Michi Photostory

October 11, 2016

8th Birthday

Where did the time go, I now have an 8th-year-old son. Every time I look at him, I know that he doesn’t look a baby anymore but of course, he will be forever my baby.

Read: 4 Birthday Party Theme for Boys

This year, no more theme birthday party for him. He was not asking for a party but he wanted a staycation. He said, “Mommy, I want a hotel with playhouse”. Waah! It is really a challenge to find a hotel with a playhouse, I know he was not referring to a small playroom. He wants a hotel or resort that offers activities for kids just like the Crimzone.

Read: CrimZone at Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan

The only hotel that I know that has a playhouse in Metro Manila is Shangri-la at the Fort but I was hesitant because I’ve read mixed reviews. So my husband called the Makati branch but he was advised that there is no playhouse and pool is under renovation. Waah!

I was running out of time. September 30, day before our trip, I saw EDSA Shangri-la on my newsfeed so I checked their site. While browsing their website, I saw the Wet Play Area. I know that Ethan will like this because we saw this in Jurong Bird Park and Singapore Zoo but he was not able to try it because we’re so busy with the shows and animals. Click here for the video

I immediately informed my husband about it, he called the hotel and reserved a room for October 1-2. Again, it was a last minute decision so nagmamadali na naman ko sa pag-empake ng gamit. Hehehe!

Read: Birthday Staycation at EDSA Shangri-la

Fast forward to his birthday, he went to school. My husband and I went to SM Southmall to buy gift and cake. It was time for lunch so we took advantage my free buffet at Sambokojin. (free because I reached 10 stamps) Instant date with hubby! Sayang lang, free birthday buffet sana anak ko but he was in school.

On our way home, my husband called my in-laws so they could celebrate with us. May pasok din lahat so 3 lang ang nayaya namin, hehehe! We picked up my in-laws and we waited for the birthday celebrant at home. Ethan was surprised when he came home from school. Nagulat siya na may bisita siya hehehe!. We had lasagna, fried chicken, and cake to celebrate his 8th birthday.

To my favorite son (may iba pa ba?) Happy 8th birthday!

October 10, 2016

Things to do in Singapore

Singapore is our most visited country but we cannot say that Singapore is our favorite country. There are countries that we really wanted to visit and revisit but the budget is not enough. Hehehe! As of this writing, I’ve been to Singapore 3 times, my husband 5 times, and my son 2 times but honestly we still have a long list of places to visit in Singapore.

Singapore is just a small country but few days of stay are not really enough. There are so many attractions to visit that cater to both adults and kids. I guess, there is no perfect Singapore itinerary that I can suggest because we have our own preferences but I will share with you, our itinerary.

We celebrated our first wedding anniversary in SG, it was a last-minute decision. I just booked it when I saw the Cebu Pacific Air Sale. Good thing I was able to renew my passport before our flight. (Got my passport, two weeks before our trip)

SINGAPORE ITINERARY

2 DAYS IN SINGAPORE

It was our first out-of-the-country trip as husband and wife. At that time, we’re just starting to travel, of course, we have our salary na. Hehehe! I was clueless about DIY travel so I didn’t have an itinerary. I was still working so I have no time to research. I just booked a hotel, listed some places to visit, and off we went to Singapore.

Because of the flight schedule, we only have two whole days to enjoy SG. Good thing that there was a travel agency nearby the hotel where we booked our tours. There were several options and we chose the following.

Day 1 Singapore City Tour

We availed of a half-day city tour and we visited Esplanade Theater, Merlion, Chinatown, Botanic Garden, Souvenir Shops, and Little India. It was a quick trip to each attraction.

Singapore Zoo + Night Safari

Singapore Zoo is so big and we were on a group tour so we were not able to explore the whole zoo. We need to follow the tour guide. After SG Zoo, we immediately fell in line at Night Safari so we can ride the first tram. After watching the show, we went back to the hotel.

It was a long day for us so the following day, we woke up late. We did not book any tour in the morning but we explored Orchard Road. It was Chinese New Year so most of the stores were closed.

