Traveling is a must for our family every summer.  Be it out of the country or just going out of town… the most important thing is that it is a Family Friendly place where we can bond and enjoy each other’s company. 

There are a lot of resorts offering multiple pools and different water activities, but these are no longer enough to make a resort a top pick for discerning families. 

Most important factors and features for me when choosing a resort destination are as follows:

1. Ideal Location

2. First Rate Accommodations – Room size & design

3. Lots of Kid’s Amenities & Activities

4. Security & Safety – the presence of Security guards and Lifeguards

5. Family Features and Activities – things we can do together as a family

6. Parent’s Perks – such as daycare, spa etc. 

7. Good Dining Options

8. Value

Parent’s Perks and Kiddie activities are very important.  Mommies & daddies want to relax too, and u won’t be getting any quality time if your kids are bored and you have to babysit and entertain them during the entire vacation.

Last week, we decided to visit Pico de Loro in Hamilo Coast and I must say, I was impressed.  And my kids loved it so much, they don’t want to leave.  :)  It is indeed one of the best family destinations we’ve been to here in the Philippines.

And the best part is it’s just about 3 hours away from the Metro.  While the roads leading to the resort are good, it is quite winding and curvy….. So moms, if your kids are prone to motion sickness, have a barf bag ready in the car… or better yet let them take a motion sickness tablet.  Also make sure hubby takes the car for a checkup before embarking on your trip. But for those who do not want a long road trip, the resort has a ferry service, which takes only 90 mins.

Pico Sands Hotel: Premiere Lagoon View - our room was spacious, has 2 queen size beds, a terrace, nice batroom and strong wifi connection.

Aa soon as we checked in, we headed to the Pico de Loro Beach Club’s Sun Coral Cafe for lunch.

Adobo Mambo - Chicken Pork Adobo. This is really yummy The pork and chicken pieces for very tasty and tender. It also has a piece of boiled egg, cherry tomatoes and bits of Kangkong.

Pinaputok na Tilapia

Baked Lasagna - so good My daughter had this for 3 days straight.:)

Our tummies full, we changed into our suits and went to the Pico de Loro Country Club for an afternoon swim.   The resort has shuttles that can ferry guests around, so you don’t need to walk nor drive your car. 

I love this

Chillaxing in the pool

After swimming, my toddler (with her yaya) decided to play in the air-conditioned playground for the entire afternoon, while my other 2 daughters spetd the rest of the day in the Wii Room.

Indoor kiddie playground

Wii

We then had an early dinner at the hotel coffee shop  

Creamy Carbonara - I loved this

Pizza - thin crust, also yummy! The kids liked the pizzas very much.

Roast Chicken w/ Mashed Potatoes - hubby liked this.

The next morning, we woke up early for their Buffet Breakfast and to have more fun in the sun at the Beach Club.

Buffet Breakfast

The Beach

My view from the Beach Club pool

We had a late lunch again at Sun Coral Cafe.   We ordered Crispy Pork Belly and Kare Kare.  Both were really good, but I wasn’t able to take photos, as my camera was low on power and I was enjoying too much and also too lazy to go back to the room to get my spare batteries.  

I loved that the Kare Kare had generous portions of tender tripe, meat and veggies…and the peanut sauce was very tasty and had the right consistency.  The Crispy Pork Belly was also good, the skin was crunchy and the meat was tender.

After lunch, we lazed around the pool some more, then headed back to our room to shower and change.  My toddler took her nap and headed again to the playground.  My other daughter went back to the Wii room, while my hubby and eldest daughter decided to play billiards.  I on the other hand explored the resort.

Billiards

Bowling

Pico de Loro is a member’s only resort club in Hamilo Coast.  You can visit the place if a member sponsors you.  Or you can choose to buy a membership or a condo/property there.  I decided to look at the condos for sale… They have 1 bedroom to 3 bedroom units.  I looooved the 2 bedroom loft style unit.

cards room

Videoke room

Exploring some more, I saw that they also have a card/game room, a library, bowling lanes, videoke rooms, basketball court, table tennis, badminton, squash and tennis courts.  You really won’t run out of things to do in this place.  There’s also a lot of water activities like snorkeling, diving, wing-surfing and kayaking.  You can also go cove-hopping aboard a speed boat! They also have a jogging path and a gym where you can burn off the calories you have ingested.  The sales person also informed me that developments for a golf course have already started.  There’s really something for everyone!

Gym - overlooking the pools and the lagoon

The resort also has their own chapel which overlooks the entire beach cove.  Mass is held every Sunday at 11am.

