TRAVEL

It’s our 10th day today here at Boracay, the longest Toppet and I have been in an island, more so with our kids, a 4 year and 1 year old, can you imagine. I have to admit I was scared on our first day. Kaya ba namin? Kaya ko ba… hahaha.. so far so good. Yes its tiring, its challenging, its even CHAOS at times, but its fulfilling to see our kids exploring the outside world again.  Hannah Hotel Boracay is a perfect choice for us. When we were initially planning our trip, knowing we will need a place to stay and survive for at least 3 weeks, looking for an apartment or airbnb was the most ideal option price wise. However, with kids, we have to consider things like needing immediate assistance, ensure safety and security. Does that make sense. Here are probably the reasons why we like this hotel.  Its located in Station 1, a few mins walk from the beach, about 3 mins when you’re solo, about 5 mins when you have a child with you 😀😅.  Those tiny legs, you get it . It’s homey, you wouldn’t feel like its a 4 storey building. The hallway […]

Casa Kalinaw, San Juan Batangas Last August, we were grateful to be able to experience an overnight stay at Casa Kalinaw with the Rockwell gang. Casa Kalinaw is a marvelous, modern, beachfront rest house or villa in San Juan Batangas. It can be booked via AirBnB. Perfect for large group of family/friends. To say that the villa is beautiful is an understatement. Let the photos speak for itself. Photos grabbed from Geng and Olga. (thank you!)

Kai was just around 17 months when we had an idea to bring her to the zoo. She was starting to get fond of the farm song (Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O) and by that time, she has learned how to identify animals by their sound.  The only memory of me ever going to the zoo was probably one of the school field trips that I had. It could be Manila Zoo. I’m sure it was. Knowing the condition of the zoo, it isn’t the best one that we have (no pun intended). This got me curious, like what’s the best one out there or what’s the go-to place these days to see animals. I was really looking for options. I know about the zoo in Subic and Tagaytay. But I never knew there was one, not a zoo, but a safari in Carmen Cebu. Yay! We were so freaking excited! This is considered the biggest safari park in the Philippines with 170 hectares of land and more than a thousand animals. It’s really worth seeing! It’s been a year since this trip, and I can’t say about it much anymore since a lot has been improved in the […]

Toppet and I planned to celebrate Kai’s 3rd birthday at Hong Kong Disneyland in March 2020. But we had to reschedule at an earlier date because we found out that my pregnancy’s due date falls in the same month.  I also learned that kids below 3-year-old get a free entrance! So it’s a win-win! Add the fact that our gift on her birthday is a baby brother! That’s even better. 😉 Feeling anxious Travelling with a two-year-old toddler is exciting! But it could be dreadful at times when you realize you aren’t prepared enough. Especially when it’s your baby’s first time to be exposed in a new environment and let’s not forget, 2 -3-year-olds run like crazy. Who likes chasing kids when you’re in your 4th month of pregnancy haha. I was quite anxious about the trip, but I believe in the benefits of travelling for kids, so off we still go. But go for it I already know that things won’t always go as planned. But as long as you think you can manage your toddler’s temper and you can keep your emotions in check too, you’re doing just fine. Being nervous is okay! We were also!  As parents, […]

This was our first time going on a trip with a toddler, without anyone (like grandma) tagging along. We found Costabella Tropical Beach Resort while searching online for a baby friendly resort in Cebu. Our preference for a getaway resort has now changed for my husband and I. Yep –  a toddler in tow. So with the help of Google and photos of facilities posted on their website, we were able to find the perfect resort! The kiddie play area was one of the things we were excited about! So we booked our reservation and scheduled our trip right after our Safari Adventure in Carmen Cebu. We didn’t have a bad experience at all in Costabella Tropical Beach Resort. Every transaction was so smooth, everyone was so friendly and smiling, the customer service was superb and we absolutely would love to come back! on summer when its high tide, so we can finally get to see the beach without the moss. Our daughter had fun swimming and playing in the sand. Traveling with a toddler can be so tough, but it was, as they say, always worth it. I realized that we get so caught up with life and our […]

After our Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour, we retrieved our bags from the guesthouse then proceeded to check in at Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa at around 4:00pm. This is the part where we relax and just literally chill all night until we head back to Manila the next day plus it’s just 10 minutes away from the airport. It was perfect because after spending 2 days touring (Underground River and Honda Bay) we ended our trip with a staycation at a resort where we can destress. (Never book a reaaaaallly nice room and leave it all day, just my two cents). I enjoyed swimming because it was just oustide our balcony. My husband didn’t need to accompany me, I can just go anytime and all he has to do was look outside. If we were to come back to Puerto Princesa, Palawan we would love to return here.   We were supposed to check out the sand bar unfortunately the weather was not on our side. We were already half way when it started to rain.   We explored the resort and enjoyed ourselves with their facilities. There’s billiard, foosball, giant chess and a lot more.   Overall, we […]

