Janina's Birthday in Baguio

Baguio is still the best place to be at this time of the year here in the Philippines.  Me and my family were there last Sunday to Monday and we loved every minute of our stay.  Monday happened to be my daughter Janina’s birthday.  I wanted it to be special for her so I thought of using the voucher I bought many months back.  It was for an overnight stay in Mines View Park Hotel.  So glad we used it at the right time.  The weather was 10’C or 50’F.  It was freaking cold but since we never have yet experienced such low temperature here in Metro Manila, such chilly weather was a welcome respite.

If I may add, hubby as usual broke away from us when we reached Rosario, La Union.  He pedalled his way up to Baguio thru his favourite bike trail, the Kennon  Road.  He accomplished his goal and reached the hotel 3 hours behind us. I guess, nothing or no one can stop him from his passion, which is biking mountain trails.  I just pray for his safety everytime.

Daughter and me at the hotel's front yard.

The Mines View Park Hotel

The Hotel's Restaurant.

A tree's trunk curved with Igorot designs.

My family having breakfast.

Hubby's bike resting at the hotel's terrace.

Soul Siren Nina performing in SM Baguio.

Kennon Road.  (photo not mine)

Thank you for taking time to read this post.  Enjoy your weekend! God bless!

Chateau Royale: Our first out of town trip...

...For the brand new year 2012, that is!  Last weekend, we had the chance to use another promo voucher I bought online.  With my kiddos, daughter’s friend and 2 grandchildren, we trekked the SLEX and headed to Nasugbu, Batangas.  We were joined in by my nephew and his family who had to take the public transport coz we’re short of space inside the car and by hubby who biked the more or less 125 kilometer road from Novaliches, Q.C. to Nasugbu, Batangas via Tagaytay City.  It was already mid-afternoon when the troop was completed in Chateau Royale.

I’m glad I grabbed this promo deal from a group buying site.  I think 1,999.Php for 4/pax , breakfast for four included, free use of swimming pool, and free tour of the flower farm and other spots was truly a good buy!  Kids below 12yrs old were also free of charge.  We were 8 adults and two kids in all. Just the right number for the 2 vouchers I purchased.  Log Cabins are the rooms assigned to this promo deal. Since it is kinda cheap, I didn’t expect the room to be that spacious and nice.  It has two comfy double beds,   decent bathroom, LCD  TV,  and enough space for the kids to play around.  We could all be accommodated in one room but the kiddos just chose to transfer the one mattress from the other room and left the lonesome bed (and the whole room) all to my nephew and his family’s use.  Nonetheless, it was only occupied for sleeping and comfort room utilization.  We couldn’t afford to waste the precious time together thus it was all of us together in our log cabin until sleeping time.

There was no clear prohibition in bringing in foods, so  we brought some to make sure we can get by in case we don’t like the food in their restaurant.  We almost finished the big bowl of carbonarra brought in by niece-in-law, while hubby  feasted on the chicken adobo, shrimps and sandwiches,  yet by dinner time, we still took the 5 minute drive to Tagaytay and dined-in at the popular Dencio’s Restaurant.  ‘Twas a sumptuous meal although quite pricey (to me).  Well, I guess, we paid high not only for the good food but for the name and the ambiance.  No regrets though coz we enjoyed the food and the service. Plus some singing and dancing entertainment from a group of talented kids.

The weather was chilly. You would think that you are in Baguio.  Yeah, that’s the selling point of Tagaytay especially at this time of the year.  Good thing, it was pleasantly cold too in Nasugbu. Back in our room(s), it wasn’t long when everyone was slipping under the comforters and eventually in deep slumber.

Sunday morning was a wet one.  Swimming was aborted except by the kids.  By 12nn, we’re on our way home with a stop-over in Mang Inasal in Tagaytay.  Just met nephew and his wife there coz their kid was with us in the car.  Hubby as usual went ahead of us earlier at 10am coz he's again biking his way home.  When we reached our place, hubby was already there tinkering his beloved Mountain bike!

'Twas an enjoyable weekend for us! I hope yours was much more enjoyed!  Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone! 

Davao Day 1: Eden Nature Park and Deca Wake boarding Park

More than a week had passed since I first set foot in Mindanao. Like any first timers, I got excited the moment I saw the Davao International Airport signage from the plane. From the airport we were fetched by the van daughter had previously arranged online.  We knew we were too early to check-in but we proceeded to our hotel just the same.  We were allowed to leave our luggage with them thus it sets us free to start our tour of the city. But before we started off, we had our breakfast at the dormitel's cafeteria.  They serve combo meals consisting of a cup of rice with two kinds of viands plus coffee or juice. I thought I could already claim our free 2 sets of breakfast but I was told and realized as well that we haven’t checked-in yet.  So I had to pay for all the orders.

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After filling up, we began our day's journey. Our very first destination was..

Eden Nature Park –  This is the  mountain resort found at the foot of mount Talomo almost 3,000 feet high  above sea level.  It is a 40 minute drive from our hotel in Mt. Apo Street in Davao City.  We reached Eden Park at mid morning and people were already converging at the  reception area. The park offers recreational activities like fishing, horseback riding, zip lining and swimming but didn’t try any of those time consuming activities.  

