Check your visa requirements before you go!

Visas for Turkey

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

“Where have you been?”

Where haven’t I been, I felt like saying. Sarcastic, however, is the last thing I would dream of being to an immigration officer.

“I’ve been around the world.”

“Bring back anything interesting?”

I couldn’t hold back, “Interesting? I mean I got a blue, silk dress from Vietnam if that is what you meant.”

I was waved into the back room. It was freezing.

Welcome to Miami.
The problem? Besides the sub-arctic temperatures? Well it wasn’t my sarcasm, I was happy to find out. I was, however, unhappy to hear the problem was my American visa. Or my denial of one.

I had been warned three months before Miami and in Dallas that I need to sign-up online for the incorrectly named American Visa Waiver Program (how are you waiving a visa when you make me pay for entrance to your country? That is a visa, no?).

Anyway, I wasn’t going to argue and I did sign-up here.

Computers are great until they’re not. The problem? Six years before Miami, America decided to enter in their computers that I was denied my student visa for my Master’s program.

“That’s funny because I have the student visa right here and I have a Master’s.” I am a pack rat, luckily and produced the document from my passport holder.

The customs officer didn’t apologise, but did let me transit to Bermuda and suggested I invite him on my next trip around the world. Right.

OK enough of the sarcasm, though, because visas are important things and the only way you’re going to get into countries.

Which brings me to the Rock Fever Column in The Royal Gazette this week: Visas. Awww fun, Robyn. Real fun. Yeah, well it might

Visas for Vietnam

not be fun now, but it will be worse when you don’t plan ahead. Which brings us to tip one: before you visit any country, check with the consulate for up-to-date visa information. Example? Bermudian passport holders are still allowed to enter the United States without a formal visa process (well besides the automatic tourist one for 180 days). But those Bermudians who hold UK passports (like myself) need to go online every two years to apply for the tourist visa (this only changed two years ago).

And make sure you check tip two: which passport are you using? Ok so I am probably not writing this to the spies out there, but Bermudians will usually have a couple of passports. At the very least a Bermudian passport and a British one (I could even have a third, Canadian, if I wanted to). So before you fly figure out which one would give you the greatest immigration clearance ease.

Which leads to three and if you are flying to the United States, Bermudians, you probably want to use a Bermudian passport. It saves you from the online visa application and worrying about when that might run out. Of course if you find yourself on the stop-list (i.e. you did something that landed you in court) then you will have to plan ahead regardless of your passport. Make sure you visit the U.S. Consulate to begin the lengthy process of applying for a U.S. Visa (another reason you don’t want a conviction!)

However tip four: if you have a passport that requires an American Visa (check here to see if your country is listed) then, obviously, apply! It will take you about ten minutes and cost you about $15 for a two year visa. Hardly difficult compared to some countries’ processes.

And tip five is for those who may not be computer literate or comfortable, have no fear because travel agencies will be able to help apply for the United States visa online. Of course it would help if you also buy your plane ticket from them.

Which leads to Tip six and should a Bermudian passport want to travel to Europe, the tables turn. The passport (well and by extension, you, obviously!) will need a Schengen visa, which can cost at least $80 processing fee (depending on which country in the Schengen countries you apply to), additional fees to send it abroad and could take weeks to process. And as Pat Adderley from CTravel warns: “Most of the Schengen require a personal appearance. They don’t want a third party involved. They don’t want to hear from us (the travel agency). They want to meet you in person.” So why wouldn’t you get a UK passport? If you are Bermudian you have the right so use it!

Of course no Bermuda or UK passport will get you off the hook when it comes to India. Visiting the largest democracy in the world will require a visa, but this visa is not about just visiting a website.

Nope, which is why Tip Seven is about planning ahead for any trip because visas can take a while to get (I’m just using India as an example). For Bermudians to get their India visa for your Bermudian or UK passport it will have to be fed ex’d (for security) to Washington, D.C. and could take as many as two weeks to process. The tricky thing is once you have the visa the time starts ticking.

Vietnam's Border Patrol

While you might receive a six month visa to visit India, that does not mean from the time you enter the country. Nope, it means from the day they issue the visa, which leads to Tip Eight: pay attention to details. India is not the only country that operates on time. Vietnam is similar. Once you tell them a date you are entering the country, it is set in….paper and will last for a month minimum. Silly me let that one run out before I had enough time in the country.

Which leads to Tip Nine: DO NOT let visa applications stop you from traveling. They are just a way for a country to know who is entering (and make money as far as I’m concerned). So if you are intimidated by visa applications, then visit a travel agency in Bermuda for guidance. Do NOT apply though an agency online – only the direct embassies of the country. I have heard some horror stories.

