Marooned in Mabilao Pangasinan for 3days and 2 nights

... the good kind of stranded...

 

I knew I should have just booked a night, I don't know what pushed me to reserve two.  Our trip was on a Holy Week and the resort was a little off the poblacion, so there was very little happenings. 

 

But it was okay, it was fun bonding with my kiddos, who obviously doesn't mind we weren't doing anything so long as we were together (I so love these boys)!

 

We stayed at Happy Ripples Resort, in the far away Magbilao Pangasinan, booked via Agoda (which is how I would normally book hotels). Do keep in mind that this is a basic resort and not a luxury hotel.  For the price we paid (with free breakfast),  this resort is actually a very good find! 

 

Happy Ripples is located right next to the beach, it was perfect for my sand addicted kiddos. The sand, although not powdery white like Boracay, was fine enough for early morning or late afternoon  barefoot (even for my boys) beach strolls.

 

 

• We were welcomed to a studio room with two double beds (fits four medium size adults comfortably). The place was decent and clean, however, there were no standard toiletries offered (just soap and shampoo).

• Beds were just okay, none of my boys complained (but then my boys are cowboys, and I am a queen, so I felt much better using my own linens. It was good I brought one). I think they were so tired with their beach frolicking they automatically shifted to sleep mode, right after they went to bed.

• Electricity was a bit of a problem, fluctuates every now and then affecting the air-conditioning (will not cool in the afternoon, but it was very cold at night - so it was again just okay since we were out beach bumming day time).

• There is a TV in our room, but no cable. Reception was also poor we only get two channels (hahaha)!

• Pool is small, but I think just right for a resort with only 10+ rooms. 

 

 

  Cell signals (Smart, Globe and Sun) were bad from our room, but works well from their view deck, were you get perfect view of the sunset. 

 

 Food was not superb, but was good and plenty. 

 We could take our meal anywhere in the resort we wish, we would almost always have it up the view deck of course.

 

The fact that there only limited rooms was great since there were not very many people. We were there on a Holy Week and were so happy we have the beach stretch just to ourselves (and a very few others) unlike the resorts nearby, swarming with people and hawkers.

 

A 3 days hiatus from gadgets and computers.  

It was just the beach, each other and our  imagination.

  

This resort is perfect for some peaceful family bonding time.

 

P.S. The waves in this side of Pangasinan gets really rough.  I do not recommend for families with very small children. 

 

 

Happy Ripples Beach Resort is located in

Mabilao, San Fabian, Pangasinan.

Landline: (075) 560-2076;  Mobile: 0918.529.6979, 0943.709.1667; Email: happyripplesresort@yahoo.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

 
 

 

Ridgewood Residence Baguio (our little Camp John Hay Manor)

 

I was on a hunt for a last minute decent, but affordable hotel accommodation in Baguio on a Holy Week and saw this small boutique hotel via Asia Travel.  Ridgewood Residence's price was perfect for our budget.

 

There were mixed reviews (both good and bad) in the net, but given the price (which was a major consideration) and the difficulty of looking for an alternative hotel on a Holy Week, I don't think I can really be choosy now, can I? 

From Top (L-R), (a) Ridgewood signage, (b) hotel view form the drive way, (c) Ridgewood's walk-in garden and (d) my boys cozily seating by the receiving area.

From Top to Bottom (L-R), (a) clean basic bath, (b) generous toiletries supply and (c) my youngest doing his famous bed test :P 



From L-R (Top to Bottom), (a) Dining interiors, (b) buffet breakfast set-up, (c) fresh fruits and (d) my boys ready for breakfast 

Ridgewood Residences is akin to a mini-Camp John Hay Manor (CJHM) in looks.  It has a rustic ambiance to it, transporting guests back to the old Baguio I used to know. 

This hotel is tucked a few minutes away, Baguio City proper.
This may be difficult for those, without personal transportation (although taxi is not at all difficult to find), but for us, this was an opportunity to really get to enjoy Baguio's beauty away from the crowd and pollution.   

The hotel also has one of most attentive and amiable personnel, I have met, which gives the feel you are staying in your own vacation home.

The choices for the complimentary buffet breakfast were limited, but these were very delicious (well, the fact that breakfast was served by cordial staff spelled the difference).

If you are looking for cozy-homey hotel in Baguio City, Ridgewood Residence may be the hotel for you.

Ridgewood Residences is located at #17 Julian Felipe St., Brgy. Lualhati, Baguio City. 

