Rediscovering SEOUL After 9 Years: Exploring Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden & Insa-dong [November 2024]

In November 2024, I traveled to Seoul, South Korea, for the first time in nine years. I had visited Seoul previously in 2014 and 2015, both times with my work colleagues. This time, I spent 9 days and 8 nights with my high school friends. While I had to work on some days due to previously scheduled important meetings, I made sure that the workdays did not spoil my Seoul holiday.

My friends and I explored many places during this trip, but today I will focus on our adventures at Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden, and Insa-dong. Read on to discover what you can see and expect at these locations, especially during the beautiful autumn season.

In case you missed it, I wrote about the step-by-step process I followed to get my multiple entry South Korean tourist visa. You can check it out here.

Plane Ticket

I was lucky enough to score a ₱1 base fare ticket to Seoul during Cebu Pacific Air’s anniversary sale in March 2024. My ticket originally cost ₱4,329.30 for a round trip. This included a guaranteed seat on both flights and a 7-kilogram carry-on luggage allowance. Cebu Pacific Air allows you to add checked baggage based on your needs. In my case, I added a 20-kilogram allowance for the flight to Seoul and 2 x 20 kilograms (a total of 40 kilograms) for the return flight to Manila.

With the added checked baggage allowance, my return ticket cost only ₱7,409.30. This is an incredible deal, considering it includes baggage allowance for both flights, including a generous 40 kilograms on the way back. A massive thank you to Cebu Pacific Air for making these types of international fares possible. The airline truly provides an opportunity for every Juan to fly.

Accommodation

I stayed for 9 days and 8 nights, which overlapped with my friends’ time in Seoul. During those 8 nights, my friends and I decided to stay in a single accommodation, and we chose Bunk Guesthouse Hostel. It is a highly-rated place located in the vibrant and bustling Hongdae District.

For the first 4 nights, we stayed in a family room (with 1 full bed and 2 single beds) with a balcony. After some friends left for Manila, we transferred to a twin room with bunk beds for the last 4 nights. My share for the 8-night stay amounted to ₱13,243.97. I personally think it was a good deal, especially considering we stayed in private rooms for the entire stay and enjoyed free breakfast every morning.

I also wrote about Bunk Guesthouse Hostel in one of my recent Hostel of the Day features. I hope you can check it out here.

Going Around Seoul

My friends and I used a T-money rechargeable card for all our public transportation needs during this trip. We initially considered getting the Climate Card, but we decided it would not be worth it, given the differences in our schedules and plans.

We received a free T-money card when we picked up our passports at KVAC in October 2024. Our companions who did not have a T-money card bought theirs at the Airport Station.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential area of restored traditional Korean houses dating back to the early 20th century. The village is home to hundreds of traditional hanoks, which have become a popular tourist destination due to their beautiful and intricate architecture. There is no entry fee to visit the village.

Nearest train station: Anguk Station of Seoul Subway Line 3 (Exits 1, 2 or 3)

Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden

Changdeokgung Palace is one of the ‘Five Grand Palaces’ built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. It is located to the east of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The palace was once the site of state affairs and served as the residence of the royal family during the Joseon era.

Changdeokgung Palace is also famous for its Secret Garden, which can only be visited through a guided walking tour. Tickets for the palace and the timed walking tour can be purchased at the entrance. Adult tickets cost ₩3,000 for entry to the general palace grounds and ₩5,000 for the timed walking tour. The Secret Garden is located within the palace grounds, and visitors wishing to explore it are required to purchase both tickets.

My friends and I joined the 2:30 p.m. Secret Garden English tour. We bought our tickets a few hours in advance and spent the time exploring Bukchon Hanok Village while waiting for our scheduled tour.

Nearest train stations: Anguk Station of Seoul Subway Line 3 (Exit 3) or Jongno 3-ga Station of Seoul Subway Lines 1, 3 and 5 (Exit 6)

Insa-dong

Insa-dong is a cultural neighborhood located near Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village. It was once Seoul’s antique and art market, but today it is renowned for its modern galleries and tea shops. The area is also home to many artisan shops and cafes, making it the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon stroll.

Nearest train stations: Anguk Station of Seoul Subway Line 3 (Exit 6) or Jonggak Station of Seoul Subway Line 1 (Exit 3-1)


My friends and I did try to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, but unfortunately, we arrived after it had already closed.

Thank you for joining me in today’s post about Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden, and Insa-dong. I hope you enjoyed reading about these incredible spots in Seoul. Whether you are planning your own trip or simply exploring from afar, these places are worth a visit especially during autumn.

Have you been to these places before? What do you think of them? Are you considering visiting them in the future? If you have any questions or would like to know more, feel free to post them in the comments section below or send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I would be happy to respond! Stay tuned for more upcoming posts about Seoul and South Korea. You can also check out other posts about this Seoul trip under the Seoul 2024 category.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries, hostel of the day features, and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 536 – Jakarta to Manila – A Comfortable Red-eye Flight with The Nation’s Flag Carrier [November 2024]

Last November 2024, just days before my trip to Seoul, South Korea, I flew to Jakarta, Indonesia, for work. Everything happened last-minute—the company made all the necessary arrangements only two weeks prior to the trip. They provided me with a Philippine Airlines ticket for the round-trip flight to Jakarta.

