When World Bites reached out and asked if I want to try one of their subscription boxes, I was game: this is my chance to do my own taste test, sans the video.

Here’s the box they sent me, a mix of snacks, candies, and chocolates from all over the world:

I have to admit I wasn’t able to try all — I gave away the Eiffel Bonbons and the Sour Patch Kids mainly because I’m not fond of candies. Other than those two, I was able to manage a couple of bites or handful of each.

One of my favorites would have to be Herr’s Jalapeño Poppers Flavored Cheese Curls. I’m a big fan of the Cheetos Crunchy Cheddar Jalapeño, and the flavor is very similar, except it’s a cheese puff, which I prefer.

The Barcel Takis Fuego from Mexico is spicy, with an explosive hit of lime, which makes it an amazing snack to have while drinking some ice cold soda. From the UK they have the Nik Naks Scampi ‘n’ Lemon, which is frankly more lemon than shrimp, with an interesting/odd aftertaste of Froot Loops. Bissli from Israel is a tad to crunchy, but I love the strong hit of parsley and cilantro.

There are three chocolate bars in the box: Milka Oreo Chocolate Candy Bar (Germany), Prince Polo Premium (Poland), and Nestle Violet Crumble (Australia). Of the three, my favorite is the Prince Polo, since it’s my favorite combination of white chocolate, wafer, and coconut. While I’m fond of chocolate honeycomb, I have to say there are other brands that does it better than Violet Crumble. Milka’s combination of Oreo cream and milk chocolate was just too sweet for me.

There’s one other candy included, which is the Japanese Hi-Chew. I’ve tasted Hi-Chew before, and it’s a soft chewy (often) fruit candy. Again, good, but not a fan of candy.

Overall, it’s a pretty interesting mix. There’s something for everybody, and it’s a great box to share with friends.

World Bites offers monthly subscription of snacks from around the world, delivered right at your doorstep. It’s a great thing to try, or if you’re not into it, an amazing gift for loved ones who love trying different kinds of junk food. They have two box sizes, the Mini, which comes with just 5-6 different kinds of snacks, and the Classic, which comes with 10-11 kinds of snacks. Monthly plans starts at Php 499 and Php 998 respectively.

Want to give it a try? Join my giveaway and receive your own World Bites Classic box!

Giveaway mechanics:

1. This giveaway is open to all Philippine residents. You must have a Philippine address that they can deliver the box to.
2. Comment on this blog post, answering the question: Which snack are you most excited to try?
3. Follow me, @NinaWanders and @WorldBitesPH on Twitter.
4. Visit and like our pages, Just Wandering and World Bites, on Facebook.
5. You get extra points for following us on social media.
6. This giveaway is from January 27 to February 1, 2017
7. Winner will be chosen randomly.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

At the launch, we had the chance to use the GetGo Unionbank Debit Card (which comes in a very cute aquamarine color) at R.O.X. If you’re not a big fan of credit cards (or can’t apply for one yet), this is a good alternative. Think of it as a prepaid card: just load it up, and use the amount you loaded to shop in physical stores or even online. You can also use it as an ATM card to withdraw cash, when you need it. For every Php 88 you spend, you get 1 GetGo point.

For faster point accumulation though, you can earn faster with the Gold and Platinum GetGo Unionbank VISA Credit Cards — you get 1 GetGo point per Php 30 spent. What’s more, all points accumulated within your billing cycle automatically gets transferred and converted to GetGo points at the end of the cycle. No more hassle of calling the bank to convert points, or worry about them expiring.

What’s even better is that if you use your credit or debit card to pay for your Cebu Pacific flight, you earn GetGo points from that purchase, not just the points from the ticket itself.

For example, if you booked a round-trip flight to Bangkok, you earn GetGo points not just from the base fare and add-ons, but also from the total amount (including taxes).

Using this mock booking, you earn 1,809 GetGo Points (3,899 + 3,899 + 1,250 divided by 5). If you use the GetGo debit card to book this flight, you get an additional 124 GetGo points (10,934.06/88), or 364 GetGo points if you used your GetGo credit card.

As with the rest of the bloggers and writers who attended the launch, I was given both the debit and credit cards. I have only used the debit card twice: first at ROX, and then at lunch the following day. I continue to use it only to access Unionbank’s online banking facility so I can pay for the credit card.

The GetGo Unionbank VISA Credit Card is widely accepted worldwide, and since it’s PayWave ready, it’s so easy to use. If you’re shopping at a merchant that has the PayWave NFC reader, paying for your goods is just a matter of tapping your card on the console. No more signatures, no PIN needed. If you’re worried about the security of your card, Unionbank sends out an alert email every time the card is used, so if you received an alert for a transaction you did not make, you can contact the bank immediately (without having to wait for your account statement at the end of the billing cycle).

I am in Melbourne right now, and will be here for the next couple of months. Obviously, I wouldn’t be able to fly with Cebu Pacific and earn GetGo points from flights, so it’s great that I can still earn while I’m here. Since I arrived last July, I never had the need to exchange money or withdraw from the ATM, since credit card payments are widely accepted. Since I arrived, I have already managed to earn more than 1,000 GetGo points!

If you’re worried about ballooning debt, here’s what you do: don’t spend more than what you can afford and always pay the balance in full.

GetGo Unionbank Platinum card holders also get additional perks: they get early alerts for all Cebu Pacific seat sales and exclusive sales priority check-in for Cebu Pacific flights, free 5kg extra baggage allowance on Cebu Pacific flights (provided you buy baggage allowance), and complimentary access to the MIASCOR Sky View lounge in Terminal 3.

To apply for either the GetGo Unionbank debit or credit card, visit their website at getgo.unionbankph.com/how-to-apply.

What do travel bloggers do in between trips? They think about traveling. At least I do. Apart from trawling the Internet with all the information I can get about the places I am visiting, I also find myself looking at trips that I can take given the direction I have plotted for my life.

I know I’ve been saying for years now that I will be traveling less in the coming years, and while that is technically true, I can’t seem to stop myself from planning the next one. Take for example 2016: while I have only going on my fifth trip of the year today, and will be going on three more afterwards, I will have only spent four months sleeping in my own bed.

Seven trips in a year isn’t really something to sneeze at, though I have to admit that’s already me reigning myself and traveling less. Wanderlust is really something that hit me hard, and I am starting to feel it’s not something that I can easily shake off. It also doesn’t help that I am always on the Internet, and with so many airline promotions, online booking, and credit cards, it’s very hard to resist the impulse to book a flight.

Today, I took a gander at my flickr account, and got lost in a sea of travel photos I’ve taken through the years. It took me back to the years when I was discovering Southeast Asia, and while I am aiming for Europe in the coming years, I am feeling that tug to revisit some of my favorite places.

I am headed back to Penang in July, which would be my fourth visit to the island, and I can see myself going on another trip back sometime in the future. Bangkok, which is another favorite city, is also high in my list, though mostly owing to the fact that I bought this awesome dried pork jerky at the Or Tor Kor market last October, and I up until now, I am regretting that I only bought one pack. I must go back to buy more.

As much as I love Thailand, I have to admit that I haven’t really explored much of the country. Last October, after my TBEX post-BEX fam trip in the Trat province, I went to Ko Chang and stayed at this amazing resort, Amber Sands Resort, which I really want to go back to because the people are great, the food is really good, and the atmosphere of the resort is just really relaxing.

Thinking about all these places leaves me itching to make that Malaysia Airlines booking on Traveloka, even if I’m leaving for the airport in less than an hour. With booking fee and various payment methods (plenty of Philippine banks available!), it sure is tempting.

That my friends, is how travel bloggers live in between trips.

Just a couple of days after that, I received an email from Deal Grocer, asking me to choose among their hotel deals for an overnight stay. I was still in Bulusan that time (September), and won’t be back in Manila until the end of October, so I thought, why not use the voucher for a stay on my birthday, during our Bohol trip?