Chapel - perfect place to meditate and pray

View from the chapel

After a few hours, the whole family met up for dinner  We had salad, southern fried chicken, spinach & artichoke dip (w/ nachos & bread), and again the adobo mambo and lasagna

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Caesar Salad - refreshing & good. A perfecr summer meal

Southern Fried Chicken

After dinner, the kids and yaya rode the shuttle back to the hotel…while, hubby and I decided to have a few drinks and relax by the beach  

The next day, the kids woke up early, had their breakfast and decided to enjoy the pools one last time. They then had a light lunch of pizza and a club sandwich…all the while they were asking me if we can stay for another day.  :)  Guess they really had fun!

Club Sandwich

But alas, we have to pack our bags and check out…  But we will be back… definitely…we will be back.

Hong Kong is one of our favorite destinations, besides being near, it has something for everyone.  There’s Ocean Park and Disney for the kids, shopping for the trendsetters or bargain hunters and of course, lots of yummy food options for the food lovers.

And since summer is upon us, I am sure a lot of moms out there are already planning their HK itineraries… with this in mind, I would like to share with you my favorite dishes and restos in Hong Kong.

KO LAU WAN  HOT POT - 1/F, 21-23 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (They also have a branch in Jordan Hong Kong side)    

This is by far the best hot pot experience I’ve ever had.  None of the usual doughy squid balls or meatballs…

DELICIOUS KITCHEN - I go there just to have their pork-rib rice. Yum!                                                                                              

G/F 20-20A Ashley Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon (They also have a branch in Causeway Bay)

Pork Rib with Vegetable Rice

CHUK YUEN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT- My absolute fave Chinese Restaurant in Hong Kong.  They have seafood, dimsum and other yummy dishes     One meal in this resto is not enough… I love their dimsum, but the main dishes are worth going back for.    They also gave us free orange juice and fresh fruits for dessert:)    

Pacific centre, 28 Hankow Road,Tsim Sha Tsui

Steamed Spareribs

Fried Shrimp Salad

Pork Siomai with Roe

Stir Fried Soy Noodles - Kinda oily, but yummy

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Ox Brisket Curry - This is the bomb! Tender meat and tendon that melts in your mouth...perfectly complemented by the creamy curry sauce. Best accompanied by a bowl of steamed rice Super! Just writing about it now, is making me want to book the first flight to Hong Kong!

Pan-fried Turnip Cake with XO Sauce - Thumbs-up! Very Tasty!

Steamed Sharkfin Dumpling in Soup - Look at the size of that dumpling (compared to my spoon). The broth is rich and yet refreshing and the huge dumpling was full of mushrooms, sharksfin and pork. Perfect!

DIN TAI FUNG – The famous  Siao Long Bao from Taiwan is now in Hong Kong.            

Silvercord Branch -Shop 130, 3F, Silvercord, No.30, Canton Rd., Tsimshatsui          

The best Siao Long Bao! Just be ready for long lines during peak hours.

YUNG KEE - The best roast goose.  Better to have reservations or avoid going during peak hours, as you would have to wait a long time for a table…                                                                                                                                                                                         

32-40 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong

yummy Roast Goose

SUPERSTAR SEAFOOD -  4/F, Gateway, Harbour City (Above City’super food court), Tsim Sha Tsui

Hot & Sour Soup - I love this... Perfect balance of taste, not too sour.

Roast Duck

Beef with Broccoli

I cant remember the name but I really liked this. Dioffernt kinds of mushrooms...Yummy...

I cant remember the name too - but its a spicy squid dish... squid was cooked perfectly and not overcooked, liked this too.

CAFE LANDMARK - Looove their food…Plus its already inside Landmark mall!  Excellent service                                

1/F, The Landmark, 16 Des Voeux Road, Central

Pan Fried Foie Gras - My favorite... Its so flavorful, creamy and ... sensual... Perfectly sinful & heavenly at the same time!

U.S. Prime Rib-eye Steak Hubby loved it

Lobster Linguine - I am sooo craving this right now! Generous servings of lobster with linguine in creamy lobster sauce.

Now, for Cheap Eats/Quick Bites:

Tsui Wah - Best midnight snack after bar hopping                                                                                                                                            

G-2/F, 15-19 Wellington Street, Central (In case you miss it, they also have a branch inside the airport)

Beef Noodle Soup - The rich beefy broth is perfect for an after drinking snack.

