Taiwan: My epic birthday

Since 2011, I have vowed to just always go somewhere for my birthday.   2011 i was in Hongkong, 2012, i was in Kota Kinabalu; 2013, i was home in Pili; 2014, i was in Kuala Lumpur, and this year, I was in a country I have never been to yet, Taiwan.

Taiwan is probably just like any other chinese country I have been to but it has a distinctive charm. Perhaps it's even underrated compared to other chinese cities.  Unlike HK where people are rude and snobbish, Taiwanese are extremely helpful, polite and friendly.  In HK, where they just bump you if you're standing on the wrong side of the escalator, the taiwanese will just stand behind your back and wait for you to move.  If in macau you ask the bus driver how much is the fare, they will yell back at you, and the taiwanese will politely answer and wish you a nice day.





On my flight back home, I was seated beside an elderly taiwanese guy.  i offered him a mint but he politely declined. He asked me if i am flying back home for a vacation.  I misunderstood him and said, yes for few days.  Later we both got confused and corrected myself that i was on holiday in taiwan for a few days.  He asked me where i went and how do i find his country.  I said I went to Taipei, Wulai, Hualien, and Beitou.  He said he was from the latter, and even invited me to visit him and his Filipina wife if ever I find myself back.  I told him his country is very beautiful.  He said Philippines and Taiwan are both beautiful, but one thing he said saddened me, "we just know how to keep our country clean".

Japan: Tokyo DisneySea

i guess everyone is familiar with Disneyland, but not with DisneySea. i myself have to google it first before i decided to include it in the Tokyo itinerary.  having been to HK disneyland already twice, and thinking that most likely the tokyo one will just be similar, hence the decision to give it a go.

DisneySea is located in Urayasu, Chiba just a little less than an hour bus ride from Shinjuku district in Tokyo.  Upon entering the park, you will be greeted by this gigantic Aquasphere.

throngs of tourists enter the park as early as 8 am.

Elysia Beach Resort in Donsol, Sorsogon

Last may 17-18, the whole family traveled to Donsol, Sorsogon for a family outing courtesy of my sister who was celebrating her birthday.  Donsol is famous for the butandings (giant whalesharks).  We left home at about 11 am and reached the resort at past 3 in the afternoon.  we had stopover in Daraga for an hour for lunch, so more or less, it was a 3 hour drive from Pili to Donsol.  My folks not being used to long drive were already so exhausted. When we arrived, warmly we were greeted not by the staff in the resort.  My sister went to the information first for check in and her face was already red from anger while talking to the 2 staff.  She booked three super de luxe, (3 adults plus 1 child), and one de luxe bedrooms (2 adults). Since we were 12 adults and 2 kids, she was asking the manager and supervisor if they could accommodate another one in the de luxe bedroom for additional fee.  The manager and supervisor insisted that it is their policy that de luxe bedrooms can only accommodate 2 persons.  It was impractical to book for another room since their rates is also quite pricey.  (room rates ranges from 3,100 - 3,500 php, without breakfast).

My brother in law asked them if it's possible to sleep in the car instead, but they said sleeping in the car is not allowed.  They even suggested that we just book the extra person for an overnight stay in the neighbor resort as backpacker for only P500.  Hmm, is this how you should treat your guests, drive them away and suggest to book instead to a competitor?

So we tried to ask again, but they were firm about their so-called company policy.  The manager (who doesn't look like and act like a manager) can't even decide on her own, and said we ask the owner instead.  So to make the story short, my bro-in-law, talked to the Korean owner, and she allowed the extra person to stay in the room.

Sigh.  Should the manager allowed us earlier, it could have been so much easier, and we all would be happier.

We proceeded to check our rooms.  Inside is a very basic yet a clean one.  It's quite small for 3-4 people, but since we will just be staying for the night, it was no problem.  Noted that not even one bottle of water was provided. Good thing we brought our own.

There was very little water coming out from the shower.

The bathroom was as basic as well.  There was a small pack of safeguard soap provided.

I was quite disappointed to have find that the beach's sands were black.  But i quickly reminded myself that this is not what they were known for, so i shrugged it off.  The beach front had hammocks, day beds and kubos where you could relax.  The calm sea was at least relaxing.  

We were not able to swim by the sea in the afternoon since it was lowtide already.  Elysia's beach is a bit rocky so you need to walk further to be able to swim.  Also, we were warned that there were salabays (jellyfish), so we have to be careful.

not a very attractive sight

Sunset was at least beautiful.

We spent most of the time by the lone pool which was just in front of our cabins.

The pool is small, and water too warm.  Clean or not, I'm not too sure as they're not strict with swimming attire.  :P

Before the trip, my sister asked the resort if we could bring our own food.  They said no since they had a restaurant.  But we saw a family eating Jollibee meal in the restaurant.  Luckily, my elder sister brought bottles of beer and we drink it by the pool side and the guard didn't mind. The information said it was not allowed to sleep outside, but our companion fell asleep on the day-bed by the pool side and the guard didn't wake him as well.  I guess the management has to be consistent with their policies, if it's indeed existent.

