Michi Photostory

August 17, 2023

How to Get to Da Nang Vietnam from Manila Philippines

A few months ago, I watched “A Tourist Guide of Love” movie; the story is all about Amanda Riley who went to Vietnam to gain insights about Vietnam Tourism. She visited different places including Da Nang and Hoi An. And because of this movie, I decided to continue my Vietnam series. Let me start reminiscing again about our trip; you can check my summary in this post “5 Days in Da Nang Vietnam”.

Traveling to Da Nang Vietnam from Manila Philippines

There was no direct flight from Manila to Da Nang so to make our life easier, my husband booked our ticket via travel agency. He purchased our ticket four months before the trip but despite that, our airfare is still not cheap. In fact, this is the most expensive airfare ticket that we purchased for an Asian trip because there was no seat sale, we booked via a travel agency and we rode two airplanes.

Vietnam is just a few hours away from Manila but because there is no direct flight from Manila to Da Nang, we need to ride two airplanes; one international and one domestic flight. From the time we left the house until we reached Sheraton Grand Da Nang, we’ve traveled for more than 14 hours so it was really a long day for us.

Manila to Ho Chi Minh City via Philippine Airlines - 2hrs and 45mins

Layover 5hrs and 25mins

Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang via Vietnam Airlines - 1hr and 20mins

Manila to Ho Chi Minh City

We had an early flight and fortunately, our flight is on time. There was no monitor on our seat so for entertainment, we used “myPAL Player” app to watch movies.

It’s been a long time since our last international trip via Philippine Airlines so I was surprised when they serve the food. What!?!, nasa paper na lang yung meals nila. The taste of the food is just okay. Nakakadisappoint lang kasi hindi naman budget airline ang Philippine Airlines so bakit kaya nagkaganito, malayo ito compared sa Bangkok, Thailand trip namin.

On our way to Saigon, I’m happy to see part of the Mekong River; it is a transboundary river in East Asia and Southeast Asia. This river flows through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The Mekong River is the third longest river in Asia and the 12th longest river in the world.

After a few hours, we landed at Tan Son Nhat International Terminal which is the Ho Chi Minh City Airport; we passed immigration, got our luggage, and looked for Foreign Exchange Kiosk. We exchanged some US Dollars for Vietnamese Dong and we also bought a sim card for 300,000VND.

From International Airport Terminal 2, we need to transfer to Domestic Airport Terminal 1 for our Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang flight and it was a long walk. We have more than 5 hours of layover and looking at the Domestic Airport, there is nothing to do. We immediately looked for the Vietnam Airlines counter and we were so happy because we could already check in so we were able to go to Menas Mall Saigon Airport.

Menas Mall Saigon Airport

You can already see this mall from the airport, during our trip there are only a few shops that are open so we went straight to the 5th floor where the Menas Food Village or Yum Food Village is located. This food court offers traditional Vietnamese dishes, international cuisine, and fast food.

My son ordered Beef Pepper Rice at Pepper Lunch for 95,000VND and my husband ordered Lau Thap Cam or Asian Hot Pot at Saigon Bistro for 160,000VND. Softdrinks in can is 20,000VND. Since we frequent Pepper Lunch, one thing I noticed is the price because if I will convert it to Philippine Peso, hindi nalalayo sa Pilipinas so Vietnam is a budget-friendly destination.

I was excited to try the Asian Hot Pot but unfortunately, it was not a clear soup and I can’t take spicy food so I went to Pepper Lunch and ordered Beef Pepper Rice too. Hindi yata nagkaintindihan sa pag-order.

What is nice about this food court is the view, you have a nice view of the airport while eating. We took our time eating while waiting for our next flight.

Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang Vietnam

Two hours before our boarding, we went back to Domestic Airport and passed Security Check. Our flight was delayed by 25 minutes and the boarding gate has been changed too.

It was our first time on Vietnam Airlines and upon seated the flight attendant gave wet wipes to all passengers. No meals for this flight and we only got bottled water.

Read: Vietnam Airlines Flight Experience

After 1 hour and 25 minutes, we landed at Da Nang International Airport, from sunny weather in Saigon to cloudy and rainy weather in Da Nang.

From the airport to Sheraton Grand Da Nang, we availed hotel transport service. Travel time is more than 30 minutes.

August 09, 2023

Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel

I can’t believe that we only have a few days left to enjoy our school break and to be honest, I did not feel the summer vacation this year because we did not have any trips. Well, for the past several weeks, my husband has frequent Jakarta Indonesia and we had the opportunity to travel with him. Still, I let go of the chances because Jakarta is not on my bucket list, airfare is expensive, and for tourist spots, I only need a day or two to visit those. So I chose to have a staycation na lang at home and save money.

Anyway, I mentioned in my other post that my husband usually stays at The Westin Jakarta but during his trip, it was fully booked so his colleagues informed him to book at Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City. This is the 6th hotel that my husband tried in Jakarta Indonesia and since he frequents Sheraton hotels, he has his own expectations.

Read: Where to Stay in Jakarta Indonesia

But unfortunately, his expectations were not met. It started with the reception where the staff wanted him to pay his booking in full. What?!? We are aware of incidental deposit pero full payment agad upon check-in, first-time sa Sheraton. What if he wanted to shorten his stay like his previous trip?

When he reaches his room, the room looks good but there is a certain smell that he doesn’t know kung saan ba nanggagaling, parang amoy kulob or molds. It is not the same with other Sheraton rooms na mabango pag open mo pa lang ng door.

The room and bathroom are spacious. The staff even prepared welcome snacks and handwritten cards.

He stayed on the 17th floor but can still hear the noise outside so it is hard to sleep.

