Bali Diaries: Babysitting our Moms

“When you get older, it’s not about what you did that you regret, it’s what you didn’t do.” – Grace Slick

I may not have the sweetest and most picture-perfect relationship with my mom but I always make every effort in pursuit of her happiness, especially right after my dad passed away eight years ago. So each year, I promise myself to take her to somewhere she’s never been to. 

How to Apply Japan Tourist Visa in the Philippines

*Updated September 9, 2018*

This post has been updated with additional narrative on how I got a multiple entry visa on my second application and how my mom (a senior citizen) got her visa for the first time using my documents as her guarantor, all in just two processing days.

Japan has always been a dream destination for some Filipinos. Whether it’s because of animė or ramen, it’s always included on their bucket list because of its close proximity to the Philippines. I have applied for a Japan Tourist Visa under the category of Visa for Tourism (No Guarantor) and thankfully, I was approved. Check out my easy breezy application with some tips on how to ace it.

How to Apply Korean Tourist Visa in the Philippines

*UPDATED: October 2, 2018*

It was last July 1, 2018 when the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines issued a new process of visa application for Philippine passport-holders. Check out this article for more details.

Applying for a Korean Tourist Visa in the Philippines is fast and easy if you have all the requirements needed. Months ago, I was confronted by my first ever visa application, and gladly it was a success. Best thing of all was that the application itself was absolutely free!

How to Apply Taiwan Tourist Visa in the Philippines

*UPDATED: October 1, 2018*

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) recently announced the extension of visa-free privilege for Philippine passport holders which started on a trial basis from November 1, 2017 until July 31, 2018 and is now extended until July 31, 2019 for a short visit not exceeding Fourteen (14 days). Here are the requirements:

1. Philippine passport with validity of at least six (6) months;

2. Return ticket or onward destination ticket;

3. No criminal record in the republic of Taiwan; and

4. Proof of accommodation in Taiwan.

Should you need to stay longer than 14 days in Taiwan, you are still required to secure visa before entering Taiwan.

And that's a wrap! Thank you Taipei. I'm sure gonna miss the warm people, super yummy street food and the pleasantly cold weather. Now back to daily grind.

A photo posted by blissfulguro (@blissfulguro) on Dec 1, 2016 at 1:43am PST

My passport is filled with stamps from visa-free countries except on that of Nepal’s which is technically easy to acquire as they have visa-on-arrival policies. My Sri Lankan visa was also effortless to obtain as we applied online and got it within the day. As with Taiwan, there’s a new visa-free policy to enter the country for Philippine passport holders.

Indonesia: Waterfalls of Bali

On the way to our third waterfalls, my mom surrendered and told us that we carry on without her. She wasn’t into hiking, like me, and wasn’t fascinated much on natural wonders. She loves shopping and would trade a day of going around Bali to shopping in Ubud. So there we were; my buddy, his mom and I, climbing down the steep stairwell waiting to be amazed on yet another waterfall adventure.

Indonesia: Beaches of Bali

*Updated September 21, 2018*

I’ve been itching to go to the beach since I started to feel the burning heat in the metro. So when me and my buddies were in Bali, I devoted a day and a half to check out some of the nice beaches on the island; one of which really captivated me that I instantly stripped off and ran to the clear turquoise waters like a child.

Indonesia: Temples of Bali

*Updated September 8, 2018*

I fell in love with the exceptional Balinese Hindu temples. If you know me pretty well, you’d think that the statement might be a bluff for I easily get templed out on temple tours, but no, I really love the temples in Bali.