Category Archives: RTW Travel

A Little Time in Japan and Little Time in China

Japan will always be on the top of my travel list. June was spent traveling around the southern parts of Japan. Previous visits were short, but we now had the ability to spend as much time as we liked or could afford on the weak USD. We started in Osaka since a couple of friendsContinue reading “A Little Time in Japan and Little Time in China”

Acquiring Central Asian Visas in Tokyo

It’s been a long time (a few years actually) since I’ve written anything substantial in a blog post, so please forgive me as I get my ‘blog legs’ back in order. Oddly enough, this will start off with a case of deja vu from early 2008. Back then we were traveling around Laos and VietnamContinue reading “Acquiring Central Asian Visas in Tokyo”

General information for Central Asian visas in Tokyo

Keep the following tips in mind when getting visas here: Plan, Plan, Plan. Specifically the order that you will be traveling to these countries, the number of entries desired, etc. Central Asian visas are date specific (i.e. 1-Sept-2012 to 31-Oct-2012 for 1 entry with a maximum time in country of 30 days). Visas for theseContinue reading “General information for Central Asian visas in Tokyo”

Turkmenistan Visa in Beijing

Beijing is the only place in East Asia with a Turkmenistan consulate. The next closest one is in New Delhi or in the other ‘stans. For a tourist visa, a LOI from an approved Turkmenistan travel agency is needed. We used Ayan Travel who were able to arrange a LOI in 9 business days (they appliedContinue reading “Turkmenistan Visa in Beijing”

Tajikistan Visa in Tokyo with GBAO

The GBAO permit (to see the eastern half of the country and Pamirs) cost is included in the base visa cost, but you MUST ask for it separately (in person and in your processing cover letter). If you don’t have a cover letter they will give you one to copy for the request at theContinue reading “Tajikistan Visa in Tokyo with GBAO”

Kyrgyzstan Visa in Tokyo

A Kyrgyzstan visa is very straight forward and simple to get in Tokyo. Cost for Americans: ¥8000 JPY for a 30 day single entry tourist visa, payable by wire transfer (ATM) with receipt due at pickup time. NOTE: The consul will tell you that you don’t need a Kyrgyz visa if you have a multi-entryContinue reading “Kyrgyzstan Visa in Tokyo”

Uzbekistan Visa in Tokyo

The Uzbek consulate in Tokyo unfortunately does not have a usable website (in Japanese, let alone English). You have to fill out your information at the website below, print it out, and give it to the consulate. Make sure that you mark Tokyo as the place of visa issuance. Under Occupation ‘Representatives of business groupsContinue reading “Uzbekistan Visa in Tokyo”

Kazakstan Visa in Tokyo

The consulate will keep the original passport for entire length of time (drop off Monday and pick up the following Monday afternoon at 15:00). Cost for Americans: $30 USD for 1 month single entry, $60 for 2 month double entry (30 days per entry max). Payable at time of pickup via wire transfer (ATM) receiptContinue reading “Kazakstan Visa in Tokyo”

Four Years and Seven Days Ago and I’m back in Shanghai

In the span of two long days we packed and stored our NYC life, grabbed a direct 14 hour flight from EWR to PVG, and checked into our new temporary home in the former French Concession (FFC) in downtown Shanghai. We chose Shanghai because we are familiar with the city and will be able toContinue reading “Four Years and Seven Days Ago and I’m back in Shanghai”

Travel Life: An intrepid unintentionally picky eater

Have a weak stomach and can’t leave home without popping a few Tums Tablets?  That’s me but I don’t let it get in the way of my wanderlust Fresh fruit juices, grilled kebab, ice cream, “healthy” green salad, drinks with ice cubes and the list goes on.  These are just a few things that IContinue reading “Travel Life: An intrepid unintentionally picky eater”

Iran: What to pack ladies and what to tell the man to wear

What to pack What men and women wear when visiting an Islamic ruled country like Iran is something most travelers should take time to study.  Men travelling to Iran should not plan on wearing shorts or short pants in Iran no matter what the temperatures are like.  It used to be against the law for men to wearContinue reading “Iran: What to pack ladies and what to tell the man to wear”