SINGAPORE-MALAYSIA ITINERARY 2015

My son opted for a LEGOLAND Malaysia trip to celebrate his 7th Birthday.  We were there just last year, so planning this one was easy.  

The plan was simple, reach Malaysia via Singapore, stay overnight in LegoLand Malaysia (LLM) leave and stay one night at Sentosa in Singapore for a quick visit to Universal Studio.

Here is our itinerary:

Day 1 - LEGOLAND Malaysia - Water Park

• 5am - Early flight from Manila to Changi Singapore
• 10am - Arrive at Changi Airport
• 11am - Travel to Legoland Johor Bahru, Malaysia via a pre-arranged private taxi.  We used SGMY taxi services, the same one we used in our last visit.  We had a very good experience hiring them last year ~ easy and really hassle free!
• 1230pm - Arrived at LLM Hotel.  Check-in is at 4pm, so we just deposited our luggage and got our 2 days combo tickets. 

 

 

• I pre-booked the LLM  Hotel and got the ticket via the LLM website.  The 2 days combo ticket allows multiple entries to both the LEGOLAND Themepark and LEGOLAND Waterpark for 2 consecutive days.
• 1pm - Lunch at PanCake House at the Mall of Medini.
• 2-5pm - LL Waterpark.  I packed our wetsuits and change of clothes in a separate bag, so we don't have to open our other luggage. We got a CABANA like we did before.

• A half day cabana rental costs MYR180. Each cabana has two deluxe chair lounges and seating chairs, two complimentary towels, safe deposit box, mini refrigerator and a table.  It also has free wifi access, plus bottled water and soda.

(Check out our LL Waterpark trip from last year:  LLM Waterpark)       

• 4pm  - Left the waterpark to check-in and rest for a while before dinner. The boys were tired from the early morning flight and swimming.

 

• 6pm - Dinner at Burger King the Mall of Medini.
• 7pm - Early retreat.  

Day 2 - LEGOLAND Malaysia - Theme Park

• 8am - Breakfast at the Bricks

• 930am - Off to LLM Theme park. The park opens at 10am, but LLM Hotel guests are allowed to enter 30 minutes earlier. Note: We had to check-out before leaving the hotel. Our bags were deposited at LLM Hotel's luggage storage. 
• 6pm - Left LLM Hotel. I have arranged for an SGMY taxi pick-up at LLM and drop off at Movenpick Sentosa Singapore
• 730pm -  Check-in at Movenpick Heritage Hotel our home for the night. Dinner was at the Imbiah Station, which is just across the hotel. 

Day 3 - Universal Studio Singapore (USS)

• 830am -  Early check-out. Left our luggage at the hotel luggage storage for pick-up.  Before leaving we requested assistance from the concierge for a taxi booking at 330pm to take us to the airport.  
• 9am - Breakfast at McDonald's Forum Mall, Resorts World

 

• 10am - USS Theme park. I realize that USS is more enjoyable off peak season.  We were able to cover more rides this time, compared to our December USS trip, that considering we only stayed 5 hours this time (compared to our 9-9pm last time). 

• 3pm - Left USS.
• 330pm - On the dot, left the hotel for Changi for our late night flight.
• 8pm - Flight back to Manila. 

It was a busy and fun packed 3 days at LLM and USS.  

I will post updates of our SG-MY 2015 trip on our budget and will try to provide additional tips, that hopefully will help you in planning yours.


Meanwhile, you can also check below blog post from our SG-MY trip from last December 2014: SINGAPORE-MALAYSIA ITINERARY 2014
 

Crowne Plaza Manila Hotel Staycation

 

What to do on a long holiday-weekend?

 

Yup, you got that one right: A family staycation at one of Ortigas premier hotels~

Crowne Plaza Hotel

 

We booked ourselves a corner Deluxe Room.

 

The room is spacious (about 50sqm.), enough for my boys to run and play around. 

You don't get this much space abroad. 

 

The room has a floor to ceiling window that overlooks the hotel pool (which it shares with Holiday Inn hotel next door). 

