HK bound for summer

Yes, we are HongKong bound this summer. Weeee, super excited to be back on the happiest place on earth! This time, more excited as we will be back with the youngest member of our family, Migo. Our travel will be perfect this year as we will catch the 5th Year Anniversary of Disneyland HK and see the new float parade --- Flights of Fantasy with Tinkerbell's fairies too. Really excited! And of course, aside from enjoying all the Disney rides, I also look forward to those cute souvenir items like bags, umbrellas, shirts, key charm and pens with the famous Disney characters. Weeee ...more excited. Few months to go and we are HK-bound summer.

Spooktacular Halloween!

Just got back from our short weekend treat! Our Halloween Trick or Treat'n was spent at Sofitel Hotel wherein we booked for an overnight accommodation to enjoy the Spooktacular Halloween Specials at Spirals. By booking an overnight accommodation, we were able to enjoy two free tickets for Halloween Trick or Treat, buffet breakfast for two at Spirals (kids eat free!) and enjoy the nice pool for the kids to swim. And to make it more fun, we've invited some of our relatives to join us for a swim and spend the Halloween night with us =) Awesome break from the city! Here's some of our swim photos with the kids ...

Ok, too much fun in the sun eh? Seriously, I need to find the best anti wrinkle cream available in the market for my use. Since I am not getting any younger, and with too much exposure in the sun lately, I need to start taking care of my skin. You see, I am bad with skin maintenance and my derma can attest to that! LOL

The Happiest Place on Earth

is always Disneyland for me. As a kid, I always dreamed of living inside Disneyland. A wish that I can stay forever so I can have tea parties with the princesses, dance with Mickey and Minnie, and sing all day with Donald Duck or Goofy. Or perhaps enjoy the magical show of Lion King over and over, or ride the time of my life at It's a small world boat ride. Staying at Disney seems so magical and I love each of my visit here yearly. I will never get tired of seeing the shows or bringing my kids. After all we are all kid at heart =)

At the Happiest Place on Earth with my happy family

crazy over Madagascar

Yes, the little girl is crazy again over Madagascar cartoons. After our trip in Universal Studios Singapore, she can't stop talking about her favorite animals from Madagascar movie. How she adores Melman, Alex the Lion and Marty ... but the best of em all, Gloria! And even the mischievous penguins and cunning King Julien. She loves em all! In fact, she loves the animals so much that on her upcoming sixth birthday she decided to have Jungle Animals Theme in line with Madagascar movie. Real cute, eh.

Tokyo travel plans

Traveling to Tokyo proved not difficult at all. As I was preparing for our travel itinerary weeks before our travel, I was having a hard time understanding the directions and even instructions.It came to a point I was lost in translation, and doing our travel itinerary proved to be troublesome. I've wanted to do everything during our short trip. So many places to go and see. I've patiently done some research, asked friends, read some reviews and even read some blog posts thru free directory submissions ... just to prepared for the Tokyo trip. And happily, all these research and readings paid off. As we came to Japan, everything planned and mapped out. Thus, our recent travel went like a breeze. No hitches. Everything just fell into place as planned. Laaveet!! Because of this, I officially appoint myself the travel planner of the family. Tee-hee!! :)

tokyo loots

And we are back ... from our five-day trip in Tokyo, Japan. It was a short but all-fun trip. I enjoyed Tokyo so much. From the good food, nice people, amazing transportation services, huge malls and all the lights and sounds of Tokyo. Everything is so amazing and beautiful. I've wanted to explore more of Tokyo, but got too little time. And as I was saying to the husband, I want to go back. I love Tokyo to bits and will not grow tired of exploring this city. I want to see more ... the traditional side of Japan. Probably go to other parts of Tokyo like Nagoya or Osaka. Heard it's equally beautiful here too. Hahaha!

Though we want to do some shopping in the city like trying to find nice and authentic Japanese-inspired outdoor rugs , everything is sooo expensive. My plan to get my dream bag did not materialize. With almost 40% mark-up from Paris price, of course it's a no-no buy for me! Went home empty-handed from my Ginza trip instead ... oh not so empty-handed, went home still with Japan best buy loots.

