My Travel Haul & Expenses of Philippines (2012)

Philippines might sounds like nothing to shop for but you will be shocked that there are plenty of shopping malls in Manila city itself. Although we didn't manage to visit of them, at least we did visit few of them such as SM Mall of Asia and even few malls which situated in Ayala Station. I had to admit that it's really hard for me to resist myself from shopping when I travel abroad but in the mean time, I did refrain myself from shopping too much cause I do have my own budget when comes to shopping.

And now let me reveal what did I bought when throughout my 7 days and 6 nights trip in Philippines:

#1: As usual, this is all my shopping and foods haul from Philippines.

#2: Food hauls - The dried mangoes were so delicious and yummy! Regret for bought so little.

Bought most of my food and snack from supermarket of SM Mall of Asia. 

#3: My travel collections: Keychains and fridge magnets 

Fridge magnets bought from different places - With the brand Kultura, its from SM Mall of Asia whereas those in pack bought from Quiapo Market Manila.

#3: My very first luggage tags collection - Bought from SM Mall of Asia as well

#4: Accessories - Earrings from Kultura, SM Mall of Asia and hair clips from The Landmark

#5: Philippines tote bag and toiletries bag from Kultura, SM Mall of Asia - The quality is worth every dollar we paid.

#6: I'm kinda fancy sling bags and bought both of these from The Landmark where both cost RM57

#7: Canvas flat shoe from night market. Just cost P100, approx to RM7. Freaking dirt cheap.

I even wore the white one throughout my trip to Hatyai, Thailand last month. 

#8: T-shirts and tops for my family including my uncle and Boyfie.

And the following is my sharing of the full details of my travel expenses that I spend throughout the 7 days and 6 nights trip around Philippines:

(The rate as at the time I changed; RM7.24 : P100)

NOTE:

1. The airfare didn't included the airport tax and it's compulsory to pay before depart. 
2. Initially, we travelled by hand-carry but unfortunately our umbrellas were strictly prohibited to be on board. Therefore, got no choice but being forced to check-in just for the sake of our umbrellas.
3. Stayed for 6 nights throughout our trip. For more information about this budget guesthouse, click HERE. 
4. Rate for a day is P3,500 - unlimited time per day and it's including the fuel and driver fee as well but excluded the parking and entrance fees.
5. This includes the admission fees, boat and horse ride. 
6. Most of my souvenirs and shopping haul are as above photos. Also including postcards and stamps which I bought and send to recipients in Philippines.
7. Tips for the bus driver, horse guide.

Read more »

Philippines Day 7: Farewell Philippines

Date of Visit: 26th March 2012

After spending a week in Philippines (mostly around Manila), it's time for us to pack our bag and leave this fun-going and adventurous country. And because our flight back to Kota Kinabalu was in the evening, therefore we still had more time to loiter around before going to the airport. Check-out from Friendly GuestHouse and brought along our heavy luggage to Robinsons Place Mall. Decided to have our brunch here as well as, another last minute shopping here. Really couldn't get enough of shopping!

#1: Decided to try their KFC cause it's totally different from our Malaysia KFC

#2: My brunch - Pasta Bowl Fully Loaded. Comes with a pasta bowl mixed with fried chicken, one piece of chicken, rice, brownies and a drink. Cost P165 (approx. to RM12)

#3: My friend decided to add another side meal - Cheezy Bacon with Fries

Take note that KFC outlets in Philippines were non-halal. In Manila itself, halal choices were kinda limited. Even other fast food chains such as McDonalds and Pizza Hut were not halal as well. 

#4: A top for just P100, which means RM7 per piece. It's freaking dirt cheap and now you know why we can't stop shopping around?

We took taxi from Robinsons Place Mall to Pasay Bus Station for a 3 hours bus ride to Clark International Airport. We requested the taxi driver to turn on his meter but he refused cause according to him, it was traffic jam at that hour. Because we afraid that we might miss the bus, hence we agreed to pay the amount he requested for. Taxi drivers in Philippines were another insane and mad driver I ever came across. You can't imagine how close their car to the car next to them - seems like less than one inch apart only.

