Manila Shopping Adventure Part II

15/4/2012 (Sunday)

Start our day early as 7am and having our budget breakfast at 7-E just ground floor of Tune hotel. Ini budget punya pasal lah ni.

For your info, in Phils you can have / buy your budget breakfast at 7-E where the premises will provide you with coffee, tea or juice for drinks and instant foods like sandwich, bun / steam bun, pizza etc.. where you can use their microwave facilities for heating for free and they even provide you with hot water if you wish to have cup noodles for your breakfast with self-service basis of course. Well, for those yang don't mind to have breakfast at 7-E its a bit convenient for a customer / guest yang tidak banyak cerewet like us and of cos budget la kiki...

After breakfast, we spare time to attend Sunday mass in Ermita Church. My 1st trip, i was amazed looking at the old churches in Manila from a far but didn't have the opportunity to go inside. I have this feeling to experience how it feels to be inside their church and be part in their mass and be amazed by the church interior ancient design and for this trip it was like wish came true for me. Just for info, Sunday mass for Ermita Church will be conducted every one 1 hour so you can choose to attend the mass at your convenient time.

The 7th oldest church

Legend has it that on a pandan bush where the Ermita Church now stands, the image of the Virgin Mary was found on May 19, 1571. That was the same date that the Spanish colonizers took control of Manila. The image is still kept inside the church where visitrors can take a look. The image within the Ermita Church is considered by many devoted Catholics to be miraculous which is why hundreds or even thousands of people visit it every day. In 2005, the Ermita Church has been declared Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Senora de Guia.

After church, we continue with our program of the day. From Ermita church we took a Jeepney ride to Divisoria and the shopping adventure in Divisoria, 168 shopping mall and Tutuban shopping centre begins. Spend most of our day here and its all about shopping. I have visited Tutuban on my 1st trip but didn't have a chance to explore Divisoria and 168 shopping mall and this time i did : )

busy street of Divisoria

By 4pm we leave Divisoria, as a long stretch night market will be taking place and the road will be closed which a bit difficult to look for taxi by then. After a long day shopping with an aching body n feet and hands full of shopping stuffs we ready to be back to the hotel (by taxi of course) and have a quick rest.

After send in our shopping stuffs in the room and have about half an hour rest we proceed to the Robinson's Place by foot as its just a short walking distance from our hotel again for shopping hehehe...ndak pandai abis2 mo shopping kan kikiki....

This time we didn't stay long at Robinson's just a couple of hours and leave (walking distance) for a nice dinner in Calle 5 an open space pub. We choose to sit outside rather than inside to enjoy the night breeze while enjoying our dinner, booze, and the live band from open space area after a long day...

Live band at the back

Us after dinner

About 10pm we leave the place and heading back to hotel. Its just 10mins walk but a lot to see along the way such as 'chicks' di luar2 pintu pub hihi...

End of our day 2 adventure....

Cheers : )

Manila Shopping Adventure : Part I

Hi Ya'll...

Sorry guys for the late entry. I know its kinda late to post about ma Manila trip already but i just post it anyway, mana tau ada yang sudi mo baca : ) Its been exactly 1 month 2 days today since ma last trip. I guess some of you know this was my 2nd trip to Philippines since my 1st trip last November 2011. To refresh you may read ma last year trips story below:-

Philippines Trip day 1, 2, 3 & 4.

The 2nd trip was a bit adventure than my 1st trip cos we didn't take any tour / guide services like the 1st trip  instead everything is buat sendiri n jalan sendiri and its all about shopping adventure than touring. Well, it's a summer sale by the way.

We experienced public transport from Jeepney, Taxi, LRT to high class MPV besides a lot of walking!! Most of the places and shopping complexes i went in ma recent trips totally new to me as i never been from ma last year trip except 1 or 2 places lah.

Well due to a lot and lot of walking and shopping than touring i only able to take less picture and the quality its not good as am only using ma hp to snap pics, so sorry about the poor quality pics wokey kiki...lets continue...

Day 1 (14/4/2012)

Depart from BKI (1:40pm) to CRK (3:35pm). Upon arrival we chartered a Van with air-cond that can cater 8 pax n our luggage (which we already have contacts) to transfer us to our hotel in Manila. After runding2 we paid php500 per person about (RM36.40++). Remember CRK-Manila is about 2hrs travel ya from CRK airport.