For inquiries you may call their Manila Office at (632) 299-6411 or through mobile (632) 299-6411.


Notes: 
(a) The deluxe room may be a little small for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids, I would suggest you get an extra bed or book a bigger room.

(b) The rooms are not air-conditioned, but you wont need any (just open the veranda windows and feel Baguio's magic).

 

Airforce City - Clark Field Pampanga

 

A huge field with plenty of planes lying about spells - KIDS FUN TIME (and tired mommas running after their kiddos)!

 

It is very seldom we get to see such huge spaces - for our children to run wild and get crazy and I am glad this was part of the school's fieldtrip itinerary. 

 

 

Pedro Calungsod Chapel at SM Aura, BGC Taguig

We were on our way back home from a weekend staycation at Microtel Hotel near SM MOA. We were looking for church along to way and remembered SM Aura has a chapel.

  

Parking was a breeze. There were plenty of parking slots available, considering it was a weekend.  After parking we rushed towards the mall entrance and asked our way to the chapel.

 

The chapel of San Pedro Calungsod is located at SM Aura's top level (level 7).  We took a lift from the B2 parking to Level 5 and changed lift to reach the chapel.  We reached the chapel just in time for the 12nn mass.

  

 

 

It was a long way up, but worth it.  The chapel is beautifully designed and view outside breath-taking  (with fresh air to spare - although every now and then, we can smell grilled food, which I am guessing coming from the food court area).

 

The chapel can fill up to 300 people. Unfortunately, with the number of mall goers wanting to catch mass before shopping - expect SRO, especially if  you come it late. 

 

Mass-goers easily spill outside towards the deck and with people coming in / passing by it was quite difficult to concentrate (the cons of mall masses).

 

The Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod is located at the 7th level of SM Aura Premier, 26th Street corner McKinley Parkway Taguig City.
Mass schedules:
Mondays to Saturdays at 12nn and 5pm Sundays at 10am and 5pm.
 

 
 
 
 
 

Pyrolympics 2014 (Can't Wait for Next Year)

 

 

Next to Christmases and Birthdays, my boys look forward to the annual Philippines International Pyrolympics Competition. This is obviously fast becoming an yearly event for my family!

 

The competition normally scheduled, Saturdays of February and March held at the SM Mall of Asia, Bayfront.

 

This year, we got to see Spain and UK fireworks display.

 

If you haven't seen one yet, I strongly encourage you to do so and bring your entire family along.  The displays are truly world class.

NOTES:
If you have cash to spare, I recommend an overnight stay at Microtel Hotel, their Sunset View Rooms, have a perfect view of the bay.

DinosoaurROARR Land

  Finally got to visit Dinosaur Island in Clark Pampanga as part of my kiddo's school field trip.

 

Dinosaur Island is tagged as the 1st (and I think only) Animatronic Dinosaur Park in the country.

 

I was really impressed to find gigantic and life like  (moving) dinosaurs for the first time.  They all looked very real and it took me a while to explain to my son that these dinosaurs are fake.

 

 

For a 5 year old's wild imagination,

the dinosaurs looked real alright! 

 

My son was second guessing "to pose or not to pose"

beside Mr. T (Rex)!

 

 

The park entrance has a tall and huge wooden gate (similar to the Jurassic movies) that keeps visitors guessing what is inside.  

 

1. Guests are first led to a  Dinosaur Trail.  Here expect to see: Brontosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brachiosaurus, Spirosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Iritator, Raptors, Rhinoceros, Iguanodon, and many more!

 

2. The park also houses a small museum (dinosaur fossils) ~ not really interesting. 

 

3. After the tour, we were seated and entertained to some dancing dinosaurs (it was really funny, you know these guys are just in dinosaur costume and yet when they try to scare, some were actually scared).

 

4. An optional extra-pay tour is the Jurassic Safari "Adventure" Ride.   We rode on motorized carts on tracks and were chased by the same dancing dinosaurs (Remember to keep extra attention on your kids and explain that these dinosaurs are not real. I saw one child, who ended up crying).

Entrance fee as posted in their facebook site:
Adult - Php 350.00
Kids - Php 300.00
FREE for 2yrs old and below.

Jurassic Safari Ride
Entrance fee - Php 150.00

Dinosaur Island is located along Gil Puyat Ave. Clark Freeport Zone Angeles City Pampanga. (near El Kabayo at the back of Clark Pinic Grounds) is open daily from 9am to 5pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zoobic Safari