Hotel Review: San Tung Fong Commercial Inn, Macau

Finding a "cheap" accommodation in Macau was the most difficult job I had done so far. It's a casino place so what do I expect. We were hoping that Airbnb could help us but most of the cheap ones are already outside Macau. It wasn't an option due to the fact that we need visa for us to stay in mainland China. 

With so many comparisons done, we settled to stay at San Tung Fong Commercial Inn. I've booked it through booking.com which was very easy and it offered a pay at the property option. I preferred this since it's international and international or conversion charges to my credit card will cost a lot. 

It was difficult for us to find the place but after going around for several times, we were able to find it. Thanks to those people who tried to help us give the direction. 

Upon entering the hotel, all our tiredness were gone. LOL! Unfortunately, the receptionist who tried to assist us couldn't speak English so we had to wait for someone who can. You have to have a very good ear in listening to their way of speaking English. If not, it will take a long time for both of you to understand each other. My experience with zero English students finally paid off! hahaha!

The hotel required a MOP100 deposit which was understandable considering the room almost has all the things you need. We booked a deluxe family room which cost us HK$900. It's expensive but it was worth the money. The room was spacious for 3 people, the beds were really comfortable you don't want to get up. The room includes a flat screen TV, a percolator (preferable for coffee addicts like us), drinking glasses and a hair dryer! This is necessary during the winter season! 

Hotel Review: Adriatico Arms Hotel

I was a little skeptic to go to the city on holidays because I am aware there are so many people especially foreign tourists who might be checking in hotels during those times. But since I am having a lot of issues with my internet connection and at the same time I wanted to spend a quiet Christmas, I then risked to book a hotel. It is more difficult when you are looking for an accommodation for 3 people. 

I searched from all the possible booking sites to get a good deal. My favorite booking site didn't offer a wide range of choices hence I had to use other sites I know. I wanted to stay in just one hotel until my companions arrived but it doesn't seem to be practical since it is more expensive. I then looked for another hotel nearby where I stayed alone and luckily I found one with acceptable reviews. Although I was doubtful considering some of the bad reviews I have read about it, I told myself, there's no harm in trying. Besides, we will just be staying for 2 nights. I got a good deal from agoda for $4,089.96 for 2 nights for 3 people; it's their deluxe room. 

Since I was already nearby, I checked out earlier from Leez Inn right after my work shift to check-in earlier at Adriatico Arms Hotel as I was already feeling sleepy. Just by looking at the map, it's 13 minutes away on foot but I was wondering if I could make it because I was carrying a 3 liter water bottle, my camera bag with my laptop in it and all the lenses and accessories plus my bag of clothes. Upon checking out I know the staffs of Leez Inn were just staring at me perhaps wondering why I had to bring that water bottle. LOL! 

I tried to take a walk however my sleepiness is telling me to take a ride. I hailed for a tricycle but my brain was totally in shock when the driver overpriced me. I am not tight-fisted but then it was too much. Luckily, a pedicab driver saw me and gave me half the fare the tricycle driver asked. I then gave the pedicab driver more than he asked thanking him for not overpricing me. 

I was 3 hours early for check-in but the receptionist just let me check-in for 1 hour early check in fee for 150 php. Outside, the hotel seems to be uninteresting but inside, I was in awe! The guard on duty was all smiles, the receptionist was very welcoming and the ambiance just wants to make me stay longer. 

The room is really spacious. I chose 1 single bed and 1 double bed. It is equipped with a closet with hangers in it. 

Hotel Review: Leez Inn, A Gem In Malate, Manila

Traveling can be tedious at times especially when looking for an accommodation that suits your low budget. I am the kind of person who doesn't want to spend so much for my accommodation because I prefer spending more for my food. Since I am working from home, sometimes I just wanted to go somewhere to change my ambiance and re-energize and perhaps to change my perspective. Staying in a routine for a long time makes me bored to death. When I go to Manila, I usually stay in Malate, with that I have tried different low-budget hotels in that place. Most are just okay but there's always something missing. 

