Hotwheels Theme Birthday Party

My son is turning 7 and guess where he wants to celebrate it.. Shakey's!  I love Shakey's especially their Carbonara but later did i know their birthday theme is going to be a headache. First, when you go to Divisoria and ask for Hotwheels stuff in any party store, you will not be able to find one. The salesladies are not even aware what " Hotwheels" is.

So here's a run down of what I did. Googled here and then to look for race theme party and headout to Divisoria to find any checkered black and white ribbons, tapes or loot bags. It was chaos but my time were spent in Tabora Street. I decided to check 168 Mall but decided to go back to Tabora to search for more as I find 168 big. At least in Tabora, I can map out where I've been through.

When I inquired in Shakey's and reserved the date for Dec 4, they have a full slot already so I opted to move it to December 3. They allowed me to setup a candy table for free. Here's how it went:

No checkered banner available anywhere..so I decided to use the vertical black and white stripes and cut out the PIT STOP letters. See that stoplight at the back? I made it from a shoebox, covered it in black and put the 3 circles on it.

The Pitstop Food:

                               Meiji (28 pesos) and Pocky (36 pesos). Peppero is at 50 pesos.

These race cars are actually Hershey's Nuggets but covered in Hotwheels theme.

Trolli gummy racers! These are so cute that it got me ecstatic upon seeing them.

I asked this from my sister so I don't know where they got this. Maybe in SNR or Lander's.

Jelly beans!

The one above is actually a wheel ashtray I bought especially for this occassion. It was so cute that I could not resist buying it simply because I broke the top part (hahaha.clumsy!). The rocks and boulders are actually chocolate. I had to demo to the guests that these were edible as they thought they are really rocks.. lol

Oreo cookies as spare tires.

My cupcake ferriswheel comes to life after I added some stuff I bought in Divisoria. I think they are called lollies. I intended to use them as backdrop but when I saw how dull the ferris wheel was.. I used them to perk it up and set the party mood. And the ribbons that I bought for no purpose and no plan yet has found it's way. I never actually planned this but it just happened..

The cupcake liners were just an old stock from previous year's halloween.. So don't think I buy them all. I put some old stuff to good use.  My cupcake stand seem stained from all the events it went through so I covered it with a Hotwheels gift wrapper I bought from expressions. The blue column in the middle is it's original color. Then printed some hotwheels cupcake topper and spiced up my red velvet and chocolate cupcakes.

That safety cone you see at the back is bought from Japan Home for 88 pesos. It has smaller version which you can buy for 2 for 66 pesos but I opted for the bigger one. The checkered tablecloth is bought at 120/yard. I took a yard and a half just to cover 3 tables in Shakey's for pitstop.

The party favors from Shakey's, hers and his.

My party favors for the kids.. I opted to give them something they can use this Christmas!

The checkered lootbags were found by accident in 168. I was about to go home when I caught a store selling all kinds of cellophane bags. I got them cheaper than the lootbags I bought in the party store. And they were so perfect.

Because I want this special, I decorated the guests tables with the road and this centerpiece. Pardon the leaning race flags..the kids have their hands on it already. All DIY,

Here's what a friend of mine did for the invitation. The second page is actually a racer profile where my son put in his favorites..

4D-3N HK-Macau Trip

This is probably the most challenging trip I ever had in my life. Taiwan and Singapore were a breeze, though this is not my first time in Hongkong.  My first one was company sponsored so I did not have to worry with the itinerary nor the language. It was a series of unfortunate events, wrong decisions that made it more challenging.. but we did enjoy it.


Day 1:

Arrived at the Manila airport at around 530am, paid our travel taxes and went ahead to check-in our luggages. I decided to withdraw before going to the immigration but the ATM Machine had no cash! To tell you honestly,  I did not withdraw the night before for fear of holdup or robbery.

My friends and his family decided to eat breakfast first in tapa king just before going to our designated gate. I went to the nearest money changer but they are closed due to the ongoing audit.. pheww! Another Malas..

