How to rent a car in Jeju

We had a lot of worries with transportation in Jeju. Unlike in Seoul, there are no intricate train systems in Jeju. Travel options are limited to buses, taxis, and rental cars.

The cheapest option of course would be to take public transportation like buses or tourist buses but tourist attractions are scattered accross the island and we barely saw buses in some places so it was a good thing that we opted to rent a car. For reference, from Jeju Aiport to Sammu Park (bus stop near Trevi Hotel) the fare is 1200KRW one way. You can use t-money to pay in buses or pay in cash (exact fare only).

Rental process is quite simple, you just have to sign up at the website and fill in the reservation form. We rented a car from Lotte Rent-a-Car site since it was the cheapest we found with good reviews. Our second option was AJ Rent-a-Car.

Rental Requirements:
1. Valid Driver's License - the designated driver should have a valid driver's license (issued from the driver's own country)
2. International Driving Permit - the designated driver should have an IDP  (issued from the driver's own country) prior to the trip. In the Philippines, you can apply for this online at the AAP website and get it in about a week or two for PHP3500. We applied for this 3 weeks before our trip after our visa got approved.
3. Car reservation form - the designated driver should be the one to register at the car rental website and make a reservation. We did this online and opted to pay once we arrived in Jeju. You just have to specify the type of car and the begin and end date and time of rental.

The process was very straightforward yet we had a lot of worries. For one, there was a clause in the rental requirements that the IDP should have been issued at least one year prior to the rental date. We emailed the car rental and asked about this specifically because our IDP was issued just weeks before the rental.

Another one was that there were horror stories about some car rental services asking for additional payment when you return the car for a scratch that has already been there before rental. So we made sure to get a car insurance and checked the car for scratches. We also asked about this with the car rental service and they told us as long as we have the insurance we don't have to worry about scratches.

We got a A/T diesel Chevy Olando for our party of 7 including the driver. It has just enough room for passengers but not for our lugagge so we had to make 2 trips from the airport to our hotel so we can fit all the luggage.

Driving in Jeju is almost the same in the Philippines but with a lot less traffic. They also have left hand drive cars and the GPS navigation system was on point it even reminds you what is the speed limit for certain places and if you're going over the speed limit. So it is very important to get an English GPS. Google maps and waze are no good in Jeju.

We were also worried about getting driving tickets because there were times we go above the speed limit and the GPS keeps telling us to slow down. Also there was a time we beat the red light (totally unintentional). We were all shocked when the breaks didn't make it on time.

We received the car with a full tank and returned it with a full tank as well. A full tank was enough for our 4 days trip. We were able to go to the following destinations with a full tank:
Samyang Black Beach +82-64-728-3991
Seongsan Ilbuchong (Sunrise) Peak +82-64-710-7923
Manjanggul Cave +82-64-710-7903
Innisfree Jeju House +82-64-794-5351
Jeusangjeolli Cliff +82-64-738-1393
Hallasan Park Yeongsil Trail +82-64-713-9950
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall +82-64-760-6304
Woljeongri Beach +82-64-728-3393

We noted the phone numbers just in case we get a Korean GPS where you have to input the phone numbers instead of the location name in korean to get from one place to another. There was also plenty of parking spaces in tourist places. Parking fees range from 600KRW to 3000KRW.

We returned the car hours earlier from our specified time of return so we even got a refund.

Sample Car Rental Costs:
258,900KRW - 4days car rental 7 seater
  66,000KRW - Diesel (depends)
     8,200KRW - Parking Fees (depends)
--------------------
333,100KRW - Total Cost which is around PHP16,665

17,000PHP for 4 days hassle free travel in your own time. So each of us only paid around PHP2500 for our transporation in Jeju. In the Philippines, you can only rent for 1 day with that amount.

Before I forget, you also need to consider the parking space is available in your hotel if you're going to rent a car. We almost forgot about this and changed hotel the last minute. And so that's it hassle free car rental in Jeju.

Digital Perm at Das Raum (Beauty Brick)

I have already curled my hair a lot using traditional perm in the past but it's my first time to try digital perm. Why? Because it's too expensive!!!

A traditional perm only costs around PHP400 - PHP800 at local salons (yung sa tabi tabi lang). While digiperm costs around PHP3000-PHP8000.

I stick to traditional perm in the past because I feel like they last longer than digiperm though I'm not really sure..yet. Anyway I had this spur of the moment urge to curl my hair (after watching Barcelona) so yeah I ended up trying a digiperm.

Beauty Brick is located at Jupiter St. Makati. My friend has already tried their digiperm service (she made her research on different salons offering digiperm) saving me from having to research myself and end up not actually doing it. In short, Beautybrick is known for good digiperm results at a more affordable price than it's counterparts. So here are 3 simple steps to get that curl you've long wanted.