 

 

 

My son, found his spot.  He claimed this comfortable side chair with foot stool for watching TV.

 

There is a 42inches LED TV hooked to good selection of local and international channels (obviously ours was tuned to the Nick and Disney channel the entire time).

 

  

 

Complimentary coffee and tea

 

 

Huge bathroom, with a separate shower and bath tub.

 
 
 

 

Yes, there is bidet

 

 

 

 

 Basic toiletries...

 

 Bath robe and a safety box, completes the room.

 

 

 

VERDICT

• Location is A+. We love that it has a direct access to Robinson's Galleria mall.   
• Service is great as expected of an IHG hotel. Staff are amiable and efficient.
• Our room is spic-and-span. However, age is catching up and would soon require renovation and probably some upgrade,  I remember the last time we've stayed at his hotel and it was immaculately clean, smells new too.
• Buffet breakfast is good with a wide selection of food, but fails in comparison to our previous visit. 
• Overall it is a nice family hotel.  We would love to come stay again, just by its location alone.

 

For reservations and inquiries, please visit their website:

CROWNE PLAZA

 

 

 

How to Throw a Simple Lego Themed Birthday Party at School

Is your child a Lego fanatic like mine, who can't seem to get enough of all things Lego? 


So for his recent birthday, we prepared a simple Lego themed party at school to share with his classmates.

It was a quick party celebration, not very different from his last year's Transformers' Themed birthday party. 

Two weeks before my son's birthday, I spoke with my son's adviser and sought approval to hold a birthday party at school before I started planning (I also got the number of number of student and teachers).

She agreed to a short birthday program over lunch, which was just enough time to feed the children and distribute loot bags.

I sent out invites to my son's classmates and teachers, through her class adviser, one week before our party date. She nicely attached the invites to the kids' diary, and was very kind to remind students, there is no need to bring "baon" on the party date.  

Matching thank you gift cards for the loot bags.

The invitations and gift cards were made by a good friend who owns a print shop ~

MKA-DE-SIGNS-PRINTING-SERVICES

  I have tried her many times before and she always delivers.

  

I got the loot bags at St. Francis Square for P12 each and Lego imitation toys at P40 each).  I know getting them at Divisoria is way cheaper, but Divi is a long way from home and I was only buying a few ~ the savings ain't worth the traffic (Note:  It is fine to haggle at St. Francis Square, they will give better prices for wholesales ~ 12+ pieces). 

We got the chocolate stuffers from the grocery store.  I took note to get good stuffers, that I don't mind giving my own children.

For his cake, I contacted a friend baker, who has been customizing birthday cakes for me for years now.

@TOY CAKES is also a trusted friend.  She can customize cakes that tastes as good (or is better) as they look. 

The night before the party, we pre-ordered KFC fully loaded meals for the students, teachers (and additional for the guards and my son's school bus drivers), for pick up the following morning. 

I gave special instructions to change the  soda to bottled water (at no additional cost) and additional paper bags to-go, since I was certain, most will not be able to finish their meal.   As always it was a fast a easy transaction with KFC.

We arrived early for the students' lunch (It is always better early than late for these kids).

It was nice to see, some of son's classmates brought gifts for my little boy.  He was obviously happy and surprised to fill up an entire huge plastic bag with gifts.

Then if was my son's turn to give out his goody bags to his classmate. My son giddily handed out the loot bags and  everyone were excited to get them (Note: I made extra for the teachers and the teacher assistants, I didn't want them to feel left out).

Note:  Remember to bring garbage bags and tissue paper.  The kids will get messy and it is just proper to help teachers clean up.

It was a wonderful day for my son.  He enjoyed it a lot and was so ecstatic to open his gifts. 

 

My son's birthday ended with more feasting with relatives.  My cousin Chef Jeff of JPJ Food Craze prepared ~

Red spaghetti (which was the cheesiest spaghetti ever)

Chicken cordon bleu with honey mustard sauce

Baked BBQ ribs partnered with mixed vegetables 

Lechon Pork Belly (sinful-sinful)

And baby potato salad

Oh and some healthy steamed Tilapia (lol)!

