New Zealand! I am coming!

Yes, finally one of my wish-list traveling to New Zealand is happening soon! Let’s begin by saying applying visitor visa is kind of nightmare for the stateless person holding a ‘Certificate of Identity’ document especially traveling to the western countries. Being there in Australia got stuck for half an hour questioning by the customs officers and explaining what document we are actually holding. When will the governments or our Sultan of Brunei plan to replace our travel document into a real passport? To be honest, I don’t really see much hope in this country. No matter, my priority in life is enjoying traveling to some favorite countries first.

Now, the question is. Is applying visitor visa to New Zealand very hard? Not hard but enough to make you sleepless and into bad mood during the processing waiting. My brother got the tickets and paid both hotels and places we plan to visit in advance. It will be a big blow to us if not approve.

The procedure of applying visitor visa is now recommended by the embassy submitting through the official immigration online service. You no longer need to go through the hard way paying extra service charges to the local travel agencies for help process visitor visa. But my recent experience tells me these days the travel agencies hardly wanted to provide such services anymore or even want to entertain the stateless person's customers on the visitor visa. Some of them have condition require buying tickets from them and some would charge an insane amount enough to piss you off.

Another question is, do you require sending physical travel document to the nearest embassy after you submitted online? Yes, I did and went nuts after the embassy requires my physical travel document in order to continue processing the visitor visa application. The worst part, they start counting the 20 days from the date submitted. Without wasting any time, the best way to deal with this is using fast delivery services like DHL sending to the nearest visa application centre (I choose Singapore). It cost me $110.00 together with insurance and the prepaid envelope for returning (*a must) to Brunei. Drop them an email to inform my physical travel document is on the way.

The next day, I received a phone call from centre require me to fill the form paying the passport and handling fee for SGD$32.00. I was clueless about the charges. But after finding out they need to arrange to send to the main branch in Thailand. Man, I should have just sent there directly to avoid the fee. Still, it’s hard to say and had to close one eye on the additional fee.

The funny part, my sister did not receive any letter require her to send the physical travel document and even got approved after two weeks. After mine also got approved and check the visitor visa letter information for any mistake like nationality and passport numbers. Then, I found out what’s happening here. Well, I got a multiple entry visa for one year instead of a single entry visa for one month. My sister told me there are two options to choose from actually, which is weird not seeing these question when filling the application and only remember to tick the checkbox for holiday/vacation. Next time, I have to do a triple recheck.

Alright, let’s break down some requirement when you are using New Zealand immigration service for applying visitor visa application online:-

•  You need to upload the latest passport photo (white or blue background), scan travel document and identity card (*must translate Malay to English), full details of your visit and hotels you will be staying, airline tickets, company letter and at least six-month bank statements.
• May require uploading Australia visitor visa letter document. Only if you transit from Australia to New Zealand. *, DO NOT apply transit visa for Australia. My sister contacts the immigration, and their feedback requires the stateless person to apply for a visitor visa (around AUD$140.00) even we just only transit.
• You can upload additional documents, for example like different bank statement etc.
• NZD$165.00 (currently) visitor visa fee. Pay using a credit card.
• If required by the embassy, you will need to send your physical document to any nearest New Zealand Visa Application Centre. I believe only when applying for multiple entry visas. Find out which embassy process your visa application at the online and preferable sending there directly. *Recommend using fast delivery service like DHL, FedEx etc. Make sure you buy insurance and prepare returning envelope. Drop an email to inform the embassy your travel document is on the way. Also, includes the sending and return tracking number in an email.
• Once your visitor visa letter is approved, check your nationality and travel document number. The nationality must not be listed as BN because we are not Brunei citizen. Request the embassy to update to 02 in the system. This shitty code is for a stateless person.

I hope the information provided here is helpful to my stateless fellow.

CNY 2011 – Miri Night Stay

Miri Trip CNY 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

My only visit is at my grandmother house, no other places. Most of my aunt and uncle went on vacation and travel to neighboring country so just a few people there. Normally most of us stay at home in the morning for first day before visiting the others. This year simply just different, I just stay until 12PM and went back to sleep. At the same time, I had to bring my sister going down to Miri.

