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

For starters, The Peak Tram is actually a cable-hauled two-rail funicular railway. The ride alone was an experience in itself. The little guy was so thrilled during the 8 minute ride ascending the mountain. Nevermind if the crowd was overwhelming when we came. It also helped that it was Winter weather in Hongkong during our visit.

While waiting for our turn to ride The Peak Tram, we had a peek of  The Peak Tram’s Historical Gallery, which was like a time tunnel with more than 200 memorabilia. Taking use back to Hong Kong in the 19th and 21st century. The first day of commercial operation on May 30th, 1888, attracted 600 passengers. The tram has been in operation for over one hundred years. And to date, no accidents have ever occurred. That’s a major relief for me even as the tram ascended in an angle that ceased to be comfortable.

The wait for the Peak Tram ride was maximized while we were in line as my homeschooler and I went through the exhibit that looks like straight from an industrial supply company. Complete with history and all the trivia that came with it. Another of which is that the funicular system has two trams that are currently in operation. These trams balance each other, as the other travels up, the other tram moves down. Our little guy who wanted to be a train engineer once upon a time. Three years ago to be exact, when he was very much into Thomas and His Friends complete with British accent. Haha!  Since we were not able to roam around much at the Victoria Peak (it was too cold when we were at the Sky Terrace), we are hoping to take the Peak Tram ride again the next time we go to Hongkong.

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.

Transport and trainer planes, ultra-light aircraft and helicopters, some of which will be conducting a series of fly-bys  are joining the colorful and uniquely designed hot air balloons that will be dominating the skies of Central Luzon. All for the spectators delight. This year’s major attraction will be a US Air Force F-16 doing flight demonstrations. Captain Meynard Halili will spear head the thrilling aerobatics show that will also be staged by ace pilots from the foreign countries.

special shaped hot air balloons from previous year

We’re especially thrilled to witness the special-shaped hot air balloons, which include a car-shaped cutie from Germany, a daisy flower, ice cream cone, and a birthday cake from the United States, “Iwi the Kiwi” from New Zealand and several other regularly shaped huge “flying bubbles” will take the center stage of the festivities.

The 17th Philippine International Hotair Balloon Fiesta sponsors include Caltex, Hotdog on Sticks, Rudy Project, SM City Clark, Global Gateaway Logistics Corp., UPS, Krukspec, Isuzu Philippines, Crayola, Sunkist, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ROX Recreational Outdoor Exchange, Yellow Cab Pizza, Close Up, Alveoland, Department of Tourism, Fontana and Air Asia.

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga
Tel. (02) 384.0085
Website: www.philballoonfest.net

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.

Hongkong Disneyland is the first place we went to in Hongkong where Chinese spoke good english and we did not have to use sign language to get our message across. I just realized that now. Just saying.

Our little guy attempting to drive the double decker Omnibus.

As photo heavy as this post already is, believe me when I say I haven’t even started yet. We prolly took a million thousand photos and some during that tour alone. This is also why it took me more than a month to do this post. The photos are overwhelmingly plenty that it’s hard to choose which ones to post.

The very first building we went in was the Opera House, which showcases Art Animations, Preview Gallery. Our little guy was in awe. He went from one exhibit to the next. Read excerpts and captions. He saw how the movies that he love are made.  He stared at these cars from the Cars movie for a bit before heading on the Toy Story Carousel.

Toy Story Carousel

Us three, armed with 3D glasses, waiting to get in to watch Mickey’s PhilharMagic Orchestra

Photo op with Tinkerbell

Jungle River Cruise

It was a good thing that we chose the middle seat inside the boat for the Jungle River Cruise. The people who got mostly sprayed on by the  ”animals” in the jungle were the ones seated at the sides of the boat.

a collage of the some of the photos we took during the Jungle River Cruise

Similar to Enchanted Kingdom’s Anchors Away is Hongkong Disneyland’s RC Racer

which of course, only the hubby was brave enough to ride. Haha!  He’s that sole person on the far left with raised arms.

Toy Story Land

Photo op with Woody and Jessie of Toy Story

Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop

Because I don’t exactly fancy heights,  I had the boys do their thing up there as I take photos.  The Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin alone got me really dizzy and nauseated. I’d have to say though it is no fun waiting for so long. It was prolly more than a thirty minute wait for a couple minute ride.  That’s Disneyland for us, folks! Waiting in line for rides was what ate up a whole chunk of our time right there.  This is why a  2-day tour is really more practical if you want to experience the whole Disneyland ride.

For some reason, my husband managed to drag us to line up for the Space Mountain ride! By the time we saw the warning about sharp turns and all that,  it was too late to back out. It was the craziest ride ever! I thought it was never going to end! Our 6 year old was crying at the end of the ride and got really mad at his father! While I was on the verge of throwing up when the ride was done.  Yes, I’m no fun at all when it comes to these kinds of rides. But then again, now that I survived Space Mountain, I think I can do it again on our next Disneyland visit.

Flights of Fantasy Parade

Our son’s favorite attraction is Autopia from Tomorrow Land.

And what do you know, my 6 year old drove for me for the first time! He had soooo much fun that he wanted to do it all over again. But that would mean we would have to line up again a good 45 minutes more. The line just swelled after our ride.  So next time it is.

