Reduced Travel Tax

It's my first time to pay travel tax at the airport so we have to leave the house earlier than 3 hours prior to departure time. For those who are dependent of OFW like me and want to visit your loved ones' worksite, you can avail Reduced Travel Tax(RTT) in the airport or at the TIEZA office/branch. Visit their website for the complete address.

OEC Valid 1 year from date issued

You need to present the following:

Original copy of OEC or Overseas Employment Certificate 

Original copy of NSO Marriage Certificate

Passport

A processing fee of  PhP200.00 for each certificate issued. Instead of paying the regular travel tax of Php1,620.00 it will reduce to Php300.00 only.The amount you save in paying the regular travel tax can be allotted to your Terminal fee which is Php550.00 plus may pang-Jollibee ka pa. Ang saya-saya lang!!

As for queuing at the Travel tax counter, it wont take too long to process your documents and payment we even have spare time to eat at the second floor of NAIA Terminal 3 after checking-in our baggage.

Partial breakdown of our Taiwan travel expenses for 2 pax:-

Airfare          - 8,620.00

Travel Tax     - 1,000.00

Visa               - 4,200.00

Terminal Fee  - 1,100.00

Next..family vacay pictures!!

Applying for Taiwan Visa

Hubby is working in Taiwan for almost 2 years now, that's how long we are as LDR couple. I've been planning to visit him since last year but our budget wasn't ready for it. :-) Booking a flight is not a problem I can count on promo fare (thank you, cebupac) but Visa is another thing.Yes, Taiwan requires visa for Filipinos. Thus I have to plan, wait, save and save more. Last February, i was able to booked a flight to Taiwan at 75% off amounting to Php8,600+  RT for 2 pax inclusive of baggage allowance of 15kls.Next step, I prepare all the necessary documents for Visa application click here. Went to TECO Embassy last April 14 to submit our applications.

Documents submitted:

Online application form - Note: Fill in the form in  BLOCK letters.

NSO Marriage Certificate

NSO Birth Certificate

Bank Certificate (with only P50k +)

Passport

Letter of Invitation from Hubby

Photocopy of hubby's Company ID and ARC

Photocopy of MC & BC

I also submitted our eticket and hotel reservation but the officer just looked at it and return back to me. The officer also asked my husband's photocopy of his passport but I don't have it that time. She told me to bring it on releasing date.Visa application fee for single entry is PhP2,100.00.

After a week, went back to TECO praying that we got our visa approved. Hurray!!Answered prayer! But prior to that let me tell you a short story because i've read from some blogs and forums about their "not so nice" experience they encountered from the receptionists to IO. Thank God, i didn't encounter that from the receptionist so i thought maybe not from the receptionist but to the IO. I reached TECO office past 2:00 p.m. my number was 237 the number flashed on the screen was 9 so I told myself "naku! ang tagal ko pa". What i didn't know kaya pala 37 lang ang naka highlighted na number yun na pala yun (sorry! pers timer :D ) nalaman ko lang from those agencies when she exchanged her number to the other member. I quickly went to the counter when the number flashed on the screen was already 38. Gave my number and receipts then dun na'ko medyo natarayan, the IO asked me "bakit ngayon ka lang? kanina pa yung 37 ah?". I just told her "akala ko po kasi 237 pa ako" half smiling like admitting my boom panes moment! HAHAHA! she turned her back and after a few minutes she gave our passports with visa on it! 

valid for 3 months

Taiwan here we are!!

Next entry..Travel Tax.

Brothers Burgers from Groupon site

Bought BB Cheese Steak Burger from groupon site Metrodeal for only P150 instead of P200. What's great about Metrodeal is their payment options. You can use your Paypal account for paying your purchases and that's what i did. Yipee!!! I can't withdraw the money from my paypal account because the amount is far beyond the allowable limit for withdrawal plus the big slash of service charge,sayang naman dun na lang mapupunta ang pera ko sa service charge :(( so i just let my money sleep there for  quite a long time. It might be a bit late for me to know that Metrodeal accepts paypal for payment as i shun myself away from groupon site that has a lot of negative feedback. Even the voucher costs a few hundred bucks only dapat hassle free pa rin upon claiming/using your voucher. So far and thank God i didn't encounter any problems when claiming my voucher.

Very handy & no spill  paper cup holder  for take out

BB Cheese Steak Burger

Although the cheese steak burger has mushrooms and onion, i still prefer my burger with cheese and lettuce ~~ Mcdo lang he he he!!!

Garin Farm in Iloilo

The area for kayak, boating, zipline and a lot more..

Garin Farm is located in San Joaquin, Iloilo about an hour and 20 minutes drive from Iloilo City proper. If you're planning a Church hopping you may include GarinFarm in your itinerary. Only 15 minutes drive from the famous Miag-ao Church.

What's in store for you here?

"Delight your senses in GarinFarm – an exciting multifaceted 14-hectare inland resort in San Joaquin, Iloilo, Philippines. GarinFarm is a delightful blending of leisure, pilgrimage, and agriculture that gives you an incomparable vacation.  In the versatile inland resort, you can find superb amenities — impeccably designed and landscaped glass-walled rooms with a breathtaking view of the ocean or the mountains, a wide swimming pool for adults and children, a 5,000 sq. meter man-made lagoon for boat rides, fishing and kayaking, and a route for horseback riding and trekking, among many others.

GarinFarm also offers you a chance to give in to your adventurous side through the 300- meter zipline running across the lagoon.  On the other hand, if you feel the urge to quiet down, GarinFarm has the perfect spot for spiritual connection with the Divine Mercy Cross situated at the peak of the resort.   And as you go up the peak, you will behold life-size and life-like statues, almost a decade in the making, of scenes from the Creation, Noah’s Ark, The Ten Commandments, and the 9 Major Events of the Life of Jesus Christ (Nativity, Baptism of Christ In Jordan River, Entry To Jerusalem, Last Supper, Agony At The Garden, Scourging At The Pillar, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension) culminating in the awe-inspiring Divine Mercy Cross.  These will bring you a fascinating and realistic experience of communion with the Anointed One.  No other resort offers you this wonderful experience – only GarinFarm!" (words from their website)

 Upo't Kalabasa at saka meron pa

101 ft. Divine Mercy Cross

The panoramic view from the peak

 

Noah's Ark

Dove Feeding

 An entrance fee of P150/head, open until 7p.m.only. For every activity/ride there's a corresponding fee. They breed chickens, turkeys, docks, goats and other livestock- a mini zoo for kids!

The kids had so much fun! I've never heard any complaints from them despite of endless walking and uphill climb of 456 steps to the Divine Mercy Cross. They enjoyed feeding the doves, even tried to catch and touch them. We had our dinner in their simple set-up restaurant. The serving is just right for the price which is pocket friendly. Parang limot ko na ata ang lasa ng food nila dahil sa sobrang pagod at gutom. HA HA HA.In fairness, all the meals we ordered taste good. Thumbs-up!

visit www.garinfarm.com