In my previous flight report, I shared my experience on Philippine Airlines flight PR 535, from Manila to Jakarta. Today, I will be detailing my return flight from Jakarta to Manila on Philippine Airlines flight PR 536.

Read on to discover why this flight, despite being a red-eye, felt surprisingly comfortable.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA AirIndonesia Air AsiaEmiratesSingapore AirlinesQantasCathay Pacific, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines, commonly known as PAL, is the Philippines’ flag carrier. The airline began operations in 1941 and is currently the region’s oldest commercial airline. It is part of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies and is also partly owned by ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways.

Philippine Airlines operates a fleet of nearly 50 Airbus, Boeing, and De Havilland aircraft, serving over 70 domestic and international destinations across Asia, Australia, North America, and the Middle East. The airline has a wholly owned subsidiary, PAL Express, which operates its domestic regional routes. PAL flies out of its hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao.

PAL is the country’s largest full-service airline, offering a premium experience to its passengers. It provides business class, premium economy, and economy class on most of its routes. Although it is not a member of any airline alliance, it has codeshare agreements with major carriers such as All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air, and many others.

The airline also offers a lifestyle and loyalty program called Mabuhay Miles. It is the only Philippine-based carrier to receive a 4-star rating from the world-renowned air transport rating organization Skytrax. Philippine Airlines is known for its warm and heartfelt hospitality, which is uniquely rooted in Filipino culture.

In October 2024, I flew with Philippine Airlines’ Domestic Comfort Class from Manila to Daraga (Legazpi) via Cebu. It is the airline’s domestic premium economy product. Curious about the comfort class experience? Check out these flight reports: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2853 – Manila to Cebu – First PAL Domestic Comfort Class Experience – Was the Last-Minute Booking Worth It? [October 2024] & PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2927 – Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi) – Domestic Comfort Class Experience on a Turboprop Aircraft [October 2024].

Airfare & Inclusions

The company covered all expenses for this business trip, including the return flights. While I cannot disclose the exact cost of the plane tickets, I can say that they were not inexpensive, as the ticket was booked just two weeks before the intended departure date.

The Philippine Airlines ticket included a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance, a 30-kilogram checked baggage allowance, in-flight meals, amenities, a wireless entertainment system, and excellent service from the cabin crew.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Philippine passport holders only need to present their valid passport and the eTravel QR code when entering the country. Non-Philippine passport holders may be required to provide additional documents, such as a valid visa or an onward departure ticket. These requirements can vary depending on nationality, so it is always best to check with the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date entry information.

Before The Flight

Forty-eight hours before the flight, Philippine Airlines sent an email offering a neighbor-free seat for as low as USD 50. Then, 24 hours before departure, the airline sent another notification informing me that online check-in was available. Unfortunately, there was no business class upgrade offered for this flight to Manila.

I checked in via the mobile app and changed my seat to 31C. Once the check-in process was complete, I received my digital mobile pass. Regular economy seat selection on Philippine Airlines flights is free during online check-in.

A few hours before the flight, I received another email from the airline informing me that the aircraft to Manila would not have personal entertainment screens. Instead, passengers could access the entertainment system via their mobile devices after connecting to the in-flight Wi-Fi.

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Jakarta to Manila flight on Philippine Airlines was operated by a 10-year-old Airbus A321-231 (as of the time of the flight). The aircraft was delivered to the airline in November 2014 and carries the registration RP-C9917. It features 12 recliner business class seats, 18 extra legroom economy seats, and 169 regular economy seats.

Flight PR 536 took off from Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta at 1:58 a.m. local time, cruised at an altitude of 35,000 feet, and landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila at 6:38 a.m. local time. The flight duration was 3 hours and 40 minutes.

In 2019, I flew with the country’s largest airline, Cebu Pacific Air, on the same route to Jakarta but only paid $24 one-way. Check out the flight report here: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 759 – Manila to Jakarta – ₱1,236 ($24) International Flight To Indonesia.

Airport & Ground Experience

Philippine Airlines operates out of Soekarno–Hatta International Airport Terminal 3.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

Philippine Airlines’ check-in counters were divided into three lines: one for business class passengers and status holders, another for economy class passengers who checked in online, and a third for regular economy check-in.

Check-in counters opened exactly three hours before departure. My colleagues and I lined up at 10:25 p.m. and completed check-in in about 20 minutes. The ground staff were quick and efficient.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, we cleared immigration and final security before walking to our assigned gate, Gate 5. I did not visit the lounge because I did not want to leave my colleagues at the boarding gate.

BOARDING

Priority boarding commenced at 1:05 a.m. Business class passengers, airline status holders, and those traveling with infants were called first. Economy class passengers boarded according to their assigned seats and boarding groups.