Buffet Breakfast at Anigre Restaurant

The following day, while they were eating their breakfast, a hotel staff approached them and asked for feedback and my husband was surprised when his colleagues started talking because they stayed in 3 different rooms but they had the same concern which is the “smell of the room”. But the hotel did not transfer them to a different room so they endured the smell for almost a week.

About breakfast, there are so many options like Indonesian, Asian, and Western cuisine but the taste is just okay. I won’t go into details but after his colleagues shared their feedback about the food, the chef even went out and told them, that if they wanted a certain meal, they could prepare it for them. But they did not make any special requests; it just so happened that the hotel staff went to their table and asked for their feedback. Unfortunately, their reviews are not positive.

But on a positive note, the Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel has a good location because it is adjacent to Gandaria City Mall so you can easily shop and dine. They have a 24-hour fitness center and swimming pool.

Lobby Lounge

Aside from Anigre Restaurant, they have a Lobby Lounge too which serves cocktails and appetizers. My husband stayed and dined here while waiting for his midnight flight.

Update: December 2024

Just this month, my husband went back to Indonesia for a business trip and stayed at the Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel during his first and last days. And because of his past experience, he booked here without expectations so he was surprised when he arrived at the hotel.

There is a welcome note on television, handwritten notes, and welcome snacks, and the surprising part is, that he has complimentary access to Sheraton Club.

Complimentary Sheraton Club Breakfast Buffet - 6:00AM to 10:30AM

Complimentary Evening Hors D’oeuvres with selected house wines, beer, and basic spirits.

Complimentary snacks, coffee/tea, and soft drinks were available throughout the day

Complimentary Sheraton Club Meeting Room usage

2 pieces pressing per stay

He also received a coupon for a one-time lunch/dinner at Anigre (1 pax) and a Special Happy Hour drink at Lobby Lounge (one time only).

There are so many freebies, unfortunately, he was not able to enjoy all the benefits because he only stayed for several hours. On his first day, he arrived in the wee hours so he missed the Evening Hors D’oeuvres but he was able to eat breakfast at the Sheraton Club before he checked out.

After a few days, he went back to the hotel so he could rest before his midnight flight. The staff changed the expiration date of his coupon so he had a buffet dinner at Anigre.

Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel

Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda, Kebayoran,

Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia, 12240

August 08, 2023

Food Trip at Borro + Kandle Cafe

My college friends have been planning for our get-together and it took us almost a year to finalize everything. Unfortunately, we were not complete pero go pa rin kasi baka mag2024 na hindi pa kami magkita-kita. I thought I can’t make it too because my husband was in Indonesia, good thing that he was able to go home before our get-together.

We’ve been eating at Tong Yang for the last two meetings so for a change, my friend suggested Borro Manila. She reserved a table, a few weeks before our scheduled reunion. It was a good decision because when we arrived, the restaurant is already crowded and there are so many people waiting to be seated. Parking is hard too so we're thankful for the valet parking.

Borro Manila

Prior to our get-together, I checked Borro Manila Facebook page so at least I have an idea of their menu but when we arrived, it took us a long time to browse the menu. A one-page menu pero ang dami din options for pasta, seafood, pork, chicken, beef, steaks, soup, salad, and others. Most of the food is good for sharing so it is perfect for family or big groups.

They served complimentary bread kahit hindi pa kami nakakaorder. We ordered Creamy Truffle Pasta PHP550, Mixed Veggies with Seafood PHP650, Lechon Kawali PHP530, Stuffed Pork Chops PHP480, Barbeque Pork Belly PH490, Boneless Fried Chicken PHP580 (2), and extra rice + Service Charge.

When they served the food, we were surprised because of the big serving, especially the boneless chicken, 2 pa naman ang inorder namin. We are group of 8 adults and 4 kids, pero hirap kami ubusin yung order so take-out na lang. Among the food that we ordered, we liked the mixed veggies with seafood.

Borro

10 Scout Borromeo,

cor Sct. Tobias St,

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Kandle Cafe

After lunch, we went to Kandle Cafe which is just a few minutes walk from Borro. I thought they only serve coffee and pastries but they have meals din pala. But we went here for coffee so for my family, I ordered Americano PHP125, Iced Chocolate PHP165, White Mocha PHP170 and Blueberry Cheesecake PHP225. Drinks and cheesecake are good naman but feeling ko mas mahal compared sa ibang cafe na natry ko.

Kandle Cafe

113 Mother Ignacia Ave,

Diliman, Quezon City,

1103 Metro Manila

August 02, 2023

July Craft Projects

Just this week, I found this quote on my Facebook memories “Stress does not come from being busy. Stress comes from being busy about things we don’t want to do, or from not being busy about things we do want to do” - Patricia Sprinkle

Somehow true because for the past few weeks, I’ve been so preoccupied with some things that I don’t like to do but I need to do. I was mentally exhausted because I’d been researching, reading, planning, and processing some stuff. Information overload so I miss blogging and crafting.

I am not done with my list of things to do but I am carving out time so I can post something on my blog. Hehehe! I was browsing my phone and I only had a few craft projects compared to the past few months.

1. Surfer Box Card

I already shared this project on “My Philippine Travel Bucket List” blog post. It was my entry for Bee Happy Craft Weeklies: Travel

2. Congrats Cake Topper or Scrapbook Title

I’ve made this for my niece who finished her Junior High School level last month. This is a layered of textured and glitter cardstock. The font is Muthiara.

3. Friendship Card

This was also my entry for Bee Happy Craft Weeklies: Friendship. I used metal dies, stamps, Distress Oxides, and Ohuhu marker to make this “Thanks for Bee-ing my Friend” card.