Baguio Holiday Getaway at Mines View Park Hotel

After the long drive from Manila to La Union(you may see my previous post for my La Union stay & experience), and short travel from La Union to Baguio, our bodies felt the stiff and fatigue of sitting in the van for long hours. What we are really wanting that time is a very comfortable and relaxing place to rest. Finally we arrived at Baguio, we went straight to our hotel - Mines View Park Hotel and to our surprise it was even better than what we are expecting. In fact, we are full of excitement to occupy our reserved rooms and it left us all in awe of the beautiful view that surrounded us in that hotel. The weather was cold so don't forget to bring your jackets.

  

Once you arrived at the hotel, they will offer hot towels which can warm up your hands and face.

This is the breathtaking view of the mountains from the hotel's lobby.

They also have this beautiful restaurant as part of the lobby where you can dine.

Finally, we head up to our rooms. The room was so clean, big and beautiful.  The bed was big and comfortable with these cute-shaped towels on top. It has an orange theme. There is also a terrace attached to the room where you can feel the cold air outside. 

The boys' room has a blue theme.(Photo by A's sister)

The bathroom with hot & cold shower.

What I like most of this hotel, is their staff's integrity and honesty. After we checked out, we headed to the small market at Mines View Park to buy some pasalubongs and fruits. Surprisingly, A's dad received a call from the hotel staff that a cell phone and a charger was left at the rooms we occupied. So my companions went  back to hotel to get it at once since we are still near the vicinity. We wouldn't have noticed it at once if the staff did not call us. Thank you so much to their staff! Chances are we were already long gone and heading back to Manila, noticed that the phone was missing and still have to turn a long way back to the hotel. But thanks to their staff this does not have to happen! Two thumbs up to you guys! :)

Besides that, the hotel is also located a few steps away from the Mines View Park and it is near The Mansion, Wright Park and Good Shepherd. It was indeed a perfect choice to enjoy the tranquility and comfort of your stay in Baguio. When you head up to Baguio for a trip, you can definitely have this hotel as one of your top choices to stay. 

Mines View Park Hotel
Location: 1 Apostol St. Corner Outlook Drive, Mines View Park, Baguio City
E-mail: info@minesviewparkhotel.com
Tel: (6374) 424-1088
Telefax: (6374) 442-1599
Cell No.: (+63)922-888-6392, (+63)917-593-1316
Website: Mines View Park Hotel

Manila Office
Tel: (632) 352-5248, (632) 215-8226

La Union Holiday Getaway at Hotel Ariana

Happy Holidays everyone! Finally, it's time for a holiday vacation and the season to spend with our loved ones. This year, A & I were given a chance to spent the Holiday weekend with A's family at La Union and Baguio.

We left Manila at around 2:00pm and arrived at Hotel Ariana in Bauang, La Union at around 7:30pm for our first stop. We stayed in La Union for the first night before we head to Baguio so that we can enjoy surfing early next morning at the beach at San Juan, La Union which is very near the hotel. 

Hotel Ariana is easy to locate since it is just along the main highway, you will easily see the hotel signage with orange background.

Upon arrival and entering the lobby, you will see that there is beautiful interior with ambiance that is conducive for business functions and other events. They also have a restaurant at the lobby. We registered at the front desk and asked for our reservation. Their staff easily accommodated us and helped us bring our luggage to our room. We got 4 Regular Twin rooms in all which costs around 2760php. Our room has 2 single beds and 1 extra bed. It is fully air-conditioned and with cable tv.  

The toilet room and the bath room are separated. When you enter the door, the bath room with hot and cold shower is on your left and the comfort room is on the right side. 

The room also has cabinets where you can put your belongings and hang your clothes.

We got out of bed early to eat our complimentary breakfast and head to San Juan, La Union to have some surfing adventure. After surfing, we decided to eat our lunch and head back to the hotel to take our shower so we can use a more private and cleaner shower room. The hotel staffs are so kind, they even allowed us to extend for almost an hour without extra charge because we were not yet finished taking a bath upon check-out time. Thank you Hotel Ariana for this act of generosity & kindness. They also have a multi-purpose hall where you can hold your parties, conventions and other events. You can check out their hotel when you go to La Union to enjoy a genuine haven of absolute comfort and tranquility at affordable prices. 

For more info on room rates and other inquiries, here are their contact information:

Hotel Ariana 
Location: Paringao, Bauang, La Union
E-mail: hotelariana.marketing@gmail.com
Tel. #: (072) 7050050/7050080 or 6076788
Manila line: (02) 4253250
Website: Hotel Ariana
Facebook: Hotel Ariana

How To Apply For Visa To South Korea

Are you planning to have a vacation to South Korea? First, you must secure a Visa to enter South Korea. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a visa to enter South Korea:

1) Secure a copy of the Application Form, you may get it at this link. Then fill it up with your information. The form is also available on the embassy but I suggest you fill it up before going to save some time.

2) Attach a 1 Passport size photo of you on the application form by using a glue.