At 1:35 a.m., the cabin crew closed the airplane doors, and the entire boarding process was completed in 30 minutes. The plane was pushed back at 1:37 a.m. and made its way to the runway for takeoff. The flight boarded slightly late due to the late arrival of the Manila to Jakarta flight.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Jakarta Philippine Airlines flight was operated by a 10-year-old Airbus A321-231. It features 12 recliner business class seats in a 2-2 configuration, 18 economy extra legroom seats in a 3-3 layout, and 169 regular economy seats, also in a 3-3 arrangement.

According to the airline’s website, each business class seat has a seat pitch of 37 inches, a seat width of 22 inches, and a recline of 6 inches. Each economy extra legroom seat offers a seat pitch of 34 inches, a seat width of 18 inches, and a recline of 5 inches. The regular economy seat has the same seat width and recline but a slightly smaller seat pitch of 30 inches.

Every economy seat is equipped with a pillow, a blanket, an adjustable headrest, a tray table, a seatback pocket with the aircraft safety card, individual reading lights, a cabin crew button, and personal air vents. This aircraft does not have in-seat entertainment screens.

I was seated in 31C (an aisle seat behind the economy extra legroom section) on this nearly 4-hour flight to Manila. I was pleasantly surprised to find a blanket (thank you, PAL!) in my seat, as our Manila to Jakarta flight did not provide one. PAL’s A321 economy seats are decent—not the best, but comfortable enough for a short-haul flight. The adjustable headrest is especially useful on red-eye flights like this one.

INFLIGHT MEAL

Philippine Airlines served dinner on this red-eye flight to Manila. Thirty minutes after takeoff, the cabin crew began the meal service. They offered two main options: chicken with mashed potatoes or fish with rice and vegetables. The meal was served with a salad, a bread roll with butter, a slice of chocolate cake for dessert, and a drink of your choice. The meal was presented on a tray with plastic cutlery and a napkin.

After the dinner service, the cabin crew went around again to offer coffee, tea, or water to passengers who wanted it. Unlike the Manila to Jakarta flight, no pre-landing drinks were offered on this flight.

I opted for the chicken with mashed potatoes and chose apple juice and water as my drinks. The portions were generous and filling. Overall, it was another solid meal service from Philippine Airlines.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

The aircraft used for this Manila flight is not equipped with inflight entertainment screens. Instead, the airline offered entertainment options via passengers’ mobile devices. Each passenger needs to connect to the inflight Wi-Fi and visit the myPAL aero website. Alternatively, passengers can scan the QR code found on the flyer in the seatback pockets.

The airline’s wireless entertainment system offered a decent selection of movies, television shows, and music to enjoy during the flight. It also featured a moving in-flight map. Unfortunately, the in-flight map was not interactive, unlike those of Peach Aviation and Scoot.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Philippine Airlines offers Wi-Fi connectivity on this flight, but it is limited to connecting to the airline’s wireless entertainment system. Inflight Wi-Fi for browsing and instant messaging is not available.

LAVATORY

I was seated by the aisle, but I did not get the chance to visit the lavatory. I was asleep for most of the flight, and every time I woke up, the rear lavatories were always occupied.

Cabin Crew Service

The airline’s cabin crew service is known for being warm and friendly. Philippine Airlines brands itself as “The Heart of the Filipino,” and true to that, the cabin crew on this flight embodied the brand and provided the best possible service to all its guests.

Although it was a challenging time of day (early morning), the crew managed to pull it off. They were all smiles, from boarding to meal service and through to disembarkation.

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

The plane touched down at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport at 6:38 a.m. local time. The crew announced a by-row disembarkation process, but most passengers did not follow the protocol.

Disembarkation, immigration, and luggage claim took less than an hour.

Flight Experience

It was a comfortable red-eye Philippine Airlines flight from Jakarta to Manila. Everything was in place for a pleasant journey.

First, I was surprised to find a blanket on the seat, as our late-night Manila to Jakarta flight didn’t provide one initially. From check-in and boarding to disembarkation, everything went smoothly. Second, the cabin temperature was cold enough to help me sleep for a few hours. I normally don’t sleep well on planes, but this flight was an exception.

Third, the meal portions were just right—enough to fill you up without being too much. The meal tasted great, and the chicken was particularly tasty. Lastly, the cabin crew service was top-notch. The crew had the best smiles, even though it was during the wee hours of the morning.

On the other hand, the plane’s cabin interiors are starting to show their age. The airline needs to begin refitting their short-haul aircraft to match the flying experience of other international full-service airlines.

Nevertheless, it was still a great flight with Philippine Airlines. I will definitely fly with them again in the future, and I hope to do so on one of their widebody aircraft. I also look forward to trying their short and long-haul business class products.

I am sharing you the summary of this flight from Jakarta to Manila:

Airline: Philippines Airlines
Flight Date: 16 November 2024
Flight Number: PR 536
Route: Jakarta, Indonesia (CGK) to Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Duration: 3 hours and 40 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 31C
Aircraft: Airbus A321-231
Aircraft Registration: RP-C9917
Engines: 2 x International Aero Engines V2500
Age: 10-years-old
Delivered: November 2014


Thank you for joining me on today’s flight report of Philippine Airlines’ PR 536 from Jakarta to Manila. Overall, it was a comfortable red-eye flight with great service, though there’s room for improvement in the cabin interiors. The smooth journey and attentive crew made it a pleasant experience, and I look forward to flying with Philippine Airlines again.

