posted by Jennie on Feb 2
Our second to the final post on our Hongkong vacation last December is our Peak Tram ride to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. The museum is located at one of the famous Asian tourist attractions, The Peak. The ride to The Peak alone was an adventure in itself.
our view from inside as the tram ascended the mountain
Before we went aboard The Peak Tram, we had to take the Star Ferry near Salisbury and Nathan Road from Kowloon to get to Madame Tussauds Hongkong. The ferry ride was the cheapest we took while we were in Hongkong. At HK$2 each and HK$1 child rate.
From the dock, we walked a block towards the bus station. The double-decker bus will be hard to miss. We took the bus to the Garden Road Peak Tram Terminus.
Bus Route No.15C
We had to wait awhile when we got to the bus stop. It was also hard to communicate with the driver since he did not speak English. He was pointing for us to go to another station. Good thing we stayed a bit and waited. Otherwise we would have missed our bus.
We paid HK$15 for the three of us. We did not have the exact amount and change was not provided. The fare was HK$4.20 each and cheaper still for kids.
The Peak Tram Return + Sky Terrace Tickets = HK$65 adult and HK$31 child
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posted by Jennie on Jan 24
On February 9, before dawn breaks, my boys and I are heading to Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga to witness the 17th Philippine International Hotair Balloon Fiesta. We intended to go the previous years but our busy schedules did not permit it. This time around we will make sure to squeeze this in, even if it means we have to work on our usual rest day. This year’s hot air balloon festival is happening on February 9 to 12, 2012.
Our homeschooler is looking forward to witness this 17th Philipppine International Hotair Balloon Festival. It will also serve as our next field trip as a homeschooling family. The closest he got to a hotair balloon was the one from Hongkong Science Museum, which he read a lot on. I can only imagine how he’d be so amazed with all those varied shapes and sizes of hotair balloons on February 9. Here’s praying that the weather will be perfect enough for all those flying contraptions to have a smashing time gliding across the skies.
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posted by Jennie on Jan 17
When we bought our tickets in December 2010 for our December 2011 travel, we really were eyeing to get a booking at Hongkong Disneyland Hotel. After months of trying to no avail, we thought, we’ll have to settle for another hotel since there were no more rooms available on our travel dates.
Traveling to Hongkong Disneyland, Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island from Kowloon was only a cab away. During that time, we still haven’t figured out just yet how to get around via mtr, so we took a cab. With a flag down of HK$20, we paid a total of HK$240 from West Hotel in Kowloon.
We saw this Hongkong Disneyland Directory before we headed to the ticket booth and figured it can’t be that hard.
We bought our train tickets right there so we won’t have to line up later that day on our way home.
Hongkong Disneyland Tickets are sold for HK$399 for General Admission and HK$285 for kids aged 3-11. We paid a total of HK$1,083 for our Hongkong Disneyland Tour. One day was not enough. We had to call it a day around 7pm because we were pretty tired from all the walking. Hongkong Disneyland is too huge a place to tour in just a day. We missed a handful of rides. This is probably why there was an option to buy a 2-day ticket. 2-Day Tickets are valid on any 2 days within a 7-day period, except some designated days.
photo op in front of the majestic Mickey Mouse mansion before the jump.
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posted by Jennie on Jan 9
No, we did not do a yearender post last month and yes, I’m on to continue with a few more posts on our Hongkong travel. Particularly the fun, fun time we had at the Hongkong Science Museum. Gone are the days when I felt compelled to blog and had our sites pressure me from updating. Yes, even an inanimate object can do just that. It was essentially because blogging was a source of our family income. Now that I’m getting to it at my own sweet pace, we could not be more grateful. It’s way chill to afford do this now and not have my sites pull me away from the very things, or people for that matter, that really count.
As soon as we got settled at our sanctuary in Kowloon, we figured we still had time to visit the Hongkong Science Museum. So off we went. From the hotel, we took a cab to the museum. The fare was around HK$30.
Tickets were at HK$25 each for adults and half the price for children, HK$12.50
We were welcomed by floors upon floors of exhibits and contraptions such as these! Totally a geek’s paradise! My son was in awe as he went from one contraption to the next. The fascination was all over his face as he saw the very things he’s been reading about in his Science Library at home. A whole day is not enough to thoroughly enjoy each and every exhibit. It was funny how we went from agreeing to have to leave the place already out of exhaustion but finding ourselves tinkering with yet another contraption. For sure, it was not just our 6 year old who got hooked in Hongkong Science Museum. It was a place, even us adults (the hubby and me), will never get enough of.
