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]

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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

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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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Media Day Trip - Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa (Teaser)

The reason for the lack update of my blog was because I was so busy with the preparation for my final and last external professional accounting paper for the past few weeks. And I'm glad that finally my worst nightmare is over and now I am back in track for most of my normal routines - heading to gym, blogging and my most favourite activity, do planning for my upcoming trips.

Right after done with my exam, I am looking forward for a quick but short breakaway cause another oversea trip of mine will be in the next 2 months. You know for a part-time traveller who has been travelled for almost every month, the body and legs especially will feel freaking itchy for not travelling more than two months, at least. I don't mind whether a road trip around Sabah or even another island getaway (my last island hopping was in August last year). So coincidentally that Sherrie Pui aka cutebun invited me to join this media day trip with KK bloggers to this tranquil and exotic Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa on this Saturday. I was so excited when received her message and I instantly agreed upon.

Here is the package details of this exclusive day trip:

Can't wait for this Saturday to come and pray hardly for a good and fine weather. Will blog more about this once I get back from this day trip.

If you wanna know more details about this, do check out the Bunga Raya's website or their facebook page.

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

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Philippines Day 4: The Singing Cooks & Waiters Restaurant

Date of Visit: 23th March 2012

Just in a day, Abel managed brought us to the place we requested:

• Rizal Park
• Fort Santiago & Manila Cathedral
• Quiapo Market Manila, San Agustin Church & Casa Manila 
• Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

And before Abel send us back to our lodging, we decided to have dinner with him as a token of appreciation for his excellent, friendly and good services throughout the trip. Abel recommended to a dining place where not just that we can enjoy their local foods but at the same time, we will also entertain by their special performers - which are their own cooks and waiters. Sounds interesting, right?

#1: The name of this restaurant: The Singing Cooks & Waiters Restaurant

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Philippines Day 4 - Manila City Tour Park 4 (Manila American Cemetery and Memorial)

Date of Visit: 23rd March 2012

Before the day turns to night, we managed to visit numerous of places in just a day:

• Rizal Park
• Fort Santiago & Manila Cathedral
• Quiapo Market Manila, San Agustin Church & Casa Manila

The next place that we are heading to is a place that not many people willing to visit. But when I surfed from the net, it stated that this place was one of the top tourist attractions in Manila. I bet if my mom know that I will visit this place, for sure she will stop me from doing so but I really love to see this place as it being mentioned by visitors that it was beautiful and serene.

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, which located in Taguig City took almost an hour drive from our previous destination and when we arrived, it almost closed. I was so scared that we might not able to witness this place but thank goodness to Abel, he had few words with the guard and fortunately, the guard allowed us to enter although it almost closed in less than 10 minutes 

#1: White marble headstones in the cemetery. Isn't it beautiful, green, and tranquil?

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Philippines Day 4 - Manila City Tour Part 3 (Quiapo Market Manila, San Agustin Church & Casa Manila)

Date of Visit: 23rd March 2012

Before we move on to the next two attractions which located in Intramuros, Abel brought us to Quiapo Market Manila instead Divisoria which we did requested earlier. The reason why Abel refused brought us to Divisoria was because he told us it was overcrowded and at the same, it kinda dangerous for us. I did checked from Tripadvisor and some of the reviewers did mentioned that Divisoria is full of robbers and many being attacked by pick pocket and there were some gang controlled. Divisoria is well known as a market district that fill with wide assortment of low-priced goods and wholesale and bargain shopping. Abel told us there are other alternatives besides Divisoria, and so he recommended us to Quiapo Market Manila.

#1: Quiapo Market Manila is another  good and cheap destination to enjoy shopping in Manila, besides Divisoria

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Philippines Day 4 - Manila City Tour Park 2 (Fort Santiago & Manila Cathedral)

Date of Visit: 23rd March 2012

Done with one of the top tourist attractions in city of Manila, Rizal Park, Abel then brought us to Intramuros which located on the north of Rizal Park. Intramuros, known as "The Walled City" is the historic centre and oldest district of Manila. This area was built by the Spaniards in the late 16th, hence all the architectures of the buildings here were heavily influenced by Spanish.

There are many things you can see and do in Intramuros and after did a research, my friends and I requested Abel to bring us to the following places (which I did mentioned in my previous post) :

• Fort Santiago
• Manila Cathedral
• San Agustin Church
• Casa Manila

And for this post, I will share about Fort Santiago and Manila Cathedral which both of these located not far away from each other. 

#1: Known as calesa and this is one of the way to get around Intramuros. But for this one is freaking unique. Don't you think like the Cinderella's pumpkin carriage?

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Philippines Day 4 - Manila City Tour Part 1 (Rizal Park)

Date of Visit: 23rd March 2012

Let's continue with my Philippines travelogue again. On the fourth day, we decided to utilise Abel's tour service again for a full day city tour around city of Manila. Yes, you still can wander by yourself without hiring any local tour guide but I doubt that you able to visit as many places and attractions like we did. As usual, before starting any tour, I will list down few of the places and attractions that I love to visit and sightseeing. Turns out our 12 hours city tour with Abel, we managed to visit 8 different destinations in a day. Here are the places we went and I decided blog them in different post instead of cramp everything into a post. 

• Rizal Park
• Intramuros
• Fort Santiago
• Manila Cathedral
• Quiapo Market Manila
• San Agustin Church
• Casa Manila
• American Cemetery and Memorial

So, in this post I will begin with Rizal Park, the first destination we visited. This park was a tribute to Philippine's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, whom the park was named after. A lil bit history of Dr. Jose Rizal was he was a doctor, novelist, nationalist and reformist, who was executed on the charges of fomenting local rebellion against the Spanish government. If you wanna know more about this national hero, you can click here. 

#1: Rizal Monument located in the middle of the park

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