The Deal

The deal we got was for an overnight stay at a Premier Deluxe room at Ocean Suites Bohol. The deal price is Php 3,700 for an overnight stay with buffet breakfast for four. It’s a pretty good deal, since if there are four of you sharing the room, you’ll be paying less than Php 1,000 each per night. Not a bad deal when you’re looking to indulge with good accommodation, but not wanting to spend your entire bonus on a hotel room. The deal also includes one-way airport or seaport transfers, so we scheduled our stay at Ocean Suites on our last day in Bohol.

Location

Ocean Suites Bohol is located right beside the Blood Compact Site. Literally right beside it. It is perched on the side of the island looking towards Panglao Island, and the view is amazing any time of the day.

Premier Suite

Despite the name, the suite is actually a room with a balcony. The architecture of the building is great — we love the modern and minimalist look of the hotel. However, our room is both spacious and cramped at the same time.

There is plenty of open space between the door and the glass door to the balcony, plenty of space on the side of the desk and TV, but the area where the beds and toilet is cramped.

There are two double beds — one is practically pushed right up to the glass balcony doors, and one has about a 10-inch gap with the closet and minibar.

The toilet sink is situated right beside the door — it’s actually nice since at least you can brush your teeth while someone’s taking a shower.

I couldn’t get a decent photo of the bathroom, so here’s a close up photo of the sink.

Maybe we just got used to the huge toilet and shower in the resort we stayed at prior to Ocean Suites, but their bathroom feels miniscule. But the water pressure in the rainfall shower head is strong, so it’s not so bad.

Facilities

Ocean Suites has two infinity pools that looks out towards the sea and Panglao, and we really enjoyed swimming there after our countryside tour and before we checked out of the hotel. The other guests had the same idea, but at no point did the pool felt crowded.

If you don’t feel like swimming and don’t feel like using your gadgets, you can also pick a book from their mini library and read it at the lounge or by the pool. They also have a ping-pong table, and some comfortable couches if you want to play board games.

The resort has four floors and no elevators, so if you have mobility problems or difficulties with using stairs, this may not be the place for you.

Dining

For our dinner and lunch, we didn’t bother venturing out of the Ocean Suites and opted to try their restaurants.

The Azure Restaurant offers a barbecue buffet every weekend for Php 499 each. There are marinated pork belly, pork barbecue, chicken skewers, fresh fish, and fresh squid available for grilling, and you just pick out what you want to have and their chef will cook it for you. While I’m a big fan of all things pork, the squid is the clear winner here — perfectly cooked and very very tender.

Forget the meat, go for the squid!

Grilling time was about 15 minutes, and it is served at your table with their dipping sauce

Carrot cake from Ocean Cafe <3

Depending on the volume of people, your grilled goodies might take some time to reach your table. While waiting, you can whet your appetite with soup, rice, noodles, veggies, and dessert, which is also included in the buffet.

Breakfast is also at Azure, and the selection is pretty okay. There was soup, fried rice, pancakes, fried danggit, tocino, cereals, fruits, and an egg station. They were very accommodating at the egg station, and the chef was quick to cook our requested egg white omelette.

All yolk scramble in one pan, egg-white omelette in the other

Our flight back to Manila isn’t until 2pm, so after check out and while waiting for our transfer to the airport, we had lunch at the Ocean Cafe (since we know the options are limited at Tagbilaran Airport).

We had pizza, some kind of baked pasta with shrimp, and fish and chips. The pizza was so-so, the baked pasta was really tasty (and surprising considering its presentation), and the fish and chips was fantastic, mainly because it’s a huge, meaty chunk of fish that is not cream dory.

If you have your own alcoholic drinks, they charge a Php 500 corkage fee.

Would I stay here again?

Why would you stay in Tagbilaran when the beach resorts of Panglao is just a ride away? If you’re like Bea, who is allergic to salt water, or if you’re not fond of sand, this would be a good option for you. The hotel is also 15 minutes away from the airport, so you can also consider Ocean Suites if you have an early flight the next day.

Spectacular sunrise on my first morning as a 35-year old.

It’s actually a pretty good place with reasonable prices. The food at the restaurants are also pretty good, so I count that as a point for the hotel. That view though? I can spend hours in the balcony just staring out into the horizon.

Among all the coupon sites that sprung up in the past years, it’s Deal Grocer that I really liked. The quality of the deals on offer are really good, and they feature good brands and properties. I’m headed back to Bohol next year, and I’m definitely watching the Getaways page on Deal Grocer!

Thank you to Deal Grocer for the complimentary voucher!

To easily differentiate between the two Zenfones in this review, I shall refer to my Zenfone 2 as Miss Satsuki.

First Impressions

I was given another red colored unit, and upon first sight, I thought it was identical to Miss Satsuki. The Laser is just slightly smaller though, measuring at 5 inches. Though I have gotten used to Miss Satsuki’s 5.5 inch screen, I have to admit the Laser is a more comfortable fit for my hands.

The Zenfone 2 Laser features the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 4, which was developed for better performance when the phone is dropped. This was a huge relief to read, since clumsy idiot that I am, I dropped Miss Satsuki (which has the Corning Gorilla Glass 3) just 10 days after receiving the unit, cracking the screen.

Dual sim

Miss Satsuki was my first dual sim phone. Since I travel often and stay longer in foreign destinations, I prefer to buy a local sim card. Since the Zenfone can handle two sims, I was able to keep my Globe sim on the second sim card slot, so I can send and receive calls and SMS (and SMS spam) on my Philippine number, without having to worry about accidentally incurring roaming fees, as the second sim card only has 2G connection.

Last September, when I was using two different local sims, and had to switch between networks for a data connection, I had to pry open the back cover and switch the two sim cards. I was grateful that I can easily pry open the back cover to switch the cards, but it’s still a small hassle having to do that several times in the course of the week.

It’s a minor grievance, but I was ecstatic when I found out that the Zenfone 2 Laser allows for a data connection on both sim slots. However, it only allows for one sim card to have a data connection, but that can easily be set through the Dual Sim Settings.

ZenUI and Android

After six months of using the Zenfone, I’m quite happy with the Asus ZenUI. The interface does not feel clunky, and there are plenty of ways you can customize the phone based on your usage.

What I do miss from using a Nexus 4, is the quick updates when a new Android version comes out. The Zenfone 2 Laser is still using Android 5 Lollipop, but I read that there are plans for an update to Marshmallow.

Bloatware is present in the phone (and it seemed that there are more now than when I first started using Miss Satsuki), but I was happy that though you can’t uninstall, where was an option to disable them.

Laser-autofocus and 8MP PixelMaster Camera with f/2.0 aperture

The phone’s name comes from the super fast autofocus feature of the camera. It is really fast — it focuses in less than one second, which is great if you’re wanting to take a stealthy photo of a cat before they notice you and run away.

The 8MP camera has a f/2.0 aperture, which means that it’s good for low light conditions, and if you’re a sucker for bokeh and shallow depth of field, you’d like this feature.

Here are some shots I took using the Asus Zenfone 2 Laser 5.0. Apart from some cropping (my shoddy composition is not the camera’s shortcoming), and image optimization for faster loading, these images are unedited.

Flourescent lighting over my amped up arroz caldo (cilantro, spring onions, fried garlic, and a squeeze of lime)

Under a harsh fast food lighting

Direct sunlight, 8 am

Shaded natural light, 9 am

Natural light

Bunnies!

Partially cloudy, 1 pm

Natural light, 4pm

Natural light, 5pm

Mix of natural and indoor lights, Depth of Field setting

Mix of natural and indoor lights

Mix of natural and indoor lights

Night setting

Low light setting

Unless otherwise stated, all photos are taken in Auto mode, Standard quality at 6 Megapixels.

Price

The Asus Zenfone 2 Laser retails at Php 7,295, which is not a bad price for the phone’s features and capabilities. Not a bad Christmas gift for yourself, eh?

Location

The hotel is located on Lebuh Farquhar, right in between the Eastern & Oriental Hotel and the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. While it’s in the buffer zone, its location is still pretty optimal — the highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is within walking distance, yet it’s far enough that it’s in a quieter neighborhood (though the streets around it are quite busy with speeding cars).

