Travel to Cape Town, South Africa

One of the fascinating city of South Africa., Cape Town is perhaps is an ideal vacation  for every travelers.It serves as the legislative capital of South Africa and  home of one of the Seven Wonders of Nature, The Table Mountain.I arrived in Cape Town, South Africa in late afternoon of September 28, 2013 after 9 hours flight from Doha , Qatar. I spend my birthday celebration in this beautiful country.

                                                                     Cape Town International Airport

Luggage Service & Money Exchange

•  You can exchange your money in the Foreign exchange booth or claim , send money thru western union.The exchange rate for 1 USD is 10.3393 Rand. The Luggage service is just beside of money exchange, You can leave your  luggage just in case your in transit. and want to leave the airport to explore the city in just an ample of time.   

                                                        Luggage service and Money exchange

             

                                                                   Arrival hall -Tourist information

Before i exited the airport, i get a map of Cape Town for my sightseeing tour and travel information. The airport bus terminal is just outside of this hall. and the departure area is on the second floor.

Airport Bus to City Center

                                                                               Airport bus station

                                                                 Arrival & Departure area

                                                                              Airport taxi

Airport bus card

If you want to save on transportation cost  and do what locals do, take the airport bus costing 80 Rand or USD 9.It will take 20-30 minutes going to city center depends on traffic situation.Otherwise you can choose taxi .

                                                              Civic Center (Departure station of Airport bus ). 

                                                             Civic Center.( Arrival station of Airport bus )

HOW TO GO IN CAPE TOWN HOTELS ( ST. GEORGE HOTEL ) & LONG STREET HOSTEL

•   When you arrive at the Civic station , and if your hotel is in ST. GEORGE HOTEL ( where i stayed during my holiday in Cape Town ) , i can give you some helpful illustration and tips how to get there. First, you exit at the station and take stairs going up, you will be in the building of Nelson Mandela.

Walked down the stairs of Nelson Mandela bldg. and you will see this. I capture the photo in a reverse position.The white bldg is the Nelson Mandela.if you reach this walk straight, and turn right and you will see this street.

Walk up to to the end of this street and you will see this.

Just walk  and you will see the ABSA bldg. That's where the ST. GEORGE HOTEL.Just cross  the pedestrian street in the traffic light  to reach the hotel.From Civic Center airport bus station it is 400 meters.

and if your staying in the long street, When you arrived at the Civic Station, take another bus on that station that pass by the long street.

                                                                  Long Street, Cape Town

      This is the street where backpackers hostels, bars, restaurants , nightlife are happening here.

Travel to Moscow, Russia

RUSSIA - best known for being the largest country on earth, having the most beautiful women in the world,being the superpower military nation after USA, having beautiful nature, and etc., No one should miss to see the beauty of Russia.

Moscow, the capital city of Russia, is known for her famous landmarks Red Square, Kremlin, St.Basil's Cathedral and more..

Flag of Russia

Religion: Majority Orthodox Christian, others ( Islam, Buddhism, Judaism )

Currency: Russian Rouble (1 US $ = 32.92 )

VISA:

Citizen of the following countries don't need visa ( Conditions of visa free regime of entry to Russia ) .

1. Visa-free entry regime to Russia for CIS countries - Armenia , Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine ,Uzbekistan. (Note: while Turkmenistan is cooperating with CIS countries,its citizens are not visa exempt ).

2. Visa-free entry regime to Russia up to 90 days. - Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Iceland, Israel, Macedonia, Nicaragua ,Peru,Uruguay, Venezuela.

3. Visa-free entry regime to Russia up to 30 days.  - Bosnia, Cuba, Macau, Montenegro, Mozambique, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey.

4.Visa-free entry regime to Russia up to 14 days - Brunei ( only Diplomatic & service passport holders ) , Hongkong ( only Special Administrative Region Passport  holders ).

Other countries  not mentioned above = Need to apply for visa.

Russian Visa

My tourist invitation letter

Requirements:

1. Original passport

2. Tourist invitation ( book online thru accredited Russian travel agencies like Reisebuero WELT and others. )

3. Passport photo

4. Russian consulate application form

5. Visa fee

Arrival:

Most of the foreigners or tourists  arrive at Domodedovo International airport. it is the busiest and largest airport in Russia.

                              Baggage section. -You can see the money changer on the left side of the                                                                         photo , and immigration on its right.

• Tips: The money exchange here is lower (1 USD = 26 or 27 Russian Rouble) than in the city center ( USD = 32.50 Russian Rouble). If you don't have Russian Rouble and intend to exchange huge amount of dollar, just obtain enough money to get you into the city where you can exchange most of your dollars for bigger exchange value. Also, be sure to confirm with your banks before leaving for Russia to ensure that your ATM Cards will be accepted. 

Train to Moscow center:

• after you get your luggage, pass the custom, just walk, turn left, walk, turn left and walk straight up to the end and you will reach this..

                                                                           Ticket vending machine

• buy your train ticket on that machine. Press one way for 360 Russian Rouble and you can pay by cash or credit card.. The ticket receipt will go out and keep it.as this will serve as token or gate card in the airport train station.