Day 2 Sentosa Trip Package

For our afternoon trip, we availed of the Sentosa Trip Package. Our itinerary is Mount Faber, Underwater World, Images of Singapore, and Musical Fountain. I have no idea that we will ride a Cable Car at Mount Faber so it was a scary experience for me because I’m afraid of heights.

Then we went to Images of Singapore, we were so delighted in taking pictures and when we went out, nakasimangot na mga kasama namin at mukhang inip na inip kakahintay. We’re the second to the last na lumabas sa museum at buti na lang at hindi kami last, kundi nakakaguilty. Hehehe!

Next is Underwater World, tinapos namin agad ang pag-ikot so we can proceed to Musical Fountain but unfortunately we missed the show and we did not want to wait for the next schedule. So we left Sentosa and went back to our hotel to get our luggage. We took a taxi on our way to the airport to catch out evening flight.

Read: 2 Days in Singapore

3 DAYS IN SINGAPORE

After seven years, I already know how to make my own itinerary so when we went back to Singapore, I did not book any tours. We stayed at South East Asia Hotel in Bugis area. We explored Singapore using Singapore Tourist Pass, we did not take any taxis on this trip.

Day 1 DIY Singapore City Tour - we started our trip from Clark Quay Station. This was our walking tour itinerary

Asian Civilization -> Fullerton Hotel -> Merlion -> Esplanade -> Makansutra -> Helix bridge -> Gardens by the Bay -> Marina Bay Sands

It was really a long walk because we have a 4 years old son in tow.

Day 2 Universal Studio Singapore - USS was not yet opened when we went there 7 years ago so it is really on top of our list to visit. We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary here.

Day 3 Singapore Flyer - we did not ride Singapore Flyer, we just went there because we’re going to Legoland Malaysia. To make our life easier, we availed coach transfer at WTS travel agency.

Read: Legoland Malaysia
6 Days in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore

5 DAYS IN SINGAPORE

Two months ago, we were able to revisit Singapore and we stayed at Sheraton Towers Singapore. This time, we concentrated on Wildlife Reserves Singapore Zoos.

I availed the Park Hopper Plus tickets so I can save money. The Park Hopper Plus ticket price is SGD79 adult and SGD59 kid. The ticket includes admission to River Safari, Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. We have unlimited Amazon River Quest Ride, unlimited tram ride, and one free carousel ride.

So for 3 days, my son and I were visiting zoos. Yes, I revisited Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.

Day 2 River Safari
Day 3 Singapore Zoo
Day 4 Jurong Bird Park
Night Safari

Finally, I shopped at IKEA Alexandra and was able to taste Swedish Meatballs.

Read: Shopping Haul at IKEA Alexandra
Food Trip at IKEA Alexandra

As I said, I still have a long list of things to do in Singapore. Care to share your favorites in SG.

Read: 5 Days in Singapore
Where to Stay in Singapore

WHERE TO EAT IN SINGAPORE

Carnivore
Brazilian Churri
Jumbo Seafood
Wine Connection
Irodori Japanese Restaurant
Newton Food Centre

PASALUBONG FROM SINGAPORE

Irvins Salted Egg Chips
Irvins Salted Egg Cream Sauce
Kaya Spread

October 09, 2016

Day 5 Singapore: Last Day in Singapore

We were supposed to visit Gardens by the Bay before going to the airport but we canceled our plans because my son wanted to swim. We’ve been staying in the hotel for 4 days already but we haven’t visited the pool area.

After breakfast, my son and my husband went to the pool for a quick dip while I finish packing our stuff.

We checked out at 10AM and left our baggage at the Concierge.

Then we went to our friend’s house who resides in Singapore. For the very first time, my son met his Ninong. :) Maganda pa yung pool dito kaysa sa Sheraton Towers Singapore.

Read: Sheraton Towers Singapore

Then we trooped to IKEA Alexandra so I can eat Swedish Meatballs, as I mentioned in my previous posts, we will not leave Singapore hanggat di ko natitikman ang Swedish Meatballs. Hehehe!

Read: Food Trip at IKEA Alexandra
Shopping Haul at IKEA Alexandra

After eating and shopping, we went back to the hotel to get out luggage then we went straight to the airport. Unfortunately, our PAL flight was delayed. Good thing Changi Airport has free wifi and they have a fast connection.