Allow us to share a few more photos:
Our son is working on the proper direction of the batteries to make the appliance work.
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posted by Jennie on Dec 15
We booked our stay at West Hotel in Kowloon, Hongkong via Agoda.com a few months after we booked our plane tickets. With all our previous bookings with Agoda, I can pretty much vouch to this day that all were hassle free. A week before we flew to Hongkong, I emailed West Hotel to confirm our booking. I would usually call overseas to confirm but tried emailing this time around. They were pretty prompt with their correspondence. I got a reply within 24 hours with our hotel confirmation number.
West Hotel has courteous and accommodating staff. We have no complaints. We were hoping to book a room in Disneyland Hotel but unfortunately, there was no available room for our travel dates. It took quite a while before we settled with West Hotel. There were a few reviews of West Hotel that mentioned that rooms were too small even for Hongkong standard. But I’ll get to that shortly.
We arrived a little too early for West Hotel’s usual check in time, which is 2:00 P.M. When we got there around 10 in the morning, the staff offered to keep our bags as we wait for our room to be available. We had the bags deposited and they placed them behind the reception counter. I asked if there’s anything I need to show to claim the bags, hoping she’d hand me a claim tag or something. But I was just told that all I need to show is my passport to claim our bags later.
We left it at that, but I did hope somehow that they at least give us a piece of paper that proves that we left this number of bags with them. I guess that’s more of Filipino mentality in me. Since we know for a fact that it’s generally not safe to do that back home. Happy to report that we claimed our bags hassle free. There are hotels aplenty all over Kowloon, I’d say West Hotel is in middle of the pack. I think one of the best things about West Hotel are the handful of good restaurants around it.
Dimsum place at Wai Ching Corner Jordan Streets
While waiting, we figured we’ll have our brunch at this dimsum place around the corner. It was the first dimsum place we saw and checked out. It also was the cheapest that we’ve been to during our stay in Kowloon, Hongkong. I love their Rice Sheet Roll w/ Shrimp the best! I’ve had it in other restaurants during our stay with pricier tags but theirs is the best, by my tastebud’s standards. I can only wish I know what that restaurant is called.
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posted by Jennie on Dec 14
I figured I might as well post on our Hongkong getaway before the novelty wears off. We flew back a few days ago and I know if I put off blogging about this travel, I might just end up scratching it off like I did our previous Davao and Bohol trips.
Because I booked this Hongkong trip exactly a year ago, I totally forgot that we failed to have our intended date of coming back, which was originally set on Dec.9. It turned out, the only available date during that time was December 8.
It was only when we have boarded the plane and I was filling out these Hongkong Immigration forms which were handed out by the flight attendant that I saw the e-ticket and it reads December 8. Imagine my dismay! I immediately confessed as I showed the e-ticket to my dear hubby and he solved the problem in an instant. If it were not for December 8 being our official anniversary date, then it would have been okay for us to head back home to Manila. But husband sweetly solved the problem by assuring us that we can head on over to a hotel in Subic where we can extend our 10th anniversary celebration when we arrive DMIA on December 8. How can I not feel so blessed to have such a sweet husband?
My son and I at the plush Hongkong International Airport
Since it was my responsibility to take care of our flights and travel itineraries, I have somehow expected a slight show of disappointment on the husband’s face. He spared me that and instead assured me that this “unexpected” early flight back should not make our 10th anniversary less fun. I knew right there that it was going to be a a lovely 10th anniversary celebration! 
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posted by Jennie on Dec 3
The Malacañang Palace has recently released Proclamation No. 295 declaring the regular, non-working, and special holidays in the Philippines for the year 2012. As homeschoolers, we are essentially unaffected by this list. But we do have to take note of them anyway, for practical and obvious reasons.
A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day – January 1 (Sunday)
Maundy Thursday – April 5
Good Friday – April 6
Araw ng Kagitingan - April 9 (Monday)
Labor Day – May 1 (Tuesday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Tuesday)
National Heroes Day – August 27 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Friday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Tuesday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Sunday)
B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Chinese New Year – January 23 (Monday)
Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Tuesday)
All Saints Day – November 1 (Thursday)
Additional special (non-working) day- November 2 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Monday
C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Saturday)
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posted by Jennie on Dec 1
It sure is going to be an eventful two weeks for our family. Aside from the LA Galaxy Football Clinic that our son is going to attend this coming Friday and the friendly game of The Philippine Azkals vs. LA Galaxy, we are flying to Hongkong for our 10th anniversary celebration!