Have you flown internationally with Philippine Airlines before? How was your experience with the airline? Are you considering booking a ticket with them for your next trip to the Asia Pacific or North America? If you have any questions or would like to know more, feel free to post them in the comments section below, or send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I would be happy to respond!

I hope you will check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines, as well as other airlines like EmiratesEVA AirCathay PacificAir FranceVietnam AirlinesCebu Pacific Air, and Qantas. I also hope you look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, please consider liking, following, and sharing my social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. This will help increase my reach and keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries, and flight reports on this website. Thank you, and I will see you in the next flight report!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Flight Report: Philippine Airlines PR 535 – Manila to Jakarta – An Unplanned First International Flight with PAL [November 2024]

In November 2024, just a few days before my planned trip to Seoul, I flew to Jakarta, Indonesia, for business. This was my first time visiting our local office, where I met my colleagues and attended a company trade show. The trip came together at the last minute: in late October, just two weeks before the scheduled departure, my boss invited me to join the team in Jakarta. I accepted, and the business trip was set.

Our company arranged everything, from flight tickets and hotel accommodations to travel insurance and airport transfers, all on short notice. They booked me on Philippine Airlines. This flight report will focus on my journey from Manila to Jakarta aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR 535. Believe it or not, this was my first-ever international flight with the airline. Although I have traveled to several countries, I had never flown with PAL before.

Read on to find out what it is like to fly with Philippine Airlines on the Jakarta route and hear about my first-ever international PAL flight experience.

I also wrote about the return flight on Philippine Airlines flight PR 536. Check out the said flight report here.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA AirIndonesia Air AsiaEmiratesSingapore Airlines, QantasCathay Pacific, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines, commonly known as PAL, is the Philippines’ flag carrier. The airline began operations in 1941 and is currently the region’s oldest commercial airline. It is part of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies and is also partly owned by ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways.

Philippine Airlines operates a fleet of nearly 50 Airbus, Boeing, and De Havilland aircraft, serving over 70 domestic and international destinations across Asia, Australia, North America, and the Middle East. The airline has a wholly owned subsidiary, PAL Express, which operates its domestic regional routes. PAL flies out of its hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao.

PAL is the country’s largest full-service airline, offering a premium experience to its passengers. It provides business class, premium economy, and economy class on most of its routes. Although it is not a member of any airline alliance, it has codeshare agreements with major carriers such as All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air, and many others.

The airline also offers a lifestyle and loyalty program called Mabuhay Miles. It is the only Philippine-based carrier to receive a 4-star rating from the air transport rating organization Skytrax. Philippine Airlines is known for its warm and heartfelt hospitality, which is uniquely rooted in Filipino culture.

In October 2024, I flew with Philippine Airlines’ Domestic Comfort Class from Manila to Daraga (Legazpi) via Cebu. It is the airline’s domestic premium economy product. Curious about the comfort class experience? Check out these flight reports: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2853 – Manila to Cebu – First PAL Domestic Comfort Class Experience – Was the Last-Minute Booking Worth It? [October 2024] & PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2927 – Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi) – Domestic Comfort Class Experience on a Turboprop Aircraft [October 2024].

Airfare & Inclusions

Since this was a business trip, I did not have to pay for the flights. The company booked my ticket just two weeks before the trip and paid around ₱XX,XXX for the round trip. Given that it was a last-minute booking, the ticket was expensive.

The Philippine Airlines ticket included a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance, a 30-kilogram checked baggage allowance, inflight meals, amenities, a wireless entertainment system, and commendable service from the onboard cabin crew.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Philippine passport holders do not need a visa to enter Indonesia for tourism or business purposes. We are granted a 30-day, visa-free, non-extendable stay. Upon arrival, passengers are only required to register online or complete an entry form at the airport. This process generates a QR code, which can be used to enter the country via the electronic gates.

Additionally, all passengers departing the Philippines must fill out their details and obtain a QR code from the eTravel website.

Before The Flight

48 hours before the flight, Philippine Airlines sent me two separate emails—one offering me the chance to bid for a business class seat starting at USD 330, and the other asking if I wanted a neighbor-free seat starting at USD 50. Then, 24 hours before the flight, the airline sent another notification informing me that online check-in was available.

I logged into the mobile app and checked in for the flight. I selected seat 48K (window) for this nearly 4-hour journey to Jakarta. As soon as I completed the check-in process, I received my digital mobile pass. Regular economy seat selection on Philippine Airlines flights is free of charge during online check-in.

A few hours before the flight, I received another email from the airline informing me that the aircraft to Jakarta would not feature in-seat entertainment systems. Instead, passengers could access the entertainment system via their mobile devices after connecting to the inflight Wi-Fi.

In 2019, I flew with the country’s largest airline, Cebu Pacific Air, on the same route to Jakarta but only paid $24 one-way. Check out the flight report here: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 759 – Manila to Jakarta – ₱1,236 ($24) International Flight To Indonesia.