Photo op with Buzz Lightyear taken before we rode the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster, which was also one of Jed’s favorites.  Lines were long too even for photo ops like this. So we only lined up to those that weren’t ridiculously long. So that meant, we had to pass up on Mickey and Minnie’s.

One more shot before we call it a day — at Tomorrowland.

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle

Hong Kong’s Sleeping Beauty Castle is a carbon copy of its sibling in the US, based on the late-19th century Neuschwanstein Castle. The rooftops of the Hong Kong’s castle use a dark shade of blue while the US uses a lighter blue shade so the US rooftops can be seen more ‘shiny’ because it causes the reflection of sunlight, the same thing happens to the pink walls, in Hong Kong, the castle looks more medieval because Hong Kong Disneyland’s castle uses more pink than the US, the accents and cornice of the Hong Kong castle is more’ white and pink’ while the US uses more golden accents, cornice and decorations so the US looks more fairytale while day time. The Hong Kong castle is surrounded by less trees than the US’s so fireworks view from the plaza to the castle in Hong Kong is wider while the other view was blocked by tall trees. (Source: Wikipedia)

Main Street

At the end of Main Street was this huge well-lit Christmas tree. And that’s where we had our last family photo in Hongkong Disneyland.

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our Hongkong Disneyland tour and we agreed to have a 2 day tour on our next visit, which won’t be very soon since we have plotted out our 2012 itineraries as early as December 2011. Our little guy is thrilled to gear up for his first winter vacation and said he’ll get some snowmobile goggles to get him ready. I’m kinda sorta having second thoughts about it. We left Hongkong at 10°C and I was extremely cold. I’m not sure how I’ll survive a negative degree temperature. But that aside, we are pretty excited to spend our 11th anniversary on our first winter.

Hongkong Disneyland
Address:  Park Promenade, Lantau Island,Hong Kong
Contact Nos. +86 852-1830830
Operating Hours: 10am-8pm Sunday to Thursday; Open until 11pm on Friday and Saturday
Directions: MTR Disneyland Resort Line – Disneyland Resort Station (transfer from Sunny Bay Station on Tung Chung Line)

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.

Our 6 year old on a forklift

Science News Corner

A driving simulation got our kiddo really thrilled. The stationary car gives the driver the instructions on what to do, how to avoid accidents and even how to save fuel.

Here’s the photo the hubby took while I was busy making bubbles! Fun!

Another driving simulation using a real, stationary car.

Tricky Triangles.  Jeff made use of this puzzle and a couple more from this department in our recent Ministry Leaders Retreat and Team Building.

Fooling around in the Concave Mirror Room

Mirror of Invisibility

Square Kaleidoscope

After roaming around the first two floors of the Hongkong Science Museum, we thought we could make use of some refueling at the Museum Coffee Corner, which is located at the Hongkong Museum of History, right smack across the Hongkong Science Museum Building.

We got for ourselves some potato and egg salad, pasta and potato wedges, iced tea and lemonade for HK$126. Ice on your drinks costs HK$2/cup. All of which were not spectacular and we hardly finished.   It might have been better if we walked a few more blocks and find ourselves a dimsum place to eat in instead.

We went right back to the Science Museum after our snack to roam an hour more. After a while, we got really tired from the lack of sleep, the flight and all the walking around we have done in all three floors of the grandiose of the Hongkong Science Museum. We missed quite a few more exhibition halls.  Despite not being able to visit every nook and cranny, we were pretty exhausted and are ready to call it a day in our Kowloon crib. Never mind if it’s nowhere near as pretty as the apartments in Boston. We were all too ready for slumberland!  We are totally going back for more the next time we visit Hongkong. What we love most about Hongkong Science Museum is that probably around 80% of the exhibits are participatory. Being able to make use of the maximum number of senses for every exhibit makes for a more involved experience. As homeschoolers, this is the most exciting field trip that we have done to date!

How to get to Hongkong Science Museum by MTR:
- Around 18-minute walk along Cameron Road from B2 Exit of Tsim Sha Tsui Station towards the direction of Tsim Sha Tsui East.
- Around 20-minute walk along Austin Road from D Exit of Jordan Station towards the direction of Tsim Sha Tsui East.
- Around 15-minute walk along the footbridge from Hung Hom MTR Station towards the direction of Tsim Sha Tsui East.

Hongkong Science Museum
Address: 2 Science Museum Road, Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel : 2732 3232
Fax : 2311 2248
Email : enquiries@hk.science.museum

Hongkong Science Museum’s Opening Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays : 1pm – 9pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays : 10am – 9pm

Closed on Thursdays (except Public Holidays) and the first two days of the Lunar New Year
Closed at 5pm on Christmas Eve and Lunar New Year’s Eve

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.

We’d always feel relieved whenever we see menu w/ English translation. Otherwise, we have no choice but to settle to pointing to pictures and some universal sign language. Not a lot of people in Hongkong can speak good English. We also made use of the little Hongkong pocket guide we have with us.