From the Georgetown Bayview Hotel, we were able to walk to the Purrfect Cat Cafe in Jalan Muntri, Dewan Sri Pinang in Light Street, and Kapitan Restoran in Lebuh Chulia in the historic core.

A photo posted by Nina Fuentes (@ninawanders) on Jul 31, 2015 at 8:28pm PDT

Taking a cab to Pengkalan Weld would cost between RM 8-10, which already includes the surcharges. Going to the airport would cost between RM 40-50, depending on the traffic.

Room

We were assigned to a Premier Deluxe room on the 15th floor. Though the hotel is showing its age, the rooms are recently renovated and are quite modern. Our room looks out towards Butterworth, with a partial view of the E&O, the esplanade, and the docks in the distance.

It’s a pretty big room, more than enough space for up to four people. There is a separate desk, a dresser, and a small coffee table, which came in handy when we had friends come over to play Cards Against Humanity.

The beds are firmer than I would like, but they’re comfortable enough that you’d still want hit the snooze button more than a couple of times. We had twin beds, and each bed had two fluffy pillows, which is always welcomed.

The toilet and bath is spacious. The shower is separate from the tub, which is fantastic. I have to admit though, that the thing that I remember most about this bathroom are their non-slip floor tiles. I think it’s the first time I’ve encountered it in a hotel bathroom, and I’m really happy with that.

Facilities

The premier rooms have complimentary Internet access, whether through wireless or wired connections. There is a unique login for each room, and it is limited to two devices only. Switching off your device’s wi-fi does not disconnect it from the network though, so if you’re wanting to connect a different device, you’ll have to call the front desk to have them manually disconnect it for you.

The hotel also have a swimming pool (with an terrifyingly deep end, especially when you see it from the 15th floor), a children’s pool, and an outdoor jacuzzi. There’s also a tailor onsite, Internet center, gym, prayer room, and a concierge where you can arrange for a babysitter, or buy postcards (they’ll also mail it for you). Guests who have cars can park for free at their car park. Just present the parking pass at the front desk for validation before you exit.

Premier Lounge

All the rooms from the 14th to 16th floor are Premier rooms and have access to the Premier Lounge on the 16th floor. You can have breakfast at the lounge from 7:00 am until 10:30 am, afternoon tea and cocktails from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, and complimentary non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day.

We had breakfast at the lounge everyday. Though the selection is so much more limited compared to the buffet at Kopi Tiam, there is a lot less people dining at the lounge, which appealed greatly to us.

The lounge also has a reading room, a board room, and a computer room, in case you need to get some work done, but haven’t brought your laptop.

The Premier Lounge access pass for each room is for two people. Any additional guests would have to pay RM 80 for entry and use of the lounge.

Kopi Tiam

Kopi Tiam Coffee House is the hotel’s all day dining restaurant, which serves the daily buffet breakfast. There is a good variety of local and western dishes available for breakfast.

They also have an ala carte menu available for lunch and dinner. I tried the Roasted Chicken Rice for dinner on my last night, just to compare it to the chicken rice at the Bayview Beach Resort. The chicken is as flavorful and tender, though the hotel’s version comes with beansprouts (my favorite) and chili sauce.

Since I had dinner early, I was hungry by the time I came back to the hotel after watching 100% Penang at the Dewi Sri Pinang. I ordered the Char Kway Teow, which came loaded with chilies. It was spicy, but not overly hot (I painstakingly took out all the chilies), and very filling, as it was a pretty big serving.

Three Sixty Revolving Restaurant and Sky Bar

At the time when Bayview was built, it was the tallest building in Penang, and the only one with a revolving restaurant. The rooftop al fresco bar also gives you a sweeping view of the city, and it’s the perfect place to watch the sun set and look out at the twinkling lights of Georgetown when the night rolls in.

Drinks at the Sky Bar is a nice way to cap a day of sightseeing in Georgetown.

Bayview Beach Resort

If you are staying at the Bayview Hotel in Georgetown, and want to take a break and relax by the beach, you can head to Batu Ferringhi and use the facilities at the Bayview Beach Resort

The Bayview Beach Resort has three pools, a sprawling garden, a tennis court, and offers watersport activities at the beach front (though a third party operator). If you get hungry, do try the roasted chicken rice and the nasi goreng at the La Veranda Coffee House in the ground floor.

Thank you so much to Lawrence of Bayview Hotel Georgetown and Kumar of the Bayview Beach Resort for the warm welcome and accommodation during our stay in Georgetown!

Bayview Hotel Georgetown
25-A Farquhar Street, 10200 Penang, Malaysia
Website: www.bayviewhotels.com/georgetown

The Golden Sands Resort is a four-star property, and is geared more towards families on holiday. Much like many of other Shangri-La properties, the huge freeform pool dominates the outdoor area.

Rooms

The resorts has 14 suites with panoramic views of the coast or the surrounding hillside, and 373 deluxe rooms. The rooms are design with the same elegance of the Shangri-La brand hotels, but with the family in mind. Some rooms come with a Murphy Bed, which can be pull-down and retracted back into the wall to accommodate an extra person in the room.

All the rooms come with the standard features: LCD television, DVD player, satellite television channels, USB, iPod and modem ports in an audiovisual panel, coffee and tea making facilities, and of course, complimentary Wi-Fi.

The bathroom has the shower in tub configuration, and comes with two sinks, so if one kid is hogging one, there’s another you can use.

Like Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort, many of the guests staying at Golden Sands (and Rasa Sayang) are regulars, and stay for an extended periods of time.

Facilities and Activities

Golden Sands Resort is one of those places that you don’t stay in just to sleep. The resort tries to anticipate their guest’s needs and offer them within the property — there are tailors, hair salons, and even laundry facilites for long staying guests.

Aside from the lagoon pool, there are also pool and futsal tables near Sigi’s bar, two pétanque courts, tennis courts, beach soccer court, Par 3 Pitch and Putt Gold Course, kid’s sand patch, and a beach volleyball court.

Guests who arrive early or need to kill time after check-out before heading to the airport can hang out at the Cool Lounge, where they can play board and card games, surf the Internet, read books, magazines, and newspapers, and watch movies.

Adventure Zone

The Adventure Zone Family Entertainment Centre is a huge indoor playground spanning more than 10,000 square feet. The center has three zones for different age groups, including toddler-safe play area for kids four years and under, thrilling slides for older kids, and game consoles for teenagers and adults.

Parents who need some alone time can also arrange for a baby sitter to watch their kids while they relax.

Sigi’s Bar and Grill

Sigi’s is located right at the edge of the garden and the beach, and is a lovely place to watch the sun set over the Andaman Sea.

They offer a variety of continental dishes and drinks that can be enjoyed inside the restaurant, by the pool, or on the beach.

We started our dinner with Wild Mushroom Soup and Calamari Fritti. Not wanting to fill up too much, we asked to split the soup. It was hearty and creamy, and the truffle oil brings it to another level without overpowering the flavor of the mushroom. The calamari was crunchy breading on the outside, tender on the inside, just the way it’s supposed to be.

Since we were by the sea, we had to order the Grilled Seafood Platter. This is Sigi’s signature dish, and they are right to be proud of it! Each piece we bit into was juicy and tender, and the individual flavors coming out perfectly.

The highlight of the meal though, was the Durian Cheese Chicken Burger. While Cla and I were not bid durian fans, we were intrigued when Suleiman told us about it over breakfast at the Ferringhi Grill.

July and August is the peak month for durian harvest in Penang, so it is the perfect time to offer this unique burger. The durian is cooked into a savory custard and added into the cheese to make this amazing cheese melt. Paired with the grilled chicken burger, this is the match made in heaven. This burger costs RM 45 (inclusive of taxes), and is only available until the end of August 2015.

Family Fun Package

Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La is offering a RM 660++ Family Fun Package for two adults and two children. This rate includes daily buffet breakfast at the Garden Cafe, complimentary bed for one child under 12 years old, daily dinner with free-flowing drinks at the Garden Cafe, and four-hour complimentary access to the Adventure Zone for two kids. Children from 5-12 years old can also join the Cool Zone Kid’s Club fun activities from 9:30 am to 9 pm. For more details, visit the resort’s website.