She is flying to Singapore next day using AirAsia at 8.20AM flight and must check in before two hours. If we choose going down at 6AM next day. I’m sure we may not make it on time. I was mad actually and find it how stupid my sister was booking the ticket on the 1^st day of CNY. We both have to waste the money booking a hotel and dinner staying over in Miri. No different at all booking a ticket in Brunei and better yet can visit our cousins before flying off. This is why I don’t like the cheapness of my sister making the situations inconvenient.

First day usually is the quiet time for less people going down to Miri. Not many shops are going to open that day. We didn’t encounter any traffic during 6.00PM and smoothly reach there. But I have to say the Miri customs are rude and racists as usual. I didn’t bother much anyway.

The hotel we are staying is in Imperial Palace Hotel. I heard is a newly renovate and opening last year. There are mixed reaction from my friends about the place. Well, to us the room is big, clean and Astro provided for just RM$147.00 for weekdays rate. Quite a lot of local Malay is staying there as well even the underground parking lot almost occupy by the Bruneian.

Night is very boring, few restaurants and shops open. But we are hungry and have to find some place to eat. After a long walk, we just decided to check out Japanese food restaurant called ‘Sanga’. It suck though, there is 25% service charge. No matter what, I just want to try out and compare our locals one.

The good things about the Miri restaurants are they served alcohols. So we order hot sake and tried it.

This is Teriyaki Ramen beef, quite nice but not enough to fill your stomach.

We also order similar sushi found in our local restaurant menu. Not much of the choice and expensive too even though it’s in Malaysian ringgit. If you want to compare, I personally suggest enjoying the local one instead.

HK Disneyland’s Is in Danger

OMFG! I didn’t even had any chance going to Hong Kong this or next year. I never even been to any Disneyland's for my entire LIFE. Damn this economic infections through out the world. Arrggg…the most pity to the peoples who worked there waiting to get lay off letters later.

You can read the entire news at Business Week. (Found @ Wayang Times)

Singapore Day 2 – To Bugis, Celebrate my Birthday Dinner

This was after PC Show and we went straight to Bugis Junction for shopping and also at the same time meeting my brother. I didn’t know it was also one of the popular locations for shopping! Okay, I didn’t even know the Sim Lim Square is just ahead of me. ^^;;; I only know my brother kept on saying just there and there. My question is where? In the end I still look at the map in the MRT ground to look for SLS.

 

We first take a rest nearby the water fountain. I also feel very tired walking nonstop at PC Show and carried all the stuffs with me all days. After a few minute rests including enjoys watching Mei Mei around me. ^^ I decided to waste no time and walk around the building and snap some nice photos for memories. Of course, this includes some shops I visit.

 

I was warned actually that I can’t take photos inside the building by the security guard. I didn’t bother about the warning. I don’t think there are anything wrong taking photo inside the building as a tourist. I’m sure it must be the rules from the BHG Company. I got even chase away by them because I was resting and sitting near the front glass door. As if they think I look like a beggar or some sort eye sore. What to do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the inside photos taken in Bugis Junction and BHG. First one is The Design T-Shirts Store Graniph. They advertise one T-shirt for S$35.00 and two for S$60.00. I have to admit the T-shirts are not bad at all. If you are interested, you can check out the official website for more information on the designs and you can even buy directly from their online store (available shipping to Brunei).

 

 

Another great street clothes to introduced, the DCP (Delicious Clothing from Pavalon). One of the Singapore own clothing brand (according to the website). You can also buy it from online. But currently the store is in site maintenance. I did found another link, it’s Slurplife.com. I’m not sure if they are related.

 

 

 

Alright, I’m sure many of you don’t like to miss out any book stores in Singapore. At Bugis Junction, you can find Kinokuniya upper floor. The only things I went there to look are comics and Gundam magazines. I didn’t buy any single magazine from the store. I have to say it is really expensive comparing purchasing from HLJ.com. Nonetheless, you can find many of your favorite books and magazine.

 

 

 

Here’s another one, the Absolute Comics shop selling mostly American comics and toys. I did see some Japanese toys there. It’s worth to check out if you are superheroes reader and collectors.