We spent our time playing in the Social Tree and we also checked different stores, if ever may mabibili kaso mahal naman lahat. Hehehe!

We ate dinner first before going to the gate, I can’t remember the name of the restaurant but this Hainanese Chicken is only SGD5.

On our way to the boarding gate, we saw this foot massage and it is free. Finally, namassage din ang aking paa. Di biro ang nilakad namin sa 4 na zoos.

May nakapila na agad. hehehe!

Because of the flight delay, my son doesn’t want to eat anymore when they served the food. Gusto na lang niya matulog sa airplane, he just ate the bread and sleep. Sayang yung food, bayad din yan. Hehehe! Next time, I will bring a snack box so I can take it home. I only have one extra zip lock where I put the ice cream.

Read: 5 Days in Singapore

October 08, 2016

Day 4 Singapore: Night Safari

After visiting River Safari, Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park my body wanted to rest already. I don’t want to visit Night Safari since I’ve been there 9 years ago but my son wanted to visit the zoo. Buti pa siya hindi napapagod. Hehehe!

My husband was supposed to go with my son in Night Safari so I can pack our things but unfortunately, he has dinner meeting so I have no choice. After refreshing ourselves, off we went to Night Safari.

Again, same location of River Safari and Singapore Zoo. Travel time is 67 minutes via train and bus. Fare is SGD1.76 each.

Directions:

1. Walk to Newton Station.
2. Board the train towards Jurong East Station and alight at Ang Mo Kio Station. 5 stations later.
3. Take Exit C and walk to bus stop at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8
4. Board Bus 138 and alight at Singapore Zoological Gardens, 30 stops later.
5. Walk to Night Safari. You have to cross to the other side.

Night Safari is a place where you can see nocturnal animals, there are more than 1000 creatures in this zoo that you can explore by tram or foot. Of course we chose the tram.

We were late on our 7:15PM schedule because of the rush hour traffic so we immediately fell in line for tram ride at baka maunahan pa kami ng 8:15PM ticket holders.

Tram Safari Experience is a 40-minute expedition, it is an exciting experience since not all zoos offer Night Safari. You will see different nocturnal animals as you explore the seven world’s geographical region such as Himalayan Foothills, Indian Subcontinent, Equatorial Africa, Asian Riverine Forest, Nepalese River Valley and Burmese Hillside.

Since all zoos have “no flash photography” policy, I don’t have good quality pictures. Nine years ago, we rode the first tram so maliwanag pa, yun lang panget naman camera ko nun. Hehehe! So if you want to have good photos, be there before the opening.

Some animals are cannot be seen from the tram so you have to go down (East Lodge Trail) and check the four walking trails. We did not do this anymore because we’re so scared in the dark and each trail will take about 20 minutes so kakain ng oras. But if you are brave enough to walk in the dark, visit the Fishing Cat Trail, Leopard Trail, East Lodge Trail and Wallaby Trail.

After the safari ride, we went straight to Amphitheatre for Creatures of the Night Show, 9:30PM. My son was already sleepy at that time, nakaramdam din ng pagod. Hehehe!

The show is good but I think I prefer my experience 9 years ago where all animals are still active. May time na ayaw na magperform ng animals, pagod na how much more kung sa last show pa.

On our way out, we were able to see the Thumbuakar Performance, 10PM but we did not watch it anymore because my son was not interested.

Click here for video

We went to the bus stop so we can still catch the train at Ang Mo Kio station.

We were really tired because we did Jurong Bird Park + Night Safari in one day. We were not able to maximize our ticket since we missed the Walking Trails and Thumbuakar Performance. Of all the zoos pa naman, Night Safari has the expensive ticket fee. They are open from 7PM-12MN only.

But I'm still happy that we were able to finish all the zoos in Singapore. Finally, I’m also done with my Wildlife Reserves Singapore series.

