was all about Disneyland and last minute shopping. As many have commented that I did a lot of mega-posing during my entire trip, wait till you see my pics in Disneyland! Hahaha. We checked out early from the hotel in the city since we packed already our stuff the night before. We just took the train going to Disneyland. Went to Central Station then moved to Tung Chung line. If you are going to Disneyland, you have to get off at Sunny Bay to transfer to the Disneyland Resort line. It was such a breeze to really travel by train in HongKong, which is very much like the services of the Newark Airport Shuttle. They offer affordable, reliable and safe ground transportation services throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs. Best part is they also operate everyday servicing between hotels and residences making transportation easy. I wish we have something like this in the country that could attract more tourists.

We were in Disneyland Resort by 1030am. We took the shuttle to the Disneyland Hollywood Hotel and we were so glad that we were allowed to check-in early. After putting on our luggages in the room, we decided to go to CityGate Outlets in TungChung. But my two cousins wanted to go to the Big Golden Buddha and they took the cable car. I refused. Hehehe. Told them, they could just go on their own and that they should just leave me in Tung Chung outlets. I prefer shopping than sightseeing, you know!

In TungChung, I was able to buy nike rubber shoes for the kids and Ralph Lauren polo shirts for Dicky. I almost bought a nice Kate Spade bag which was at 50% but I’m just so glad I was able to control. I was also able to buy nice tees from Esprit for me and the kids. My cousins and I saw each other back again in Tung Chung so we can get back to Disneyland together. We wanted to catch the 330pm parade but we missed it. Good thing there was a glow in the dark parade as 7pm because the park was celebrating holloween special, which we were able to watch.

I was suprised that the HongKong Disneyland was just a small place. You can practically finish everything in just a whole day trip. We rode few rides like the Autopia, Space Mountain (which I almost threw up after riding that one) and the It’s a Small World ride. Then we just waited for the fireworks display at 8pm. It wasn’t as fancy as what I saw in Disneyland in Anaheim. It was short!

We took our dinner back in the hotel. They have a good food and a reasonable price for their ala carte menus. We were able to rest early that night that made us wake up early the following day. Took buffet breakfast in the hotel on our 4th day. It was just ok. Then we immediately went back to the park to finish roaming around. We checked out at 12nn and went back to the park to catch the 330pm parade. After watching the parade, we just got our luggages from the conceirge and went to Central Station already, hoping that we could check-in from there already. Too bad, the Cebupac’s counter was closed so we need to check-in our luggages in the airport. It was around 5pm that time so we decided to move around Central before hopping the Airport Express train. This was the time that I bought my LV bag in Landmark. I left my luggages to my cousins who were dining in Cafe de Coral that time. By 730pm, we were already in the airport. It was a breeze to check-in but the boarding gate for Cebu Pacific was so far! Anyway, good thing we were able to move around some more, so reason for another bag purchase! lol!

The flight back to Manila was on time. We landed in terminal 3 almost 12mn. I was glad to be home. It was a fun and rejuvenating trip for me. I needed something like this once in a while!

More pictures…(sorry for the overload!)

The day 2 was dedicated to move around the entire HongKong (HongKong island and Kowloon side).  We woke up at 8am and we were ready by 9am.  We took the train going to Chai Wan, the last station in the HongKong Island side.  We met with my cousin’s supplier in their office which was near the train station only.  This was the business meeting.  Then we took the tram going to Causeway bay.  My cousins just want to experience also the different means of transportation in HongKong using our Octopus Cards. They were asking if we can also ride buses going to tourist spots or amusement parks like Disneyland like the one charter bus nyc. Since Mary, my cousin had been to New York already, she told me about the NYC Bus Charter, which she availed of when she travelled in New York. Mary said that the Bus Service provided was clean and well-maintained. She was even able to availed of its lowest possible rate and was very happy with the company’s on-time service. But the very basic transportation which we availed in HK was their MTR. It was also so convenient and fast to travel by train.

After going around Causeway Bay, we moved to Central to see the Peak Tram. We had lunch in Bubba Gump since we cant find any other place to dine in. We weren’t happy with the food plus it was kinda expensive compared to their rates here in Manila. We also went inside Madame Trussad and had a blast having pictures with different figures.

We went to Tsim Tsa Tsui to shop within the area. We also stayed there till the evening since my cousins want to see the Symphony of Lights happening every 8pm. After the great show, we went to Mongkong’s Ladies Night Market to buy few pasalubongs.

I was dead tired after it, we went back to the hotel almost 1am already coming from the night market.