It was planned to attend the international book fair event in SMX convention center so I booked a place to stay. I usually use travelbook.ph for my bookings but then that time I used booking.com to see if there are cheaper hotels I could find. And I did! 

I saw Leez Inn and upon checking the location seems to be ideal for me. The reviews say that it is a quiet place to stay. I booked the deluxe double room which was priced at $23. I was a bit skeptic of course since I am not so familiar with the place. I was wondering if Manila Bay is accessible on foot as I planned to take some photos. 

Getting to the place wasn't difficult at all. Well, I used Uber service so that could be an advantage. It was near the bus station where I got down. I arrived 2 hours earlier, unfortunately I wasn't allowed to check-in early because there were no rooms available as per the receptionist. So I just left my luggage with them and went to my other appointments. 

The lobby

App Review: CNNCT

Photo credit: EVG company

Having a place or an app to use when you want to connect to people around the world, learn their culture or simply seeing their environment is just amazing. Personally I use this app to divert my attention from my full time job which is sometimes exhausting for me. There are times I am bored and I am just going online on CNNCT and voila! My boredom has vanished! 

The concept of the app is to travel around the world while you're at home. Users can learn about other culture and many more. 

I had the privilege to chat with Igor Monakhov, a highly successful Russian IT entrepreneur, who founded the new video chat app CNNCT.

Me: Tell me about the people behind CNNCT.

Igor: It's a project very dear to me. I gathered a team of young, ambitious and open-minded people who share my vison.

Me: What inspired you to create CNNCT?

Igor: Well, I faced an interesting problem at a former project of mine. In 2011, the team Fotostrana, a photo sharing and social network website, asked me to deal with the fact that a lot of people were leaving their website. I had a look and realized that a lot of people were leaving because some users made them uncomfortable. You see, users on some website had very different goals. When someone like a married man or woman, or even someone happy in their relationship, is constantly confronted by people using the website as a dating site, they are uncomfortable. They just want to find pen-pals around the world, to discuss anything they feel like.

I felt touched by the issue. That's when I realized I had a solution. I want to create an application where people feel safe to chat and discuss. 

Me: What's the vision and mission of CNNCT?

Igor: The vision I have is of an application where people from around the world chat and discuss, make new friends, share interests and have inspiring and interesting conversation in a safe and cozy environment.

Me: How do you see CNNCT on the long term?

Igor: I believe that everyone has something worthwhile to say and everyone is worth listening to. We all have different areas of expertise and we should all have the opportunity to share our thoughts, our visions, or opinions. On CNNCT, everyone will have that opportunity. 

Kapihan: When Coffee is Life

I consider coffee as one of my vices and something I can never let go of. When I was still living in the city where coffee shops were very accessible, it wasn't difficult for me to indulge in such vice. Having coffee in the middle of the night while my eyes are busy reading the pages of my favorite book was my favorite thing to do. Many people say it's a waste of money but I always rebut, the happiness I get from that can never be replaced by money. Unfortunately, when we moved to the countryside where coffee shops aren't that accessible, mother in-law became my personal barista. It's not as good as the ones we have on Starbucks or Coffee Bean and others but still I can taste the goodness of it. 

Just recently, a coffee shop emerged! Yey! It is located at GM Reyes Building, Rosario Batangas, across from Hypermarket. My husband kept telling me about it but I wasn't that interested at first. Then one day, we just decided to go try it. I was expecting for the usual menu from the famous coffee shops but no. I am a cappuccino and a cafe americano lover and they don't have them so I thought of giving a try with what they have. I ordered a single pour over and from then on my heart was captured. 

There's nothing much special about it but the aroma got into me so I order that every time I go there. And it's just 60 php! I have tried their french press when single pour over was not available and it just brings me back to my morning coffees at hotels when I travel. 