Thank you once again to Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts for accommodating us in Penang!

Spice Market Cafe

Spice Market in the Garden Wing is the resort’s buffet restaurant. This is open for all guests of the resort. The restaurant has a diverse offering in its breakfast buffet. Various Asian cuisine is present, including the local Nyonya-Baba, as do western and other international cuisine.

The entrance of the cafe looks like a spice shop of yore with its display of spices and sauces. They’re actually more than just decoration — you can actually buy spices here!

Ferringhi Grill

Similar to Shangri-La Hotel’s Horizon Club Lounge, the Ferringhi Grill is the breakfast venue exclusive to Rasa Wing guests. Though the buffet selection is much smaller than that of Spice Market’s, there are still enough choices to whet your appetite or craving. You can order from a selection of entrees and order eggs done however you want.

As I’ve been having some mad craving for murtabak, I was delighted when I spotted it in the menu and promptly ordered it. It comes with a bowl of dal, pickled onion, and chutney. Heaven.

FIP Lounge (Fun, Interactive, and Play)

The FIP is actually a fairly recent addition to the resort. This is a lounge open the while day, and well into the night. They feature fun items in their uniquely presented menu, like tic-tac-toe macarons, chicken and crab sliders checker board, and beer in solid ice mug.

There are several cushy seats around the lounge, and guests can also borrow board games to play. There is a pool table, a dart arcade game, a trick eye wall, a gorilla popping out of a doorway, and a big screen TV tuned in to the sports channel.

We went to FIP for dessert and drinks, and it’s a really chill and unpretentious place. Since many of the resort guests are families, the vibe is really wholesome. To be honest, I find it refreshing to see parents hanging out with their kids at the lounge and playing pool.

Activities

The focal point of the resort is its gorgeous free-form pool. There is a small wading pool for the little ones, and a really deep section for those who, I don’t know, like to dive deep? Like all the other Shangri-La properties I’ve been to, there is also a jacuzzi. Parched? Ice cold water is available for all guests at the towel station.

Like all other resorts in Batu Ferringhi, Rasa Sayang Resort has a third party handling the beach activities. At the beach, you can ride horses, jet ski, or parasail, which is very popular among the beachgoers.

There is also an indoor gym, as well as hair and nail salon (which I guess is popular among guests who are there to attend a wedding).

Shangri-La’s Chi, The Spa is also in a secluded corner of the Rasa Wing. There are 11 spa villas, a yoga villa, and the Chi Boutique, where you can buy the products used in your treatment, including their unbelievably soft cashmere robe.

The resort also offer daily activities like golf putting competition in their Par 3 Pitch and Putt Golf Course, yard games, water volleyball, sand castle competition, and a cooking demonstration at the Spice Market Cafe.

Around Batu Ferringhi

While the main attraction of Batu Ferringhi is its beach, you can also check out some nearby attractions like the Tropical Spice Garden (do have lunch at the Tree Monkey Restaurant!), and the Batik Factory. There’s also ESCAPE, which is an eco-theme park, Penang Butterfly Farm, and the Penang National Park.

Georgetown Shuttle

If you want to explore Georgetown, Shangri-La offers a complimentary shuttle to Hotel Jen Penang in Georgetown. The shuttle from the resort leaves at 10:10 am, 12:10 am, 2:40 pm, 4:40 pm, and the shuttle going back to the resort leaves Hotel Jen at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:30 pm, and 5:30 pm. This shuttle is shared with guests of the Golden Sands Resort, so seats in the bus needs to be booked in advance at the concierge.

Batu Ferringhi feels like a world away from Georgetown despite being just 30 minutes away. If you have five days to spend in Penang, I highly recommend that you stay at least overnight in Batu Ferringhi. A day trip is fine, but to get the full experience of the town, it’s best to stay a night or two to get you into full relaxation mode.

Once again, thank you so much to the lovely people of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts for this wonderful opportunity!

Thanks to the lovely people at Shangri-La, they made my plans come into fruitition. I reached out to my contacts, and was offered a two night’s stay at Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa at the start of my trip. It was the perfect timing, as the resort was a beautiful welcome to the island after a long night of traveling.

History

The Rasa Sayang Resort is the first Shangri-La property in Malaysia, and it’s also the first 5-star resort. Built in 1973, the resort was designed around the eight majestic rain trees that was already in the property.

The majestic rain trees

Like other Shangri-La properties, the Rasa Sayang Resort incorporates the ethnic architectural style of the region. The resorts has the distinct minangkabau roof, and Malaysian arts and crafts are visible all around the resort, and in the rooms.

The Rasa Wing and the Garden Wing

The resort has two wings: the Rasa Wing and the Garden Wing. While the two wings are interconnected, make sure to tell your driver which wing you’ll be staying at, so you can be dropped off at the correct lobby.

The Rasa Wing offers elegant and spacious accommodations for its guests. If you love soaking in the bath as much as I do, go for the Rasa Premier room, which has a private balcony with a soaking tub overlooking the garden or the pool.

The Rasa Wing can be likened to the Horizon Club — guests have an exclusive lounge where they can have afternoon tea and cocktails, and have breakfast at the Ferringhi Grill, away from the crowds. The wing also have an exclusive pool for guests staying at the Rasa Wing, and it is for ages 16 and up only.

The Garden Wing is also quite elegant, but it is more fitting for families with kids in tow. It was recently renovated, and all rooms are now equipped with energy saving features.

Our Room

We we billeted in a Garden Wing Deluxe Seaview Room, with a balcony that looks out to the Andaman Sea. The balcony is the perfect place to watch the sunset, or to hang out after taking a dip in the pool while you’re waiting for your friend to finish in the shower. Since swimming and watersports are the prime activities in Batu Ferringhi, each balcony is fitted with a retractable clothesline.

The room itself is spacious — more than enough space for two adults. The beds, as always, were very comfortable, and the pillows for each bed has both the very soft and fluffy variety and the soft-yet-firm kind.

One thing I really love about Shangri-La is the separate shower and bath tub. While I’m a very big fan of relaxing in hot water, I’m not too keen on showering while standing inside a tub. In Malaysia, it’s common to have see a hand spray bidet in the toilets. In the renovated Garden Wing Rooms, the bidet are now built into the toilet seat, similar to the Japanese kind, but without the extra functions. It’s something this this Filipino is happy to find in any toilet.

Instead of a desk, there is a small dining table. Since many of the resort’s guests are there on a holiday, this makes much better sense, as it’s easier for them to eat together or use their laptops at the same time. There’s also a universal socket right by the table, so no need to bring your adaptor (though there are a couple of type G plugs).

Aside from the welcome fruits, there were also some Spicy Treats waiting for us in the room. These chocolate treats were not spicy hot, but has hints of spice, probably as a tribute to Penang being known as the “Spice Island.” There were also local snacks delivered to the room daily, and put under the tujung saji in the room.

Say YES to glass bottles!

This may seem really silly, but what made me really happy with our room are the glass bottles of water. More than just the size of the bottles (because they’re 1 liter, instead of the usual 500ml or less), I’m happy that Shangri-La has opted for this green alternative. The bottles are sealed with the date it was bottled, so you’d know that the bottle you’re getting is fresh, and they are replenished daily. Since we both have our own water bottles, we just refilled them whenever we are headed out of the room.

Still to come: What to eat and do at Rasa Sayang Resort

Much love and gratitude goes to Bonnie Ang of Shangri-La, and Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman and Fiona Lee of Rasa Sayang Resort.

The last part is what endeared me to the Nexus line. It’s Android as Google intended it to be, and it does not have bloatware: apps that you don’t use, but cannot uninstall. The interface is clean and straightforward, and it’s very easy to find your way around it. After my experience with other Android phones from other manufacturers, I wasn’t too excited to finding a phone to replace Miss Satsuki.

