Anaheim, California: Disneyland Date [A Photodiary]

Date of Travel: December 23, 2014

After much of the The Boyfriend's insistence to see some tourist attractions in California during my holiday trip, I agree on seeing Disneyland. We have planned to take this road trip to Anaheim a day before my flight to Seattle for Christmas Holidays. Since we only finalized this plan a few days before my trip, we have decided to just visit the Disneyland Park for a day. Moreover, we bought the theme park tickets the day itself. 

 Not saluting, just covering my eyes from the glare of the sun. Arte pose, in short. haha!

We had errands to settle first prior our disneyland trip so we arrived at Disneyland at around 10 am already.

Here are some photos of our disneyland adventure with some stories along the way...
 

the tram ride from the parking lot to the theme park entrance
 

we bought the 1 park ticket for 1 day
 

main street
 

hello, tomorrowland!
 

Our first theme park ride together, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. It took us almost 1 hour to queue. 
 

The Boyfriend's phone battery got empty so we have decided to dine in Carnation Cafe while he charged his phone. Since we were still full from our breakfast (check it at the end of this entry), we only shared cobb salad and this weird peach pastry. haha!
 

we also rode the Mark Twain Riverboat

One of my favorite disney experiences, The Parade!

As recommended by a close friend, we tried the mickey mouse ice creams. Super yum!
 

Photo ops with the Princesses will always, ALWAYS be in my disneyland to-do-list. hehe.

Disneyland at night!

I have mentioned from a few captions back that we were full from breakfast, thus a small snack meal at Disneyland. Well, we reached Anaheim early in the morning to do some errands so we opted to grab some breakfast while jumping from one errand to another. Thank you to yelp, which is The Boyfriend's go-to-app for restaurant reviews, we decided to try The Original Pancake House. OMG, we were surprised by their servings. Breakfast of the champions! haha!

food: 49'er flapjacks, bacon, pancakes and corned beef hash plus coffee

We didn't wait for the fireworks in Disneyland as i have an early morning flight the following day so before we head back to Los Angeles, The Boyfriend brought me to one of his favorite pit stops in Anaheim, Pokinometry. We ordered 3 dishes, one for the each of us and the other as The Boyfriend's lunch "baon" to work.

How to order? Check this link to know more about Poki.

#OOTD

I have been advised, almost in a stern like manner by The Boyfriend to wear rubber shoes for this trip as it would entail non stop walking. Me in rubber shoes? Since when? Since this trip! hahahaha! My friends in instagram didn't pass the opportunity to tease me about this decision. Anyway, thinking it was winter, i geared up for a winter-like outfit only realizing it was hot that day. haha! Fail! well, like what i always say, "Tiis Ganda".

 I belong. Choz!

fur vest: Magnolia | Top: Bandung Outlet | Skirt: HM | Sneakers: Nike | Sunglasses: Rayban | Handband: Forever 21 | Purse: Kate Spade | Watch: Marc Jacobs

Last Thoughts about Anaheim

Funnily, one of the most memorable moments of this trip was not really the Disneyland experience but it was the running of errands together prior to Disneyland. You should've seen what we looked like. Those moments really tested our patience to each other. I guess we considered the disneyland theme park adventure as a reward for surpassing our crazy errand experience.

So speaking of disneyland, personally, there are 3 major things to make my disneyland experience amazing. First, the parade. I was so happy i was able to watch the parade. Second, photo ops with the princesses. This experience was a bit of a let down because i wasn't able to maximize my time to have photo ops with the princesses. I don't have photo with Princess Belle plus others. boohoo! Moreover, we got lost looking for their location. Last, the fireworks. As much as i wanted to wait for the fireworks, we didn't have the luxury of time. Despite some "could haves", i have told myself and to The Boyfriend that we could always come back for Round 2 in the future. And i'm pretty sure all my must-do-list in disneyland will be ticked off by then. Maybe 2 day disneyland trip is in order next time. heehee. 

Look out for more of my US adventures plus our roadtrip to Vancouver. Toodles!

Anaheim, California: Disneyland Date [A Photodiary]

Date of Travel: December 23, 2014

After much of the The Boyfriend's insistence to see some tourist attractions in California during my holiday trip, I agree on seeing Disneyland. We have planned to take this road trip to Anaheim a day before my flight to Seattle for Christmas Holidays. Since we only finalized this plan a few days before my trip, we have decided to just visit the Disneyland Park for a day. Moreover, we bought the theme park tickets the day itself. 