The authentic Hello Kitty items for my little girl: bags, lunch kits, utensils, pencil case, wallet, pins etc.
Oh so yummy Royce' Chocolates. Chips, Nama and chocolate bars. It is cheaper by 30% here in Japan.

travel plans

Before I search for an affordable and relieable video card for Kuya Ico's laptop (who has been complaining lately on his laptop's performance when engaged in online games), allow me to share latest update on my travel plans for the year. Yes, surprisingly I will be out for international trips more this year compared to previous years ever. I'll be doing what I love best ... and that is travelling. My passion and love! So here's my travel itinerary for the year (moving skeds)

Feb 19-22 : Kota Kinabalu, company sales incentive

Mar 27-31 : Tokyo, Japan with hubby as post anniv trip

May 2nd week: Singapore client visit (annual trip)

May 28-31 : Macau with my HS friends

June 9 -12 : Singapore with the family for the Universal Studios treat

July 2nd week : Hongkong for client visit - work related

Aug 27-30 : Beijing, China with Highschool friends

Sept 3rd week: Canada/US trip with the husband to attend wedding of cousin (TENTATIVE depending on budget availability)

Whoa! So much travel plans eh? Really exciting! Now, I need to save up fast. With all these travel plans, will be really really broke this year :( Wish me luck.

back from Cebu trip

Yes, I am soo back after a three-day conference at Shangri-la Mactan, Cebu. It was hot, sun-shiny weather at Cebu. Perfect for swimming at the beach and soaking under the sun. Total opposite from the cold, rainy and floody streets of Manila. Sadly, was not able to enjoy the good weather here. I was so busy meeting clients for three-days!

My original plan for a little R&R before I give birth did not materialize. In fact, I even booked airfare and accommodation for two, that is for myself and my daughter, Samantha. Availed the low-fare promo from PAL and Local Resident's Package Shangri-la Resort. But at the last minute, I've decided to go alone because of hectic work schedule. Hotel booking cancelled, but the airfare was non-refundable. Too bad.

Anyway, despite working ... still enjoyed my stay. It ended up as bonding time for me and the husband together with our friends from the telecom industry. Of course, despite all the fun and partying ... we are still working! LOL.

I was able to get copy of my picture from the last night party of the ACC event. Looking at the picture, you'll see not only that I am in need of weight loss supplements , but the husband as well. Hahaha! With all the buffet food (and Cebu lechon) during our three-day stay, I strongly believed he gained few pounds from it. Even our friends can attest to it! Now he's desperate to go into crash diet. Poor husband. He's trying to cut down his rice intake lately and I hope (and pray) it'll work. Really wish him luck. Hahaha!

Summer in September

at Shangri-la Mactan Mactan Resort and Spa, Punta Engano Cebu.

Summer get-away in September. Why not? This coming September 9-12, the husband and I will attend the annual telecoms conference at Shangri-la Cebu. It will be an official business function for the husband since he is officially registered as a delegate of their company, while I ... I will just be attending few meetings with our foreign telco partners. Thus, I've got all the time in my hands to enjoy a short R&R with the little girl. Oh by the way, I've convinced the husband to bring the little girl along. No yaya, mind you. Just us and the little girl on a business trip. I've carefully planned how I can manage the little girl while I am attending meetings. Thanks to Shangri-la's Adventure Zone, I can leave her for hours here while I am busy with my clients! Or she can enjoy swimming while I am out for few hours of meetings. Hehehe! Praying that she'll cooperate. Or else, I am dead and will have to bring her to all my meetings. LOL.

Anyway, no definite plans yet for the little girl. But one thing for sure, it will be short get-away for me and my husband next month. Our last R&R break for 2009, or before I give birth by November. Thus, wish us luck. Off to our Cebu trip plans, need to help the husband to check humidifier filters online for their office use. He's tasked to replace their old humidifiers asap.

I love HK ...

...yes, we so love going to Hongkong which is why trip to our fave city will not be complete without visiting HK Disneyland (and shopping, of course!). Also a MUST for every trip to the happiest place on earth should be re-lived and captured with the famous Disney characters, Mickey and Minnie.

Check out our past two years photo ops with Mickey and Minnie. I think we were lucky to have our pictures taken with the famous mouse wearing different outfits on every Disney-themed celebration.

June 2007 : Disney Summer Special

February 2008 : Chinese New Year Special

October 2008 : Disney Halloween Special

June 2009 : Disney Summer Special (again)

June 2009 : Disney's Summer Luau Special : Lilo and Stitch

Hmmm ... Now makes me think that we probably lack just one season to complete our Mickey and Minnie picture collection. And that would be celebration of Christmas or Holidays! Probably December travel this year, wouldn't that be great just in time with the birth of the new baby ... what do you think? :)

The HongKong Trip : Day 4

Our fourth and last day in Hong Kong went like a breeze. Ico and I woke up past 8am and we went to Mc Donald's (along Hankow Road, back of our hotel) to get breakfast take-out for us. Since most of the shops were still closed by that time, Ico and I enjoyed walking at the streets of HK with less hustle and bustle of the city. Love Saturday mornings here.