Transportation : CRK - Hotel (Manila) = php500 (RM36.40) x 8pax = php4000 (RM291.20)

7 girls n a guy (blue shirt)

Me & Besties

In Manila we checked-in at Tune Hotel Ermita where we stay for 5 nights (w/o breakfast). The hotel is still very new and just opened about one month before we stay. We booked our hotel via online and budget of course. I  would say it's very convenient hotel as the convenient store 7-E is just attached inside the building (ground floor) and its opened for 24-hrs and next to it a MAYBANK!! and money changer where it opens for 24hrs, a 10mins walking distance to Robinson's Place and also a walking distance to other well known dining place which you will know upon reading ma continuation post about Manila Shopping Adventure.

Hotel Expenses : for 6D5Ns

Room (twin sharing) - Php3616.20 (RM258.03) for 5 nights (Basic only - bed n water)

Add - ons - php420 for (12hrs a/c, 24hrs tv, 24hrs wifi, towels n toiletries) x 4 (nights) = php1680 (RM119.87) - (since most of the days we spend our time outside so we just booked the add-ons for 4 nights only as the add-ons will be charged by 'usage')

Total :  (Room + Add-ons) = php5296.20 (RM377.89) / 2 = RM188.95 (sharing basis)

 Self taken picture at Tune Hotels upon arrival!!

Its just at night time it became a busy street as the hotel located nearby the hot spot area for burung2 hantu, well you know what i meant kan!!

After checked-in and send our luggage to our room we proceed to Robinson's Place by foot (just 15mins walk, while enjoying our night leisure walk) for dinner and lite shopping. At 1st night we only have our dinner at the Robinson's food court.

I've been to Robinson's Place on ma 1st trip last November but didn't get the chance to explore as we reached the place quite late this time me have more time to explore and did a little shopping though...

We explored the Robinson's until its closing time then walk back to the hotel and rest...

End of day 1 and stay tune...and for those planning (mana lah tau kan ada yang mo pigi) 'happy budgeting' ...kiki...

Rose Flower sign-off

Can't wait 12 days more

What am i excited about....aha another trip for the year of Dragon. Even i have been to this country somewhere last year but this time trip is more adventure as we not following any tour and everything is on our own. Luckily one of my bestie and her cousins experienced in planning this as they have been doing this a lot of time. Helooooo  they have been there like 11times just for shopping and they use to tease us that the country its like their 2nd home hahaha....This time will be 8 of us in a group.

Nope this time not going with ma bestie si Flo but different group of bestie:) but i know darling flo is excited at this coming August.....what is it.....well that you have to wait if she will blog about it kikiki......

Am still excited with this trip even its my 2nd time now cause the itinerary is new for me which i have not explore yet most of the place in the itinerary planned by my other bestie in this coming trip from my previous (last year) trip with my bestie Flo. So, something new for me at this time and am looking forward for more interesting things to explore...

Well, before i signed-off i wanna wish all the roman catholic friends a "blessed Easter" and blessed holy week ahead.

Will update you guys with more my trip stories once i am back...

Till then "Blessed Easter" :)

Can you guess where am i going.....:)

From Thailand with Love

Wishing you all a great Monday and Happy Working : )

Nothing much to share from my side except  wanted to show-off (pinjam ayat power si Wyne dulu) of my 2 cute and lovely rings from Thailand with love. One of my colleague just got back from her holiday trip  few days ago and bought this for me as a token of remembrance. Thank you Moi for this and so thoughtful of you....love it to the max!!!

So ladies, do you fancy it too?

For more ring collections just click the link and here too:)

Sayonara 2011, Howdy 2012 : )

My 1st entry for the year of Dragon 2012 and i really hope year of a Dragon be nice and gentle to Rabbit  like me haha. As you all know we're leaving year of a Rabbit (2011) and welcome a Dragon (2012)!!

Sorry for the late entry guys, it was a busy day for me at work to start with and still today (tapi sempat juga mo update bah, well its lunch time!!) and most of our office staffs too started working  already so office routine back to normal.

If you ask me what are ma resolutions for the year 2012 to be frank i don't have specific answer for that. Well i just go along what come may and face it calmly. I just wanted to stay close with GOD, family and friends,  be happy, healthy, humble, keep improving myself in anything i do and perhaps shower with a little bit  of prosperity and wealth hehehe...

A year of a Rabbit have been so nice to me and thank you lord for that, and i know it's your blessings. Some of my previous long due 'resolutions' accomplished. There are some unpleasant things too attached in a year of a rabbit but still managed to overcome it calmly 'praise the lord'.

