December 13, 2012

DIY Homemade Gifts

I was busy as bee last month so I really had no time in buying gifts. Fast forward to December I’m still busy and I’m still not finished with my Christmas list. I’ve been asking my husband what gift will he gives to his colleagues and he always says “mag-bake ka na lang” (food gifts). I have no choice but to bake and I’ve been baking for the last three days because I need to finish everything so I could start making a reviewer for my son’s exam next week.


I’m not used to, giving homemade gifts; in fact, this is the first time that I will be doing this. To make my life easy, I decided to bake triple chocolate brownies for my husband's colleagues and triple chocolate cookies for my mommy friends in school.

Brownies

What do I need? 

 Brownies 
Zip lock Sandwich Bag 
Scotch tape 
Printed materials 
Christmas tag 

I place the brownies inside the Ziploc and seal. Fold the excess part and put scotch tape.

 Wrap it using printed materials.

Then place gift tag. I’ve made 16 pieces for his first group and I need an additional 6 pieces by Monday for the other team.

Since I already made a homemade gift for my husband's colleagues, I decided to give homemade gifts to my mommy friends in school.

 Cookies

What do I need?
Cookies
Ice plastic bag
Plastic Christmas wrapper (this is my leftover wrapper last year)


Place the cookies inside the ice plastic bag.

Put it in the plastic wrapper and seal using the Christmas tag.

This is the finished product. I’ve made 10 pieces. 

A repost from my old blog Michi's Home Sweet Home

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December 11, 2012

Hong Kong Day 2: Ngong Ping Village

Night before our Day 2 Tour, I asked my hubby if he really wanted to go to Ngong Ping Village because if he wants the cable car there’s cable car in Ocean Park. I was trying to persuade him so I will not ride cable car but he really wanted to see the Buddha.

 I have three options:

1. Buy roundtrip package of cable car.
2. Ride bus (roundtrip).
3.  One way cable car ride then one way bus ride.


I chose option #3 but when we got there, I just bought the roundtrip cable car ticket because it is more fast and convenient than riding the bus which is 50 minutes travel time. $HK187 per adult and $HK94 per child, I find it expensive because all I wanted is roundtrip cable car but I guess they are not selling it so it is really better if you buy ticket online or in CTS to avoid long lines and to avail discounted tickets. I don’t know what other inclusions of the Journey Enlightenment because we only used the roundtrip cable car.


As of this writing, I just found out that Walking with Buddha Tour and Monkey's Tale Theatre is included in my package. We avoid this tour because there’s an additional payment. I was so clueless, imagine I already paid for it and we did not avail this. I just checked my ticket and I noticed the WWB and MTT at the back of my ticket. Waah! #stupid.

Lesson learned: Always listen and read carefully. I did not listen to the girl who gave me the ticket, I just count my change, say thank you and walk away.

smile kahit takot. 
Anyway, past is past. Let’s move to our cable car experience. It was a 25 minutes cable car ride but for me it seems forever. I did not sit beside my husband and son because I don’t want to see the movement of cable car while we are going up. I just read brochures to keep myself busy during the ride.



It was foggy so we can’t see the beauty of Ngong Ping Village and it is hard to take clear pictures without the fog. We ate light lunch at Subway and I bought banana bread $HK17 in Starbucks.

kita ba yung buddha?
Rain showers began to pour so we have no choice but to stop and stay in souvenir shops, We’ve been waiting for so long and we can’t continue with our tour. Whether we like it or not we bought raincoat, $HKD25 for adult and $HKD20 for kid.


After Ngong Ping Village we went straight to Buddha and we climb over 200 steps just to see the Buddha statue. It was a big challenge going up because I’m not very active so I was gasping when we reach the top.


nasan ang Po Lin Monastery?
Then we went to Po Lin Monastery, no clear pictures again because of the fog so we immediately went to Wisdom Path. Because of the fog we are just walking slowly, it was a bit scary but we still continue walking till we reach our destination.

ang layong lakaran, ito pala yun
According to Discover Hongkong site, Wisdom Path is a large scale outdoor replica of an ancient Buddhist prayer called the Heart Sutra. The 38 wooden pillars that display the sutra are a symbol of the harmony of people with nature. 


