Our Indo china tour was not really intentional. But there was an airfare promo and we got a one way ticket from Manila to Singapore. It was a cheap fare, around Php5,000 plus. We then search things to do and tourist spots to visit in Singapore. Then we found out that you can travel by land going to Malaysia and easy access to some other countries like Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand.
So our preparation went deeply as we want to travel multiple countries. We looked for international air seat promos to make this travel possible. We got ticket to Cambodia from Kuala Lumpur via Air Asia. Then later we got an air ticket from Davao to Manila and to complete the travel destinations, we booked a flight from Bangkok to Vietnam.
When we had all of this tickets, we were so excited like we plot our ootds, keep searching where to stay and deciding if we do DIY or book with travel agencies. We decided to do DIY. It’s more fun and you can take time and decide where to go without considering other guests joined on the same day tour.
We plot our itineraries cleanly, from cheap accommodations, best tourist spots, how to get to each destinations, from point A to B to C and etc. We did checked where best to dine – Michelin star restaurants and sorts. We made sure we don’t miss nice spots when we get there. I made sure also my ootd is prepared as well. Aside from listed itineraries, I also have a list of things to bring and what to wear from day 1 and so.
I bought luggage also, and planning to buy some clothes on the country we visit. We will be traveling almost a month, and I don’t want to bring many clothes. We booked 20kgs baggage allowance. We even planned to do laundry if we run out of clothes to wear. We can always mixed and match ootds, specially when going to airport, buses.
We planned to exchange our local money to USD currency. Its lower value if you exchange from PHP to other country currency plus USD will be accepted in majority compare to PHP.
We did some research about the immigration. This is the scary part, specially to us as its our first time traveling abroad for leisure. And we have read some travel stories that the immigration officer decline them or off load them, despite they had all the requirements. Imagine if this will happen to you. It will be so heartbreaking, like you prepared everything, it cost a lot to book all these air tickets, accommodations, tour packages and in 1 snap from immigration officer, this will all be gone. So we searched some tips what and how to answer the immigration officer properly.
In our case, we choose a friendly looking officer at the immigration. There were some who looked so strict, we didn’t fall in line on that counter. We found a young and happy looking immigration officer, so we fall in line and when it’s my turn to be interviewed, I hand over my documents to him, he simply asked where I will be going. I answered directly, Singapore. He then asked where I will stay and how long I will be staying in Singapore. So he checked my itinerary and it’s a long list because it’s a multiple country, think he don’t have plan to read it all, so he granted me a go signal to proceed. I was so relieved. The key is, not to be nervous, that’s important. Because they can sense if you are nervous, it might looked like you are up to something or planning something that it’s not allowed. Show them your are confident and no reason to be nervous. Make sure to answer the questions directly and matched to the documents you hand over. You need to memorize the dates and hotels as much as possible, if it’s too many hotels you are staying, you can have a notes with you to help you answer properly. They will asked you when you plan to come back to Philippines, your answer must match your return ticket as much as possible.
Immigration Travel Document Requirements
- Passport – Must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of departure.
- Valid IDs to support passport if needed
- Visa. For ASEAN countries, VISA is not needed
- Confirmed return or round‑trip ticket
- Confirmed booking of accommodation
- Confirmed booking of tour activities (we select and booked via Klook)
- Travel Itineraries
- Bank Statement
Immigration Practical Tips
- Secure all the requirements required
- Dress up decently, not poorly (because they might check your financial capability by looks)
- If you have business in the Philippines, add the business permit as your supporting travel documents. It’s a good proof that you’ll come back to Philippines
- Don’t get nervous upon the interview
- Maintain composure. Be confident and know how and what to answer
- Have a short list at hand, (handy notes) of your flight details, accommodation details and it’s address
Practical Travel Tips
- Convert PHP money to USD while you are in the Philippines
- As much as possible, don’t withdraw money abroad, charges and fees are high
- Secure money in some places like your bra, shoes or the secret pocket in your clothes (Unfortunate events may happen)
- Get a sim card for the country you are visiting
- Get mobile data to searching routes, maps, places if doing DIY travel
- Install maps me app, navigator or Google Map
- Install Google translator
- Pack light or book for a bagage allowance ahead, not instantly from the airport
- Charger adaptor, their outlet is different from the Philippines
- Most countries are using MRT system, be sure to get a map
- Create your itineraries in advance
Thank you for reading! I have more travel articles to write. Stay tuned. Hope my guide will help you on your international travel.