Snapshots of 2nd day…

Let me skip my HK trip day 2 and day 3 by leaving you first pictures of HongKong Disney Hollywood Hotel.  I really took time to take pictures of the room and the entire hotel since I purposely wanted to show it to Dicky.  He was convinced to bring the kids here next time.  Pretty happy with our stay in the hotel.  We were allowed to check in as early as 11am and was even upgraded to the seaview wing.  I saw the Disneyland hotel as well but we didn’t bother to check out even the lobby.  But for a first-timer in Disneyland HongKong, I’m happy with the Hollywood Hotel.  

The room itself with two double beds…

It’s pathetic that I even took pictures of the bathroom’s faucet and the shower curtain.

Sea View from our room…

The hotel’s lobby…

Going up to the guestrooms…

Some more snapshots…

Wishing to go back here with the whole family!
  

I posted some snapshots here and it details already what happened to our entire 4-day stay.

My cousins Mary and Frannie picked me up at home at 5am as our flight was at 8am via Cebu Pacific.  First time to use the NAIA Terminal 3.  It was a breeze during check-in and the new airport was so clean and big.  Although we noticed that some parts are not open yet.  Hope the authorities can keep up the cleanliness of the new airport. 

We took the airport express to the city.  Since we were 3, got a 40% discount in the train fare.  Got our tickets for KH$65 only each instead of HK$100.  Also, we got our Octopus Card so we can have unlimited train. bus and tram rides.  Cost of which is HK$150, which can be refunded in case you can’t use up completely less their HK$7 handling fee.  

Went straight to City Econo Hotel where we would be staying for 2 nights.  It was what we expected.  It was really a budget hotel.  What can you expect for something worth HK$500/night only for triple sharing?  Anyway, we entirely did not mind as we really planned to be out the whole day.  We arrived in our hotel almost 1130am already since we had to transfer train from Central Station.  We were able to check-in early and lodged our suitcases.  We headed off outside immediately to quickly grabbed our lunch.  We ate in a nearby chinese restaurant along Austin Road.  Afterwhich, we walked our way to the China-HK Ferry Teminal in Kowloon side to go to Macau. Ferry fare was at HK$130+, it was an hour ferry ride to Macau.  First stop in Macau, Senado Square and St. Paul’s Ruins.  How to get there:  From the Terminal, ride Bus No.  3 or 10 or 10A.  Fare was only HK$2.50.  You can use your HK dollars in Macau. Of course, we didn’t miss trying Macau’s famous eggtarts.  

We stayed pretty long here with lots of picture taking…

Then at 6pm, we dropped by in Wynn then headed to Venetian Hotel.  You can ride the free shuttles from the terminal to get to these hotels.

We finished strolling around almost 9pm already.  We went back to the China-HK Ferry Terminal in time for boarding the turbo jet at HK$176.  We got off from HongKong side since the ferry to Kowloon is until 830pm only.  From the HongKong terminal we just took the cab back to the hotel.  Wow, it was a whooping HK$134 from the terminal to our hotel.  But we were just too tired to look for the bus stop.  First day was entirely tiring.  But we were ready to hit the roads early on our 2nd day for shopping!

Came home almost midnight already of Saturday morning, I was dead tired but the trip was all good. I had a number of pictures to share which I haven’t uploaded yet. I had to sleep all day yesterday and make up for the lost time with my kids and the husband. They were all so happy to see me. I shopped a lot for them. I wanted to bring home all the loots from Disneyland for my kids. They had a blast with so much mickey and minnie mouses as well as disney princess items. Got the husband about 2 shoes, neckties and perfumes. And the only consolation I have for our household helps are clothes for our laundry hamper. Kidding aside, I compensated it by giving them HK shirts and chocolates. As for me, guess what I got?  Yes, you are right. New “babies”  for me.   Will post it soon.  

Was up early today because I have so many things to do. But I just can’t seem to have my hands in doing.  I barely know where to start.  My mind is not working!!! 

Things to do today:

1.  Finish answering all emails since Friday.

2. Bank Transacations 

3. Buy exchange gift items for MBAP party

4. Download pics from camera to have space for HK trip.

5.  Pack clothes

6.  Buy toiletries

7.  Buy snacks for the week for Margaux’s school

8.  Write down instructions for the maids

9.  Pick up the personalized books I ordered as a gift for the birthday party we are attending on saturday. 

10.  Blog and bloghop

11.  Prepare for MBAP party (games)

12.  Print all booking transactions for the HK trip (e-ticket, hotel accommodations, etc)

13.  Check out LV website, (lol!)

14.  Meet staff and endorse things to do for the entire week while I’m away. 

15.  Finalize cake, invitation and souvenir designs for Bianca’s party.

I don’t know if I would ever finish all of these because I want to spend time with the kids today as I’ll be gone for 4 days! Reason why I was also off-line for the entire weekend.  Really made sure I spent quality time with the kids and the husband.