Good thing the Airasia flight was on time..really on time. We experienced a lot of turbulence on our way to Hongkong. And with the weather forecast of 6 degrees Celsius, we were expecting a cold vacation. So upon arriving at the HK International airport, we were quite surprised to see a lot of Chinese wearing bulky clothes, complete with thermal jacket, boots, scarves and gloves. And compared to our Baguio-ish outfit, just plain jacket to beat the cold, we must have came unprepared.

But that was not the thing that messed our first day in HK. My friend Rain got held up in the immigration. We waited and waited for like forever... We don't know what the fuss is all about. My tummy is rumbling and I could see my son, almost losing his patience for all the wait. We arrived on time in the airport around 10:30 AM but only left there around quarter to 2. It was traumatic... None of us really don't know why they held him up. In the immigration, he was asked about basic questions and was dismissed when they found out he was travelling with his family.

We went to Mcdo to take our lunch but the place was so full, we could not squeeze ourselves in. We decided to eat at the place where we are staying, At that time we just contented ourselves with the cookies we munched while we were waiting for Rain earlier.

We purchased the Octopus Card in the Customer service Centre  inside the airport and I took that chance to grab some bread for my precious one. It was like HK$26. Then headed down and went to the A21 Bus.

The A21 bus is a double decker bus. It has free wifi and it has an area where you can put your luggages. There is a cctv on it and the images or video is feed through the monitors on both decks. I have not experienced the double decker buses in Edsa so it was actually my first time.

We were to alight at Argyle st. Mongkok but to some reason we landed at the wrong place. Malas! We asked the bus driver but he does not even understand us.

With the luggages, 2kids and 2 oldies in tow we searched for anyone who can give us direction. It was drizzling at that time so just imagine how cold can 3.3 degrees be , with the cruel wind blowing from time to time. Desperate, we searched for free wifi so we can at least communicate with Alice ( the owner of the place).

The address I got from google for Excelsior home is the one in Sai yee street but the one actaully assigned to us is the one in Fa yuen Street. I did not know the owner has many apartments! I do hold accountable for that as I did not check with Rain. So it all messed up the maps and the screenshots I have prepared.

To cut the story short, Alice and his cute son Lawrence accompanied us all the way to the apartment. It was a lot of walking, crossing of streets that it's hard to remember. With time no longer at our side, we took our time out to familiarize the vicinity and headed to shop for some clothes, gloves, and bonnets to beat the cold. Ocean Park has to be moved to our last day.

Me and Xander at Bute Street

As if the cold is never enough

Shopping in Mongkok is hard. The vendors don't mind you as they don't understand English.
Tip#1 Look for stalls that have their goods with tags/prices. In that way, you just pay and avoid that pain of having to go through that communication barrier.

Day 2: HK-Macau

Day 2 is all set for Disneyland. The Park opens at 10am so we have a lot of time to spare. Woke up around 6am and headed to Lantau Island. It's the same island where the HK International Airpot is located. Here's the route we took going to Disneyland:

1. Mongkok Station ---> Lai King Station
2. Lai King Station --> Sunny Bay Station
3. Sunny Bay Station--> Disneyland Resort Station

The Disneyland Resort Train has lots of not-so Hidden Mickeys for your kids' delight. See pics below.

And here's the Disney Resort Station

Let the Magical world at Disney begin..

that must-have pic in Disneyland                        

Pak..pak pak! ..and that feeling you think you can take the spot for ANTM..lol

That look he gives when he wants to start his adventure and mommy prefers to take photos.. Kids!!!

HK-Macau List of Expenses

Here's the list of the expenses for this Vacation. This is just to give you an idea on how much you should be preparing for a 4D-3N HK-Macau Trip. Note the Park tickets are of discounted price. We got it from Alice and the prices are a bit lower than the published rates in the Internet.

The amount in Peso is HKD * 6. It is the currency conversion but when you actually buy HKD dollars from money changers in the Philippines, the rate is at PHP6.50 for 1HKD. In Hongkong, the rate is outrageous. It ranges from PHP7. 00 to PHP 7.50 for 1HKD.

