sundaymorning:

BuSy JuNeBuG:

[quote=\"sundaymorning\"]ooooo! that is nice

anyone has any recommendation of tour package to korea Seoul?
and which hotel is good ?
Thanks in advance!

We went with Chan's World Holidays last month to Seoul and Jeju. 8D6N. They are the English tour arm of Chan Brothers. There were 19 in our group, including 3 kids. The tour was hectic but we covered A LOT, more than we have on our own in 2-3 weeks. Included 2N in Yongpyong for skiing and a visit to the indoor waterpark next door. First night spent in Ramada at Gangnam and the rest of the hotels were fine too. No complaints.

If you are single or a young couple, it is fine and great value for money considering many main sights covered, including Han River cruise, Mt Seorak, Unification Observatory (where u can see NKorea just 2km away without going further to Panmunjom), Presidential Palace Museum, Everland, key shopping areas, kimchi making, hanbok wearing (kids enjoyed dressing up), Jeju 3D trick art museum/ice museum (new attraction - very fun), teddy bear museum (kids loved it), sunrise peak, traditional Korean village, etc. But be prepared to wake up at 6am often and return late to hotel, sometimes close to midnight. Fortunately my kids aged 6 and 3 handled it well but it was very tiring for DH and I, especially with all the winter gear to handle.

Such tours make a good overview trip and then head back another time on your own because on tour, there is very little time spent at each stop.

For best deal, be among the first 10 pax to sign up for any tour to get the biggest discounts which the tour leader said can be better than NATAS prices. But don't just take it from her. Do your shopping around first. Best if u can be among the first ten to sign up during a NATAS fair!

Thanks BuSy JuNeBuG for the information you have shared :)))!
i should be heading to NATAS to check out the deals ! A tour will be better with kids i guess[/quote]Personally, I would not have done SKorea on our own (and with young kids) as it was our first time there and we just didn't have the time to do any proper travel research. Plus we were in an extended family group (7 of us) so it made sense to go on a tour and have someone take care of all the transport and details for us. If you have kids, I suggest you pick a tour which has at least 2 nights hotel stay at any one place so you are not packing/unpacking/repacking every night (especially with large amounts of winterwear!).

With tours, it is inevitable that you'll be brought to certain tourist shops to buy ginseng, amethyst, herbal products, etc., but these were made known clearly on the itinerary and those of us who weren't interested could simply just wait in the bus while the others went down (and yes, there were other passengers who were genuinely interested in buying Korean ginseng, herbal medicines, etc.). Apparently, such stops at tourists shops help keep the ground cost of the tour low. The shop where everyone went crazy was The Face Shop where the group got a half-hour hands-on skincare \"workshop\" then face masks flew off the shelves and some passengers easily spent over $1,500 on products!!! If you buy a large amount, remember to ask for free samples and extra face masks! Our Korean guide was pretty decent - he was not at all pushy (unlike other countries, it didn't appear like Korean tour guides get a cut of their passengers' purchases) but he did tell us that he would get into trouble with his company if he skipped any of the shopping stops. These were all in the afternoon on the last day on way to the airport so we could easily just tell the shops we had to leave after a few mins as we had a plane to catch!

For those who wish to avoid all this sales talk and if you have a large enough group (around 10 pax or more), you can opt for a private tour instead. Costs more but you can dictate where you want to go and the pace of travel.

sundaymorning:

ooooo! that is nice

anyone has any recommendation of tour package to korea Seoul?
and which hotel is good ?
Thanks in advance!

We went with Chan's World Holidays last month to Seoul and Jeju. 8D6N. They are the English tour arm of Chan Brothers. There were 19 in our group, including 3 kids. The tour was hectic but we covered A LOT, more than we have on our own in 2-3 weeks. Included 2N in Yongpyong for skiing and a visit to the indoor waterpark next door. First night spent in Ramada at Gangnam and the rest of the hotels were fine too. No complaints.

If you are single or a young couple, it is fine and great value for money considering many main sights covered, including Han River cruise, Mt Seorak, Unification Observatory (where u can see NKorea just 2km away without going further to Panmunjom), Presidential Palace Museum, Everland, key shopping areas, kimchi making, hanbok wearing (kids enjoyed dressing up), Jeju 3D trick art museum/ice museum (new attraction - very fun), teddy bear museum (kids loved it), sunrise peak, traditional Korean village, etc. But be prepared to wake up at 6am often and return late to hotel, sometimes close to midnight. Fortunately my kids aged 6 and 3 handled it well but it was very tiring for DH and I, especially with all the winter gear to handle.

Such tours make a good overview trip and then head back another time on your own because on tour, there is very little time spent at each stop.

For best deal, be among the first 10 pax to sign up for any tour to get the biggest discounts which the tour leader said can be better than NATAS prices. But don't just take it from her. Do your shopping around first. Best if u can be among the first ten to sign up during a NATAS fair!

BBEwee:

Just like to let everyone know,My Pals homework book is available from the bookshop now.Just bought it today.Each book cost $5.85,just in case some of you want to pass the money to you kid to buy it.

