its Facebook page

Water Camp Resort is located within Josephine Village in the historic town of Kawit, Cavite. For those not familiar with its history, the place was originally a fishpond in the 1960s and was supposed to be converted into a subdivision. But in a twist of fate, a restaurant named Josephine's was opened which soon became popular all over the metro and the nearby provinces. Over the years, the resort was built to complement the natural landscape of the place and the thriving restaurant. Today, Water Camp is a wholesome all-season oasis for many to enjoy and create fun-filled memories. 

The Diorama Experience at Ayala Museum: A New Way of Learning Philippine History

Last May, as communities all across the world celebrated the International Museum Day, we seized the opportunity to visit the Ayala Museum. Although the day gets the better-known museums pretty much crowded including this one in Makati, we didn't let the chance to save hundreds of pesos go to waste. We have never been to the museum and it was a great occasion to finally see its permanent exhibits, all for free.

Envisioned around 60 years ago, the Ayala Museum is considered as one of the country's finest museums. It showcases finely curated exhibits on Philippine culture, history, and art. 

The Ayala Museum facade

Arguably the highlight of it's entire exhibition is The Philippine Diorama Experience. Here, sixty dioramas are on display, visually narrating the milestones of Philippine history. The dioramas are handmade from baticulin wood by local master woodcarvers from Paete in Laguna. The dioramas were completed and installed in 1974 but has only been seen by more than a million visitors, or around 1% of the entire Philippine population. A surprise, really, that the museum is not drawing the numbers of people it should.

The Diorama Experience, located at the second level of the museum building

How to Claim Shopping Tax Refund in South Korea

Traveling through South Korea, a visit to Myeongdong has become mandatory, thanks to its popularity as a shopping destination. Shopping in Myeongdong is not exactly cheap but as we hop from one store to another, we learned something new that might be useful for a lot of juanderers. Shoppers in South Korea can claim refund on Value Added Tax paid for shopping items before leaving the country. 

To enjoy the 10% tax refund, shoppers must purchase at least KRW30,000 worth of items at participating stores. To know if a store is participating, it should have a "Tax Free" store sign or a "Tax Free" print on the receipts. Additionally, shoppers must be foreign visitors who are staying less than 6 months in South Korea or overseas Koreans living over 2 years in a foreign country. Lastly, the purchase must have been made within 3 months of the departure date in South Korea.

Logos of companies offering tax refund service

Seeing from Above the N Seoul Tower

Seoul boasts some seriously beautiful scenery, unique landmarks, and fascinating culture that when planning a trip to this world city, it can be hard to narrow down on the must-visit tourist attractions. But something that tourists and locals agree on is that the N Seoul Tower is pretty hard to miss.  

Towering over Seoul from atop Mt. Namsan, N Seoul Tower is one of the most iconic and striking landmarks of the city. Like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo, it is a structure that symbolizes Seoul.

8.4M visitors every year agree that N Seoul Tower
is a must-visit place

We decided that first thing on our list to visit should be N Seoul Tower. First thing we considered - getting there. The tower can be reached by taking the Namsan Sunwhan Shuttle Bus, Seoul City Tour Bus, or the Cable Car. Many people take the bus, however, we would recommend hiking to the top of Mt. Namsan instead. Our decision to walk up was influenced by the fact that we had the entire afternoon of our day one for a lengthier excursion and we were feeling in shape for some hiking. Besides, the view going up is pretty spectacular and it is a great way to start a trip in Seoul.

Spectacular views going up the Namsan Trail

Yangban For A Day: Suiting Up A Hanbok

Renting a hanbok and walking around Seoul in it has become a cool activity for both tourists and locals alike. The popular area where you can see people strolling and sightseeing in hanboks is Jongno-gu, home to four of the five grand palaces of Seoul and the traditional neighborhood of Insadong and Bukchon. 

Since planning our trip to South Korea, suiting up a hanbok was already part of our to-do list. We wanted to visit the palaces and capture the historic feels by wearing such traditional clothing. We also wanted to look good and take lots of photos for social media sharing. Lastly, we wanted to take advantage of the free admission to the palaces when wearing a hanbok.

A beautiful wangseja hanbok

The great news is there are a lot of hanbok rental shops all over central Seoul. We were able to research several shops before choosing Hanbok Girls due to its proximity to Gyeongbokgung Palace and the positive reviews on Google. We tried making a reservation via email but Hanbok Girls only accept reservations for groups of 10 or more. Although there are no guarantees that there'll be no queue and we'll be getting our preferred hanboks, we still decided to try our luck walking in. 