Luggage Storage:

• There is luggage storage in the airport underground.it is located near on the ticket vending machine. just take the stairs going down.Here's the picture.

Train station:

• The first trip of train departing from airport to Paveletsky station is 6:00 am.and the last trip is 12:00 midnight. The train time interval is every 30 minutes.from Paveletsy station (city center ) , the first train trip starts at 6:00 am and the last trip going to airport is 11:30 pm.

                                                                         airport train station

• The journey takes 40 minutes nonstop to reach the city center or the Paveletsky station.After you arrive at the station you can take the metro green lane & brown lane to go to your respective destination.

                                                                                         Paveletsky train station.

• When you arrive at this station , it is in the right side, as you can see the passengers are entering the train as they departing going to the airport.inside on that building is the metro station for green line and brown line.

• Be sure when you travel to Russia, your metro map has a Russian language on it not only English because the metro in Russia is quite difficult especially when you dont speak Russian & dont know the Russian alphabet. There is no English sign in the metro station. you dont know if you will take the left train or right train.so you must have English/Russian metro map.

         Paveltsky train station outside. The metro station  is in the 2  door. ( you will see 4,3 ,2 ).

• Tips: This area is a good point of reference since a number of Moscow landmarks are easily accessible from this station. I believe there are many accommodations here, and I recommend Ibis Hotel which is just 700m from this station (just on the right corner of the traffic lights). My stay with Ibis Hotel was great.

Travel to Maldives

Maldives is a place where people want to go for their honeymoon , relaxation &  diving  as they described it as " Beach Paradise ".It is an island nation located in Indian Ocean , 400 km south-west of Sri Lanka and 700 km south-west of India. Going to Maldives is not cheap for backpackers or any travelers. It is an expensive destination as the flight cost and hotels are expensive. Being a travel addict, and working here in Qatar,  Me & my brother  opted to go in Maldives  first before heading to our final destination Philippines as part of our 2 weeks vacation.

Flag of Maldives

Religion:                                 Islam

Currency:     Maldivian Rufiyaa  ( 1 US$ = 15.37 Maldivian  Rufiyaa )

Language:     Dhivehi - an Indo -European language,  English

Malé is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives.

Male International Airport  ( Photo by Danial Martin )

We arrived 8:30 am in Male' , Maldives via Emirates Airline as this is the cheapest fare i got for one way ticket from Qatar.It cost me US $ 238.Arriving in Male', Maldives is hassle free as it is free visa country.Just fill up the form, and give it to Immigration officer along with your passport and hotel bookings. They will ask you also for your onward  air ticket.

Money Currency : There is a money changer in the airport as you see the picture below.It is in the left side of arrival section. but US dollar is widely use in Maldives and all credit cards are accepted.

inside / Outside the airport

Luggage Storage:

         If you have many bags or luggage with you and your going to other place after Maldives, and don't want to bring heavy bags, luggage in the resort, you can leave your luggage in the baggage section of the airport with a fee. After you clear the immigration, and get your bags/luggage, as you exit,  it is in the left side. There is a reception booth in the center before the toilet.Every bag cost US $10/day.Just ask if you dont know, they can speak English well.

Some beach resort in Maldives needs an air transfer as they are located in farthest part of Maldives. If your resort is near in the capital, Male, speedboat will suffice.

Note:  If You arrive in Male' Airport in the evening or after 3:30 pm, it is advisable to stay in the hotel in Male, as they are no more seaplane transfer at that time. Upon your online booking in hotel in Maldives, they will ask your flight information arrival and departure so that they can arrange your transfer to their hotel or beach resort.You can book your Maldives resort thru Agoda.com.

   Velassaru Maldives

Departure in Male:

• There is a Duty Free in Male' Airport. , Premium lounge, restaurant , souvenir shops. the payment of purchase  is by credit card or US dollar.

Male' Airport - front/left side ( arrival section,) - right side ( departure area )

The departure waiting area is in the lower level. just take the stairs going down.

Waiting for our flight bound to Colombo , Sri Lanka

Travel Expense:

Airfare = US $ 238  = (  Doha, Qatar - Male, Maldives ) - One way             -  Emirates Airline
           = US $ 137  = ( Male, Maldives - Colombo , Sri Lanka ) - One way  -  Emirates Airline


Hotel  =  USD 356 / night ( included breakfast ) - Velassaru Resort - 5 star resort - peak season


Transportation  =  US $ 165/person  speedboat transfer ( round trip )- Not included in the hotel/resort price.

Note: It is expensive if your resort is located in the South /North Atoll, which need sea plane transfer.You can also bring some food stuff  and drinks except alcohol drinks as this is not allowed in Maldives airport,  so that you can save your food expenses as the price in the restaurant in the resort is relatively high.


Travel Guide: Please visit http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maldives/transport/getting-around.

                                       http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Maldives/Male_Island-1296227/Transportation-Male_Island-TG-C-1.html#page=1&tgCount=0&themes=Ship%252FBoat