Aircraft & Flight Information

The Manila to Jakarta flight on Philippine Airlines was operated by an 8.7-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A321-231 aircraft. Delivered to the airline in March 2016, the plane is registered as RP-C9925. It features 12 recliner business class seats and 187 standard economy seats. Additionally, it has three rows of extra legroom economy seats (rows 21 to 23), which are available for purchase at an additional fee, included within the regular economy section.

Flight PR 535 took off from Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 9:18 p.m. local time and landed at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta at 11:53 p.m. local time. The flight duration was 3 hours and 35 minutes.

Airport & Ground Experience

Philippine Airlines’ international flights operated out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

I arrived at the airport about 4 hours before my flight. I waited for my colleagues, who I was traveling with, before we headed to the check-in counters together.

Philippine Airlines has dedicated check-in counters for business class passengers, status holders, premium economy passengers, and regular economy passengers. All these counters were well-manned and operational, and there was little traffic at the counters when we arrived.

My check-in process took only 10 minutes, from the time I joined the short queue to receiving my boarding pass. Bravo, Philippine Airlines!

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, my colleagues and I went through immigration and the final security check. I invited them to the PAGGS Lounge and used my credit card to grant them access. Thankfully, there was space in the extension lounge, and we were accommodated right away.

We had dinner there and indulged in the lounge’s delicious pork siomai. We stayed for about two hours while waiting for our flight’s boarding time. At 8:00 p.m., we left the lounge and headed to Gate 15.

BOARDING

At 8:17 p.m., the ground staff announced boarding for premium passengers and status holders. They also called passengers traveling with infants and senior citizens.

Economy class passengers were asked to board by row. At 8:52 p.m., the cabin crew closed the airplane doors, and the entire boarding process was completed in 35 minutes. The plane was pushed back at 8:54 p.m. and made its way to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Jakarta Philippine Airlines flight was operated by an 8.7-year-old Airbus A321-231 aircraft. It features 12 recliner business class seats in a 2-2 configuration, 18 economy extra legroom seats in a 3-3 layout, and 169 regular economy seats, also in a 3-3 arrangement.

According to the airline’s website, each business class seat has a seat pitch of 37 inches, a seat width of 22 inches, and a recline of 6 inches. Each economy extra legroom seat offers a seat pitch of 34 inches, a seat width of 18 inches, and a recline of 5 inches. The regular economy seat has the same seat width and recline but with a slightly smaller seat pitch of 30 inches.

Every economy seat is equipped with a pillow, an adjustable headrest, a tray table, a seatback pocket with the aircraft safety card, individual reading lights, a cabin crew button, and personal air vents. This aircraft does not have in-seat entertainment screens. After takeoff, the cabin crew distributed blankets to passengers who requested them.

I had seat 48K (a window seat) on this 3.5-hour flight to Jakarta. I found the seat to be adequate. It is not the best economy class seat out there, but it works. I believe the airline could still improve its short-haul inflight product.

INFLIGHT MEAL

Philippine Airlines serves inflight meals on their international flights. For this flight to Jakarta, they offered two main options: chicken inasal with rice or beef with oyster sauce and rice. The main meal came with pasta salad, a bread bun with butter, dried pineapples for dessert, and a drink of choice. The meal was served on a tray with plastic cutlery and a meal napkin.

After the dinner service, the cabin crew went around again to offer coffee, tea, or water to passengers who wanted it. The meal and drink service were completed 1 hour and 15 minutes after takeoff. A few minutes before the seatbelt sign was turned on for landing, there was another water service.

I chose the chicken inasal option and had apple juice to drink. The meal was tasty, especially the chicken inasal. The portions were also just right. I would choose the same option if offered in the future. Overall, it was a solid meal from Philippine Airlines.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

The aircraft used for this Jakarta flight is not equipped with inflight entertainment screens. Instead, the airline offered entertainment options via passengers’ mobile devices. Each passenger needs to connect to the inflight Wi-Fi and visit the myPAL aero website. Alternatively, passengers can scan the QR code found on the flyer in the seatback pockets.

The airline’s wireless entertainment system provided a decent selection of movies, television shows, and music to enjoy during the flight. It also featured a moving inflight map. I wish it had been interactive, like the wireless entertainment systems on Scoot and Peach Aviation.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Philippine Airlines offers Wi-Fi connectivity on this flight, but it is limited to connecting to the airline’s wireless entertainment system. Inflight Wi-Fi for browsing and instant messaging is not available.

LAVATORY

I was seated by the window, so I did not have the chance to visit the lavatory during the short flight.

Cabin Crew Service

Philippine Airlines’ cabin crew service is well-known for being warm and hospitable. The airline even brands its service as “The Heart of the Filipino.” True to their branding, the crew on this flight did a fantastic job in serving the passengers.

The crew greeted every passenger with their best smiles and served the meals with a light, friendly attitude. They made sure every passenger had an enjoyable flight with Philippine Airlines. Kudos to the crew on this flight to Jakarta!

