May 11, 2018

Breathtaking Gullfoss in Iceland

Our country is blessed with wonderful nature, we have so many beautiful beaches, hot spring, cold spring, and even waterfalls. So far, I have visited 6 waterfalls in the Philippines and there are more waterfalls to visit. It is nice to visit waterfalls especially now, it is so hot in the Philippines.

Read: Amazing Waterfalls in the Philippines


Last year, we were fortunate to visit another falls in Iceland. The first waterfall is located in Thingvellir National Park, tuwang-tuwa na ko dun when I saw that waterfall but little did I know na may maganda pa pala dun. As I mentioned in one of my posts, we visited Gullfoss which is part of the Golden Circle Tour. It is located in the canyon of Hvita river.

Read: Golden Circle Tour in Iceland

Gullfoss means Golden Falls, it is one of the most popular tourist spots in Iceland but honestly, I have no idea about this falls. All I know it is part of the Golden Circle Tour but little did I know that this will be the highlight of our tour.


Tourist started to visit Gullfoss around 1875, at that time the waterfall was hard to reach because of the rough terrain and impassable rivers. Sigridur Tomasdottir and her sisters acted as guides for the visitors and built the first trail that led down to the waterfall. Sigridur died in 1957 and the stone memorial that you can see in the Golden Falls was erected in 1979.


Thanks to them because now, it is easy to reach the waterfalls. From parking, we need to walk to the falls and there is a pathway so you won’t be lost. While walking, you can already hear the sound of the waterfall so in my mind malapit na. But the truth is, malayo pa pala and the reason why I can hear the sound is ang laki pala niya.



I can already see the waterfalls from the stairs and it leave me breathless. It was my dream to visit Niagara Falls but when I saw Gullfoss, napalitan bigla. In my opinion, this is more beautiful. I will run out of adjectives describing the Gullfoss, it is breathtaking, wonderful, amazing, spectacular, magnificent, stunning and astounding waterfall.



I will post here what I’ve read in their Tourist Information Board.
Gullfoss is Like No Other 
No waterfall in Europe can match Gullfoss. In wildness and fury it outdoes the Niagra Falls of the United States. Thousands of unharnessed horsepowers flow continuously into the gorge, year in and year out.  
Gullfoss is a unique natural phenomenon that triggers varying impressions in people. Its conservation, and thereby its existence in its present form, has a unique history.  
Gullfoss and the surrounding area were made a nature reserve in 1979 to give people the best possible opportunity to enjoy this unique natural scene. The area’s ecosystem is also protected and its vegetation remains untouched. Attempts are made to minimize man’s footprints to keep man-made structures to a minimum and not to disturb the land and geological formations. 
Even we’re all tired, tanggal pagod namin when we saw the waterfall. I am afraid of heights but it does not stop me from walking, ingat na ingat nga lang kasi one mistake ko, mamatay ako pag nalaglag ko sa falls. hehehe! While walking, you might get wet because of the waterfalls, sa lakas ng buhos niya there are floating water droplets everywhere. Kaya pati camera ko nababasa at nagmoist. Hehehe!

Watch the video here.

According to Wikipedia, the wide river moves southward which is about one kilometer above the waterfalls, it flows down into a three-step staircase and plunges in two stages. 140 cubic meters per second (summer) and 80 cubic meters per second (winter) is the average amount of water running down the waterfalls.


Indeed this is the highlight of our trip and would you believe that this is FREE. Yes, just like the other tourist spots that we have visited, there is no entrance fee for this attraction.

Read: The Great Geysir in Iceland
Discover the Wonder of Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Reykjanes Peninsula Tour in Iceland
Icelandair Experience 
Bridge Between Two Continents
Thingvellir National Park in Iceland

May 10, 2018

Glimpse of Suvarnabhumi Airport

Bangkok, Thailand is the first country that I’ve set my foot on, it was our first layover when we went to Norway. We stayed in Don Mueang International Airport for more than 11 hours waiting for our flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Bangkok Airport was big compared to NAIA 1, thank God we did not get lost and we found the correct boarding gate. It was our first out of the country trip so everything was new to us. 



When the year 2017 came, I became busy preparing for our summer trip. I wanted to explore Bangkok so we decided to stay there for few days before flying to Oslo, Norway. Unfortunately, the available date from Bangkok to Oslo did not match our preferred date so we gave up our Bangkok, Thailand side trip. We just stayed at Suvarnabhumi Airport for our layover. Bangkok Airport is huge but we have no time to explore it because we always rushed to our boarding gate, we’re afraid to miss our connecting flight. 

Manila to Bangkok

Fast forward to last month, we were back in Bangkok, Thailand but this time it is no longer a stopover. Finally, I can say that I’ve been to Thailand, nakalabas na rin ko ng airport. Hehehe! 



