Nail Polish 101 - Glaze Platinum

For this week my nail polish is "Chic" Glaze Platinum, well this color is kinda bold! I'm into experimenting different colors!

It's kinda hard to apply this nail polish, a lot of coating was spend to achieve such satisfaction!

I did like the outcome however I wouldn't try this color again ^_^ (maybe)


Chic
Glaze Platinum
31.75php

• Hard to apply.
• Cheap
• The texture is good.

Now thinking of what color next week? I want a yellow one, or something pastel ^_^

Boracay 2012 - Prelude

Finally after three years I'm coming back to this Island....... BORACAY! I'm excited for this trip (I'm always excited on my trips anyways), way back 2009 we were only two when we explore this island, this time I'm gonna be with my friends and their families (mom, aunt, sister). This is gonna be fun fun fun (I really hope so) and I'm wishing for a good weather! Let the sunshine be with us! ^_^

Planning this trip is kinda hard for me because I don't see some of them that often, I just send them updates thru emails or sms. We are total of 11 in a group, the sharing would be cheap for us and the fact that it's low season!

TICKETS

We booked our tickets last year, PISO fare promo ticket of AIRPHIL Express that only cost 600+php. Our flight was moved earlier, same with the return flight. Good thing that it was moved, because I booked another return flight for this trip and now I can refund it and just gonna use the later tix.


ACCOMMODATION

My first choice is TAN's Guesthouse but it's kinda pricey, we are in a tight budget despite of our big group ^_^, well it's okay for me I'm not really that choosy as long as we can sleep safe and sound it's fine. So "NO" for TAN's GH, next is Cez Manor Resort that was recommended from a colleague of mine, one of the cheapest rate and allows 5 or more in a quad room. I had my conversation with Ms. Mavic (Owner of Cez Manor), she says that the room is available on that day, she send me an email quotation of the room and she also send her bank #. But then after a couple of days, I called again , I wasn't able to contact first Ms. Mavic thru her mobile phone, so I directly called their landline number, I was confirming again our booking reservation but then this receptionist told me that thier resort is under renovation and they will just book us on their neighborhood resort. I'm about to deposit money that day, but of course I want to talk to them again about the reservation, I was surprised that their resort now is under renovation!!! I contact again Ms. Mavic, this time I was able to speak with her, so she confirm that their resort is under renovation and yes they will just book us on Villa Sunset, she says that she knows the owner. But she also added that the price is the same but might charge us additional fees for the extra person/s on the room. About the reservation deposit, she says that I still need to deposit the money on her account 'coz she will book for us. Now I doubt her, so I decided to look for another resort, there are lots of resort/accommodation in Boracay. Browsing the net and what cross my mind is Boracay Courtyard, they offer cheap rooms too suited for our tight budget ^_^ We only have one week to prepare, so I immediately contact Boracay courtyard and reserved for the room.

We got a quad room for 1,150 per night with complimentary breakfast for 2 pax. Though there are some bad reviews on Boracay Courtyard, I still decide to book a room here, well we only need a room to sleep and enjoy the beach! Hoping that we wouldn't encounter any problems here. (crossing my fingers)

WATER ACTIVITIES

Thanks to my GTers for posting Kuya Ron's contact number, they say he has the cheapest rate for water activities in Boracay! We will only have two activities for this trip, one is Reef Walking or Helmet Diving and then Island Hopping. Kuya Ron's rate for Reef Walking is 250php per head, for Island Hopping he suggested us to rent the 1,800php boat for 3 hours, the boat is good for 18pax. It's low season so the prices are cheaper. I wanted to try Zorb too, maybe we will when we get there, I will try to convince them, if we still have time ^_^ Zorb is also 250php per head.

ITINERARY

I once said that itinerary for Boracay is not necessary, but I have to make one for my colleagues, this itinerary also includes on how to get to Boracay Island from Kalibo ^_^

Day 1 - July 29 (SUNDAY)

NAIA 3 at 6:20am

NAIA 3 ETD – 8:20am

Arrival at KALIBO Airport around 9:20am

Take the VAN from Kalibo to Caticlan (200each), travel time: 2 hours

From Cagban Port, take the boat to reach Boracay Island, you need to pay for terminal fee (100 each), Environmental fee(75each) and the boat fee (30 each).

After the boat ride, you need to take the tricycle to reach Station 2. (100php fee for the tryke)

ETA at Boracay Island 12noon

Check in at Boracay Courtyard located at Station 2

*Dinner

Day 2 – July 30

Water activities

10am – Reef Walking

*Lunch

1pm – Island Hopping for 3 hours

*Dinner

Day 3 – July 31  (I will be leaving on this day, our flight is 7:50pm MNL-KAL)

Beach hopping (Station 1 to 3)

Lunch

Dinner/Buy Pasalubongs

Day 4 – Aug 1

Check out Boracay Courtyard

Will leave Boracay Island at 6am

Tryke to Cagban Port, then boat to Caticlan

Then take the van to KALIBO Airport(2 hours)

Must be at Kalibo airport at 8am

ETD at Kalibo airport 9:50am via AIR PHIL

10:50am – NAIA 3

BUDGET

For this Boracay Budget/Expenses we will only spend less than 4,000php, in my own opinion traveling within the Philippines should only cost less than 5,000php. So here is the estimated budget expenses for this trip.