Fresh from the airport and ready for  an authentic dimsum brunch

Rice Sheet Roll with Shrimp, HK$14

We did not eat much for brunch since we were all looking forward to get settled in our room. For our first meal in Kowloon, we spent approximately HK$90. The cheapest of all our meals during our stay in Hongkong.

We headed to a nearby park after brunch and went right back to the hotel shortly after. We took a chance that there might be an available room to check us in early and there was!

13th, Non-Smoking Floor

I was pleased when I saw that West Hotel has a 13th floor. I would not have expected one in a Chinese country.  Coming from a country bombarded with silly superstitions, I was relieved to be in a hotel with predominant Chinese population that obviously did not patronize the superstition of having to omit the 13th floor.

The double doors leading to our Room 1302

Note on the door reads: Smoke Lobby Door. This door prevents fire and smoke from spreading to the stairway. Keep it closed at all times.

There was this one night the fire alarm went off and when we called the front desk, we were told that it has been taken cared of. One of the guest’s children must have played with the alarm.

When we booked with West Hotel via Agoda last year, there was only the Standard Room available. So that’s what we got.  The room was tiny. Yes, even by our Asian Filipino standard. The three of us would bump with each other as we move around the place. There was hardly any place for our luggage too. But it was fine with us, since we really don’t plan to stay around the hotel a lot.

Here are the things West Hotel’s Standard Rooms DON’T HAVE: Closet w/ enclosure, safety deposit box, restaurant, WiFi. Their having no restaurant is forgivable. Since you can choose your pick as soon as you step out of the hotel.

Bathroom with a stand up shower and a lavatory. It is so small that the door won’t fully open because the door will bump on the lavatory.

The bed was awfully hard on the back, I should say. The hardest bed I got my poor back on ever.  I saw from the Trip Advisor that a lot of other West Hotel guests have that for a common complaint.  But the tiny room and the hard bed are small price to pay for such outstanding location.  Besides, I read somewhere that lying down on a hard bed is in fact good for your back.

Basics of hotel amenities are included: fridge, cable television, air conditioning, blower, desk. We barely made use of the air conditioning though. The coldest was 15°C.

Here’s a screencap of what the weather was like when we were in Hongkong International Airport shortly before we boarded to fly back to DMIA in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines.

I again took a photo of the clock beside West Hotel’s front desk upon check out. Yes, I noticed too that the temperature slot remained at 25.8°C from the time we arrived three days back to the time we left.

Temple Street

There’s more to love about West Hotel’s location. Temple Street, for instance, where the popular Night Market happens is just a few blocks away. It is where we did our quick pasalubong shopping after our Hongkong Disneyland tour, which I will also later blog about.  West Hotel is also located at the heart of the Jade/Jewelry market of Kowloon. This is hard to not notice. Rows upon rows of jade stores right there.

West Hotel’s location totally makes up for its few shortcomings. Close to the markets, Jordan and Austin mtr stations, parks and shopping areas, restaurants, even the Airport Express Station.  Us doing a repeat at this hotel, we might just consider. But their rock hard beds would really make me think again. West Hotel’s published rate is US$104/night. We were able to book for three nights via Agoda for around US$270.

West Hotel
No. 39 Wai Ching Street, Jordan Road
Yaumatei, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Tel: Tel : 852-2770-7718
Fax : 852-2770-7066
Email: westhotel@westhotel.com.hk
Website: http://westhotel.com.hk

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!

This was handed to us before we rode the cab to our hotel.

We took an Urban cab which has a flag down of HK$20. Lantau cab has HK$15 and N.T., HK$16.5.  I have learned in our previous travels not to have a lot of dollars exchanged for the local currency at the airport. Exchange rates at the airports are considerably lower than currency changers around town, wherever part of the world you go.

I was right. US$1 to HK$7.08. Compared to the exchange rate we got later that day around the corner of the hotel where we stayed in Kowloon, which was HK$7.60 to a dollar. We learned a few more things along the way.

One is that we could have saved a whole lot of moolah (read: HK$850), had we chosen to take the train and ferry during our first two days of stay in Hongkong. With our 6 year old in tow, we were hesitant to take the mtr and ferries. We thought it would be such inconvenience. We cannot be more wrong.

The mtr system of Hongkong is perfectly mapped out, packed with efficiency in mind that makes it so convenient to go around the city by just taking the train. Even executives use the train. I’m sure there are not a lot of rv insurance quotes going around in that place since majority of the population commute anyway. And yes, I cannot help but hope that our mrt and lrt will be like that someday. It’s a long shot, I know, but whoever says that we cannot dream and hope, right?

One of the first trains we hopped on from Disneyland

The ferry we took from Kowloon Island to Central Station. The cheapest of all rides, I should say. HK$2/adult and HK$1/child.

Did I mention that we bought our tickets via Cebu Pacific last year when they offered the Piso fare? We only paid around P3,500 for round trip tickets for the three of us. It was a steal, right? I think that will be it for our low fare getaways. Because recently, even with the promos, the bookings we did for our 2012 travels were all pretty pricey. The cheapest of which is P15,000 for our South Korea trip in time for our 11th anniversary.

We also paid the following before we were able to board the plane to Hongkong.