 Not saluting, just covering my eyes from the glare of the sun. Arte pose, in short. haha!

We had errands to settle first prior our disneyland trip so we arrived at Disneyland at around 10 am already.

Here are some photos of our disneyland adventure with some stories along the way...
 

the tram ride from the parking lot to the theme park entrance
 

we bought the 1 park ticket for 1 day
 

main street
 

hello, tomorrowland!
 

Our first theme park ride together, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. It took us almost 1 hour to queue. 
 

The Boyfriend's phone battery got empty so we have decided to dine in Carnation Cafe while he charged his phone. Since we were still full from our breakfast (check it at the end of this entry), we only shared cobb salad and this weird peach pastry. haha!
 

we also rode the Mark Twain Riverboat

One of my favorite disney experiences, The Parade!

As recommended by a close friend, we tried the mickey mouse ice creams. Super yum!
 

Photo ops with the Princesses will always, ALWAYS be in my disneyland to-do-list. hehe.

Disneyland at night!

I have mentioned from a few captions back that we were full from breakfast, thus a small snack meal at Disneyland. Well, we reached Anaheim early in the morning to do some errands so we opted to grab some breakfast while jumping from one errand to another. Thank you to yelp, which is The Boyfriend's go-to-app for restaurant reviews, we decided to try The Original Pancake House. OMG, we were surprised by their servings. Breakfast of the champions! haha!

food: 49'er flapjacks, bacon, pancakes and corned beef hash plus coffee

We didn't wait for the fireworks in Disneyland as i have an early morning flight the following day so before we head back to Los Angeles, The Boyfriend brought me to one of his favorite pit stops in Anaheim, Pokinometry. We ordered 3 dishes, one for the each of us and the other as The Boyfriend's lunch "baon" to work.

How to order? Check this link to know more about Poki.

#OOTD

I have been advised, almost in a stern like manner by The Boyfriend to wear rubber shoes for this trip as it would entail non stop walking. Me in rubber shoes? Since when? Since this trip! hahahaha! My friends in instagram didn't pass the opportunity to tease me about this decision. Anyway, thinking it was winter, i geared up for a winter-like outfit only realizing it was hot that day. haha! Fail! well, like what i always say, "Tiis Ganda".

 I belong. Choz!

fur vest: Magnolia | Top: Bandung Outlet | Skirt: HM | Sneakers: Nike | Sunglasses: Rayban | Handband: Forever 21 | Purse: Kate Spade | Watch: Marc Jacobs

Last Thoughts about Anaheim

Funnily, one of the most memorable moments of this trip was not really the Disneyland experience but it was the running of errands together prior to Disneyland. You should've seen what we looked like. Those moments really tested our patience to each other. I guess we considered the disneyland theme park adventure as a reward for surpassing our crazy errand experience.

So speaking of disneyland, personally, there are 3 major things to make my disneyland experience amazing. First, the parade. I was so happy i was able to watch the parade. Second, photo ops with the princesses. This experience was a bit of a let down because i wasn't able to maximize my time to have photo ops with the princesses. I don't have photo with Princess Belle plus others. boohoo! Moreover, we got lost looking for their location. Last, the fireworks. As much as i wanted to wait for the fireworks, we didn't have the luxury of time. Despite some "could haves", i have told myself and to The Boyfriend that we could always come back for Round 2 in the future. And i'm pretty sure all my must-do-list in disneyland will be ticked off by then. Maybe 2 day disneyland trip is in order next time. heehee. 

Look out for more of my US adventures plus our roadtrip to Vancouver. Toodles!

Hongkong: My Favorite City with My Favorite Girls

June 23 - 25, 2012

It was my promise to my favorite nieces that we will go to Hongkong together and I was over the moon when it finally happened. It was more than 6 months of preparation but it was worth it. 

We decided to have the trip during my week long holiday last June. This trip was still a DIY one but was catered to what my siblings and nieces wanted.

My Favorite Girls

Here comes my Hongkong ramblings and more...

ACCOMMODATION

It was my first time to stay at Hongkong Island and finding a cheap but decent place to stay for the 8 of us was a bit of a challenge. I was actually lemming on staying in a hostel/guesthouse BUT i want the girls to experience hotel for their first foreign country trip so i decided to stay in a hotel. I was able to book 2 hotels through Agoda in Sheung Wan Area.

