Mexico City: Historical Center, Chapultepec Castle

Day 3

A trip to Mexico City won't be complete without visiting the heart of the city, that is the walking tour of Zocalo and the ten acre Historical Centre.

I thought that Mexico City will be difficult to get around because of safety and language barrier, so we opted to book a private day tour with www.royalcars.com.mx.  A guide would be very much helpful leading the way and explaining its history.   However, I find the place pretty safe, one can always explore it on your own.  Nationalgeographic.com has a good run down of the places to see in the area.

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/mexico-city-walking-tour-3/

Arriving in Mexico

Unbelievably pulled off a trip to Mexico with just a little over a month of planning, it was a bit of a challenge. Tripadvisor was most helpful.

Immigration and Visa:

No visa is required for Filipinos arriving in Mexico with US Visa, provided such person is traveling from USA.  For non US visa holders or US visa holders but not arriving from USA, may apply for Mexican visa in Manila.

How to Secure Yellow Card or Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate in the Philippines

A yellow card is the yellow fever vaccination certificate or aptly labelled as International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis.   It is required upon entry for foreign travel to certain countries commonly required by seamen and tourists.   

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into certain countries when traveling from or in transit from Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, and Zambia.  This also applies to those who have traveled to low risk countries such as Soa Tome and Principe, Somalia, Tanzania and Zambia or have transited through a yellow fever risk country.

According to the doctor who briefed us before taking the shots, yellow fever actually is similar to dengue fever.  A shot is valid for 10 years.

Only the Bureau of Quarantine is authorized by the Department of Health and World Health Organization to issue these yellow card.  You can visit any of the following offices:

Bureau of Quarantine - Manila
Monday to Friday, 8am to 2pm
25th Street, Port Area, Manila
(From Roxas Boulevard, turn left, it's located behind Manila Hotel, beside Bank of Commerce, Towards Superferry)

Bureau of Quarantine - Cebu
Wednesday and Thursday, 8am-9am
General Maxilom Avenue, beside DSWD
Tel No. 032-2322072, 032-2334283

Bureau of Quarantine - Davao
Fridays 8-9am
Chavez St, Davao
Tel No. 082-3002378

A shot costs P1,500 for a multiple-dose vial or P2,000 for a single dose vial.   The multiple dose vial means that once they open a vial, that vial can be used for 10 shots (10 people).

In Manila, since there is a considerable number of people seeking vaccination, one can visit the office anytime on the times specified above.

In Cebu, there aren't much applicants in a day.  They suggest you go there on a Wednesday and have your name listed as early as 6am.  Once the group counts to 10, it's a go  otherwise, one has to come back another day to make up the group of 10.  The single dose vial isn't always available.

In Davao, there aren't much applicants either but they do not suggest to go very early.

In our case, the yellow fever vaccination certificate was required for visa application to South Africa since we were visiting Kenya and Zambia before entering South Africa.  It was checked upon check-in for our onward flight to South Africa.


For some information, check out:
http://www.doh.gov.ph/content/bureau-quarantine-and-international-health-surveillance.html

Guide to Applying for Visa for South Africa for Filipinos

Our personal experience with applying for a visit visa for South Africa is quite simple for as long as the following requirements are met.  I called up the embassy and emailed them for inquiries.  Sometimes they reply, many times they don't.  This post should answer most of your inquiries about a visit visa to South Africa for Philippine Passport holders.

One can apply for a visa directly at the embassy  at least 90 days before departure.  Personal appearance is not required.  However, it is best that someone who is knowledgeable with the itinerary would submit it as the consular service agent asks a few questions.