Suvarnabhumi Airport is the 9th busiest airport in Asia and 20th busiest airport in the world and I can’t deny that because even the airport is big, you can see a lot of people there. And because of the flock of tourists, it will take you more than an hour to pass the Immigration. 



We’re thankful that there is Priority Lane in BKK airport so we did not wait that long. We got Premium Lane Pass from Manila to Bangkok and Bangkok to Manila. I will share more about this in a separate post. 

Read: Economy Class vs Business Class Ticket of Philippine Airlines: International Trip



We got our luggage in no time and I immediately searched for the Klook Counter so I can claim my 4G Sim Card. Looking for the counter is not easy even I have map and when I asked question, sa iba naman ko tinuro. Lol It was a relief when I saw the Klook Counter and Superrich Thailand so I was able to change my money to Thailand Baht. 



My husband thought I was lost sa tagal ko ba naman bumalik sa exit gate pero sa totoo lang ang layo ng nilakad ko para lang sa sim card. Then we went to Gate 5 to wait for the hotel pick-up service.

Bangkok to Manila 

After breakfast, we checked-out early for our 1:30PM flight. On the way to the airport, the rain started to fall and because of that, traffic is so bad. We did not worry because we know that we still have a lot of time to check-in. By the time we reached the airport, the check-in counter is not yet open. Oh di ba, ang aga pa talaga namin. 




We got a Premium Lane pass so we passed the Immigration immediately. We went straight to Miracle Lounge, my husband and son stayed at the lounge while I explored the Bangkok Airport. I don’t want to pay THB500 for extra person fee, idagdag ko na lang sa pasalubong. 



I checked their Duty Free Shops, I like how they named their shops, you can see Tastes of Thailand, Memories of Thailand, Touches of Thailand, and Scents of Thailand. It is easy for you to decide which shops you are going to visit. They also have a pharmacy at the airport, a lot of tourists are buying pasalubong there. 






I ate pizza before going to the boarding gate. By the time we reached the gate, we are just in time for boarding. Yey! Flight is on time! There is free wifi at the airport but I was not able to try it since I’m using my Thailand Sim Card with unlimited connection for 8 days. 

Just in case you have a long layover, you can also stay at Louis Tavern Hotel Dayrooms Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel. Yes, there is room accommodation inside the airport. 

Read: 6 Days in Bangkok with Kids

May 09, 2018

Where to Buy Discounted Tickets for your Travel Adventures in Asia

Traveling is costly and there is no doubt about that. But this is not a reason for you to stop exploring the world because there are different ways to save for your next travel adventures. You can book a cheap airfare, budget-friendly hotels and discounted tickets. 

Read: 8 Ways to Score Cheap Airline Tickets 

Speaking of discounted tickets, for the past few years, I’ve been reading and hearing good reviews about Klook. But I did not mind it because I prefer buying my tickets on the day of our trip just to be sure that I won’t waste my money just in case our travel plans did not push through. 



My brother has been buying tickets at Klook for their past travels so last month, I finally checked this site. We booked a flight to Bangkok, Thailand, 9 days before our trip so I only have several days to make our itinerary. Spell CRAMMING. I’ve been to Bangkok four times pero hanggang airport lang (layover), so I guess, I never been to Bangkok so it was a challenge to plan an itinerary in less than ten days. 

Read: Glimpse of Suvarnabhumi Airport

I was thankful to Klook because it gives me an idea of what to do, where to go and how to get to different attractions in Bangkok, Thailand. There are so many tour packages on their site so at first, I’m just browsing and adding tour package on my wishlist. 

I was hesitant to book because some packages are non-refundable so before booking, I’ve made sure that we can visit this place on the scheduled date. I told my husband about this site and he agreed with me so I purchased my first voucher at Klook. I fixed my itinerary and booked the ticket, one day at a time. 

How to Purchase Voucher at KLOOK 

1. Go to KLOOK website or download the app and register. 
2. Start searching, filter your choices. Choose country and city 
3. Browse the different packages 
4. Choose package 
5. Choose date 
6. Choose Package Quantity (number of persons)
7. Click Book now 
8. Enter traveler’s information 
9. Pay via credit card or Paypal 

After payment, you will see this note 

Payment successful! 
Thanks for booking with Klook! Your order summary and voucher will be sent to (insert email) Check email for confirmation voucher

* The amount is in peso but during check-out, the amount was converted to dollar amount so I paid USD via Paypal.

10. Check email, print the voucher or just show your mobile voucher. Some attractions, they get my printed voucher. 

Can I Really Save Money?

