Day 8 | Hunting for Dracula Castle, Souvenirs & Postcard

This is so long overdue, I need to finish all these entry before my next trip. Oh by the way, I now tweet too. Learning still and having lotsa fun with it. 

Focus LILY! The story entry!??!

Here goes... We started our day abit late, we also decided to split with Zali & Wan. WHY? The boys wanted to go shopping and us girls wanted to go find a way to Brasov ie where Dracula Castle situated (without doing sufficient research prior, tetiba awat over confident for this trip). DECIDED! Split we did, happily looking for our own path (ceh waaah...), hahhahah.....

Hotel didn't come with breakfast, so we did the next best thing, bought a bun from the pâtisserie and took a stroll to the train station. The route was not that "friendly" nor welcoming, kinda worrying as today was our first day doing own public transportation. With this feeling, hemm.... not helping most certainly.

Felt a bit dodgy right, we start pulling our backpack to the front, panic nye pasal.

Upon reaching the track, Surprise! Surprise! It was actually clean, punctual & decent. We got panic for no reason. Ek elaaa.... memang overst!

The train/metro we took obviously was underground, for us to visit Brasov, we need to take the "normal" land train, but this was not done until I try their hot chocolate vending machine... GOODNESS GRACIOUS! It was super YUMMY! I got so ADDICTED! I always think that Europe vending machine drinks taste better then our Starbuck! Murah lak tuh!

We start looking for the ticket counter to get the direction to Brasov, the understanding was that it will take 3-4 hours, hemmm... what silly me fail (FAIL!!!) to find out is that the train does not depart half hourly, hourly etc etc... then of course to make things harder, there a express train and normal train which stops at ever station. Complicated lak nih! After calculating the journey, the time required to roam around and the train back... apa lagi....

CANCEL!  

So, cite nye we all tak pegi cari si hensem dracula! Hahhahah.... Good excuse to revisit Romania dak? Or perhaps, I go neighbouring country and drop by Brasov?

So we decide to just take a walk in the town and look for souvenirs ie fridge magnets and postcards.

Above is the bus/tram ticket counter.

Jalan lar punya jalan.... we bump into Volksbank, eh! Volkswagen also have a bank?

Tak pa! Jalan lagi, I think we walked about 5km minimum overall. We saw this, I can't resist!

And this pub! Giler comei!

Apparently this is very popular... tak try, still full at that point of time.

I thought this name was good! Good creativity! Hands down y'all.

Check out the background!!!!!!!!!!!! Nampak dak?????

Genius Travel & Banca Transilvania. 

PERFECT!

We finally reached Piaţa Universităţii. I have to tell this story, of which I have been telling tones of folks; for those hearing or reading this YET again, SORRY lerrr... ehhehhe...

Hatta, arakian... cam real!

Obviously the name says it all, it a universities arealar... we were cool about this (really!). After snapping few pics, we said let's go and take the train to HRC as I need to buy some magnets and take a walk in the park (the biggest park I ever seen; it will be an entry on its own for this). Still cool here.

Down we head, as we reach the foyer, we FINALLY saw the tourism information counter. GERAM!!! Of all the places!?!?!? We found few infos nevertheless, so for those planning to visit Bucharest or Brasov... :

1. The tourism information centre is located at University Square or Piata Universitatii

2. Next door sells souvenirs (small shop) - postcard & fridge magnet (MAHAL!) but no stamp

3. There are packages offered to take you to Brasov BUT MAHAAAAL.

4. Their conversational English is perfect, no worries here

Back to my story, after buying and inquiring, we went to the station to take the train; as you guess, the amount of passengers are namely STUDENT, STUDENT and STUDENT! But here's the thing.... they are LANKY/ PRETTY/STYLO... I felt sooooo SHORT/UGLY/BURUK... talk about being intimidated, having low self-esteem, high sense of envy. Tension masa tuh okay!

Not just that, depa berdiri ala ala Tyra Banks, jenis yang sangkut bag sebelah tangan; kaki bent down sket, bahu senget sebelah, ala ala pose maut cam nak masuk cat walk gitu. Ish! Rasa hina sat!

Atas sebab GERAM yang tahap dewa, balik malam tuh, gi H&M shopping, konon nak boost self confident! 

Yup! Cam nih pun boleh!

Hyperlink credit : Wikipedia

Japan VISA Application

Let's pen down the process/tips of Japan VISA Application for Malaysian, this is is correct (at least to my knowledge) as of todate. I would not be liable of failing application yah, this is purely base on my experience (and luck *smile*). You can also get more detail from Embassy Of Japan link HERE.

Ok. First thing first, the location/map and address are as below.

For those not familiar with KL route; It's opposite US Embassy (across Jalan Tun Razak that is) OR next door (corner lot) to Bombay Palace (also corner lot). If you come from Jalan Binjai and turn into Persiaran Stonor, the embassy is on right hand side after Eaton Pre-School. If you still unable to locate, use GPS lar...

