Mar 31, 2012

3D2N CDO-Camiguin-Bukidnon Trip Series: Where to eat in Camiguin?

This is the first time that i ate in one restaurant for 3 consecutive meals. Camiguin has very few restaurants. I heard of Luna Ristorante before the trip and we saw it in Camiguin. It's 2 blocks away from the resort but we never had the chance to try it because we're scared to walk outside at night.

We didn't have a choice but to eat over and over again in Hibok-Hibok Restaurant of Paras Beach Resort. Some says that other tourists go inside the Paras Beach Resort just to eat.

 Hibok-Hibok Restaurant

Menu

All food can be shared by two to three people.


What can i say about the restaurant?

Food is great and affordable. Restaurant is an open-air set-up overlooking the sea.


From three consecutive meals, parang iisa ang naging pwesto namin.. hehe

 Lunch on our first day

 Dinner

Breakfast on second day.


Food that we can recommend from the restaurant:

 Tortang Talong

Grilled Liempo

 Sinigang na Baboy

Perfect for a tiring day


We have a complimentary breakfast from our package. You will be given choices like Continental, Asian, etc.. All of us ordered from the famous breakfast menu like Tapsilog, Tocilog. etc... it also comes with coffee, milo or juice.

 My LongSiLog (consists of fried rice, longganisa and 2 eggs)

 Free fruits too..


We never regret eating in Paras Beach Resort kasi sulit naman the food. Mas ok din sana kung nakatikim kami ng ibang food na specialty ng Camiguin. Oh well! maybe next time...



Mcdonalds Birthday Party Package Reservation

With tami's previous birthdays, we have had party in the house. The reason for it was she's too much young to enjoy a kiddie party. Celebrating in the house is so much fun because all of us enjoy the party BUT we still ended up spending a lot of money on food, party favors, cake, giveaways, liquors etc.

I thought this year was an exception, i never planned any party because we're saving for our house. One time, while i was surfing the net my daughter went to me and said, "Mama, i want to have a birthday party in Mcdo with my classmates".... BOOM! Sya na ang nagsabi na gusto na nya ng party. I wouldn't say no to my only kid because i know she will enjoy na this kind of party. Mas ma-aapreciate nya yung birthday nya ngayon.

Since im trying to be a frugal mother now, i decided to let someone host the party. None other than Mcdonalds. hehe. The tipid-mode way of having a birthday party :)

Earlier today, we went to Mcdonalds to pay the reservation fee. The date was reserved to us two weeks ago and only today that we were able to visit the food chain to get the invitations and at the same time talk with the marketing officer regarding the party.




My daughter and hubby

While they were eating their merienda, i was busy naman talking with the marketing officer. At first, my daughter wants a Hello Kitty theme party so i talked with the marketing if its possible to bring our own theme. They allowed us to do so but we still have to choose from their theme. Parang ang pangit naman kung dalawa dba? Buti na lang pumayag ang anak ko to have the Princess theme for her 6th birthday party.


Let me show you the package so you will have an idea of how much it will cost you incase you decided to throw a Mcdonalds party for your kid.


Step 1: Pick a theme P3,000

Mcdonalds offers the following theme: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Disney Princess, Ronald and the Gang and Toy Story Theme.

The party theme includes:
  • a gift for the celebrant
  • 30 invitation cards
  • 30 party name hats
  • 30 traymats
  • 30 balloons
  • 30 giveaways
  • game prizes
  • character appearance

Step 2:  Pick a Food Package (Minimum of 30 pax)

Party Package 1 (P138.00)
McSpaghetti Happy Meal (with toy), Regular Fries, Hot Fudge Sundae and Softdrinks

Party Package 2 (P153.00)
1pc Chicken McDo with rice Happy Meal (with toy), Regular Fries, Hot Fudge Sundae and Softdrinks

Party Package 3 (P163.00)
McSpaghetti Happy Meal (with toy), Burger McDo, Regular Fries, Hot Fudge Sundae and Softdrinks

Party Package 4 (P160.00)
1pc Chicken McDo with rice, McSpaghetti Value Meal, Regular Fries, Hot Fudge Sundae and Softdrinks


Step 3: Pick your party add-ons 

This is where the part where all your requests or party add-ons will be tackled.

So easy, right?