Step 1: Secure a reservation.

You can call or text 09175200044 to schedule an appointment with Mr. Shin. They reply promptly and and they were very accommodating with my questions.

Q: How much for a digiperm?

A: Depends on hair length and condition. Ranges from PHP3300 to PHP4300.

Q: Do you accept credit cards?

A: Cash only basis

Q: Can I color my hair beforehand

A: Depends on your hair condition we will check first.

Step 2: Getting there

From MRT Buendia southbound, ride a jeepney with "Washington" signboard beside McDonalds.

Get off at Petron Gas Station (right side) then walk to the street behind Petron (Jupiter St.)

Walk to the left until you see Anytime Fitness. Beauty Brick is located inside Doña Consolacion Building.

You wouldn't see any sign board of a salon or beauty brick outside (even inside).

Step 3: Show up for your appointment

When you enter, you'll instantly be reminded of a Japanese restaurant because the staff will greet you upon entering. Makes sense because Mr. Shin is a Japanese.

The salon is just simple. White walls, mirrors and chairs. Unlike other salons which stink of chemicals, I can actually breathe normally inside. The only downside I guess is the comfort room which is located at the second floor of the building (outside the salon).

Mr. Shin (the one with the hat) seems to only speak Japanese (and very little English) so he always has his translator by his side. Sometimes it's very confusing because my mind is trying to process what Mr. Shin is saying (which is in Japanese) at the same time, I need to listen to the translator for well.. translations.

What amazes me is how a nameless salon (literally) became so popular. When you check on google, there are only a handful information about the place. By the wall hangs some magazine clippings about Mr. Shin so I guess he really is famous.

Before Shot (Saturday)

We had our appointment for 10:00AM. We arrived 10minutes before 10 and was shortly called for shampoo afterward. The salon was already full this early Saturday morning.

Then Mr. Shin (through his translator) will ask you what type of curls you want (small, medium, big, combination). I showed him some pictures but unfortunately he told me the curl I wanted was created by setting and using curling irons and not digiperm. He advised using medium curls because I have short hair so that it would last longer. Then he trimmed my hair and the translator gave me a quote of PHP3400 all in (haircut, treatment and digiperm)

After trimming my hair, they put on the treatment. They will walk you through the steps one by one and introduce what product is being used clearly.

Then they shampooed my hair again and put on collagen and then blow dried.

Next is the winding and setting (with heat).

After removing the curlers, they will set it again and put another chemical. Then they'll give you a head and back massage.

Last is blow drying and styling.

Result

It was not the type of curl I imagined but Mr.Shin didn't really give me any false hopes. He said that curls turn out differently for everyone depending on your hair so there isn't really a pattern.

Can't manage to smile because I was sooo sleepy not because I didn't like the result. Mr. Shin will also teach you how to maintain your curls. I know it wouldn't actually look like this when I wash it so I'm quite nervous about what it would actually look like

Mr. Shin is very hands on on each of his clients. Their process is very organized. I didn't notice it at first but my friend pointed out they were using a kanban. With post its to keep track of the status of each phase and timers. It's a bit noisy though with Mr. Shin giving out orders from time to time and all the staff answering in unison "Yes Sir, Yes Manager" (really like in a Japanese restaurant).

The service is superb! and I'm not even exaggerating. I felt like a princess with the service they were giving. Always checking if you're comfortable and what not and making you feel your money was well spent even if it's a little expensive.

But honestly I really love the service (I can't stop gushing about it). Unlike in other salons where they will tell you how horrible your hair looks like so they can push you to buy their products and avail of other services. Beauty Brick is nothing like that. If I didn't ask they wouldn't even mention that they also sell some hair products they use.

So aside from the service, I find digital perm more acceptable than traditional. The medicine they use for traditional irritates my eyes and sometimes my skin too. Not to mention the horrid smell that makes it hard to breathe. I didn't experience any discomforts during the digiperm process so definitely a lot better than traditional.

What's left really is to test the longevity. I'll update this blog in a few to see what happens.

After Shot (Monday)

It's easy..they said..You just twist and scrunch.. they said.. but boy was I so lost the first time I had to "maintain" it. 

Some people say it's easier to maintain curly hair because you don't need to comb it. But if you have straight hair and don't usually comb like me then I beg to disagree. I had to wait for it to dry a bit then put a combination of hard wax and oil to 'hold' the curls while twisting and scrunching. X_X

Tuesday

 This time I used a curl defining mousse and found that the wax and oil combination holds better

One month later and this is how our hair looks like

 Check out the link below if you want to know more on how I maintain it.
Maintenance for Digitally Permed Hair