Michi Photostory

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

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.

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.

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

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.

November 25, 2012

Lunch at BonChon Chicken

One of the disadvantages of living outside Metro Manila is I can’t try new restaurant unless they will open a branch here in South. Don’t laugh at me if I say that I have just tried the famous BonChon Chicken. As I mentioned before I redeemed my J.Co Gift Certificate and I saw Bon Chon few steps away from J.Co store. My husband ordered Thigh Boxed Meal for P145 which include 2 pcs chicken (one soy garlic and one spicy glaze) rice and regular drink.

The chicken is tender, juicy, flavorful and super crispy and my son really loves the crispy chicken skin. I prefer the soy garlic chicken because I can’t take the spiciness and hotness of the spicy glaze.

Update: After three weeks, we ate at BonChon again, we ordered Team BonChon Group Meal P645. We're really hungry, I forgot to take pictures.

1 Medium Chicken Box

1 Chapchae

2 Sides (Regular fries/Kimchi Coleslaw)

4 Rice

4 regular Soda/Iced Tea

November 24, 2012

J.Co Donuts

I’ve been reading and hearing good reviews about this donut but I haven’t tried it yet because the branches are too far from where I live. Actually, I have P500 J.Co Gift Certificate which is part of my May Winnings but it was only today that I redeemed it when I’ve learned that they have branch in Alabang Town Center.

It seems that this donut is really yummy because of the long line, as in hanggang labas ng store ang pila. I checked the J.Co Facebook page and wrote all the flavors that I want to try but unfortunately, not all flavors are available.

I ordered 1 dozen of Alcapone and 1 dozen of assorted donuts. It took me 32 minutes to finish my business here but I was still happy because I only paid P50 for 2 dozen of donuts.

Assorted Flavors: Berry Spears, Heaven Berry, Tiramisu, Don Mochino, Blue Berrymore, Choconuttzy, Oreology, Hazel Dazzle.

On our way home, we ate Alcapone donut and my husband said, “ay ampaw” because if you will bite the donut you will see this gap. The donut is P42 per piece so I wasn’t expecting this.

In fairness, we like the Alcapone donut because it is soft and not sweet, unlike other donuts. As demand increases, I hope the size, quality, and presentation of the donuts will not suffer. I don’t think I will fall in line again for 32 minutes just to buy this donut.

November 23, 2012

Blogging Days are Over

I started this blog last year so I’m blogging for 21 months only so I was really surprised when I found out that I’m out of space already. I checked my Picasa web albums and lo and behold, I already used the 99.98% of my free storage. I was thinking if my blogging days are over, of course, I can still blog but creating a post without pictures is not my thing. My blog name is Michi Photostory and there should be a photo.

I was sad at that moment because the only option I know is buying new storage for:

25 GB

$2.49 / Month

25 GB for Drive and Picasa

Bonus: Your Gmail storage will be upgraded to 25 GB.

100 GB

$4.99 / Month

100 GB for Drive and Picasa

Bonus: Your Gmail storage will be upgraded to 25 GB.

$2.49 per month is quite expensive for me because I’m a full-time mom. If I will upgrade my storage, I have to pay $29.88 a year + $10 for my domain; it is $39.88 a year. This is not my only blog; I have three blogs so if I will buy new storage this will be an expensive hobby and I guess blogging is not free.

I know there are still other options and buying new storage is my last resort. I searched the net for possible options and thanks to my dear readers for all the suggestions.

1. According to Ning of Nurse’s Diary I can use Photobucket. - I’m not used to Photobucket because I feel that it’s too complicated so I chose Picasa because I’m not techy. Picasa is user friendly and I can easily edit and watermark my photos. But this is a good option to upload photos on my blog.

2. It also happened to Joy of Joy’s Notepad so she bought new storage for $2.50 per month.

3. Jo of Sapphire Mommy suggested “asking my hubby to sponsor my hobby”.

4. Tin of The Average Jane informed me to contact one blogger because it also happened to him.

I know I can’t just stop blogging because like I’ve said before this is my “me time” and blogging is already part of my life. I’ve been thinking about it and I guess I need to pay $2.49 per month just to continue my hobby but God is so good because I’ve found the answer.

