Kuwait Towers, the Signature Landmark

kuwait towers are the most famous landmark in kuwait. the topmost sphere of the largest tower (187 meters in height), has a revolving observation area with access to high speed lifts. the middle tower comprises of one million gallon of water.

source: holiday inn salmiya

entrance fee costs 2kd that includes the access to viewing sphere.

how to go here;

from kuwait international airport, just rode a taxi bound to this place. taxi cab fare cost around 3kd. if the taxi driver don't know this or hard to understand english, just look at the back of any kuwaiti dinar, the image is the national landmark of this country.

kuwait tower

Looking Upward to Kuwait Liberation Tower

Kuwait liberation tower represents kuwaiti liberation, the sure sign of country's resurgence. it is one of the tallest telecommunication towers in the world. the tower is is 372 meters in height, and is 40 meters taller than eiffel tower. the tower after the nation was liberated from the multinational coalition which happened due to seven months iraqi occupation during the golf war.

source: holiday inn salmiya

how to go here;

from kuwait international airport, just rode a taxi bound to this place, fare cost around 3kd. if the taxi driver don't know this or hard to understand english, just tell them near holiday inn salmiya. for public bus, it is located inside kuwait city. most of the public bus cross this national landmark, bus #21, 66, and 15 (from farwaniya area).

kuwait liberation tower by day

Visiting the Kuwait Science Discovery Center

1st visit: January 10, 2012 5kd entrance fee (IMAX 3D/aquarium combo)
2nd visit: June 30, 2012 6 kd entrance fee (IMAX 3D/aquarium combo)

The Scientific Center of Kuwait, located in Salmiya, Kuwait, serves as a center for environmental education of the gulf region. The center also houses the largest aquarium in the Middle East with the capacity of one of the tanks at 1.5 million liters, holding over 100 different species of animals. Along with the aquarium, it also contains an IMAX theatre, a harbor of historic dhows, and a gift shop among other contents.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_Scientific_Center

how to go here;

from kuwait international airport, just rode a taxi bound to this place. taxi cab fare cost around 3kd. if the taxi driver don't know this or hard to understand english, just tell them near holiday inn salmiya. If coming from city, ride a bus #15 or #66 (coming from farwaniya), fare is only 250 fils (1/4 kwd).

kuwait science discovery center (my 1st visit shots)

OFW 3rd Episode; In State of Kuwait

third attempt in search of a better job abroad (pinoy 1st-timer in kuwait) 

OFW Episode 1: Taiwan 2005

OFW episode 2: Saudi Arabia 2011

my 1st attempt happened way back july 2005 in taiwan, republic of china as a factory chemist having a low salary with higher responsibility and hazard exposure. i decided to quit this job after 10 days only due to homesickness, i didn't like my job and the workplace itself. they told me during my application process that my work was related to IT, all of sudden they put me in chemical laboratory to fill-up manpower shortage. 2nd attempt was in 2011 as stated to above link post. i resigned again due there was another job offer that provides better compensation. now, i'm on my 3rd attempt and still not sure if this work applies the happiness and contentment i've been searching for. 

Kuwait Work Visa (2012)

Getting on the Direct Hire Phase in POEA

hands-on do-it-yourself adventure on immigration and POEA requirements
november 24 to december 15, 2011

direct-hire travel document process to kuwait
NBI clearance for travel abroad / immigration purposes
very strict GAMCA medical exam
PRC board certificate certified true copy

DFA red ribbon authentication process
visiting the new kuwait embassy in taguig city

continued...

main concern:
download first the list of requirements on the web before going to POEA office.

address:
Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City
how to get there: just ride mrt line 3 then alight to ortigas station. afterwards, walk your way on estimated 500 meters distance to the bldg (pls see map).