It was a happy long day for my kiddo (or should I say young man).

Happy 7th Birthday!

  I love being a mommy!     

10 StartUp Innovators will have a chance to "Pitch In" at Asia E- Commerce Expo 2015

Asia E- Commerce Expo 2015 (#AECoE) is happening on November 25, 2015 at SMX Convention Center, Taguig from 8AM to 6PM with more than 20 speakers and expecting 300 attendees plus 30 exhibitors to showcase their products and services.

The main objective of the event are as follows:

 ~ Empower the start up innovators AND 

~ For traditional organizations to adapt E-Commerce and to learn from the various sessions and discussions on EPrivacy, Elogistics, EPayments, Market Analysis, Digital Marketing, CRM, Strategy, E- Commerce and Going Global.
 

The organizers will also present 10 StartUp Innovators who submitted their profiles: to share to the attendees their products and services and possibly to meet their prospective partners, if looking.

 

 

The selected StartUp Companies shall be given 5 minutes to present their innovation, company profiles, products and services for everyone to see.

 

 

#AECoE is not just about learning, empowerment and inspiration but a potential future collaboration, hence the allotted time for networking.

Speakers are leaders from different industries and engaged in momentous pursuits of significance to the ASEAN region. Attendees are senior business people, high-ranking government officials and media journalists.

 

 

The confirmed speakers are as follows, plus more awaiting confirmation: 

1. Constantin Robertz- Managing Director, Zalora
2. Lars Jeppesen- CEO, Tech One Global
3. Jacqueline Van Den Ende- Managing Director, Lamudi
4. Kristian Melquiades- General Manager, Viber
5. Janette Toral- Founder, Digital Club Filipino
6. Subir Lohani- Managing Director, Carmudi
7. Chinkee Tan- Book Author and Radio Host
8. Robert Yupangco- CEO, Yupangco Group of Companies
9. Frederic Levy- Founder & CEO, CashCashPinoy
10. Camille Montejo- CEO, Tree Top Adventure Inc.
11. Bjorn Pardo- CEO, Xend Business Solutions
12. Quentin Boucher- Managing Director, Ensogo
13. Amor Maclang- Director for Communications, Geiser Maclang Marketing Communications Inc.
14. Mannix Pabalan- CEO, Hashtag Digital

Moderators:
Chris Kiklas- President, EmLogis
Pocholo Gonzales- CEO, Creativoices Production
Spanky Enriquez- Corporate Communications Consultant

Registration Fee per delegate: Php 3,000.00 (Includes: Snacks, Elegant Buffet Lunch, Conference and Expo). Here is how to register:

1. Deposit the registration fee to TAG Media and Public Relations
BPI Checking Account # 1680 0010 29

2. Scan the deposit slip

3. Send the scanned copy to maria@asiaecommerce.ph

For those who are interested in the "Pitch In" Session. You can still submit your profile on or before September 30, 2015.

The chosen companies will be included in the program/agenda.

For more info please check

Asia E-Commerce Expo Philippines 2015

For partnership/sponsorship, please contact the organizer at 09166299381 or atmaria@asiaecommerce.ph

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The Philippine Blogging Award #bloggys2015  ~the Philippines’ premiere blog awarding event  that recognizes exceptional Filipino bloggers in their chosen category.

Nomination is until September 30, 2015.

Click below link to

NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE BLOG NOW

Voting will be from October 5 to 31.

The winners will be announced at the Gala Night on November 21, 2015 at the SMX, SM Aura Taguig.

Everyone is enjoined to attend the gala event. Bloggers specially will get to see the finest bloggers in the country, get lots of perks and freebies from sponsors and best of all build relationships with niche influencers, trend setters and buzz ambassadors.

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For more information visit #bloggys 2015 official website: http://bloggys.ph/

Movenpick Heritage Hotel Review ~ Lovely Sentosa stay