Free storage limits

Picasa Web Albums offers 1 GB of free storage for photos and videos. However, files under certain size limits don't count towards this free storage limit. This applies to uploads for other Google product that store photos and videos in Picasa Web Albums, including Blogger, Google+ and Google Maps.

Free storage limits

Photos up to 2048 x 2048 pixels and videos up to 15 minutes won't count towards your free storage.

Automatic resizing

All photos uploaded in Google+ will be automatically resized to 2048 pixels (on their longest edge) and won't count towards your free storage quota.

Note: If you reach your storage limit when uploading from the Picasa desktop software, you'll only be able to upload at free storage sizes. Larger uploads will not be automatically resized to the free storage limit.

Now, I’m busy resizing my photos and deleting unnecessary photos in my blog. It was an arduous task because I have 500+ posts but I’m willing to do it than paying $2.49 per month. Now, I’m down to 89% so I can post photos again. I know time will come that I will need to buy new storage but not now and not anytime soon. From now on, I will resize my photos before uploading it.

November 21, 2012

Out of Space

I’m creating a post and uploading pictures and all of a sudden, I saw this notice

Whoops! You're out of space. You are currently using 100% of your 1 GB quota for photos. Upgrade storage

Photos are stored in your Picasa Web Albums account and are included in your 1 GB free quota for photos. Additional storage you purchase is shared between several Google products and is in addition to your free quota.

The only option I know is buying new storage which is $2.49 per month. It is quite steep for me. Any suggestions?

November 18, 2012

DIY Christmas Wreath

Christmas is just around the corner so now I’m starting to decorate our home. If you’ve been reading my blog you know that I don’t decorate as early as November but I notice that my son loves seeing Christmas decorations. Some of our neighbors have Christmas decors outside their home and whenever my son sees decors he always says “mommy, look Christmas lights”, “mommy, wow Christmas tree”, or “mommy, look happy Christmas” etc.

Last weekend, I bought this wreath for P139, I don’t know if it is cheap or expensive. I did not buy any decors because I will reuse my old Christmas ornaments. I’m not very creative so I just put flowers, balls and Santa Claus. I use 3M hooks to hang our Christmas wreath so I don’t have to drill anymore.

This is the first Christmas wreath at home because I usually put Christmas Stockings.

According to Wikipedia, “Wreaths are used as household ornaments or Christmas decorations to celebrate the birth of Christ. They are usually made from evergreens and symbolize strength, as evergreens last even throughout the harshest winters.”

Why Pierre Cardin perfume is the best?

There is no doubt that there are many perfumes in the market today. However, when you compare quality of the brand name perfume, you will see that Pierre Cardin perfume has taken a large percentage of the perfume market. However, even though Pierre Cardin perfumes have large companies as competitors, you have to admit that they have really done well.

There brand name perfume has spread around the world and you can find it in any country’s boutique store. This company is old, their first perfume was the best, and it is up to date. It is considered to be the best seller up to date.

History of Pierre Cardin perfumes

Pierre Cardin perfume was their first perfume and a person called Pierre Cardin launched it in 1972. This product is classified as their main fragrance. The company recommends this perfume for romantic wear. Pierre Cardin perfume is a manly, refreshing, subtle, and oriental fragrance. The best thing about this product is; it lingers for long. This means that you do not have to keep on carrying it everywhere you go. This Perfume has a blend of fresh and spicy notes. The main features of this perfume are

Launched in the year 1972
Classified as a manly fragrance
Recommended for romantic wear
Size 8.0 oz.
Ingredients : fresh and spicy scent

The bestseller perfumes and colons for both men and women.

As you probably know, this company has many brand name perfumes in the market. However, several Pierre Cardin perfume products were the best seller. Some of them are

Pierre Cardin black for men

This is one of the bestseller products. The first impression that it makes to anyone who has viewed it for the first time will love it. It has a bark color and it comes in different sizes,

Pierre Cardin for both men and women

As you know, this product made Pierre Cardin to be famous. This product was created in 1972 and up to now, it is still one of the bestseller products.

