My Traveloka Booking Experience

     Most of us usually use reservation app or flatform online to place reservation than placing directly to property, hostel or hotel. Placing reservation through agoda.com, booking.com, hostel.com and traveloka.com can save you little cost because of their discount coupons etc (quite competitive right?)

     I wanna share my first reservation and customer service experience with traveloka.com. I usually book my hotel or hostel reservation through agoda.com and booking.com for some reasons. When I was in Royal Thai Embassy - Laos, I needed to book a hostel since I expected that I will arrive in Bangkok around 2 in the morning. I searched online the nearest hostel to the place  off my drop-off point in On Nut. Luckily, I found a good deal via Traveloka.com. 168฿  for dorm-type, fan  room and with complimentary breakfast. (Great deal right?!) But wait there's more... Traveloka gives special deal if you use their mobile app or discount coupon. I remember two days before I book my reservation I received 20% coupon discount that I used upon payment. Luckily, I was able to use the said discount coupon and I only paid 114.21฿ instead of 168฿. Whattaaa 54฿ less! It can compensate my BTS fare from On Nut Station to Victory Monument Station (42฿+ 1 bottle of Chang Mineral Water (8฿) to hydrate me. I usually do cross checking through different website to score good deal and ofcourse cheap accommodation. A first, I had doubt with Traveloka.com because their posted prices are too low than other website. I was in hurry while making reservation back then since I was in Thai Embassy in Laos. I purchased their wifi service for 10,000K - 5 minutes. Imagine it's just for 5 minutes and you need to pay 20 ฿ which you can buy 3 sticks of pork b-b-cue when you got back in Thailand. Anyhow, I paid 10,000K for 5 minute wifi service. I didn't check thoroughly  all the information I put on the reservation until my hotel voucher had been forwarded to my email. GEEEZZZ!! I was surprised because my name on the voucher they forwarded 'Ceds Ceds".

Since I only had few minutes I contacted them through their Chat Support. Thank you Eugene for your assistance and help! They fixed my name and issued new hotel voucher without paying any cost! Yes, you read it! They modified my reservation without paying any cost! I would probably use Traveloka.com again to my near future travels and I highly suggest this booking flat form guys!

How To Avoid Offload Scenario in NAIA Immigration

Pila sa Immigration at lakad na parang may-ari ng 3 hacienda... Yan ang lagi kong iniisip whenever I am walking in Immigration Hall. Plus, pakak na kilay at lipstick na kaya kang ipaglaban sa IO at makakasurvive sa flight ng hindi nag reretouch.

Aside from keychains, passport stamp is one of  my favorite souvenirs whenever I travel.

Immigration Officer: San ang punta mo sir?
Me: Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia
Immigration Officer: Ilang araw ka dun?
Me: 2 days sa Thailand, 2 days sa SG and 2 days sa Malaysia
Immigration Officer: Sino kasama mo? Mag-isa ka lang?
Me: Yes sir, ako lang mag-isa.
Immigration Officer: First time mo mag travel abroad?
Me: Hindi po.
Immigration Officer: San ang last travel mo?
Me: Hong Kong po, last August. Birthday gift ko sa mom ko.
Immigration Officer: Working ka dito sa Manila?
Me: Yes sir.
Immigration Officer: Saan? Gaano kana katagal dun nag wowork?
Me: *bleep - company * , 4 years na as an Account Executive.
Immigration Officer: Dala mo company ID?
Me: Yes, ofcourse. Here (sabay abot ng ID)
Immigration Officer: Bakit Solo ka lang mag travel this time?
Me: Birthday gift for myself.
Immigration Officer: Patingin ng return ticket mo.
Me: Ito sir... Manila- Bangkok ticket, Pattaya - Singapore and Kuala Lumpur-Manila...
Immigration Officer: Hotel Voucher mo?
Me: Ito po...
(Stamp... stamp......)
Immigration Officer: Sige na pasok kana... (SIGAW NG NEXT! I thought nasa munisipyo o kaya BIR office ako haha)

(POV: I made it! Hahaha I thought di ako uubra at di matutuloy ang byahe ko.)


Many first time Filipino travelers are afraid to face Immigration Booth in NAIA because of offload Scenarios. Ofcourse, who want it right? After how many times I traveled abroad,  I haven't encounter any problem with Phil. Immigration Officers and I wanna share some tips.

     So here are things you need to prepare and will help you a lot not to be offloaded. (Simplehan lang natin mga besh para di kana matakot pa since first time mo magttravel abroad.)

1. Valid Passport
     Traveler must hold a valid passport and with at least 6 months before it will expire. Please keep in mind to check your passport every month to check it's validity. If your check-in counter allow you to check-in to your flight with less than 6 months valid passport, Immigration Officer will not let you  fly out of the country.

