Taipan tours for Eastern Canada Trip

We had our very first Canada bus tour last Civic Holiday weekend. It was enjoyable because we didn't have to spend much. Here's the breakdown of all the expenses and the details of our itinerary:

Canada East 3Day Tours
Fees per person: CDN 132 (Bus tour and Hotel for 3 days) CDN 46 (Entrance fees and other charges-tips) with food (buffet style) lunch day2, lunch day3 and 1 dinner with service charge (CDN 113)

Day 1
Toronto
Kingston
Ottawa: Parliament Hill
Civilization Museum
Montreal: Dinner
Hotel

Day 2
St. Joseph Oratory
Notre Dame Basilica
Olympic Stadium (Biodome, Montreal Tower)
Quebec: Old Quebec City
Hotel

Day 3
Quebec City
Brunch
1000 Islands Cruise (1 hour)
Toronto



Those who are interested for this kind of trip on Labor day weekend or any other 3day-weekend may contact
Sarah Li - 416-917-9038

Fine Lunch at Moxie's Classic Grill

This is one of the reasons why I want to go back to work - to eat out in the trendy places for free :). The big bosses in our team treated us - 3 new employees (Specialists they say) to a hearty lunch at Moxie's Classic Grill near our office. I liked the ambience - it's cozy and the service is great (although they forgot to serve my salad, I forgot about it because I'm already full). It was a good thing that FIFA is on and we didn't get a reservation at an Italian resto because Italy is playing and they cannot assure us seats. Moxie's was a good choice. The food is superb! I ordered from the Summer Specials menu and they were teasing me about my order with rice. I liked what I ordered - Mango Chicken, right spicy and sweet taste and the avocado/salsa side matched my palate. I hope to go back there and treat my family on my first pay maybe? :)

Trendy and inexpensive eyeglasses

I came across this internet site while looking for new frames. The #1 online Rx glasses store provides a wide range of trendy frames and different types of lenses. I was thinking of getting bifocal lenses, good thing Zenni Optical is the place to find the lowest price progressive glasses. I saw this Titanium frame and wonder if this frame can be used with a progressive lens. There are other styles to choose from and somehow I can't decide whicn one to buy. All these eyeglasses are real good finds because of its value for money advantage.

I'm not the only one who find this site interesting and highly recommendable. Eric's Review of Zenni Optical is so helpful and information.

Toronto tour via Citypass

When Irvin and Faye visited us last Christmas, we chose to tour them via the Citypass. It's a booklet of tickets to five Toronto attractions which only cost US$ 57.82 each adult, a whopping 50% savings compared to buying the tickets separately. The Toronto Citypass included Toronto's major attractions like the CN Tower, Casa Loma, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Center and Toronto Zoo. The CN Tower tour included the motion-ride, glass floors and the tour at the top. What's amazing is that if you are a Citypass holder, you need not line up at the ticket booths which we took advantage at the long queues in these attractions.

If you're a first time traveller or just want to see Toronto's most famous spots at discounted prices, Citypass is the way to do it. You have nine days to finish all the attractions with Citypass. Booklets also provide you with attraction information, transportation directions, best times to visit, a map, and expert advice on where to find distinctive Toronto tastes, goods, and off-beat places from the experts at National Geographic Traveler magazine. Toronto CityPass is your guide to Toronto – and it fits in your pocket.

The other side of San Francisco - Marin County

As young as he is, my firstborn already knows and looks forward going to the popular tourist destinations like the Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate bridge. He saw some of my photos during my US trip last 2008 and he said he wants to have a picture taken in the NY and San Francisco landmarks. I also want to go back to San Francisco because I only had 6 hours to see the city. This time, I would love to see the Marin County side and avail the Mill Valley Hotel Deals.

There’s this hotel that we always stayed on while in the US and I’m sure there is a Holiday Inn California to try there. I like to explore this side of California because of its scenic beauty. This Mill Valley Holiday Inn is surrounded by trees and bird sanctuary and there’s also a biking and jogging path to provide the guests options for physical activities while on their vacation. After going around San Francisco and exploring the different sites and attractions, it’s a pleasant nook to stay in this side for the much needed rest and relaxation. A modern respite with the latest technology in your rooms in the midst of natural beauty.

IPod and the internet

I have dreamt of having an IPhone but since I don’t have the regular source of income to afford a monthly subscription to get one, I will have to be content with Lito’s IPod Touch as my other form of relaxation. Last night, I found myself browsing the internet using this gadget (Before, I only use it to listen to music, reading an ebook, watch a movie or play games) and I was amazed. The Safari browser is different from the Explorer or Firefox which I am used to and gliding through the soft screen is exciting. The windows appear as another page and they move from one side to another as if moving sheets of paper. The Top sites feature of the Safari 4 browser displays the thumbnails of recently visited sites. I found this tip from a free articles directory where there are lots of articles submitted. The articles are listed in different categories and my favorite is Technology and computers which is a popular subject.

Well, I think I am still an IPod novice. While most of the gadget-hungry yuppies and youth went gaga over the chic MP3 players and sleek MacBook Air years ago, it’s only now that I am into it. Thanks to ITunes and other strategies to promote the IPod, Apple has tremendously reached that status with the trendy products and I guess I’m also hooked. One article submitted in web world articles explained what Apple really undertook to promote IPod. Now, Apple’s IPod is a huge success and the rest is history.

