Morocco-Spain On Budget (No so budget)

Date: 19.4.16

I made up my mind and deposit RM500 of my booking to travel more pay less (tmpl) backpacker group without hesitation.

A few hours later, i was accepted and invited into the Group Whatsapp.

All in as at yesterday: 3 male, 5 female.

All of us come from different background but maybe some have known each other for sometime.


Date 20.4.16

Received 1st itinerary from http://tmplbackpackers.my/

One day early for flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1st day:Arrival at Marrakech, Morocco
2nd day: Marrakech, Morocco
3rd day: Marrakesh to Sahara
4th day: Sahara
5th day: Sahara - Marrakesh - Casablanca - Tangier
6th day: Algeciras, Gibraltar, Spain
7th day: Gibraltar
8th day: Gibraltar - Granada
9th day: Granada
10th day: Granada - Seville
11th day: Huelva day trip (zipline crossborder)
12th day: Seville - Cordoba
13th day: Cordoba
14th day: Cordoba - Madrid
15th day: Madrid (end tour)
Flight on the 15th day or 1 day later

Attraction:
1- 3d2n sahara: include in the trip
2- Gibraltar day trip: GBP25 (not included)
3- Zipline border Spain - Portugal: Euro 15 (not included)
Transportation: Euro 10-15
4- Entrance ke Alhambra,Granada (Online booking) EURO14 , garden EURO 7
5- Seville entrance, cathedral = EUR9, Alcazar= EUR9.50
6- Cordoba Mosque entrance: EUR8; Madinat Al Zahra: EUR1.5


Backpack package includes:

Transportation:
1- Night train from Marrakech to Tangier
2- Ferry from Tangier to Tarifa
3-Bus from Tarifa to Algeciras
4- Bus from Algeciras to Gibraltar
5- Train from Algeciras to Granada
6- Bus from Granada to Seville
7- Bus from Seville to Cordoba
8- Bus or Train from Cordoba to Madrid
9- Mostly intracity transport are covered except:

• From Airport to Accommodation
• From Train Station to Hostel
• From Bus Station to Hostel 

(Average intra city cost around 3-7 EURO / walking / day pass)

As advised by leader:

1- Food: EURO 10 per day

2- Transport: EURO 10 per day

3- Souvenir: EURO 100 

Book: Jejak Ketamadunan dalam Al-Quran

2 May 2016: 
I paid my 2nd installment of RM2,000 (Total: RM2,500).

Early June 2016:
Bought the flight ticket for multi city
KL - Lisbon - Madrid - KL
Both transit in Heathrow, London
Price: RM3,084 (all in) with 787-9 Dreamliner Airline

June 2016
Bought travel insurance for RM105 only.
AXA insurance was rating above 8 with a very comprehensive coverage.

Guide to buy Cathedral of Seville Ticket

Tickets to the Cathedral of Seville

Timetable for visits:

El Timetables of theCatedral es:
Winter: Monday-Saturday from 11.00 - 17.00h.; Sundays and Religious Festives from 14.30h. - 18.00h.
Summer: Monday-Saturday from 09.30 - 16.00h.; Sundays and Religious Festives from 14.30h. - 18.00h.
Note: Its important to be aware of timetables so they don’t coincide with religious services.

You can buy the tickets at the booking’s office on the day of the visit to the monument.

Prices

Without Guided tour: they have a price of 8,00 € per person.

Tickets for children up to 16 years, 3,00 € per person

The entry for pensioners, unemployed and disabled is free.

Guide to buy Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba Ticket

credit to: http://www.mezquitadecordoba.org/en/ticket-sale-mosque-cordoba.asp

Tickets to the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba

Box Office Schedule

Timetable for Visits: Monday – Saturday from 10:00 – 18:00 h.; Sunday and Religious Festives from 9:00 – 10:30 and from 14:00 – 18:00 h. Note: Its important to be aware of timetables so they don't coincide with religious services.

You can buy the tickets at the booking's office on the day of the visit to the monument.

Without Guided Visit: 8 € per person. Children between 10-14 years old: 4 € and children under 10 years old: Free entrance.

