Wandergirl Speaks

Archive for the ‘Travel & Nightlife’ Category

On April 22, Isha turned one and spent the day with my in-laws feasting on spaghetti, buko-pandan salad, and cake. I mentioned on a previous entry that we wanted to stay away from the usual Jollibee or Mcdo party and was hoping to get an accommodation at Amana Waterpark in Bulacan, but failed to do so because rooms were already taken even on a Friday that week.

And that explains how we ended up with Bosay Resort in Antipolo for her post-birthday celebration. It was initially suggested to me by my sister, but I did not check on it until only three days before the 24th.

Hopeless with no choice, I decided to check about Bosay Resort online and found their official website. I checked on the cottages and pools and thought they are quite nice and the kids would love it.

Bosay Resort boasts with several pools such as the Kiddie pool with slide, Turtle pool (also for kids), pool with therapy shower, Disco pool, and our favorite, the Olympic pool. They also have some private pools with Jacuzzi for those who’d want more space for themselves.

Of all the pools, we spent most of our time in their Olympic pool which I think is their biggest, by the way. And because they require guests to only wear trunks (for men) and 1-piece or 2-piece swimsuit (ladies)  in this pool, it was not as jampacked as with the rest and so we had a lot of spaces for ourselves, too.

I guess at this point where they are beginning to attract more and more people, they should start accepting reservations via phone and require initial payment thru bank to somehow extend a little convenience to their guests. Right, it’s a first-come-first-served basis thing, so you really have to be there early especially if you are considering a weekend summer getaway. Entrance fee is P150 for adults and P110 for kids (4 ft. and below). In our case though, we have 4 kids in tow and we were expecting to pay for P110, but luckily allowed to go in free. Sweeeeeeeeet.

Another great thing about Bosay is that you can bring in food and even cook there. Every cottage has a grilling station, so you can have your ihaw-ihaw to complete the summer salvo. And speaking of cottages, we availed this Executive room good for a maximum of 15 pax for only P3,500. I think the rates are still quite reasonable at this point as they continue to build their identity to people.

Here are some pix taken inside the resort. Enjoy!

Executive cottage

our 1-bedroom Executive cottage

the humongous Olympic pool

the Disco pool entrance

cool kiddie backdrop

one of Bosay's kiddie pools

Bosay's landscaped garden

When our QA, Florence, came back from his trip to Bohol, he generously gave some of us several packs of Peanut Kisses as pasalubong. I was really curious about it that as soon as I got home I opened one of them and popped them one by one. And it tasted good, really.

I just found out it’s one of Bohol’s famous delicacies and is slowly finding its way to hundreds of tourists’ pasalubong bags. I guess when it’s my turn to visit Bohol, this one’s going to be a MUST-have for me, too!

Thanks Florence

Early this morning while preparing for work I took a glimpse of Tom Cruise’s War of the Worlds in HBO. And seeing the plane crash scene I couldn’t help but look back at the time when we had a tour at the same set in Universal Studios a year ago.

It was my first time in the US and I was glad when a friend of my husband toured us at the Universal Studios during the weekend of our business trip in California. Sure, I have been hearing about it for a long time. After all, it has produced so many movie blockbusters even before I was born.

To be honest, the experience was just so amazing. It’s filled with so much fun and excitement when we got there on a Saturday and paid for an Annual Pass. Whoever says that parks and rides are just for kids must be seriously kidding! I so much enjoyed the Revenge of the Mummy and the Jurassic Park rides — an 84 ft. plunge that will really crunch your stomach. Both of these rides I tried twice and still had the same feeling, scared and excited!

The Studio Tour was another favorite of mine. I got to see the set used in Jaws movies, the set of Desperate Housewives, the flying and cool cars of The Fast and The Furious, and so much more.

We also got to experience Water World, which is one of the favorites of so many kids and adults because of its amazing tidal wave and loads of action and funny scenes.

I’m think it’s never complete to tour California without visiting Universal Studios. It’s spectacular and educational at the same time. I am just so glad to have this wonderful tour experience. Day tour passes may be a little pricey — ranging between $67 and $219 (for Multi-Park Ticket) — but it’s still worth the experience!

Ok I’m guilty of one thing: I wasn’t able to spend as much time with my cousins when they were here for only two weeks.

They traveled approximately 22 hours (Philadelphia-New York-Manila) to attend our lolo’s cremation on July 22 and after which they stayed at our home. And since I live in Makati during weekdays, my sisters and other cousins were lucky enough to have bonded with them more.

But it’s okay, atleast I still got to spend some little time with them during my rest days at work. And one of those few best times we had was our karaoke night at Music Match.

happy bunch of cousins

Original plan was Music 21. Unfortunately, we were on the 8th spot on their waiting list when we arrived past 10 PM, so we decided to go to Ratskys along Tomas Morato instead. But as if some bad luck is on our side that evening, Ratskys greeted us with its CLOSED signboard and its neighboring bars are not at all interesting.

As we walked along Tomas Morato my sister spotted Music Match and we all hurried to check if we can get accommodated. Finally. Though we had to wait a couple more minutes, it was ok. We were able to choose a reasonable package which consists of a 3-hour stay with some pika-pika and drinks.

food...food...

and more food...

the absolute drink...

The vodka is really strong. So strong that it ripped me off any shame which in effect made me belt an Aegis song (think Basang-Basa sa Ulan) and Freestyle Jinky Vidal’s version of One Hello…lolz.

Perhaps, it will take another 5 or 10 years before my cousins would be back here, but at least we have some memories to smile at every once in a while. Miss you guys!

When I was told by my supervisor that I’d be sent to the US for a 2-week training for a new outsource program of the company I am working for, I literally wanted to faint and thought I was just probably having a bad dream.

Armed with a medium-sized suitcase, a small carry-on, and an overflowing reluctance I set foot in the US of A at a not-so-young age of 27. And the only consolation I had was having a co-worker with me thru the entire trip.

Looking back though, I realized it was such a fresh experience for both of us. The kind that will give me smiles forever. Below are just some of the good memories taken from the trip:

Taking pictures while waiting for our departure flight at NAIA

First day at work in Aliso, Viejo CA

along (the uber expensive) Rodeo Dr.

Lunch at Ruby's Diner at Mission Viejo's The Shops

Food trip galore ala American size meal

In front of Mickey's castle at Disneyland

With Halle Berry at the Walk of Fame

along Mission Viejo highway