Experiencing Palatial Grandeur Inside Gyeongbokgung Palace

When we visited Seoul last month, Gyeongbokgung Palace was one of our top places to visit. We've seen the palace countless times in various sageuk or Korean historical dramas and we wanted to have the opportunity to walk through its walls and experience moments to revel in its historical legacy.

Gyeongbokgung Palace, arguably Seoul's grandest and most beautiful palace

Eager and full of energy, we set off early that day for our first stop - Hanbok Girls, one of the many hanbok rental shops within the neighborhoods near the royal palaces. After all, wearing these traditional clothes gives visitors free access to any of the five grand palaces of Seoul. We also wanted to experience what would it have been like visiting the palace during the ancient Joseon Dynasty.

Gyeongbokgung Palace which means "Greatly Blessed by Heaven" was constructed in 1395, during the early days of the Joseon Dynasty. As it was the main palace of the capital city, Gyeongbokgung was extraordinary in size. It spans an area of 41 hectares with 5,792 rooms and surrounded by walls reaching 2,404 meters in length. At its height, the palace was a self-functioning unit comparable to China's Forbidden City. 

After donning our beautiful and surprisingly comfortable hanboks, we made our way inside the palace to begin our exploration. 

Beyond Seoul: Being Inspired at Petite France

"It would be very useful to them if they were to travel some day. Sometimes there's no harm in putting off a piece of work until another day."

This is probably one of the most inspiring lines found in the classic book, "Le Petite Prince"  or "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. And it rings particularly true for those of us who are caught in an endlessly busy work life. Work will be there but time is fleeting. This line inspires us to go take a vacation, to give ourselves a chance to experience the wonderful things the world has to offer, and that we will never regret it. 

Petite France is a place that will surely remind people of such inspiring words by the author. It is a small theme park that centers on the concept of a hillside French village and the book "Le Petite Prince", thus the name Petite France. 

A statue of the Little Prince make a picture perfect spot in Petite France 

Located along the lakeside road of Cheongpyeong Lake, Petite France opened its doors in 2008 and is the only French theme park in South Korea. It has more than 30 attractions and exhibits inspired by the French culture and the tale of the young prince. There is a memorial hall dedicated to Saint-Exupery, the author of Little Prince; a gallery displaying sculptures and paintings of the Gallic rooster; a 200-year old traditional French house brought from France and reassembled in the park; a collection of orgels or music boxes from all over Europe; an antique flea market; a theatre where classic stories are reproduced as puppet plays; marionette dance performances; and many other sites where the French culture can be experienced.

The Antiques Flea Market "Antika"

The Exhibition of Antique Porcelain

Beyond Seoul: Visiting the Garden of Morning Calm

The Moonlight Garden was made after the beauty
of moonlight and is surrounded by white flowers
to give it a bright and delicate atmosphere

For those looking to escape Seoul in search of wide expanses of manicured green grass, stunning trees, blooming flowers, and scenic walkways, the Garden of Morning Calm is the perfect place to have that nature fix. 

The 3,000 square meter garden was inspired by "The Land of the Morning Calm", a nickname coined by the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore to describe Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. 

Over the years, the garden has become more popular as a result of making frequent appearances in Korean TV shows including the recent hits Love in the Moonlight and Ruler: Master of the Mask. It now attracts more than 600,000 visitors annually.

Most tourists like to visit the garden during the Spring Flower Festival where they can walk among thousands of spring flowers in full bloom like tulips, rhododendron, and daffodils. But even during summer, autumn, or winter, a trip to the Garden of Morning Calm will not be unremarkable as there are annual events to look out for. There is the Hydrangea Exhibition during summer, the Maple Festival and Chrysanthemum Exhibition during autumn, and the Starlight Garden Festival during the snowy winter months. 

We made a visit to the Garden of Morning Calm towards the end of Spring and we loved wandering through the beautiful gardens and indulging in some photo opportunities.

So skip along with us as we take a look at the vibrant colors of spring in this garden.

How to Get to Nami Island, Petite France, and the Garden of Morning Calm

Nami Island, Petite France, and the Garden of Morning Calm are three of the most popular day-trip destinations outside of Seoul. Because of their close proximity to each other, it's worth to bundle the three sites in a single full-day itinerary.

However, a lot of travelers don't know it's possible because they don't have enough information of local transportation. As a result, many end up visiting only one or two of these beautiful places. 