We’re tired already and it seems that the sky would not be clear anymore so we decided to go back to cable car terminal. I was thankful for the fog because I can’t see anything inside the cable car so it was a smooth ride for me.

Shopping is not included in my itinerary but we need warmer in order to survive the coldness of Hongkong. We dropped by at Citygate outlet and buy some clothes. We’re not prepared for this kind of weather, akala ko lamig Baguio lang.

No Symphony of Lights again because we want to sleep early. 

How to get to Ngong Ping Village from Nan Lian Garden:

From Diamond Hill Station, we took MTR heading to Tung Chung Station; there are few interchanges of train line. Then go to bus terminal or cable car terminal, just behind the City Gate Outlet.

Ngong Ping 360
MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B and walk 5 minutes to the Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal          
10am to 6pm (Mon to Fri); 
9am to 6:30pm (Sat, Sun and public holidays).
Standard Cabin (Round Trip) Adult – HK$125; Child (age 3 – 11) – HK$62
Crystal Cabin (Round Trip) Adult – HK$188; Child (age 3 – 11) – HK$125
 +852 3666 0606
www.np360.com.hk
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December 10, 2012

Hong Kong Day 2: Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden

Instead of visiting the most visited tourist spots in Hongkong, I chose to visit Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden. I really included this in my itinerary to discover and explore some parts of Hongkong. Hongkong is not merely for shopping and theme parks but there is a place like Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden where you can rest and relax. It is a garden in the midst of busy city.


It is a public park so there’s no entrance fee. It is so easy to go here, just take MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui all the way to Diamond Hill Station. Then exit in front of Hollywood Plaza and you will see some signs going to Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden.



I was really amazed seeing this 3.5 hectares scenic garden and would you believe that every hill, body of water, rock, timber structure and plant has been placed according to specific methods and rules.




Every corner is picture perfect but tripod is not allowed so it is difficult to take family picture. I was thankful because one guard volunteered to take our family pictures.



From Nan Lian Garden we went straight to Ngong Ping Village. 

 Chi Lin Nunnery
Address: 5 Chi Lin Drive, Diamond Hill, Kowloon
Tel:  +852 2354 1888
Website: www.chilin.org

Nan Lian Garden
Address: 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, Kowloon
Tel:  +852 2329 8811
Website: www.chilin.org
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December 08, 2012

DIY Hong Kong City Tour

We’re lucky that our room in Yiu Fai Guesthouse was already available so we’re able to check-in early. After leaving our baggage we immediately went out to look for a restaurant where we could eat our lunch. Since we’re still not familiar with TST, when we saw McDonalds we did not think twice anymore.

I have to revise my itinerary because of the gloomy weather and occasional rain showers. Itinerary for the day: 1881 Heritage, Clock Tower, Avenue of Stars, Peak Tram and The Peak.

After eating our lunch we immediately started our walking tour since most of the tourist spots are walking distance from TST.

1881 Heritage: From MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit E walk going to Salisbury Road, turn right, and take subway, just follow the signs going to 1881 Heritage.



Clock Tower: From 1881 Heritage, take the pedestrian going to Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Then turn right and walk straight ahead towards the waterfront. The clock Tower is situated next to the Star Ferry Pier.



Avenue of Stars: Take subway again and walk to MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit J. Follow the signs going to the Avenue of Stars.


It was a long walk but we had fun even though there was an occasional rain shower.


After Avenue of Stars, we went to The Peak Tram. From TST, take the MTR going to Central Station and head to Exit J2, and follow the signs going to the lower Peak Tram terminus where you will ride Peak Tram. Good thing that I did not buy a package ticket because it is not advisable because of the fog so I just bought a roundtrip cable tram ride.

I’m afraid of heights so going up to the peak makes me so nervous.


