June 2022 – Japan

Itinerary/activities

Day 1

• Landed at Narita Airport 8:00 PM
• Took the Narita Express to Tokyo
• Checked in at the hotel
• Light ramen dinner at a nearby shop
• Early rest for the next day

Day 2

• Morning at Asakusa – visited Senso-ji Temple
• Zhely tried a red bean taiyaki and wore a yukata for photos
• Travelled to the Iglesia ni Cristo Locale in the Tokyo District for the 2:00 PM Worship Service.
• Late Afternoon walk at Ueno Park and zoo (Zhely loved the pandas 🐼)
• Shopped at Ameyoko Market
• Evening in Shibuya Crossing + photo with Hachiko statue

Day 3

• Morning/Partial Day: Tokyo Disneyland.
• Focus on must-do rides and shows (e.g., Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, It’s a Small World, securing passes for one major attraction).
• Bought Mickey Mouse ears and popcorn buckets.
• Late Afternoon: Harajuku
• Explored Takeshita Street (The center of Tokyo’s youth fashion/culture).
• Tried unique desserts like a giant cotton candy or crepe.
• Evening: Tokyo Tower. Travel from Harajuku to Tokyo Tower in Shiba-koen.
• Zhely experiences the height from the main observation deck, watching the city light up.
• Dinner at the Food Court inside the tower’s base (Foot Town).

Day 4

• Checked out of hotel
• Early walk to Meiji Shrine (peaceful nature vibe)
• Bought last-minute snacks and souvenirs at Don Quijote
• Flight home via Flight JL 745 at 3:10 PM
• Landed in Manila just before sunset

The process of how they went there

Since this was their first trip to Japan, and given the border rules at the time (June 2022) required sponsored tours, the family opted for an accredited travel agency's Free-and-Easy Tour Package to meet the visa requirements. They designed their own detailed itinerary and submitted it to the agency for approval.

Planning started in April 2022, right after the Holy Week break. Japan required more steps than their previous Singapore trip.

Passport Application (for Zhely):

• Nagpunta sila sa DFA Consular Office Pampanga (Robinsons Starmills, San Fernando, Pampanga) para kumuha ng appointment.
• Zhely submitted her birth certificate (PSA), school ID, and a DFA application form.

After the appearance and biometrics, nakuha ang passport in 3 weeks.

Japan Visa Application (Tourist - Temporary Visitor):

After compiling all the required documents (including the agency-approved itinerary, which they designed), they returned to the accredited travel agency to formally submit their visa application.

Each of them submitted:

• Passport (valid at least 6 months)
• Visa application form with photo
• Birth certificate (for Zhely)
• Bank certificate (Dad)
• ITR and certificate of employment (Dad)
• Detailed day-to-day itinerary

Visa approved after 8 working days.

Flight Booking (Online):

• After getting their visa, they booked Flight JL 746 (fictional) online:
• Departure: NAIA Terminal 1 – 2:20 PM
• Arrival: Narita Airport, Tokyo – 8:00 PM (local time)

Hotel Reservation (Online):

• They chose a hotel near Ueno Station, for easy access to trains and attractions.
• Booked via travel site with breakfast included.
• (Hotel Name: [Insert Here]) – Family triple room, Japanese-style.

Pre-Departure Essentials:

• Bought yen currency at a local forex, and travel insurance online.
• Downloaded apps for Tokyo Metro, Google Translate (offline), and Japan Travel Guide.
• Zhely printed a pocket phrase guide with basic Japanese words like:
• "Sumimasen" (Excuse me)
• "Eigo o hanasemasu ka?" (Do you speak English?)
• "Arigatou gozaimasu!" (Thank you very much)

Packing and Travel Gear:

• Zhely prepared her outfits by theme: cute + comfy!
• They brought power adapters (Type A/B), snacks for the flight, and printed backup copies of all bookings.
• Dad made a family QR folder for digital copies and emergency contact numbers.