Here's a bit recap that i would like to share with you which leads me to a wonderful year of a Rabbit

1. The "Rebirth" of Living Life with Love, Fun, Laughter leads me to reunite again with existing followers, readers and blogger friends of  once "Rosc de Cowgal" (you know who you are) hence it give me the opportunity to a new friendship. The best part  was the opportunity to meet up with other blogger friends in person in recent gatherings and looking forward for more gatherings in the future.

The CB Gatherings which was held on 18th Dec 2011, venue Tg. Aru Beach. It was a fun gathering i must say. My 1st time meeting with the rest of the bloggers except for Flo, Wyne & Cathj. Thank you Aki & Arms for hosting the Cute gatherings and to ya'll am glad to have meet you all (you know who you are) May this will foster a new friendship be it in a circle of friends or in blogsphere. To read full coverage and more pics of the CBG feel free to read em at Aemy, Aki, Beaty, Dora, Cathj, Wyne, Chegu Carol,  (Pssstttt...kawan2 pinjam dulu kamurang punya story arrr....hehehehe)

Courtesy to Tom's photography

After CBG, another session of Ladies blogger gathering hosted by Chegu Carol was held on 29th Dec 2011  in conjunction of Christmas and New year seasons and was really2 having a great, wonderful and fun time with the ladies at Little Italy besides enjoying the good food!! My 1st time meeting with Annieming, Mimi and Enniebelle and they are all friendly and awesome!! Owh, how i miss those moment right now!!! I know they are too, am i right ladies??? Do read 'our FUNtastic' moment from Cathj and Wyne blog too (ladies, sorry me tumpang your story on our gathering too arr hehehe).

In the year of a Rabbit too i accomplished so called ma previous long due 'resolutions' that is going traveling after for so long listed in ma resolution list. And i hope the year of a Dragon too i be able to slip at least one travel agenda in 2012 calender finger cross. Hope ada 'ong' sikit2 lah this year hehe and i hope GOD will show me the way. Well, to recap ma 2011 travel stories you can read em here ---> Going places, Philippine trips day 1, 2, 3 & 4.

But along the 2011, there are 2 unpleasant things attached to it. In August, i was involved in an accident not to ma careless but other driver and i was escaped unhurt thank god for his protection over me and you can read em here.

29th Dec, our family received a bad news from kampung that ma uncle's son has passed away which is  also  a 1st cousin to me. Its so heartbreaking to know how he died and so sudden. I just couldn't share it with you here its so sad to talk about it now. What makes it double sad ma uncle too had just lost his other son last year in Sept in a heartbreaking incident too and so sudden. Both of them are still young  and was called by the age of 33 & 29 years old. But for whatever it is, am so glad that all closed relatives who staying in KK turun kampung to support ma uncle.

Well if you ask me how was my new year, I drove back to kampung and pay a visit to ma uncle family and glad to see all family was there giving a moral support. Well, just a simple BBQ at my other uncle house where we stay for the night to welcome the 2012.

Well, i guess that's all about it. Hope 2012 will bring more happiness to my uncle family after all those sadness.

So, how ya'll doin??? As for me, i have a lot of blog walking to do but not today too busy. Will visit you guys once i have the time to do it yar...

Till then, happy Thursday

Ring Collections

Well i believe some of you out there have a personal collections of the things you love to collect right?  I know some of you do, like si Nowriz she has a Shawl collections (Pssttt...mandak tumpang ko dulu arr hehehe).

So far i have rings, bangles & bracelets and earrings collection for the accessories. Some of it i bought  my own, some are gifts and some are token of love from friends and colleagues from  their trips. Other than accessories i have key chain and frignet collections too!!

But as for today, i just shared with you ma ring collections saja lah arr.. will post about the other collections  later slowly lah arr hehehehe...

As promised, here are ma personal collections of  ma lovely rings...

Bought ma "gorgeous white" from Red City shop Center Point
 

2011 Christmas gift "white flowery pearl" - 16/12/2011

2011 Christmas gift "diamond blings" - 17/12/2011 (from bff Flo)

From Thailand with love "Black & White Rose Flower" (given by colleague)

From Thailand with love "Colorful Rose Flower" (given by colleague)

 

Bought ma "grey blings" from Cheer Up Shop City Mall 

Bought ma "blue dot" from souvenir shop at Museum

Bought ma 'blue flowery' from Cheer up shop City Mall

 From Macau with love "abstract" (given by lovely friend)

Bought ma "cutey pink" from Avon

From Thailand with love

 Bought ma 'Red Butterfly' from Cheer up shop City Mall

2011 Birthday present ~ Ring & Earring set from Avon (given by bff flo)

 

So, what's yours??? Share2 lah bah...