For those who have joined Marriage and Beyond’s 4th Anniversary Giveaway, please expect the winners to be announced a week after the contest. You have until 11:59PM, December 8, 2011 to join. 
Meanwhile, we’ve been told that there is a sudden dip of temperature in Hongkong.
Weather Forecast via Accuweather
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posted by Jennie on Oct 1
It has been a little over four months since our stay in Dumaluan Beach Resort in Bohol. A delayed post, I know. But better late than never. We were supposed to book in Bohol Beach Club but there were no available rooms for our travel dates. I have had friends recommend resorts in Alona Beach but we chose Dumaluan over all others essentially because it is a beach front resort. Most resorts in Alona will have you walk a block or two to get to the beach.
Dumaluan Beach Resort is also what our tour guide Tatsky recommended. Tatsky has very good reputation amongst my friends. A friend from church and a fellow blogger both availed of his services when they were in Bohol and only have good words for him. We are very satisfied too. Even if one of Tatsky’s cars had to be serviced, he made a way for us not to be inconvenienced. First day of tour we rode a van. Ideally, they use the vans for larger groups of people. Airport transfers via Tatsky is cheaper by a hundred bucks too.
I wish I can say we were as satisfied with Dumaluan Beach Resort‘s customer service. Right from the time that we arrived at around 11 A.M. Until the very last day we were there, Dumaluan was not able to redeem themselves when it came to customer service. As soon as we got there, reception was already having a discussion with an unsatisfied guest. When I handed them the voucher receipt for our booked room, I was told that the room is being prepped and should be ready in an hour. Since it was lunch time, we decided to head over the restaurant. After lunch, we waited another hour or more. While I understand that check-in time was at 2PM, they were the ones who told us that the room should be ready “soon,” an hour to be exact, as the lady told us. A total of three hours from the time we got to the resort to the time we got in our room.
What Dumaluan Beach Resort lacks in customer service, their lovely beach front view tries to make up for. Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Jennie on Sep 20
When my husband and I decided on a whiff to celebrate his 36th birthday at The Boutique Bed & Breakfast in Tagaytay, we were talking about about our cancelled Boracay vacation. We were then in the hospital room where our son was confined for Dengue.
The Boutique B&B was the one place we have been meaning to check out. But for some reason we end up in another Bed & Breakfast in Tagaytay whenever we go swing by. Our son was discharged from the hospital late afternoon on my husband’s birthday. Because my man’s birthday is worth celebrating, I made arrangements as we waited for our clearance from the hospital. We also got our son’s doctor’s approval that it is safe for him to travel. We did realize that it was going to be night time when we arrive Tagaytay but decided to press on even if our B&B stay will not be maximized. This day of celebration was it! We headed home, packed the bags real quick and drove straight to Tagaytay.
The lobby feels of a classic European design, with a quintessential chandelier and a couple of unique box couches.
From the receptionist when I called earlier that day to the staff who accommodated us upon walk in, to the chef who served us our dinner that night and later served us a cake to celebrate Jeff’s birthday, we were very pleased with how they all treated us through and through.
We were led to this quaint powder room as soon as we checked in where we got to choose the scents that we want from The Boutique’s very own “Pamper Me” collection. We chose the scents for our bath soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotion and room scent. Being a scent person, this totally won me over. And we have not settled in our room just yet!
Our basket of scents
My boys chose Apricot soap and I, Lavender. Lavender for the room scent too, Milk & Honey for Shampoo and Conditioner and Aloe Vera lotion
When I called earlier that day I was told that the “i dream” room is not booked. But we chose the “i desire” room when we walked in because we were told that there is no booking scheduled the next day for this room. This means we can extend our stay an hour longer for free. Before we finalized our room of choice, we got to check out the respective spaces. The only difference of the “i dream” room and the “i desire” room is the wall color. Chocolate for the “i dream” and white for the “i desire” room.
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posted by Jennie on Sep 15
My husband and I went to check out the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart last September 2 held at SMX in Mall of Asia. We hoped to find similar travel promos like the tickets we scored during the the 21st Philippine Travel Mart held in Megatrade Hall in Megamall. We were then able to buy 16 AirPhil Express tickets which we used for our trips to Davao (with Jeff’s relatives) and Bohol last May. All for P270 (approx. $6) each, roundtrip.
Since most airline companies during the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart only offered promos for travel periods until end of the year, we really did not take interest anymore. We have plotted our family’s travel plans for the whole year as early as first quarter of this year. The last of which will be to Hongkong for our 10th wedding anniversary trip.