2. CONFIRMED Return Ticket
     Always have a printed copy of your confirmed return ticket and most of my experiences whenever I travel out of the country, this is the first thing that the Immigration Officer ask.

3. Confirmed Hotel Voucher
     Aside from your confirmed ticket, hotel voucher is a must for tourist. If you were invited by your relatives or someone, this is different scenario. You should secure Guarantee Letter etc.

4. Company ID, COE and Leave Form (Private Companies)
    Company ID is one of the proofs that you will return to the Philippines. (Medjo judgemental po ang mga IO natin hahaha kailangan kaya mong suportahan ang pagtratravel mo). Some IO might ask if you have payslip to check that you are capable to travel abroad.

5.  Secure Visa (if needed)
     Philippine Passport can visit some countries without visa.

Asian Countries, member of ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
In a reciprocity visa free agreement among member nations within the ASEAN:

 Brunei Darussalam - 14 days
 Cambodia - 21 days
 Indonesia - 30 days
 Laos - 30 days
 Malaysia - 30 days
 Singapore - 30 days
 Thailand - 30 days
 Vietnam - 21 days

Asian Countries, Non-ASEAN member
 Armenia - 120 days, visa issued on arrival
 China, Shenzhen - 7 days, if crossing from Hong Kong, and is valid in Shenzhen area only.
 Hong Kong - 14 days validity
 India - 30 days, eTourist visa online.
 Iran - 15 days, must obtain an e-visa pre-approval code from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 Israel - 90 days
 Kyrgyzstan - 30 days, visa on arrival
 Laos - 21 days, visa on arrival
 Macau - 30 days
 Maldives - 30 days visa issued upon arrival
 Myanmar - 21 days
 Mongolia - 21 days
 Nepal - 21 days visa issued on arrival
 South Korea - 30 days, if arriving at Jeju Island or after visiting Korea 4 times with visa.
 Sri Lanka - 30 days, but must get an Electronic Visa Authorization prior to departure.
 Taiwan - 30 days, if holding a permanent residence certificate or an unexpired visa from: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Schengen countries, United Kingdom or United States. And must register online at https://nas.immigration.gov.tw/nase/ prior to arrival.
 Tajikistan - 45 days, visa on arrival
 Timor-Leste (a.k.a. East Timor)- 30 day visa issued at the Dili airport and seaport

African Continent
 Cape Verde Islands – 21 days
 Comoros – 21 days
 Djibouti – 30 day visa issued on arrival
 Gambia – visa issued upon arrival, but must get prior clearance from immigration.
 Guinea-Bissau - 90 days visa issued on arrival
 Kenya - 90 days visa issued on arrival
 Madagascar - 30 days visa issued on arrival
 Mauritania - visa issued on arrival
 Morocco - 90 days
 Mozambique - 30 days visa issued on arrival
 Rwanda - 90 days
 Saint Helena - visa issued upon arrival
 Senegal - 30 days issued on arrival, invitation letter required. Visa available online.
 Seychelles – 30 days permit, must show sufficient funds & proof of accommodation.
 Somalia - 30 days on arrival, invitation letter by sponsor submitted 2 days before arrival.
 Tanzania - visa issued on arrival
 Togo (Togolese Republic) - 7 days, visa issued on arrival. Requires yellow fever vaccination
 Uganda - 90 day visa issued on arrival at Entebbe Airport
 Zambia - 90 days visa issued on arrival

Central America
 Costa Rica - 30 days Visitor's Permit issued upon arrival
 Guatemala
 Nicaragua - 90 days visa issued on arrival

Caribbean
 Anguilla - 21 days
 Dominica - 21 days
 Haiti - 21 days
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - 30 days visa issued on arrival
 Turks and Caicos Islands - 21 days

Europe:
 Georgia - Visa issued on arrival. Preferably with invitation.
 Kosovo - 90 days

Oceania/Pacific Island Nations
 Cook Islands - 31 days
 Fiji - 120 days, Visitor's Permit issued on arrival
 Marshall Islands - 90 days visa issued on arrival
 Micronesia - 30 days, entry permit required for stays over 30 days
 Nauru - 30 days
 Niue - 30 days
 Northern Marianas  - visa issued on arrival
 Palau - 30 days visa issued on arrival
 Papua New Guinea - 60 days, visa given on arrival
 Pitcairn Islands - 14 days, entry permit given on arrival
 Samoa - 60 days Visitor's Permit issued upon arrival
 Tuvalu - 30 day visitor permit for tourist is issued upon arrival
 Vanuatu - 30 days

South America
 Bolivia - 90 days
 Brazil - 90 days
 Colombia - 90 days
 Ecuador - 90 days
 Peru - 183 days
 Suriname - 90 days

