Philippines Day 6 - Shopping & Shoppping Around Manila

Date of Visit: 25th March 2012

On the 6th day of our Philippines trip, my friends and I decided to have a last minute shopping before going back home on the next day. You know it's hard for ladies to resist themselves from shopping, right? Oh well, not only that we bought for ourselves but also for our dearest family and friends.

We went to SM Mall of Asia for the second time just for Kultura Filipino - their local famous brand for its culture and crafts (which I did blogged before - HERE). Plus, I noticed there is a post office nearby for me to send out the postcards I wrote. Hence, we decided to go there again by taxi, just like what we did during our maiden visit there.

#1: Had our lunch in the food court - Plenty of choices to choose from and it's reasonable. [Note: It's served non-halal foods]

Regarding the post office, I approached the security guard and asked where's the post office located and he showed me the direction. Came out from the mall but I couldn't see any sign of post office and I decided to give up and move on to the next destination instead. One of my friend suggested that we should try to have a ride on jeepney and while we were on our way to the jeepney station, my friend stopped and told me that she saw the post office.

#2: This is how the post office looks like. Thank goodness I found it and thanks to my friend in black jacket.

We took jeepney to the nearest train station. It's kinda cool experience to have a ride in a jeepney and it's our first time experience of doing so. After staying in Philippines for 6 days, finally we did the "One of the Things You Should Do When In Philippines". Squeezing with the local inside this fancy decorated small bus, we were puzzled on how should we pass the money to the driver like the local did. We were unsure how much it cost for a ride from the mall to the station, hence we waited when reach the desired destination, we walked to the front and passed the money to the driver.

#3: Experienced train ride in Manila. 

#4: Shopping malls in Makati city

Upon reaching the Ayala Center Station, it's seems like we reach another part of the world from where we were staying in Manila. Here, which being known as Makati city, is the largest business district and has a highest concentration of multinational and local corporations in the country. Major banks, corporations, department stores as well as foreign embassies are based in here. Therefore, no surprised we saw many corporate workers once we came out from the station. Plus, we also didn't spotted any beggars here, unlike in Malate (where we stayed).

Makati is well-known for being one of the most popular shopping destinations. From average shopping mall to high-end shopping mall, this city is a home to a cluster of shopping malls which include Glorietta, Greenbelt, The Landmark, Rustan's, The Link and SM Makati that offer both international and local retail shops, high-end boutiques, dining outlets and entertainment facilities. Almost all of these malls are attached together. So, if you are a shopaholic, then this place is highly recommended for you and probably you might spend whole day there. Never thought that Filipinos can be so obsessed with shopping as well. 

#5: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co - A seafood restaurant chain inspired by famous film called "Forest Gump".

#6: The wall decoration inside one of Glorietta building.

#7: Love this attractive and creative wall decoration

We did spend few hours in one of the department stores which I found it was kinda reasonable and not harm so much to our wallet. Wondering what did I bought? Stay tune for my few upcoming post on my travel haul. 

#8: Beautiful and impressive cakes in one of the bakery shop nearby train station

Once we done with the shopping, we went back to Malate by taking train and again, we stopped by another shopping mall before seriously going back to our guesthouse.

#9: Robinsons Place Mall

Robinsons Place Mall, one of the biggest shopping mall which located 5 minutes walking distance away from where we stayed. We went here before on the first day we arrived to hunt for our dinner, and now we decided to do the same thing again cause we spotted this 7 floors shopping mall offers wide range of  dining outlets and restaurants such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme, Kenny Rogers Roaster, Burger King, McDonalds and never ending list. Talking abount hungry - we won't found this word in our dictionary when in Manila. 

#10: Yellow Cab Pizza Co - Ordered a Hawaiian pizza and oven-baked potato halves loaded with mozzarella and romano cheese topped with bacon bits

We settled down our dinner in this yellow signboard restaurant which mainly serve on pizza. The pizza was totally taste differently from our local Pizza Hut and I found their cheese were imported either from Australia or New Zealand. The size of the pizza was kinda huge for three of us but what's most importantly was it satisfied our taste buds. Awesomely delicious! The total damages for a pizza, sidemeal and three drinks cost P635 (approx. RM46) - kinda reasonable and cheap.