Travel tax: P4,250 (1,620/person, 1,010/child)
Terminal fee: P1,800 (600/person)

Up next, a review of the hotel where we stayed in Kowloon, Hongkong – West Hotel.

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)

As the hubby and I were simultaneously working on our respective toshiba laptop computers, I just thought I’d have this one posted for our future reference. We have strategically plotted our upcoming travels until December 2012. This list of Philippine Holidays 2012 will guide us with our other various activities, ministry and personal.

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

Looks like my cashmere sweater won’t be enough to keep me warm.  Here’s hoping that we will still be able to enjoy our trip. We have a handful of places to go to. We’re hoping to visit Macau as well, while we’re there. Oh and did I mention, Jed is so looking forward to Disneyland. Our little guy made sure he’s got a few leaflets and brochure printing picked out during the recent Travel Mart event we went to. I tried to book with Disneyland Hotel last year. Unfortunately, they had no more slots available for our travel dates.  Oh well, we did get a good deal within Kowloon. So we should be good. Here’s looking forward to an awesome week with my boys!

]]> http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2011/12/01/coming-soon-celebration-week-at-hongkong/feed/ 0 http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2011/10/01/dumaluan-beach-resort-in-bohol/ http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2011/10/01/dumaluan-beach-resort-in-bohol/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 06:49:19 +0000 Jennie http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/?p=7816 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 [...]]]>

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. The beach was inviting and the shore was a whole tad cleaner than Boracay‘s. Paper Culture holiday photo cards perfect, I must say. Seeing the beach in Bohol alone made me wonder what took us so long to visit the place.

Pork Sinigang, P280

We were pretty famished when we got to the hotel. Our son took the liberty of ordering for us three. He ordered his favorite Pork Sinigang and rice. We also ordered Kinilaw na Tanigue and shakes (Banana, Mango and Watermelon). They have 10% service charge. Our first meal in Bohol amounted to P970. Not bad. We loved everything that were served.

Kinilaw na Tanigue, P220

Fruit Shakes at P90 each

After three hours, we were finally handed our room key. Yay! Our room was an Executive Double. It was the only room available when I booked via Agoda.com. Executive Double as per their published description is a fully air conditioned room, with water heater, cable tv, mini refrigerator and breakfast for two persons.

The room was huge. And that definitely is not a mini refrigerator. But who’s complaining? It also has a kitchen area and terrace.

King size bed

Look who got busy watching Cartoon Channel as soon as we got in.

Yes, our room has a chandelier. But no intercom. Major drawback, I should say. We figured we could let this pass. The room was huge anyway and we do not really plan to stay indoors for most of our stay. But then again, it is such an inconvenience if we just want to order in or if there is just anything that we need.

I love the space of the room, really.

Our room’s terrace.

My roughhousing boys did their thing as soon as we got the bags down.

Our room’s old looking washroom. Its being old looking is forgivable. But its dripping ceiling is something else.

The part of the ceiling where it drips is above the toilet bowl. So you can just imagine the crazy ninja moves we have to do while we’re sitting to avoid getting hit! Haha! It is funny now that I remember it. It’s even more yucky if you have your imagination play where that water came from. Eeew! Nope, we sucked it in. Not literally, okay!  We thought we just let this slide just because we refuse to wait another three hours to get settled to another room. And since there was no intercom, we were not able to complain about it right away. We thought of going to the front desk  when we leave the room. But because our itinerary was planned out, we either forgot about it or just got too busy to bring it up.

And because I don’t fancy being scorched in midday heat, we hit the beach as soon as we got up. Yes, even before breakfast.

I swear, that boy is too big for his lifesaver! Teehee! I’ll just have him level up to the next belt in his karate class and he’s off to a swimming program.

Buffet Breakfast

Not spectacular. But not bad either. It is the only buffet place that I have been to that we cannot go back to refill our plates. But no biggie. We totally enjoyed the beach. So the breakfast part was just something we had to do.

Dumaluan Beach Resort also has a swimming pool, which I think my son and I enjoyed more than the beach. Jed stayed in the kiddie pool for the most part. Jeff also stayed in when he got pricked by a purple sea urchin along the beach. It was purple according to Jed. When I asked how he knew that it was color purple, he said that all the other colors are the poisonous ones. He said he read it from one of his books.

Waverunner Seadoo GT 130 rent rate: P2,500 for 30 minutes

We were supposed to go island hopping on our last day in Bohol. But Tatsky advised us against it, even as it was reported to have a rough weather due to typhoon that day.

Jed and I tried to ride with Jeff on the Waverunner Seadoo GT130 for a few minutes. I ended up screaming half the time. The crazy waves were ready to give me a heart attack had I stayed a second longer. Haha!

Jeff totally loved the waverunner ride. He said it was like ten times the thrill of riding a roller coaster. I knew it! The last time I rode a roller coaster was when I was in  middle school and I threw up! Haha! I am boring that way. Oh the things that my husband has to put up with me. At the very least, I try.

We plan to go back to Bohol next year. We really loved it there. For tour guide services, contact Tatsky at the above numbers.  As for the accommodation, I think we’ll check out other beach front hotels and resorts instead. But if left with no choice, I think we still would rather stay at Dumaluan over other resorts along Alona Beach. We’ll just have to find a way to make sure we don’t get the same room with a leaky ceiling. As for Dumaluan Beach Resort’s customer service, I think, we will be willing to give them a chance to improve.