The problem was taken out of my hands when I was given an Asus Zenfone 2 to review. I love you, Universe.

First impressions

The Asuz Zenfone2 in the midst of my desk clutter

Like most smartphones coming out in recent years, it’s sleek and shiny. It has a curved back that makes it comfortable to hold, which is a feat, since it’s a huge phone. The back cover comes in four colors: black, grey, red, and gold. There was a bit of a struggle taking the cover off, which may or may not be because of my short nails. I was able to finally pry it off, and was elated that there are two slots for sim cards: I won’t have to bring an extra phone when I travel! If I’m buying a local sim at my destination, I can just slip it into the first slot, and move my Globe sim to the second sim card slot.

Aside from the size difference, the power button control for the Zenfone2 wasn’t on the sides, like it was in other phones I’ve used. It’s right smack in the middle, which actually makes sense, since it’s easier to reach, no matter which hand you’re using to operate the phone.

Set up

Tap & Go

Upon turning on the phone, I was informed that the Zenfone can copy any Google Accounts set up in another Android phone simply by tapping the two phones together (possibly via NFC transfer). It’s a nifty tool, but since I’m starting from scratch, this wasn’t an option for me.

When I was trying to resurrect my Nexus 4, I did a factory reset (after making sure my phone is backed up). After the phone has been set up again, I just tapped on Restore, and all my apps are downloaded and installed on the phone.

While there is no such option in the Zenfone2 (the most it can do is to restore the backed up settings and data once you have installed an app. Good enough. I can live with that.

User experience

My homescreen. You can see my priorities

The ZenUi is very clean, and does not feel clunky at all. Less is more for me, so I’m very happy with the interface. If you love customizing your phone, you can select from their preloaded themes (or buy additional themes). You can also change the font faces and the font sizes, which I know some appreciate. Personally, I’m happy with it as is.

There are of course, preloaded Asus apps, but I’m not too bothered with them, and some are actually quite nice to use. I especially love the Calculator, Flashlight, and their Weather app.

Reduced screen size for easier use

Since it’s a big phone, most of the time, you need two hands to use it (unless you have giant hands). However, if you’ve no choice but to use it one-handed, you can just double tap on the home button, and the screen with shrink down, making all buttons within thumb reach. Similarly, you can also set the Recent apps button to take screenshots, so you wouldn’t have to do the awkward Power button + Volume Down press, which does not work for me all the time.

There’s also an extended menu when you swipe down twice from the top of the screen. Here you can easily switch off the wifi, switch to airplane mode, or turn on the flashlight.

Extended menu

Asus also boasts of their screen’s sensitivity, which claims that you can use the phone, even if you’re wearing gloves. I dug up a pair of gloves from storage, and tried it out. It works! It’s not as smooth, but at least you can still use it to take pictures without having to remove your gloves and risk frostbite just for a selfie. It might be better with a glove designed for touchscreen phones, or maybe it depends on the glove’s material as well.

Camera

Since I travel with a laptop again, I try to limit the gadgets I have because it’s just too heavy. I gave up my DSLR, because it’s too bulky and cumbersome to bring, so I’m limited to a point and shoot and my phone for the blog and social media postings.

The Asus camera app comes with some really nice presets, so you can just select the mode you need for the photo you’re taking, and it will adjust the settings for you.

Some photos from Intramuros Pasyal last May 17. Aside from resizing, cropping, adding the watermark, and optimizing the file size for web viewing, the photos are left as is, straight from the camera. Flickr may have further degraded the quality.

Ayuntamiento de Manila

Plaza Maestranza

Selfie mode with beautification filter that erased all our pores. With Lilliane, the Wanderlass.

Tug life. Auto shooting mode.

Manila sunset. Auto mode.

HDR Mode

Night mode

Close up mode

For social media postings, the camera is good enough. Then again, I just found out that I was only shooting at 10MP, so it might be a different story if I was shooting at 13MP.

Price

The Asus Zenfone2 comes in three variants: the 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. The specs are all the same, except the 16GB only runs at 1.8 GHz, has 2GB of RAM, does not come with the BoostMaster fast-charging adapter and only has a 7W adapter, while the 32GB and 64GB runs at 2.3 GHz, has 4GB of RAM, the BoostMaster fast-charging technology, and a 18W BoostMaster adapter. The 16GB model costs Php 9,995, while the 32GB is priced at Php 13,995. Just add Php 1,000 and you get the 64GB model for only Php 14,995. If you feel that 64GB isn’t enough to contain all your selfies, there’s an SD card slot for extra storage.

Thoughts for now

It’s a pretty nice phone — I love using it, and I love that it’s red. I’m really liking the interface and the ease of use. Two days of usage isn’t really enough time for me to completely test it, but so far, I enjoy using it. The size takes some adjusting, especially if you’re coming from a smaller phone. I do love the bigger screen though, which lets me put more shortcuts in the home screen and have bigger widgets.

Setting up my Google Drive on the Asus Zenfone also gave me 100GB of free space for 2 years! After seeing 80% full on my Gmail inbox for the better part of 3 years, this was a relief! Of course, two years is just enough time to get you addicted to all that space, and would probably encourage you to pay Google to pay for extra storage. Still, not a bad deal.

For the price this phone is going for, it’s a pretty good buy, and I would have considered it for my next phone purchase (nothing over Php 20,000 for me…I can buy a plane ticket that can take me far far away from here for that price).

Thank you so much for Asus and Stratworks for this opportunity!

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

That’s why when I got the invite from Cebu Pacific to visit Hanoi, I jumped on the chance to really see what Hanoi has to offer.

Cebu Pacific flies to Hanoi three times a week from Manila. The flight arrives in Hanoi just past midnight, and flies back at 1 am, giving tourists an entire day to explore the city after and before their flight. Perfect for a weekend getaway.

Though the trip was just a tad longer than my previous trip to Hanoi, I was able to see and do a lot more. Here are the things I loved about this city:

Four seasons

It’s rather gray in November, but it’s a bit nippy and I love that.

Located in the northern regions of Vietnam, Hanoi has four seasons in a year, unlike in Ho Chi Minh. It was June when I first went to Vietnam, and the weather was hot and humid, not the perfect combination when traveling (for me, anyway). So when we went there last November, I was ecstatic, because it meant Autumn weather! It was in the low 20°C during the day, and dips down to around 15-18°C in the evening. That is bliss.

Cyclo Tour

That’s Hanoi traffic for you.

When I travel, I like walking around to get to know a city. I remember my frustration in 2010, when walking in Hanoi’s Old Quarter meant dodging motorbikes and squeezing through narrow sidewalks.

But at least you get to see this

I found out that the best way to get an overview of the city and and have a literal front row seat to the crazy Vietnamese traffic is to ride the cyclo. These are one-person rickshaws where the drivers are seated right behind you, and you have a wide view of oncoming traffic. It’s scary at times, but it really is a fun way to familiarize yourself with the Old Quarter.

Temple of Literature

The inner couryard

We went around the usual attractions of Hanoi — Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Water Puppet Show — but the one place that really stood out to me is the Temple of Literature. Built in 1070 as a temple of Confucius, and played host to the first national university in the country.

It’s a good place to people watch in November

In November, it’s where graduating students flock in their finest ao dai and suits, and have their graduation photos taken. Though I’m not fond of crowds, seeing and feeling the excitement of the students was enough to propel me to join the crowds heading into the inner courtyards. Also, the place is big enough that there are pockets of empty space if you want to take breather and people watch like a creeper.

Hoan Kiem Lake

I’d love to live close to such a beautiful lake

In the Old Quarter lies the Hoan Kiem Lake, which has the Turtle Tower in a small island, and the red Huc Bridge that connects Jade Island where the Temple of the Jade Mountain is. It’s a popular place for the locals to hang out in, and a very lovely place to take photos, or just to relax if the chaos is starting to get to you.

Hidden cafes

Egg coffee and chocolate

Vietnam has some pretty great coffee places, but if you’re looking for something different, try the egg coffee at Cafe Pho Co on Hang Gai street in the Old Quarter. It’s a very creamy and foamy drink, which pairs well with the strong espresso it’s served with. For non-coffee drinkers, there’s also a hot (or cold) chocolate version, and fresh fruit shakes.