Restaurant

To be fair, I think the place was lovely.  Not too grand, but relaxing.  The place is very quiet especially in the evening.  It's perfect for couples wanting to have some quiet time.   I would not recommend it though for big groups or families who have small kids.

Sadly, we didn't go whaleshark-watching.  Everyone was not too keen on it (killjoys, grrrrr), and not to mention, expensive.

Maybe next time.  

But I will stay in another resort.   (sorry, having incompetent staff can be such a turnoff).

Elysia Beach Resort

Pangpang, Donsol, Sorsogon, PHILIPPINES.

Phone Number: +63-917-547-4466
Email: elysia@live.co.kr

Malaysia: Legoland

i seldom post photos on my facebook account nowadays.  there's this awkward feeling of wanting other people to know where you've been, brag perhaps that you've been here, done that, et al, yet not also wanting to make them feel envious or what. 

i remember a friend telling me that facebook is so good in making people feel miserable.  people only post happy or happy-looking photos.  consequently, it feeds and inspires envy.

i feel this is true because i still feel envious of friends who could travel to places where my finances limits me.  how i wish i earn big bucks so i can book a ticket to anywhere i fancy.  however i still find myself lucky because i get to visit and see foreign cities every year.  having grown up in the province only seeing old buildings, animals and farmlands everyday, i never expected i would go anywhere beyond manila. haha. but times are changing.  now i already have been to at least 10 asian cities, who knows in 5-10 years time maybe, i'm roaming the streets of paris and santorini as well. hihi


i've been to kuala lumpur a couple of times already.  but legoland is 4 hours drive from the capital city.  I'm also not sure if i am a fan of theme parks, because i am ever so scared to try out extreme rides.  I hate that millisecond instance when you feel like you're almost dying, but i have to admit, it's really funny and fulfilling when you realize it's over and you made it alive. lol

so to celebrate my birthday and can no longer think of a place to go, legoland was the only option.  this theme park is situated in Johor, south of Peninsular Malaysia which is just probably less than an hour drive to Singapore.

Legoland Hotel

Well,lego is really all over the place. Lol.

cute Maybank mascot (Maybank is a Malaysian bank!)

it was 2 in the afternoon and it was extremely sunny.  i wouldn't have survived if there was no umbrella on hand.  the place is like a desert with lego structures all over.  there were very few if  no trees, so walking around the area in a terribly hot afternoon is a torture.

Legoland has 8 divisions (based on their website).  again, because of the blazing heat, it doesn't feel exciting to explore.  well, the 'Imagination', at least, is an airconditioned room where you can build structures from lego bricks, make lego cars and race  with friends.  and since i never played with lego before, yes, i never! i had no idea what to do.  it felt fun to build a lego car but well, mine car has no proper balance and it never reached the finish line. :(

tried at least three rides in the 'Lego Kingdoms' and 'Land of Adventure'.  i'm not a fan of rides but the scorching heat added to the injury.  The rides in honesty were  not so extreme compared to what I tried in Disneyland, but I was so dizzy after. My blood pressure probably went up to 170/110.  Really not cool.

the Miniland was really a fun sight to see.  how they build those structures from lego is really impressive.  there was also a view from the Philippines!  I'm not just sure why they chose that certain place.  made me think that there is no famous landmark in Philippines, man-made that is?

Philippines: fishing town in Bolinao, Pangasinan

 

Myanmar: Kawawek Hall

Singapore

Cambodia: Angkor Wat

I want to visit the real one someday.

China: The Forbidden City and at the back, the Great Wall

Brunei: mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan

Indonesia: Bali

Thailand: Wat Arun in Bangkok

Malaysia: Putrajaya

that train was moving by the way.  so awesome. :)

Port of Tanjung Pelepas

KLIA

KLIA (Pray for MH370)

and my favorite coz it seems so real..

The Petronas Twin Towers

there were still a lot of famous landmarks that i failed to take photo of because i was just using my phone and battery was running low, and damn i missed the Taj Mahal. :(

kids and kids at heart will surely enjoy this theme park.  as for me, i would have enjoyed it more if the weather was a bit friendlier.  hehe

maybe i'll come back one day, stay in that lego hotel, and hit the water theme park as well.

Legoland Malaysia
7, Jalan Legoland, Bandar Medini,
Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia

open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (or 7 pm).  entrance fee is 120 rm for locals inclusive of a 10 rm food voucher, and 140 rm for foreigners (no food voucher), or a little less than 2,000 php.  so expensive! hehe.

i wonder why they close so early when at 8 pm, the city is still bright and sunny. :D

Philippines: summer na naman

Summer in the Philippines starts when most school year ends. Even with this climate change when December heat is at par with April and May temperatures, summer will always have to be March, April, and May months.