Honestly, when I was checking their site, I can’t believe that there are really discounted tickets because when we went to Hong Kong and we stayed in one of the Disneyland’s hotel, I paid regular tickets and they did not even give me a discount even we're hotel guests and I purchased our HK Disneyland ticket at the hotel’s reception. But here in Klook, there are really discounted tickets and I even compared it to the website of the places that we’re going to visit and believe it or not, it is much cheaper. So if you want to save money, check Klook site. 

For our Bangkok, Thailand trip, here are the vouchers that I purchased. 

1. Sim Card P499 to P248 

For past previous trips, I’m not buying any sim card nor I’m not renting any pocket wifi. I just rely on my postpaid plan, I turned on my roaming if I really need it. But we all know that the rate is not cheap, I think it is P550 per day. 



So when I learned about the 4G Sim Card in Thailand, I did not have any second thoughts. Imagine, I have an unlimited connection for 8 days for P248 only. I can call or text my husband if I need to. THB 100 call credits (30min talk time) This is really a big saving on my part. I picked-up my sim card at BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport Klook Counter and they are the one who put the sim card on my phone and set up. The voucher is refundable too just in case something happened with your flight. 

2. Kidzania Bangkok 

Yes, there is Kidzania Manila already but it is also nice to visit other Kidzania branches. Their rates are expensive compared to Manila branch so it is better to book your ticket at Klook website to get a discount. What nice about this voucher, it is refundable. Yes, full refunds will be issued for cancelations made at least 24 hours prior to the activity. 

Toddlers (2-3) P1150 to P833 
Child (4-14) P1916 to P1433 
Adult (15+) P1150 to P916 

I purchased 1 Adult and 1 Child ticket for P2349 or $45.01. 

3. SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World 

My son likes visiting different zoos and ocean parks so I included this in our itinerary. It is the largest aquarium in South East Asia. They have different packages for SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World so it took me days to choose. I was torn between the Super Combo and Aquarium + Madame Tussauds Admission Only. 

Aquarium Entry Only P999 (P1648) 
Aquarium + 4D movie P1082 (P2147) 
Aquarium + Glass Bottom Boat P1165 (P1897) 
Aquarium + 4D Movie + Glass Bottom Boat P1248 (P2,164) 
Aquarium + Photo P1332 (P2646) 
Super Combo P1415 (P2314) 
Aquarium + Madame Tussauds Admission Only P1864 (P3296) 

But in the end, I chose Aquarium + 4D Movie + Glass Bottom Boat P1248 (P2,164) 

Adult (P2164) P1248 
Child 3-11 (P1831) P1207 

I bought 1 Adult and 1 Child ticket and paid P2455 or $47.09 

Package Details Inclusive Of: 
Admission ticket to SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World 
4D cinema ticket at SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World 
Glass-bottomed boat and Ocean Feeding 

It was a good decision because the Glass Bottom Boat is THB350 already per person if you want to experience it. 

4. Chao Phraya Princess Cruise 

My initial plan is to go to Chocolate Ville and IKEA Bangna on our first day but I changed my mind. So night before our flight I purchased Chao Phraya Princess Cruise so we can explore Chao Phraya River and see the historic landmarks at night while enjoying the dinner buffet. 

Adult P1581 (P2497) 
Child P1332 (P1831) 

I bought 2 Adults and 1 Child ticket for P4494 or $86.21. 

Klook Tickets vs Regular Tickets 

Klook Tickets 

Sim Card P248 
Kidzania Bangkok P2349 
SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World P2455 
Chao Phraya Princess Cruise P4494 
Total P9,456 

Regular Tickets 

Sim Card P499 
Kidzania Bangkok P3066 
SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World P3955 
Chao Phraya Princess Cruise P6825 
Total P14,345 

So I was able to save P4799. What nice about Klook, aside from discounted tickets, they also give rebates so I also earned points from my bookings and I can use this points for my future purchases. If you haven’t tried Klook, use my link and get discount

* This post contains affiliate link/s. If you decide to make a purchase, I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Klook is not only available in Asia, they offer discounted tickets in East Asia, South East Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Oceania, Europe and North America. Just check their site to know if the country you are visiting is included. 

May 08, 2018

Our Mabuhay Lounge Experience at NAIA 2

At last, after one year, we finally set foot in the airport. My son and I are not frequent travelers so going to the airport make us a little bit excited because we’re going to different city or country again.


We left as early as 5AM for our 9:30AM flight. The travel tax is already included in our plane ticket so hindi na kami pumila dun, the downside is I paid P1620 for my son, which is dapat P800+ lang if they applied the child discount. Kaso pag thru phone booking, P1620 talaga.

Anyway, the immigration line is very long, I think they are having a system upgrade at that time kaya ang bagal ng service. It took us almost an hour to finish the check-in and immigration line so we’re really hungry. I’m thankful for the free access to Mabuhay Lounge.

Who has Access to Mabuhay Lounge? 