3) Make sure to have your original passport which is still valid for 6 months. Have the first page of your passport photocopied. If you have valid visa and arrival stamps of OECD member countries for the past 5 years, have an original and photocopy of it also. 

4) For employees, you have to prepare the following documents:
    a. Original Certificate of Employment

    b. Original Personal Bank Certificate

    c. ITR (Income Tax Return) or form 2316 Copy

   For businessmen, you have to prepare the following documents:

    a. Business Registration from SEC or DTI (Copy)

    b. Business Permit or Mayor's Permit (Copy)

    c. Personal Bank Certificate Original

    d. Individual ITR or form 2316 copy

There are also other requirements if you are a Korean's sister/brother in law, Korean's Parents in law, Korean students, religious workers, seaman, housewife, Filipino national married to a Korean, or a spouse of a U.S. military personnel stationed in Korea. For me, I am under the employee category so those requirements above are what I prepared.

5) If your documents are now complete. You may now go to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines to file you application located at 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig city 1634, Philippines from 9am-11am only Mondays to Fridays.

If you bring with you your car, you can park your cars at the side of the streets in front of the embassy. Usually there are a lot of open spaces for you to park and there is no parking fee. Upon arriving at the gate, the guard will get 1 of your I.D. and let you sign in their list. Then he'll give you a gate pass, let you in and walk through the path that leads to the hall where you can apply for visa. 

Upon entering the hall, you will see a front desk where you will register again, tell the personnel if this is your first time to get a visa or not and get a number. Make sure to get a number before you proceed and sit on  the waiting queue. 

This is on a first come, first serve basis. No appointment is needed. First time travelers and those who do not have previous or valid visas to U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, or Korea must present their documents at Windows 1 or 2. Frequent Travelers, seamen and those who have confirmation of visa issuance number should apply at Window 3. 

Take note to arrange the documents in proper order before you hand the documents over especially if you are submitting documents in bulk(for many people) or else they will return your documents to you for you to arrange and you'll have to fall in line again. You will know the proper arrangement listed on the piece of paper which you can get on the left side of the hall upon entering.

Wait for your number to be called by the guard or for it to flash in the screen. Once it's your turn hand the documents to attending personnel and he will just scan through and check if  your documents are complete in front of you. After a short while, he will hand over a piece of white paper where your claiming date is indicated.

For employees, these is the proper arrangement:

1. Application Form with 1pc. Passport size colored picture glued

2. Copy of Passport first page

3. Original & copy of valid visas and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years

3. Employment Certificate Original

4. Personal Bank Certificate Original

5. ITR(Income Tax Return) or form 2316 Copy

Insert these properly arranged documents in your original passport.

For the visa fees:

For Philippine Passport holders:  

     59 days (or less) stay in Korea -- GRATIS     

     60 to 90 days stay in Korea -- PHP1,350.00
     More than 90 days stay in Korea (not applicable for tourist visa)           

Single Entry -- PHP2,250.00           

Multiple Entry -- PHP3,600.00 American Passport holders -- PHP2,025.00

Foreign nationals in the Philippines applying for a tourist visa -- PHP1,350.00

You will know if your application for visa is approved or denied on the releasing day itself. Processing takes 5 working days for first time travelers and 3 working days for frequent travelers. This may be extended depending on the Consul's decision. 

Then you will just have to go back again on the claiming date indicated on the white paper given to you to claim you passport with visa. Releasing time is only from 2pm to 4pm. So don't miss it, you may also opt to come early. If you come early, they are already starting to release even before 2pm. Upon arriving at the front desk, show your claiming paper, register on their list, and get a number. When your number is called or flashed on the screen, proceed to the window and you will receive your passport in just a few minutes. 

That's it! Getting a Korean Visa is very easy. My friend told me that if you ask the travel agency to get it for you they will charge you additional 600php to 1000php. So it's not that hard If you do it yourself plus you get to save some money which you can spend in Korea. Now, you're ready to fly to South Korea! Enjoy!

For other info on Visa Requirements and Procedures, you may visit this site. 

Fly Away! Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival 2012

Did you know that the first passengers of the first hot balloon was a sheep, a duck, and a rooster in 1783. Fascinating how people had developed the hot air balloons throught the years. Now, it has a lot of various and amazing designs.

Last February 2012, the 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon was held in Clark Pampanga. My friends and I hit on the road early morning before sunrise, it was a almost 2 hour drive from Manila. We went there on a Friday and comparing with the stories of my friend who went there on a Saturday, there were fewer people on the Friday event than on the Saturday. And we arrived in the event's field just in time for sunrise.

So here are the pictures of the fascinating and cute hot air balloons of the event:

Getting Ready to Fly

All set & fly

A very huge cake hot air balloon which caught the eyes of many. We also saw a couple having their pre-nuptial photoshoot in this hot air balloon. So lovely!

My favorite was the cute Panda!

Here is one shot of the skydiver with the Philippine flag during the skydiving exhibit just right before the opening flag ceremony. The festival includes other air exhibits sky diving, kit flying, paragliding, etc. 

This festival runs annually during February, so if you haven't gone in the past years make sure to plan it out to go to next year's run.