Read: 5 Days in Singapore

Night Safari Admission Ticket

Park Hopper Plus Ticket

SGD79 adult
SGD59 kid

Regular Ticket

SGD45 adult
SGD30 kid

October 05, 2016

Day 4 Singapore: Jurong Bird Park

We’ve been to different zoos but this was the first time that we’re going to visit a bird park. Jurong Bird Park is a place where you can see 5000 birds across 400 species in the world. You can see them flying, swimming, and roaming freely in their naturalistic habitats, including four large free-flight aviaries. There are feeding sessions and bird shows too.

Jurong Bird Park is the only zoo of Wildlife Reserves Singapore that is not located at the Mandai Lake Road Singapore. Travel time from Sheraton Towers SG is 95 min by bus SGD1.76, 75 min by train + bus SGD1.91, and 26 to 30 minutes by taxi SGD20 +. Seventy-five minutes is really long and we need to wake up early just to be there before 10AM so I decided that we will take a taxi instead.

We left at 9:05AM, may tumatanggi din pala na taxi driver sa Singapore. Naka-2 taxi din kami bago may pumayag na ihatid kami sa Jurong Bird Park. The rate of taxi depends on the time of your travel, when I checked gothere.sg, the rate is close to SGD25 but when we reached Jurong Bird Park, I just paid SGD20+.

And because we took a taxi, we were so early for the King of the Skies Show. Kami talaga nauna na dumating sa Hawk Arena. Hehehe! Click here for the video.

Nice to see the different birds, they are really big.

After the show, we went to the Penguin Coast for the Penguin Encounter. My son enjoyed the penguin feeding for SGD2. Click here for the video

We enjoyed watching Happy Feet movie so we’re delighted to see the penguins up close and personal, there are five species at the Penguin Coast.

Then after that, we went to the next show which is the High Flyers Show at Pools Amphitheatre.

Click here for video

There are only two shows in Jurong Bird Park so do not miss it because this is your chance to take pictures of the birds up close. If you missed the show, you can still see the birds but some birds are inside the cage, so you cannot take a good photo of it.

We started exploring the different attractions such as Wing Asia, Bird Discovery Center, Junge Jewels, Birds of Prey, Window of Paradise, Hornbill & Toucans, Royal Ramble, Wetlands, Heliconia Walk and Lory Loft.

You can experience bird feeding for a fee at Lory Loft but I did not pay for this since we already experienced bird feeding at Residence Inn Zoo and Zoobic Safari in the Philippines.

We rode the tram to reach Waterfall Station, SGD5 adult and SGD3 child but since we bought the Park Hopper Plus Tickets, we have unlimited tram rides. There is a man-made waterfall where 600-free flying birds are there. Yes, free-flying birds so it is really hard to eat here because the birds go to your table.

We explored Waterfall Aviary, Dinosaur Descendants, Parrot Paradise, Swan Lake, and Pelican Cove.

We waited for the Pelican Chit-Chat and paid SGD2 for Pelican Feeding. Remember the Finding Nemo movie, pelican helped nemo to go inside the dentist clinic. Click here for the video.

Before we left the Waterfall Station, we went to the Bird Feeding at Waterfall Aviary.

Then we rode tram back to the Main Station. There is Wet Play Area at Birdz of Play but we did not visit it anymore since we wanted to finish everything on the map.

We visited the Flamingo Pool, Saddlebill, Riverine and last stop World of Darkness. We've seen flamingo in other zoos pero mas madami dito sa Jurong Bird Park.

The Jurong Bird Park is not that big compared to Singapore Zoo so we’re done at 3PM. Our favorite here are the two shows, penguin feeding, and pelican feeding.

We went to the bus stop because this time, we were going to ride the bus + train. 75 minutes travel time to the hotel.

Directions:

1. Walk to the bus stop at Opposite Jurong Bird Park (22019), Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim.
2. Board Bus 194. Alight at Boon Lay Interchange, Jurong West Central 3, 1 stop later.
3. Walk to Book Lay Station East-West Line. Board the train towards Pasir Ris Station. Alight at Buona Vista Station, 6 stations later.
4. Circle Line. Board the train towards Dhoby Ghaut Station. Alight at Botanic Gardens Station, 3 stations later.
5. Downtown Line. Board the train towards Chinatown Station. Alight at Newton Station, 2 stations later.
6. Take Exit A. Walk to Sheraton Towers Singapore Hotel.