The coffee shop named Kapihan offers not only coffee but varieties of snacks as well. 

cookie ice cream tower

muffin

And there's more! They have books if you like to read, not many choices though but still it can help you kill time and enhance your brain while having coffee. LOL!  They also have board games which you can enjoy with your friends and family. 

teens playing

us playing scrabble

my sisters in-law playing jengga

Hotel Review: Palawan Palm Suites

Palawan Palm Suites is located near Puerto Princesa International Airport. If I'm not mistaken it's less than 10 minutes by car. I booked the hotel through travelbook.ph and the reason I did so was because of the discount offered. The original price is 4,200 php for 3 nights but I got it only for 2,560 php. The booking includes a superior room for 2, free breakfast and a round trip airport transfer.

A day before our flight I sent sms to them informing about our flight schedule. They were prompt enough to reply. We agreed that I will be keeping them posted if there are any changes on our flight. Fortunately, there wasn't any delay on our flight. Upon arrival at Puerto Princesa International Airport, I sent them sms that we've arrived but the driver was already there waiting for us. He was holding a card with my name on it. LOL! The driver was courteous enough  he even offered to carry our luggage even if my husband refused to. While on our way to the hotel, he gave us a lot of tips on what to do and where to go. We had a mini tour as I call it. The heat of the sun was making me uneasy but his humor made my day.

The staff on duty on the hotel were welcoming. We were ushered to our room by one of the staffs. I was glad there were no elevators, in that way, we can exercise our legs when going up and down as I always gain weight when traveling. haha!

Movie Review: Hidden Figures

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51342178

 Are you on the verge of giving up your job because of the flaws on your company? Have you lost your passion because of the struggles? Have you ever been discriminated because of some reason? Well, maybe Hidden Figures will rekindle the fire inside you to push yourself harder, love your job and be thankful for it. 

Hidden figures is a Hollywood true story set movie based on the book written by Margot Lee Shetterly set in the 1950's , the time when there is a huge difference when it comes to the color of the skin. This is the story of a three black women who made a name in science in the time when the United States is competing against Russia in conquering space, engineering and computers. Because of the brilliant minds, perseverance and the passion for their field of work no matter what kind of obstacle they face, Katherin G.Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, put them on top of everyone in NASA. 

Taraji P. Henson (Katherine G. Johnson) Octavia Spencer (Dorothy Vaughan) and Janelle Monae (Mary Jackson) gave the movie a life. Their superb acting will make you travel in time and feel how it is like to be treated differently. 

Jim Parsons (Paul Stafford) will make you feel the anger as he played very well as Katherine's foe in NASA's Space Task Group. I remember him very well from Big Bang Theory and I was expecting he will do a very good job in Hidden Figures and he did. 

I won't forget Kristin Dunst who portrayed Vivian Mitchel and who also became Dorothy Vaughan's greatest challenge for promotion. You might want to punch your screen every time they have a scene together. 

You will definitely love Kevin Costner's role in the move. He played Al Harrison the head of the Space Task Group. I won't forget what he said in the movie "Here at NASA, we all pee the same color." I was teary-eyed upon seeing this scene. 

Kudos to the people behind this movie, Director Theodore Melfi, screenplay writers Allison and Theodore Melfi. These are the kinds of movies people of today must see. 

I really appreciate my husband for recommending me this movie!

Hotel Review: Mel Sol's Inn and Resort

Booking a place to stay in advance is very time consuming especially when you're traveling during the peak season. I initially planned of traveling by myself since my husband and I can't make a solid decision of leaving our dog behind. Hence, I booked a place for two just in case we make our minds up. 

It was a bit difficult for me to find an accommodation using booking sites as most of the hotels were the expensive ones. I tried looking on travel blogs and I got a list of hotels from the cheapest to the most expensive. Most of the 3 star hotels don't have online booking. I always prefer online booking when I travel as I don't want to go through the hassle of paying the counter when checking out. 