And finally Tip Ten: for those who are planning a trip around the world: only apply for the first visa you need. Every other visa can be done abroad. In Cambodia I could get a Vietnam visa in three days (one if I had wanted to pay more). If I had gotten it at home, it would have just been headache, fed ex (so lots of money) and a waste (I didn’t get to Vietnam when I thought I would).

Oh and just because I’m feeling generous you’ve got ten plus one this week Tip 11: When crossing borders make sure you have plenty of American cash on you for those visas that are only available for purchase (i.e. Turkey) and open for negotiation! I was almost in a pinch when crossing into Cambodia and all the “processing” fees. Thank goodness for American travel buddies.

There are lots of visa tips out there and I could continue but that would be boring! So email me at skinnerrobyn@gmail.com for more and of course stay tuned for next week and travel quirks! Until next Wednesday, Adios!

Looking to get your Jazz on?

All that Jazz!

Fancy doing it on a cruise? Well you’ve got one more day to book a trip that includes, not just some of the best jazz artists, but also the Caribbean. What could be better?

How about the 2011 artist lineup? David Sanborn, Alonzo Bodden, Simone, and so many more that you can visit here. And then again there are the countries! Nassau, San Juan, St. Maarten and Half Moon Cay. Then of course there is the price! For nine days sail through the Caribbean, listen to the soothing sounds of Jazz and do it all for just $2,599 if you book with CTravel. But remember you only have one more day so visit their website or their offices on Queen Street for more information. While you’re there you might want to also ask about their special deal just for Bermudians. Bermudians who want to visit New York. That includes staying in the luxurious Fitzpatrick Hotel in New York Fitzpatrick hotel for just $199 a night. That will also include the use of their health club, special offer coupons and it is available from Thursday to Sunday! Why not treat yourself after Christmas for a little vacation? And even better when you book through CTravel then you can also book your theatre tickets! Well not just theatre tickets, but discount tickets for the any event you’re interested in seeing while you visit the Big Apple. Check out what is available here. And finally as a little bonus. A trip that is fun and out there for you….how about experiencing the haunting images of Vietnam or the beautiful ones of Cambodia Experience a vivid world of monks in saffron robes, rice paddies, floating markets & ancient temples with a private guided tour. Visit Hanoi, which is a lively mix past & present, the limestone karsts of Halong Bay, culturally decadent Hue, charming old Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City before voyaging to Cambodia to explore the ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat. Enjoy an overnight cruise on Halong Bay, water puppet show, Tai Chi, cooking class, cycling, river cruises, hot air balloon ride, elephants & more. Featuring a great mix of 4 & 5 star hotels, private guide, driver & internal flights, this tour promises to be the trip of a lifetime. For 14 days it will cost you just $3,794 per person! How crazy is that? I know how crazy it is because I’ve traveled through that part of the world. It’s a trip that is priceless but with a visit to the helpful staff of CTravel you can also visit the stunning countries of South East Asia. All the best on your vacation choices!

 

Blog, eat and get paid $10,000

 

Cambodian Market Food

Are you looking for a new job? Are you a keen cook? Do you enjoy a decent meal? Well I have found another dream travel job for you.

Yes these travel gigs are starting to look better and better with each new exciting job offer. Last week it was diving in Bali.

This week? This week the job of the hour is eating your way across Asia. No, I’m not kidding.

The Pei Wei Asian Diner has launched an international search for someone who will travel with their Executive Chef Eric Justice across Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, China and Japan and blog about it.

In two weeks you will cover five countries, eat more noodles than you ever thought possible and help find inspiration for the Pei Wei Asian Diner’s menu.

For this “work” you will receive a $10,000 stipend.

Wanna sign-up? What do you need? According to the Diner’s website you need: A talent for writing, a boundless appetite and willingness to experiment with the unknown, an eye for the unforgettable image and the ability to capture it, comfort both on-camera and behind the lens, a spontaneous spirit but a grounded work ethic, and a passion for Asian cuisine.

Sweet. But it’s not just a writing campaign. As the blogger you will also be required to take photos and video. The entry process, as you can imagine, is no easy task.

To enter you must upload a photo, bio, and sample blog post, but can also add four additional posts, five more photos, and one YouTube link. Entries will be accepted between now and December 20, 2010, and the winner will be announced during the week of January 17.

The trip will take place in late February 2011 so what are you waiting for? Food? Well why not go to the best places possible to try it! Check out the application.

That’s your Friday inspiration. Now bring-on the weekend!

 

When was the last time…..

you saw this? Can you guess where this was taken? Why? Because it’s Friday time and it’s also time for a photo. So where was this taken? Thailand? Cambodia?

Would you guess Bermuda? Would the June bug that seems to have lost his life on the lilly pad give it away? So where in Bermuda? Is this post just going to be questions today? Maybe.

