Princess Loves to Travel

Long Overdue

2012-04-21T03:28:00.001+08:00

I think it has been ages since my last entry in this blog. Will try to update this soon.

Thanks for dropping!

Ace Water Spa

2010-05-05T08:59:00.000+08:00

Ace Water Spa is an indoor therapeutic spa in Quezon City which utilizes Ultrasonic Jet System (Hydrotherapy Massage) that massages specific areas of the human body and when combined with heat results to better blood circulation.

The Spa has a 25 meter lap pool, waterfalls, lazy river, hot herbal pools, steam, sauna. They got spacious locker areas where you have an individual key for it. Free use of head cap, shampoo and shower gel (in dispensers inside the shower rooms). And what I liked most were the hair dryers available at the changing area.

It is important to note that proper swimming attire should be worn in this facility. Fitted swimwear should be worn inside the spa. They only allow fitted bathing suits for women, trunks or cycling shorts for men. Board shorts or beach shorts are not allowed. Also, don't forget to bring your own towel. They have towels for rent at a rate.

Eating and drinking are not allowed inside the spa. However, they offer free soup at their Cafe Lounge after you have used their facilities.

Free Soup

Rates:
Adult - Php550
Kids (4ft and below) - Php250

The rates abovementioned is for use of the spa for maximum of 4 hours. It's worth it, we only stayed for only 3 hours and we got really relaxed after. Ace Water Spa is open daily from 6AM to 11PM. During summer, they also offer swimming lessons.

I didn't have any photos of the area since cameras are prohibited. You can check their website for photos.

Ace Water Spa
399 Del Monte Avenue, SFDM near corner Banawe St.,
Quezon City
acespa@acewaterspa.com.ph
www.acewaterspa.com.ph
Tel Nos. (632) 367-8040 to 41

Anawangin Cove

2010-05-02T14:18:00.001+08:00

Anawangin Cove is one of the famous destinations for campers and beach lovers alike.

Last April 17th, the Human Resources Department went to Anawangin, Zambales for another weekend getaway.

We were divided into two groups, the first one took a coaster while we took a Nissan van. We left SM Cubao at 630 in the morning and started the long drive up.

The drive to Pundaquit, Zambales will normally take you 6-7 hours but if you take the new SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway), you'll cut the drive for an hour or two.

Good thing that our van had great air-conditioning so we didn't feel much of the summer heat!

After two stop overs, we were in Pundaquit, Zambales by 11:30AM. We headed straight to Jimm's Resort as this was where we will meet our boatman.

It was only after 30 minutes of haggling the price and waiting for the coaster were we able to board the boat. We were almost 40pax so we decided to get a bigger boat (to be safe too as the waves during lunch and afternoon can be really big).

The sands of Pundaquit, Zambales was gray and really really hot!

From the waters, we could see the crowded Anawangin Cove. It is summer, and expected to have lots of tourists. But I never imagined THIS crowd.

As I step on the sands of Anawangin, I felt disappointment. The sands were also gray. I was expecting white, powdery sands as I saw in some of the pics in the internet.

Our group found a place to put up our tents near the restrooms and water pump. We had lunch and rested.

The pine trees were dry and so was the creek. It was a very hot day.

It was my first time to go camping however I didn't feel much of the camper experience. Probably if we went here during low season I would have released the girlscout in me. *grin*

We went swimming for a few minutes and decided to scout the area. I suddenly remembered the pics that my brother took when he was here last year. It was different from what I saw when I went there. It was crowded, noisy, hot, and dry. Nevertheless, I was awed by Anawangin's beauty.

There were men selling hammocks for Php150, sari-sari store, restrooms, and water pumps. It has become commercialized. I hope that the tourism and local government can do something to preserve the beauty this cove has to offer.

During the night, you could hear every group laughing and having fun. I didn't feel like I left civilization due to the noise. Also, it was still warm during the night. We had to fan ourselves so we could sleep. For those who want to have a relaxing and serene camping experience, stay away from Anawangin during summer season.

Sometime during the night, I bet it started around 2AM, we heard loud big noises as if there was a storm or airplane coming. We then realized it was the wind coming from the mountains.

In the morning, my husband and I decided to take a hike on the side of the cove. But when we got there, too many people have started to hike and with that slope, it was an easy target for disaster. We then decided to scout the area instead. On our estimate, there were almost a thousand visitors who stayed the night in Anawangin Cove.

At 8 in the morning, we left Anawangin and passed by Capones Island before we head home. The waters was too shallow for our big boat so we ended up by just glancing the island and its lighthouse from afar.

Lesson: Don't go to Anawangin Cove during Summer Season.

I want to go to the beach!

2010-04-05T13:08:00.000+08:00

It's so hot here in the Metro and all I could think about is a vacation. I was not able to have one last holy week and so I intend to take the next step in making my dreams come true.