You may relax in Mabuhay Miles Lounges if you are Mabuhay Miles Elite, Premier Elite, and Million Miler. If you are not a member but you have a Business Class ticket you can access the lounge for FREE.

Domestic Lounges 
International Lounges 

I already blogged about this airport lounge before, you can check it here. My son and I were first-timers here, we tried the Mabuhay Lounge in Cebu before and I agree with my husband, Mabuhay Lounge in NAIA 2 is much bigger. Mas malaki din compared to MIASCOR Airport Lounge that we tried last year. 






There are cereals, fruits, bread, desserts, dim sum, congee, and hot and cold drinks. I was not able to take a lot of pictures because the lounge was crowded. But still thankful because we have comfortable seats, free food and drinks, and wifi.

Read: 5 Ways to Get into Airport Lounge 

May 07, 2018

Passport Renewal Experience at DFA NCR South

Applying for a new passport or renewing your passport here in the Philippines is quite challenging because it is hard to get an appointment. It happened to me this year when I was getting an appointment for my husband. Good thing I was able to book last April 5, tiyagaan lang talaga sa pag-abang. Parang seat sale lang na ang sarap ng feeling after mo maibook.

Read: How to Schedule A DFA Passport Appointment Online 

There was a slight difference in reserving the appointment now compared to my experience three years ago. I did not see a family appointment and you need to check your email and confirm your appointment, before pagkasubmit mo okay na.

April 18 

Anyway, we went to DFA NCR South branch last month, the schedule was 10AM and we arrived in Alabang past 8AM so we went to McDo (Drive-Thru) to order some food and waited at the parking lot. My husband wanted to go to DFA at 9:30AM since nakanote naman na 30 minutes before ka pumunta. But I told him na open na ang supermarket and it is better na dun na kami maghintay.

I’m thankful that he agreed with me so we went to Metro Mall and we were surprised that there was a long line already, it was only 9:10AM. I was wondering kung what time pa nakapila yung iba, there was a separate line for courtesy lane and for those scheduled applicants. Actually, may mga 11AM applicants na nakapila na nga rin, nauna pa sa amin. But don’t worry, sa iba pa rin nakapila ang 11AM.

At 10AM, they allowed the people to go up, nauna mga courtesy lane before the 10AM applicants. At that time, I was thinking if my husband could finish in one hour, sa dami ba naman ng nasa courtesy lane. While he was at DFA, my son and I went to the Metro Department Store to kill our time.

Requirements for Renewal Application  

1. Confirmed Online Appointment
2. Personal appearance
3. Accomplished Application Form
4. Current ePassport with a photocopy of the data page
5. Original PSA authenticated documents that will support the change of name (if applicable)

o Marriage Contract
o Annotated Birth Certificate
o Annotated Marriage Contract to show annulment/divorce/court-ordered instruction
o Death Certificate of Spouse

My husband submitted requirements 1-4 but when they learned that the expiration of my husband’s passport is year 2020, the staff asked for a letter or approval pa because they only accept expiration 2019 below for renewal. But my husband told them na wala naman sa website nila yung ganung requirements. So nagtatanung-tanung muna yung staff and he/she advised my husband to photocopy the last page of his passport (used page) to justify why he needs to renew his passport earlier and the staff just put a “frequent traveler” note on the paper.

My husband paid P1200 and was advised to pick-up the passport on April 27. I remember last time na binubutasan na agad ang passport so I told my husband na wag pabutusan or else hindi kami makakaalis. In less than an hour, my husband called us and he said tapos na daw siya. Despite the long lines at DFA, mabilis naman ang process sa loob so same sa experience namin when we renewed three years ago.

Read:  Our Experience at DFA NCR South (Alabang)

May 2018

Since we were out of the country, my husband was not able to pick up his passport on the scheduled date. He went to DFA last Friday and he was there before 10AM and same process pa rin, pinapila pa rin siya sa baba kasama ng mga 10AM applicants. It took him more or less 30 minutes just to claim his passport. 10 years na yung passport pero same pages with the old passport.

Important Reminders on the Releasing of Passport 

1. Only immediate family members are allowed to get the passport on behalf of the applicant. Immediate family members include father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, and children of legal age.
2. Passport shall be released to an immediate family member only with a proper authorization letter, and valid IDS (with photocopies) of the applicant and the representative with Special Power of Attorney and Affidavit of Support and Consent.
3. Passports unclaimed after six months will be canceled per Department Order No. 37-03
4. Power failures, technical breakdowns, and natural calamities may delay the release of passports. Applicants are advised to book flights taking into consideration such incidents. No refund of fees will be made on account of these unforeseen delays.

May 06, 2018

Buying a New Car and Keeping It Affordable

You can’t avoid it anymore. It is time to buy a new car. The thought of being at the mercy of the salesman in the car dealership is daunting. The good news is that you don’t have to be at anyone’s mercy.

