Tuesday, June 28, 2022

After 9!

Hello blog!

For some reason, I was looking for you. Yes you, my blog. And I don't know why. Maybe because I am somehow lost right now. Not really lost but a bit in hiatus or floating? Not sure though If I am making any sense.

Last time you were hiding, I wasnt able to open you, I even thought you got lost along the way. I missed you, and I miss this. It's a good feeling to talk, maybe this is what I needed, to unload and just type my brains out.

It's been 9 long years since I neglected you. And we have a lot of catching up to do!

Puerto Princesa: Gastronomical Review

Kinabuch Grill
Tamilok - tried it, never again
Love the Milkshake
Food was so-so
Famous

Itoy's Coffee Shop
Laid back ambiance
Acoustic Night
Dessert was ok

Baker's Kitchen
Milkshake was so-so
Food was ok
Too bad the bakery is already closed

Vietnam ramblings.

Day 0-1

Travel to Ho Cho Minh via Cebu Pacific, arrive at Tan Son Nat International Airport, around 2:00 Phl time. Vietnam is an hour delayed from our time. Flight was delayed for almost 30mins. 

We easily passed the immigration, no visa for Filipinos :) Yey! Just in case be ready for your Hotel Accommodation and  return ticket.

At the airport we exchanged USD to Vietnam currency, Dong. My 300USD is worth 6,270,000 Dong. Instant Millionaire :) based on my research this is the best changer since they have 0% commission.

We scout for a cab to bring us to Mui Ne, its a 5hr travel from Ho Chi Minh. Vinasun and Mai Linh are the legit cab operators here. Be ready since Vietnamese are really terrible in English. You really have to be patient. After haggling, we agreed on the 110USD fixed price with Comfort Savico cab operator. They will be giving you a business calling card where they will write the amount agreed. They asked us to pay in full right away, at first we are hesitant to pay but we did and just asked for receipts. 



Day 2 White Sand Dunes
Red Sand Dunes 
Fishing Village
Fairy Stream and Red Canyon

Ate at Mui Ne Chicken

Travel back to Ho Chi Minh

Ate at Pho 2000

Walk at Cho Ben Thanh Market

Visit Starbucks

Ate Ice cream at Baskin Robbins the praline with cream
Day 3 Wake up early for Cu Chi Tunnel Tour

Lunch at Huong V

start city tour
Reunification Palace 30,000Dong
Notre Dame Cathedral
Post Office
City Hall
Opera House

Shopping Centers
Vincom Center
Lotteria ate Shrimp Burger for 85000

Saigon Square Mall
Cho Ben Thanh Market
Tax Trade Center Mall

Thai Sam Yan 750,000dong



Singapore Itinerary and Expense

Day 1
arrival
City tour
Lau Pa Sat
Makansutra

Day 2
Vivo City
Universal Studios
Sentosa
Songs of the Sea

Day 3
Singapore zoo

Day 4
Little India
Chinatown
Orchard

Day 5
Ikea
Anchorpoint
Departure

The Detour: Crystal Beach Zambales

What do you do when your most awaited trip of the year won't push through? I initially sulked and feel super depressed! Because you know, we are supposed to be going to EL NIDO, as in EL NIDO! My Dream Destination - cheap tickets, van reservation and room reservation are already paid. And then poof - I am preggy! I would really love to go on the trip but since our flight is MNL-PPC, we are going to endure long land travel with rough roads and my doctor advised NO because of my sensitive pregnancy. Why not just stay to PPC? We just visited the place last year, and it is still fresh from our memory.

I have really planned for this trip, I resigned from my work and haggle with my new employer on  my new start date to accommodate this trip. Carlo already filed his vacation leave and I don't want to stay in our room for 6 days thinking we could have been seeing paradise now while eating lots of sweets!

So plan B! We planned a road trip to Zambales and Pangasinan. It will be safe for me since Carlo will be driving and anytime I need to stretch we can stop.

We left Manila at around 10am, so basically we reach Subic at around 1pm. Since it is already late, we decided to stay at Subic with free room accommodation c/o our sponsors! :)

So basically, we did nothing in Subic, we just relax and roam a little. Did our grocery and plenty of sleeping for me :)

Day 2, we woke up early to visit Crystal Beach Zambales. It's actually just a 1 hour drive from Subic.
Crystal Beach is one of the famous surf spot in Luzon. It offers affordable accommodation with a rustic vibe. Definitely a place to be for wanna be surfers like us.

The weather was not at it's greatest, it's drizzling every now and then. And the waves are kinda huge because there's an LPA. But it's just perfect for pro surfers. They are stoked!

I am really envious that only Carlo got to try surfing here while I enjoy basking in the sun watching my dearest play in the sand. But he said, that it wasn't really a good ride because the waves are overwhelming.

Just a note: During our stay there was a robbery incident in one of the guest villas. I think since they are a big group around 20pax they became the target. I would still recommend the place just be a little extra careful. Since it's not a five star hotel don't expect stricter security.

The place is nice, but I still heart La Union.


Gab's First Fieldtrip

I used to remember my mom always accompanies me during my field trip. She will stay at the back with other co-parents and I will just approach her when I'm hungry and I need cash to buy something. How I love to know that she will always makes time for me. The memory is still vivid and now I am playing her role.

I was excited for Gab and for myself. This is his first ever field trip and my first ever field trip to attend as a mom. Bought a lot of snacks and brought a lot of stuffs too :)

Our first stop was the Galinco Factory in Laguna. Isn't he just a cutie wearing that hairnet? He was so happy to have that piece of cookie, and I was thinking, heck, I paid Php2.4k for that. Hehe

Next is the Tagaytay Picnic Grove.

Paradizoo, where we went like 2x or more already.

Then the air-conditioning of the bus just died. The parents are all getting real mad, the sun was at it's peak and the traffic in SLEX was just crazy. Good thing Gab was asleep, however, I cannot take the heat and I really feel suffocated. The bus style is another disadvantage, because there are no windows to open. That is why I asked Carlo to pick us up already, but he also got stuck in traffic and good thing we already reached our next destination. But I am not going back inside that bus again. 

Last stop is at Bio-research Lost Eden in Sucat, I was surprised with this place, I thought that this was just a store but the place is really huge and they housed lots of animals too.

It was a very tiring day but it was fulfilling to be a stage mom! Hahaha :)

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Travel Gear: Headware

One of my travel gear necessity is The Headware, its a multifunctional piece of clothing which can serve as your scarf, headband, wristband and etc. It offers you limitless ideas!

HeadWare® is your new essential for anything life throws your way. All-purpose, stretchable, breathable and tubular (yet seamless! You figure it out!), this accessory has as many uses as your imagination can come up with (we’re up to about 20!), for as many activities as your life enjoys. HeadWare wicks sweat away from your skin, makes those hot days just a tad less so, protects you from the sun, dust and other elements, and gives a certain fashionable flair.
HeadWare can be worn as a scarf, headband, wristband, dustmask, balaclava, scrunchie, pirate cap (arrrrrr...), beanie, classic bandana, tube top, and even, believe it or not a skirt.
HeadWare. The new essential.

My favorite use of my Headware is as my face cover when I sleep, you know, I make this little annoying sound when I sleep, so I cover my face to lessen the sound :)

 
It also serves as an emergency  to spice up boring outfits.


 
And of course, head cover when I'm too lazy to open my umbrella.
 

And currently, it also became my camera's protective clothing. :)  


 
Headware have limitless use, pocket-friendly and it is very easy to find, Headware is available in mostly all sports boutiques/shops. For a detailed list please visit their website: http://www.theheadware.com/head-where.html