This month, I will travel. No, not at the malls. Out of town. Watch out for it. :)

Fernandina 88 Suites

2010-02-12T10:48:00.065+08:00

We wanted to spend a night in a hotel with a pool thus we scouted the internet for hotels in Quezon City. The cheapest that we got that has a pool was Fernandina 88 Suites Hotel along P.Tuazon in Cubao. In 15 minutes, we packed our bags and headed to the hotel which was 10 minutes away from our pad.

The lady at the front desk was not accommodating at all. She was just like a mannequin placed there. I did not hear her say a word. Sheez. The man she was with was the one who spoke with us. We paid the hotel room and I was quite surprised that they did not have any deposit for incidentals. We paid Php2850 (plus government tax) for the room.

Below is their published daily room rates:

One Bedroom Suite - Standard Php2,850 (max of 2 persons); Deluxe Php3,150 (max of 3 persons)
Two Bedroom Suite - Standard Php 3,900 (max of 4 persons); Deluxe Php 4200 (max of 5 persons)
Three Bedroom Suite - Standard Php 4650 (max of 6 persons); Deluxe Php 4950 (max of 7 persons)

They also offer cooking charge at Php300.

The one bedroom suite was the smallest room they have so we checked-in and got a room on the third floor. When we opened the room, we got disappointed because the size of the room we got was smaller than the one stated in their website. The place was a bit creepy because of the poor lighting condition. At the kitchen area, you could not find any appliances except for the fridge. They don't have water heater or coffee, neither did they have free bottled water or drinking glass!! This was not we expected for a hotel here in Quezon City. So much for their slogan, "A relaxing haven at the heart of the Metro."

What also made us unhappy was that we paid more than 3k for this room where we could not enjoy it. The airconditioning was old and could not give the right temperature. And their bathroom? OMG. The pressure of the water was so low that the shower was almost not functioning. I called the front desk (since I didn't find their number for housekeeping, I don't think they have one), and informed them about the water. I asked if we could transfer to another room that has better water pressure. The man I spoke with earlier said that there were no more 1-bedroom suites available. And that he has offered the 3-bedroom suite instead on the 10th or 11th floor. He said that they'll just close the 2 other bedrooms and that we would have to pay additional if we are to use that room. I got agitated and declined his offer. I just asked for a pail and a dipper instead. I can't believe this customer service! It was not our fault if their water pressure was low and now we have to pay additional if we asked to be transferred to another room?

Just before dinner, my husband and I went to try the pool at the roof deck. When we got there, no towels were available and that the policy was for you to bring your own towel. Good thing I brought my sarong with me and we were able to dry ourselves before going back to the room.

You could see Cubao from the roofdeck. They have two pools. the small one is at a depth of 3 feet while the bigger one was at 4.5 feet. When I dipped into the pool, I shivered right away because the water was soooo cold. We stayed there just for a few minutes.

They also offered free buffet breakfast for two and was available from 6AM-9AM. Guests are requested to have their buffet from the roofdeck restaurant called 1572 (please click the link for my review of the restaurant).

I think the only good thing about our stay at Fernandina Hotel was the fact that despite their poor facilities and food, the staff were always there to greet you pleasantly.

Fernandina 88 Suites Hotel

222 P. Tuazon Boulevard
Araneta Shopping Center,
Cubao Quezon City
Trunk line: (632)911-6954
http://www.fernandina88.com.ph/
reserve@fernandina88.com.ph
inquire@fernandina88.com.ph

Dampa sa Libis

2010-01-11T17:58:00.000+08:00

A number of people are into "Dampas" probably because they enjoy picking fresh produce and seeing them cooked or just because they want mouth-watering food at a lower cost.

The Dampa in Libis is located along C-5 Road. If you are coming from Cubao, it will be on your left side. This place is best reached using a cab or your own vehicle.

I think the only downside of the "Dampa" world is that it is time consuming. This was acted by their management and later on placed tiangges in their area.

More of the eating adventures can be found in my other blog. Please click here.

Nuestra Senora de Gracia Parish

2010-01-01T22:09:00.000+08:00

Way back in July 2008 (when I was still a single-since-birth lady) I visited several churches in the Metro and its nearby towns. The first church I went to that day was the Nuestra Senora de Gracia Parish in Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City. The moment I saw the church, I fell in love with it.

The church was built by the Augustinian friars during the 16th century. The chapel is small, about 150 guests would fit in; and you could feel the solemnity of the place. From that day forward, I promised myself that I will get married on this church. And yes, I did.

Last December 18th, I and the man I love the most exchanged our "I Do's" at this church. It was truly a memorable one. We had an evening wedding and the exterior facade of the church was decorated by christmas lights. Special thanks to Rey Asuncion for the night shot of the facade (I was busy that time as a bride that even if I had a camera in my pouch, I was not able to take any shots. LOL)

Nuesta Senora de Gracia Parish

7440 Bernardino St. Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City

Tel No. 896-8444