Dumaluan Beach Resort
Bolod, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Landline no.: +6338-5029092
Fax no.:+6338-5029081
Mobile no. +639178834888
Website: www.dumaluanbeach.com
E-mail: dumaluanbeach@yahoo.com

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.

It would have been a prettier picture if we checked in on a day time. But then again, this does not look so bad. It’s a lovely room minus the view of the scenic horizon, which by the way, sweetly greeted us good morning the next day.

A bed full of fluffy pillows. They actually have a Pillow Menu, which we did not bother with anymore. We were really happy with the ultra soft pillows which I believe are a mixture of goose down and memory pillows.

That little guy right there was just discharged from the hospital a few hours before because of Dengue. Aside from my husband’s birthday celebration, it was actually a thanksgiving celebration that the Dengue fever did not hit our son so bad. Platelet count did not dive below 200. The last 2 days of his hospital stay, he was all pumped up with energy with no sign of being half sick. God is good!

I particularly loved this corner. Perfect for just lounging with a book and cuddling with either of my boys!

Aside from the complimentary fruits, hot chocolate and churros, we were also welcomed with these for snacks.

It was really fun that we got to celebrate still despite the not so good things that unexpectedly came earlier that week. Just like what my framed crochet masterpiece that hangs on our bedroom wall says: “It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do. What matters is who you have beside you.”

iPod ready speakers and dock – the source has tv cables too. We immersed ourselves with my husband’s favorite new wave music most of the night. Love the surround sound of these Harman Kardon speakers.

You gotta love the see through shower. Again, because it was night when we checked in, so there really is not much to see. Come morning, you’ll see the splendid view of  the Taal lake and the horizon at the comfort of this room (pun intended).  A “Hook Me Up” shower curtain is provided to cover the lower half of the window.

Complimentary hot chocolate and freshly made churros at bedtime

Complimentary fruits: sweet mango, apple and orange

The Boutique serves the best Hawaiian Baby Back Ribs, hands down.

I especially love that the chef managed to send this in. I actually just threw in a hint that we were celebrating Jeff’s birthday. They did not just send us a teeny weeny cupcake, but a real good, freshly prepared chocolate cake. The birthday boy was able to make a wish and blow his 36th birthday candle.

Our breakfast came in with this note to reinforce the already romantic and lovely atmosphere the room is enveloped in.

The view from our room. I completely forgot to  use my camera’s Panorama iSweep feature. It would have been a better capture. The above photo was taken using my Blackberry.

My ready-for-breakfast boys!

The bed table was a big enough spread to accommodate all the breakfast goodies.

My continental breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs and cornflakes (not in the picture) with Dalandan Juice

Jeff’s Filipino Breakfast: Corned Bulalo and rice with Mango juice

Our son’s scrambled eggs and spam breakfast

The  boys ate half of their plates alfresco

We initially planned to have our dinner the night before some place else. We thought of roaming about Tagaytay a little before we call it a night. But our room was too inviting that we just found ourselves staying and ordering in instead. We also had a complimentary massage. Facial cold stone for me and foot massage for the hubby. I enjoyed it thoroughly that I forgot to take photos.

We were handed with this box of sweets upon check out. Save for the scratchy bath robe I wore and took off in no time the night before, we really loved our stay at The Boutique. The bath robe, for me, was forgivable because everything else was just perfect. Did I mention that our stay was perfect timing too. We got a discount at P5,500 (Approx. $131) for the i desire room, they have an ongoing Pre-Renovation Promo until September 30, 2011. Regular rate for this room is P6,119.09 (Sun to Thurs) and P8,046.26 (Fri-Sat). Check out their regular published rates on The Boutique B&B site.

Rate/Room Inclusions:

• Specially prepared (all day) breakfast served in bed – for two persons.
• Complimentary facial cold stone massage or foot massage good for 2 persons.
• Selections of body essentials from the home made “Pamper Me” line.
• Hot chocolate with freshly made goodies at bedtime.
• Selections of pillows (goose down, microfiber, etc.) from our pillow menu.
• King size beds with soft feather cover and white percale in 300 Thread Count lines.
• Free Wi-Fi
• Wall mounted LCD TV
• iPod ready speakers/docks
• Free use of DVDs from library
• Free use of Board Games from Entertainment Library
• Check in time at 2:00PM/ Check out time at 12:00 NN

The Boutique Bed & Breakfast

45 Aguinaldo Hi-way
Silang Crossing East
Tagaytay City, Cavite
Tel: (63+46) 413-1885, (63+927) 363-2660 , (63+46) 413-1798 & (63+46) 860-2716

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

The Manila International Airport is clean and decent. Since it was an old airport, my expectation was rather low. The washroom was okay, save for the wayward step stools with handles I saw that were in the way. They were probably cleaning something. I also noticed that they were not as strict as I was not asked to take off my watch and have it go through the conveyor belt like the usual. I did not think it was necessary to take it off because the people in line ahead of me were wearing their watches.