Thanks BBEwee. I emailed the form teacher as you suggested and she said she is collecting money and will order for the kids.

car118:

Dear all


Can anyone give reviews for dragon valley hotel and tower condo? I m comparing which is better n convenience as well like supermarket, dining, amenities? Please advise. Many thanks.

If the Tower Condo is what I think you are referring to (next to the hotel), then both are conveniently located a short 2min walk away from each other (longer - if it is snowing heavily).

The hotel has heated floors, hot/cold water dispensers on each floor (no in-room kettle), convenience store downstairs and direct access to the slopes. No need to take any shuttle, unlike some other resorts. There were several shops on the ground level of the condo which looked like boutiques but I didn't take a close look. Both are a 3-5min walk from the Peak Island indoor spa and water park. Great for young kids but nothing too exciting for older ones. You need to wear a swimming cap if going into the water. Didn't enter the Tower block so can't speak on the accommodation there. But Yongpyong is a pretty impressive resort and the venue for some alpine events in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Food was blah though.

BBEwee:

BuSy JuNeBuG:

[quote=\"BBEwee\"]Does anyone know where can I buy the \"My pals are here homework 1A &1B\" beside the school bookstore?Seem like popular does not carry them.

Any ideas does the stock came in yet in the school bookstore?

Popular says only the schools will carry the homework book. I just asked the branch at Bt Timah Plaza this morning.

I have just emailed Pacific Bookstores via their web form page and maybe we all should and also suggest they post such updates on their website so we don't have to wait for office hours to call.

They have even suspended online ordering so there is no way to prepay and get kid to collect from bookshop. Sigh.

:thankyou:

Just send an email to the form teacher,she will order for those kids who do not have.So therefore I don't have to go down to the school bookshop.

Maybe you should do that too.[/quote]Great idea - thanks! I think the bookshop probably has stock by now. My DD said most kids had their homework book to hand in today.

I had asked her to go with her P3 buddy to the bookshop during recess time to buy - one book per day so she doesn't carry too much money on her.

BBEwee:

Does anyone know where can I buy the \"My pals are here homework 1A &1B\" beside the school bookstore?Seem like popular does not carry them.

Any ideas does the stock came in yet in the school bookstore?

Popular says only the schools will carry the homework book. I just asked the branch at Bt Timah Plaza this morning.

I have just emailed Pacific Bookstores via their web form page and maybe we all should and also suggest they post such updates on their website so we don't have to wait for office hours to call.

They have even suspended online ordering so there is no way to prepay and get kid to collect from bookshop. Sigh.

eileen_ng11:

Hi anyone know abt Indonesia maid visa to korea...very difficult to get? Pls help because I areally brought my tour package

Your travel agent should be able to advise or call up the South Korean Embassy.

JJ1111:

BuSy JuNeBuG:

Sounds like you and your maid are very lucky! My maid, who had worked for another SG employer previously and who is also pretty experienced, said that generally they would just get a maid passport - cheaper and easier (but then again, to get the KTKLN, they still have to buy Indon insurance and pay the authorised Indon agent. So maybe the cost cancels itself out or it might even cost more than an ordinary/tourist passport once the cost of KTKLN/insurance is factored in). She also mentioned that Singapore ICA is known to stop women carrying ordinary Indon passports and question them at length on their reasons for visiting Singapore (need to show proof of hotel stay, sufficient money, etc.) and may turn them back if they are found to be coming to work. No info as to whether the employer had already gotten MOM approval and all the other documentation done. Again, all this is very anecdotal and can't be verified.

I think this only apply if employer didn't apply online workpermit for them before they come in.

I have called MOM before, they told me that once the maid show the immigration officer their principal of workpermit approval letter, no question will be asked at SINGAPORE immigration side.

From my understanding, all direct hired worker has to have their workpermit being approved by MOM before they arrive in Singapore.

I have done direct hired of philipino maid before few years ago. And it is not that difficult. Hence I feel direct hired a indonesia maid will be more easier.

To close the loop - I asked with my maid again. Apparently this person didn't have an employer confirmed at her time of entry. No wonder kena questioned like crazy at Immigration. Next time, will take stuff my maid tells me with a pinch of salt!

busygal:

Passport is just a pssoort. A document to travel. Only indo give maid thinner one so that they would know who are the maids. She applied for passport as a indo citizen, ordinary passport. Those who come as maids will be given thinner passport so that official at indo side can tell straight away that they are maids. That way, when they return, they go to separate que and pay money in order to enter indo. Their way of extorting money from their own ppl whom they deem richer. Ordinary passport means just ordinary citizen going in and out for holiday. No fizkal tax, nothing to pay. My maid has more than 10 years experience in sg. Initially, first time came on maid passport thru agency. Subsequently after years of working, went back to rest. Change to normal ordinary passport for travel for leisure and I believe she did travel for leisure a little before deciding to come back to work. Thus when I direct hire her, just used back that passport. She did not come in as tourist. All MOM procedures followed. I called MOM, they guided me through their website to do the application, all from comfort of my own home. She came in with approval from MOM to work as maid. I fax her MOM approval and air ticket. Everything was done legally. At indo side, she just use air ticket and passport to leave the country. I collected her from airport, send her for medical, which take about an hour. Then the next sat morning, I took her to MOM. Again all completed in an hour or two. Easy and fast. But procedure may have change as I did mine early this year. From this forum, I realised there were changes since June/July 2012. So things may have change. Call MOM. They are nice and will guide u thru it patiently.

