Family Getaway to the Queen City of South Cebu

Summer means fun and swimming, bumming and vacation especially for school kids.

To officially start their summer break the rest of the family decided to take off from the hustle and bustle of Manila and enjoy City of Cebu and the clear waters of Panglao. An educational day trip to Tagbilaran is also included in our itinerary. A week before the trip they re all packed up and ready. Excited!!.

By the way  I'm traveling with my kids ages 11, 8 and 3.

Things to consider when traveling with kids:

• Weather we don't want to spoil the summer inside the hotel
• Accommodations  make sure its safe and kids friendly too 
• Pack smart and travel light

What to bring?

• Identification cards with address, contact numbers and complete name
• small pillows and toys
• medicines for fever, allergies and diarrhea
• mp3 player or ipod
• books

The flight bound to Cebu is at 5 am and after an hour our foot sets in the Queen City of South. From Mactan Airport we rode the taxi going to Larsian in Fuente Osmena. I bought breakfast for my kids at Mc Donalds along the way.Taxi from airport to Fuente Osmena is around P120 minus the traffic because its only 6am.

Larsian is a huge grill house and home to almost 50 stalls of barbecue.I cant consider myself been to Cebu if I haven't experienced Larsian.

After Larsian we went to the famous Sto Nino de Cebu. We heard the mass then went to the Magellan's Cross.

Basilica Minore del Santo Niño

Interior Magellan's Cross

In front of Magellan's Cross is the City Hall

After our historical tour it's time to buy pasalubong from Cebu. Since they re synonymous to danggit and dried mangoes we headed to Taboan Market. This is where the smell lead us.

dried fish and mangoes

The strong scent of dried fish was left in our clothes as we leave Taboan Market. The kids were hungry. I expected to eat an authentic Cebu delicacies however the kiddos disagree.Instead we went to SM Cebu for our late lunch at Mc Donalds (again).

Happy Kid!

Though we have a very limited time in Cebu I'm sure my kids enjoyed our side trip. They've been telling us how their teacher discussed Sto Nino Basilica and the Magellan's Cross on their Civics and Culture class.

Before they can only see it in they re books now they have a photographs of the two historical sites. 

From Cebu where are now going to Bohol via Ocean Jet Fast Ferry.

I bought our tickets a month before the trip. For fares and schedule visit their site

Our Ferry to Tagbilaran

Universal Studios Singapore

The time flies so fast. Its my 9th day of wandering. My last day in a foreign land and I'm now back to where I started. I can now erase Universal Studios in my bucket list. 

snippets of my happiness

Its an answered prayer! 

Clear skies greeted me as I walked outside the train station. Whatta bright day! 
From Woodlands station i walked towards the bus stop. Ride the SMRT bus and alighted at the train Station.  I assumed it's the Woodlands Station since the bus only made a couple of turns. I can speak Tagalog again. I stayed for a while at their flat then from Red Hill we rode the bus bound to Vivo City.

Sentosa's Boardwalk

From Vivo City Mall we went to the boardwalk  going to Sentosa Island. Walkalator is also available.  We headed straight to Universal Studios. Its weekday which is the best time to pay a visit. It isnt  crowded. I tapped my EZ-link card for $1 SGD entrance fee to Resorts World Sentosa.

Everyone seems to be excited to get inside the theme park. I mean who wouldn't be? I cant hide my excitement as well I wanna unleash the kid at heart in me.Weee!! So today folks Ill take you to Universal Studios in Singapura.

The Famous Globe and my Signature Pose

This place is huge!  Shops and restaurants are left and right.Souvenir shops on every corner. Landscapes that will surely satisfy everyone eyes

Far Far Away Castle

We started of with Shrek and Princess Fiona's Castle. A 17 minutes 3d film experience adventure in-your-face. Join Shrek and Donkey's journey as they save princess Fiona. 6 stars for Princes Fiona and Shrek's gang. They  entertained me and the far Far Away castle is truly enticing.

Battlestar Galactica is a roller coaster ride divided into two. The Human and Cyclon. Among the two the latter is the best.

Battlestar Galactica Human (red) is a seated roller coaster without inversion. While the Cyclon (blue) is a suspended roller coaster with legs release that executes intense maneuvers as well as numerous reversals. It also holds abrupt twists close to walls escalating the excitement of a close miss.

The Ride

10 stars for battlestar gallactica. I felt like I left my soul for a second.

The Revenge of the Mummy (ride) is an enclosed roller coaster ride A high-speed experience ride with brisk turns and fast reverse sections. No bags allowed inside. 

statues if ancient Egypt

Universal Studios SG has a live performance from the renowned motion picture "Waterworld". Witnessing the actors performance which mixes up stunts as well as pyrotechnics.But beware of getting wet. After the show I am soaking wet! 