After talking with the marketing officer, we pay the P3,000 reservation fee for April 14, 2012 birthday party of my daughter. We estimated our guests to be 100pax so we made a 30kids and 70 adults reservation.

For you to have an idea of a Mcdonalds party costs, here's our package. This is computed with a 100 guests (30 kids and 70 adults).

Party package theme                                      P 3,000.00
Kids food (Package 1) P138.00 * 30pax       P 4,140.00
Adults food (Package 4) P160.00 * 70pax       P 11,200.00

                  Total Bill                                        P 18,340.00


Cake is not included in the Package. We were advised that we can bring our own cake so im thinking of having the Red Ribbon cake na lang. However, Mcdonalds will not serve the cake to the guests :(

With the souvenirs, im a bit dissapointed kasi Pencil Case lang daw ang give-aways so i thought of going to Divisoria to buy loots for the giveaways.

Hay, two weeks more. Sana matapos ko lahat to.

                 

Mar 30, 2012

Welcoming cousins from Japan and Dinner at Trinity Seaside Macapagal

Hubby's cousins from Japan came home for a 3 weeks vacation. They arrived yesterday morning and so busy meeting up with relatives and going to her new wife's side of the family. While in the office, hubby texted me that we will be having dinner at Dampa. I stayed in the office for a while then commute to Bluewave Macapagal to meet them.

Trinity Seafood Restaurant is my family's favorite whenever we eat in Dampa. When we got there, dun rin pala kami because the side of the family of Julius wife likes Trinity also. Lots of food were ordered by them, dumating kami na naka-ready na ang food. hehe. Sa gutom hindi narin nakapag-picture ng food.

Eto ang photo ng food. Hubby took this photo, pinapakita kung gano ko kalakas kumain! hehe. On my plate are crabs, buttered shrimp and tempura. First round palang kasi :)

 Syempre di ko pinalampas ang calamares at lapu-lapu. Instead of Baked tahong,we had Baked Oysters. We also had Sinigang sa Miso and Grilled Liempo. Super busog na naman. While i attacked the crabs, my daughter naman liked Tempura. Medyo napagod lang ako d2 kasi wala akong masyadong ginawa kundi ipagbalat ng hipon ang mag-ama ko :(

Photos at Dampa:

Getting ready to chow.

Hubby, my father-in-law and Julius

Julius and Hubby

Julius is hubby's closest first cousin in his side of the family kaya pinasama kami. His wife is also tami's ninang and our friend too during their college days.

 The couple

Couples

Anna and Julius are living in Japan and now expecting their first child. Congrats to both of you.

Tami with her cousin and Tta Jacky.


Hubby while listening to acoustic music.

2 important people in my life 

Dinner did not end yet because the boys had some beers.




Last picture before going home

Our stay in Trinity ended past 12am. I was so sleepy then,nakatulog na nga din si Tami. Sa sobrang puyat di na ko nakapasok. Hubby still go to office because of his dry-run training. Did you know that he's now a team lead - trainor? Yup! he's now a trainor and at the same time handling 2 teams. So proud of my man!

Before i end this post, we wanna thank Julius and Anna for the sumptuous dinner and their pasalubong to us :)


Tami's New Crocs Wedge - dami na daw kasing utang ni Ninang Anna.. hehe

Kitson watches - ang cute nito... parang gusto ko gamitin :)


 Adidas shoes for hubby

My requested Biore sunblock. At nawawala ang Shiseido makeup ko... huhu... Sino kaya ang tumira non? Before they came home, they already showed what they bought for us so i was expecting the Shiseido makeup... Sayang at nawala :(

Im still happy kasi may Biore naman and the Shiseido Lip Scrub. Tagal kong naghahanap nito dito sa Pinas pero wala. Sa Japan lang talaga may Biore.

And lastly, sweets :)


Again, Thanks Julz and Anna..


3D2N CDO-Camiguin-Bukidnon Trip Series: Camiguin Tour (Gui-ob Church, White Island, Walkway to Volcano, Sunken Cemetery and Ardent Hot Spring)

Since im in-charge with the trip, i talked with the receptionist in Paras Beach Resort regarding with our Camiguin Tour. With so many travels i've been to, getting a package with travel agencies consists of tour na hindi naman maganda, i mean its better to transfer to another place than stay to a boring and not so nice spot, for sure you know what i mean.