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

The plane touched down at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport at 11:53 p.m. local time. Disembarkation, immigration, and luggage claim took about an hour.

Flight Experience

It was an ‘okay’ first international flight experience with Philippine Airlines. This Manila to Jakarta flight had both its positives and negatives. Let me elaborate on them below, starting with the good aspects.

First, the check-in experience was a breeze. There was little to no queue, and the process only took 10 minutes from lining up to getting my boarding pass. Second, the airline informed all passengers before the flight that there would be no personal entertainment screens onboard and provided instructions on how to connect to the wireless entertainment system.

Third, the chicken inasal main was superb. The chicken tasted great, and the meal portion was just right. Lastly, the cabin crew service on this flight was excellent—truly “The Heart of the Filipino.” The crew made sure all passengers were well taken care of.

This flight also had its negatives. First, the seat features felt incomplete for a full-service airline like Philippine Airlines. I hope the airline equips their new economy seats with more features in the future. Second, the cabin’s age is starting to show in its interiors. I believe it is time for the airline to refit their Airbus A321 aircraft and equip the seats with personal entertainment screens.

Lastly, the cabin temperature on this flight was on the warm side. The temperature slightly improved at cruising altitude but remained uncomfortably hot (in my opinion), even with the air vent open.

Despite these negatives, I still had a pleasant first international flight with Philippine Airlines. Will I fly with them again in the future? That is for sure. I am keen to try their economy class product with personal entertainment screens and their business class product.

Here is a summary of my Philippine Airlines flight from Manila to Jakarta:

Airline: Philippines Airlines
Flight Date: 13 November 2024
Flight Number: PR 535
Route: Manila, Philippines (MNL) to Jakarta, Indonesia (CGK)
Duration: 3 hours and 35 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 48K
Aircraft: Airbus A321-231
Aircraft Registration: RP-C9925
Engines: 2 x International Aero Engines V2500
Age: 8.7-years-old
Delivered: March 2016


Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope I gave you a comprehensive review of my first time flying internationally with Philippine Airlines on their PR 535 route from Manila to Jakarta.

Have you flown internationally with Philippine Airlines before? How was your experience with the airline? Are you considering booking a ticket with them for your next trip to around Asia Pacific or North America? If you have any questions or would like to know more, feel free to post them in the comments section below, or send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I would be happy to respond!

I hope you will check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines, as well as other airlines like EmiratesEVA AirCathay PacificAir FranceVietnam AirlinesCebu Pacific Air, and Qantas. I also hope you look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, please consider liking, following, and sharing my social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. This will help increase my reach and keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries, and flight reports on this website. Thank you, and I will see you in the next flight report!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Sakura 2024: NAGOYA & INUYAMA – Peak Sakura Around Aichi Prefecture’s Capital City + First-Ever Traditional Japanese Festival Experience [April 2024]

Early last year, my friends and I flew to Japan to experience the world-famous cherry blossom season. We began our journey in the snowy, cold towns of Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Then, we traveled to Osaka to relax for a few days. After that, we took the Shinkansen down to Hiroshima for 48 hours before heading back to Osaka. We used our JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass to take quick trips to Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. We then made our way to Kyoto, where we witnessed the beginning of the full Sakura bloom in the city. Our 20-day Japan trip ended in the capital of Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya.

We spent a few days exploring the city and even visited the nearby town of Inuyama, where we experienced our first-ever traditional Japanese festival. We visited some usual sights, but focused mostly on the Sakura, food, and last-minute shopping. Allow me to share more details about the final leg of our 2024 Sakura trip below.

Nagoya & Inuyama

Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and one of Japan’s industrial and financial centers. Located in the heart of Honshu Island, Nagoya is the country’s fourth most populous city but is often overlooked in favor of the usual Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The city has a laid-back yet modern vibe, with a unique character that is loved by both foreigners and expatriates.

Inuyama is a small city located north of Nagoya, known for its beautiful wooden castle. The city is also famous for its historic houses and the annual Inuyama Festival.

In case you missed it, I visited Nagoya back in 2016. It was the first stop on my 13-day solo trip around Japan. You can check out my previous post about Nagoya here.

Flights To & From Nagoya

The Philippines’ major carriers, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air, offer daily flights to Nagoya from Manila. My friends and I avoided the peak airport crowds by flying with Cebu Pacific Air to and from Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya.

I have written about these two flights, and I hope you can check them out here: Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5038 – Manila to Nagoya – Perfectly-Timed Low-Cost Flight to Central Japan and Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5039 – Nagoya to Manila – Unexpected Inflight Treats on Our Expensive Flight Back to Manila.

A few years ago, I wrote about how to apply for a Japan tourist visa. Click here to learn more about getting one for yourself.

Kyoto to Nagoya

Kyoto and Nagoya are connected by multiple train and bus routes daily. My friends and I took the most economical option and traveled by highway bus from Kyoto Station to JR Nagoya Station.

We took the Meitetsu Bus, which left Kyoto Station at 1:30 p.m. local time and arrived at JR Nagoya Station at 4:00 p.m. This 2.5-hour bus ride cost us only ¥2,600 each, which was charged as ₱998.16 on my credit card statement. We booked our tickets via the Japan Bus Online website.