Puerto Princesa We embarked on a trip to Palawan to see one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. In all our trips, I have always been hands on in everything. However, just because I didn’t want to make an effort, lol, Carol of King James Travel and Tour took care of our air plane tickets and accomodation. The great deal was that you can pay it in cash and in installment basis, hassle free. All I did was say “yes, please book me two tickets.” Our itinerary did not include a City Tour since my husband and I are more inclined to have a laidback vacay and we didn’t really want to take a photo with a crocodile or a baker haha (no pun intended, we’re just a lazy couple). So when we arrived on our first day at Tia Mers Guesthouse, we made dinner reservation for two at Kalui,rested for a bit and went to Robinsons for lunch. I heard that Chaolong is a must try and it was a good choice at the time because it was raining and I wanted something hot and spicy. Chaolong is a Vietnamese dish, and if you’re wondering […]

Spent a weekend in a cozy beach front house in Tali Beach, Nasugbu Batangas with friends. So glad I said yes, not knowing where our destination will be.

My office mates found a decent private pool and rest house for our team building this year in Malvar Batangas. Sounds faraway but if you take SLEX you will get there at least an hour and half from Manila, without traffic. To book the venue, visit their AirBnb page.

Here’s our wedding avp.

Edited by Toppet Sales What got us more excited with this video? The aerial shots from my cousin’s Phantom. What an awesome toy!! If you happen to have unused video clips from your beach getaways and trips stuck in your hard drive and SDs forever, and you’re too lazy to edit them, why not call , tweet or send me message! Lets talk about it and make an awesome music video! *wink*

Day 2, Universal Studios Singapore and more

Our plane trip was naturally smooth but upon arriving Changi International Airport at 1:00am, we had to stay and wait for the MRT to open at 6 in the morning. Staying at Mcdonalds (Terminal 2, Arrival Hall) was

Wonder how to go to IKEA Alexandra without hailing a cab? Here’s how.

Of all the beaches we can go to, Bantayan Island stood out for me. I’m sure Malapascua, Oslob, Panglao and Mactan beaches are incredible too but I am ecstatic about visiting Bantayan island because I rarely hear anyone within my circle that has visited the island. So I did my usual research in getting to

Beitou is the most mountainous and highest of Taipei’s districts,encompassing a meadow with rivers running through the valley which have abundant steam rising from them; the result of geothermal warming. The valley is often surrounded by mist shrouding the trees and grass. …

Shots taken during our trip to Bantayan Island, Cebu.

Yehliu (Chinese: 野柳; pinyin: Yěliǔ) is a cape on the north coast of Taiwan in the town of Wanli between Taipei and Keelung.

From the get-go I think its such a hassle to go to a country with visa requirement. But it was worth it when I saw that Cherry Blossoms. in Taiwan.

Early 2012. I tagged along with Toppet and his relatives to spend a weekend in his Lola’s house in Kalibo and then we went on a side trip to Boracay.

Here’s a video snippet of our trip to La Union. The return of the Chico crew to San Juan, La Union with Mark, Danish, Jun, Sirus, Chuchay, Toto, me and Toppet.

At last, after 8 hours of traveling by bus, we arrived in Genesis Terminal in San Fernando City, La Union. We had our late lunch in an eatery in front of the terminal. I had Dinakdakan, LU style (Php35 /saucer) and a cup…

The next day. (June 18, 2012)

Toppet and I decided to skip Ocean Park. As much as we’d like to, we want to explore the streets and visit the stores we had in mind. While our friends went to Ocean Park, we had our own schedule for the day. It was an impromptu..

My first trip abroad with my family. I enjoyed it a lot, then again, not as equally as making your own plans and itinerary for the day. I’m talking about where I want to go? what to eat? what to buy? should we leave now and rest? cos no, my happy dying feet won’t give up no matter what.

RPMC Team Building Batch 2, July 6, 2012 Eagle Point Resort, Batangas Sepoc Beach Center

Watch our video clips taken at San Juan La Union.

Watch our video clips during our trip in Hong Kong.

Puerto Galera used to be one of my favorite places to go to whenever I just feel like going to the beach. No more planning and finding out how I’m gonna get there. I just grab my bag, money and shades and then I’m gone for the whole weekend. I have been there three times during 2009-2010.

Mt. Pinatubo, a trip where I am certain I will never do again. Hehe. I think this is great if it’s just a one-time thing you want to experience. Although, I don’t recommend this to people who are not up to a 2.5 hour trek under the heat…

Remember the film Blue Crush? I want to be Anna Marie Chadwick (Kate Bosworth). I am a surfer chic in my own way. HA! La Union.

We planned a trip to Urbiztondo, San Juan La Union and stayed at San Juan Surf Resort where the recognized Billabong Surf School is situated. The school was established by Luke Landrigan, a Filipino-Australian celebrity surfing champion…

Long weekend it was when we headed down to Quezon with my friends and co-workers. I got to shoot portrait in my favorite place, the beach! We went to Pueblo Por La Playa,a Mexican inspired residential and country club in Pueblo Quezon.

A trip to Iloilo to explore the untouched islands of Concepcion.