I always miss summer at home. Back when i was a kid, this meant endless playtime with my neighbor cousins, and occasional trip to the beach. It meant waking up late, and ice candies and halo-halo. It meant afternoon and late-night tvs. It meant drying palays (which i abhor). It meant pansit and sinapot for merienda. It meant daily cleaning inside and outside the house, washing dishes (which i hated as a kid). It was just a time to be with the whole family.

Seeing this network station ID makes me teary-eyed. Kindly excuse my sentimental side. I always think how awful this country is because of corruption and poverty. Or how i sometimes wish I was born and raised in another land.

This video makes me feel proud however. Our country is beautiful. And what's more beautiful is that we have this humor that some nationality thinks is corny and weird. We mourn for what is lost but we never fail to laugh and smile inspite of it all.

                         


Watch also:

ABS CBN Summer Sation ID 2014

Genji M: sushi and sashimi all you can

My friends and I are having this kind of addiction to Japanese food lately.  Trust me I never liked it before for the absurd reason that i can't make use of a pair of chopsticks properly.  I remember how embarrassed i was when my stock broker client treated me and my co-auditor to a Japanese restaurant and i have to pretend i am full and didn't like the food because i can't even bring that pair of sticks together.

Or when my sister asked me to join her for dinner at a shabu-shabu restaurant, and all i did was sip the soup, and  pretend again that i wasn't hungry.

I can ask for a spoon and fork i know, but i'm just stubborn (and shy) to do so. 

Five years later, i have gotten quite confident with the chopsticks.  So my fascination for asian (oh well limited to chinese and japanese) food began.

xxx

Last friday, we tried to have a taste of sushi at Genji M.  The regular price is 399 php for unlimited sushi and rolls, and 699 php for unli sashimi.  And since we were able to print a 250 php coupon (coupon here), it means we only have to pay 150 php per head for unli sushi. yayy!

There were four of us so we ordered the unlimited sushi and rolls.  We asked if one of us can order the unlimited sashimi, but they said it is not possible.  Makes sense anyways. :)

The place was full when we arrived so we had to wait.  Luckily we were 2nd on the waiting list because minutes after, more customers arrived until the line already reached the door.  Sensing that the customers will grow impatient, and to probably make up for the negative feedbacks online, the owner provided some free beers, then the people on the queue cheered!

Oh was i so happy when we were finally seated.  After a few minutes. we were served with this plate of goodness:

We finished it after 5 minutes, and we were provided with papers where we can check our orders.  I was not able to take much more photos because we were all happily trying to stuff our tummies with as many sushi and rolls as we can.  We stayed for two hours until closing time and had lost count on the number of sushis I have taken.

The salmon sashimi (right) by the way was just an add-on.  It was 300 php for 12 slices.

As for the food, it was okay, considering it's really cheap.  (I had a plate of 12 different sushi in kyoto for 2,000 + php).  The fish tastes fresh. Consume it fast once served. I particularly liked the pork (didn't take note how was it called) though.  Eat it while it's warm because it can get hard and gum-like when it's cold.

The fee also is inclusive of unlimited miso soup and a glass of iced tea.

The owner was so accommodating to us. And we had a good laugh because we were guessing all along if his name was Genji.  He was so funny and willingly posed a photo with us.

The staff were courteous but they keep on forgetting our orders.  It's quite understandable though because the place was really full and there are just a few of them.  It was a good thing we were just seated near the counter so we can call their attention anytime.  It would be nicer though if they wear a more decent uniform other than the short skirts (for girls) and t-shirts.

The place is not so modern yet not so traditional.  It's kinda old and grim, and the restroom, oh well, seems like a location for some horror-flicks. It's kinda scary so I hope the management would make some serious renovations in this particular area.  I also don't understand the purpose of the empty and (dirty) aquariums at the entrance.  Perhaps they should convert this to a waiting area?

Overall we were quite happy with the experience. Good food for a cheap price, plus a hearty laugh with friends?  Not bad for a Friday evening.

But we hope they will still improve over the next few months.

The 250 php discount coupon is valid until the end of May, so go get and print it!

Will we still come back sans the coupon? Maybe yes, maybe not. We'll see.





Genji M (Genji M Facebook)
Kalayaan Ave. cor Makati Ave., (former SamJung)- (just behind St. Gile's Hotel)
(02) 804 2883

Introduction

I am actually bored so I decided to create a new blog.  This time, reviews about places I’ve been and hotels stayed, and if by God’s grace enough inspiration hits me, food and restaurant encounters.

One of my friends said that i am so hard-to-please.  So i think i am extremely good in writing out negative comments.  However, once satisfied, well i am also very generous with compliments.

I’m not a know-it-all, nor will try to be formal, nor sound like a “blogger”.  If i get offensive, then it’s just my experience I am writing about.  If i get happy, then a happy tone will be heard in my post.

It’s just a piece of my mind that i am trying to share.

Welcome to my world.