We did not avail Madame Tussauds ticket because we’re not interested in the wax museum.
We went home early, ate dinner and rested. No more Symphony of Lights because we’re all tired. 
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December 07, 2012

Hongkong: Yiu Fai Guesthouse

When I purchased our plane ticket I already knew where we are going to stay so I did not research anymore for accommodation. Fast forward to May 2012, I made my reservation in Golden Crown Guesthouse but I was informed that they’re already full booked. 

 It seems impossible because my trip is November 2012 so I asked again ‘What month will reserve if my trip is on November?’ and they said “book 3-4 months before the trip”. I made my reservation again last August 2012 but I still got the same answer, “fully booked”. I was really worried because I know that it is not easy to look for affordable accommodation in Hongkong.

It became my dilemma for one week; I really wanted Golden Crown because of the location and price but too bad they’re fully booked. I can’t blame them because they are really popular guesthouse in Hongkong. 

 Thank God I found Yiu Fai Guesthouse, they are located at Golden Crown Building too so I did not hesitate to book a room. Reserving a room is easy, I just emailed them and I was told to deposit $HK400 via Paypal and the rest I will pay upon arrival.


If you love spacious room, hostel is not for you because the room is really small even the restroom is small. But we always travel on a budget so hostel is fine with us as long as we have a clean bed and clean restroom.



Likes

1. Good location. Walking distance to 1881 Heritage, Clock Tower, Avenue of Stars, Museums, Restaurants, Shopping stores and MTR.
2. Free Wi-Fi
3. They have hot and cold water dispenser so you can save on water.
4. They change toiletries (toothbrush and toothpaste only) and towels every day. 
5. You can leave your luggage.
6. Affordable

We stayed here for two nights before we transfer to Disney's Hollywood Hotel.

Yiu Fai Guesthouse
Flat E, 5/FL., Golden Crown Court, 
66-70 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 
Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Tel: (852)23024812
Fax: (852)27240571
Email: reservation@yiufaiguesthouse.com
Web site: http://www.yiufaiguesthouse.com
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December 06, 2012

HKIA: Hong Kong International Airport

Our Cebu Pacific flight is 7AM so I pre-booked meals one week before our trip; I ordered Black Peppered Chicken and Chicken Rendang for P350 each. We just ate light breakfast in the airport. 

 I was a little bit disappointed because we waited so long for our meals. I’m sure you are aware that Cebu Pacific sells food during flight and I waited till they reach my place before they give our pre-booked meals and we are seated at #22, so imagine the long wait from seat #1.
Black Peppered Chicken P350 Chicken Rendang P350
I thought they will serve pre-booked meals ahead of time just like in Air Asia. Air Asia distributed all pre-booked meals before selling food to all passengers who did not order.

 Anyway, we were also disappointed with the food because the taste is so-so; we just finished everything because it is expensive for P350 and we’re really hungry. How I wish, we just eat heavy meals in DMIA or HKIA.

After 1hour and 55 minutes we landed HKIA. I’ve been in few international airports and HKIA is one of the biggest airports that I’ve seen so far.

Imagine there’s train inside the airport and we need to ride the train to get the other side where we will pick-up our luggage. I was excited for my son because this was his first train ride experience.

On your way to immigration and luggage area do not forget to get maps and brochures, they are everywhere in the vicinity and it is free. 

 After picking-up our luggage, I look for Customer Service Counter to buy our Octopus Card and China Travel Services (CTS) for our discounted tickets but unfortunately I can’t find the CTS. 


$HK150 - adult $HK70 - child 
I did not bother to find it anymore and off we went to bus station. We rode A21 bus going to Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) Fare: $HK33. 

 Our initial plan is to visit Ngong Ping Village but because of the rain showers we decided to go straight to Yiu Fai Guesthouse to check-in our luggage. 

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December 05, 2012

DMIA

As I mentioned in my other post I booked Clark to Hongkong and Macau to Clark last January. Our first DMIA experience was last year; you can read the story here and now is our second time but this time we went to Clark via commute.

Since our flight is 7AM, I searched for cheapest accommodation in Clark and I found Tune Hotel. I immediately reserve a room so we could still rest before our flight. Tune Hotel is 10 to 15 minutes away from the DMIA (Clark International Airport).

