Last night in Amsterdam

For the past 5 days that I stayed in Amsterdam, I have met wonderful and very interesting people from different continents, I was able to participate and discuss best practices of different chapters not realizing that we have a language barrier. It was truly a global discussion, a world without borders.

Anyway, I don't want to bore you with my adventures and misadventures in Amsterdam, I will just summarize my experience using bullet points:

Discovered that Starbucks in Amsterdam is about 150% more expensive compared to MNL.
Trains and Tram rides FTW! cars are too expensive here.
Its raining everyday but still, they don't use umbrellas
Go to enclosed public spaces for free heating. Yes, the heater is the most important invention of all time.
NL is flat, no mountains, no hills, millions of piles under AMS to keep it afloat.
Visited the famous Grasshopper bar. (still, i did NOT smoke weed.)
They have museums for almost everything. from wax, to sex, to vodka, beer, weed, etc. name it, and they have an exhibit for it.
Visited the Rijks Museum ( I saw a painting worth 500++ Million Euros!!) and the Amsterdam Museum (which used to be an orphanage by the way.)

On our last night, we decided to go out in small groups, most of them decided to go to this dutch comedy bar, but we decided to grab a pizza and check out the AMS nightlife.Abbas from Kenya, Osmar from Chile, Miguel from Spain Laura from Australia and Emmanuel from the Philippines, biked under the Amsterdam night sky ( COLD, Amsterdam night sky, lol). We went to a local restaurant and had pizza. We walked around AMS and decided to checkout one of the bars. It was fun, but I realized that the party scene in MNL is way better.We decided to call it a night around 12 MN, too bad, I have to wake up really early and be at the centraal station before 6AM for my train to Paris.

The Adventures of Tropical Boy

During my first day in Amsterdam, I wore 4 layers of warm clothing in a zero degree Celsius and I am still cold. My new found friends from Canada and Sweden were teasing me and started calling me "Tropical Boy". They told me that zero degrees is not cold at all for them, which obviously shows because they're only wearing 2 layers of clothing. According to them, winter in Canada can go as low as -40 Degrees Celsius!

We walked around the city, taking advantage of our freetime right before the conference. We visited the red light district, the flower market, old churches, historical landmarks, museums and more! I was amazed how nice Dutch people are. They are jolly, polite, and most of them will be more than happy to help you with directions.

Goedendag Amsterdam!

At last, I was able to get my luggage, I had breakfast at a Starbucks in Schiphol Airport. Food is soooo expensive here. I arrived 6AM and I tried to settle at the airport for a bit. I brushed my teeth, combed my hair, washed my face and tried to relax after a long haul flight.

After that, I bought a train ticket to Amsterdam centraal, It is their Railway hub where all trains in the Netherlands and in Europe meet. The Train ticket is about 3.70 Euros, but if you purchase using a credit card, you have to pay an extra EUR 0.50.

Arriving at the Amsterdam Centraal, I soon realized how it is without heating. It was suuuuuuuper cold (well at least for someone who came from the tropics like me lol!). The temperature is between 0-8 Degrees Celcius all day.

I tried to drag my luggage out of the station and I was fighting the cold temparature at the same time. I was advised by the organization that my botel (boat+hotel) is very near the Amsterdam Centraal, I just have to look for the Nemo (a green building, shaped like a ship) near the sea.

It was a good fifteen minute walk and finally I found the Botel. Its called Botel Zebra and coincidentally, the owner of the Botel is a Filipina.

I was warmly greeted by Ms. Mary Anne. We had a few chats before I finally decided to have lunch with Laura, one of the participants of the conference who came from Australia.

I Had an opportunity to have an extra day to roam around the city before the conference. Amsterdam is beautiful. As you know, The Netherlands is a flat country, and Amsterdam used to be a marshland. The early Dutch people drilled holes and inserted millions of piles to make Amsterdam stable.

Another unique thing about Amsterdam is that, prostitution is legal and marijuana is legal (well, legal but regulated, and to correct the common misconception, not all drugs are legal, only Marijuana is legal, and in regulated amounts only)

Sorry, no pictures of prostitutes in Amsterdam because apparently, its illegal to take their photos.

True enough, there are things in this world that you can only enjoy in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Here I come!

I've had some sleepless nights thinking on what to do when I get to Europe. I will arrive right before winter and I was told that the temperature is between 0-8 degrees celcius all day.

I am glad that Debenhams was on sale prior to my flight and I was able to buy cheaper (than Marks & Spencer) winterwear. I bought thermal underwear, thermal socks, thermal bonnet,thermal gloves and everything with the word "Thermal" on it lol.

I was supposed to leave for Amsterdam on November 30, but Cathay Pacific called and asked me to rebook it to an earlier flight because of the Airport strike in London.

I asked my boss to grant me a last minute half day so I can catch my 5PM flight.

I arrived 45 minutes before my flight and I was able to take advantage of Citibank Premiermiles Platinum's lounge access.

My plane left before 6PM and arrived past 7PM. I have a lay over of 5 hours in HKG.

My plane left 12:35 AM the next day and took a 13 Hours or so flight from HKG to AMS. Cathay Pacific's cabin crew are excellent and never gets tired.

After 2 airplane meals, 3 movies and a few hours of sleep, i finally reached Amsterdam Schipol Airport.

Immediately after stepping off the plane, Immigration officers asked to see the passports of everyone arriving. I think this is their way of checking for illegal immigrants.