Guide to buy Alhambra Ticket

Credit to: www.ticketmonumen.com

Buy Alhambra tickets (without guided tour)

British Airways Customer Service

I did a review on Iberia and KLM but end up buying from British Airways. Got some problem while purchasing that ticket which the tix does not arrive in my email after 24 hours. so i decided to call the customer services and query bout my tix.

after one attempt and a few minutes of waiting, somebody pick up the phone call. she does not sound local but i just give a try. after confirming my transaction and my CC number, the lady said that BA will process it and it will take another 24 hours. perhaps, because, of the time lapse, 2 different continent with different timing and local card that i was using.

The next day, as promised, i got my ticket email to me. yeah!! settled one issue.

now, i am preparing for visa application and renewal of my passport.

basically, the international airlines have more friendly and quick response to customer queries even though, BA does not encourage social media interaction (tried to complaint through FB but it was blocked). Luckily, they pick up the phone call. Wont happened with Air Asia but MAS got their customer service on phone. Easy.

KLM Airline Customer Service

This one is from the Dutch Airline. I never fly with them. but i hope that i'll be given a chance by the Almighty to fly with this airlines. They also respond to my queries very fast and very detail. Love their customer service.

Hello KLM Airline. I plan to fly with KLM from Kuala Lumpur to Lisbon. And there will be a layover of about 12 hours at the airport (Amsterdam). I'm wondering;

1- can i left the airport within than 12 hours

2- do i need a transit visa for that

3- should i pick up my check in bag? and if yes, when i can re-check in

4- do i need to get any additional documents when i re-connect the flight from amsterdam to lisbon

hope you can help

Thank you

Fara of Malaysia

KLM

Hello Fara,

Thank you for reaching out to us here. You've come to the right spot for all your questions. Let's have a look at the answers, numbered down like your questions:

1- can i left the airport within than 12 hours You are most welcome to leave the airport during your 12 hour lay over to visit the beautiful city of Amsterdam. Please do make sure that you have the correct travel documents to leave the airport and please make sure to be back at the airport at least 2 hours before the departure of your connecting flight to Lisbon.

2- do i need a transit visa for that We recommend you to contact your embassy/consulate to check the required travel documents for your trip with them. Alternatively you can check by filling out the form on our website> http://klmf.ly/1iu40jN

3- should i pick up my check in bag? and if yes, when i can re-check in When your lay over is 12 hours or longer, you will have to collect your baggage during your transfer in Amsterdam. More information about baggage and transferring can be found through this link> http://klmf.ly/1iG1aup If you collect your baggage in Amsterdam, you can check it back in again from 05:00h in the morning on your day of departure, up to 40 minutes before departure of your flight to Lisbon. We do recommend to be back at the airport at least 2 hours before departure. You can also ask for your baggage to be labelled through to Lisbon, so you don't have to collect it during your transfer. Please note that this option is up to the check-in agent at the airport, so we can't guarantee this is possible.

4- do i need to get any additional documents when i re-connect the flight from amsterdam to lisbon For your last flight from Amsterdam to Lisbon, you will need your passport and boarding pass. The boarding pass can be collected when you check-in again, or at the transfer desk at Schiphol airport.

We hope to have answered all your questions. In case questions remain unanswered, you know where to find us.

Do not hesitate to let us know if you require assistance during the booking process.

Kind regards, KLM Facebook Team

Iberia Airlines Customer Service

I'm doing a lot of research lately to plan for my Europe/African travel. One of the airlines that i might be considered for this trip is the Iberia Airlines.

What i like about this airline is on how they respond to my query through facebook, very very fast. just a few minute after i throw them that message.

See, what is their response as a our future reference:

Chat conversation start SUN 12:26 Hi Iberia Airline. I plan to travel from Madrid to Lisbon using your flight. May i know, can i carry a 60L backpack as a hand carry into the flight as well as a shoulder purse. Thank you

Hello Fara,
As long as your backpack does not exceed the luggage limitations (http://bit.ly/1gF5wPm) you should be able to take it with you and in addition a personal item. Remember your backpack will count as your carry-on luggage.
Regards

See, nice right.

