India: Applying for an Indian visa in the Philippines

Here are some tips for applying for an Indian visa in the Philippines. Although Tourist Visa on Arrival is available for Philippine tourists (details below), it's best to get a visa here in the Philippines. The application process is very straightforward as long as you are able to submit all of the requirements. If there are missing requirements, that will create problems. It takes 4 to 5 working days for the issue of a tourist visa.

The application form is completed online and once accomplished, is printed out for submission to the application center in Makati. Here is the website for the online application.

BLS India Visa Application Center is located at 902, One Corporate Plaza, Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. Here is a location map of the application center.

Aside from the printed application form which you have to accomplish online, you will need to submit the following:
1. Two latest color photographs (size: 2x2 inches) showing full frontal view of face against a white background to be pasted on the application form. Photograph should not be stapled. To know more about photo specification: http://www.blsindiavisa-ph.com/page.php?id=20
2. Passport with a minimum validity of six months. Note also that you will not be allowed to leave the Philippines if your passport has less than 6 months validity
3. Photocopy of the passport bio page
4. Copy of the return ticket or itinerary needs to be produced at the time of submission of the application. Don't book your ticket until your visa is approved
5. Proof of financial standing / recent bank statement
6. Travel voucher or itinerary, complete with hotel bookings
7. Visa fee of Php2,210; Php148 BLS service charge; and mandatory passport delivery fee of Php190 (whether you prefer to pick it up or have it delivered, this is not refundable) for total of Php2,548.
8. Invitation letter from family, friend or sponsor in India (if applicable). You may also be asked to produce a certificate of employment and other documents.

Applications are accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and are released between 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. unless you select the courier service which can be delivered anytime within the day. For inquiries, you may contact BLS at (02) 5555060 or 4789152 / Fax No. (02) 4789152 or via e-mail at info@blsindiavisa-ph.com. It's best to apply at least 2 weeks before your flight to India.

Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA)
The average waiting time to get a TVOA at the airport is between 3 to 4 hours because of the long lines. So if you're in a tour group or need to get out of the airport quick, you have to get your visa in the Philippines. The TVOA valid for 30 days is available to Philippine passport holders entering India through the airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, whose sole objective for visiting India is tourism, casual visits or short duration medical treatment. You should present your passport with at least six months validity and your return ticket, and prove availability of sufficient funds for your stay. Visa fee is US$60 payable in its equivalent in Indian rupees. Fill out the application form when you arrive at the airport and attach one passport size photograph. Here are the complete details of the TVOA.

Hope that helps! Namaste!

Philippine holidays and long-weekend schedule for 2014 (Proclamation No. 655, s. 2013)

Hunyo 12 by Claude Tayag (1989 Fiestas Serigraph Series)

If things go our way, we have nine long weekends to look forward to in 2014! And several of them would be at least five days! And if you do the math, you can plan for a 12-day vacation next Christmas!

Malacanang issued Proclamation No. 655, s. 2013 declaring the regular holidays, special non-working days, and a special school holiday for 2014. Instead of just giving you the same list of holidays of the Republic of the Philippines for 2014, this will help you read in between the lines with confirmed long-weekends, expected long-weekends and a possible 12-day vacation with one or two leaves:

• January 1 (Wed) - New Year's Day (five-day long weekend from December 28 to January 1)
• January 31 (Fri) - Chinese New Year (three-day long weekend from January 31 to February 2)
• February 25 (Sat) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary (holiday for schools only)
• April 9 (Wed) - Araw ng Kagitingan
• April 17 (Thu) - Holy Thursday
• April 18 (Fri) - Good Friday 
• April 19 (Sat) - Black Saturday (four-day long weekend from April 17 to 20)
• May 1 (Thu) - Labor Day
• June 12 (Thu) - Independence Day
• July 28  (Mon) - Eid'l Fitr (possible three-day long weekend from July 26 to 28)
• August 21 (Thu) - Ninoy Aquino Day
• August 25 (Mon) - National Heroes Day (three-day long weekend from August 23 to 25)
• October 4 (Sat) - Eid'l Adha (possible three-day long weekend if holiday declared on October 3)
• November 1 (Sat) - All Saints Day
• November 30 (Sun) - Bonifacio Day (three-day long weekend from November 30 to December 2)
• December 24 (Wed) - Special Non-Working Day
• December 25 (Thu) - Christmas Day 
• December 26 (Fri) - Special Non-Working Day (five-day long weekend from December 26 to 28; and if you take a leave on December 29, you could have a twelve-day vacation from Ddecember 24 to January 4, 2015)
• December 30 (Tue) - Rizal Day
• December 31 (Wed) - Last Day of the Year (three-day long weekend from December 30 to January 1, 2015 but it could extend to six days until January 4 if January 2, 2015 is declared a Special Non-Working Holiday next year)

India: Picturesque views in Gulmarg, Kashmir

The heartland of winter sports in India, the hill station town of Gulmarg in Kashmir is a popular tourist destination among locals who want to escape the heat down south. In fact, it is said to host some of the longest and highest ski slopes as well as the highest gondola in Asia up the Afarwat Hills of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. I realized when I looked at a map, that it was just within miles of the border between India and Pakistan.

We had arrived in Gulmarg after a scenic two-hour ride from Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. We checked-in at the recently-opened Khyber Himalayan Resort before proceeding to Strawberry Valley to enjoy picturesque views of Gulmarg.

