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 ...

The HongKong Trip : Day 1

Last June 10, our family pushed thru with our much-awaited holiday break at HongKong. Despite the H1N1 scare, we still decided to push thru with our travel plans as a summer cum back-to-school treat for the kids, and my birthday treat.

Anyway prior the trip, we've made some precautionary measures to avoid the flu virus. Aside from giving them flu shots weeks before our travel, the family took ascorbic acid on a double dosage. From the usual 500g per day, it was taken at 1000g per day. We made sure that our immune systems were well-prepared to combat any possible virus.

June 10 (Wed) : Day 1 at Hongkong Disneyland.

Since we took the flight a day ahead from the husband, I've decided it will be more practical to proceed to Disneyland Hotel from the airport and enjoy Disneyland with the kids. Less fuss and hassle of course especially if you have kids in tow.

While waiting for our delayed PAL flight. From 10am flight, we waited another hour for our trip. We left Manila at 1115 am. Not bad considering there were few passengers only at this time.

Inside the aircraft, I was able to convince the little girl to wear her mask whenever we are inside enclosed places like plane and MTR trains. She happily obliged of course with a little bribe of a Disney toy. Aside from the masks I bought from our local drugstore, I also have pocket-sized alcohol to keep our hands clean. Safety net of course. Suprisingly, only a handful of tourists were wearing masks at the HK International airport and inside the plane. The H1N1 scare not that scary after all.

We were so lazy to leave the hotel thus we arrived at Disneyland (via free coach services) around 3pm. Just in time to catch the Disney Summer Waterworks Parade. If there's something I love about Disneyland, they always showcase different parade every year. For my past four visits at Disney, I haven't watched same parade twice. Which makes it more exciting and worthwhile to go back at HK Disneyland. Anyway, after the waterworks parade,we were all wet! Mind you they use Bonaqua for the water spray...that is HK distilled water! LOL.

And of course, more pictures with the Disney characters and Disney's famous landmarks

Trip at HK Dinseyland will not be complete without pictures with Mickey and Minnie.

And more pictures with some of the rides : Cinderella carousel, Mad Hatter's Tea cup ride, Flying Dumbo and the new ride which opened 3Q 2008 : It's a Small World. Sadly, the Winnie the Pooh Ride was under maintenance during our visit. The little girl missed this ride.

Sam's First Day in School

Just want to share Samantha's First Day in school at St. Paul College of Pasig. She's officially enrolled as Kinder 1, AM class. Though, she's not happy to be back ... yes, waking up as early as 6am proves to be a "big" commotion in our household lately, but I think with just a few days more, she'll adjust perfectly.

Anyway, some changes I noticed this year at the Kinder class. Sam's class size increased from a small class of 12 students last year, they are now maximum 22 students per class. Quite many, don't you think so? Her previous classamtes were re-grouped or distributed to different sections, hence only five of them remained as classmates this year. Luckily, this includes her best friend Valerie.

Samantha independently walking to her classroom ; and with her new teacher,Teacher Agnes.

Back with some of her old classmates: Shecka and Samuela

So, the stage mom is back again this year ... hehehe! So expect more school pictures and post about the little girl as she goes through her Kinder 1 at SPCP. 'Til next school post.

baby bump at 4-months

This is Me at 4-months ... quite top heavy already considering I am just 4-months preggy. Baby bump can be clearly seen compared to some of my preggy slimmer friends who by the way, at 5-months seems not preggy at all! I sooo envy them. Well, I was sexy preggo too during my younger years. Really! In fact, I can still remember on my first pregnancy with Ico that I can literally hide my baby bump to my mom until 5-months. Yup, was secret pregnancy way back then hence I was good in concealing it. LOL.

Anyway, since I am determined to lose those excess weight after my pregnancy, I am seriously considering all the diet pills available on the web. Yes, I am that determined and desperate. LOL. Aside from those unwanted fats I need to lose prior my pregnancy, which is xx lbs ... plus I need to shed off additional pounds gained from my pregnancy now. Really bad.

Thus, wish me luck. Hope I'll be back to my old weight again after I give birth by November.

Friday Night Stealing : The Monkey's Meme

Snagged this meme from Abie of My Planet Purple.

1. Name one person who made you smile today: The husband. He's kind enough to go to Sam's school just to check out her room assignment for Monday. Hehehe!

2. What were you doing at 8am this morning? Taking a bath.

3. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Blogging while watching TV.

4. What is your favorite candy bar? plain M&Ms.

5. Have you ever been to a strip club? Yes. With my girlfriends for a bridal shower for one of our colleagues.

6. What was the last thing you had to drink? Coke.

7. What was the last thing you ate? Dinner. Rice and sinamplukan chicken.

8. The last sporting event you watched? Basketball.

9. Do you go to church every Sunday? No.

10. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza? Yes, definitely.

11. What are you doing tomorrow? Busy day. Will attend a baptism at Saisaki West Ave and Samantha's ballet class in the afternoon at Shang Mall. If we still have time, go to Honda Quezon Ave after the baptism.

12. What do you think of when you hear Australia? Sponge Bob and koala bear.

13. Biggest annoyance right now? The husband forcing me to drink ANMUM milk nightly. I really hate milk!

14. Last song listened to? Jai Ho by Pussy Cat Dolls from MTV channel courtesy of Samantha.

15. Do you have a maid service clean your house? Yes.

16. Are you jealous of anyone? Nope.

17. Is anyone jealous of you? I don't think so.

18. What do you usually do during the day? work, check and respond to emails, conduct sales training and attend business meetings.

19. Do you hate anyone that you know right now? Not hate. Irritated perhaps.

20. Are you thinking about someone right now? The husband. He's out with his friends for their usual Friday nigh-out, afraid he'll be home very, very late and it's raining hard outside.