 

 

 

If you happen wanted to look for Japanese accessories shop, you may want to check this shop out. Sorry, I do not know how to name of the shop. ^^; No worry, you can find many nice stuffs over, you just need enough money to get it.

 

 

To BHG toys section. I couldn’t really stop myself loving checking out toys no matter where I go. The first thing I check is Gundam models.

 

 

 

Once we joined up with my brother. We follow my brother and walk to Park Royal at Beach Road where we had our dinner at Si Chuan Dou Hua Resturant. You can order as a choice like buffet and foods is quite nice over there. We were actually surprise by the master doing a kung fu posed pouring the tea.

 

 

 

 

More photos taken when I was on the way back.

 

 

 

Singapore Day 2 – Before PC Show 2008

My first day waking up in Singapore doesn’t seem to refreshing for me. I can feel the heat at starting 7AM morning. The weather there is quite worst compare in Brunei. You can’t really feel the wind coming. I couldn’t really sleep that time and so my mom decided bring us walk around in Simei.

 

Honestly, I don’t really understand the place either. My mom told us that we are going too walked at least seven minute to Tampines market to have breakfast over there. My mind stop for few second and question myself, weren’t we suppose already in Simei? Strange, so we continue to walk across the sky bridge to the parks on the other side. At the same time, I took some nice photos.

 

It says you get fine for S$1k if you ride on Sky Bridge.

 

 

Hmmm….seems like he doesn’t care at all.

 

 

More...

 

 

 

The park is really nice over there. If you happen to do morning exercise over there, you will find some nice fitness equipments over there and can be used it for free.

 

 

Love the place build.

 

 

That building is called Tampines Changkat Community Club. You can see it when you walk to the market place. Never been had a dared chance going inside before. ^^;;; I thought I can played basketball. LOL

 

 

Morning dogs training. The dogs behave rather well and follow their master instructions.

 

 

There! Tampines market place. The breakfast is cheap over there and I pay as low as S$1.30 for the foods and the drinks should be around $1.00. But the foods are very salty. According to the cooks over there, the customers love salty foods. O_O That was surprising.

 

 

After finished our breakfast, we head back home and prepared heading to PC show. Of course, we didn’t just head over there. We instead go to East Point to stock up our own mobile phone number from M1. In case, everyone got lost with each other’s while shopping. I really have to say the calling rate is damn cheap.

 

 

Then we go to the ground floor to get some lunch at Hanis Café’s and Bakery.

 

 

Nice chicken chops with potatoes and soup. Nice!

 

Singapore Day 2 –Total Spend at PC Show 2008

I already wrote about the PC Show in my last post. Here is the photo showing the items I brought from the event. You may as well question why this photo only showing very few items. This is because I have almost over spend my budget total $600.00! Not to mention it just only second day in Singapore I already pouring down so much. Let’s check the items purchase price over there below.

 

 

• Seagate 160GB FreeAgent Go! Portable with exclusive Gaskin at Harvey Norman Booth = S$119.00 (UP S$149.00)
• Corsair XMS2DHX 4GB DDR2 800 Memory Ram Kit (2x2GB) at Corbell Technology booth = S$145.00
• Shiro VT 2GB Built-in Black Media Player (Review soon) with free Shiro SP102 Multimedia Travel Speaker at Shiro (Carrefour) booth = S$139.00 (UP $229.00)
• Kingston SDHC Memory Card 4GB (Class 6) at Kingston (AAAsCom Solution Pte Ltd) Booth = S$32.00
• Iriver Volcano T7 USB 1GB MP3 Player at LE-MON Booth = S$69.00
• A.C.Ryan 2x AluBox eSATA and 1x eSATA with PCMCIA Card 2.5” Portable Case including 1x ProCables USB2.0 Cable - A Male / Mini5P Male 1.8m Cable at A.C.Ryan booth = S$87.00
• Total Spend = S$591.00

That’s was quite a crazy amount. Actually it should have been lower in the first place if I knew I am getting an iPod NANO birthday present from my sister-in-law. I wouldn’t have brought Shiro media player. Hai~~ Well, going to tried to sell it at Brudirect website (will be posted).