Philippines Trip : 4th Day (28 Nov 2011) - Bye bye Philippines

Psssstttt....Do you guys freezing in here??? Well, i just activate the  snow fall widget and add some Christmas icons to boost-up a Christmas mood here. Hope you all felt the Christmas spirit of "Living Life with Love, Fun, Laughter" : ) 

Wokey, lets finish this once for all.

Will be our last day in Philippines. We checked-out early from the hotel cause we still have half day tour to do before departing CRK-BKI at 4:oopm. Had our morning breakfast at Bocobo Cafe for the last time before we left.

For those who wish to travel to Philippines and  looking for a budget stay hotel put Casa Bocobo Hotel in your list. They have comfortable rooms, a friendly staffs and  excellent services.

Bye-bye Casa!!

  

We leaving Manila to Clark cause we are departing from Clark, it took about 2hrs drive. Our next tour destination is also in Clark cause of its distance to the airport just 20mins away, so we don't have to rush. As we are leaving Manila, saw this poor little boy in a middle of a busy city. Don't know what to say and who to blame? It's just flashed through me how grateful and thankful i am.

Taken from inside the van

Before reach our main destination, we have a quick-stop at a petrol station for fuel and restroom at Clark. I was so surprised when entering their restroom. One thing i really admire Philippines  is their public restroom be in airport, pub, shopping complex or petrol station its convenient  and so clean!!  Not even smelly!!! and they are FREE. Bukan macam di KK, sudah lah masuk pun mo bayar 30sen tisu lima keratan pun mo bayar 20sen tapi still ewwwww!!! punya kotor and BEbau!! (ini bukan sekadar cakap ar, tapi kenyataan). Check this out-->

Restroom @ Petrol Station

Owh! i just love this mirror, makes me look slimmer!!

And some of the shopping complex provide below for ladies convenient. Owh, This is no free yar!!. Its a pad & tissue Vendo!!

 Taken this @ SM Clark shopping complex restroom

Ok lets continue. At last we reached our destination at "Nayong Filipino" also known as "Philippine Village". And since its a working day so the place quite SILENCE!!, not happening  and only have a few visitors so we decided just to have a quick-tour and photo taking then  continue to our last destination before  proceed to the airport.

So here are the photo tours

Please ignore the 'minta puji' model!! read the board 

Information office

Side view

Ignore 'urang-urang' kenit di tepi tu yer.... (Front view)

 Inside view

Owh, we are so excited to our next destination sampai tidak sabar-sabar lagi mo lari dari Nayong Filipino to SM!! Why??? well, who doesn't like Supermalls kan!! There tidak boring boleh cuci2 mata and at least... can do a little bit of shopping!!

So, here we are at our final destination well at least before airport lah! The SM city Clark!! We here for lunch, wash2 eye and a bit of shopping!! That's it...

The lunch...

 Pork sisig pinoy's famous dish

Something new i try including pork sisig

SM's part of inside view...

 

 
But one thing i heart the most is their Christmas Deco...

 

Noticed the green plastic bag at ma left hand, that's my final shopping at the SM supermarket before leaving to the airport. Just hand carry it to the cabin, luckily passed through. Something i bought to bring back home which you will never find in any supermarkets or hypermarkets in Sabah hahaha....Well, here it is...

Instant Mami Pork Ribs Flavor

[uses natural green tea extract, no artificial preservatives  added]
 

Instant Ramen Po-Ku Flavor - Special

Japan's #1 noodle flavor - a delicious, one-of-a-kind soup of long-boiled pork bones seasoned with the best spices ingredients.

 [uses natural green tea extract, no artificial preservatives  added]

Chicaron's varieties

Knorr Pork Broth Cubes

We left SM Clark at 1pm and proceed to the airport. Some photos taken from pre-departures hall of Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

 Christmas Deco for sale

With this post,  our Philippines trip for 4D3N are finally over. Hope ya'll enjoy reading all the posts and hope it could be a guidance for those who wish to plan a trip to Philippines, who knows maybe 2012 hehehehe....

Bye-bye... 


Till to ma next post...stay tune!!