Boracay Expenses (MINE)
Terminal fee (NAIA 3)	200
BUS/VAN (roundtrip)	400
Terminal fee (cagban port)	100
Environmental fee	75
boat fee (roundtrip)	60
Tryke from port to Boracay Island	50
(roundtrip 200) by 4 pax
Terminal fee (Kalibo Airport)	40
Boracay Courtyard
2 nights	700
Water Activities
Reef Walking	250
island Hopping	165
**food
**pasalubongs
Total	2040

**food and pasalubongs are not yet included, probably spend 1,000php for food and 500php for pasalubongs.

One week from now we are off to BORACAY! EXCITED MUCH!!! I just hope that the weather will be as great as summer days! ^_^

Nail Polish 101 - Regular Lush

I love to polish my nails! It's a habit to change it every week, for this week I chose Bobbie's Regular Lush.

You might find it hard to achieve the great result 'coz you need more coating. Anyways, this come on a cheap price so I don't really mind.

ta-dah my new nails, love it! 

Bobbie
Regular Lush
34.25php

• Easy to apply but need more coating.
• Cheap
• The texture is good, last for a week. 

Excited for next week color! ^_^

Thailand Day 3 - Temple Tour/Shopping

Sawatdee Kaa~

June 20,2012

Last day in Thailand, we already packed our things before we sleep last night and ready to check out before going to our next destination (Temple Tour). Sunflower Place allows us to leave our things, will just get it back at 8pm.

woah so many!

Accident do happens, last night we cannot use our ATM (BPI International) to withdraw some money, I immediately emailed them, and they replied ......."We apologize for the inconvenience. We wish to advise you that international access of ATM cards is temporarily unavailable at this time." We don't have any choice, it wasn't on our plan and did not expect it to happened, so we just exchange some of our remaining PHP at Super Rich Saladaeng Branch, this is also near to the MRT and just beside KFC. The rate is .65 BHT per PHP.

Now ready for our last trip of the day!


Grand Palace
From Saladaeng Station we head to Saphan Taksin Station, then walk to the boat terminal. We ride the orange boat going to N9 Tha Chang for 15 BAHT.

orange boat

Views from the boat

Arriving at Tha Chang terminal, you need to pass the market first, well we also follow some foreigners on the way out. ^_^

 After passing by the market, you'll see The Grand Palace!

outside The Grand Palace

We both decided not to entered the Grand Palace, we are saving our money to shop ^_^. The entrance fee is 400 Baht and a dress code is strictly implemented. You can even hear some announcement regarding the scammers outside the palace.

WAT PHO (Reclining Buddha)
This temple is located beside The Grand Palace, there is no dress code for this temple and the entrance fee is 100 Baht.

Of course posing to this Reclining Buddha is a must ^_^

And don't forget to claim your free bottled water.

Ramdom pictures at WAT PO!

monks

Philippines and Korea's Flag inside WAT PO ^_^ (annyeong!)

Looking for some souvenirs? You can buy some outside The Grand Palace (near the market)

looks like real monks! ^^

We opted not to go to WAT ARUN, we can't take the weather, soooooooo hot!!!! We go back to the boat terminal passing again thru the market place, again 15baht for the boat ride. Then from Saphan Taksin Station we go to National Stadium, then head to MBK again for lunch. ^_^

My lunch chicken and fries meal for 109 BHT

Stroll again in MBK, Siam Paragon and then to Platinum Fashion Mall.

Shopping is love! ^_^

Titanic Exhibit now at Bangkok (June 2 - Sept 9)

  
  

PATPONG NIGHT MARKET

If you're looking for the Ping Pong show, well you're in the right place. We did not stroll much here, as I says this place is on our way to Sunflower Place. What else can you see here? some souvenirs, some fakes accessories, clothes, etc. (as you can see above picture). 

After Patpong we go to Sunflower Place to get our things, we also take some rest at the reception area, the staff were so nice to even let us use the restroom and the computer ^_^. Now we are ready to leave Bangkok, so sad :( 

From Saladaeng Station we go to Phaya Thai Station and change to Airport Link going to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT

This airport is nice and huge! How I wish our airport is also like this.

Though we are already boarded on the plane at around 12:15am, our flight has been delayed for 1 hour, actually I'm not aware of it 'coz I already fall asleep ^_^

Now recapping my trip!

I want to comeback here, probably next year and just do the shopping thingy! ^_^  It is really cheap and lots of choices! I enjoyed the Ayutthaya tour, not only because of Mario Maurer, I was amazed to see the actual place of the ruin temples, questioning myself how did they made those temples! Those large Buddhas and Palaces were really amazing!

Weather
The weather is just like in the Philippines, 'coz Thailand is also a tropical country, but we were lucky during our stay because the weather is just fine, not that hot. It rains on the afternoon but not really heavy and it also stops, so we still manage going around Bangkok.