Accommodation

My friends initially planned to stay only 3 nights in Nagoya, but the additional local Philippine holiday prompted us to extend our stay by one more night. We stayed at Hotel ACTEL Nagoya Nishiki for all 4 nights.

We stayed in a twin room for the first 3 nights, paying ₱5,423.23 per person, and then in a single room on the last night for ₱1,188.99 per person after all discounts. We enjoyed our stay in the hotel’s beautifully designed, modern, and minimalist rooms.

The hotel is located in the vibrant Sakae area, just a few meters from the subway station and the Oasis 21 landmark. While it does not offer breakfast or meal service, it provides a complimentary beauty and amenity bar, as well as a coffee vending machine.

Going Around Nagoya

Nagoya is connected by a vast transportation system, including buses, local subway lines, and inter-city train services. The city also offers a wide variety of duration-based tourist passes.

My friends and I did not purchase any tourist passes. Instead, we used our IC cards for all transportation during our visit around Nagoya.

Places Visited in Nagoya

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle is one of Japan’s National Treasures. Built during the Edo period, the castle has withstood countless wars, calamities, and developments, and it still stands beautifully in the heart of Nagoya.

Entry to Nagoya Castle grounds costs ¥500 per person. Tickets are bought at the castle grounds entrance.

Nagoya Castle Grounds

The grounds of Nagoya Castle were surrounded by cherry blossom trees in full bloom during our visit. The castle grounds were bustling with visitors on a Saturday afternoon, with some people having picnics under the beautiful Sakura trees.

Meijō Park

Meijō Park is an expansive green space located next to the Nagoya Castle grounds. It featured beautiful floral displays during our visit last year.

Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER

Formerly known as the Nagoya TV Tower, this landmark was the country’s first radio tower. It is now an observatory offering panoramic views of the Sakae area.

Oasis 21

Oasis 21 is another notable landmark in the Sakae area. The building houses shops, restaurants, cafes, and even a bus terminal. Its glass roof structure features water, which is believed to cool down the underground shopping and entertainment area.

Misokatsu Yabaton

My friends and I visited Misokatsu Yabaton restaurant twice to enjoy Nagoya’s famous miso katsu.

The restaurant serves a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet topped with a rich and sweet miso-based sauce. It is served with a cabbage salad, miso soup, and rice. It is a must-try when in Nagoya.

Inuyama Festival

Our visit to Nagoya coincided with the annual Inuyama Festival. This traditional festival, held in the small city of Inuyama, is known for its three-tiered floats adorned with dancing mechanical puppets that are paraded around the city. The parade is accompanied by traditional drum and flute music, especially during the peak Sakura period.

My friends and I attended the rehearsal festival, which took place the night before the actual event. The festival floats were stunning, particularly at night. It was a fun experience, with mostly locals and a few foreign visitors (like us)!


Overall, our time in Nagoya and Inuyama was an amazing experience. We enjoyed the beautiful sights, like the cherry blossoms at Nagoya Castle, and had a blast at the Inuyama Festival. From exploring the city to trying local food, Nagoya gave us memories we will never forget. It was the perfect way to end our 20-day trip around Japan.

Have you been to Nagoya and Inuyama, or are you planning to visit soon? I would love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any further questions or need more details, you can also reach me directly at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am happy to help with any clarifications or travel tips.

Thanks for joining me in today’s blog post. In case you missed it, my friends and I flew to Japan for 20 days to experience the cherry blossom season from March to April 2024. You can find all posts related to this trip under the Sakura 2024 category. You can also check out our Takayama, Shirakawa-goOsaka, Hiroshima, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, and Kyoto visits.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

 

Sakura 2024: KYOTO – Unexpected Discoveries in Japan’s Famous Old Capital City [April 2024]

Early last year, my friends and I flew to Japan for about 20 days to chase the cherry blossoms. We started our journey in Takayama and Shirakawa-go, where we were surprised by the snowy weather in what was supposed to be early spring. We then traveled to Osaka for a few days before taking the Shinkansen further south to Hiroshima, where we spent 48 hours exploring history, food, and more sightseeing. We returned to Osaka to drop off our luggage and took day trips to Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. After that, we moved on to the beautiful city of Kyoto.

We spent four full days in Kyoto. Although we had visited the city in the past, this trip was focused on chasing cherry blossoms. We avoided some of the usual sights like Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkaku-ji, and instead had unexpected discoveries that made this part of the trip even more fun and memorable. Allow me to share more details about our Kyoto experience below.

I have been to Kyoto several times before – in 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2023. I hope you check out those individual posts as well.

Kyoto

Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is a large and renowned city on the country’s Honshu Island. It is famous for its beautiful temples, shrines, imperial palaces, gardens, and traditional wooden houses. Along with Tokyo and Osaka, Kyoto is often considered one of the three main destinations for people visiting Japan for the first time.

Flights to Japan

There are no direct flights connecting the Philippines and Kyoto, Japan. Filipinos typically fly into Kansai International Airport in Osaka before heading to Kyoto. My friends and I took the unconventional route, flying in and out of Chubu International Airport in Nagoya.