IGNORING YOU

Apart from the coffee, part of the appeal, I think, of Cafe Pho Co is its location and premises. It’s tucked inside a building, so you’ll have to enter through a very narrow and a bit dark lane to enter. You’ll come into a small courtyard where you’ll have to give and pay for your order. Afterwards, you’ll make your way up to their three dining areas. The most popular is the one at the very top, where you have a very nice view of the lake. Also, if you’re lucky, the family cat will be there (though he’ll probably ignore all your attempts at friendship).

Vietnamese food

Streetside eats

A trip to Vietnam, of course, meant eating lots of their delicious cuisine. There are ladies walking around peddling snacks, or you can grab a quick bite from the many street-side stalls.

Always pho bo

My favorites for this trip though, was the custom pho station at the Crown Plaza West Hanoi Hotel, where you get to pick what goes into your bowl. Their breakfast buffet spread is pretty extensive, so you can probably assemble your own banh mi as well.

Don’t look at them as vegetables — they’re yummy herbs that will give your tongue the best flavor explosion.

If you’re ready to venture beyond pho and banh mi, go for bun cha. This is a noodle dish served with grilled pork, spring rolls, pickled vegetables and mounds of herbs. It’s glorious. The one we went to was Nha Hang Dac Kim Bun Cha in Hang Manh road.

Halong Bay sans the crowd

Junks lined up at Halong Bay

When I took the day trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi in 2010, the tour bus picked me up from my guesthouse in the Old Quarter at around 8 in the morning, and had me back in the city by 6pm. A lot of tourists do this same tour, so expect Halong to be crowded when you get there.

Hanoi Red Tours, our tour operator during our visit, had us driving to Ha Long in the afternoon. It’s a 3-hour bus ride, and we arrived just in time for dinner. We stayed in a hotel with a view of the bridge, and set off early for Halong Bay.

Selling fruits in the middle of the bay

The great thing about this, is that even if there are other tours doing the same thing, it’s still not as crowded than if you arrive later. By the time you dock back in the port, the groups from Hanoi are just arriving.

Entering the lagoon

This trip is similar to the one I took back in 2010, but with one big difference: we boarded a smaller paddle boat that took us to see the lagoons hidden in the karst formations. It’s really nice and relaxing. Other tours offer kayaking trips, but I like this one better since there’s somebody else doing the paddling.

Flamingo Dai Lai Resort

Our cabin for a couple of hours

Right before we left, we dropped by the Flamingo Dai Lai Resort. It’s about an hour from Hanoi and about 30 minutes from the airport. It’s a sprawling estate in the Vinh Phuc province and offers serenity in nature and luxurious accommodations.

Beautiful room

The cabins come with their own private dipping pool, and a humongous tub carved out of stone. It was too cold for a dip in the pool, but a hot soak in the tub is just perfect. There was even a cabin with the tub outside, so you can just image how fantastic that’d be in the colder months. There’s also a couple of bikes in the cabin, should you wish to explore the resort (or even to just go to the restaurant). If you can’t ride a bike, you’d need to call the front desk to request for a shuttle to take you around.

Imagine it’s winter, and you’re soaking in hot water in this tub. Hmmmmmmmm.

This is the kind of place that once you enter, you don’t want to go out anymore. There are outdoor activities available, and a spa for those who just want to take it slow. It’s certainly a beautiful end to our trip to Hanoi.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to fully appreciate Hanoi, Cebu Pacific!

I found out about Harolds Hotel when Agoda arranged for me and my friend to stay there before we leave Cebu. Our flight was fairly early, and we felt much comfortable staying overnight in the city, instead of traveling all the way from Badian.

The lobby

The hotel is located on Gorordo Avenue. It’s close to the I.T. Park, Ayala Center is nearby, homegrown cafes and restaurants are within walking distance, and the Capitol Building is a short jeepney ride away. The Mactan airport is about 40 minutes away on light to moderate traffic.

Welcome chocolates!

Though there’s only two of us staying in the room, the maximum capacity for each room is four guests. Though it’s not the biggest hotel room, it is spacious enough that you are not bumping into each other. The room has the standard amenities: wide desk, cable TV, wireless and wired Internet connection, personal in-room safe, iron and ironing board, wooden hangers, coffee making things. They also provide hotel slippers, as well as flip-flops, which you can purchase from them for only Php 50.

Long desk to put all your clutter

The toilet was clean (and smells clean!), and comfortably sized. The shower is in the tub in our Deluxe room, though separate shower stalls are available in their Executive suites.

The best thing about our room though are the beds. The mattress was comfortably firm, the pillows were plush, and the linens and duvet have a high thread count, which makes you just want to stay cocooned inside.

Super comfy beds!

Harolds Hotel has two restaurants: the Highlights Lounge and the H Cafe. The H Cafe offers all day dining, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets. They offer a nice selection of local and international cuisine, and also have themed lunches or dinners. When we arrive there, they were offering barbeque at the lunch buffet. This is great if you want to have the Larsian experience, but don’t have the time to go there (or cannot stand the thick smoke inside). You can choose different types of meat, which includes the Cebuano chorizo, and they will deliver it to your table once cooked. For the complete experience, there’s even puso! The buffet rates start at Php 388 per person. Not bad, eh? They also have Coffee and Cakes in the afternoon, where you can get one slice of cake and unlimited brewed coffee for only Php 88.

Sugba!

Here’s a little tip when you have breakfast at H Cafe: ask for danggit or bacon. They are not served in the buffet, but they’re available upon request. This ensures that they are freshly cooked and perfectly crispy when served (with pinakurat on the side, even!). They also have native tsokolate, and it’s GOOD!

So yummy and crispy!

It’s a pity that we only stayed for such a short time at Harolds. Though it’s a bit far from most of the tourist attractions, the Ayala PUV terminal is nearby, and there are plenty of public transport that pass in front of the hotel. It’s very comfortable, and considering the price, it’s a good value accommodation option in Cebu. Also, there were chocolate pralines waiting for us in our room when we arrived. Best welcome ever.

More photos of Harolds Hotel available at the Just Wandering Facebook Page.

Thank you once again to Agoda.com for this opportunity, and to Harolds Hotel for the wonderful stay!

Harolds Hotel
Gorordo Avenue corner Rosal St., Lahug
Cebu City, Philippines 6000
Phone: +6332 505-7777
Website: haroldshotel.com.ph
Book now or see rates

Edsa Shangri-La all decked out for Christmas

Checking in

Check-in, was a breeze, as it always has been. It’s really nice to see the tablets on the counter, instead of having to fill out a paper form. Since the booking was done electronically, all my information was already in the form, and all I needed to do was to present my valid ID. I was headed up to the 9th floor in no time.

My Deluxe room at the Tower Wing

The room assigned to me in this stay was a Deluxe Room in the newly renovated Tower Wing. The new decor is bright, with cool accents that help you get right into relaxation mode.

The divan and the desk

My room was right at the end of the hall, which is markedly different from the usual hotel room layout: it’s a U-shape. Instead of having the closet and the bathroom adjacent to each other in the entryway, there is just a full length mirror and an alcove with a small counter space, right beside the light switch, the key slot, and the air conditioning controls. The immediate view is of the desk, the side of the TV, and the sideboard right below, which houses the minibar. There is also a partial view of the divan and the center table with a bowl of fresh fruits.

Once you get past the left wall, you see the bed, and you’ll have to make a U-turn to get to the closet and the bathroom. It’s actually quite nice to have this floor plan, as it give you the feeling that you have clearly separate areas for work, for rest, for primping, and for doing your private business.

Love the new colors!

Similar to other Shangri-La hotels, there is a separate shower stall, which I absolutely love. There’s also an added extra: a shower bench, which will delight those who have problems standing up after a certain period of time, or even those who want to really clean between their toes.