People
The people were nice too, like the staffs of Sunflower Place, very helpful and they even let us have an early check in without extra charge. Our tuktuk manong guide from Ayutthaya is also nice ^_^  We only encounter some ill-tempered sellers at Platinum Mall, well maybe it's just the way they talk. ^_^

Transportation
Very convenient to use! The only transportation we use is the BTS and airport rail rink, we did not try using the taxis, buses or tuktuks. The traffic in Bangkok is a mess, just like the traffics here in the Philippines. Better to always use BTS and just walk ^_^

Food
We only tried the McDonald's specials meal of Thailand like the spicy teriyaki and the KFC's Chicken Curry, so what more can I say about it... it is sooooo SPICY! Guess we both don't have the guts to try some of their cuisine, well another reason to go back in Thailand! Anyways, I tried their Milk Tea *love it*

Overall Thailand is a beautiful place, a great place to visit! A lot of things to do here, not only shopping! I'm happy that I visited this country and sure I'll be back here!

Thailand Day 2 - Ayutthaya/MBK/CentralWorld

Sawatdee Kaa!

June 19, 2012

Our second day is Ayutthaya Tour! We woke up early for this trip, there are 3 options to reach Ayutthaya; one is the Train at Hua Lamphong station, or you can take the Bus at Northern Terminal or the Minivan at Victory Monument Station.

We chose to take the Minivan, it cost 60 Baht and only 1 hour ride from Victory Monument to Ayutthaya, this is the last stop so you don't have to worry. I guess this is also the easiest way to reach Ayutthaya. From Saladaeng Station, we get off to Siam station interchange going to Victory Monument Station.

Arriving Ayutthaya, there is already a TukTuk waiting just beside of the minivan loading station, we then asked how much is the Ayutthaya tour. We immediately agreed to a 3 hours Ayutthaya tour for 6 Temples for a price of 800 Baht (2pax).

tuktuk

It was only past 8am when we start the tour, our first stop is the best of all ruins temple in Ayutthaya because this is the temple wherein we sa MARIO MAURER!!!! I created another blog for this, I can't still believe that I saw him in Thailand! I'm so so so LUCKY!!!! (Mario Maurer in Thailand)

PHRA CHEDI CHAIMONGKOL

with Mario Maurer

Next temple is WAT CHAI WATTANARAM(no fee)

WAT YAI CHAI MONGKOL (entrance fee 20 Baht)

Next is WAT PHANANCHOEN WORAWIHAN

Next is PHRA MONGKHON BOPHIT

Next WAT PHU KHAO THONG

Picture with BABY ELEPHANT

We opted not to ride the elephant, but we take some pictures with the baby elephant for 40Baht. The baby elephant is so cute and he/she follows his master! A very well trained elephant with cute poses!

~yay~

Our tour was supposed to take only for 3 hours, but there are some temples that is not yet seen so they offer us another 1 hour for 200 Baht. So the tour will be 4 hours for 1000 Baht (not bad, manong is so nice)

Additional temple

WAT PHRASISANPETH

I tried this Milk Tea for 30Baht, so sweet!

The last temple is WAT MAHATHAT, entrance fee is 50 BHT.
       

field trip? ^_^

It's already past 12noon when we finished the Ayutthaya Tour, we immediately transfer to the minivan after paying the 1000 Baht for the tour. Sooooo tired, I was asleep the whole travel back to Bangkok!

Our next destination is MBK, we take the BTS from Victory Monument Station to reach the National Stadium Station for 30 Baht. We had lunch here, stroll a bit and find some cheap souvenir shirt for 99Baht. We also bought some cheap bags for 199 Baht.

Lunch at MBK - KFC

chicken curry *spicy*

Then to Siam Paragon, another pix at Madame Tussauds: Kate Winslet and Britney Spears!

We are about to go at Platinum Fashion Mall, but we drop by first at Central World to look for ATM, then there's an event going on it's TONY MOLY opening promotions! Hmmmm why there are lots of girls here??? I asked a Thai girl , is there a guest artist here? then she says "SONG-JOONG-KI" I was like "REALLY???? REALLY??? as in now????" OMG!!! I am sooooo lucky lucky lucky!!! (Another blog for Song Joong Ki in Thailand). He is so handsome, I really like him! (Song Joong Ki in Thailand)

SONG JOONG KI

We did not finish the event of Tony Moly, so happy that I see Song Joong Ki! 

Next destination is Platinum Fashion Mall (again), but when we reach the mall most of the shops were already closing, again if you want to shop here make sure to go early. We still manage to buy some stuffs, then we go to BIG C and buy some stuffs for pasalubongs (candies, chocolates, etc). 

You might to try some street Thai Foods (near Central World)

We had dinner at McDonald's, as much as I wanted to try Thai foods, we always ended to this food chain, well every country I've been to, I've always eat at McDonald's ^_^ As I always says my tolerance to spicy food is really low and kinda picky to some foods. 

Well there you go for DAY 2, a very lucky day seeing Mario Maurer and Song Joong Ki, this makes my Thailand Trip a very memorable one! Totally fan girling in Thailand!