As soon as we finished our breakfast and after packing our things, we then went out for a little pasalubong shopping at the side streets of Nathan Road. We bought few items more at Giordano kids for Sam (jackets) using my Giordano discount membership card. I was able to buy three (3) items at 40% off. Really good deal. I earned my membership card from my previous day shopping for the husband and Ico. Then we bought pasalubong foodie (chocolates/biscuits/pudding/candies) at one of the wholesale grocery store near the Chunking Mansion and some Chinese-inspired items like bags and wallets for helpers, friends and relatives. We were able to accomplish a lot of pasalubong items at the side-streets of Nathan. Laavveet!

We had lunch at one of the small restaturant along the streets offering Authentic Chinese Food. Don't know the name, it was written in Chinese but the food was really good. Serving size bigger compared to Cafe de Corale but priced a few HK dollars higher. Really good as we are tempted to order one whole Roasted Peking Duck for pasalubong here in Manila. LOL.

And since Kowloon Hotel was kind to accommodate our request for late check out at 3pm, we had enough time to rest and re-pack our things before we head for airport. Instead of taking the hotel shuttle to airport which was HK $130 per pax , we decided to take the city cab instead. Much cheaper and convenient since we only paid HK $220 for the four of us. More than half savings compared to airport shuttle.

We arrived at the HK Intl airport with more than 3-hours time to spare, so we had sooo much time to eat at Cafe de Corale again and shop for more pasalubong items. The husband chanced upon on sale jacket items from the Disneyland shop. He was able to get Mickey Mouse cotton jackets at HK $349 for 3. Good buy. He bought blue Mickey Mouse jacket for himself, pink Minnie Mouse for my MIL and red Mickey jacket for my Mom. Bait na manugang! LOL. (actually, he was forcing me to get one jacket for myself but I am not in the mood to get one, thus I sugested to get instead for my mom and MIL instead...which he happily obliged!)

Anyway, flight back to Manila was on time. Weather was good with no glitches. Even the immigration process went like a breeze. Our flight (Sam, Ico and me) was one hour and a half ahead from the husband. So we opted to wait for the husband to arrive at Shakey's resto near the airport. We craved for pizza this time after eating all those Chinese food for 4-days.

Inside the train at HK Intl Airport on our way to our Terminal ride.

Sam goofing around at the gates of HK Airport, waiting for our boarding call

At Shakey's resto ... just few minutes after we landed in Manila.

All in all, the four day trip to HK was truly a memorable and enjoyable one for the family. Really quality time family bonding. We are hoping to do this yearly ... hopefully, if budget permits. But probably next year it'll be much, much more fun with a new baby addition in our family. Just can't wait to bring the little baby to our next trip. LOL.

Now the husband is complaining. With all the yummy Chinese food dining we had in HK, he gained few pounds after the trip. Of course he was surprised to see the numbers on the weighing scale. And the numbers don't lie. Hehehe! He's seriously thinking of losing those excess weight by doing some Kettlebell work-out excersises. He was told by one of his colleagues it is an effective way to get lean and firm muscles to better tone and sculpt his body. Hmmm...now the husband is very much eager to start the program asap. Hope it'll work for him.

The HongKong Trip : Day 3

June 12: Friday

Again, the little girl woke up with a happy smile on her face. Think the hotel room has something to do about her good mood. It must be the non-stop Disney cartoons cable show or the Mickey and Minnie picture on the wall. Or the idea of waking up with Mommy and Daddy beside her, and Kuya on the other side of the bed inside Disney room.

Anyway, our day started with swimming again at the hotel pool. The weather was good for swimming ... sunny compared to our first day swim. This time, Kuya Ico joined us for swimming while the husband ... the husband went back to sleep. Hehehe.

It's our last day stay in the hotel, and the hotel was kind enough to accommodate our request for late check out. We left Disney hotel by 2pm and decided to take the free shuttle bus back to Disney MTR station. Before leaving Disneyland premise, we had couple of shots again to re-live the magical experience.


Instead of taking the cab, we took the MTR going to the city. Much cheaper and faster alternative to go to Tsimshatsui, Kowloon. Total MTR fare spent for 3 adults and1 kid to TST station at HK $49 compared to HK $250 taxi fare. Big savings, huh! Once inside the MTR, we again took some precuationary measures by wearing our disposable masks and by dabbing alcohol in our hands. Check out our MTR pictures below.