I made my way to the Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza.  Do bring an ID, as the guards requires one to register before you can go up the embassy.  Figure out which elevator to take that would stop on the 29th floor.  Once you get to the 29th floor, there is a security guard manning the door of the embassy. There aren't too many applicants however, the only drawback is, they limit the number of applicants inside the embassy by the number of seats available.  There aren't too many, let's say less than 10.  Since I arrived around 10 in the morning, the seats were already occupied and I was asked to go down the lobby and wait down there after 5 more people on the waitlist.  There is no guarantee that you will be entertained that day for as long as you're not seated inside by 12 noon.  I went up and down for several tries to check if there is a vacant seat.  A few minutes before 12 noon, I stood there by the door, I'm the next in line.  I was trying to win the security guard to accommodate me, since I'm coming from out of town, I was hoping he'd soften and let me in.  The clock strikes 12 and still he won't let me in so I just waited there, refused to leave and stood by the door, begging.  With a sheer of good luck, the Honorary Consul arrived.  She asked her staff what I was doing there, along with two other guys.  She ordered her staff to bring out more chairs and let us in!!!  With vindication and a sigh of relief, I was accommodated inside.  Afterall, that cut-off time was not the embassy's policy but probably just between the guard and staff who do not wish to extend their working hours, what a shame.  It took another hour before I was entertained.  She had a few questions.  Actually, it was our second attempt to submit the documents.  The first time, they returned them because the bank certificate needs to be at least 200,000 pesos, the pictures have to be pasted on the application and we were asked to revise requirement #9, it has to be separate from #4.

 Visitor Visa Requirements include:

1. A valid passport
2. Two passport size photographs
3. A fully complete Visa Application Form (BI-84) downloadable at www.dha.gov.za
or download from here http://south-africa.visahq.ph/South_Africa-Tourist-visa-application.pdf
4. Flight itinerary
5. Proof of accommodation (hotel booking/address of SA contact)
6. No visa fee for visit of less than 30 days while a visa fee of P2,525 for a visit exceeding 30 days.
7. Proof of sufficient fund (bank statement or bank certificate)
8. Employment Certificate.  If self-employed, business details.
9. Statement and/or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of visit (this is a written letter addressed to the embassy, expressing the type of visa, intent to visit (which is tourism), purpose of visit (sights to see) and length of stay in South Africa)
10. If coming from or traveling through a yellow fever area prior to arrival to South Africa, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.  If you are coming from the Philippines, this is not required.

FAQ:
1.  How long is the validity of the visa?  South African visa has a maximum validity of 90 days from the date of issue.
2.  Is personal appearance required?  No, you can send a representative to submit your application on your behalf.
3.  How long is the processing? 5 working days.  However the lady asked me if it would be fine if she is able to process it for 7 days instead.
4.  Is a 35,000 bond required?  It is not required for all applicants.  We were not asked for a bond other the proof of financial capacity like a bank certificate of at least 200,000 pesos and maybe our passport with several foreign stamps also made a statement.
5.  Can you apply any day?  Application is accepted only between 9am  to 12nn from Monday to Thursday.
6.  Can you pick up any day?  A claim stub will be given to you stating the earliest day available (5 working days) and pick up hours is only between 130pm to 330pm Monday to Thursday.

7.  When is yellow fever certificate required? A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for      entry into South Africa when traveling from or in transit from Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, and Zambia.  This also applies to those who have traveled to low risk countries such as Soa Tome and Principe, Somalia, Tanzania and Zambia or have transited through a yellow fever risk country.

Since we were traveling to Kenya then Zambia before entering South Africa, we were required to submit the yellow fever vaccination certificate issued by the Bureau of Quarantine.

For more information, the embassy of the Republic of South Africa in the Philippines can be reached at:

EMBASSY  OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
29/F Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines
Tel No. (+632) 8899383
Fax No. (+632) 8899379
custodiol@foreign.gov.za
www.dha.gov.za
www.dfa.gov.za/

Moscow and St. Petersburg with Cosmos Tour

Many have forewarned us against traveling to Russia but these were based on perception and the things we see on the movies.  Russians are normally portrayed as villains, whether as a spy or a human trafficker.  Somehow these hollywood movie puts a stereotype in these innocent people who just like you and me, are pre judged because of their race.   After reading through forums about the safety of traveling to Russia, it seems like a safe place to be.  Knowing that these are just perceptions, we took the chance to explore Russia and took package tours to be on the safe side.  I absolutely love Russia, their people and after going around on the subway, honestly, I feel more safe here than in New York.

Hong Kong Food Trip

It has been a while since I have composed my thoughts.  It has been a while since I've been to Hong Kong.  Along with my brood, we just came back from a trip in Hong Kong and it deserves a post.  In  the past,  my trips to Hong Kong had always been more shopping and eating... eating nothing else but goose and pigeon.  Yes, every meal of any of these two and I'm fine.  This time, I went with two of my cousins who scheduled their itinerary based on where to eat... and I tagged along for a change.