POEA location map

Visiting the New Kuwait Embassy in Taguig City

hands-on do-it-yourself adventure on immigration and POEA requirements
november 24 to december 15, 2011

direct-hire travel document process to kuwait
NBI clearance for travel abroad / immigration purposes
very strict GAMCA medical exam
PRC board certificate certified true copy

DFA red ribbon authentication process

continued...

main concern:

i just visited this office to verify that my requirements are exact as what i researched. guard-on-duty will not allow you to go inside due he is well-oriented on what documents are necessary.

address:

Embassy of the State of Kuwait

8th Floor, Total Corporate Center, Kalayaan and Triangle Ave., Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

Telephone 556-3860 to 63, 556-3865

how to get there: just ride mrt line 3 then alight to guadalupe station. then ride a jeep bound to market market, ask driver to drop you off to corporate center, php8 fare for 5-mins journey (pls see map).

kuwait embassy in philippines new location map (nov.2011)

How to Get Certified True Copy of PRC Board Certificate

hands-on do-it-yourself adventure on immigration and POEA requirements
November 24 to December 15, 2011

For more PRC online details, please check this PRC link.

main concern:
you must have an updated PRC license before processing this document.

address:
P. Paredes St. cor. Morayta St. Sampaloc, Manila
how to get there: just ride lrt line 1 bound to monumento then alight to doroteo jose station. afterwards, ride a jeep in c.m.recto ave bound to morayta prc (pls see map).

PRC location map

NBI Clearance Certificate for Travel Abroad / Immigration Purpose

hands-on do-it-yourself adventure on working abroad (updated as of Aug 2016)

Effective Jan. 24, 2014 online application of NBI clearance is available at https://clearance.nbi.gov.ph/

Applicants for the NBI clearance apply and fill-out complete form online at https://clearance.nbi.gov.ph/. Payment can be made after registration, same for local and travel abroad (including immigration requirements), PhP115 (NBI Clearance Fee) + PhP25 (online service charge) = PhP140 (total to be paid online). After the registration, applicants proceed directly to any of the sites nationwide for biometric enrollment and release of the clearance. A list of these areas is available below (Metro Manila) and link at http://www.nbiclearance.com/where-to-apply-nbi-clearance-location-complete-list-of-nbi-clearance-outlets-in-the-philippines/

NBI CLEARANCE BRANCHES Within Metro Manila
NBI Clearance Center – U.N Avenue, Ermita. Manila
Quezon City Hall – Makatarungan St, Diliman, QC
Muntinlupa City – Victory Shopping Center, Alabang
Mandaluyong City Hall – Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City
Las Pinas City – Las Pinas City Hall or SM Center Las Pinas
Robinson’s Place – Basement 1 Ermita, Manila
Robinson’s Otis – Level 2 Guanzon St., Paco, Manila
Robinson’s Galleria – Basement 1 Ortigas Ave., QC
Robinson’s Metro East – Level4 Marcos Hi-way Pasig
Robinson’s Cainta – Level 2 Junction Cainta, Rizal
Robinson’s Novaliches- Novaliches, QC
Ever Gotesco Recto – 3″‘ Flr Cinema 3 Recto Ave., Manila
Duty Free Fiesta Mall – Ninoy Aquino Ave., Paranaque City
Empire Mall – Edsa, Pasay City

NBI clearance certificate (applied Jun. 2016)

NBI clearance certificate (applied Nov. 2011)

Direct Hire Travel Document Processing to Work in Kuwait

hands-on do-it-yourself adventure on immigration and POEA requirements

I. POEA DIRECT HIRE REQUIREMENTS

Direct or Name hires are Filipino workers who are able to secure an overseas employment opportunity with an employer without the assistance or participation of any agency. They may have been directly contacted by a foreign employer by referral or have directly applied to their company. Although your future employer would take care of your requirements (plane ticket, work visa, etc.), you must still have certain documents processed at POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration).
source: http://www.workabroad.ph/poea_guideline.php

The requirements are the following: (1) passport, (2) work visa or work permit, (3) employment contract verified or authenticated by the Philippine embassy or Philippine consulate in the country of your destination. You are also required to undergo a (4) medical examination by a DOH-accredited clinic or hospital and a (5) pre-departure orientation seminar (PDOS).

initial processing in POEA

sample authenticated document from DFA

Christmas Week-End Itinerary to Boracay

A Christmas weekend solo backpacking special

December 23-26, 2011 Friday to Monday

Solo land and sea trip to Boracay island

Bus and ferry trip from Cubao to Caticlan

Strolling alone the Boracay Island

Bus and ferry trip from Caticlan to Cubao

We all know that Philippines has the longest Christmas celebration in the world, that is why when the real day comes, every typical Filipino is at full enjoyment celebration regardless of their current status.

boracay island white beach

Bus and Ferry trip from Caticlan (Aklan) to Cubao (QC)

A Christmas weekend solo backpacking special

December 23-26, 2011 Friday to Monday

solo land and sea trip to boracay island

bus and ferry trip from cubao to caticlan

strolling alone the boracay island 

Let's reverse the estimated travel time from previous post.