 

Anyone interested can call me 673-8767308. I am selling it same price I brought from Singapore and including Kingston Micro SD card 2G at S$16.00 used for Shiro Media Player. Of course proof of receipt will handle to you for Shiro one year warranty.

Singapore Day 2 – PC Show 2008

I have to thank the Singaporean guys informing me about the event at VR-Zone forum. The event started on the first day of June 12th (until 15^th) in Suntec City, which is the same day celebrating my Birthday. I got an Apple iPod Nano 8GB present from my sister-in-law. I can’t really believe I am going to own MP3 player for myself.

 

The trip from Simei to Suntec City took me at least 20 minutes to reach there. You will need to take the MRT to City Hall first about 10 minutes. Once you arrived there, you have to walk from the underground to Suntec City over there for another 10 minutes to reach there. It was quite a long walk. No worry, there are TONS of shops, cafes and restaurant on the underground. It just the matter of time how long you are going to spend there. Trouble really hit me that day. It was not a really a good idea bringing family and children to the PC Show. I can see my mom and sister-in-law so exhausted as they have to watch over my nephew. They keep on insist want to follow me even they are not interested on computers and gadgets stuffs. It was very quite painful unable to enjoy the event long.

 

 

After arriving there, you are probably going to expect lots of flyers going to be handed to you once enter to Suntec. The flyers I get almost like buying a car magazine and I was having quite a lot of hard time checking out the promotions. I did not think for second because I can see at least hundreds of people going in and out from the building very second grabbing and pulling their computer gadgets out from the PC Show. I thought I was in heaven of computer world.

 

Shopping Tips:

If you intend to go on Saturday and Sunday, you have to prepared yourself and expect huge holiday crowds. However the good thing is you can get a last minute better and lower promotions items last day of the PC Show. (Next PC Show 2009 will start from 11^th to 14^th June next year)

 

Before you go over there, make sure you check for more information about the preview promotions from the website first like Hardwarezone.com or VR-Zone forum.

 

Also once you received the flyers, check immediately which items you are going to plan to grab. Buying directly from the distributors also one of the best choice because you can get a very good purchase and free items from them.

 

Planning your budgets is very important and used cash instead of using credit cards. But my advice to you, try not to over spend. ^^;;

 

The most interesting news I also learned last week that the PC Show 2008, were able to attract to a close record number of 1.12 million visitors and generating $51.7 million in sales end on Sunday. You can Read more there. I was one of the million visitors over there and I was excited experience such a great events. I don’t even know what to buy at all. I was so confused and stunt by the entire promotion price over there. You can’t even get those crazy prices in Brunei at all, not even once forever. I said before in my previous post, Bitex is completely nothing comparing to PC Show and not to mentions 90% of those item are quality brand. 10% of those items are unknown China brand selling over there, which are same as our local PC shop currently selling it. I did not ask the warranty actually covers over there. But I’m not stupid enough getting those there. I would rather pour down my money on the proper quality brand and gets the official warranty instead.

 

Actually I was first at lost at 4^th floor until I found out that I should gone to 6^th floor instead. Anyway, I grab some photos when I was there. Check out the photos at my Google Picasa Album or the small 400x size slide show below.

 

Singapore Day 1 – Flying off

Sorry about my late post. I couldn’t really feel good after coming back from Singapore and missed so much the enjoyment lifestyle over there. Anyway, let’s talk about my first day. I have to say not a really my first good experience ride to the airport. My mom friend is really a dangerous driver and I feel like almost losing my life multiple times on the road in one hour first time. I do respect her good heart bringing us to the airport. But I wish no more for next time as I told my mom in the plane.

 

 

Nothing changes much looking at the Brunei airport. Feeling always quite disappointed seeing a boring same old place for more than 20 years. Although it was mentioning that new airport was plan for next few years. I really hope it will be a high looking class airport before I turn over 30. Well, as far I know, they will only start measuring the land next year.