We flew with the country’s largest low-cost airline, Cebu Pacific Air. I wrote about both our inbound and outbound flights, and I hope you can check them out here: Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5038 – Manila to Nagoya – Perfectly-Timed Low-Cost Flight to Central Japan & Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5039 – Nagoya to Manila – Unexpected Inflight Treats on Our Expensive Flight Back to Manila.

A few years ago, I wrote about how to apply for a Japan tourist visa. Click here to learn more about getting one for yourself.

Osaka to Kyoto

Osaka and Kyoto are linked by several train lines: Shinkansen service, the JR Kyoto Line, the Hankyu Kyoto Line, and the Keihan Main Line. The best train line or route to take will depend on which areas of these cities you are coming from and going to.

I mentioned in previous posts that my friends and I got the JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass. However, we ended up not using the pass or the JR Kyoto Line because we found a faster and more convenient route via the local subway, with a transfer to the Hankyu Kyoto Line. We used our IC cards for these train rides.

Accommodation

My friends and I stayed at The Pocket Hotel Kyoto-Karasumagojo for four nights. We booked this hotel for its location and budget-friendly price. We reserved a twin room with a shared bathroom for ₱11,140.14 for two people, and we made our reservation about 9 months in advance.

The Pocket Hotel Kyoto-Karasumagojo is a boutique hotel under the Sotetsu Hotel Management. It is located at 423 Matsuyacho Gojodori Karasuma Higashi Iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 600-8105 Japan. It is just a 1-minute walk from Exit 1 of Gojo Station on the Karasuma Line of the Kyoto Municipal Subway. The hotel is about a 10- to 15-minute walk from Kyoto’s Shinkyogoku Shopping Street and about a 15- to 20-minute walk to and from Kyoto Station.

The hotel has 121 private rooms and features high-speed Wi-Fi in all rooms, shared bathrooms (on specific floors), a laundry room for guests who need to wash clothes, male and female toilets on each floor, and complimentary daily bath amenities and sleepwear changes. It also has a small lounge area on the ground floor, near the reception. The hotel features self-check-in and check-out facilities and only accepts cashless payments through credit cards and QR codes.

Going Around Kyoto

Kyoto is connected by a vast transportation system, including buses, local subway lines, and inter-city train lines. The city also offers a wide variety of duration-based tourist passes.

My friends and I did not purchase any passes. We used our JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass for travel to and from Arashiyama on our first day, and we used our IC cards for the remainder of our stay in Kyoto.

Unexpected Discoveries

We intentionally avoided some popular places like Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nishiki Market. We had already visited quite a few of these popular spots and wanted to explore them at night this time.

ARASHIYAMA

We visited Arashiyama during sunset and witnessed some amazing views from the other side of the Togetsukyo Bridge. We also noticed that there were very few visitors around at that time. Afterward, we stopped by the dimly lit Bamboo Forest before heading back to Kyoto.

HŌKAN-JI TEMPLE

We walked from our hotel to Hōkan-ji Temple to see how the place looked at night. We also stopped by % ARABICA Kyoto Higashiyama for coffee.

NINENZAKA

The famous Ninenzaka looked beautiful at night. It was much less crowded compared to how it is during the daytime.

GION

We walked around Gion on our way back to the city center. The streets were full of people exploring the historic district.

KIYAMACHI-DORI

Kiyamachi-Dori had beautiful cherry blossom trees in full bloom. My friends and I visited this area both during the day and at night to take some photos with the Sakura trees.

PHILOSOPHER’S PATH

The Philosopher’s Path is a scenic route along a cherry blossom tree-lined canal that runs between Ginkaku-ji and the Higashiyama neighborhood.

We visited the path a few days before the expected full bloom and were treated to a stunning sight of the cherry blossom trees in bloom.

NANZEN-JI

Nanzen-ji is a Buddhist temple and serves as the head temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.

KEAGE INCLINE

Keage Incline is a former railway that connects Lake Biwa Canal to the Kamo River. It is now a gently sloping pedestrian path lined with cherry blossom trees.

KYOTO SHINKYOGOKU SHOPPING STREET

Kyoto Shinkyogoku Shopping Street is a pedestrian arcade, or shotengai, offering everything a shopper could want—from clothing stores and artisan boutiques to drugstores, entertainment venues (like karaoke), cafes, and restaurants.


That wraps up our Kyoto adventures from April 2024. From the unexpected cherry blossom trails at Keage Incline to the beautiful Philosopher’s Path, this leg of the journey was full of surprises. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my previous Kyoto experiences.

My friends and I also visited Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Osaka, Hiroshima, Himeji, Nara, and Kobe during this trip. You can find all posts related to this adventure under the Sakura 2024 category.

Have you been to Kyoto, or are you planning to visit soon? I would love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any further questions or need more details, you can also reach me directly at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am happy to help with any clarifications or travel tips.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me expand my reach and keep you updated with the latest blog posts, itineraries, and flight reports on this website. Thank you, and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.