Sounds like you and your maid are very lucky! My maid, who had worked for another SG employer previously and who is also pretty experienced, said that generally they would just get a maid passport - cheaper and easier (but then again, to get the KTKLN, they still have to buy Indon insurance and pay the authorised Indon agent. So maybe the cost cancels itself out or it might even cost more than an ordinary/tourist passport once the cost of KTKLN/insurance is factored in). She also mentioned that Singapore ICA is known to stop women carrying ordinary Indon passports and question them at length on their reasons for visiting Singapore (need to show proof of hotel stay, sufficient money, etc.) and may turn them back if they are found to be coming to work. No info as to whether the employer had already gotten MOM approval and all the other documentation done. Again, all this is very anecdotal and can't be verified.

I have a question about the employment contract. Has anyone who has direct hired done the online registration of the contract described below and what happens if it is not done? Does it make it harder for the maid to apply for a KTKLN or does the maid run into problems the next time she needs to renew her passport at the embassy or in some other situation?

Stricter rules to bring in Indonesian maids
By Saifulbahri Ismail, 30 May 2012 Channel News Asia

Maid agencies in Singapore will now have to apply online for employment contracts for Indonesian foreign domestic workers with the country's embassy.

The change takes effect on Wednesday.
The new online system will help the embassy compile data and track the domestic workers from the time they leave Indonesia for Singapore.

The Indonesian embassy held a briefing for employment agencies on Wednesday to explain the changes.

In the past, the embassy said it does not have full information of all its domestic workers in Singapore.

This is because the data was just shared between employment agencies in Indonesia and Singapore.

Now, both Indonesia and Singapore employment agencies must key in the necessary data into the online system.

The embassy said having such information will help it safeguard the welfare of its citizens.

Sukmo Yuwono, counsellor, Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, said: \"Based on all that data, I'm very confident it will give protection in the beginning when the Indonesian domestic helper has problems in Singapore.

\"Because if I have a call from the police, for example, if I don't have any data, I have to find out by myself. I need to search through Indonesia, search all the agencies... but if they are already keyed in to our system, I will just find out from the system.\"

Employment agencies said the online process may be more tedious.

This is because even after the online process, agencies have to print out the Employment Contract and submit it to the embassy for endorsement. Agencies then need to send the Employment Contract to their counterparts in Indonesia.

This new system is also expected to put a stop to the practice of some employers who hire maids directly from Indonesia.

K Jayaprema, president, Association of Employment Agencies, said: \"So we are looking at more business for the local employment agencies because it looks like only the accredited agencies with the Indonesian embassy will be able to download the employment contract.

\"So definitely employers have to go to a local agency to help them with this contract. And it's not going to just stop with new girls coming in, I think it's also for renewal, also for the transfer of girls.\"

The Indonesian government said it wants to stop sending domestic workers abroad as of 2017. It wants to provide comprehensive training so that workers are ready to enter more competitive industries. Stricter requirements may also be applied by 2017.

\"But it's something we have to wait and see how effective this is going to be because definitely, they see anybody working overseas as a better source of income. So unless they are able to earn equally good salaries, I don't think the ban is going to work,\" said K Jayaprema, president, Association of Employment Agencies.

The Indonesian government had previously imposed a moratorium on sending migrant workers to Saudi Arabia due to the implementation of the death penalty on a number of Indonesian workers there. ###

POA Teacher:

En-joy:

if the maid comes in with a normal tourist passport, then can KTKLN cards be processed in the in don embassy in Singapore?

No. It can only be done in Indon. Anyway, she doesn't need the card here. The card is only to enable her to leave Indon. So get it done when she goes for home leave.
However, if it's a tourist passport, will she be able to apply for KTKLN? Or would KTKLN be necessary at all?

I thought the idea of using the tourist passport is so that the Indon authorities do not track the maid as an FDW. The KTKLN is an identification card for Indon overseas workers so that they know who's going where and working as what, so I think it defeats the purpose of going the tourist passport route if one is later going to go to head to a KTKLN office and register. As busygal pointed out earlier, it is not that easy to get a tourist passport in the first place.

There's a step-by-step guide for direct hiring here:
http://www.singaporemotherhood.com/forumboard/messages/5/Getting_an_INDO_maid_WITHOUT_an_agent-6792714-7519586.pdf

Please don't follow it in its entirety without first googling and enquiring with official sources to see if there have been any other policy changes since. The policies can change from time to time or also from place to place or officer to officer, so do not just rely on anecdotal evidence shared here. From the stories I've read so far in this thread and elsewhere, the experiences differ slightly or significantly and can be hard to reconcile. Last thing you want is to have made all the arrangements and then find your maid turned back at either an Indon or Changi airport.