#5: From Pasay to Clark Airport, it cost P450 (approx. to RM14)

Upon arriving Pasay Bus Station, we were being told that the bus is almost leaving and we rushed as fast as we can into the bus. Lucky us! We managed to be in the bus, or else, not just the bus we missed, even the flight we might be missed out too. By the way, good news to those who will be flying with AirAsia to Clark International Airport (formerly named as Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) cause there will be free shuttle services exclusively to AirAsia and AirAsia Philippines passengers on certain period, whether it is inbound and outbound flights. [Source]

#6: Terminal fee for P500 (approx. to RM35) for international flight

The main reason behind why we managed to secure such a freaking dirt cheap airfare which the cost of return for just RM45 only was because the airport tax wasn't included. So bear in mind to leave P500 on your last day in order to pay for your terminal fee and not spending  them all. Not just for flight from Philippines, even flight from Indonesia, most of their airfare weren't included the airport tax. So do take note for those who haven't been to any of these two countries.

Latest News:
Revised on Clark International Airport's passenger service charge/terminal fee currently as the following: 

• International Passenger Terminal - P450.00 / departing passenger
• Domestic Passenger Terminal - P150.00 / departing passenger

#7: Clark International Airport is kinda small - almost the same size of our Kota Kinabalu International Airport Terminal 2. 

And that's concluded my third outbound trip for the year 2012. One thing that I learned from this Philippines trip is "To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries" and I'm totally agree with this quote. Before this, I thought that Philippines might be one of the dangerous country but looks like I was wrong all this while. The local were so friendly and helpful to us. Well, in some places I might saw few signs like "Please deposit your firearms upon entry" and it indeed gave us a huge shocked but then it shows that they are also trying to secure everyone safety indeed.

#8: My Peso leftover

Whether will I going back Philippines again? Perhaps yes but not so soon cause there are so many places and countries for me to discover at this moment. To be frank, there are plenty of places in Philippines that you could visit and explore, not just in Manila itself. From pristine beaches and marvelous natural wonders to interesting historic sites and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, Philippines pack many exciting things to see and do. And million thanks to Lilyriani from Globetrotter for sharing this - 10 Top Tourist Attractions in the Philippines.

Read more »

MATTA Fair Sabah 2013

One of the event that I won't miss out if I am around Sabah - non other than MATTA Fair, the no.1 travel and tourism fair in Malaysia. I went two years ago (click HERE) but as for last year, I didn't went because I was away for my trip. Fret not, cause MATTA Fair is happened annually and this year, it happened again for three days this year, starting from 5th of July until 7th of July at Suria Sabah.

#1: Most of the booths are located on basement floor

I can see this year MATTA Fair Sabah is mostly dominated by Malaysia Airlines. But as for AirAsia, Royal Brunei or even Malindo Air, I didn't spotted any of them this year. Wondering why?

#2: Impressive exhibition booth of the world class airline located at the ground floor

If you need advise, tips and guides, there are few booths of these tourim organisation to help in answering all your doubts and queries.

#3: Taiwan Tourism Organisation

#4: Korea Tourism Organsation

#5: Macau Tourism Organisation

#6: Wonderful Indonesia

Besides that, this year exhibition booth for cruises are getting more and more compare to last few years. Mainly because the well-known cruise operator, Genting Hong Kong's Star Cruises will soon to homeport in Kota Kinabalu in this coming November.
 

#7: Genting Hong Kong's Star Cruises

#8: Trafalgar Cruise

Besides cruises line, I also noticed that Muslim Packages in this fair are getting popular and offered by most of the travel agencies.

#9: Affordable and friendly Muslim Package


#10: Tabung Haji Travel Service - Never knew about this until now

Oriental countries like Taiwan, Japan, China, Hong Kong & Korea seems to be the most popular and almost everyone favourite travel packages like every other years. Whereas Indochina countries like Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar seems to be limited of choices. Eventhough most of the offers were focus on outbound packages especially, there are few inbound available but not as much choices compare to the outbound packages. 

#11: Borneo Rainforest Lodge - Adventure to Danum Valley

#12: Borneo Paradise Holidays for Borneo Hospitality

To be frank, I kinda prefer the one that held in Kuala Lumpur cause there are more booth especially on the  tourism board such as Japan and Thailand and even on the Korea Tourism Organisation booth itself, I tends to get more information, tips and guidance from them. My experience on MATTA Fair KL 2011 - click HERE.

So for all KKians, what are you waiting for? Head over to Suria Sabah within this weekend to search for your perfect and ideal getaway that comes in a great and best travel deals during this MATTA Fair.

Read more »

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.

Read more »

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?

For more of my travel updates, follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Read more »