If you already own a car, it is wise to use that to save money on a new one. Many people choose to trade their car in for a newer one. The downside to that is it keeps you limited to choosing a car only at the dealership where you can trade your old one in.

If you want to be free to choose anywhere you want, cash would be more helpful. Consider selling your car to a junkyard that buys cars. You will then get the cash in your hands. Research to find out how much your car is worth and then find the junkyard that will give you the most for your car.


Research 

It is important to do your research before walking into a car dealership. If you do plan on trading in your old car, research the market values for your current car. This will help you to bargain successfully for your newer car.

Researching the car you want to buy is crucial. Consumer Reports has a list of the best and the worst cars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety sorts safety data by car and make. Cars.com, Truecar.com, CARFAX.com, Costco Auto, NADA Guides, Auto Trader, and Kelley Blue Book, are helpful places to start doing research on cars in your price range. Look for the price that the dealer paid the manufacturer for the car. You will need these prices to negotiate successfully for your car.

Your knowledge of cars is important because it may stop you from buying a car on impulse. Buying a car is a financial transaction that is also tied to emotions and car dealers will always use tactics that play on your emotions. Their job is to sell you the car today, so it is wise to separate the different decisions:

* Figure out financing on one day.
* Test -drive the car on other days. Make sure you do more than drive the car around the block. Drive the car in the conditions you would use it in. Drive in the dark as well as in daylight. Test -drive the car on a windy, rainy day. You cannot be too careful. Bring all the things you usually need in a car such as pet carriers and car seats. Make sure you feel comfortable with the vehicle under all these circumstances.
* Determine the best dealer on another day

Researching the style, model, and make of the car should protect you from buyer’s remorse; finding that you don’t like the performance of the car or that you can’t really afford it.

Financing 

Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist says, “ If you can’t pay cash for it, you need to be asking yourself why you are buying this car. She suggests checking with your local bank or credit union before you go to the dealership.

Lindland of Kelley Blue Book says, “ Negotiate purchase price instead of the monthly payment. You can easily spend hundreds, even thousands of extra dollars by not paying attention to terms. Avoid car terms that are over 60 months.

According to Melinda Zabritski with Experian, the credit agency, “ Longer term loans help keep monthly payments low. But consumers should be very careful because it is easy to find yourself upside down…dealing with negative equity should they choose to trade it in after only a few years.”

Collegio of NADA’s organization has a guide for auto financing at autofinancing101.org. He advises that you get a rate from your local bank which the dealer can then match or meet.

Used Cars 

Used car buyers are often just as happy with their used car as new car buyers are with their new vehicle. The most important thing about buying a used car is that you know everything about the history of the car, including:

* The maintenance history of the car
* If the car was involved in an accident
* The number of previous owners
* Any previous mechanical problems

Whether used or new, getting a new car can be exciting and fun when you use wisdom, do your research, involve people you trust and don’t buy more than you can afford.

May 05, 2018

5 Tips to Get Through the Summer Heat

Summer is coming and with it, heat will grace us across the country. In recent history, the weather has become more intense and extreme, so getting through the summer months can sometimes be a struggle. If the predictions are correct, this summer is on track to be one of the hottest on record. In order to combat the heat, people have to find several ways to make themselves comfortable without spending hundreds on cooling bills.


Here are some great tips to get you through the next few months that are convenient and easy in your pocket:

1. Go to a public beach 

If you live in a beach area or within a few hours drive, this option is one of the best. Get a tent and a cooler and grab a couple of your favorite drinks, your towel, a book or whatever else helps you to pass the time. Pack it all into your car and head to the beach at any opportunity you have. Not only is beach time relaxing but swimming in the ocean water is always refreshing and energizing. Aside from that, it is usually completely free. If you want some extra amenities included, look for a beach club that offers services like a restaurant/bar and lounge chairs on the beach.

2. Get into the pool

There are a few ways to go about this. If you have the funds to afford your own pool, you are lucky to not to have to leave your home to fight the heat of summer. All you will have to worry about how to keep your drinks cool! Coolers come in many shapes, sizes, and price points and you find good advice on websites, view thecoolerlist.com. Don’t have your own pool? A membership to a neighborhood pool club is generally not too expensive so you may consider joining. Another option is to join a gym that offers a pool.

3. Have a drink

A cold drink is a very refreshing beverage, so having one at the hottest time of the day can be a good and refreshing way to get through it. Of course, there are many options to choose from, so just pick one you like. If you choose beer, remember, not always the cheapest is the worst or the most expensive the best. Take it very easy with the quantity; it is refreshing and tastes good but drinking too much is dehydrating and of course, never drink and drive.