Read: Sheraton Towers Singapore

We rested for a while, took a bat,h and off we went to Night Safari.

Read: 5 Days in Singapore

Jurong Bird Park
2 Jurong Hill Singapore

Jurong Bird Park Admission Fee

Park Hopper Plus Ticket

SGD79 adult
SGD59 kid

Regular Ticket

SGD29 adult
SGD19 kid

Tram Ride

SGD5 adult
SGD3 kid

September 29, 2016

Birthday Party Theme for Boys

September used to be my busy month because I need to prepare for my son’s birthday. Our family is not into big birthday parties, the only party that we had more than 50 guests is when he celebrated his first birthday party.

On his 2nd and 3rd birthday, we just travel. Things change when he started going to school so we planned to have a small birthday party at his school. It was an intimate party because he has more or less 15 classmates. A DIY party is not a problem.

Sharing with you the DIY birthday party themes that we had during his 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th birthday.

My son likes Lightning McQueen so we had Car birthday party theme for his 4th birthday party. I don’t know any boys who don't like cars.

Read: Car Birthday Party Theme

He enjoyed our trip at Hongkong Disneyland so for his 5th birthday party, he wanted a Mickey Mouse birthday party. I love Mickey Mouse too!

Read: Mickey Mouse Birthday Party
DIY Mickey Mouse Birthday Party
DIY Mickey Mouse Invitation

When we transferred to a new school, birthday parties are not allowed, so we have no choice but to celebrate it at home. We live in a small house so we only invited my in-laws. I was expecting that he will ask for Lego birthday party theme but he wanted a Mario birthday party.

Read: DIY Mario Birthday Party

Lastly, we had a Little Chef Party for his 7th birthday party.

Read: Little Chef Party
7 Things for 7th Birthday

Now, I suddenly miss planning a DIY party. This year no more theme party and my son just wanted to have a staycation. He said, mommy, I want a hotel with a playhouse.

Honestly, as of this writing, we haven’t booked any hotel yet and we only have few days left. I’m hesitant because he has classes on the day of his birthday and it’s been raining every day so I’m not sure if we will enjoy our staycation. Good luck to us!

Care to share your birthday party themes.

Read: 5 Tips for Throwing an Epic Birthday Party

Update: October 2021

I thought that we will no longer have a birthday party theme because my son is too old but I was wrong. When my son hit his teenage years, I decided to prepare a DIY Gamer Birthday party for him even we are under COVID19 restrictions.

Read: Gamer Birthday Party

September 27, 2016

Day 3 Singapore: Singapore Zoo

The initial plan is Jurong Bird Park but since we left at past 10AM, I told my son that we will go to Singapore Zoo instead. He agreed with me and off we went to the zoo. The direction is still the same since 3 zoos are located in the same place. For directions, we used gothere.sg, travel time is 67 minutes via train and bus. Fare is SGD1.76 each.

Directions:

1. Walk to Newton Station.
2. Board the train towards Jurong East Station and alight at Ang Mo Kio Station. 5 stations later.
3. Take Exit C and walk to the bus stop at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8
4. Board Bus 138 and alight at Singapore Zoological Gardens, 30 stops later.
5. Walk to Singapore Zoological Gardens.

While riding the bus, I was checking the map and I whispered to my son that we will go to Elephants at Work and Play Show first at 11:30AM so we need to walk and run once we alighted so we won’t be late.

It was a loooong walk, we’re all sweating by the time we reached the venue at Elephants of Asia near Tram Station 4. No more vacant seats so we were standing all throughout the show but at least it did not rain. 9 years ago, my husband and I weren’t able to watch the full show because of the rain. You can feed the elephants at SGD5 but my son was so scared so he did not try it. Click here for the video.

After the show, we went straight to Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre to watch the Rainforest Fights Back Show at 12:30NN. My son did not agree with me because he wanted to ride Carousel. I told him that he can do that after the show. He asked, why you always like to watch shows? I want Carousel. Nagrereklamo na, puro show na lang daw ako. Hehehe!

