Category Archives: been there

india chronicles: visa on arrival

Posted by rob on

i intentionally planned to visit the golden triangle in india using my company provided flight ticket to manila intended for my regular days off.  two weeks earlier, i e-mailed our hr supervisor and informed him about my travel plan and requested a change of flight from bahrain – manila into bahrain – delhi.  after waiting for a week and a few follow-ups with the travel agent, i received my e-ticket.

on the day of my flight i arrived early at bahrain international airport.   comfortably, i waited at the gulf air golden falcon lounge (where i only recently found out that i can avail access even if i’m only in a low tier frequent flyer status).  free wi-fi, drinks and sandwiches were not that bad at all!

majority of the passengers of the plane were locals on their way to return to their home country.  it took nearly four hours for the plane  to reach indira gandhi international airport in delhi.  as i was walking towards the immigration counters, what greeted me were these copper discs and gigantic hands sculpture jutting out on the wall.

i have seen pictures of them before on the sites of travel bloggers who have visited delhi.

the sculptures are actually inspired by “mudras” or hand gestures common on classical indian dance.  they are made of resin, a light-weight material and the discs out of aluminum.

tourist visa on arrival for filipinos was granted by the government of india last january 2011.  check this link for more information on VOA in india.

because i arrived in the wee hours of the morning, i noticed that there was no one in sight when i walked towards the VOA counter.  when i got nearer, i saw two immigration officers having a snooze as they sat slumped in their chairs – LOL!  they easily woke up from their dream-like state when i said .. HELLO!  the officer handed me a form for the visa which took me a few minutes to finish filling up.  i had all my documents ready – a return ticket to manila, hotel bookings in delhi, jaipur and agra, passport copy and two passport-size photographs.  i was not asked any questions except on how many days am i staying in the country – i told him 8 but can he write down 10 in the passport which was granted without a fuss.  i paid a $60.00 fee which is a charge for the visa and was given an official receipt.

i have pre-arranged a taxi to the hotel i am staying at in paharganj which was about 45 minutes from the airport.  a first glimpse of what they call as the backpackers hotel hub in delhi welcomed me.

the exchange regency

Posted by rob on

there was this residence hotel that i stayed in for a night when i had my days off in manila last july.  it is situated in ortigas complex and the place itself was new.


Experience the modern comforts of home amid hotel convenience, only at The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel. Located at the heart of Ortigas Center, where shops, sights and sundry are just around the corner, we’ll provide you with warm and personalized service and a host of amenities that’ll truly make us the hotel you’ll call home.

Managed by Hospitality International, The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel is a 42-storey property developed by Nobleland Ventures that stands magnificently at the heart of the Ortigas Center skyline.

the lounge area looks simple with classic, contemporary furnitures.

i was given a room at the sixth floor.

tha hall way was typical for residential hotels.

the room i got was a deluxe with a queen-sized bed.

it has a work desk, a 32″ flat screen lcd tv and wireless internet.

a welcome note.

the clothes cabinet has a security box available inside.  laundry and pressing services is also availble with a fee.

the toilet and lavatory.  toiletries from crabtree and evelyn.

the shower area.

after a relaxing sleep i had my complimentary breakfast the next day at benassi. at the ground floor of the establishment.

the breakfast was basic (set menu), and i chose toast with spreads (butter and jelly) and scrambled eggs.

the coffee was great – something that i can recommend.

it was raining hard outside as i checked the swimming pool of the hotel at the third floor.

on the same floor is the fitness center with complete facilities.

the rate for a deluxe room is mid-range and i find it quite high if i compare it to other condotels in ortigas that i have been to.

exchange regency residence hotel . . the modern traveler’s choice.

ease and comfort at lancaster

Posted by rob on

lancaster hotel manila is a condotel located conveniently along shaw boulevard in mandaluyong city.  of all the condotels i have tried, this is one that i have returned to stay again due to its accessibility and affordable rates.

it is walking distance to the metro rail transit and nearby malls like sm megamall and rustan’s shangri-la plaza.  it might be difficult to get a taxi on rush hours considering the area is in shaw boulevard where there is expected traffic to crossing edsa.

though the hotel is not new, they have still maintained its rich amd modern furnishings.  here are the two room types i stayed in.

the one bedroom executive suite has an ample space to entertain guests.  internet is provided through LAN connection.  i just wonder why they still do not have wireless network in the rooms, anyway as long as i have a net connection it’s no problem for me.

the toilet and bath has available toiletries and is clean.  the bedroom is quite small but the bed and the sheets was comfy.

the studio type junior suite has the same functionality as the one-bedroom executive suite.

lancaster has mixed reviews at tripadvisor, but the thing is i have been to some hotels on the same rate that is far worst.  their breakfast buffet is average and service at the front desk may get slow sometimes (but a little follow-up will do).