Route for a land trip coming from caticlan(aklan) to cubao(ncr):

Aklan - Oriental Mindoro - Batangas port - Cubao

1. ferry from caticlan jetty port to roxas port       - approx. 5 hours
2. bus from roxas port to calapan port                   - approx. 5 hours
3. ferry from calapan port to batangas pier           - approx. 3 hours
4. bus from batangas port to cubao terminal         - approx. 3 hours

ESTIMATED TOTAL TRAVEL TIME: 16 hours

boracay island cagban port

Strolling Alone the Boracay Island 2011

A Christmas weekend solo backpacking special

December 23-26, 2011 Friday to Monday

Solo land and sea trip to Boracay Island
Bus and Ferry trip from Cubao to Caticlan 

Started the round of photo-ops of course in boat stations 1, 2 and 3 in White Beach. immediately compared to all the underrated beaches in our country... found out that white beach sand is as fine as what publicity exactly describe. 

white beach of boracay island

white beach of boracay island

Bus and Ferry Trip from Cubao (QC) to Caticlan (Aklan)

A Christmas weekend solo backpacking special December 23-26, 2011 Friday to Monday

Solo Land and Sea trip to Boracay Island

Update as of March 2023;

For Ceres Bus, bus goes directly from Buendia station (Pasay City) to Caticlan that departs every 0600H daily, fare costs PHP 1,878. Book your tickets in advance via PHBUS website. The routes below (Cubao to Caticlan and Ferry via 2Go) is still active.

Since booking via airplane is very expensive even though advisable especially for a must holiday get-away that unfortunately dropped-off on weekend which made it more complicated, budget consideration is still a must. I have decided why not experience the land travel from bus in center of National Capital Region of Luzon all the way on ferry ride to Aklan province in Visayas. Travel time is indeed an expected suffering but the expense and adventure to be encountered is really amazing.

Batangas Pier - Caticlan Port Sea Cruising via 2Go Ferry (2016)

Route for a land trip coming from Cubao (NCR) to Caticlan (Aklan):

Cubao Terminal - Batangas Pier - Oriental Mindoro - Caticlan Port

1. bus from Cubao Terminal to Batangas Pier    - approx. 3 hours

2. ferry from Batangas Pier to Calapan Port       - approx. 3 hours

3. bus from Calapan Port to Roxas Port              - approx. 5 hours

4. ferry from Roxas Port to Caticlan Port            - approx. 5 hours

ESTIMATED TOTAL TRAVEL TIME: 16 hours

araneta center bus terminal in cubao, quezon city

Solo Road Trip to Boracay Island

A Christmas weekend solo backpacking special

December 23-26, 2011 Friday to Monday

Due to enormous booking this peak season, I have to plan an alternative and still cheapest way going to Boracay Island. This will be my 1st time on visiting this place so though its gamble for everything (accommodations and transportation going back), I still have to use my adventurous and resourceful ability to make it happen successfully.

Why I chose land and ferry trip compared to simple booking a plane ticket ?
1. very expensive plane fare
2. road trip and ferry ride adventure
3. I have open time to spare
4. experience strolling from Luzon to Visayas on difffent types of transpo
5. off-budget for a flashpack
6. observe the Filipino travel cramming habits on Christmas day

boracay island white beach

Hongkong - Macau 3.5 Days Tour Summary

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

day 1: hongkong at night

day 2: macau day tour

day 3: macau to hongkong shift tripping

day 4: hongkong solo day tour and departure

here are the some observations and advices  that would be helpful just in case you like to do the same.

1. i estimated to have all the expenses by php20,000. but since i did not pursue skywalk x (php4,132.80) at macau tower, free of 1st night accommodation on my 1st night in hk courtesy of my friends (in exchange of affordable dinner) and having discounted admissions to the peak and ocean park, i saved budget converted hkd to php7,+++. this means the outflow totals only to around php12,+++.

view at the peak tower sky terrace 428