World Visa Requirement For Malaysian

World Visa Requirement For Malaysia

Clothing For Sahara Desert Trip

http://www.travelandtrek.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Travel-and-Trek-Clothing-and-Equipment-list-morocco-sahara-desert.pdf

Budget to USA

As at 17.4.16

Just rough budget, so i can be prepared and start savings from now:

1- Flight ticket = RM2500 - RM4000 (return) Saudi Airline (RM2500 Sep 2016)

2- Visa = RM640

3- Hostels / Accommodation = 10 nights x RM200 = RM2000

4- Flight / Bus / Train Fares :

• New york - BUffalo (Niagara)  = USD50 (RM200)
• 
  
• Buffalo - new york = USD55 (RM220)
• 
  
• @ Buffalo - Washington by flight = RM300-RM400
• 
  
• new york - washington = USD25 (RM100)
• 
  
• washington - las vegas = RM800
• 
  
• las vegas to grand canyon (flagstaff, arizona) by train/bus = RM300-RM600 (return)
• 
  
• las vegas to los angelas (california) = bus RM80
• 
  
• (disneyland train = RM100 return)
• 
  
• los angelas to san francisco = RM100
• 
  
• san francisco to new york = flight = RM700-RM1000
• 
  
• local subway = RM500

                     =========
Total item 4 = RM4000


5- Place of Interest Tix:
1- Grand Canyon: USD15
2- Universal Studio Orlando / Hollywood = USD105
3- Disneyland = USD120
4- niagara fall = admission free, cruise (USD 20) and attraction chargeable.
5- Route 66 = bus trip

Total item 5 = RM1200

6 - Foods = RM1000

arab food = USD5-10 each
seafood = USD15-30

7 - Souvenirs = RM1000

8 - Shopping = RM3000

9 - Emergency = RM1000

10 - Insurance = RM100

Grand Total = RM19,000 - RM20,000



Reference blog:

http://rajaazrul.blogspot.my/2015/02/jalan-jalan-new-york-washington-dc.html

https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

http://www.mta.info/

http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/how-is-the-weather-in-new-york-in-september/

http://www.rome2rio.com

http://www.gotobus.com

http://www.route66guide.com/route66-trip-planning.html

Visa to USA

At last, at 6 pm today, i completed all those office assignment and now, m ready to rock (browsing internet and plan for future travel).

Since USA also is one of the dream in my bucket list, i decided to compile all necessary info and link it in my blog for my future reference.

for VISA you can click below link

http://www.usatraveldocs.com/

will read further and highlight the pertinent points.

Ta...

Budget for Morocco-Spain-Portugal

updated on 17/4/16

Since i have to work over the weekend and working late for the past few weeks, i decided to reward myself with a budget plan for one of my dream trip, Morocco-Spain-Portugal.

Of course, the ultimate dream is New York but i guess i wait until the VISA exempted being approved by USA government. plus, the tix is not cheap. almost 4k. which i am sure, i need a long break to make sure the trip worth every single cents.

Ok. back to the topic.

Rough Budget
==========

KL - Casablanca: Flight (Saudi Airline) = return tix = RM1400, one way (1100)

Lisbon to Casablanca (Ali Italia) : RM600 (one way)

Visa = One entry RM90, Double entry RM110

Hostels = RM100 per night x 10 nights = RM1000

Bus / Train Fare / domestic flight = portugal + spain (RM1000), morocco (RM500)

Ferry Fare = RM250 (one way)

Food = RM100 x 10 days = RM1,200

Souvenir = RM1000

Pocket money = RM1000

Total about = RM8000


Pre - travel cost:
============

1- Luggage / Backpack = RM200

2- Medicine = RM100

3- shoes = RM200

4- shirts / pants = RM500

5- handphone = RM500

6 - insurance  www.gobear.com.my = RM100

7- renew passport = RM200

Credit to: http://www.ltp.com.my/

while thinking about morocco the whole day. i found this and save it in my blog.

Morocco Visa Application

  MOROCCO VISA APPLICATION

Malaysian Passport Holders visiting Morocco require a Visa.  Requirements for the Visa Application as as follows:-

1. 2 Passport Size Color Photos

2. Original Passport Valid for at Least 6 months 

3. Photocopy of Passport - 1st. Page

4. Photocopy of Identity Card

5. Employer's Letter ( Stating Reason Travelling to Morocco )

6. Invitation Letter from Morocco for Official or Business Purpose

7. Flight Itinerary or Flight Ticket ( Showing Date of Arrival into Morocco )

8. 1 Copy Visa Form 

9. All unemployed applicants are requested to write formal letter stating reason and duration of stay in Morocco.

10. Applicants must go personally to apply for a visa

11. Visa Fees are to be paid in Cash Only

12. Visa Procee take 5 working days.

FEES

Single Entry          : RM  77.00

Double Entry         : RM 110.00

SUBMISSION

Day                        : Monday to Friday

Time                      : 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Collection              : 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.