No. It was in the Palm Grove Gardens. I hadn’t been there in ages and it had been ages since I wrote about traveling through Bermuda so I though it was time. I will admit it. I will admit I have been itching to get off the island and I’m trying. There are plans in the works.

But now I have a friend down for two weeks and it’s also time to remember to enjoy this beautiful island. Especially when I sit in the Palm Grove Gardens – a private property open during the days in the week to the public – for my job. I had an interview. I got sunburnt. My life is hard.

So back to my first question. When was the last time you went to visit the map of Bermuda made in between these lilly pads? What am I talking about? Well Dubai and it’s map of the world was way behind Bermuda. We had this map of our island for years.

Palm Grove Garden is owned by Sir David Gibbons, who opens it to the public Monday through Thursday (09:00 – 17:00). Sir David is a former Premier and a member of the Gibbons family, owners of the Gibbons Company department store.

The area is even used for weddings. And one look yesterday and I remember why I love this part of the island. It was refreshing. It was the perfect place for a picnic or even….an interview.

So I will say this once, twice….for ever….Bermuda is small, but only as small as you make it. If you continue to run in circles the smaller they will get. Throw in a square or a rectangle or a map of Bermuda sometimes and you remember why you love home.

Classy gasoline

Going nowhere!

I was happily trying to leave my friendly fax machine behind. It begged, but really one too many paper jams and I knew it was too high maintenance for me (see post from yesterday if confused about the new love/hate relationship in my life).

But no! Just like every high-maintenance relationship (and we’ve all had them) it wouldn’t let me go. I must have turned my back for too long. Is that paper not good enough for you? Are you not happy with my paper feeding skills?

It must have snuck out while I was at lunch.

I tried to leave it via my barely, standing scooter. And I almost did. I was happily sitting on my bike until…. the fax machine struck! At the corner of Church and Court street I found myself immobile.

This was slightly strange because the light was GREEN….(and for those who are not from Bermuda…honestly all you need to know is I was not far from the office at an intersection).

But my trusty scooter….stopped. The world of machine goods was against me….the fax machine had sent it a message – get the paper right or….

Yeah and, well, I guess if I forget to fill it up….BUTTTTTT you ask, what about your gas gauge? Yes, well that is a perfectly reasonable question. But….well my chariot is more like…….a chariot. I might as well be a Roman trying to circle the Circo Massimo.

Both gas gauge and speedometer decide when and how they are going to work (I’m saving the speedometer for the Police excuse). I’m usually pretty good at remembering to fill the tank.

But well I guess I’ve been kinda busy…..so what did I do, you ask? Well….like any seasoned traveller would do I ……………..called mom! I have no shame.

She didn’t answer. I wasn’t walking. Do you know how hot it was?!?! I parked the bike in a slanted parking bay and called a friend…He answered and gave me a lift home.

It must have been one of those days. Cursed by things mechanical because as I returned with a full gas cylinder from home a tourist dad-daughter combo were sadly pushing their bike from Trimingham Hill to The foot of the lane gas station (anyone who doesn’t get this reference it’s just under a mile).

Cambodian Capsules of Gas

What we all really needed was the comfort and convenience of gas stations in Cambodia (and most of South East Asia to be fair). But I noticed these delightful combinations of former drink containers turned toxic liquid here most. Probably because I was out in the wilds on a bike dodging cows and hoping I wouldn’t be hitching a ride with a knife-wielding grandma.

In Bali it was even better. Just down the road from my friend’s house and a short nip before heading further afield we could get our gas served straight from an Absolut vodka bottle. If that’s not classy gas I don’t know what is.

In Thailand? Oh these required some cranking! Old School you might say. But a life saviour when you’re

Old School

biking around the North of Thailand and you’re lost. Add to that it’s raining, it’s freezing and everything you own is wet.

I was traveling with two guys and we were all desperate for gas. This was slightly more worrisome than my Church/Court saga. We were really lost. We had been traveling for hours. A town was miles away. We were all on empty.

We ran into a police post (well not literally, but you get it). At least two of us did, anyway. The other guy had flown ahead of us. They spoke English. Gas station?

We did at least two loops (which was asking a lot of these bikes) before I spotted this “gas station”. I couldn’t resist a photo. This poor woman had to crank this machine so many times.

But it worked! And we continued on our way….to the Long Neck village (another story about women who wear rings around their necks to lengthen them).

As my bike sat on Church/Court combo I filled it with enough fluid to get me to the gas station at the foot of the lane. The gas attendant (because we don’t pump our own gas in Bermuda…ever) even had a good chuckle.

Aww…all right. So can I. Now bring me my Absolut Gas! Absolut Class!