Little Vin-Vin’s breakfast at P187

The only food stall in the boarding area that has tables and chairs is Little Vin-Vin. Since I was pretty famished, I was not going to settle for a Cinnabon. Jeff did though. It was P187 for fried rice, a few pieces of bacon and a sunny side up egg. Pricey for breakfast by our usual standard. That’s airport food for us, folks!

As opposed to a handful of Zest Air complaints I’ve read about, our flight departed on time. 4AM on the dot. The same went for our Davao to Manila flight, which was early as well, at 6:30 AM.  We were able to sleep through the take off going to Davao, which was unusual for us.  But as I mentioned in my previous post, the landing was a different story altogether. The same goes for our previous plane ride with AirPhil Express and Cebu Pacific. The only time I remember breezing through take off and landing was when we were aboard Philippine Airlines (PAL). I wonder now if it’s the aircraft or the pilots.

Aboard Zest Air aircraft and about to land Manila

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. It felt like a dysfunctional utv power steering. It was violent, for lack of a better way to describe it. Lol!

I’m blogging via my Blackberry Torch using the WordPress client for BB. I tried looking for Blogpress from the App World. None. Too bad, because there’s no option for uploading photos via this client. If there is, I can’t seem to figure it out.

We’re really just waiting for office hours to start so we could take care of the business that we’re here for. Meanwhile, allow me to go back to snuggling with my love as we finish watching New Moon via Star Movies.

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.

Eurotel Hotel also has function rooms that are perfect for company team buildings, event venues, training, parties, special occasions, seminars and conventions. They have a complete range of audio visual equipment and training tools which are suited for the most discriminating taste of participants.

Panoramic shot of one of Eurotel Baguio’s Function room during our Videoke session

After an hour or so of getting settled in our rooms, we went down to the dining area where we were served with this feast.  Little did we know this was just first dibs on what’s to come throughout the duration of our tour. If I had known I would have dieted for a whole month.

Eurotel Baguio Bloggers on the job and snapping away

The people behind this tour really made sure we get the most of our stay in Baguio. Leaving Manila early last Friday allowed for a quick r&r before we toured around the hotel and the socials.  It was fun through and through.  We were all satisfied with what we were able to do on our first day in Baguio. Totally took all the stress of having to wake up early and the long drive from Manila.

These are the people behind our lovely stay in Baguio last weekend: Joseph, Ana and Ivan with Eurotel Hotel Manager, Arnel Salvador.

the foggy view atop SM Baguio

Here are some photos I took from our trip that day to Oh My Gulay (Artist Cafe) where Melo treated us with refreshments. This O.M.G. Artist Cafe is a tourist spot in itself.  Typing away this post while munching on Strawberry candies on the side is really making me miss Baguio.  More posts on our blissful Baguio tour courtesy of Eurotel coming up. We were treated to more tours and feasts on our second day and massage too.

Eurotel Baguio
#123 Abanao Extension, Bgy. Rizal Monument
Baguio City 2600 (Near City Hall)
For Reservation Call: (072)444-EURO
Central Reservation: (02)355-0000
Website: www.eurotel-hotel.com

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.

Euro Suite 1 – the room I shared with my roomie Claire of Lakwatsera de Primera.

lovely interior

food

lots of it

Weather isn’t as cold as I thought it was gonna be. I am missing my boys already. Happy that the hubby allowed me to go without him. Thanks love! The other day, I was just looking into Kill Devil Hills vacation rentals and now I’m enjoying a lovely getaway. I’m coming home in time for church this coming Sunday. Watch out for my posts on this trip. Thanks to Eurotel!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Shanum St,Baguio City,Philippines

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.

Since our 2011 travel plans are already planned out – Bohol, Davao, Boracay and Hongkong, we are hoping to score some deals for 2012 plans. Hopefully, we will also be able to buy tickets for our ministers as well even as we plan to go on a mission trip that we have long been praying for.

Meanwhile, I have to go check on how do send flowers online and set dates to have these gifts delivered to my loved ones for Valentine’s day.

When we left for Tagaytay last Wednesday, we really had no idea where we will stay. We just figured we will look and see and decide when we get there and that is just what we did. We went to check with a couple of B&Bs but were less than convinced so we decided to stay at Tagaytay Haven instead. We will post about our stay there as soon as we get the chance.

It was good that we are members of a roadside assistance club. It gives us a level of confidence to go around a city away from home. If only Tagaytay Haven had the WiFi working (like they claim) during our stay, then that getaway would have been perfect.

After the sweet night of bonding the night before at Mines View Park Hotel‘s Function Hall, we all were ready for a full day ahead. But first off, breakfast at Zenz Restaurant. I will be posting more of the feasting we did via our food blog soon.

The staff of Mines View Park Hotel are the most accommodating I have encountered as far as Baguio is concerned. From Sir Buddy, who, by the looks of it (I didn’t ask) might just be the head waiter of the hotel’s restaurant, who made sure that we have what we want, down to the servers, bell boys, receptionist, even the security officer.  This for me is a biggie. If a hotel has the most modern of facilities but has crappy service, then the hotel devaluates itself in my head by my personal standards and it is most likely that I will not be seen in that place than otherwise.

the hubby and I at the hotel patio before we left for Strawberry Farm.