Ended our last night in Philippines by checking out Robinsons department store. Okay, we ladies never had enough of our shopping spree. Before I concluded this post, look what I found in one of the printed T-shirt that catch my attention. 

#11: Who do you support? Taylor Swift or Bruno Mars? 

Curious on how many shopping malls did we visited on that day? It's totally uncountable cause shopping malls in Philippines are seriously insane and mad. There are too many of them.

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Keep Calm & Travel to Hatyai (Sneak Peek)

It's kinda depressing for me after I was being forced to cancel my 10 days trip to China & Vietnam (click here) last few months due to work commitment. Plus the reason behind of lack update of my blog lately was because my hectic life as a freelance bookkeeper, where I work day and night including weekend for non-stop. At that moment, I realised that I seriously need another short getaway. Coincidentally, my friend who travelled with me to Bangkok last year also need a short break from her hectic life too and ended up, both of us choose to go Hatyai. It was kinda last minute planning where we bought the airticket less than two months ahead when we saw the promotion from AirAsia.

#1: Travel with Malaysia Airlines from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur for just a return airfare of RM136. Freaking dirt cheap - including 30kg of baggage allowance and in-flight meal!

#2: Went KL for just a flight connection. We bought a return airfare via AirAsia to Hatyai for RM161. For some of you, it might seems pricey, but like I mentioned before, we bought less than two months ahead. So, for us it's kinda reasonable.

#3: Sawatdee Kaa สวัสดี from Hatyai

#4: Centara Hotel Hatyai (formerly known as Novotel). Stayed in this hotel 10 years ago and decided to stay here again.

Actually, I went Hatyai before with my family back in 10 years ago but unfortunately we didn't managed to enjoy our long holiday here due to flood. Therefore I would love to make another visit here and try to cover few of the places and attractions which I missed out 10 years ago.

#5: Khlong Hae Floating Market. I prefer this one rather than Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Bangkok. The latter one was overrated and too commercialised. 

#6: Hatyai Ice Dome. Both of us wore short pants and we were shivering for non-stop. Kinda foolish but we really enjoy the beautiful ice sculpture with the lightning effect. 

#7: Songkhla Aquarium - It's kinda small but in order to kill our time, so we just went through with the flow.

#8: The Golden Mermaid statue - Famous landmark of Hatyai & Songkhla.

#9: Hatyai in ♥

Frankly speaking, although I fancy Bangkok city much more than Hatyai but my friend and I really enjoy our life here. In the beginning we thought that spending 5 days in Hatyai might be too much, where 4D3N should be appropriate but it's OK, cause like I said before, this trip is our short getaway to run away from our hectic life. Relax and easy, no rush throughout our 5 days and 4 nights trip. Take things easily and pampering ourselves.

#10: So basically what we did during our 5 days and 4 nights trip in Hatyai - eat, sleep, play & shopping. 

Hatyai - one of my travel bucket list has been achieved in ♥DT Travel♥. Guess after this, where will be my next destination?

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Philippines Day 5: Manila Ocean Park

Date of Visit: 24th March 2012

Frankly speaking, we were indeed overspend too much days in Manila itself. We had done with visiting most of the tourist top spots such as Tagaytag City, shopping at the second largest mall in the Philippines, SM Mall of Asia, and even done with city tour around Manila. 

Thank goodness Manila has more to offers for the foreign tourists like us - such as having fun and exciting experience in their theme park, Enchanted Kingdom or even getting wet in their biggest waterpark, Splash Island. There is another option which is an oceanarium in Manila, Ocean Manila and we opted for this one since it was kinda near to our lodging.

#1: Here I am at Manila Ocean Park

Manila Ocean Park is the first world-class marine theme park in Philippines. It's not just an oceanarium, but also serves as a premiere educational facility. It is very close to Rizal Park, which located just opposite to it. 