Goodluck to me!

Today, I fixed all our wedding pictures in my Macbook. And I saw again our US trip pictures two years ago. I was very much preggy with Bianca that time and Margaux was just one and a half years old then.
One of our fondest memories was hopping from one hotel to another in Las Vegas.  I love the glitz of the place even if it was crowded then.  It was August and summertime when we went.  

I hope we can still plan for more Vegas vacations soon.  I also love the outlet stores there.  I think that’s where I got most of the stride rite shoes of Margaux.    I’m still keeping my fingers cross if we can push through for the trip this December. I’m sure my in-laws would be very very happy about it.  The husband said he will decide by October.  Hay!

Hubby and I were discussing last night if we are pushing through for the plan to go to the US this year. With his new job, new responsibility, he still cannot give me a definite answer. Of course, I would still love to go since I have turned down a lot of opportunities as well for December, considering it’s the peak months for weddings. Although I am still hopeful that we can go and we would know by October as what he promised me, I already checked out the airline rates and I was suprised for the amount we have to prepare in case we are pushing through. Now, I can see his point that we can just push through in construction of the dream house within the year and would just reschedule the US trip either next year. The cost of the trip for the whole family could probably be the amount we need already to buy most of our new furnitures for the new house. We plan to leave mid-December and I’m suprised that airline rate is almost at $1.5K per person inclusive of taxes. Kids rates are not lower than $1.2K. And of course, I wouldn’t settle without a shopping money. If we decide to go next year instead, we would time it to a US conference in New York City Dicky has to attend. Hmm, makes me think that it could be a better idea since I also want to go to New York. I want to stay longer for a vacation so would like to go to east cost and west coast. I know we can just use NYC Bus Charters in touring New York so it would be easy for us especially if we are bringing the kids. Since these charters are very clean, and well maintained. They also provide safe, courteous and experienced drivers in such a luxury charter coach. They also have been known to be always on time. We can just hop the bus if we want to go to tourist areas in New York as well as amusement parks which would definitely be the kids favorite.

Well as of today, we are at status quo for the decision to go to the US for the holidays. I hope we can arrive at the final decision in time.

I am considering to check out some condo hotel in HK because of this. Will be travelling with two of my cousins in October for a business matter with side trip of shopping. I have rested my case with Dicky as he doesn’t really want to join anymore. Now, I don’t know if I would love to passby Disneyland HK since I won’t be with the kids. But my two cousins are saying that it should be part of our itineraries.   Since our flights are now booked, I am assigned to look for our accommodation.  I’m pretty familiar with the hotels in HK since I have been there a lot of times already.  My cousins would just like us to book a hotel which would be right at the center of shopping area.  Might stay in Kowloon side this time.  

Spent our weekend in Baguio to attend a wedding for the popular date of 08-08-08. Nope, didn’t coordinate this time but glad to be just one of the spectator guests for the wedding of Dicky’s colleague from Bayan. We left at 5am from our place and headed off to NLEX. We stopped in Shell NLEX for a quick breakfast in Jollibee in Shell Station. At 6am, we were back on the road. We passed through the new SCTEX road, which is a convenient hi-way to go to Baguio. We exited in Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac already. It was a breeze and taking that road cut down our trip for like 30 minutes. We arrived in Baguio at 11am. We immediately proceeded in The Manor Hotel inside Camp John Hay. Good thing that we were able to check-in early so we lodged our luggages right away. For pictures of our room, check it here.

Few snapshots of the kids while waiting for Dicky to get our room key…

Saw Jacqui and the other girls from Bayan when we were in lobby and asked them where they would have their hair done in time for the wedding. Too bad, there is no salon inside the hotel so we had to go to SM for our hairdos. We quickly had lunch in Dencio’s in Mile Hi inside CJH and Dicky brought me and another colleague’s wife in SM Baguio. We had our hair done in David’s. By the time we got back, I was rushing to get dressed so we can catch up the 4pm wedding ceremony in Our Lady of Fatima. Too bad, we missed seeing the bride walked down the aisle. We got lost! It was already starting when we arrived and the church was so full and parking was jampacked.