60 West Hotel

Total rate for 2 nights: 349.32 USD

I was able to book their executive suite at a very cheap price! This suite includes 2 rooms with kitchen, living and dining area. Max number of occupants is supposedly 4 BUT 6 - 8 people can actually fit in this room. My sister and the kids absolutely adored this place! hahaha!

PROs

• clean room
• wide room space
• accommodating reception and staff
• fast and free wifi access
• LCD TVs (each on the room and 1 on the living room area)
• dingding tram and mtr accessible
• near to macau ferry terminal

CONs

• 15 min walk from the hotel to Sheung Wan station in MTR
• a bit hard to look for it both on the map and on the road

master bedroom

kid's room

kitchen and living room area

TOP: view from the master's bedroom | BELOW: view from the kid's bedroom

Hotel LBP

Total Rate for Luxury Twin/King Room - 2 nights : 195.11 USD

I have also booked this hotel which was only 3 minutes away from 60 west hotel. Since rooms only have max of 2 occupants, i booked 2 rooms for this hotel. I personally stayed here during our trip and one of my niece was my room mate. For Hongkong standards, this was actually a steal already!

PROs

• nice and accommodating reception and staff
• modern room with soft bed and plush pillows
• wide and clean room
• fast and free wifi

CONs

• breakfast was simple and basic
• hard to locate in the map

TOURIST SITES

My original itinerary was not followed and we were able to modify it according to the group's mood and it was fine by me. This trip is for them so anything they wanted, I agreed. hehe :)

Day 1 - Peak Tram, The Peak, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, Sky Terrace

we availed the combo package of The Peak (round trip peak tram, wax museum, sky terrace). since we reached lower peak tram at afternoon already, the queue was already long and it took us almost an hour to ride the tram. anyway, the kids enjoyed the whole experience. check out the pics below to see their faces. ahaha!

Peak Tram Experience

Wax Museum Experience

Sky Terrace

Day 2 - Hongkong Disneyland

the highlight of our trip! my girls got giddy with excitement taking photos with the Disney Princesses. I guess that truly made their disneyland experience extra special.

Day 3 - Tungchung Cable Car, Ngongping Village and Big Buddha

Original plan was ocean park but since we were heading to Macau the same day, we opted to go to Ngong Ping instead. They were nervous all through out the cable car ride. haha!

crystal cabin

Additional bits of info...

A11 Bus

Since our hotel was located in Hongkong Island, we took the A11 bus from the airport to reach Macau Ferry Terminal. Fare was 40 HKD.

MTR

I just love hongkong's mtr! it's fast and convenient to travel from one place to another. Signs and maps are everywhere inside the MTR stations that will help you find your way around.

MTR: "Please mind the mind. *teng teng teng*"

Starferry

Just for experience, we rode starferry from central to tsim tsa tsui using the starferry. Andy, my niece, was scared of the thought when we assured her that it was only a 5 - 10 minute cross from one place to another. hahaha!

Macau Ferry Terminal/Sheung Wan/Shun Tak Centre Locker

Since our third day in hongkong is also the day for us to travel to macau, we put all our bags in the locker for safekeeping before we take ferry going to macau. initially, we inquired turbojet to have our bags kept but the rate was unacceptable. i think it was mote than 100 hkd per bag. so, we dragged our bags looking for a locker. thank goodness we found it!!!

It is located inside the Shun Tak Centre, under the escalator going to Sheung Wan MTR station. it is also beside a small newspaper stand.

TIP: read the instructions thoroughly and collect 10hkd coins (only denomination the locker accepts)

TRAVEL IN STYLE

I love love love traveling in hongkong coz of fashion. i always overdress when i'm there. haha! i can wear whatever and can get away looking over the top. ahlaveet. 

so for this trip, since it was a summer season. i wore chic, unexpected summer outfits BUT since out trip requires a lot of walking, i wore flats the entire time. 

day 1

day 2

day 3

Final Thoughts about Hongkong

Hongkong is love. i don't imagine living here but i imagine myself visiting this place often. It is a rare treat to spend vacation with my family and thank God everything went great.

i still have a lot of places and activities to cover to when i go back to hongkong plus i still haven't got the time and among other things to have my solo trip in hongkong. suffice to say, i NEED to go back very very soon. heehee :)