We were supposed to fly to Boracay last September 5 to celebrate Jeff’s 36th birthday. It was cancelled because our little guy was hospitalized for Dengue. Thank God that the loss for that trip was not so much for us. The tickets for Boracay that we bought only cost a total of P1,400 for the three of us (roundtrip). The perks of booking when airline companies offer their promos! We’re cheap this way. We really would rather spend for the island tours, pasalubong shopping, food and exploring the locale. As for the accommodation, it was the prize that I won last year from one of last year’s Philippine Travel Mart vendors.
We bought Zest Air tickets during the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart. We saved half of the regular fare. We tried booking online the previous week and the regular price for our travel dates costs more than ten grand for two tickets. We thought to wait it out and check out with the PTM. Good thing because it was an instant five grand plus savings!
It was our first time to travel via Zest Air. Our flight was rather early, slated at 4AM. Zest Air has limited schedule. Either we fly very early or after lunch. Thinking we will be able to accomplish with our business if we go early, we chose the earliest trip. We drove to Manila International Airport at 1:30AM. It was convenient that there was a parking area right smack across the airport and the fee was only P50 per day.
Manila International Airport Boarding Area
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posted by Jennie on Sep 12
It’s a little past 6AM. Jeff and I are already settled here at an apartelle in Davao City. We tried booking via Agoda.com a few hours before we drove to Manila International Airport. But because we figured the PayPal exchange rate will have us end up paying more than if we just walked in, we decided to just go the same place we stayed in here last May.
We flew via Zest Air for the first time today. Our first would have been last week to Boracay if our trip pushed through. Admittedly, with all the bad publicity Zest Air has managed to collect, I can’t say I was very confident as I stepped in their aircraft. But given that our flight must be the first for the day, our flight wasn’t delayed. Yay! Jeff and I slept through its take off too, another plus point for Zest Air. But the touch down was a different story altogether. Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Jennie on Mar 9
When I received an invitation from Eurotel last week to an all expense paid trip to Baguio in time to catch the last days of the celebrated Panagbenga Festival, I knew it was just the break that I needed. It was my first time to travel away from home without the hubby. I was a bit hesitant at first, but with my husband’s approval, I figured it was the perfect getaway a homeschooling/work from home mom could really make use of. It was a healthy time out for me, away from my crazy busy schedule back on the home front.
I love that I was able to experience Flower Festival for the first time! We were there the last couple of days of Penagbenga and the crowd was still thick. It was fun to see lovely floral masterpieces such as this along Session Road.
This Baguio tour by Eurotel was exceptionally special. We were not just housed in very comfortable and homey rooms, the Eurotel Staff were beautiful people as well. My sincerest thanks to Ivan, Joseph and Ana who made sure we’re stuffed with treats and all out pampering. All eight of us bloggers, Iris of Pinayads.com, Jen of SexyNomad.com, Claire of LakwatseraDePrimera.com, Gay of PinayTravelJunkie.com, Montsch of Yipeemedia.com, Melo of OutofTownBlog.com, Jonel of LetsGoSago.net and me thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
My roomie, Claire and I were given the Euro Suite 1 room. A classy and decent room with Leaning Tower of Pisa on its wall. A Euro Suite 1 room has a queen-sized bed, hair dryer, hot/cold water / bathtub / shower, 24 hrs. cable TV movie channels, air-conditioned, safety deposit box, free Wifi and buffet breakfast. They used the right slipcovers that made the room really cozy. Rate for this room is P2,900, which is pretty affordable, if you will ask me. I will make sure to bring my boys here on our next trip to the Summer capital.
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posted by Jennie on Mar 5
Hello our lovely readers! Yes, all 8 of you. I’m blogging from the Pines City, specifically in my cozy Euro Suite Room in Eurotel Hotel, who I am sharing with my beautiful travel blogger roomie – Claire. Got here around lunch time with eight other bloggers, sponsored by Eurotel Hotel.
I am loving it here so far. What makes it more fun is that we’re here just in time to catch the last few days of the celebrated Panagbenga Festival. Although we come visit practically every year, this is actually the first time I was able to visit during the Flower Festival.
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posted by Jennie on Feb 4
When my husband and I bought our plane tickets to Davao and Bohol on September last year via the Philippine Travel Mart in Megatrade Hall in Megamall, we knew we also will check out the 18th Philippine Travel Tour Expo slated on February 18 to 20, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center Halls 1-4, Mall of Asia Pasay City.
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