4. Check your air conditioner system

Regardless of if you are out of the house all day, your AC unit is working all day long to keep your house cool. In the summer, it is very important to have your air conditioner running well. Before summer hits, hire a specialist and have them check for leaks and give it the proper maintenance. Take good care of it - it is your best friend when it comes to battling summer heat!

5. Buy the proper clothes

Clothing is a very important thing when it comes to extreme weather. If you live in an area that tends be hit by strong heat waves during summer, you have to be prepared and buy the right type of clothing. Buy light-colored, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs and applies sunscreen wherever you don’t have covered. You won’t regret it!

May 04, 2018

Avengers: Infinity War

We’ve been seeing the trailer of Avengers Infinity War since March and we’ve been meaning to watch it. We were out of the country during the first showing of it and I suggested to my husband that we watch the movie at Terminal 21, para maexperience lang namin manood ng movie abroad. But it did not happen because we were always tired after our tour. So after our long vacation, off we went to Southwoods Mall last Labor Day.


It was our first time to watch a movie at this mall, the first reason is namamahalan ako sa movie fee nila. In my mind, hindi ba provincial rate ang cinema nila, ano bang meron bakit mahal? But since we wanted to watch Avengers: Infinity War and ayaw na namin lumayo, we tried Southwoods Mall Cinema. We paid P290 each with free popcorn and bottled water. P230 if no popcorn and drinks.


The line was long and fortunately, umabot kami sa 10:45AM showing. #buzzerbeater When we entered the movie theater, maganda naman pala. I think this is better than Alabang Town Center. Bago pa talaga, now I knew why the fee is not provincial rate.


We enjoyed watching Avengers: Infinity War, the only thing I don’t like is the ending parang bitin e. Tip ko lang, when you saw the list of casts and staffs, tiyagain niyo lang kasi may scene pa after nun. I was glad that we watched the Black Panther movie last March or else baka hindi ko makarelate dun sa part na yun.

May 03, 2018

Where to Buy Travel Insurance Online for your Asian Adventure

A lot of people I knew, do not buy travel insurance whenever they book a flight or travel. I am one of those people who feels that travel insurance is just an additional travel expense. But after experiencing some travel disasters in the past such as delayed flights, canceled flights, damaged luggage, and lost luggage, I realized that we need to buy travel insurance for our future travels. 

Read: How to Deal with Lost Luggage
How to Deal with Damaged Luggage 

Last year was the very first time that I bought travel medical insurance, it is one of the mandatory requirements if we are going to apply for Schengen Visa so I have no choice. Fortunately, we can buy travel insurance online so less stress.

Read: Where to Buy Travel Medical Insurance for Schengen Visa Application


A few weeks ago, we booked a plane ticket and I was contemplating whether I will buy travel insurance or not. I checked the rates of Philippine Airlines and I saw $16, if I will add it to my plane ticket. Then I remembered the travel medical insurance that I bought last year at Malayan Insurance Company, Inc. So I checked their rates and it is cheaper than PAL Travel Insurance so I asked my husband if I will buy it and he agreed. Since I can buy travel insurance online, I just bought it two days before our flight. 

How to Buy Malayan Travel Insurance Online 

1. Go to this link. You can read the Travel Insurance Coverage before buying. 
2. Enter Travel Details 

A. Travel Destinations: Choose travel type and destinations 

1. Travel Local 
2. Travel Asian 
3. Travel Worldwide 

* This time I booked a Travel Asian Destination 

B. Travel Duration 

Rates depend on the number of days that you need. Since we will travel for 6 days, I chose 8 days for P675. 

4 days P375 
8 days P675 
15 days P975 
24 days P1375 
31 days P1675 
45 days P2075 
60 days P2575 
90 days P4075 

* Travel duration must cover the date of departure to the date of arrival. Travel Master rates are inclusive of taxes and charges and are compliant with the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN). 

C. Purpose of Travel 

1. Leisure 
2. Business 
3. Others 

D. Date of Departure 

3. Choose your Travel Insurance Package 

1. Individual  
2. Group (2 or more) 
3. Family (group of 4 only) 

* I choose group insurance. 

4. Enter Personal Information

* Travel insurance online can only process for individuals 18 to 70 yrs old. 

5. Check “I acknowledge and agree to the data sharing declaration above” and click submit 
6. Register for first-timer or log in for those who have an existing account. 
7. Pay the travel insurance, if successful you will see this note 

“Payment Success” 

Thank you for your purchase. A copy of your Confirmation of Cover will be sent to your registered e-mail address. You may also request a copy at (632) 628-8628 or email us at ecommerce@malayan.com. Please retain copies for your records. 