Embassy Of Japan

11 Jalan Tun Razak

50450 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 60-3-2177-2600

Office Hours (Monday - Friday)

08:30 am - 12:00 pm

02:00 pm - 04:00 pm

CRUCIAL INFO :

- Parking is limited (outside the embassy ie by the street - about 5+ car slot), best is to come very early "early bird gets the worm" (the queue is not long in the morning, hence no worries)
- There's 1 (one) payable parking "field" further down near Jalan Binjai, you will need to walk between 5-7mins. Take care of own safety when walking by the street
- Alternatively, you can try your luck to park in Bombay Palace (not sure whether they allow this). However, note that their gate close in the morning (I think)

- The TAT is 3WD (subject to approval)- There is no interview required. Really kinda easy

- Overall process EXCLUDE waiting for your turn is less then 5mins (SERIOUS) ASSUMING your document is complete and according to the requirement.

- Travelers can stay up to 15 days per visit

- VISA is valid for 3 months (so plan well when to apply your VISA)

- The VISA is FREE

SUBMISSION STEPS :

- Go to Security Guard >> Fill in form & hand in your IC (you will be given a tag to claim your IC)

- Enter the side door on the left >> Hand in your handphone (you will be given a tag to claim your phone) and scan your bag (notebook bags or handbags - these you can bring in)

- Walk towards the main entrance >> Take a number once inside and wait to be called

- Submit the form >> With all the supporting documents, you will be given a receipt on collection time and date (keep the receipt safely)

** Do the reverse when exiting

COLLECTION STEPS :

- Go to Security Guard >> Fill in form & hand in your IC (you will be given a tag to claim your IC)

- Enter the side door on the left >> Hand in your handphone (you will be given a tag to claim your phone) and scan your bag (notebook bags or handbags - these you can bring in)

- Walk towards the main entrance >> Go straight to COUNTER 5

- Hand over your receipt >> And collect your passport (hopefully approved *smile*)

Easy peasy huh! 

Next will be the list of things you need to support/include/bring.

REQUIREMENT

1. Original passport

2. One (1) visa application form (downloadable from this website HERE)

3. One (1) photo (4.5cm x 4.5cm) with white background which is taken within 6 month from the visa application and must be pasted on the application form

(PLEASE INFORM THE SHOP/PHOTOGRAPHER, IT'S FOR JAPAN VISA. THE SIZE IS SQUARE!)

Pergi ke kedai yang bertauliah else kene reject kan baru tau!)

4. Itinerary in Japan (downloadable HERE) and for transit purpose, copy of visa to the main destination (USA, CANADA, etc)

(Itinerary sample is attached below)

5. Employment certificate stating your position, department in the company and length of service(using the company letterhead)

(This is also know as employment letter, reference letter, visa letter etc etc)

*If you are a sole proprietor/partner/owner of the company, you need to submit a copy of your business registration (And also write OWN reference letter on letterhead, if I am not mistaken)

*For those who are not working: a self explanatory letter stating how expenses will be borne, name and relationship of person(s) accompanying (if any)

6. Personal savings, latest current account statement, fixed deposit, Tabung Haji or Amanah Saham Berhad (ASB) (original certified true copy by the bank [banyak kantoi yang nih sebab lupa]) (need to show the applicant’s name as the account owner, account number and current balance)

7. Copy of marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificate (children) to show proof of relationship between the main applicant and the person(s) accompanying 

NOTES :

1. Please arrange all the documents according to the sequence. Documents submitted will not be returned.

2. All photocopies must be on A4 size paper.

3. Collection of passport will be three (3) working days for Malaysian (subject to approval).

*THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN HAS THE RIGHT TO REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS OR CALL THEAPPLICANT FOR AN INTERVIEW*

TIPS :

- Write clearly (I wrote in CAPS)

- FOLLOW the sample CLOSELY

- Supporting docs to check x100

- Make sure your CTC it (saw a few didn't, delayed the whole queue)

- Ensure your photo is in the WHITE background and square in size

- INCLUDE YOUR FLIGHT TICKET (RETURN)

Please visit Japan Embassy regularly incase of changes in requirements.

So far all mine has been approved (syukur...), hopefully this benefited and able to help you guys.

501 Doesn't Mean Levi's OK!

Saw this series a couple of times, bought one for work purposes (betul, tak tipu! Hehhehe... sambil sambil tuh I layan ler). 

I won't write a review on this since I don't get paid hahhaha.... (hint) actually I feel it's subjective that's all. In other words, one version of 501 might be different from another. Or if I named a must visit places of the type I fancy schmancy might be totally different from my best travel buddy Wahidah. Yeah lar.... I love oriental country since I studied them but she doesn't, I shouldn't judge her on that kan? Reason being she enjoyed Tokyo gak apa. But it too can flip the other way ie... she managed to prove me that New Zealand was a worth while place to visit (I took the ferry from South Island to North Island tau, did any of you tried that? Cool kaaaan..... but bumpy giler despite the ferry can fit even coaches of train) when I have a wee bit of doubt (heran dak?).

So, my suggestion is to go to the bookshop, flip the book, check out the places, increase your knowledge, put back the book and gi tengok wayang cite Puss In Boots. Hahhaha...... 

Lain kali I'll update on DK Eyewitness lak yek (my favourite nih, sure bias).

By the way, do you know there was a large contest on naming the NEW wonders of the world? *wink*....