Fellow bloggers getting their dose of Strawberry Taho at Strawberry Farm.  The taho vendors just got us the laugh of our lives when they continually say, “Sa strawberry taho, matutupad ang pangarap niyo.” It was pretty silly until it resembled a chant that we all went home with like a song stuck in our heads.

I was told that strawberries are currently out of season.  I got a couple of small boxes for P180 each. Then I was later told that they got theirs for P150. I tried to haggle but the vendor did not budge. And for one kilo Alex got his for P300. I was offered P400. Ack! These vendors are too picky with their customers.  But I guess strawberry isn’t really in season these days. The last time we were there, there were more than just one stand selling fresh strawberries at the Strawberry Farm.

We also bought 6 kilos of different veggies! 3 kilos for P100! That is too cheap compared to how much we buy them here in the Metro.

The Strawberry Farm

with fellow bloggers waiting for our ride back to the hotel where another round of feasting was waiting for us…

It is but plain to see that diet was not a very popular word during our stay at Mines View Park Hotel. And the star for this meal was no other than the Pork Sinigang with Strawberries.

Who would have thought that it was at all possible? Sinigang with Strawberries. It doesn’t just sound strange, it downright does not sound at all palatable. But I realized that I couldn’t be more wrong as soon as I had my first sip. Nothing in how it tastes makes it wrong. The strawberry complements the sour pork sinigang like it was meant for each other. I love that I bought a bunch of fresh strawberries so I can attempt to cook this recipe myself here at home.

Group shot with fellow bloggers, hotel owners and JMaret Publicity.

We are definitely having this lovely hotel in our list of to stay in places for our next trip to Baguio. For one I have yet to see a nicer Bed and Breakfast place in Baguio. I especially love that they have free WiFi access. That is one essential thing for us bloggers and access is not limited to a certain place in the hotel. They have routers stationed on every floor, so we have a dedicated connection that I can say is pretty reliable. Thanks to JMaret Publicity and the hotel owners for the sweet time we had at Mines View Park Hotel.

Mines View Park Hotel
Contact No. (6374)442-1559; (6374)424-1088
Mobile: +639922.8886392
Manila No: (632)372-3984 local 133
Website: www.minesviewparkhotel.com

The bloggers trip to Baguio courtesy of Mines View Park Hotel where the hubby and I just got back home from was fab! There is just no other local place that can beat Baguio. We love it to bits. This is probably why we find ourselves visiting every year since we fell in love with it. If you are from Manila and know how it’s like to live on an average of 30° Celsius on a regular day, then you will understand why.

We have been to Baguio and back a few times and we are definitely adding Mines View Park Hotel in our list of to stay places. It is conveniently located right along the stretch of Mines View Park.

Mines View Park Hotel’s Reception Area (far back) and Zenz Restaurant

Lunch was served when we got to the hotel in the Function Hall. We were thereafter toured around the hotel and its facilities.

“Mines View Park Hotel has the advantage of being situated in a quiet part of Baguio. Its tranquility, its proximity to nature and the beautiful view of the mountains set it apart from the other hotels int he city, which are built close to the commercial centers. The hotel was designed so guests who really want to get away from it all can enjoy the amenities and the warm service.  Away from the noisy crowd and the noise of the city, Mines View Park Hotel offers a real sanctuary of peace,” says the hotel’s president Mr. Dick Balajadia.

The hotel’s new Board Room can accommodate 15 to 20 people, which makes it perfect for a venue for small group seminars, meetings and social gatherings. It features a flat screen monitor, a projector, whiteboard, complete audio visual system.

A salon welcomes you as you take access towards the Spa.  Mines View Park Hotel has partnered with Asian Spa to provide therapies such as the Traditional Cordillera massage. A tribal technique practiced by Igorot healers for centuries. The hotel’s trained therapists use their own line of spa oils, apothecary salts and creams. This is something I will sure try when we go back to visit.

The hotel’s gym is equipped with the most modern exercise hardware. Working out cannot be more conducive, surrounded by a panoramic view of lush mountains and forest.

Here are a few of the 29 rooms Mines View Park Hotel has

The above rooms are perfect for group vacationers. You know how barkadas and friends who go on a holiday vacation love staying in just one room for maximum bonding? This is the room for them!

All the rooms I saw each had its own private balcony. Talk about maximizing the cool Baguio breeze and the breathtaking view of the Cordillera’s lush scenery.

with fellow bloggers enjoying the view from the hotel’s rooftop

I roomed in with two fun loving ladies, Pinay Solo Backpacker Gail and Entrepremom Iris.  My bed is on the farthest right if you’re facing the television.

After settling for a while in our room, the activity that we had right after was the Yoga session. Yoga has practically turned into a household word, which is, for the most part pertains to the strength exercises (more than the religious beliefs that it originated from) that we do during “yoga.”  I have practically dropped doing my Yoga workouts (albeit via Wii Fit) for more than a year now. This was my first in a long while. I missed it so much that I thought to myself during the Yoga session that I’m definitely going back to doing Yoga when I get back to Manila.