The Set

Universal Studios Singapore 

1 day pass $68 SGD ( adult 13-64 yo) 

                 $50 SGD ( child 4-12 yo) 

                 $ 32 SGD ( senior 35yo-above)

For promotions and packages visit the Universal Studios Website

To wrap it up, it's undeniable that Universal Studios is now a landmark in SG. It attracts millions of tourist in a year. No doubt it's a place to have fun, bonding with families and friends.

Various Photos below

distinctive icon in New York City

New York Inspired Zone

futuristic inspired zone

ke batman ba to?

natutuwa yung bata ^_^

A daytrip to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

It's half past 6am when I reached Kuala Lumpur It was a deep slumber compared to last night's train ride.
Sadly I forgot to exchange my dollars to ringgit, only realised it when I felt my stomach
growling.

KL Sentral Station

I sat on one of the bench located inside KL Sentral.It is still dark outside besides I don't have money to spend.Ill wait for the shops to open.

I'm starting to get sleepy again when I noticed an old lady having difficulty carrying her huge bags. She was the same lady in Hat Yai station.
I chatted with her once but probably because of lack of sleep last night I didnt noticed she rode the same train.I offered my assistance and saw a relief on her face.

breakfast time =)

I accompanied her up to her hostel in Jalan Petaling. And maybe as a form of appreciation she treated me for breakfast.

Her name is Alena 75yo and wandering around the world alone for the last couples of years. Kuala Lumpur is her last stop before going back home in New Zealand. I enjoyed our chit chat over a cup of coffee. When I was sitting in KL Sentral waiting for the shops to open I realized the hardship of travelling alone.

As I bid goodbye to Alena I thanked her for the breakfast and for 3 cans of coke she gave to me. I checked my watch it's 9am in the morning. Ill officially start my day tour. Hello Kuala Lumpur!

planning my route

From Jalan Petaling I  walked to the central market to  exchange my dollars. Then rode the train back to KL Sentral. I'm excited! At KL Central I ordered a breakfast meal at KFC while planning my itinerary and familiarize myself with the map and  the places that i will be visiting.

Maps are available for free at KL Sentral
English speaking customer help at the concierge ground floor (KL Sentral)

My first stop Batu Caves located at Gombak district in Selangor. Approximately 13kms away from the city  accessible via 30minutes train ride from KL Sentral for 6MYR ( i think cant remember )

Batu Caves Selangor

It is one of the iconic destination near KL. The cave is one of the most famous Hindu shrines outside India,  It is the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.Wooden steps up to the Temple Cave were built in 1920 and have since been replaced by 272 concrete steps. Of the various cave temples that comprise the site, the largest and best known is the Temple or Cathedral Cave, so named because it houses several Hindu shrines beneath its 100 m vaulted ceiling. ( source wiki)

long way up!

Lord Murugan and Hanuman guarding Batu Caves

monkeys and 272 tiring steps going up

Monkeys are just around the corner.The  Hindus consider them sacred, though I got scared at one point. I managed to go up slowly and believe me its not that easy.

From Batu Caves I went back to KL Sentral. I still have my KFC sandwich and 3 cans of coke for lunch. I ate my sandwich and continue my journey to Bukit Bintang.

Opposite KL Sentral is the monorail station. I rode the train going to Bukit Bintang. Alighted at Bukit Bingtang station, there's a direct link to the mall adjacent the station. I went straight to Giant supermarket located at the basement of Sungwei Wang Plaza.

traffic at Bukit Bintang

Bought berryls and cadbury chocolates. The I strolled Jalan Alor. I didn't noticed the time as I get busy with the shops around Bukit Bintang. I walked and walked then i realized im a bit far now from the train station. From a distance I saw the KL Menara Tower so I though of walking til I reach the tower. It was probably a 1km walk from Bukit Bintang. Tired and thirsty I manged to get to KL Menara. Take a couple of pictures then head to Petronas Tower.

KL Menara Tower and my haggardness

Known as Petronas Tower but for the locals it KLCC Suria. Its almost 5 in the afternoon when I set my foot at KLCC Suria. Surprisingly the sun is still evident.I waited outside KLCC for the sunset outside, together with other tourist waiting for the Twin Tower to glimmer. By 8pm the Twin tower boast its beauty in the center of Kuala Lumpur as it sparkle.

glittering Petronas Tower

From KLCC Suria I rode the train back to KL Sentral. The train fare from KL Sentral to Woodlands Singapore cost me 34MYR .It will take 7hours to get to Singapore. At exactly 10pm I'm now bound to where I started Singapore.

J.Co Donuts and Coffee Philippines

So Where does J.CO came from?
Originated from Indonesia  specializing doughnuts,coffee and frozen yogurt.