Daluyon Resort - Sabang Beach, Palawan

We had been to Daluyon Resort in its maiden launch 2 yrs ago. It was still closed to public then and only those who took the Underground River Tour package of the sister resort in Puerto Princesa (Puerto Pension) gets to see the resort before its official launch. Our tour package include lunch and we had it there on the beach front. The food was superb, I remember the seafood I ordered as really fresh and delicious while Lito's chicken was delectable. The service too was exceptional. We were treated like king and queen there.

The infinity pool was not yet finished but the design and location is very nice. I could imagine myself relaxing in its quiet waters while looking at the waves on the beach. The rooms are big and the interiors are impressive. Here are the pictures I've taken:



Daluyon is the only class-A resort in that part of Sabang. It offers standard, superior and deluxe accomodation for you and your whole family. The infinity pool, great food and service of the restaurant are a few of the amenities this destination has to offer. So when you head to Sabang for the UNDERGROUND RIVER tour, don't forget to check out Daluyon Resort, an overnight stay will not be enough to enjoy the island.

My Wensha Spa Experience

My sister Wendy treated me and my mom, as my send off gift to a full body massage at Wensha Spa. My last day in the Philippines was spent entirely in this place, it is a 24-hour spa and the Full Body massage treatment that we availed comes with an "eat-all-you-can" buffet (Filipino and Hot pot style). The 680-pesos value of the massage is so "sulit" I wonder if I could find the same treat in Canada...haha.
WENSHA SPA in CCP Complex
We arrived a little after lunch so after checking in, we changed to our robes, put our things on our lockers and started our late lunch. We were seated near the big screen and we watched the Cory funeral/procession while we were having our meal. The viands are okay I only remember the Caldereta dish and the Pancit so it must have been good. The wet floors area has a very big screen too so while we dip in the hot bath, we can still watch the Cory funeral. Oh by the way, the difference here and the The Spa, is you have to take it all off, well being bare is nothing to me( at least in an all girls area of the spa), since I have given birth to 3 boys already.

After a few minutes at the jacuzzi, we went inside the steam sauna and stayed for at least 10 minutes, the mist is refreshing. The Dry Sauna is worth trying but I dared not because I can alrady feel the heat near the drinking water station beside it. The maximum no of hours you can stay in Wensha is up to 6 hours so we spent at least 2 hours here, then one hour massage, then one hour rest (I overslept while having manicure and pedicure >> I availed this for additional P180 each) then 2 hours eating hahaha. The Massage area is enclosed in different rooms, we chose one that can accomodate 3 persons. There is also a large common area for bigger groups (at least 10 in the upper room). According to the Massage Therapist (Glory is good being hard), the massage style is a combination of Swedish and Shiatsu but whatever that is, It felt good and I really felt relaxed and relieved of the pains and lamig lamig. I highly recommend Wensha Spa, imagine after eating, the relaxation treatment starts at the wet floors, then the massage, then you can eat again, then addtional treatments like footspa, scrubs, manicure or pedicure then eat again, then before you go, you can have free use of the kikay items like lotions, powders and a new set of toothbrush. Those I have mentioned, were not available in other spas that I know of. If you are stressed, need to relax or looking for a value for money Spa- WENSHA SPA is it...you have to try it to believe what I'm saying...I bet lots of Wensha goers will agree...The next time I go back to the Philippines, I will definitely head to the CCP Complex in Boom na Boom and have a Wensha Spa treatment.

Lutong Bahay in Caramoan

We were tired after almost 4 hours of travelling, our excitement to see Caramoan has not vanished but our stomachs were already empty. Good thing our tricycle driver turned guide brought us to Lutong Bahay, we were engorged after a full meal. Lutong Bahay is where tourists of Caramoan dine, it's well known for 'lutong bahay' (home-cooked) fare. The place is small and simple, it's like a 'turo-turo' (local cafeteria) here in Manila but they serve delicious Bikolano dishes. I ordered Porkchop Steak and Laing and ordered a packed dish for dinner - Pork Adobo. Since it's home-cooked, nothing fancy. The pork dishes were so-so, but I really like the Laing. Cost per meal is around 65 pesos for the meat and veggie meal with 1 cup of rice. You will not miss this eatery in Centro, Caramoan, it has a big sign in front.

Easter Sunday Breakfast @ Bag of Beans

We had an Easter Sunday celebration in Tagaytay and had breakfast at Bag of Beans. Since we're early, we had the place to ourselves and we enjoyed the nice ambiance and serenity of the place. This breakfast nook is set in an open garden with trees that keeps the place cool. The tables are strategically located, there are long tables for families, coffee tables for twosome, corners for those who wants to have a breakfast meeting. It has a talking 'mynah' bird at the center which my kids enjoyed talking to. We ordered their famous freshly baked raisin bread, pancakes, the breakfast platter and cups of freshly brewed 'kapeng barako' (coffee)>>their specialty. Although they are known for their coffee and breakfast, they also serve lunch and dinner. I was told their fruit shakes are must-try but I was too full to try. Bag of Beans customers have grown and it was about time they opened the other end for an expansion to accommodate more. We had great photo opportunities here and as usual Kyle taking his own shots.

Inside Bag of Beans
This was taken by Kyle - my 3-yr-old photographer wannabe
Breakfast Platter
Raisin Bread
Bag of Beans Expansion Wing

So in your quest to find a nook and unwind from city's hustle and bustle, Bag of Beans in Tagaytay is a must-try.