MACAU- A Travelogue Part 2

I knew I have to finish this entry before I can proceed to the second leg of this trip. Ok, let's start..

We we're surprised to wake up the next day wearing the same pants and shirts we wore the first day.  The planned casino hopping for last night failed and besides, I don't sleep with pants! I'm a certified slumber addict (and can sleep the whole day non-stop!) and so a comfy cotton attire is a must, except for some so-tiring-I-forgot-the-whole-world situation like last night. *Yawn* 

First, we packed our things up. It's customary for us to prepare our things first so we could enjoy the remaining time in the hotel before check-out. After packing and doing the usual stuffs, we went down to the restaurant located at the 2nd floor for the buffet breakfast.

Gil and I fancy buffet breakfast. It's one of the hotel thingy that we're always looking forward to. Given that Sintra Hotel is a 3-star hotel, buffet servings are limited but quite reasonable. I've tried to make a porridge similar to that I've had in our Superstar Virgo cruise, but failed! Food was a soso... just glad to have made great black coffee! :)

Nice read

I've been reading a lot of business travel stories of a Singaporean blogger lately and I cannot help but realize that I exactly wanted to do the same thing, work+travel+leisure, all at the same time. She's been assigned mostly in South East Asia particularly India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand etc including Manila, Philippines and her honest opinion about these places really transported me there, as if I was with her right at that very moment. I particularly loved her Manila and India entries! :)

I admire her the fact that she tackled about the usual scenes and happenings around the area, and not mostly about the grand and luxury of the trip. As mentioned, those were business trips and so vacation trips would somehow speak of another language. But given the chance, I won't mind mixing work with pleasure (and getting paid at that), lol. I was already setting my mind into it in the future! :) 

I was all smiles when I finished her Manila experience entry way back 2007. Check this out:

https://orionstar.wordpress.com/2007/08/21/kumusta-ka-from-manila/

KL trip in a day

Our friend booked the last coach trip from Singapore- Kuala Kumpur, Malaysia. The trip started around 10pm and I was expecting we’ll just doze off the travel and will reach KL in time for sunrise. Failed! Gil and I were awakened by the driver’s noise shouting like speaker that we’re already in front of Berjaya Hotel, the last destination for this trip…at 2:38 in the morning!

With Singapore Dollars on hand and nowhere to stay, we braved the dimly lit highway of Berjaya area looking for open Money Changer shop at this wee time.  But aside from ‘Teksi’ drivers chit-chatting awaiting passengers and few beggars feasting on garbages, all we got was a 7-11 store whose staff instructed us to try the nearby Berjaya Hotel. Luckily, we were able to exchange Malaysian Ringgit (at a very low rate) since it’s actually the hotel’s staff personal money. Not bad though.

MACAU- A Travelogue Part 1

For our first year wedding anniversary, we decided to have Hong Kong- Macau trip not because I’m dying to visit these two countries but honestly speaking, this is just like hitting two birds with one stone. Macau is just an hour away by ferry from Hong Kong, and vice versa. In addition, you can conveniently use Hong Kong dollars in both countries (but don't be confused, Macau's Pattaca is not yet acceptable in Hong Kong).

Welcome to Macau!

Macau is the first leg of our 6D5N Anniv trip. We arrived in Macau Friday, 22nd of June and stayed overnight until the following day. Based on some readings, you can roam around Macau and visit most of the tourist attractions merely by availing free shuttles of big (and small) hotels of Macau. Public buses are available for cheap fares as well plus taxis will always be of help (but beware of non-English speaking drivers, we experienced two drivers and it was horrible).

Still

We’ve travelled far enough already as Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and Singapore and experienced 3D2N cruise in a luxurious 5-star Super Star Virgo, but I still keep on reading back my entries about our Baguio, Bohol and Tagaytay travels.  I must admit I still miss the feeling of being totally relaxed and worry-free during these times. I wonder if anybody feels the same thing as mine, but given the chance…I would still prefer discovering Philippines and its living wonders.

At this very moment, I’m actually thinking of Sagada, Pagudpod, Vigan and more of Tagaytay bed and breakfasts that I would want to visit with Gil in the future. I’m imagining waves of beaches of Panglao Island again with its fine-powdery white sands beneath my feet, the excitement for breakfast at Bohol Bee Farm, the experience of being lost again at Camp John Hay in Baguio…

I never been to the whole world yet, in time I hope, but I knew and I’m sure that my heart will always be longing for my home, the Philippines.

Update

Inasmuch as I wanted to update this online journal regularly, I just couldn't find the best word to start, not because I don’t have anything to discuss but because I don’t know where to start since a lot had happened since I’ve been in hiatus for some time now.

Just last Saturday, we moved out of Sembawang and transferred to a more convenient, nearer and cheaper room along Jurong West. It’s located three bus stops away from Boon Lay MRT which is two stations away from Joo Koon where Gil works and three stations away from mine. Luckily, my office arranged taxi service for me every morning, free! The taxi will be waiting for me at the car park, right behind the HDB’s elevator… no rush and definitely no reason to be late anymore. For Gil who previously needs to leave the house at 6:40 in the morning, is just starting the day that same time! Lol 

the efficient MRT system of Singapore

...and yes, we're located at the end most part of Singapore already! :)

Pura Vida Villas: Tagaytay's Perfect home-away-from-home

The first time we went back to Philippines after more than six months in Singapore was a blast! I’ve tried to squeeze-in overnight out-of-town trip for both our families. And where else is the best spot nearest to Manila in terms of climate, foods and views? Definitely Tagaytay!

Gil and I had been to Tagaytay for several weekend escapades during our bf-gf stage. Gil’s family actually has their small ‘bahay-bakasyunan’ in Tagaytay, but we preferred sampling the bed-and-breakfasts around the area. This time, we wanted them to experience the comfort of Tagaytay accommodation and to sample some of the best places and delicacies of Tagaytay.

Tita Ninang Lally in front of Pura Vida- Villa Mar

 Want to take a dip?

Singapore for First- Timers

It’s been more than a year already since we first set foot in Singapore, finally after several invitations by Gil’s best friend Dhel. Thanks to Air Philippine’s irresistible P888 promo, we were able to book RT air tickets for two for only P5,434.00. Glad to have booked AirPhil as well because unlike other budget airlines, AirPhil’s terminal (and PAL) is in Changi Terminal 2- the more upscale airport in Sg. Quite a warm welcome for first timers like us! J

Gil at PH Terminal 2 while waiting for boarding