 

We only wanted to see as many places as we can that day.  The guided tour cost P100 and the compulsory lunch or snack is P450/pax  and  P180/pax respectively. We chose the latter coz we preferred to lunch at the restaurant suggested by our driver cum tour guide. After paying at the reception, we boarded the shuttle service and were brought around the magnificent nature park. The breathtaking vastness of verdant greens and colourful flowers are amazing. There were so many lovely spots to see and appreciate. Unfortunately we didn’t have much time to see all the gorgeous spots. 

After a few more treks around, we boarded our rented van and proceeded to have lunch.

Penong’s Barbecue and Seafood Grille Restaurant.   We were told it’s one of the best in the city. I could say the food is really good especially their Chicken Inato.  I like all the food listed in their menu and mind you, the prices are surprisingly low! 


   

 We’re so filled up and satisfied with less than a P700 lunch for five (that’s the four of us plus our driver). Then off to the long desired sport activity of the big kiddos.

The Deca Wakeboard Park.  It’s a serene place of massive lake not far from the greeneries of the mountain side.  Located within the Deca Homes Residences, the place I think. is still an on-going project.  

There wasn’t too many wake boarders at the time probably because it was already 3pm.  That gave the big kiddos opporunity to enjoy the activity without queuing unlike in CWC.  It was more than two hours of extreme physical exhaustion for these herd of mine but I saw the great satisfaction on their faces when we left the place.  This wound up our first day of Davao tour.  Then we were back to our hotel.

Green Windows Dormitel - The place is a hotel and a dormitory in one  located in the 5^th floor of FTC Towers in Mt. Apo Street.  Room rates are very affordable so we booked for the spacious room which is the Executive Twin.  It is only good for four hence, we needed additional bed when hubby arrived on the second day.  It is well secured and is only stone’s throw away from nice restaurants. The dormitory type room with double deck beds are for only P188/pax.  The place is relatively new and generally clean and well maintained. The service is likewise good.  For our dinner that evening, we asked for listings of food deliveries from the reception area, dialled one and we had our food delivered in no time.  

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The first day high was over and we contentedly called it a day!

Singapore Day 4: Orchard Road, Suntec, Airport

It’s kind of melancholic to face the day knowing that it’s gonna be the last day to relish the wonderful place that is Singapore!  How quick 4days/3nights were!  We spent the few hours left strolling down the shopping area of Orchard Road and Suntec City.  The kiddos got themselves some shirts, caps and other personal stuff.  Guess what I picked for myself?  Guess!  Yes, a  Guess handbag it is! I found it in OG Orchard.  This department store show cases lots of high end brands of shoes and bags but I had to ignore  Otherwise,  I’ll resort to using my credit cards. Ha ha..! That’s what I’ve been proud of myself this time.  I didn’t use my cards even when I was very much tempted to.  Well, I may not have ransacked the shopping malls but I’m very glad that I won’t be expecting any credit card bills coming next billing month. What a relief for hubby! Lol!

Suntec City:  Our first destination for the day.

Daughter posing infront of the Singapore Visitor's Center

Along with other foreigners trekking Orchard Road.

For our lunch, we went back to the Hawker’s Centre near our hotel and I had my last taste of their superb Roast duck rice. 

 

My fave meal in Hwkers Centre near our hotel.

This black bird stayed  near our table for a long while.

After the satisfying meal, we had enough time to rest at our hotel's lounge before proceeding to the airport.

Daughter while waiting for our taxi that would bring us to the airport.

Singapore Airport's Budget Terminal (Ain't the name discriminating? Lol!)

Our McDonald's Snack at the Airport.

Checking-in our Luggage.

No boring 3 hour  flight  when you have these to munch.

 Thank you Singapore for the lovely memories!  

Singapore Day 3: Universal Studios

I must say that the primary reason for our trip to Singapore was to see Universal Studios.  Nevertheless, we were more than delighted to have seen other marvelous attractions this “tiny red dot country” presents.  Three nights and four days were definitely not enough to cover the countless attractive and fun places it offers. You need to stay longer to enjoy more! On the contrary, even only with the very brief stint, it was extremely fulfilling and satisfying getting the feel of that Singapore experience!

 

First and foremost in our plan was to get to USS early on a weekday. The reason of which was, #1: the ticket is cheaper and #2.: the place would probably be not too crowded.  Evidently, we were wrong on presuming the latter. Despite our early arrival, we were stunned to see the place already crammed and rocking!

Universal Studios of Singapore has Seven Theme Zones.  1. Hollywood, 2. New York 3. Sci Fi City  4. Ancient Egypt   5. The Lost World:  that includes Jurassic Park and WaterWorld  6. Far Far Away  7. Madagascar

At Universal Globe

Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood Theme Zone

Lights, Camera Action : Shows how movies' special effects are made.

Madagascar Theme Zone

Castle in Far Far Away Theme Zone

Shrek in Far Far Away

Ancient Egypt

Lunch at Lost World Food Court

WaterWorl in the Lost World Theme Zone

Live Entertainment

With the big kiddos at the Universal Arch Way

Strollin' in Ancient Egypt

Battle Star Galactica Roller Coaster Ride

Ancient Egypt Theme Zone

Celebrity Cafe and Bakery

One of the many Snack shops

The big kiddos

Jonathan and Janina with a Sci Fi Theme Zone Character.

  

Thanks for taking time coming to this site. See you around and God bless everyone!