At past three pm, we were able to check in at Kowloon Hotel. It is strategically located near the malls (Ocean Terminal) and shops along Nathan Road. I soo love the location. I can see the Peninsula shops like Chanel, Tiffany and LV from my hotel room. Hehehe, lavet!!

We again had our late lunch at our fave fast-food Chinese resto, Cafe de Corale along the Nathan Road. The husband ordered so much here ... kasi nga this is his favorite Chinese fast-food. Graabe! Together with Ico, they indulged in Roasted Duck, Roasted Pork, Chicken in Soya and Baked porckchop. OA talaga! Sadly, I wasn't able to take the picture of these yummy food. Left my camera at the hotel.

After eating at Cafe de Corale, we went shopping along the Nathan Road. The husband bought his office attire at G2000 while Ico shopped for school clothes at Bossini and Giordano. After two hours of shopping along the area, we all went back to hotel for rest.

Of course, the low EQ in me skipped the time to rest. Instead, I went to Canton Road to visit the biggest LV, Chanel and Gucci store in HK. But frustrated and sad ... went back to the hotel empty handed after few hours.

By night time, we all went out for dinner. Still at to our fave resto of all time ... Cafe de Corale. We ordered almost the same food for lunch. Roasted Duck and Pork. Can't get enough of it! Bwahahaha!

After dinner, enjoyed walking at the Avenue of Stars, Kowloon Bay. We were supposed to watch the Symphony of Lights but again, we missed the show. For years we missed this particular show. Hehehe! We never had the chance to watched it ever, either we are late or too tired from shopping to watch it. Perhaps, next time again. LOL.

The HongKong Trip : Day 2

June 11 (Thursday) : Disney Hollywood Hotel and Disneyland

Our second day in HK was spent early at the HongKong Disney Hollywood Hotel. After breakfast, Samantha and I went to enjoy the good weather at the pool area. With only few kids swimming here, we almost had the pool area entirely to ourselves. Samantha enjoyed the warm water and the kiddie slide. No worries with the safety and security of the kiddie pool. It was carefully watched by three life guards and they even provide life vest for small kids. Truly worry-free water fun for kids. Highly recommended.

By noon, the husband arrived from Manila. He took a cab from the airport (HK$90) and went directly to our hotel. After the husband had some rest, we immediately trooped to Disneyland to maximize our two-day Disney pass.

Our first stop, late lunch at The Plaza. A fine dining restaurant that offers Authentic Chinese food catered by Maxim's. Food here kinda pricey compared to other fast-food outlets inside Disneyland. But nevetheless, really yummy food with a serving size bigger than the usual a la carte restaurants in HK.

After the sumptous lunch, we then headed to watch the Disney Waterwork's Parade. Yes, for the 2nd time. This time we were now prepared with raincoats and umbrella to avoid getting wet. We even rented stroller for Samantha so we don't have to carry her all the time.

Then more pictures and rides at Disneyland. We rode for the second time Sam's favorite Cinderella carousel, Dumbo, Mad Hatter's Tea cup and It's a small world. We even watched The Golden Mickey (for the nth time) as well as the Lion King show. The little girl did not enjoy the Lion King again. Well, she never did enjoy this show eversince. The stage set was very dark, with super loud surround music inside the theater. Sam's scared here plus add the fire dance displayed by the dancers.

Samantha playing at the water fountain while waiting for Daddy and Kuya from the Space Mountain ride (adult roller-coaster). They enjoyed the roller-coaster ride so much. So much that they rode it twice. They tried also the new ride at Tomorrowland, battery-powered car by Honda. Kinda boring and ho-hum ride according to the boys but they still rode to experience it anyway.

It was a tiring 2nd day in Disneyland. After all the shows and rides, we waited for the usual Disney finale, the fireworks display! With this finale, I asked permission from the husband that I'll skip the fireworks show so I can have some shopping time at Tun Chung outlet (one MTR station away from Sunny Bay/Disneyland). Of course, he happily obliged to be left with Samantha at Disney than go with me on a shopping-spree in Tun Chung. LOL.

Ico riding the MTR going to Tun Chung outlet store

After spending few hours at Tun Chung, went back to hotel and call it a day. Of course the day has not ended for the little girl. She had so much fun at Disney, went home with her toy and she even enjoyed the non-stop Disney movies on cable. Perfect vacation treat for the little girl.

Samantha happy with her Disney toy loot : Disney playhouse

Day 3 and Day 4 HK post to follow ...