So here's a guide on how we went to Nami Island, Petite France, and the Garden of Morning Calm and back to Seoul via commuting. 

The Garden of Morning Calm

Take the Subway to Yongsan Station 
We left Yellow Brick Hostel at 5:00AM to be able to catch the 5:23AM trip of the Subway Line 1 from Jongno-3 Station to Yongsan Station. 

Yongsan Station is one of the biggest stations in Seoul. Aside from serving Line 1, the station also serves as the terminus for high speed and long distance trains including the regional ITX or the Intercity Train eXpress. 

Train ride from Jongno-3 to Yongsan costs KRW1,250 using the T-Money Card.

Take the ITX to Gapyeong Station
The ITX-Cheongchun line is the fastest rail service to Gapyeong Station, the jump off point to Nami Island, Petite France, and the Garden of Morning Calm. The train has top speeds of 180 kph. It departs from Yongsan Station on every hour starting at 6:00AM. The train stops at two other stations - Cheongnyangni and Pyeongnaehopyeong, before arriving at Gapyeong Station. 

The comfortable seats of the ITX-Cheongchun Line

We purchased our ITX tickets in advance via the Korail website. This ensured we had reserved seats and avoided standing for the entire 56-minute ride. After arriving at Yongsan Station, we went straight to the ITX platform and boarded the train. The correct step, however, is to get the actual tickets at the counter by presenting the printed confirmation letter and passport. It was a good thing we were not questioned by the conductor when we only showed the confirmation letter during the ride.

The ITX ticket costs KRW5,200. To purchase in advance, visit the booking site here.

The ITX schedules as seen in the booking page of Korail

Beyond Seoul: Exploring Nami Island

No visit to South Korea can really be complete without seeing the beauty of Nami Island. And yes, it's photogenic regardless of the season. Though it has become very touristy, thanks to Winter Sonata and social media, Nami Island remains a great place to visit. 

Nami Island during late spring/early summer

As it is only 1.5 hours away, it's ideal for those visiting Seoul. From there, you can take the regional train to Gapyeong Station, walk to the Gapyeong Wharf, and hop on a 5-minute ferry ride.

All of its attractions are not far away from where you'll land, owing to the fact that this half-moon shaped island is only 43 hectares in size. There are two options for going over the stretch of the island. One is by the central lane, following a trail that runs from north to south and starts right by the entrance to Nami Island. And the other option is by the riverside paths, where you can enjoy a pleasant walk along the banks of the Han River. 

If you opt for the central route, you'll see the most popular attractions of the island. First you'll see the tomb of General Nami, after whom the island is named. You will then continue along the Central Korean Pine Tree Lane, pass by the First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge to the left and the Pitowon Garden to the right, and reach the Joongangwangjang or Central Plaza. 

The tomb of General Nami

First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge

Pitowon Garden

Naminara train tracks

Various wildlife including ostriches live in the island

How to Apply for a South Korea Tourist Visa for Filipinos

Hitting the land of the kimchi and taekwondo? Well, you'll need a visa. 

If you're holding a Philippine passport, chances are you'll have more travel restrictions when flying around the world. In fact, the Philippine passport is considered moderately weak and ranks 70th in the list of most powerful passports. That being said, there are a lot of countries Juans need to get a visa for including South Korea. However, getting a visa for a legitimate tour isn't too much of a problem. 

Actual Korean visa

Here's a guide to scoring a South Korean visa for Juans.  

Basic Requirements
Here are the five basic requirements that all Juans must submit:
1. Duly accomplished application form. The form must be completely filled out with no blank fields. Download the form here. 

2. One (1) passport size colored picture. The photo should be taken within the last 6 months with full front view face against a plain white or off-white background. Paste in the first page of the application form. 
3. Original Philippine passport. Only passports valid for at least 6 months will be accepted. 
4. Photocopy of passport bio-page. The bio-page is the passport's second page with the owner's biographical data, picture, and a machine readable zone. 
5. Original and photocopy of valid visas and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years, if applicable. As South Korea is a member of OECD, submitting these documents give you an advantage as its co-member countries are known to be the strictest in issuing visas. Click here for the full list of OECD countries.
6. IF invited by a Korean citizen, submit an invitation letter and photocopy of inviter's passport or identification card. 
7. IF invited by a company in South Korea, submit an invitation letter and photocopy of the Korean Company's Business Permit.

Passport must be valid for 6 months