The Malaysian Government has decided to discontinue the “Visa on Arrival” or VOA as it is popularly called effective from 16th August, 2010.
VOA scheme was offered to a select group of countries, of which India was a part, in which, Malaysian Immigration would grant 7-15 days visa at the port of entry into Malaysia, whether by Air, Ship or Land, irrespective of mode of travel.
Now all travelers planning to enter Malaysia for tourism or otherwise will now have to ensure that they have proper entry permits while planning the trip.
However, …

Some of you are aware that I am going on a 48 days solo backpacking trip to 2 countries…. Two countries where language will be a big barrier. And I am going totally unprepared. A few months back I had booked just the to & fro air tickets and did nothing else after that.
And the time has come now.
After a few days in first country, I will be heading towards neighbouring country overland. This is interesting. Flying into any of the city there can get you a 30 day tourist …

Yes, What a relief !!
This week old news was held back in order to have an uninterrupted story on Amritsar trip. The news has come as a big relief to millions of travelers to Switzerland who want to combine it with rest of the Europe.
Yes, now the Schengen visa will give you access to this beautiful country as well.
If you do not know anything about Schengen treaty, read here.
It is basically an agreement among 24 European countries, also known as Schengen countries, to keep open borders for tourists and till …

How will you feel or react when in an unknown country all of a sudden you are singled out and with no fault of yours, asked to leave it ASAP. Seriously, when the local police speaking in a foreign language (to you, not to them silly ! ), looking at your passport which has a valid visa, discuss your deportation plan then I don’t think it’s a time to smile at them with fluttering eyelashes.
Also, I don’t think I am even remotely related to any elite group of Osama Bin …

So, at the lake we took a ferry. We had bought the day-pass for our travel; it is convenient because it can be used for travel on train, bus, tram and ferry within Switzerland. We need not buy any other ticket. The ferry was a huge one, I should call it a small ship. It had a drive-through for cars. People were taking their cars, scooters, even the bicycles along to go to other places. I was told it was a common practice. All the notices, instructions were in German …