Hong Kong Disneyland:  Plaza Inn Restaurant

While in Hong Kong Disneyland, check out the chinese food at the Plaza Inn Restaurant.  It is located at the end of the main street by the roundabout.  Plaza Inn Restaurant is operated by no less than the Maxims Group. In between, grab a bag of caramel popcorn of any of Disney's kiosk.

IFC Mall, Central, Hong Kong Station:  Tim Ho Wan

Head to Airport Express Hong Kong Station an hour before your scheduled meal for some great dimsum at Tim Ho Wan.  When you see the airport express check-in counter, take the elevator and go two more floors down.  There is always a long waiting time, an hour or two usually. 

Tim Ho Wan is a rated Michellin Dim Sum  and probably the cheapest starred.  They are most famous for their asado bun (baked bun with BBQ Pork) (19hkd for 3) , Vermicelli Roll, Pan Fried Turnip Cake and Steamed Egg Cake. 

I personally like their siomai (pork and shrimp dumpling) which on the sweet side and the shrimp wrapped in beancurd was perfect for my all protein dukan diet but found their desserts strange.
 

Tim Ho Wan Branches includes:

G/F, 9-11 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
九龍深水埗福榮街9-11號地下
Nearest MTR station: Tsuen Wan Line, Sham Shui Po, Exit B2
Tel 2788 1226
Opening hours: 8am-9.30pm daily

Shop 72, G/F, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Tai Kok Tsui
大角咀海庭道18號奧海城二期G樓72號舖
Tel 2332 2896
Nearest MTR station: Olympic, Exit D3

Shop 12A, Hong Kong Station (Podium Level 1, ifc Mall), Central
中環香港站12A鋪(ifc地庫一層)
Nearest MTR station: Tung Chung Line, Hong Kong, Exit A1
Tel 2332 3078
Opening hours: 9am-9pm daily

G/F, 2-8 Wharf Road, Seaview Building, North Point
北角和富道2-8號嘉洋大廈
Nearest MTR stations: Island Line, Fortress Hill, Exit B or North Point, Exit A1
Tel 2979 5608
Opening hours: 10am-9.30pm daily

Wellington St., Central: Yung Kee Restaurant

A trip to Hong Kong won't be complete without a serving or two of Peking duck or roasted goose, pigeon, barbequed  pork  or crispy suckling pig of which Yung Kee Restaurant is most famous for.  Similarly, it takes an hour to be seated.  Alternatively, you can opt for the take away counter like we did.  A whole goose costs 400 hkd, half a goose costs 250 hkd,

To get there, get off at Central Station and head to Wellington Street

For more details, check out http://www.yungkee.com.hk/
Reservation Hotline : (852) 2522 1624 Email : info@yungkee.com.hk







Tsim Sha Tsui: Sweet Dynasty

Find yourself at the MTR A1 exit to Nathan Road and head to Canton Road and look for this sign next to the Market Place Supermarket.  Take the escalator down, the restaurant is at the basement.  Sweet Dynasty is famous for their desserts and Congee.   Their dimsum was equally good, so is their soya beancurd and their BBQ pork in puff pasty was the best, I went back the next day for another serving.  On weekends, they open as early as 730am, perfect especially when the hotel does not include breakfast.

my two year old niece loved this soya beancurd

BBQ pork in puff pasty was my favorite

Tsim Sha Tsui: Chuk Yuen Seafood Restaurant

A few meters from Sweet Dynasty, you'll find Chuk Yuen Seafood Restaurant. 

My cousin was raving about the cheese lobster.  I was quite skeptical at first, as I'm not fond of lobster and I was on dukan diet.  At the end of day, I can say that was one of the best dishes I've tasted. It was finger licking good and the cheese perfectly blended without being overpowering. 

Aside from the cheese lobster, the mantis shrimp drowned in fried garlic was likewise very good.  For 5 adults, our bill was about 2,500 hkd.  The lobster and mantis shrimp was around 650hkd per kilo.  Aside from these we had the basic menu: fried chicken, spareribs and duck soup.






Whew, that was a lot of good food and happy that after all these, I did not gain weight! (I didn't eat rice and avoided most of the carbs).  I missed out on some good ramen and egg tarts.  Now I want to go back and eat some more.

Taking notes from a fellow blogger on my next visit.
http://dessertcomesfirst.com/archives/11085/
http://dessertcomesfirst.com/archives/11121/