Moscow 2019, Day 1 - Arbat Street

Located some 30 meters away from our hotel, is Arbat Street.

The Arbat is one of the oldest surviving streets in Moscow. There are many historic buildings, and due to the numerous artists who have lived and worked in the street, the Arbat has also become a tourist attraction. It's more or less a kilometer long.

There are many notable restaurants and cafes like Starbucks, Shake Shack, Dunkin Donuts and of course lots of souvernir shops ! When buying souvernir items, try to go around several shops and check out the prices for you to get an idea. Then go back to the shop you like and get your item

You can spend an hour here afterwhich you can take subway at Smolenskaya Station going to Red Square.

DIY How to get a Russian tourist visa for Filipinos in Manila

Information herein are based on my DIY application for tourist visa.

Applying for a Russian tourist visa for Filipino citizen in Manila is quite easy and has the shortest list of requirements ( in order).

1- Passport

2-Travel / Hotel Voucher
3-Confirmed Return Plane Tickets
4- Passport  Photo
5-Russian Application Form



Important to Know:

Be attentive and careful in filling up the online application form. The dates in the travel/hotel voucher, plane ticket and application form should all be the same.



1- Passport
should be valid for 6 months beyond your intended travel date

2- Travel Voucher/ Hotel Voucher
Prior to filling  up the Russian application form online, you need to have your travel/ hotel voucher ready at hand. You will need the voucher number when filling up the form. Since we will go to Moscow & St.Petersburg, I got two hotel vouchers -one accommodation in Moscow and the other accommodation in St Petersburg. I emailed two hotels and enquired if they are issuing hotel vouchers. They confirmed that they can issue vouchers just book directly on their website and provide them the booking reservation reference. They emailed back with the forms to be filled up and upon filling  and returning them, they issued the hotel vouchers. The hotel  also provided the information needed for the visa application form. Ensure that the information on the voucher are correct i.e. accommodation date, passport number, name

Important : hotel accommodation period should match your plane ticket dates.

3- Confirmed Return Plane tickets
I went to a well known local travel agency and requested for a confirmed flight booking. The travel agency will assist you on this as they have experience on Russian visa requirement.

4-Passport Picture- 3.5x4.5cm  taken no longer than 6 months prior to the application submission; Photo must be in neutral expression. no smiling or teeth showing

5- Russian Application Form
Now you're ready to fill up and file your application form online
go to the Russian Embassy website:
  https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

a. Select your Philippines and English
b. Check box " I have read this information
c. Click Complete New Application form
d. take note of the application ID on the upper right hand of the electronic form
e. fill in your password and submit
f. start filling up the required information
 - note:  name of organization is your hotel name
Please make sure that the dates on the application form is the same with the dates indicated on your hotel Voucher

(Note: you can save a draft of your application by clicking “Save Draft” and access it at a later time.  If you make a pause of more than 20 minutes, your session will time out and you may have to start the process from the start — so ensure to save your form from time to time. The application form will only be stored for 30 days from the moment you have first saved it)

g. Print the form, paste a passport size photo
h. Sign the form and put the date

Submission of application  to Russian Embassy Consular Division as well as releasing of documents
Monday and Wednesday 10am to 2pm
Processing time: the consul will indicate the date of release, normally 1 week
Application fee: deposit to Union Bank, choose if regular or fast processing
Address:
Room 402 , 4F RCI Building, 105 Rada St. Legazpi Village, Makati MM



Validity of the Russian Visa:
I got my visa a week later and it was valid from the date I would arrive in Moscow up to the date of departing from St. Petersburg. Unlike other embassies which give you up to 3 months validity, Russia visa validity is limited. I heard from among the travel agent representatives waiting  that Russia visa validity is very exact and will be according to the period of your stay in Russia .

Though not required, I recommend getting a travel insurance to cover for any eventualities during your trip.

DIY visa filing is fun , doable and saves you some travel agency fees. But of course, you can course thru a travel agency should you have no time or circumstance does not allow you to do so.

Note: This information is as of August 2019.

A Day Trip to Kamakura - Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Another shrine worth visiting in Kamakura is Hachimangu Shrine. The shrine is dedicated to the patron god of Minamoto family and of the samurai , Hachiman.

The shrine can be reached in two ways - one via Komachi-dori street- a shopping street and the other via Dankazura, a pedestrian path in the center of Wakamiya Oji Street. This path is lined with hundreds of sakura trees.

The a big red torii marks the entrance of the shrine.

There are two ponds and a garden.

The main hall sits a top of a wide stairway.At the base of the stairway stands the Maiden a stage for dance and musical performances.

There are food stall along the wide approach.

Dankazura- pathway lined with sakuras on both sides

Entrance: free; museum has small fee
Open 5am to 9pm

How to get to Hachimangu Shrine
15 minute walk from Kamakura station East Exit, passing through Komachi-dori street; turn right at the end of the shopping street and walk towards the huge torii gate.

You can get here after going to  Hasedera Temple and  Great Buddha

A Day Trip to Kamakura - Great Buddha

One of the must visits when in Kamakura is the bronze statue of Great Buddha in the temple of Kotokuin. The statue is standing in an open air as the temple buildings surrounding it were destroyed by typhoons and tsunami in the 14th and 15th century. It is walking distance from Hase station. There are lots of stores before reaching the temple grounds. It is a nice walk as you pass by  ice cream stores, eateries, souvenir shops. Just follow the crowd and the poster of Daibutsu and you will reach the temple.

How to get to Great Buddha

from Kamakura station, take Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden for short) bound for Fujisawa;  3 stops to Hase Station; temple is 10 minute walk from Hase station

 


Entrance fee: Y200 / adult

Before going to Kotokuin you can visit Hasedera Temple; you may click the link for some information
Hasedera temple