 

 

Okay, I have to say I feel so weird and nervous. Eight years without taking any flight was a mistake all my life. Blame myself for such a money spender and poor. If I remember correctly, my ticket cost around B$290.00 during promotions before the fuel rise. It was a close call and taking my flight with Singapore airline was the best choice. Even I get an economy sits, you still got the chance watching movies and TV shows at your own seat at SQ182 (I forget the number). I don’t think RBA has such offer (Correct me if I am wrong). The seating space was small I have to admit.

 

It took at least one hour and forty – five minute flight from Brunei to Singapore, Changi airport. My sister-in-law and her sister were already waiting outside. I have to say it was my first time getting to know sister-in-law sister over there. It was a bit hard communicating with each as both our Chinese languages is totally quite different. Even my nephew won’t understand us if we don’t correct our Chinese.

 

 

We headed directly to MRT station taking the route to Simei. I was so excited. Really, because I never take a train before IN MY LIFE! Can’t believe eh? Well, I have to thank to my friend borrow me the ezlink prepaid card. I can’t believe it was so reliable and can be used on any transportation (not taxi) in Singapore without worrying. Of course, you have to make sure you top up the credit inside. The trip from Changi airport to Simei was about less than 10 minutes and headed straight to my brother apartment to rest.

 

 

It was really unlucky for the first day as the new elevator was not yet ready at the time. The old can only take us to third floor and we have to carry it to fifth floor ourselves from stair. -_-;;; My mom travel bag is so heavy! After reaching there, preparing all the bed and get ourselves some rest before we headed out at 6PM. I have to say it was hot over there, which is worst than Brunei.

 

 

Once take off from home, we straight went to MRT station nearby East Point plaza, very close I have to say. We take our first trip to Tampines and shop over there, since it was Singapore great sales already started. Girls go for clothes, bags and bodyshop. For me, I go toys shop. ^^;;; I was really looking forward getting transformer and LEGO Exoforce. However, it seems like I was wrong and gave up in the end. I can’t believe no discounts were actually happen over there. My advice for you is, get your LEGO collection in Brunei as there are no price different at all. I only get a LEGO car for my cousin. I also check out the computer outlets over at Tampines plaza. You can find the Court and epicenter (selling Apple Mac) at third floor I think.

 

Shopping tips in Singapore: If you plan to buy any iPod or Mac laptop over there. You have to make sure to ask the Tax Free GST receipt from them or simply get discount directly from the GST tax and make sure you have your Passport with you to show them, just in case they don’t believe you.

A MUST for everyone, epiCenter was popular telling lie to its customers their receipt do not need any Tax Free GST receipt to claim your money at the airport. This was confirm by the Singapore customs and told us that many customers fell into their hand. My advice is to be very careful what you buy over there if you want to claim the GST before you going back. I know carrying your passport with you is not safe. But according to the customs, this is the best solutions to claim your GST money.

More information on Tax Free, visit Globalrefund.com for more information or you can check out the shopping tips at Visitsingapore.com.

 

 

After that, my sister-in-law brings us to the world top best restaurants known as Din Tai Fung for dinner. Damn, the food is so good and I could not forget the dumpling. The interesting part about this restaurant is they won’t accept any reservations. You have to wait in line for your turn. Also you can see them wearing an ear phone and also PDA devices were used for noting down the pending foods and new orders for the cooks. What a high tech restaurant.

 

 

Luckily, there were not much people waiting before six. I think we order quite a lot and ended up more than $200.00+. Yikes! O_O;;; No complained about the money we spend as long the foods is great. It was full house all the time over there after we finished. Sorry I didn’t take a good picture from there. The food is my first top priority.

 

 

It was surprising to see many of the employees and people are from the mainland. It’s like more than Indonesian and Indian working there. I’m not really sure how many were there. As far I know most of them studies in Singapore with the support from the family (some) working there to support their education according to my brother. Of course, some of them are married to Singaporean. Its normal these days, blame the local girls over there want six credits from men’s. HAHAHA!!! Did I mention you can see lots of mei mei over there too? Oh yeah, they are sexy and hang around there playing arcade games till the plaza close. You see, how enjoy their life everyday over there? It just matters of question how you are going to survive and afford spending over there. Foods and drink are not cheap. Not to mention our money is one to one at Singapore. Shit.