Fish Ball Noodle Soup

City Super Food Court - They have rice meals & noodles… Also Indian, Japanese and Korean dishes                                     3/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 18 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui

Cafe de Coral - Large Chinese Fast food chain.  Serves breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner.                                             

Chinese and also Continental dishes. Rice Toppings, Steak, Milk Coffee etc.  Branches can be found all over Hong Kong.

Fastfood chain in Hong Kong

Typical breakfast

Barbecued pork rice

7/11 – They also have frozen food that you can just pop in the microwave

Hot Soup and curried fish balls - Can be a light afternoon snack or midnight snack

So there u go folks, a list of some of my fave restos in Hong Kong.  Happy Eating!

When we think of summer getaways, barkada trips, company outings, family vacations or honeymoon destinations, what comes to mind is Boracay, Bohol, Palawan,Cebu or Bellaroca… among others.

Well, who would have thought that there is a gem of a resort right here in Luzon!

A few days ago, we caught a Cebu Pacific flight to Tuguegarao for our trip to Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort in Sun City.  The flight took only an hour and we had to take a 3-hour van ride to get to the resort.  Yes, the road trip was longer than I expected, but Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort is very well worth it and even exceeded my expectations.

Our villa has 3 bedrooms all equipped with their own airconditioning units and plasma TV,  2 bathrooms, living room (also with plasma TV and seperate air-conditioning unit) and dining area.  I heard they also have 2 BR and 5 BR villas.

Villas

2nd bedroom

Masters Bedroom

chic furnitures - lobby

lobby bar / cafe

There are so many things you can do, there’s something for everyone –  swimming, relax  & get a tan, (open sea) game fishing, boating, jet-skiing, kayaking, have a massage at the spa etc.    And for the health buff, you can also squeeze in some work-out time at the gym.  You can also have some drinks at their hotel bar (free wi-fi) or their awesome club/bar, videoke in their beautifully furnished private rooms or play billiards at the sports club.

Gym

VIP pool. They also have an infinity pool facing the sea, but it was being cleaned when we arrived. So I had this pool all to myself while hubby went fishing

boat ride going towards White Sand Beach

Spa & Holistic Center

Infinity pool

Here are some pics of their club/bar, Sky Lounge.  The place was epic!  Definitely impressive and not someplace you’d expect to see in the province.  The interiors and furnishings of the club will definitely induce lust in some Manilaclub owners and make them go green with envy.

Sports Bar

And the food… glorious food!

Rib-eye steak from the lobby resto

their Chinese resto

Abalone with Lettuce

Beef Tenderloin

Spicy Prawns - Yummy!

Fish maw & Black Sea Cucumber

Seafood Hotpot

Fried Rice with Dried Scallops & Egg Whites

Broccoli w/ garlic Stir-fry

Shrimp Hakaw

Sour & Spicy Soup

Fried Savoury Puffs

Actually on our 2nd day, since it’s a seaside town, we also decided on having some fresh seafood cooked at the nearby Dampa style eatery near the highway, but it was closed that day (a person told us that the owners must have been tired after the all-night celebration of the town fiesta the night before)  ;)

The resort’s staff are courteous and  service is impeccable, just ring the front desk and they will send over a golf cart to take you around.

Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort is definitely a place to consider for your next trip.  And the good news is, the new airport might be ready by next year, so going to sun city will no longer be 3 hours but just 45 mins.  Just less than 2 hours (flight plus road trip) to get to paradise.

We would definitely go back here with the kids

By the way, you can’t leave Tuguegarao without trying their Pancit Batil-Patung or Pancit Tuguegarao.  We had this at the Airport eatery (50 pesos) while waiting for our flight  And don’t forget to buy some of those garlicky Cagayan Longganisa for pasalubong.

Pancit Batil-Patung

Email:  info@cagayanresort.com

Phone: +63 02 8440 888 / +63 91 8233 0333

Website: http://www.cagayanresort.com

It was the last weekend of October last year, when the whole family decided to fly to Singapore for the kids’ semestral break.  We were a big group – father- in- law (thanks dad!), mom-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, hubby, me and my kids plus 2 nannies.

Needless to say, organizing a big group like this is not easy… but thanks to Ton, my sis-in-law who tirelessly organized all of our travel arrangements, I only need to worry about our itinerary and download all the must see, must do and must eat lists.  Having a bunch of kids with us and 2 babies, we want to stay in a family friendly hotel near the malls and also plan activities that will keep the kids busy for at least 2 days and leave us moms with ample time to shop.