(Five Star Bus) Pasay to Dau – P150 per person
Dau terminal to Tune Hotel – P150 (we have no idea about the rate but I guess P100 is enough, so haggle if you can). 10-15min travel time.

From Tune Hotel going to DMIA, you have 3 options;

1. Booked Europcar transport service for P350 one way, which we did.
2. Taxi to DMIA
3. Jeepneys. You can ride a jeepney from Tune Hotels to friendship terminal. From friendship terminal you have to cross the street going to main gate terminal and take a jeepney going to DMIA. It is 2 jeepney ride to reach DMIA from Tune hotels.

How to get to DMIA:

1. Bring your own car and park in DMIA

DMIA Parking fee: P30
Security fee: P90 per day

2.  Ride Philtranco bus in Pasay or Megamall

Fare: P400 in SM Megamall
          P450 in Pasay

3. Ride bus from Pasay to Dau (Five Star)  P 150
Jeepney to Clark Terminal  P8.50 /Tricycle from Dau to SM Clark P70 (Special)
Jeep from Clark to DMIA    P250 (special)

Other Information

Travel Tax: P1620 for adult
                      P810 for children + P200 processing fee for reduced tax = P1010

Terminal Fee: P450

Foreign Exchange:

A week before our trip, I told my husband to go to BPI to reserve Hongkong Dollar, we could reserve but it is subject to availability. It was too late for me to reserve in Czarina Foreign Exchange because I did not know that they have branch in Alabang Town Center. My last option is to bring peso to exchange in HKD at DMIA or withdraw money in HKIA.

I don’t know if HKD is available in DMIA or if foreign exchange is open as early as 5AM, I’m just taking my chances. Good thing that Foreign Exchange is available so I was able to buy Hongkong Dollar as early as 4:30AM, rate is P5.7 = 1HKD which is a good rate compared to HKIA which is P6.1 = 1HKD.

Before we leave I asked my friend to check if we can use our ATM in Hongkong and she said that BPI ATM card needs to be activated so you can withdraw abroad. My husband card is good for international use while my card needs to be activated, I can call or go to my branch to have it activated. $2.5 is the international charge if you withdraw.

The money that I brought is not enough for six day so I really need to withdraw. This is the first time that I will withdraw outside the country so I was really worried, what if my card fails, how we can survive. I used my BDO ATM card in Hongkong (HSBC) to withdraw money and when I checked my account the rate is P5.34 = 1 HKD and international charge is P140+, it is better than buying HKD. (automatic ang BDO ATM card no need to activate).

Though DMIA is not as big compared to NAIA, I still love this airport because everything is fast and smooth from exchanging money, checking-in, paying travel tax and terminal fee, immigration line and most of all there is no delay flight. 

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December 04, 2012

Tune Hotel Clark

If you still remember my post last January, I booked Manila to Macau flight during the P1 seat sale of Cebu Pacific but unfortunately, my booking was forfeited because I was not able to pay it on time. It was too late for me because I did not know that I can pay my ticket via BDO online.

But I did not lose hope so the following day, I check the website again if there’s still available P1 fare but unfortunately there’s no more P1 seat sale.  I’ve been meaning to visit Hongkong so I check Clark to Hongkong and I was able to book our flight. I know it’s weird because I live in South Luzon and DMIA is in North Luzon but we have tried it before when we went to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Since this is a promo fare it would not be expensive even I add the gas and tollgate, I only paid P2,200.50 for 3 people, Clark to Hongkong.

But few months before our flight my husband decided not to bring the car to DMIA because he’s not comfortable leaving our car for six nights. It was a problem because we have to commute all the way to DMIA, if he said that he will not bring the car I will not book Clark to Hongkong and Macau to Clark.

Our flight is 7AM and I know it would be difficult for us to commute so I search for the cheapest accommodation where we could sleep the day before our flight. I tried Oasis Hotel before when we went to Hot Air Balloon Festival but it is beyond my budget. I was glad that there was Tune Hotel here in the Philippines. I saw this hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and I know that it is not expensive so I booked last August for one night P957.36 (room + 12hrs use of AC and toiletries). So if you are looking for affordable hotels or cheap hotels near Clark Aiport or DMIA, I can definitely recommend this. 