Then I went through the Immigration area, the officer asked me "what's the purpose of your visit?" then I said "i'll be attending a conference." He asked me, "can i see your invitation letter?" Then i told him " here is the letter that was sent to the Dutch Embassy in Manila" then he told me, " wow you speak english well" then he stamped my passport eventually.

Goedendag Amsterdam for me!

The Dreaded Visa Interview

This is it. The Judgement day. November 7, 2011, 9AM, the day of my Dutc Embassy Visa Interview. I am still in Jakarta waiting for my flight, and I am expected to arrive in Manila around 5 i the morning.

The flight to Manila is a turbulent one and I haven't had a decent sleep onboard.
Just as expected, I was at the MNL airport by 5AM and I was able to arrive home by 6AM. I decided not to sleep and instead, I told myself that i will just take a shower and leave the house early.

That didn't happen.

Apparently, I fell asleep and was not able to make it to my interview. OMG!!!!WTF!!!!
I told myself as I opened my eyes and saw the clock telling me that "hey it's 11:30 AM and you just missed your interview".

I don't know what to do. I was about to weep and throw all my European dream to waste. But I got up and decided to call the Dutch Embassy. I told the lady who answered the phone if I can still make it. I was advised by the lady that they will give me a chance IF I ARRIVE AT THE EMBASSY BEFORE 12 NOON.

Without thinking too much about myself and the way I looked, I was not able to shower, and I was not able to brush my teeth as well. I grabbed whatever decent clothes i can and wore it on my way down.

Luckily I was able to grab a cab instantly. I told the cab driver that I will pay him extra if he drives faster. Another lucky coincidence is that the Philippine Government declared November 7 (Eid Al Adha) as a public holiday so no traffic for me.

I was able to reach the embassy by 11:50 AM, but since its a holiday, the main entrance is closed and I was asked by the guard to enter using the back door.

"WTF?!!? Are you kidding me?!?" I silently told myself. I ran like i am part of the Amazing Race and reached the back door 5 minutes later. I didn't bother to stop and get permission from the guards, instead, I ran directly towards the elevator and closed it immediately.

I reached the Dutch Embassy by 11:59 AM. Thank God. According to the guard, he may have ro refuse me if I am a minute late.

I took a number (which obviously, I am the last) and got a seat near the interviewers. I bunh of diverse people were applying to get a visa. Some of them are seafarers, some are in a relationship with dutch citizens and some of them are random people just like me lol.

Then it's my turn. The Interviewer asked for my documents,took PHP 3590 (60 EURO) and asked me the purpose of my visit, and That's it. I was able to breathe comfortably and I was asked to pay an additional fee (PHP300) at a separate counter if I wish to have my passport delivered to my office address.

after the interview, you don't know if you're approved or declined for a visa until you receive your passport.

I was told that I should wait 14 working days for my passport and expect it to arrive at the 21st. Apparently i received it earlier with the visa sticker :)


It was a roller coaster ride and I am glad I was able to make it. :)

Getting a Visa to Europe

I think one of the greatest challenges of holding a Filipino Passport is getting a visa to be able to travel to most countries. Europe is no different. The influx of Filipino Illegal Immigrants(also known as TNT) not just in Europe but in most countries in the world led to tighter visa processes for Filipinos.

The good thing about the European Visa (Schengen Visa) is that you can visit the 25 member countries of the Schengen Agreement within the visa valdity period. You can apply a visa to the country where you will enter first, or the country where you will be spending most of your time. My first entry will be in Amsterdam that's why I have to apply a schengen visa through the Dutch Embassy in Manila.

I found out that I was chosen to be sent to Europe last October 16, 2011, i have to be in Europe before November 30, and visa processing time is 14 days. If you come to think of it, I will have enough time but then I remembered that I have to fly to Jakarta on November 2-7 so I have to set a visa interview appointment right after my trip to JKT.

I immediately called the Dutch Embassy Call Center and asked them if I can set the appointment on November 7. I got the November 7 9AM slot.

The following phone numbers of the call center are available to set an appointment:


For PFF or PLDT/digitel/smart subscribers 1-909-101-3456

For Globe/Innove/Touchmobile subcribers 1-900-101-3456

For Bayantel subscribers 1-903-101-3456





I was advised by the representative that I need to complete all the requirements before the said appointment.
For the benefit of my dear readers, the basic requirements in the Dutch Embassy Website

PLEASE NOTE: Schengen Visa requirements are generally the same in most European Embassies with some slight deviations
(eg. the French Embassy requires you to submit a cover letter adressed to the French Ambassador in Manila containing the purpose of your trip and your Itinierary in France, together with your application form, The Italian Embassy doesn't require you to personally appear at the embassy, the Belgian Embassy will decline your application even if you only have one missing document.)

The first requirement that I was able to complete is my travel insurance thanks to HSBC and Chartis Insurance, I was able to get a travel insurance on the same day without even stepping out of the office. to get your Chartis Travel Insurance online, click HERE

PLEASE NOTE that your travel insurance is a very important requirement and you MAY be declined for a visa if you don't have this during the interview. Click HERE to see the list of Travel Insurance providers accredited by the European Embassies.

Pinoy in Europe

Unlike most Pinoys who wants to travel to the US, I have always wanted to go to Europe. Europe for me is where it all started. The amazing architecture, the history, the people and some of the modern wonders are in Europe.

I have traveled extensively within South East Asia but not Europe, and I used to consider it as an ongoing project.

I told myself that by the time I turned 40, should have enough money to fly to Europe. I was able to do that by 28 thanks to an organization who sponsored me to travel to Europe for free. I still can't believe it and I felt like crying.