Just some random stuff here.
One last beach trip with my boys before school starts and summer is officially over.
Photo set | Punta Ballo, Sipalay
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Punta Ballo is (I believe) an unspoiled beach paradise located south of Sipalay, approximately 4 hours from Bacolod City. A stretch of white sand, spectacular scenery, calm waters, clear skies — what an awesome weekend.
Some suggested accommodations in Punta Ballo:
Nataasan Beach and Diving Resort
Robinson Cruse White Beach Resort
DMV
After a long and tiring week, de-stress weekend up the mountains. It was a birthday celebration and a bon voyage to two of our dear friends.
Photo set | DSB
Happy birthday April!
And this kid wanted to explore.
Happy kids!
Again, happy birthday April and safe travels Mary Rose!
xx
DMV
I’ve read somewhere that family vacations are “happiness anchors” for kids until they grow up, banking on treasured memories and bonding moments. Instead of spending so much on gadgets and expensive toys and since March was a month of so many celebrations (Joaquin’s birthday, his and Miguel’s transition to 7th grade and Juancho’s moving up from toddler class), we decided to take the kids out for a treat. So Oceanpark and Disneyland it is.
Day 1 | Take off
Early flight to Manila and the kids were very much behaved, thank you. Got our Rame Nagi fix and free donuts because the light was on.
Left Manila for HK around 5ish in the afternoon (flight was delayed), took the A21 bus to Mongkok, met with the AirBnb person and had late dinner nearby.
Touchdown! Kids seem happy (lol).
Day 2 | Ocean Park
Early start and noodle breakfast.
There’s a train line going directly to Ocean Park and Disneyland, how convenient.
Curious little kids.
My little adventurero 🙂
Kids’ new friends.
Transferring to watch the Dolphin and Seal show, picturesque view from the cable car.
And the big kids off to go on the big kids’ rides.
This view to cap off the whole day event. It was overwhelming to see the kids have so much fun.
Victoria Peak
We headed to Victoria Peak after to catch the sunset and well, was in for a surprise.
No we did not take the tram because the line was like 10 years long. We took a taxi instead and it was much cheaper, $49HKD vs. $88HKD and more than an hour of waiting to board the tram.
Entrance to the Sky tower costs $32HKD, kids half the price. Can’t really remember (haha).
It was a case of expectation vs. reality. The place was overly crowded.
On the way down the sky tower, there was an area where you could take 3D photos. This was not the Trick Eye Museum, the museum was on the other side and had a $100HKD entrance. This one was for free.
Day 3 | Disneyland
Off to the happiest place on earth!
Pretty flowers all around!
Choochoo train that takes you on a tour around Disneyland.
Everything is exaggeratedly overpriced in Disneyland (rice costs $18HKD!) but when Juancho passed by a souvenir shop with the entrance displaying Tsum Tsum toys and was like super excited when he saw it, well, I just couldn’t break his heart.
And his reaction? Well, there are just some things money couldn’t buy.
I find that Disneyland is more for small kids, the rides and attractions in general, although the older kids (including us) did enjoy the experience.
Day 4 | Free day
Harbour City
Roamed around Tsim sha tsui, shopped a bit and lunched on some Canton Dim Sum Expert chicken and pork buns. The siomai was also good but no photos because it was gone in an instant.
Caught up with my friend Reg and treated us to some Korean dinner. Thanks Reggie! My treat in June (haha).
Mongkok
The place where we were staying was right where Ladies Market is and just around the corner was sneaker street. So, off we went to hunt for some cheap shoes and buy some pasalubongs before they close. Some stores close round 11pm.
Street food…street food…street food!
Day 5 | Homebound
Flying all day, tiring week but with the wide smiles on the kids’ faces and the endless laughter makes it all worth it.
Goodbye Hong Kong!
Hello Manila!
and hello Bacolod! Home finally!
Starting a new family tradition. Til the next summer trip!
Oh, by the way, we got our Disney and Ocean Park tickets on Klook. They sell much cheaper than the tickets sold on the official sites and when you get to the park, you don’t have to wait in line.