It's a good thing I found out that Mel Sol's Inn and Resort is using travelbook.ph which I often use because of the conveniences plus discounts and bonuses when you book through them.

Hotel Review: Pension Natividad

My husband wanted to join the Kalayarun last June 12 as a part of a celebration for Independence day in my country.  I decided to come with him so I can practice photography during the run. My sister in-law has been wanting to have a hotel experience hence we brought her with us. It's my first time to book a hotel a day before our travel date and I was really not into this. It was hard to decided because there were many choices. I made up my mind  and I booked a night at Pensionne Natividad. I chose it because we can go on foot  from the hotel to the assembly ground which is at Cultural Center of the Philippines. It's  just less than 30 minutes on foot.

Upon checking in the hotel, I was already disappointed because the receptionist wasn't welcoming at all. She kept talking on her phone and we waited for at least 10 minutes before we were accommodated. The waiting area is hot. I think their air conditioner is not working or maybe they just don't want to turn it on. I couldn't stay in the lobby for a longer time because I am sweating because of the heat. I don't know how they can manage to stay there. The ambience outside the hotel lobby is great because there are so many trees around. 

The above picture shows those vines which serves as a shed for the smoking area.  It feels awesome to sit there however, if you don't like the smell of the cigarette than I guess you can't stay for long. 

Movie: Colonia

Stunning yet dangerous

 The people you think will save you are sometimes the ones who will put you in danger. 

Colonia is a true-story movie set in Chile. It is about a couple who ended up in a place where no one escapes. 

Lena is a flight attendant; her boyfriend  Daniel who is an activist and a photographer where both stuck in Chile during a military coup. Daniel (Danile Bruhl) was abducted and was sent to a place called Colonia Dignidad which seems to be a dead end for those people who are sent there. Lena (Emma Watson) tried her best to seek help from Daniel's friends but none was willing to help. But she's determined to find the whereabouts of her boyfriend. She put herself into the same place where her boyfriend is. 

The first few minutes of the story seemed to be boring for me and I thought I am going to fall asleep while watching the movie but then I didn't and I was glad I didn't sleep. It will keep you on the edge of your seat especially on the climax of the movie. I didn't sleep after viewing it because I kept thinking what will I do if I where in that situation. 

Movie: The Fountain

A flower needs to wither to bloom again

Death is a stage in life which most people fear the most. 

Tommy, starred by Hugh Jackman, a modern day scientist is struggling to find a cure to save his wife, Izzy, starred by Rachel Weisz from cancer. She's dying by Tom is never giving up. 

Tomas, (Hugh Jackman) a conquistador is sent by the Queen of Spain (Rachel Weisz) to find the tree of life which she thinks will save them death. 

Tom Creo (Hugh Jackman) a space traveler, travels with his love seeking eternity. 

All of the three characters were all searching for only one thing; to escape death.  This movie is not for someone who is looking for just an entertainment. It makes you think and reflect as to what is your point of view about life and death. 

Being Hugh Jackman's fan, I admired him more after watching the movie. His portrayal of the three characters is so genuine it makes the viewers travel in time as well. I was in awe!  On the other hand, Rachel Weiz did a very good job in making me cry (or I'm just a cry baby, lol!). 

Salute to the people behind the screen especially to Darren Aronosfky, the director as well as the writer together with Ari Handel. It was brilliantly written! What a mind! 

Death is something we must accept no matter how hard it is especially for the living. It's difficult to let go when you know there's no coming back. But without death, there is no life, that's the grand design  we can never change. 

The modern day society is seeking for the fountain of youth believe it or not. There are many research out there seeking for anti aging element that may prolong life or lessen aging diseases. Science has many possibilities but there's always a limit. 

While alive, let's make sure we spend it happily without causing a lot of damage to others. We're not perfect but we could atleast strive for excellence! In the end, we all turn to dust when the time comes. 