Pictures from the hotel before proceeding in the church…

It was a nice wedding put all together by the bride, Anne. I really love Baguio for weddings. The weather was perfect. It was not raining during her wedding. It drizzled only after the ceremony and while we were all in the reception already. I like her concept, it was a black and white color theme and japanese inspired. The reception was arranged beautifully with red roses lined in the middle of the rectangular guest tables. And the food was so good. I think I had 3 cups of soup because it was so damn cold! Wine, beers and hard drinks were overflowing. We had enough.

At 10pm, the reception program ended. We had some snapshots with friends and then we headed back to our room in Manor. We were supposed to just change to more comfortable clothes and we planned to go back to the party but when we arrived in our room, the bed was calling us so we just dozed off to sleep.

Some pictures from the wedding…

The following day, saturday, the sun didn’t shine in Baguio. It was raining all throughout the day. But we braved ourselves together with another friend’s family to have breakfast in Cafe by the Ruins. I loved what I ordered, kesong puti in hot pandesal with strawberry jam and butter partnered with Rizal’s Tsokalate. Yum, yum, yum.

Then we bought take-out food from Star Cafe along Session Road to bring for the potluck lunch we had in one of the villas inside CJH where one of Dicky’s colleague from Bayan was staying. It was a big villa and the kids enjoyed running around and staying infront of the fireplace. We had good laughs while eating lunch with a bunch of Dicky’s friends (together with the wives) from Bayan.

Margaux and Bianca playing with Sam, daughter of TJ (Dicky’s colleague) and Tonette…

At 230pm, we headed back to the hotel for a quick nap. It was bed weather, perfect to just lounge around and enjoy the cool breeze of Baguio.

Pictures before heading to the room…

We woke up at 430pm and with nowhere to go, we just had a joy ride amidst the rain within circles of the city. Then we decided to just park and stroll around SM Baguio. Even inside the mall, it was freaking cold and fog was all over. Got few buys from Guess Kids which was on 50% off.

We decided to stay over inside the mall and we had a great meal in David’s Tea House for the dinner. It was almost 8pm when we went back to the hotel. We let the kids sleep first before Dicky and I went down in the lobby to enjoy good music from the band, Smooth and had few drinks together with friends from Bayan again. We bid goodbye at 12mn already. Anne, the bride went out with us as well for quick chats about her wedding. Afterwards, we proceeded in their suite where a number of their friends also were there. We just had few drinks again. Gosh, I had too much alcohol for that weekend! We went back to our room at 1am already.

Our last day, sunday, there was hope that the sun will shine that day. We freshened up quickly and headed out at 9am to let the kids enjoy a horse-back riding activity in Wright Park. Bianca and Margaux together with the yayas rode horses for a 30-minute ride. Afterwhich, we stopped in The Mansion for picture-taking then went straight to Mines View Park. Our main purpose here was to really go to Good Shepherd Convent to buy Ube as pasalubongs. Weather was good already that day and indeed the sun shone the entire morning but it was still cold.

Our 3rd day pics…

Bought more pasalubongs in the stores outside Mines View Park. We didn’t go inside anymore as it might be hard for the kids cause the stones were still slippery. Bought another knitted jacket for Bianca and some bonnets for me and the 2 kids. Had to buy cause Margaux doesn’t want to return it anymore when she put it on her head. And since it was 3 for Php 100, I just got one for myself and 1 for Bianca.

We went back to Camp John Hay at almost 12nn. Had quick lunch in Dencio’s again as we don’t want to go anywhere else anymore cause we still need to check-out the room. While waiting for the food to arrive, I walked through the Commisary area and was able to buy 3 Osh Kosh pants for the kids.  At 1230pm, we were back in our room, packed and checked out at 1pm.

We had picture-taking again in our room’s veranda before going down the lobby…

In The Manor Hotel’s garden…

We were on the road at 115pm back to Manila. It was the fastest route ever on our way back. We still took Kennon Road just the same on our way to Baguio. We encountered heavy downpour of rain while in Pangasinan and we had to stop cause it was already zero visibility. We passed again in SCTEX, entering somewhere in Tarlac and in like 15-20 minutes, we were already in NLEX. That was so quick. It was my shortest trip back from Baguio with only 4hrs and a half travel time. We were in Mandaluyong to attend a family dinner at 530pm!!! (well, dicky’s speed was at 140km/h while in SCTEX and not getting lower than 90km/hr in other major roads) I think it is really easier now to go to Baguio with the new SCTEX road which you can enter from NLEX. You won’t need to passby towns in Pampanga and Bataan anymore as you will exit right away in Tarlac. From the exit in Tarlac, it would just be another 2 and a half hours to Baguio.

It was a great weekend for the family. A nice one in the company of kids, friends, good food and perfect cold weather!