Airport Process Refresher:

• They reviewed the Narita Airport arrival flow.
• Also studied how to ride Tokyo subways and use IC Cards (Suica/Pasmo).

July 2024 - South Korea.

Itinerary/activities

Day 1

• Landed at Incheon Airport – 6:45 PM
• Took the AREX express train to Seoul Station
• Checked in at hotel and rested for a bit
• Went out for dinner and shopping at Myeongdong Night Market
• Zhely tried tteokbokki, tornado potato, and strawberry milk

Day 2

• Travelled to the Iglesia ni Cristo Locale of Seoul District of South Korea for the 11:00AM Worship Service.
• Afternoon visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace
• Wore hanbok and took photos.
• Late afternoon: Bukchon Hanok Village & Insadong.
• Late afternoon stop at Insadong for crafts and tea.
• Evening: Shopping spree at Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

Day 3

• Morning/Afternoon (Partial Day): Lotte World (indoor theme park).
• Focus on essential rides and the Magic Island castle (Zhely loved the VR rides).
• Bought character merch (Zhely got a Lotty plushie 🧸).
• Late Afternoon: Lotte World Tower Observation Deck. Visited the viewing deck of Korea’s tallest building for a “height experience.
• Dinner at Jamsil Lotte Mall.
• Passed by a K-pop album store — Zhely bought lightsticks and photocards

Day 4

• Breakfast buffet at the hotel
• Visited Starfield COEX Mall and the famous library atrium
• Bought last-minute pasalubong: banana milk, instant jjajangmyeon, and face masks
• Flight home via KE 623 at 5:00 PM
• Arrived back in Manila around 8:30 PM

The process of how they went there

Zhely’s family started planning the trip around mid-May 2024. Since Korea was one of Zhely’s dream destinations, she helped a lot with organizing the itinerary.

Zhely's passport had to be renewed in early 2024 as her minor-issued passport was expiring. She got a new 10-year validity passport.

Korean Visa Application (Tourist):

Since South Korea reintroduced simplified visa processing, they applied via an accredited agency in Metro Manila.

Requirements submitted:

• Valid passport
• Visa application form with ID photo
• School certificate (for Zhely)
• Bank certificate + ITR + COE (for Dad)
• Confirmed hotel and flight bookings
• Daily itinerary

Visa released in 5 business days.

Online Flight Booking:

• They booked Flight KE 624 (fictional Korean Air flight):
• Departure: NAIA Terminal 1 at 1:30 PM
• Arrival: Incheon International Airport at 6:45 PM (KST)

Hotel Reservation (Online):

• Chose a hotel near Myeongdong, walking distance to shops and street food stalls
• Booked through a Korean hotel app
• (Hotel Name: [Insert Here]) – Triple room with free breakfast buffet and airport shuttle service

Digital Tools & Preparation:

• Downloaded:
• Papago (for Korean-English translation)
• KakaoMap (for directions)
• Subway Korea (for metro routes)
• Klook and Trazy (for booking passes and hanbok rentals)
• Bought T-money cards online for subway use
• Zhely prepared a digital mood board of the places she wanted to visit, including K-pop shops and palaces 👑🎶

Packing and Outfits:

• Light summer clothes (Korean summer is hot but fashionable)
• Sunscreen, portable fans, and hats
• Zhely planned her OOTDs inspired by Korean fashion icons
• Each family member had matching pouches for toiletries and accessories

Pre-departure Practice:

• Reviewed airport process for Incheon and how to fill out arrival cards
• Learned polite Korean phrases like:
• "Annyeonghaseyo" (Hello)
• "Kamsahamnida" (Thank you)
• "Yeogi eodi-eyo?" (Where is this place?)

December 2025 - Thailand.