The toilet is fitted with a bidet, which while not as fancy or complicated as the Japanese toilet, is enough to get the job done. The hairdryer is also affixed to one of the drawers in the bathroom vanity, which spares you the search for a power outlet and a suitable place to dry your hair.

Geeky priorities

Wi-fi signal is strong throughout the whole hotel, and Internet speed is very impressive indeed. Aside from the wi-fi, another thing that I really loved about the room are the power sockets. All of them are universal sockets, and there’s even two USB sockets, which is perfect for those who just cannot leave all the gadgets at home.

The stress melts away at the Chi spa

Before I can fully appreciate the fast Internet, I had to head down for my spa appointment at Chi. The spa is located at the Garden Wing, and the reception is temporarily at the 4th floor, and not in the hut near the swimming pool, which is where the gym currently is.

The waiting area at Chi, The Spa

The Chi spa offers different kinds of treatment, and vary slightly per country. At Shangri-La Guangzhou, the massage I got there included some Wushu-style stretching. At Edsa Shangri-La, natural products have been incorporated into the treatments, like finely ground South Sea pearls in the body scrub and virgin coconut oil used for the hilot massage, which all contribute in giving the sense of place.

The couple therapy suite

A spa treatment at Chi is the ultimate indulgence. It’s very serene, and maybe because it’s a Monday, not at all crowded. You can book a private treatment room and get a huge room with its own dressing room, locker, toilet, and steam shower.

Cocktails at the Horizon Club Lounge

From Chi, it’s just one elevator ride up to the Horizon Club Lounge, which is at the 14th floor of the Garden Wing. The Lounge is exclusive for guests staying in the Horizon Club rooms.

Creamy mushroom soup and crunchy bread sticks

Drinks are available all day, and guests can use the lounge’s meeting facilities. There’s a good selection of alcoholic drinks, and you can make your own cocktail. If you’ve no confidence in your mixing skills, you can have it neat on a tumbler, or if you’re me, pour a white wine on a glass meant for red wine.

I can’t remember what they’re called, but they’re all good.

If you’re not up for getting delightfully tipsy (or horribly sloshed), there’s a mini-fridge full of non-alcoholic drinks, a coffee maker, and a dizzying array of tea leaves.

Hors d’oeuvres are served between 5 to 7 in the evening, and while it’s not a full blown buffet, there’s a good enough selection of nibbles to tide you over before dinner.

An intimate dinner at Paparazzi

After attempting to do some work in my room (fast Internet is both a boon and a huge distraction), I headed down to Paparazzi, the hotel’s Italian restaurant.

Wine selection at Paparazzi

It’s the kind of place you take someone special, or someone you really want to impress. This is also the place to take someone who like wine. They have a good selection of wines from around the world, which would pair well with their creations.

Lamb cutlets cooked to perfection

While the minestrone, pumpkin tortelli, and the lamb cutlets were very good, it was the tiramisu that stole the show. It’s so light and fluffy, yet full flavored. Your visit to Paparazzi is not complete if you do not try their tiramisu.

A diverse breakfast at HEAT

I had two options for breakfast: back at the Horizon Club Lounge for relative quiet and peace, or down at HEAT, where all the other guests are.

A very small portion of HEAT

Having never gone to Heat, I opted to have my breakfast there, just so I can see what’s on offer. Since there is more space for the buffet here, I know that there will be offerings not available at the Horizon Club.

It’s an almost dizzying array of food, and as with buffets of this size, it’s hard to choose where to start. I walk around, checking out each dish on offer, until something I’ve been craving for caught my eye: roti canai. There wasn’t any curry, but there was a vegetarian masala right beside it, and I was happy.

Roti canai!

Despite the presence of two platters of bacon (labeled Bacon and Crispy Bacon), I gravitate towards the cold cuts with the pastrami, hams, and slivers of smoked salmon. With a dollop of mustard on the side, I tuck in, deluding myself that I am eating healthier. Well, I was, up until that point, anyway.

I spied some Chinese dim sum on my first pass around the buffet, and I went back to sample some (they were all good), and on the way back to my table, I spied some native kakanin. A long standing craving for palitaw was fulfilled that morning, and in Shangri-La, of all places.

This is just too awesome to have in a buffet!

My breakfast at HEAT was capped with a bowl of taho, which I happily assembled to my preference — silken tofu in big chunks, plenty of sago, and just the right amount of arnibal.

Sumptuous lunch at Summer Palace

Lunch was at the Summer Palace, where I met Patrick Schaub, Edsa Shangri-La Hotel’s General Manager, Cristina del Carmen, Director of Communications, and Annie Gatchalian, Restaurant Marketing Manager.

Lobster roll, scallop dumpling, shrimp and pork siu mai, and roast duck.

We were treated to a sampling of the restaurant’s best sellers. There was the dim sum sampler, which was an excellent introduction to the delights that come out of their kitchen. They are huge, varies in flavor and texture, and already tasted perfect eaten as is.

It was followed with a huge bowl of their Four Treasures Soup, which, for some inexplicable reason, I can only describe as both light and full-bodied a the same time. The rice course came after, with deep fried battered fish with cheese, paired with yang chow fried rice.

Shanghai pancake ala mode

For dessert, we had their signature black sesame ice cream served on a Shanghai pancake. The pancake is actually a flat pastry with red bean paste. I’m not the biggest fan of red bean, but this agreed with my palate.

Relaxing by the swimming pool

I eschewed all plans to huddle over my laptop the whole afternoon, and opted to head down to the pool instead. It was a nice and sunny day, the kind not meant to be wasted indoors.

The pool calls

The pool is mostly 1.15 meters deep, except for a cordoned off portion where it dips more than 2 meters. Similar to the pool at Rasa Sentosa Resort in Singapore, there’s a ledge that line portions of the pool, which is perfect if you’re just wanting to cool down on a hot day.

The pool is open until 10 pm, but during the colder months, the water might be a bit chilly for some guests. Since the hotel is in the Ortigas CBD, the surrounding skyscrapers block the sun from the pool area. If you’re wanting to get a tan, the best place to have the sunbed is near the kid’s water playground, or near the lavatories.

Festive afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge

Right before I checked out, I had one last food tasting in my itinerary.

So elaborate!

The Lobby Lounge of the Edsa Shangri-La is a great place to escape the crowds inside the popular cafes. All the seats are comfortable, and the service is impeccable. Their afternoon tea is a wonderful treat, if you’re up for some indulgence.

A closer look at the savory plate

Tea here is the whole she-bang: fine china, a full pot of loose leaf tea, and even sugar cubes. The little cakes and pastries are served on a modified bird cage, which is really just too cute. While the pastries are small, they can be quite filling, especially if you’ve already spent the entire day eating.

I’ve never really seen the appeal of a hotel stay in the same city as your house, but I am seeing it now. Once passed through the entrance to Edsa Shangri-La, it seemed as if the world outside ceased to exist. It’s an oasis in the middle of the city, where you can recharge before plunging back into the madness of real life.

More photos from my stay at Edsa Shangri-La on the Just Wandering Facebook Page.

Edsa Shangri-La Hotel
1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Phone: +632 633-8888
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edsashangrila
Instagram: http://instagram.com/EdsaShangriLa
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdsaShangriLa

Much love and gratitude goes out to Bonnie, Cristina, Kristine, Annie, Noli, Shiela, and of course, Mr. Patrick Schaub of Shangri-La for this wonderful birthday gift.

Take me back to Badian

A couple of months after that conversation, Charisse got back to me with another question: would I like to stay at Badian Island Resort and Spa? A quick read about the property resulted in an even quicker (and overly excited) yes.

Despite its name, the resort is actually located in Zaragoza Island, which is under the municipality of Badian, three hours from Cebu City. The main area of the resort occupies about 8 hectares, plus another 5 in the Coral Garden beach in the same island, 5 minutes away by speedboat.

Our Pool Villa as seen from outside

There’s a limited number of villas and suites in the whole property — maximum occupancy is just a little over 130 guests — so during the lean season, it is entirely possible that you will not run across any other guests in the property. It’s like having your own personal island.