I explained to him that shows have specific times that we need to follow, other attractions like carousel ay pwede namin puntahan anytime. Trust me, I know how to manage the time. So we just agree to disagree. Lol

We don’t want to walk anymore so we rode the tram to reach Tram Station 2. You need to pay SGD5 adult and SGD3 for the kid. We just showed our ticket because it includes unlimited tram ride.

As I promised, after the show we went to Rainforest Kidzworld so he can ride Wild Animal Carousel. The ride is not free, you need to pay additional SGD4 but since we have the Park Hopper Plus ticket, my son has one free ride. Solo niya tuloy ang ride, mag-isa lang siya sumakay. Hehehe!

Then we ate late lunch at KFC at Kidzworld Pavilion. There is Wet Play Area where your kids can play but we did not plan to spend our time here so we continue exploring the zoo. My son enjoyed feeding the goat here.

From station 2, we just walked to check different attractions till we reach the Frozen Tundra.

We saw the Polar Bear and we enjoyed watching him, ang galing niya magswim. Hehehe! Click here for the video. Update: Inuka died last April 2018.

We rode the tram again so we can rest from walking. I really appreciate the tram ride because Singapore Zoo is so huge and you will really get tired easily if you will just walk and walk. This is a 26-hectare zoo. Waah!

This is the biggest LIZARD that I've seen, it is called Komodo Dragon

We did not watch the Animal Friends Show because my son was not interested, so pinagbigyan ko na, hehehe!

We just finished everything on the map then we went to the last show (5PM) which was Splash Safari Show at Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre, we're a little bit late because of the tram. (tagal dumating)

Then after the show, we rode the tram again back to tram station 1, and off we went home at 5:30PM. It was a long day but we’re happy that we finished everything. We really took our time exploring the zoo because there was Fire Alarm Testing at the hotel from 2-5PM.

Singapore Zoo has over 2,800 animals, that was really a lot so I did not take a lot of pictures. hehehe! What is nice about this zoo is they have an open concept, you don't see animals inside the cages. Some animals are so free that you can see them swinging, lounging, or playing around like the orangutans.

Our favorites in Singapore Zoo are the Elephants Show, Carousel Ride, Goat Feeding and Polar Bear.

Read: 5 Days in Singapore

Book your ticket here.

Singapore Zoo Admission Fee

Park Hopper Plus Ticket
SGD79 adult
SGD59 kid

Regular Ticket
SGD33 adult
SGD22 kid

Tram Ride
SGD5 adult
SGD3 kid

Carousel
SGD 4

September 26, 2016

Swiss Delice Chocolate

My husband just came back from Malaysia and while waiting at the airport, he kept on taking photos of different chocolates that I might like, so I can choose.

There are times that he will not buy anything because I always say, “ang mahal naman, meron naman niyan sa Pinas” hehehe! So when he showed me this Swiss Delice Collection Selection. I said yes, para maiba naman.

We haven’t tried this brand of chocolate from Switzerland. Swiss Delice Collection Selection is a collection of selected chocolate coated biscuits. There are 8 flavors inside the box.

1. Truffino Classic - crisp milk chocolate wafer biscuit with hazelnut filling.
2. Truffino Noir - crisp chocolate wafer biscuit with hazelnut filling.
3. Pralino - cocoa meringue with tenderly melting chocolate filling.
4. Rocher - delicately crisp biscuit with milk chocolate and hazelnuts.
5. Medaillon Classic - crisp meringue biscuit with tenderly melting hazelnut filling and milk chocolate.
6. Cremetti - light, airy meringue biscuit with chocolate filling.
7. Amandelle - crisp almond biscuit on milk chocolate.
8. Choc Japonais - tender sandwich meringue with chocolate filling.

So we’re been eating this last weekend and trying each flavor. Well, in my opinion, the taste is just ok, I still prefer Ferrero Rocher Chocolate compared to this. I even said, parang mas type ko pa KitKat, then my husband said, grabe naman masarap naman ito. Hehehe!

RM48 is not cheap so maybe I expected much but my son likes it and kung di ko pinigilan, he can finish the box of chocolate in one sitting. Well, kanya-kanya lang talaga ng panlasa.