The sunset was spectacular and we were quite thankful the sun appeared despite having most of the day cloudy and at times drizzling. The charm of Gulmarg's quaint architecture with the Himalayas as a backdrop and the sun setting behind them was enough to elicit oohs and aahs.

The Kashmiri dinner that followed our sunset experience was memorable as well. We had Mughlai Chicken (chicken cooked in a thick and rich gravy made from ground almonds with cinnamon, cardamon, coriander, cumin, chili and garam masala), a Central Asian dish that was introduced to India during the time of the Mughals; and Vegetable Navratan Curry (Navratan means nine gems) which gets its name from the nine vegetables, fruit and nuts used to make the dish: cashew nuts, potatoes, beans, carrots, peas, bell pepper, cauliflower and pineapple (although it has garlic, onions and tomatoes as well).

The next day, the sun was out again. After breakfast amid views of evergreens (I could imagine this would look even prettier during winter), we proceeded to the Gulmarg Gondola, Asia's highest, and rode from Gulmarg (2,700m) up to Apharwat (3,980m).

There's actually a small military outpost on top. The military and police are actually everywhere in Kashmir. And seeing them is definitely part of the visitor experience. On top were different kinds of wild flowers. It's a reminder that Gulmarg literally means Meadow of Flowers.

After arriving back in Gulmarg, we drove down to Srinagar to continue our brief journey around Kashmir. You could actually go horseback riding around Gulmarg. But we saved that activity for Sonamarg where views are even more picturesque!

Jet Airways flies daily to Srinagar!
Jet Airways has twice daily flights from Delhi (DEL) to Srinagar (SXR). Jet Airways also connects to Delhi from Manila via Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong at least twice daily!

Globe Huawei Ascend Mate is great for travel!

In my recent trips to Nepal, India and Malaysia, the battery life of my Globe Huawei Ascend Mate wowed me! Since I was abroad, daily phone usage was less. I’d take out my phone for photos that I’d post on Instagram or Twitter every now and then. But what impressed me was that I rarely had to charge my phone during those trips.

While using it with WiFi to check my Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and my e-mail, I noticed it lasts at least a day longer than my other smart phone. Finally, I found a phone with a long battery life which does not force me to look for a power outlet as often as before! In fact, standby battery life extended up to five or six days, no kidding!

But I realized it shouldn’t be a surprise since Globe Huawei Ascend Mate has a 4050 mAh battery. Plus with a huge 6.1-inch HD display, I could appreciate my photos better. The large display of Huawei’s Android pocket cinema smartphone also made it convenient for me to check social networking sites, watch videos and surf the Internet without having to bring out my laptop computer.

In Kashmir, I also used my phone to capture Srinagar’s stunning sunset and enjoyed using it to document our pony ride through spectacular landscapes on the way to the Himalayan glaciers of Kashmir Valley. In Malaysia, I took great shots of both old and modern architecture.

But it's definitely two thumbs up for Globe Huawei Ascend Mates’ battery life! I’m looking forward to using my Globe Huawei Ascend Mate in future trips!

Kashmir: From Srinagar to Gulmarg

Kashmir is often called Heaven on Earth. Indeed, the four days we spent in Kashmir was Heaven owing to its pleasant weather, spectacular scenery and colorful heritage and culture.

Day 1 in Kashmir, India: Just as soon as we arrived in Dehli, we were again at the Indira Gandhi International Airport to catch our Jet Airways flight to Srinagar in Kashmir. It was a short local flight but we were still served savory sandwiches (vegetarian or spicy chicken) on board. As soon as we arrived in Srinagar Airport, we drove to Gulmarg, a hill station and resort town two hours from Srinagar.

A mosque in Tangmarg

Gulmarg, which literally means Meadow of Flowers, is a popular skiing destination during winter. On the way, we saw one charming mountain village after another. Our late lunch stop (by now we were really hungry since the Philippines is ahead by 2 hours and 30 minutes) was at Tangmarg, one hour in between Srinagar and Gulmarg.

While waiting for our meal to be served, I walked around town and saw a quaint mosque (mosque architecture is very different in Kashmir) and a village down the valley.

Seekh Kebab

Gushtaba

Our lunch was a bevy of Kashmiri dishes which included Seekh Kebab (minced meat grilled on skewers in a tandoor) and Gushtaba (minced mutton balls in tangy yogurt gravy). It took us another hour to reach Gulmarg. But not before enjoying the picturesque views along the way!

At Strawberry Valley, locals play a game of cricket, a popular sport in India

As soon as we arrived in Gulmarg, we checked-in at the luxurious Khyber Himalayan Spa and Resort which is not even a year old! Too bad we only stayed there for a night. After dropping our stuff, we explored Gulmarg, particularly a place called Strawberry Valley, which is quite popular with hikers.

Locals picnic by the roadside in Gulmarg

Gulmarg is a favorite family getaway for locals in India. So you'd often see groups picnicking by the roadside or enjoying the children's park by the lake. Pony rides are also popular in Gulmarg. But we decided to do the activity in Sonamarg where the views are even more spectacular. Before sunset, we dropped by the downtown area. More on Gulmarg in my next post. Photos on my India trip here.

Jet Airways flies daily to Srinagar!
Jet Airways has twice daily flights from Delhi (DEL) to Srinagar (SXR). Jet Airways also connects to Delhi from Manila via Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong at least twice daily!