DMV
Photo set | Lantawan, Silay City
Gloomy weather and just because.
xx
DMV
Moalboal, Cebu
They say that one of the things you need to do before settling down is travel with your best friends. Well, none of us are settling down (me is a totally different story), we just like doing stuff and going places together, that’s all there is to it. Seascape before summer ends and getting that much needed vacation.
Jobelle, Joyce and Reggie were coming from Manila and taking the last flight to Cebu so me, to avoid waiting for them for too long, took the bus since most of the flights from Bacolod going to Cebu are really early. WRONG MOVE.
Weather was crazy and I swear, I’m never taking the bus again! It took almost 9 hours to get to Cebu! My ass and back was literally hurting from all the sitting.
So anyways, I hanged with my friends who’re in the city while waiting, did some catching up and grabbed me a few beers. Manila flight arrived round 3am (last flight from Manila is 11pm so they were supposed to arrive a little past midnight), I met Jobelle, Joyce and Reg at the airport and we left to go straight to Moalboal. Passed out the moment I got in the car. I think I must’ve been awake for almost 24 hours, don’t ask me why.
Day 1
We stayed at Blue Orchid Resort. The place is really nice with really friendly and accommodating staff.
While me and Jobelle were passed out, Joyce and Reg did some sick drone action. The things you do when jet lagged (lol). All things pretty.
Some sun finally!
Rented a boat in the afternoon and went on to search for Dory. Brought with us some cold beer too. The boat life, the good life.
We got back to the resort at just around sunset, chilled by the beach and just enjoyed the scene.
Day 2
Joyce and Reg went to see the Whale Sharks in Oslob and left really early while me and Jobelle just hanged by the beach.
When they got back, we went on to do something new: Intro Dive. The things Jobelle make me do.
Steve, the dive instructor, actually gave us a booklet about diving the previous day which we were supposed to read and answer in advance. Lazy me only got to read it that morning and found it quite confusing. Having to go through all those underwater signs and stuff made me anxious, I wanted out. But when he taught us the basics, it was rather easy. I just did not like all the stuff hanging on my back though. I had to like carry 25 kilos to the shore.
Down we go…
Then this.
It was totally different from what you see when snorkeling, this — you get to see super up close. Quite an experience! Felt like singing the little mermaid song. Thanks Steve!
After dive happy hour!
Kiss from a sea hare. Bill said it squirts beautiful purple ink as defense if it feels like it’s being attacked. Hmmm…how to make it squirt.
Then this amazing sunset. Makes you just want to ditch life and get lost.
Decided to have dinner outside the resort so we took a pedicab to Panagsama. It was rather far.
It was a strip of food stores and bars. The most popular one being Chili’s. But it was really crowded so we ate at the resto right beside it. I forgot the name of the place but it was empty so we had it all to ourselves, the food was really good, super busog! And the music from Chili’s was loud enough that we could sing and dance to it.
Day 3
Wouldn’t mind waking up to this every day. But then all things must come to an end. Jobelle, Joyce and Reg will be going to Boracay and Palawan after here. If I extend, I might not have a job waiting for me when I get home (haha).
Went back to Cebu round 1pm, stopped by Carcar to buy some chicharon and checked in at Allure Hotel; went to Ayala to buy some drone batteries and hung out at John’s vape shop. It’s just opened recently, bout 3 weeks ago. Rcos Vape Shop. It’s at I3, where Bean Leaf used to be.
Grabbed us some dinner at Sugbo Mercado. Lechon, Scallops, Siomai and Tipsy Pops!
Slow night, no alcohol, just vape and lotsa laughs in between.
And yeah, I took the plane home. I didn’t care that I had to wake up really early to catch the first flight as long as I am not taking the bus.
That’s the majestic Mount Kanlaon, still spewing smoke and ash. Can’t wait for it to calm down so I could climb up this baby.
Belle, Joyce, Reg, thanks for having me guys! It was awesome!
Oh, we didn’t buy Bill beer. We have to go back.
Photo credits:
Joyce Ubas, Reginald Addae, Jobelle Nepomuceno
xx
DMV
Density Runs 