Be happy and learn the art of acceptance!

Restaurant Review: Happy Tummy

Every time I travel somewhere, I try my best to research on restaurants where I or we can possibly eat. I also did months before we climb up Baguio. Ketchup community seems to be very popular among people who have been there. I then included it to our list of places to eat. 

Ketchup  community is a place where different kinds of restaurant are beside each other. It is said that you can stay in one restaurant and order from different restaurants in the community. It's location is perfect since it is near Botanical Garden, The Mansion and just in front of Wright Park. So after our visit to those places we had our lunch at Happy Tummy inside the Ketchup community.  It is a Thai restaurant. It's the first time for my in-laws to eat in such. They were skeptic at first as it might cost us much but then I was willing to try. We ordered spicy prawns and garlic chicken. I love prawns so much it made me excited to taste whether it can break my way of cooking when it comes to prawns.

When the food was served, I checked on the prawns if it was cleaned or deveined very well. Unfortunately, it wasn't. I still gave it a try. The spiciness was just fine for those people who are not into spicy foods but since I can't live without chili, it wasn't spicy at all. However, I think  it wasn't cleaned perfectly. I was truly disappointed when I got to taste near the head part, the black thingy which I believe the colon of the prawns were not taken out. Therefore the taste was truly disgusting! I wonder if a Thai food should taste like that. I bet not! The chef was stupid enough not to clean the prawns very well! I wanted to complain but I know my husband wouldn't want that so I just went ahead and ate the garlic chicken. 

Restaurant Review: Sizzling World

Coming from a long trip because of heavy traffic on our way to Baguio, we were knocked down once we got to the hotel. It was already past 9 p.m when I woke up. My tummy woke me up actually, lol! We had no idea where to eat for dinner. We tried the restaurant at the hotel but it was already closed. I then suggested to just walk and see if we could find a place to eat. The weather was really cold and walking on a mountainous area made my lungs race for air. After 10 minutes of walking, I saw Sizzling World, it's just a small eatery which can accommodate perhaps around 10 people inside and some outside. I suddenly got terribly hungry when I smelled the aroma of the food being cooked. Imagine eating something sizzling in a cold night! It's just wow! 

I ordered sisig with mushroom, my husband and my sister in-law ordered pork chop and my brother in-law ordered pork steak with corn. Unfortunately, they don't serve brown or red rice so I had no choice but to eat white rice. I didn't mind since we will be doing a lot of walking our entire stay in Baguio so I thought I needed a lot of calories to burn. hahaha! 

Porkchop

Hotel Review: New Rajah Soliman Hotel and Restaurant - Baguio City

Peak season in Baguio makes it difficult to book a cheap and good accommodation not to mention not many of the cheap and good ones can be searched online. We started looking for an accommodation in October but unfortunately, I wasn't able to see one that suits my needs.Since it's Baguio, I would like to have a good view from our room. Most of the time these accommodations are expensive. 

However, by the end of November, I was able to see New Rajah Soliman Hotel and Restaurant from Travelbook.ph. I was very glad to see it because the site offered a 20% discount plus the points I still have on my account. In total, I was able to book it for only 1200 php a night. The sad thing is, they only offer 1 night booking from that site. I then asked my husband to call the hotel to inquire if they still have available vacancy from the 24th of December until the 26th and the luckily they have. But there's no discount which means we have to pay 1800 php a night. We booked it immediately as I am afraid we will be sleeping on the street! LOL! 

I was excited to see the hotel. It's not far from the city proper in which we can even go on foot. The hotel's facade was not quite impressive but as soon as we entered, I was delighted  by the waiting are. It's spacious adorned with a very comfortable sofa, a flat screen TV and of course a Christmas tree since it was Christmas. I feel like sleeping on the sofa every time we get back from our tour. It was encouraging! 

Movie Review: Spectre

Poster at the movie theater

I can't deny the fact that Spectre made me hold on to my chair. 