The total expenses using 6.5 as the conversion factor would be PHP 44,170.94

Tip: Buy your HKD here in Manila so you'll have value for money. Or use your ATM (luckily I had mine that can be used internationally with a small currency factor) abroad. It gives out the currency for that country and it also tells you how much is that amount you are withdrawing in PESO.

Adult Kid  Amount in Peso Airfare PHP 5,976.00 PHP 5,976.00 11,952.00 Travel Tax PHP 1,620.00 PHP 1,010.00 2,630.00 Accomodation PHP 4,937.00 4,937.00 Taxi to Airport PHP 200.00 200.00 First Day- Arrival Octopus Card HKD 150.00 HKD 70.00 1,320.00 A21 Bus to Mongkok HKD 33.00 HKD 33.00 396.00 Bread at the Airport HKD 13.00 HKD 13.00 156.00 Lunch/Dinner HKD 23.00 138.00 Gloves HKD 10.00 60.00 Mineral Water (500ml) HKD 9.00 54.00 2nd Day- Disneyland Bread  HKD 10.00 60.00 Mongkok to Lai King HKD 6.50 HKD 3.30 58.80 Lai king to Sunny Bay HKD 11.60 HKD 5.70 103.80 Sunny Bay to Disneyland HKD 6.50 HKD 3.30 58.80 Disneyland Ticket HKD 490.00 HKD 350.00 5,040.00 Lunch HKD 278.00 HKD 278.00 3,336.00 Disneyland to Sunny Bay HKD 6.50 HKD 3.30 58.80 Sunny Bay to Lai king HKD 11.60 HKD 5.70 103.80 Lai king to Mongkok HKD 6.50 HKD 3.30 58.80 Octopus Card Reload HKD 50.00 300.00 Chocolates HKD 37.60 225.60 Candies HKD 30.00 180.00 Keychain HKD 100.00 600.00 3rd Day- Macau Mongkok to Admiralty HKD 11.60 HKD 5.70 103.80 Admiralty to Sheung Wan HKD 4.40 HKD 2.80 43.20 Ferry HKD 165.00 HKD 165.00 1,980.00 Lunch HKD 100.00 600.00 T-Shirts HKD 98.00 588.00 Cookies HKD 58.00 348.00 Tart HKD 6.00 36.00 Ferry to HK HKD 155.00 HKD 155.00 1,860.00 Sheung Wan to Admiralty HKD 4.40 HKD 2.80 43.20 Admiralty to Mongkok HKD 11.60 HKD 5.70 103.80 Olay HKD 58.19 349.14 4th Day- Ocean Park Bread HKD 20.00 120.00 Mongkok to Admiralty HKD 11.60 HKD 5.70 103.80 Bus to Ocean Park HKD 10.60 HKD 5.30 95.40 Ocean Park ticket HKD 330.00 HKD  165.00 2,970.00 Soda HKD 28.00 168.00 Lunch HKD 38.00 228.00 Ocean Park Frame HKD 50.00 300.00 Bus to Admiralty HKD 10.60 HKD 5.30 95.40 Admiralty to Mongkok HKD 11.60 HKD 5.70 103.80 Octopus Card Reload HKD 50.00 300.00 Luggage Transpo HKD 80.00 480.00 Octopus Card Refund -HKD 50.00 -HKD 110.00 -960.00 Mineral water PHP 50.00 50.00 Taxi to Manila PHP 170.00 170.00 TOTAL EXPENSES 42,306.94

6D-5N Caramoan-Catanduanes Tour

"The trip to Caramoan is long, tiring but worth it in the end.", this is one of the most common phrase I heard from my friends about their adventure. One of my friend who went there last year stayed in Tugawe  Cove Resort and told me the fastest way to get to Caramoan is via Virac. So by Mid-August of 2014, we got ourselves promo airfare tickets to Virac via CebuPacific. Fare was around P1,674.00. The usual plan of 4days vacation had to stretch to 6days for us to get that cheapest fare. 