Source: http://www.philsite.net/visa-free-countries.htm

6.  Have Confidence
     Keep calm and confident that you are really a tourist and no intention to work abroad. I always advice for first timer to KISS (Keep It Short and Simple). Answer your IO straight to the point. (Relax lang mga beshy, wag kabahan kasi baka ito ang lumamon sayo at di matuloy ang pag rampa mo sa ibang bansa)

7.  Dress Like A Tourist
     Wear comfortable clothes and appropriate to your destination.

Weekend Warrior in Cha-Am

Cha-Am Beach

 After a stressful week of my English Camp, I decided to skip at least 2-3 days from my place to regain my energy. :D First thing came into my mind is my budget. Basically, when you are working in Thailand under agency, you really know how it works - No Work, No Pay. Through helped by my friends who I met in Laos and Thailand I made this trip possible. Since it's already summer break here, I really don't care how many hours should I consume for the travel time. 

I got amazed when my friends told me that I can only spend like 500-700 bahts for the travel expenses. Yeah! They are right because here in Thailand, public transportation is very cheap unlike in Singapore and Hong Kong. I searched online and look for possible affordable accommodation and I found one! I usually book my hotel accommodation through Agoda.com and booking.com whenever I travel abroad and Travelbook.ph for domestic.

I booked my hostel for  an overnight stay at M&S Guesthousefor 350 bahts (fan room, with wifi, private bathroom with h&c, flat screen tv with cable and double bed). Good thing because they offer Book and Pay at the hotel. 


How To Get Hua Lamphong Station  from Victory Monument

From Victory Monument ride a bus going to Hua Lamphong (bus no. 29 or 34) and you need to pay9 baths. It's like 10-15 min away from Victory Monument. You an also use your Google Map, it can help you a lot because of its accuracy. You don't need to worry because if you ride Bus 29 all people will get off at Hua Lamphong Station.

Once you already in the Hua Lamphong Train Station, just look for the Ticket Booth. Ticket price is just 40 bahts going to Cha-Am and train departs at 9:20am and will arrive in Ban Cha-Am at 1:15pm. Always remember that there are 3 scheduled trains only that will stop in Ban Cha Am; 9:20am, 3:30pm and 6:30pm.

Here's my ticket

You may use this timetable as reference or click State Railway of Thailand for further information

My meal while on board

Happy feet again after 3 months since the last time I had beach

*********Will Update this blog soon about hotel and food shops ************

Tambaron Island - Bulalacao, Mindoro PH




(c) @t0ptraveller

How to Get Bulalacao Island from Manila

1. From Buendia you can ride bus going to Batangas Pier (167.00php).

    (You may ride bus in Cubao bound to Batangas as well.)

2. From Batangas Pier you may take RORO going to Calapan Pier (197.00). Please be advised you need to pay 30php for the Passenger Terminal Fee.

3. Once you are already in Calapan Pier, you may ride van going to Bulalacao Pier. (180php)

      Keep in mind that Tambaron Island is a private Island and there is no public transportation. I highly suggest to contact Manong Donnie at  09194557727 and arrange your island transfer and island hopping at very reasonable price.  I contacted him 2 months prior our trip at least to have ideas how much we need to prepare for this travel. I haggled our island transfer for 2,000php (per one way) and 3,500php for our island hopping.

Please see below the breakdown of expenses.

	MANILA - Bulalacao (Transportation)
	Bus (Buendia to BTG)	167.00
	RoRo (Batangas - Calapan)	197.00
	Van (Calapan to Roxas)	180.00
	Van (Roxas to Bulalacao)	100.00
	Batangas Port Terminal Fee 30.00 (not included in event fee)
	ACCOMODATION and FOOD @ Tambaron Island
	Room (Fan room | Dorm Type room) -  Overnight	350.00
	Bus (MNL-Bantangas Grand Terminal)	167.00
	Entrance Fee	50.00
	Hosted meal (Lunch | Dinner | Breakfast	750.00
	ISLAND HOPPING
	Chartered boat from Bulalacao Port - Tambaron (VV) per boat
	2,000 / 12 pax	166.00
	Island Hopping for 2-3 island (depends on wave) per boat
	3500 / 12 pax	291.00
	Bulalacao -  MANILA (Transportation)
	Van (Roxas to Bulalacao)	100.00
	Van (Calapan to Roxas)	180.00
	Calapan Terminal Fee 20.00 (not included in event fee)
	RoRo (Calapan - Batangas)	200.00
	Bus (BTG-Buendia)	167.00
	Bus (BTG-Cubao) 175.00
	PER HEAD	3,065.00



Team DRP & HnF onboard



   

  

(c) @wandererkelvs