#2: There are many kind of package rates that you can choose from and we opted for the PH900 (roughly around RM63).

The package we took which includes entrance to Oceanarium, Sea Lion Show, Marine Life Habitat, Fish Spa, Jellies Exhibit, Trails to Antarctica and Musical Fountain Show. It's really worth cause we spend whole of our day in here. 

#3: Sea Lion Show started at 2pm

We started our tour with Sea Lion Show, located just next to the ticket counters. I watched this kind of show before during my maiden trip to Ocean Park, Hong Kong but I always get exciting with this kind of entertaining show. Both of the sea lion were so adorable and makes all the audience laughed non-stop throughout the show. No worry, their trainers spoke in English language. By the way, if you got the chance to visit here, don't be shy and become volunteer if they request cause you could get close to these two sea lions.

#4: One of Oceanarium's area - Looks alike rainforest

#5: The main attraction: the walkway underwater acrylic tunnel - which similarly seen in Ocean Park (Hong Kong), Underwater World (Singapore), Aquaria KLCC (Malaysia) and Siam Ocean World (Thailand).

#6: All About Penguins - Remind me of the Happy Feet animated movie

If you have extra money and don't know where to spend, try to feed the penguins! I forgot how much they charged for that but you got the chance to get close with the penguins and they even provides photos of you and your family with the penguins. Those photos are save in a CD for you to bring back home. We didn't do so cause it seems a bit pricey for us but if I really got the chance, I really wish I could do so. Not like we got the chance to see penguin everyday especially in a hot and tropical country like us.

#7: Jellies Dancing Sea Fairies - My favourite section compare to the others.

The arrangement and ambiance of the jelly fish section was so beautiful and well designed. Upon entering into this, all those jellies were just like grow in the dark and they were so colourful eventhough they were behind those transparent glasses. Instead of swimming, I felt like those jellies were indeed doing their dance and at that moment, I think my eyes were barely blink and non-stop watching they dance. It's really pretty amazing cause I will never thought jelly fish cause be so interesting to me.

#8: Ended our night with Musical Fountain Show

We ended our tour with Musical Fountain Show which performed at the same location as the Sea Lion Show. And again, this night show which started at 7pm, never fail to amaze us with different kind of water nozzles, music, light, sound and special effects. As you can see the photo above, there even a laser show behind the Philippines's first and tallest musical fountain. And finally, it ended with loud bang of colourful fireworks.

It's not just entertaining but also serve as the purpose for education. However, if you had been most of the aquarium world and park before such as Ocean Park (Hong Kong), Underwater World (Singapore), Aquaria KLCC (Malaysia) and Siam Ocean World (Thailand), maybe this place is not highly recommended unless like us, if you got plenty of time then you could go ahead with this.

[Credit To: Wikipedia, Manila Ocean Park homepage]

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Exclusive Day Trip to Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa

Date of Visited: 08 June 2013

Everytime when most my friends plan to come Kota Kinabalu for holidays, for sure they will get some advise or tips from me on where to go and what to do. As for me, besides visiting the Kinabalu Park for our famous iconic of Mount Kinabalu, of course I will recommend for island hopping. That's what Sabah famous for, right? Even some of my Peninsular friends said that I am so lucky to stay in Sabah cause anytime I could make a trip to island.

If any of you are planning to come to Kota Kinabalu soon or even if a sun-drenched paradise is your ideal of a perfect getaway, why not book for this exclusive day trip package to this tranquil and exotic Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa for just RM145 for adult and RM95 for child, which including 3 courses meals with 1 soft drink and even if you want do water activites like kayaking and snorkelling, all those equipments are provided, like what I did blogged before in my previous post (click here).

Few bloggers and I were lucky enough as we were being sponsored to experience this enjoyable and wonderful island getaway. Yippee!!

#1: Departed from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal around 10.30 am [Photo credit to Beverly Tam]

Located in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, this private island is 25 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu. Unlike the rest of the islands that located nearby but lately most of them were kinda overcrowded, this private island gave a very serene and calm feelings. It's totally perfect for those couples who looking for some private moments.