8. Check email, download, and print your travel insurance. 

Update August 2022

How to Buy Pacific Cross Travel Insurance Online

We recently booked a plane ticket for our upcoming trip and after we received our Confirmed Ticket, I immediately searched for travel insurance. Since we are flying via Philippine Airlines, I checked PAL Travel Insurance; the rate is $22 per person. There is no family rate so I checked the travel brochure of Pacific Cross that I downloaded when I purchased our Schengen Travel Insurance with COVID19 several months ago. 


When I purchased our Schengen Travel Insurance, for some reason I can’t do it online so it took me a week in applying and purchasing our travel insurance. But with my recent purchase, I was able to purchase online and received our travel insurance via email. 

1. Go to this link 

On this page, you can check the website, download a brochure, get a quote or buy now. 

2. Download the brochure to check the updated rates. 

Pacific Cross Travelsafe with COVID-19 has different plans, so it is up to you what plan you want to avail. 

Executive Peso 
De Luxe Peso 
Privilege Peso 
Executive Dollar 
Executive De Luxe Dollar 
Prestige Euro 
Prestige Plus 

The rate varies depending on the plan, destination, and days. 

Travel including USA/Canada/HongKong 
Travel excluding USA/Canada/HongKong 
Philippine travel only 

In our case, we will be traveling for 5 days so I have to avail of the “Up to 8 Days” plan. Here are the rates for individuals and families. Since we are traveling as a family, I chose Family Rate to save money.

Travel excluding USA/Canada/HongKong/8 Days/Individual 

Executive Peso PHP513 
De Luxe Peso PHP767 
Privilege Peso PHP1,140 

Travel excluding USA/Canada/HongKong/8 Days/Family 

Executive Peso PHP1260 
De Luxe Peso PHP1893 
Privilege Peso PHP2814 

3. Click “Get a Quote” or “Buy Now” Fill out the travel details and choose the preferred plan. 
4. Enter your email address. Since this is my second time, after entering my email address and clicking next, it went straight to the Application form. No more validation emails. 
5. Then fill out the application form for the principal and family members. 
6. Read the Application Terms and Conditions. Click the tickbox and next. 
7. Review your Travelsafe Insurance Coverage Summary. Click I agree to this site’s Payment Terms and Conditions 
8. Pay via credit card or debit card 
9. After payment, you can now view/print the OCC, Terms and Conditions, and Application Forms. 
10. You will also receive PDF files at your email address.

That’s it, you can now have peace of mind, you’ve got travel insurance for your vacation. Let me know if there are other affordable and good travel insurance that you know. 

Read: Car Insurance Benefits That You Need To Consider When Buying An Auto Insurance 
Where to Buy Discounted Tickets for your Next Travel Adventures 

April 24, 2018

Travel Wonders x Ford Philippines


ETL’s online video segment drives around with Ford to unravel Philippine destinations.



Do you love a road trip? Experience Travel and Living’s online video segment, Travel Wonders announces its team up with Ford Philippines as the official road partner of the video series.

Travel Wonders exhibits travel done by creative Millenials and share their experiences and knowledge they gained in a certain tourist destination in the Philippines.

With Ford Philippines, it is now easier for the Travel Wonders team to drive around the places and survive unbeaten tracks.

Read: 4 Days in Laoag, Vigan and Pagudpud with Kids

As for its first destination, Ford Philippines took the Travel Wonders team on the historic paths of Vigan. This monumental city in the North boasts of its preserved Spanish colonial sites and amazing facades that have made this place a UNESCO World Heritage City.

In the series, Experience Travellers will introduce viewers, Facebook followers and YouTube subscribers on why Vigan is on top of our Philippine destination.

From Vigan’s authentic Filipino culture that is still present up today to the historic brick road of Calle Crisologo, Wayne will tackle on the people, its jar-making, and weaving culture and it’s food that makes travelers come back to Vigan for more.

Together with Ford Philippines, Travel Wonders aims to track all travel destinations in the country, discovered or undiscovered by hitting the road and documenting the views they unravel during the trip.

Check out the first teaser video of Travel Wonders’ team up with Ford Philippines through YouTube  and on Facebook.;Let’s travel the Philippines!

April 20, 2018

The Great Geysir in Iceland

The Great Geysir is one of the popular landmarks in Iceland hence it is included in Golden Circle Tour. Geysir or geyser in English means intermittently hot spring that erupts in a tall column of heated water and steam into the air.


It is located in Haukadalur valley and approximately 100km away from Reykjavik. According to study, it became known more than 1000 years ago, though it is no longer active, you can still see the active Strokkur, other hot pools and little geysir around the area.


Geysir is our second stop on our Golden Circle Tour. Surprisingly, it is just a few steps away from the parking lot. Do not forget to read the reminders for your own safety. Take note that the nearest hospital is 62km away.