So we settled on Mandarin Orchard.  It is right smack in Orchard road and just right across Takashimaya and in very close proximity to the other malls.  Also it has a pool, great restos and a bar (where we chose to unwind after a whole day of activities).  It may be on the pricey side, but amenities are great, service is good, although the lines for the buffet breakfast (breakfast selections were not that extensive, my kid was looking for pancakes and they had none) can be quite long but fast moving.  And the rooms and bathroom are huge.  We had 2 double beds and a pullout bed in our room!  Yipee!

Also, we flew via Singapore Airlines.  The seats are definitely bigger.  We were seated in the first aisle (coach section).  And they provided a baby ­­­­­crib (looks like the acrylic/plastic ones in nurseries, which they attached to the wall in front of us), in case the babies want to sleep.  Isabella didn’t use it, as she prefers to seat on my lap, but it was indeed useful in changing her nappies.   Service was quick and efficient but not as warm.  Iba talaga ang pinoy, we are more “cariñoso”.

The kids really had fun with all the activies.  I took the kids to the Singapore Science Center and it was quite a long cab trip from our hotel, but it was so worth it.  The kids had fun exporing all the science stations, but the icing on the cake is the CSI center (not included in ticket price, you have to pay additional for this).  We were so lucky to chance upon CSI’s world tour since their last stop was Singapore.  The kids (and I) had a great time pretending to be CSI’s, scouring crime scenes for clues and examining various evidence.   Being a fan of the show, it was a great experience.  My daughter also enjoyed the Chocolate Research Facility, it’s a chocolate shop that looks like a pharmacy selling all variants of chocolate flavors you can imagine!  And of course our trip won’t be complete without Universal Studios.  (Note: It would be wise to visit USS on a weekday as the lines are short and to also purchase tickets that already comes with shuttle service.)  Although of course USS Singapore can’t compare to Universal in L.A., it’s more economical, as they have coupons with the tickets that can be used to buy food and souvenirs, which translates to big savings (which I liked).  We all enjoyed the rides and the shows, with the kids doing some of the rides twice!  But the teens were really disappointed that the Cyclone ride was closed… maybe next time.

My hubby and I also spent an afternoon exploring Chinatown and visiting the Chinese Heritage Center, which shows how life was for the early Chinese immigrants.  Afterwards, we headed out into one of the food stalls and feasted on Black Pepper Crab and giant bottles of Tiger beer.

Singapore is really a foodies’ paradise, we had yummy Hainese Chicken in Chatter box on our first night.  The next night, we went to Newton Circus and dined on crabs, prawns, stingray, noodles and washed it all down with Tiger beer.  We also ate at Long Beach, where we had crabs (again), steamed bamboo shells, duck and prawns.  On our last night in Singapore, we decided to splurge and dined in Lawry’s, they serve the most succulent, melt-in-your-mouth prime rib.  It was sooo expensive, but it was worth it.  And for our last day, a few hours before we went to the airport, we had some Xiao Long Bao and noodles at Crystal Jade.  And had some Durian puffs (from a stall in Takashimaya) for dessert!  I figured, all the walking we did will compensate for all the eating!

All in all, traveling with kids to Singapore is really enjoyable, but you have to make sure that you have arranged all your itineraries beforehand and packed all your essentials (Tip:  I gave my kids a set of packing cube each, so their things won’t get mixed up).  Bringing the baby is also something to think about because, besides the extra luggage (it took one big luggage for all my baby stuff), you have to be ready for abrupt trips back to the hotel like when baby is cranky or tired, baby getting sick or just because you forgot something and… of course no night outs for you and hubby.

For mommies like me who love to travel and yet who are also budget conscious, it might be worth your time to check out the Travel Tour Expo.

The TravelTour Expo was conceptualized by PTAA in 1994 to showcase the products and services of its members. Since then, the show has evolved into a much awaited annual industry event covering practically all segments of the travel business, making it the biggest event for the travel and tourism industry. About 80,000 visitors were present in the 2010 edition which had 416 booths occupied by 230 firms.

On its 18th year, TravelTour Expo is expanding to 4 halls, giving exhibitors more booths to choose from while offering visitors a wider variety of travel options. The 3-day event is scheduled on 18 to 20 February 2011 at Halls 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

With the theme “Around the World in 3 Days”, the show aims to feature various hotspots in the Philippines and all over the world. Visitors can expect a glimpse of what awaits them in their chosen destinations while enjoying cultural presentations, souvenir items and discounted travel packages from the exhibitors.

For more details pls. visit http://www.ptaatraveltourexpo.com.ph/