#2: Such a stunning and mesmerizing crystal clear sea of the island.

#3: Four of these pavilions can be used to set up for special occasions, especially candle light dinner under the moonlight.

#4: Another timbered pavilion

Upon arrival, we were being greet by their friendly and attentive staffs. We were even being served with welcome drinks and towels. Such an excellent and warm services provided by them. Once we done settled everything, we were brought around for de-tour around the island and surpringly, this island was so huge. Thank goodness they brought us around with their buggy ride, or else for sure some of us will run out of energy by end of this trip.

Not just that, we were being told even one of the Irish popular singer, Ronan Keating, the lead singer of Boyzone with his famous song "When You Say Nothing At All" ever stayed here before too.

#5: Man-made waterfall tucked in the middle of this island

#6: Infinity pool - Only for their in-house guests

#7: Solace Spa - Comprises six exotic private spa pavilions perched atop of the hill for the guest to enjoy calm and relax treatment. Their signature massage - bamboo massage is highly recommended.

#8: A chill room of Winecellar or known as Wine Cave - According to their staff, the owner of this resort love wine so much.

#9: The Koi - Not just a restaurant, they even provide cooking class especially to those foreign tourists who interested in learning to cook local meals.

 #10: A colourful set-up table just for us at Pantai Grill 

Besides The Koi, this resort has another dining place which known as Pantai Grill, which is in an idyllic setting at the foot of the beach. Here is where we're enjoying our scrumptious lunch.

#11: Not just creative, their menu of the day is so eco-friendly.

Like I mentioned earlier, the day trip package including 3 courses meals - from starter to main course and dessert.

#12: Starter being served on that day - Mix Garden Green Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

There are even two other choices you can choose from besides the above:

• Cream chicken lemon soup
• Greek salad

As for main course, there are 5 options given and we were being served on these followings:

#13: Braised Lamb Shanks with Corn, Cob & Coleslow - I not really like to eat lamb but oh my, this was so delicious.

#14: Mixed Grilled Satay (Chicken & Beef)

#15: Pizza baked in their own handmade-oven.

#16: Dessert - Peppermints Panacotta with Dark Chocolate Sticks. Absolutely perfect match.

Not just that, we were also being served with their own fresh organic fish.

#17: Tiger Garupa

#18: Red Snapper

Frankly speaking, we were never expecting that they will serve us with so many kind of foods. Kudos to their excellent and great-skill chefs, we were absolutely so full and satisfied with all the foods provided. Before we move on to our water activities, we were brought to have a look at one of their villa.

#19: Each of their humble timbered villa features extended wrap around balconies and private plunge pools. It makes me don't wanna leave the island. How I wish they could sponsor each of us with an overnight sleep somehow?

We ended our day by did the water activities - kayaking and snorkelling. All of the equipments for these two water activities were provided - life jacket and snorkelling mask. One of their staff was so kind enough and brought us to see such a huge and giant clams. They were amazingly beautiful, man!

We left this beautiful and stunning island around 3.30pm. From the expression, I can see that none of us wanna leave this island. Everything seems so perfect - like we were in paradise.

#20: A jewel island in the coast of Borneo

#21: Group photo at the jetty. From left to right: Beverly Tam, Vivian & Matthew from Breeze Magazine, Chloe, Charlotte Fong, Mei Tzeu, Eric Constantin, Mr Tomas Anderson (General Manager), Tom Rungitom, Calista Leah Liew, Margaret Chong, Sherrie Pui, Nadia Sucinta Domianus (Personal Assistant) and DT. [Photo credit to Beverly Tam]

Last but not least, I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa for the sponsored of this day trip. I always wanna visit this island for such long time and finally, my dreams came true. Thank you so much, Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa.

So come and book your day trip in their Gayana office located in Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal. 

For further enquiry, kindly please contact: 

Miss Junei Voo

Resorts Sales Manager 

Mobile: +6013851 6330

Tel: +6088380390

Fax: +6088247390

Email: junei.voo@gayana-eco-resort.com

or you can even chekc out their facebook page - Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa.

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