Fast forward to our trip, we went to my husband’s office to park our car but God is so good because he saw one of his colleagues and he dropped us off in Five Star Bus Terminal. #tipidsataxi. We rode a bus going to Dau Terminal then from Dau terminal we rode a tricycle going to Tune Hotel.

Pasay to Dau – P150 per person x 2 = P300
Dau terminal to Tune Hotel – P150 (we have no idea about the rate but I guess P100 is enough, so haggle if you can). 10-15min travel time.

They allowed us to check-in as early as past 12NN and I have no idea that we cannot use the TV because it was not included in my add-ons so I paid additional P130 so we can use the TV.


Hubby bought food in Jollibee; one jeepney ride away from Tune Hotel, fare is P8. The Hotel guard is convincing my husband to ride a tricycle for P150 and he said no, then binabaan pa sa P100. Hello P8 compared to P100. #may commission yata si manong guard sa mga tricycle driver dun.


Since we do not want to go far anymore, 7-11 for our dinner. It is walking distance from Tune Hotel.


The day before our stay in Tune Hotel, I booked a transport service for P350 (one way trip from Tune Hotel to DMIA) but unfortunately when I confirmed our service, it was not booked. Imagine if I did not confirm our transport service, we will be waiting for nothing. But they immediately called Europcar for our service. Other options is a taxi or 2 jeepney ride but I chose the transport service just to be safe since we need to leave at 4:30AM. 


Tune Hotel - Angeles City (Clark Airport)
Don Juico Avenue, Malabanias,
Angeles City, Pampanga
Philippines

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December 03, 2012

The Not So Fun Part of Traveling

Hi, I’m back from our recent trip, if you guess Hongkong then you are right. We’ve been in Hongkong and Macau for the last six days and I just came back today. Yes, I was excited to blog again, so many stories and photos to share. We really had fun because this is our first longest vacation ever. But we also experienced some mishaps during our trip.

1. I left my keys in Disneyland Hollywood Hotel. I opened the luggage, put our toiletries and lock it then I forgot to get my keys on the floor. #nagmamadali.  Buti na lang mumurahin yung padlock ko at nabuksan ko kahit wala susi. But this reminds me to invest on good locks. 

2. We went to Hotel Sintra to get our luggage and my son immediately remove his socks and shoes and when we’re going out already, we can’t find his socks. #maymulto.

3. And just today I almost lost 1 handcarry bag.

Me: (talking to FA) Miss, may kumuha ng bag namin, nawawala yung isa.
FA: Mam, mahahabol niyo pa yun sa luggage area then she informed one Cebu Pacific staff about what happened.

We immediately went out but I was losing hope already when I saw the long lines in the immigration. One by one people get their luggage and went out. When we reached the luggage area we asked the Cebupac staff.

Me: Sir, kamusta na yung handcarry namin.
Cebupac Staff: Mahirap ng mahabol yun mam. Hindi na makukuha yun.
Me: Ganun lang yun?

Nakakainit ng ulo, akala ko mag-ala Claudine Baretto na ko sa airport. At that moment, I really understand Claudine, imagine ni katiting na concern wala yung Cebupac Staff na yun at excited ng umuwi. We wanted to file incident report and he said, he will be back pero lost at di na bumalik.

Bad thing: CebuPac staff gave us false hopes. Wala pakialam sa nawawala namin bagahe. ni hindi nga inannounce kung tutuusin pwede maharang yun dahil pababa pa lang lahat ng tao sa plane at mahaba pila sa immigration.

Good thing: Honest yung nakadampot ng bagahe namin at hinintay kami sa labas para isoli yung nakuha nila na gamit namin. Hay, good luck na lang sa isa dun na nawawala yung checked-in luggage niya.

Lesson learned:  Paghinto ng airplane kunin agad gamit kahit makipagsiksikan sa pagkuha. 
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