1st Day: 

We arrived on schedule at around 7:15 am in Virac airport as there was no "air traffic bruhaha". We got ourselves surprised though as the Virac airport doesn't have a baggage conveyor so the check-in baggages have to be distributed manually. The guys hauled it from their cart and you have to raise your hand to signal that it is yours.

We met " Raymund" our tour guide/trike service for Catanduanes. I got his number from one of the travel blogs as well. He was all ok at first but we had a terrible headache as Raymund turned out to be a pain in  the last 2 days of our trip. We told him to get to Virac town proper first so we can withdraw in the ATM. The downtown trip is not that near from the airport and was totally out of way to Codon port. We spent roughly 15-30mins.

It was an hour ride to Codon Port and it was not comfortable as we had to squeeze ourselves inside the tricycle. The other one had to be at the back of driver. The tricycles in Virac are not the usual trikes we have here in Manila. They are a little bigger and can accomodate 4 passengers inside and they have some slots for baggages too. One on top of the trike and the other at its back. 

Arrived in Codon at around 9am. It was not the port I expected as it was only a port for small boats, not ships or ferries. We boarded the boat that Raymund contacted for us. The boat ride would be one hour and cost us PHP 2,000.00 one way. It was the nicest boat ride I ever had in my life. The sea was just so calm, you could see it like a flat mirror and our boat seems to be gently disturbing its peace with the ripples it makes as we pass along.

Arrived in Guijalo port at around 1015 and we were greeted by our Butler "Memong". He will be our guide for the rest of our stay in West Peninsula Villas.

Here's what's in the itinerary that West Pen laid for us.

10:00 AM ETA (Caramoan Port)

10:15 AM ETA (West Peninsula Villas)

                           Check in/ Refresh

11:30 AM LUNCH

12:30 PM ETD (West Peninsula to Bikal/jump off point for island hopping

                           -Matukad, Lajos, Cagmalinad Island pass by Gota Beach and Honungan Cove

5:00 PM             (Back to West Pen Villas)

7:00 PM              Dinner

Matukad Island

This island is where the famous bangus in the lagoon can be found. The story according to Memong is that there were 2 bangus in this lagoon. One day, the fisherman caught the other one and took it home for dinner. All of the family members died after eating it.

The view from the top of Matukad island is truly breathtaking. Good thing Memong convinced us to try climbing the rocks as it would be a once in a lifetime moment. Something like maybe we will never have another chance to do it. And we are glad we did! 

Here's what we had to do before we got those lovely pics:

Lajos Island

Hunongan Cove

2ND DAY
              06:30AM        (Breakfast)
              07:30AM ETD (West Pen Villas to Tabgon) Visit Grotto of Our Lady of Peace
              10:00AM         Start of Island hopping
              12:00PM          Lunch in an island
               

Whole Afternoon: Island Hopping
                                       - Bag-ing island
                                       - Sabitang laya
                                       - Basud island
                                       - Manlawi and other islands
              04:30PM          (back to West Pen Villas)
                                       - Souvenir shopping at Town Proper

                 - Visit Caramoan old church


The schedule was not followed and we ended up leaving West Pen at 830 AM. First stop is the Grotto. I thought having done the Mt. Tapyas hike in Coron, I can finish the 500steps or so going to the Grotto. But I was wrong. 
Maybe, rashguard is not a good thing to wear going up the steps as there is no air at all. Or maybe it was not the right time, we went up around 9am, the sun is already at its peak. I was exhausted, add my asthma and it's a deadly combination. I went pale and was gasping for breath in the last 50steps. our guide and our butler were so good that they were able to get some guava leaves, pound it with a rock and made me smell it like ammonia. When I recovered, I was insisting to climb up the remaining steps but they did not allow me to as it will be a big risk. So I ended up waiting along with Mami Gen while the strongest two of the pack went to see the Grotto. I almost died with envy but as they say, some things are not meant to be.