Itinerary/activities

Day 1

• 12:00 PM: Landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). (Corrected arrival time for PR 730)
• 1:15 PM: Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai, then Grab to riverside hotel.
• 2:30 PM: Checked in at the hotel.
• 3:00 PM: Local lunch: Pad Krapow and fresh coconut water.
• 4:30 PM: King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk: Went up for the spectacular 360-degree city views, ensuring time for the glass tray and sunset (last entry is 6:30 PM).
• 6:30 PM: Visited Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn): Viewed the illuminated temple from the eastern side of the river (Wat Arun closes at 6:00 PM, but the evening view from across the river is the iconic shot).
• 8:00 PM: Dinner and shopping at Asiatique The Riverfront

Day 2

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast: Thai iced tea and khao tom.
• 9:30 AM: Visited Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) for the essential historical tour.
• 12:30 PM: Lunch: Traditional Pad Thai Goong Sod near the palace.
• 2:00 PM: Siam Square/Siam Paragon: Explored Bangkok's youth shopping and entertainment hub.
• 4:00 PM: Chut Thai Photo Experience: Zhely rented a silk Chut Thai for a photo session in a nearby studio or historical setting.
• 6:00 PM: Explored Yaowarat Road (Chinatown).
• 7:30 PM: Street food dinner in Chinatown: Mango sticky rice and grilled squid.
• 9:00 PM: Colorful Tuk-Tuk ride back to the hotel.

Day 3

• 7:00 AM: Early start: Minivan ride to the western market area.
• 9:30 AM: Maeklong Railway Market: Experienced the famous market where vendors pack up as the train passes through.
• 11:30 AM: Explored Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, buying treats from the boat vendors.
• 2:30 PM: Returned to Bangkok.
• 4:00 PM: Relaxing river cruise or afternoon coffee/tea break near the hotel.
• 6:30 PM: Dinner: Tried a famous Mookata (Thai BBQ) restaurant experience.

Day 4

• INC Worship Service at the Locale of Bangkok.
• 9:00 AM: Checked out and stored luggage.
• 10:00 AM: Final souvenir shopping at MBK Center for affordable tech accessories and clothes.
• 12:30 PM: Last lunch: Tom Yum Goong and the final serving of Mango Sticky Rice.
• 1:30 PM: Grab ride to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
• 4:10 PM: Flight home (PR 730) at 4:10 PM.

The Process of How They Went There

The Thailand trip was considered easier to plan, primarily because of the visa-free entry for Philippine passport holders. The planning started in October 2025.

Visa and Entry Requirements

• Visa: Filipinos do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days in Thailand (Temporary Tourist Visitor).
• Preparation: They only needed to ensure passports were valid for at least 6 months past the travel date.

Flight Booking (Online)

• The family booked direct round-trip tickets to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) two months in advance to secure a good price.
• Departure: NAIA Terminal 1, Manila (MNL) – 7:30 AM
• Arrival: Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok (BKK) – 10:30 AM (local time)
• Airline: Philippine Airlines (PR 730/PR 731)

Accommodation (Online)

• They prioritized location for easy access to the river and the BTS Skytrain/MRT lines.
• Booked a family room via an international travel site with complimentary breakfast.
• (Hotel Name: [Insert Here]) – Chosen for its view of the Chao Phraya River.

Pre-Departure Essentials

• Currency: Exchanged PHP to Thai Baht (THB) at a local money changer in Manila.
• Connectivity: Pre-booked a local Tourist SIM card online for airport pickup (essential for navigation and Grabs/Tuk-Tuk bookings).
• Packing: Light clothing suitable for hot, humid weather, and modest outfits (covering shoulders and knees) specifically for temple visits.
• Apps: Relied heavily on Grab (the local ride-sharing app), Google Maps for transit, and Google Translate.

Transportation Plan

• Intercity: Planned to use the efficient BTS Skytrain and MRT extensively within Bangkok.
• Local: Budgeted for using Grab (for convenience to/from the airport/markets) and the local Tuk-Tuks for short, fun rides.
• River Travel: Learned about the Chao Phraya Express Boat system for efficient travel to riverside temples and markets.