As we marvelled upon the awesomeness that is our Pool Villa, my friend Cla and I had the same thought: it’s like the Pinoy version of Cintai Corito’s Garden. Where Cintai really brought Bali into their property, Badian Island Resort is very Filipino, which is fantastic. There was the judicious use of rattan, nipa, capiz, and sea shells, and though they look dated, it was just so Pinoy it’s amazing. And there were flowers everywhere in our villa. Literally.

Flowers with our welcome drinks

Flowers in the tub

Seriously, they’re everywhere.

The sleeping area. The toilet, bath, and vanity is right behind that big divider. I love the vaulted ceiling!

The Pool Villa is huge — almost 100 square meters big, and there more than enough room for us two. It had a twin bed, with individual lamps (with shades and bases that screams 80’s), a desk, a couch (which can be made into a bed), more than enough closet space, a dresser, and a minibar.

The toilet and the bathing area are separate, and even better, the shower is outside the bathtub, which is kind of a big deal for me. You’ll have to be really comfortable with the person you’ll be sharing this villa with though, because of the absence of doors. Well, the toilet has a door, except it’s sort of see through. Cla and I, oddly not stranger to this kind of thing, already have a system for such occasion: when one is in the loo or the shower, the other stays on the other side of the room, or outside.

Our patio and pool

Outside there are two loungers, a table, arm chair and a sofa, and of course, a small dipping pool filled with ionized sea water. Just in case you wanted the benefits of sea water without the sand and having to trek down to the shore.

The water temperature is perfect, especially on sunny days. The island is located right between the main island of Cebu and Negros, so the water around the island is quite calm. The pool villa faces the main town of Badian, so when you’re relaxing in the water, you get this stunning view of the towering Mantalungon mountain range, and the seemingly lake-like water between the islands.

At the massage villa

There are no televisions in all of the villas and suites, and that is by design. This is a place to enjoy the solitude and each other’s company. Wi-fi is available throughout the entire resort though, and 3G signal is present and strong, in case you can’t wait to share your #blessed afternoon.

Still, even without these, there are plenty of things to do around the resort. You can get a massage, do yoga or Zumba, paddle board, kayak, swim in the pool, and play billiards, foosball, or darts. Snorkelling and diving are the top draws, though. There is a gorgeous Coral Garden just 5 minutes away from the main resort, which you should never pass up on.

I feel like I’m not doing the Coral Garden justice. This is just a very small portion of what you can see there.

Being in Badian Island Resort can be likened to being in a bubble — you’re in your own little world, away from all the pollution and hassles of the city. Of course, this also meant that you’re at the mercy of their sole restaurant when it comes to food. Luckily, their chef know how to make really good food.

Their menu is a mix of Filipino and Western dishes, and with 30 years of cooking at Badian, she knows how to please their guest’s palate. The main restaurant, Panorama, sits near the swimming pool. To make each evening interesting, the venue varies every night — it can be at the beach one evening, and by the poolside the next night. What you should definitely try though, is their Organic Lunch menu.

Cold papaya soup. I do not like ripe papaya, but this is so good!

This is a tasting menu, featuring vegetables harvested right in the resort’s organic garden. It’s a delightful treat to your taste buds, and is also quite filling. It’s mainly vegetarian, even down to the drinks and dessert — Squash leche flan, which tasted absolutely delicious.

We stayed in Badian for three days and two nights — quite short by the standards of other guests who stay a minimum of 7 days and staying sometime for almost a month. As I float around in our private pool on our third day, I will the time to slow down, so I can have more time in the island.

Our welcoming committee

Suddenly, staying longer made sense. If you spent most of the year slaving away, and you only get a couple of week’s time for a break, why not go all out and spend your hard earned holiday relaxing by the beach, sipping cocktails out of a coconut? It’s not a bad way to live.

As the crew serenade us as we board the speed boat back to the mainland, I found myself smiling, and overjoyed — when I read about this practice of theirs, I thought it was kinda corny (and thought the same as we arrived), but after spending time at the resort, and being tended to by these wonderful people, I felt so thankful for their warm hospitality. It’s no wonder foreign and balikbayan visitors enjoy this place so much — it’s very Filipino.

More photos of the resort and the coral garden over at the Just Wandering Facebook Page.

Much love goes out to Renz and her lovely crew at the Badian Island Resort and Spa for the warm hospitality and letting us beg off from the early morning yoga and afternoon Zumba session. It would have seriously ruined the peace in paradise. Thanks also to Char of Agoda, who helped made this happen.

Badian Island Resort and Spa
Badian, Cebu, Philippines
Phone: +63 32 401 3303 to 05
Website: badianhotel.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BadianIslandResortAndSpaOfficial

For best rates, book via Agoda.com

Azalea Residences Baguio

The Azalea Residences Baguio is an all-suite property located just off Leonard Wood Road. The rooms have the usual hotel amenities, but with the addition of a working kitchen with actual stove and cookware. You’re probably thinking, “why cook when there are so many great restaurants in Baguio?” I agree with that, but after discovering the Hanger Market (where the locals buy fresh produce), and seeing the great variety (and price!) of vegetables available, I was sorely tempted to cook them IMMEDIATELY to get the optimum flavor out of them.

Single bed in the 2-bedroom suite

We stayed in a 2-bedroom suite, which can accommodate up to 6 adults. The masters bedroom has its own toilet and bath, the other room has a single bed, and the couch in the living room can is actually a pull out bed. There’s another toilet and bath in the common area of the suite. There’s no shortage of TV in our room either: there’s one in each room, including the living room.

Our suite only has an extended counter with bar stools for meals, but the 3-bedroom suite has both the extended counter and a separate dining table. Both have crockery, cutlery, coffee and tea making facilities, induction stove, refrigerator, microwave oven, kitchen sink, and ample pantry space for all your junk food. Cookware are available upon request.

Kitchen

We had our breakfast (and some lunch and dinner) at the Tradisyon Restaurant on the ground floor. There’s the ubiquitous buffet spread, but you can also order ala carte. They sometimes have themes to their buffet, like the Italian spread during our Saturday night dinner. If you’re feeling the chill, you can’t go wrong with their shabu shabu or hotpot.

To help you warm up even further, you can have drinks at 8 Degrees, which serves both coffee and alcoholic beverages.

Breakfast at Tradisyon Restaurant

The staff were all warm and friendly, even when we checked in past 4 am, and were still smiling when we stumbled into the hotel after a night out in town at 2 am.

Would I stay at Azalea if it’s for a personal trip? I think I will. I liked the rooms (I’m aiming for a room with a balcony next time), the fact that there were two bathrooms in our room (though I’m iffy about the tiles, but it’s a personal quirk — the bathrooms were clean), and to be honest, that glorious fruit basket that welcomed us when we arrived won me over.

Another thing that delighted me about Azalea was their toiletry kits. The packaging was just beautiful, it was eco-friendly (or so it says in the label), and personalized — the body lotion is made for dry and cold weather. There’s also a grooming kit (razor, comb, etc.), and it may seem like a small thing, but the toothbrush came with a COVER. A small gesture, but it meant a lot (to me anyway). In the closet, there were also sewing kits, and a shoe mitt. It’s the first time I’ve encountered a shoe mitt. I make weird attachments to the most absurd things, I know.

Coffee, cookies, and chocolate-dipped strawberries at 8 Degrees

Azalea Residences offer great packages that aims to give you the ultimate weekend getaway in Baguio. The 3-day, 2-night package includes the accommodation, daily buffet breakfast, lunch or dinner at Tradisyon Restaurant, half-day Baguio countryside tour, Treetop Adventure (go for the Superman!), and the clincher (for me anyway): 3-hour use of their chauffeured air-conditioned van around Baguio city.

View more photos of Azalea Residences at the Just Wandering Facebook Page.

Azalea Residences Baguio
Leonard Wood Loop, Bgy. M Roxas, Baguio City 2600
Reservation number: +632-579-4890 (Manila), +6374-4248716 (Baguio)
Website: www.azalea.com.ph