It started with a long and intense opening fight scene which gives the viewers a slight idea as to where the movie is going or where the story started.  Daniel Craig as James Bond is trying to decrypt a story which will bring you back to the past. 

Watching such kind of film make viewers like me expect for fight scenes I can never imagine and yes Spectre has  given that. I am also well-aware that most viewers anticipate for awesome cars that will be used. Seeing Aston Martin in the movie wowed me but then it is expected it will be wrecked but not as wrecked as I was thinking before the movie. I was also waiting for the Bond girls and of which the movie didn't fail to do. Monica Belluci did a very good job portraying the wife of an infamous assassin despite shown very little in the film. Madeleine Swann played by Lea Seydoux gave color to the entire movie itself although not so well if compared to the other Bond girls in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. 

Movie Review: The Last Witch Hunter

Almost all people if I am not mistaken want to have long lifespan or immortality. Many are using science seeking the fountain of youth! But that's not how life is designed for in reality.

The last witch hunter is a movie about a man named Kaulder starred by Vin Diesel who in the ancient times used to hunt witches. He was then cursed of immortality by the Witch Queen acted by Julie Engelbrecht. This scene is shown on the very first part of the movie. Then it is shifted to the modern times where Kaulder is walking among the people like a modern man but still doing as in the past however not killing them. Michael Cane as Dolan 36th, Rose Leslie as Chloe (a dream walker) and Elijah Wood as Dolan 37th are with Kaulder in the modern times.

I had my eyes fixed on the screen not even touching my bucket of pop corn once the movie started.  In all honestly, I expected for more medieval type of scenes; seeing Vin Diesel with the long beard and the sword shown on the trailer but then it didn't. The scenes shifted from modern times to the ancient times which makes the viewers' eyes fixed on the movie or else you'll get lost if you miss something. 

Movie Date: Hotel Transylvania 2

Listening to the laughter of the children in the cinema brought out the child-like in me. 

As promised, we had a movie date with my two daughters haha! They were like my daughters except me not being pregnant to them. How I wish though. I was still sleepy but I had to force myself to get up since we still have to drop by the dressmaker's shop for my body measurement. Because I am too dumb when it comes to landmarks, I asked my husband to come along as I can't still remember where the fabric shop is located even if we have been there countless of times. I guess I need to rewire my brain, ey?! 

After all of those little things to do, we all decided to watch the movie including my husband. Talk about encouraging him to close the business for just one day just to watch the movie with us! haha! Success! While waiting for the movie, they all decided to eat at Jollibee. Because it's fast food, I was hesitant but then I was with the younger ones so I can't do anything but follow. LOL! Good thing I had fun... taking pictures of Jollibee's butt. hahaha! 

I am fascinated with butts including Jollibee's butt!

Movie Review: Heneral Luna

I rarely watch a Filipino-made movie in theaters. If I am not mistaken the last time I watched one was 11 years ago. It's been a long time since I lost interest in watching our own movies. In fact, I once considered our movie industry dead. Now that I have seen Heneral Luna, I was really excited that this could be the start of looking forward to watch our own movies.

Heneral Luna is a historical epic movie which is set during the Philippine-American war starred by John Arcilla, Arron Villaflor, Joem Bascon, Archie Alemania, Alex Medina, Art Acuna, Mon Confiado, Epy Quizon, Bing Pimental, Paulo Avelino, Mylene Dizon, Alvin Anson, Nonie Buencamino, Lorenz Martinez, Leo Martinez and Ketchup Eusobio.  Sorry for mentioning these names but they deserve it. These actors have made the viewers laugh, angry, cry and most especially learn. 

John Arcilla who played as Heneral Luna deserve a salute. I can't help but clap my hands at the end of the movie as my only way of showing my appreciation. His way of delivering humor, anger and patriotism left my eye not blinking and ears fully focused on the movie.