How Much is J.CO Donuts?

P42 piece

Half dozen P230 

One dozen P350

Two dozen P550

J Pops baby donuts two(2) dozen P250

best doughnuts i've tasted =)

The after taste of bittersweet  macha green tea still remain on my lips. I never though that  donut could be this delicious. The soft dough perfectly baked and cream filling that seems to melt inside my mouth.The iced latte coffee sprinkled with tiramisu is a perfect mate of my green tease donut. Im enjoying every bite as a savor its rich taste. Whoa sweetness blends well.

Nuff said. I think I'm so into J.Co doughnuts!

My recent visit was almost perfect however, it seems that the crews are rushing up.They're not paying too much attention. I ended up getting 2 chocolate caviar when I only wanted one. Insted of giving me a fork for my donut they gave me a spoon. 0_0  Soup?!

favorite na kita Geen Tease

Coffee Latte Tiramisu P100 uno (small)

Branches : 

• The Strip in SM Megamall Mandaluyong City, Philippines (open)
• SM Mall of Asia (3rd quarter of 2012)
• Greenbelt 3 (3rd quarter of 2012)
• TriNoma (3rd quarter of 2012)
• SM Fairview (3rd quarter of 2012)
• Alabang Town Center (3rd quarter of 2012)

inside j.co donuts megamall

Visit the  Official Fan Page of J.CO Donuts for more updates.

Visita Iglesia and Churches in Manila

Its the time of the year again to reflect our faith in God. To think about His sacrifices for us. Others may opt to go out of town and enjoy the long weekend, I choose to stay in Manila and visit Churches around the city as part of my Visita Iglesia 2012. I challenged myself to spend less than 500php.

From Cubao I rode the jeep bound to Mabini. Fare is 19php. I got off at Round Table in Intramuros. From the gate of the Walled City i walked approximately 200 meters to reach my first destination.

San Agustin Church:

San Agustin Church

A World Heritage Site by UNESCO under Baroque Churches. The oldest standing church in the Philippines built by the Agustinians. The facade maybe unpretentious unlike other churches but the interiors are marvelous. The ceiling was painted by the Italian artist Cesare Alberoni and Giovanni Dibella in 1875.The remains of the famous Filipino artist Juan Luna was also buried in one of the crypt inside the church.

San Agustin Church Interior

Credits to Noe Trinch awesome pics

After San Agustin Church I went to its neighboring church the notable Manila Cathedral.It is currently close because of the newly discovered structural flaw. The foremost Basilica in the country, Manila Cathedral is also known as Immaculate Concepcion Basilica was first built in 1571. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times.

Manila Cathedral

Front Facade

The Latin inscription on the front facade Tibi cordi tuo immaculato concredimus nos ac consecramus in English,We consecrate to your immaculate heart and entrust to you Mary for safekeeping.

I continued my Visita Iglesia from Manila Cathedral I walked towards Cabildo St heading to Chowking , then I turn right at Andres Soriano Ave then turn left at Solana walked straight till I reached Plaza Mexico River Terminal.

follow the dots =)

It was almost six pm when I reached Jones Bridge.I continue walking for my third destination. The Binondo Church in Binondo district.

Sunset from Jones Bridge in Manila

Chinese-Filipino Friendship Arch

The Binondo Church or Minor Basilica of St Lorenzo Ruiz was founded by the Dominican priest in 1596.

Our very own Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was trained in this church. Masses are in Filipino, English and Chinese dialects.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Minor Basilica

After visiting three churches I rest and ate at Masuki Mami House in Chinatown.One serving is good enough for two people. It was huge bowl with authentic hand pulled noodles.

Asado Mami

From Binondo I rode the jeep bound to Mendiola. I alighted at Legarda then went straight to the lovely San Sebastian Church.

Among all the churches I visited this one is special. I used to come here with an old flame when I was in college.The Minore Basilica is under the care of the Augustinians Recollects.The only all steel church in the Philippines and in Asia. Its Gothic architecture feels like going back to to the medieval period. San Sebastian is also on the tentative list for possible World Heritage Site.It was reputed that the French engineer who designed the Eiffel Tower and the steel construction of Liberty Statue was also behind the constriction and design of the San Sebastian.

San Sebastian Basilica

From San Sebastian I walked towards Mendiola.I went to San Beda Church, St Jude Thaddeus Church Along J.P Laurel near Malacanang Complex.

St Jude Church in  Malacanang

Statue of St Michael outside San Miguel Church

At nine in the evening I officially finished my Visita Iglesia. Total money that I spent is 245php. Couple of water bottles 30php, Asado Mami in Masuki 110php and my transportation cost is 105php.

May we all have a meaningful Lent and a jubilant Easter.