Our package consists of a whole day tour (maximum of 8 hrs) to the following tourists spots:

Walkway to Old Volcano      Sto. Nino Cold Spring
Sunken Cemetery      J&A Fish Pen
Gui-Ob Church       Ostrich Farm
                   Katibawasan Falls       Soda Water Swimming Pool
     Hibok-Hibok Ardent Hot Spring

Of all the tourists spots, we chose only few that is worth a visit. Entrance fees are on us. We pay P250.00 each in the resort for all the entrance fees.


Relaxing before going to our tour.

Before leaving the resort for the tour, we saw Aiza Seguerra together with her special someone :)

 Our tour service. 

Nagulat kami when we saw our service. We thought were just using a cab (mini jeep) for our tour kasi for sure mababasa kami. Instead, the receptionist gave us towel each incase daw mabasa kami during the tour.

The towels

 On the way to tourist spots.


Our First Stop: Gui-ob Church


The place is open to anyone and there are some persons in the place assigned to tour other people. According to the guide, This is the only church in Camiguin but when the volcano errupts years ago, its one of the affected spot. Nasira daw talaga lahat.

 Group picture

 The new small church. The old church was gone and with the help of other people, they were able to construct this small church.

 On the other side of the small church is the bishop's convent. Behind us is the old convent, also damaged by the volcano eruption. 

Before leaving the Gui-ob church, don't forget to share your blessings by giving donation to the church. Donation box can be found near the entrance :)


Second Stop: Walkway to Volcano

This is the only picture that we had with the walkway to volcano because we never tried going up. We are not prepared to go on a 100 steps stairs to see the place... Nakakapagod no.. Ayaw na din kasi namin tumagal because we want to go in White Island.


Third Stop: Sunken Cemetery

Sunken Cemetery was famous in Camiguin. It was only photo opt to tourists going to Camiguin. There was some people offering a boat ride going to that cross for a small fee but thinking of cemetery under that water is scary kaya we opted not to go.

Our next stop then was Katibawasan Falls, it was so far from the resort and we never stayed long. Our itchy feet wants to go in White Island na kaya hindi na kami nagtagal dun, we dont have photo either. Instead, we went back to resort and prepare ourselves for the white island.


FOURTH STOP: WHITE ISLAND

We were renting sana the Kayak but the resort didn't allow us to bring the Kayak in the white island, its only allowed nearby. Sayang naman :( The resort's boat brought us to the island. What's good about the white island is may signal. We were advised to text the receptionist pag magpapasundo na kami sa white island back to resort. Bongga dba?

 On the boat, behind us is the Paras Beach Resort.

We were so amazed with the white island. Ang init nga lang. You can rent beach umbrella for only P200.00.

Photos in White Island:

 
Photo taken by hubby using his ip4. This photo was his favorite kasi buhay na buhay daw yung kulay ng background. Picture perfect pa yung Hibok-Hibok volcano.

 According to them, this long stretch of sandbar in white island is visible only during morning. Pero hindi na daw ngayon, you can go there anytime of the day. Some told us that its best to go there at around 3pm till late in the afternoon which we did.

There are only few tourists when we arrive at around 3pm. We took lots of picture and swim like there's no tomorrow. Nag-swimming ako kahit meron ako. hehe

 Ang taong hindi takot sa araw. 

We enjoyed the most in white island. We stayed until past 5PM. Ang sarap tumambay, mag-swimming at maglakad sa powdery white sand. Ang alat nga lang ng tubig. hehe


Last Stop: Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring

This is the time we use the towel provided to us by the resort. We use the towel on our way to the Hotspring with our wet clothes. We arrived past 6pm already. Medyo scary lang yung way going there.

 For sure naman you're familiar with natural hot spring.

 Entrance fee: P30.00 each.

Sa white island hindi ako masyadong nagtagal sa tubig because its really hot at ayoko naman masunog yung balat ko pero dito sa hotspring, nagbabad talaga ko. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam namin, parang nawala lahat ng pagod namin because of the hot water, parang mina-massage yung likod namin sa mini falls sa pwesto namin. Kahit gabi na marami pa ring tao.


The places that we go to during our Camiguin tour is really worth the visit especially the white island and the hotspring. White Island is the best! Hope they maintain the place as clean as it is.