The owners of Mines View Hotel taught us how to make Bibingcrepe and Bibingcrisp, both of which are so in demand in Half Moon Asian Cafe. It was my first time to taste both and I fell for it at first bite! Okay, first two bites, one for each.

We did not merely watch them make it. But they actually allowed us to make one for ourselves! Here is the hubby working his way around the pan. And for someone who doesn’t cook like him, he made it look so easy. Just look at his masterpiece of a bibingcrepe!

Jeff’s Choco Cheese Mallows Bibingcrepe

Native Igorots performed their numbers as we had our barbeque themed dinner

chops, hungarian sausage and veggie kebab and salad

Iris of PinayAds.com and Iris of Entrepremom.info during our S’mores bonding time

the hubby and me at the fireplace

As the night got crazier so did the bloggers. We here are doing our own rendition of Spice Girls’s “Stop.” It was fun hanging out with these fellow bloggers! The night was capped by a song from “Xanadu” the musical. Just from everything that happened on our first day at Mines View Park Hotel, it totally spells out as a perfect getaway venue for family and friends.

Mines View Park Hotel
Contact No. (6374)442-1559; (6374)424-1088
Mobile: +639922.8886392
Manila No: (632)372-3984 local 133
Website: www.minesviewparkhotel.com

D-Villa Residence or more commonly known around the city as Holiday Villa was our choice of hotel to stay in Kuala Lumpur. The hubby handed me over this task even as he cannot go around the internet looking over feedbacks and all. I gave him a list of a number of good hotels within our budget and that have good feedback from customers. We booked via Agoda.com. Thanks to Dani Salasalan for the reco! I definitely would not have been able to get the same rate I did if I booked straight with the hotel or via another third party booking company. And for that, I love Agoda!

This is the view from our room. It may just be a itty bitty slice of the Petronas Twin Towers‘s majesty all right. But it looked no less gallant from where we were.

our bedroom

It was only a month ago or so when we booked with Holiday Villa (D-Villa Residence) a one bedroom apartment and for cheap, at that. For $120, we were able to book a 3 day, 2 night hotel stay.  Now, that I think is really value for money. With a little tot in tow, I really wanted a full functioning place. A fully furnished kitchen, receiving area, dining area, a decent bath, safety deposit box and a double door lock. Yes, I can be OC like that. D Villa Residence has it all.

dining and kitchen area

Of course all those amenities and features would not have meant a thing if they have ill-charactered staff, which they don’t. In fact, I only have good words for their front liner, especially. Ronald, from Day 1 has the most pleasing personality and was very accommodating. From our transport arrangements down to the most trivial of queries. Our stay was fuss free through and through.

the receiving area

There were minor issues like their electrical outlets, which we definitely were not ready for. The housekeeping that was not available to take our calls and request to borrow an outlet adaptor, which we later understood. It was Ramadan and we called in during their fasting time. We respect that. The husband went to leave for the nearest mall (which was just a bus ride away) and buy us some food for breakfast and the adaptor too. We have got gadgets to recharge. So that couldn’t wait till the next day. Then WiFi turned out to be busted during our stay. We did not stay as much in the hotel anyway.

Holiday Villa | D Villa Residence

How to get to Holiday Villa | D Villa Residence:
From the airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) connects the city to destinations around the world. KLIA can be reached using the KLIA Express high speed train service from KL Sentral which takes 30 minutes. Travelling by car via highway takes about one hour.

35 minutes from the main train hub station, KL Sentral
The Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) located nearby the KLIA serves AirAsia and other budget airlines

By road
4 hours drive from Singapore
5 to 6 hours from Alor Star
3 hours drive from Cherating on the east coast

This brings us to highly recommend D-Villa Residence in Kuala Lumpur. Please be advised though that cab drivers are not familiar with their new name, D-Villa Residence. It is known within the area as Holiday Villa. D Villa Residence is a 20-storey service apartment located along Jalan Ampang, the prestigious embassy district of Kuala Lumpur.

When I booked our MLA-KL-MLA flight November last year, I did not have a clue how we were to transport ourselves to Pampanga where the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport is. It was a relief to learn that we can actually park and fly within the grounds of the airport for P90/day. A huge difference if one has to park and fly in Pasay, which I think charges more than P300.

We drove from Manila to Pampanga and back again and the gas tank that we got filled was not even half consumed! I just love how Great Wall Peri is so efficient. To be honest, I was thinking a month after we purchased the car if it really was the best choice. But this travel to Pampanga and back affirmed it all the more that it was. I mean, sure, it means a lot that it is one of the few Euro 4 compliant cars available in Manila.  Its fast acceleration is something else and I super love how sturdy and stable it is even at fast speed. Look Ma, no wheel-wiggling! Here is a picture of the hubby driving Lady Rouge at around 140kph. He went over but I was only able to shoot a clear picture when he was a little past 140.

This much I can say, with the Great Wall Peri being with us for close to half a year now, we are thoroughly satisfied with its overall performance. Sure, we will have to look into car insurance reviews next year when its current one needs replacement. But for my other concern of Great Wall parts might not be easily available as opposed to other “more known brands” –  Great Wall will soon have its very own Assembly Plant in the Philippines by October 2010!