Pierre Cardin 2 for both men and women

This model is an update of the first Pierre Cardin perfume. This brand name perfume was released the other day and it has gained popularity among people fast.

The Pierre Cardin signe Eau De Perfume Spray for women

This perfume is the first choice women opt to take home. This product has a purpled bottle and a lovely bottle head. It makes this smell crepuscular, luminous, sensual and characteristic.

Pierre Cardin miss choc perfume for women

Even though this product is new to the market, many ladies are love it. This is the fresher, lighter and glamour new version to Choc de Cardin, which was launched in 1981. This perfume is very eye catching and has a feminine bottle design.

This is only a few Pierre Cardin perfumes that are the best sellers. NOTE: these are just a few brand name perfumes from Pierre.

November 15, 2012

Crisp’n Juicy Drummets

One of the challenges of having a school boy is preparing his school snacks. It is not easy because you have to consider some factors. I can’t just give him foods that I’ve cooked for lunch and dinner especially food with butter, tomato sauce and even soup. Most of the times I prepare food that he will eat even it is a store brought food like hotdog, ham and nuggets. Before you judge me, my son also eat chicken and pork adobo, fish fillet, steamed fish or shrimp, homemade meatloaf and many more in school.

One of my mommy friend in school suggested Crisp’n Juciy Drummets so I bought one pack for P69 (6 pcs). We’ve tried it and we really like it. It is crispy, juicy and flavorful. It is now a new favorite in our house.

One more thing, it is so easy to prepare. I just put it in the oven toaster for less than 10 minutes and after that I have crispy and juicy drummets. It is also healthy because I don't use any oil to cook this.

Have you tried other flavors?

November 13, 2012

JT’s Manukan Grille

After visiting Our Lady of Lourdes church we immediately went to JT’s Manukan Grille. I’ve been wanting to try this restaurant of the famous actor Joel Torre but their branches are too far from our place but not anymore because we saw one branch on our way to Batangas.

You will pass Taal Vista hotel, Shell Station, and Petron Station. The branch is quite far from Tagaytay Rotonda so it is not surprising that the place is almost empty on Saturday night.

We ordered pecho P92, paa P88, baticulon P40, rice P20 and kansi broth P30. Rice is not included if you order chicken just like in Manokan Country in Bacolod but Manokan is much cheaper.

My husband loves JT’s Manukan chicken because it is tender and juicy. My son and I like their baticulon (chicken gizzard). Now, you don’t have to go to Bacolod to taste chicken inasal because we have JT’s Manukan Grille here.

P.S. free wifi inside the restaurant. =)

November 12, 2012

Candle Chapel

Two weeks ago we went to Tagaytay after our quick visit to Manila Memorial and since then my son has kept on begging us to go to the mountain (Tagaytay).

Monday

Ethan: Mommy, after school, let’s go to mountain

Me: No, we can’t go there we don’t have a car.

Ethan: Let’s wait for daddy. Ok?

Me: Ok

**after three days of waiting**

Ethan: Mommy, after school, let’s go to mountain

Me: No, we can’t go there we don’t have a car.

Ethan: Let’s ride tricycle. (parang taxi lang?)

Me: No, we can’t ride tricycle. It’s too far. You ask daddy.

Saturday Morning

Ethan: Mommy, let’s go to mountain.

Me: Why?

Ethan: let’s go to mountain…its cold there…there’s snow (kelan pa nagkasnow sa Tagaytay?)

Me: You ask daddy.

My son was consistent so his daddy gave in and we went to Tagaytay last Saturday for joy ride. We dropped by at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church. Aside from Caleruega my husband always visits this church. There’s a Candle Chapel here near the grotto.

grotto

P5 per candle, my husband bought pink, blue and green candle. Pink is for health, blue is for harmonious relationship and green is for success. He did this also when we went to Liliw, Laguna. Then off we went to JT’s Manukan for dinner.