Our first few steps..(saya saya pa)

Grotto

Bag-ing Island

New Hobby

Lately, I've been spending my rest days by trying out my son's fave food. I realized we could have more fun doing this together rather than spend our weekend at the mall. Plus it doesn't need to be expensive which solves our chronic budget issues. lol.

Peanut Butter chocolate chip Cookie

Buko Pandan Lychee

Choco Milkshake

Pichi-Pichi

4D-3N Singapore: 1st Day

Arrived Singapore at around 530 pm. We were 30minutes late from schedule as we took off late due to the air traffic congestion in Manila airport.  At the SG airport, we took the free Singapore maps at the left side area prior to the immigration checkpoint. 

The immigration officer told us to fill the city of embarkation and city of destination and asked us to fall in line again. My other friend and his company were not even asked to..so I guess that depends on the immigration officer. 

My friend rented a pocket wifi at the airport so we can have communication with our SG friend who will be accompanying us to some of our adventures. It was like $30 SGD for 3 days and you can get $10 SGD refund when you return the pocket wifi. Since I had booked in another hotel, we parted ways at the airport. My son and I went to the train station while they took a cab going to their rented room in Serangoon. 

Dana, my ex-colleague who met me in the airport and will be my guide for the 1st day asked me to load the EZ link cards I had with me. Good thing, a friend of mine went to SG a week before us and was able to lend me 2 EZlink cards. This is your all-to-go card in SG, you can use this as payment for all your transpo needs - cab, train and bus. I loaded $10 SGD each.

We then went to our hotel in Fragrance Emerald located in red district of Singapore- Geylang. From the airport, we took the train going to Tanah Merah and switched train going to Joo Koon and alighted at Kallang Station. From the station, we walked for about 10mins or so going to the hotel. Dana warned me about the place as it`s a place for the hookers but I never saw one in our 4-day stay in the hotel or even in the vicinity.

Then we head to Makansutra where we are going to take our dinner and meet some of our friends who are already working in SG.

We then walked all the way to the Merlion Park. Be prepared for the sights, you must have a good camera with you. One that capture photos in low-light settings.

Taken from the bridge going to Merlion Park

Here's what you need in your travel to Singapore:

2 valid IDs

Travel Tax - PHP 1600,  child- 1010(Pay first before checking in your baggages at your airline. Payment is located at the left side of Terminal 3.)

Passport

Hotel voucher -(incase needed)

Filled out Immigration Card 

2nd Day: Universal studios Singapore

The next morning we head to Universal Studios Singapore. Luckily our friend bought discounted tickets. Online price is around $74 SGD and we got ours at $48 SGD. But before we get to Outram Park, we dropped at Bugis station so we can claim the free transpo card for my son. We just presented his passport as proof. It is valid for one year and he can use it in the train and bus. Kids below 7 years old can avail of this card.

From Bugis, we alighted at Outram Park and then switched to Harbourfront Train and exited at E to Vivo City. The ticketing booth for USS and Sentosa are at the 3rd level, but since we already have our tickets, we headed to 2nd floor for the Cable Car. Went to another building and went up all the way to the top.We alighted at the Imbiah Lookout and took a bus going to USS.

 The Cable car was a thrilling ride though we did not expect it to be hot. The car was not air-conditioned and given how humid the weather is in Singapore, just imagine how it was inside it.

In the Universal Studios, we rented a locker so we can put our "heavy stuff" in there, like extra clothes. I think it was $20 for the whole day. We then refilled our water bottles in the water station so we can save extra dollars as the water in Singapore is really expensive when you convert it to peso. The 500ml mineral water costs around 1.90.

We headed for the required "Universal Studio" picture just at the entrance but taking photos is such a challenge. People are scampering for a spot just so they can take a perfect photo. So, goodluck on this!

Madagascar

Waterworld

DinoSoar Ride @ Lost world

 

Ancient Egypt

Optimus Prime @ Sci-Fi City

Here's the USS Map you can check:

http://www.travelandbeyond.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/USS-Map.jpg