Reminders: 

1. Do take utmost care when walking in the area
2. Respect fences and barriers - for your own safety.
3. Do not break or collect sinter.
4. Do not throw rocks, coins or litter in the geysers.
5. Never stand on the edges or close to the hot springs.
6. Remember that the water is 80-90C (176-194F) it will burn badly.
7. Don’t test the temperature with your hands, it will burn.
8. The nearest hospital is 62km away.



The Great Geysir is no longer active so I did not bother to check it and we just stayed at the Little Geyser and Strokkur. As of this writing, how I wish I had checked it so I could take a picture, it is once in a lifetime chance din makavisit sa Iceland. But at that moment, our feet were already aching, napagod talaga kami sa ilang oras na lakad namin sa Thingvellir National Park.

Patience is a virtue if you want to see how geysers erupt, it can go up as high as 30 meters. The height of the eruptions varies, we saw small and tall eruptions. For Strokkur, you need to wait for a few minutes to see the eruptions. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the moment. You can watch our video here.


It was a surreal moment, seeing the Geysir up close and personal. It is not something that you usually see during your travel. So if you are going to Iceland, don’t forget to include the Golden Circle Tour and one more thing, there is no entrance fee. Yes, you can see the Geysir for FREE.



Beside the parking lot is a hotel and Geysir Center where you can eat or buy souvenirs. We had snacks at the cafe. I just can’t remember the price because my mom paid for it but one thing I know if you will compute it in PHP, it is really expensive. We just ordered drinks and pastries.

Read: Blue Lagoon
Reykjanes Peninsula Tour
Icelandair Experience
Gullfoss in Iceland
Bridge Between Two Continents
Thingvellir National Park

The Advantage of Having a Camera System with Sensors Installed in Your Car

As modern technology advances, there are now many types of car camera systems available in the market. In our present time, more new cars are being installed with car camera system. Those cars without any camera can have a camera installed to the driver’s advantage. There are many types of car camera systems to choose from such as Backup Camera with visor monitor, Backup Camera with night vision, Built-in digital wireless mounted RV backup camera, and many others.


There are many reasons and advantages of having a camera system with sensors installed in your car

1. With the increase in crime rate, installing a car camera video will provide evidence that can be used for a prosecution.
2. Patrol cars fitted with a camera will also affect the performance of the officers on duty. They cannot afford to be complacent knowing that a camera is recording all activities.
3. The car camera video review is proof and can verify any public complaints against the enforcement officers.
4. The car camera system with sensors acts as a blind spot detector by warning the driver of any cars coming up in your blind spot when turning or changing lanes. Blind spot detection is able to detect cars, trucks, motorcycles, and even bicycles that may come within the sensor area.

The blind spot detection technology uses ultrasonic or radar sensors on the side and rear of the car and comes in especially useful in your rear parking. It is also extremely useful for drivers when reversing their car out from their driveway. The blind spot detector will warn them in case their pet dog or child could be behind their car without their knowledge.

Car cameras are increasing in popularity because drivers know that we can’t rely on our rearview mirror to provide us with a complete perspective, and even the slightest blind spots can be disastrous. Having a car camera system installed with a wide selection of parking sensors, backup alarms, and backup cameras, drivers can drive with confidence, knowing that they have the ability to see everything in their path. There is a wide selection of cameras specially designed for different types of vehicles.

The Purpose of Hiding Your IP Address

Many internet users do not know the importance of hiding their IP addresses. Many do not know the purpose of an IP address. The IP address or the Internet Protocol address is a numerical label assigned to every computer or to mobile device. The IP address provides our location whenever we accessed any website online and it can track our activity while we visit the various sites. The Internet is not as simple as most of us think.


There are many reasons why it is important to hide our IP address. We can hide our IP address by using a VPN service, Tor, a Proxy server, or free/public Wi-Fi. Using the best VPN for torrenting, browsing, streaming, and others will keep the users anonymous and secure online. 

The Purpose of Hiding Your IP Address 

1. If I do not hide my IP address, I will be leaving behind a trace of my identity on every website I visited. I can remain anonymous when browsing online by hiding my real IP address via encryption.
2. When I am out of my own country, I can continue to enjoy streaming as an anonymous.
3. I can stay safe from snoopers looking to access my information because my real location is disguised.
4. I will be protecting myself from lurking hackers when using a Wi-Fi hotspot. Hotspots are open to everyone and are not secured, nor protected.
5. With my IP address hidden, I can access content not available in my location.
6. I can also bypass restrictions and hide my internet activity from surveillance and national internet censorship such as school, business, and organizations, and protects my online activities from being tracked.
7. By hiding my IP address, the internet service provider will not be able to track and hold on to the data generated by my online activities and my online searches will remain private.
8. My online activities will be hidden from search engines that track and store data on my browsing activities. Always remember to clear the cookies after every browsing session.
9. With my IP address hidden, I am guaranteed the privacy to enjoy internet freedom.
Klook.com