Art in Island ~ World Class 3D Art Museum

Let your imagination run wild in the country's first ever world class 3D Art Museum ~ ART IN ISLAND.

Art in Island is comparable, if not better to other 3D Art museums in other countries like the Trick Eye Museum at Resorts World Singapore.

 My family loves 3D Art Museums: visitors are  allowed to touch everything, play crazy and take tons of pictures. 

Here at the Art In Island visitors may interact and have fun with the art pieces. 

  
Me and my husband had fun bonding time with the kiddos.  
We gamely took turns making silly poses and here are some of them:  

Art In Island is open TUESDAYS-SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYS

9:30AM to 09:30PM

Entrance fee

Adults - P500

Student - P400

Discounts given to senior citizen cardholders and PWDs

175 15th Ave., Brgy. Socorro, 1109 Marikina City

Contact Number: 421 1356

For additional information check out Art In Island facebook page at: Art In Island ~ Interactive Art Museum 

Microtel South Forbes (near Nuvali): Hotel Review

My sister planned a weekend get-away for both our families and our parents. It has been a while since we visited Enchanted Kingdom and thought it would be nice to rekindle lost memories together.  The last time we were there was about 11 years ago.  We were there with our brother, who now lives abroad; and my sister still single.   It was indeed a long time ago, but I can still remember the fun time aboard  Space Shuttle; And my My mom's first and last ride time ride Anchor's Away  (she almost disowned us, after that hellish ride).

We arrived at EK at 11am, and was overwhelmed with the volume of guests.   Too much for catching up with lost memories :P

We only got to ride the Bump Car (twice) and the paid 7D Theater.  The 7D was cool and my boys liked featured attraction on "Zombies".  We had lunch at the Amazon Grill (which was a bad choice, since we smelled like grilled chicken after, strolled a bit, again paid extra to play the Carnival games, bought souvenir shirts and jackets, before finally surrendering to the long lines and the full packed park.   Did we get our money's worth?  Nah!  It was way too crowded. We should have chosen a weekday to visit! 
We left the park at 3pm and headed to our humble accommodation for the night ~  MICROTEL South Forbes (near Nuvali).

Microtel South Forbes is about 25 kilometers away from Enchanted Kingdom. And took us 45 minutes to get there.

I love Microtel Rooms, they have spacious rooms and offer basic convenience to travelers at an affordable price.  

My sister handled the room booking and charged me P2600 for the room inclusive of breakfast.

Now about Microtel  South Forbes ~  check in was fast and easy. Having paid just a fraction, of a hotel cost, we already expected less than a 4-5 star hotel accommodation.

We got three deluxe rooms at ground floor.  All the rooms are spic and span.  We requested two queen beds for us.  The beds were comfortable and fits our family of 2 adults and 2 kids snuggly.

My boy testing his side of the bed :P

However, toiletries was lacking. And there are no slippers or bath robe to speak off. 

They do have a safety deposit box for your valuables and hair dryer.

There is also no in room refrigerator, instead the hotel services a mini-pantry with hot water, with coffee and tea, a vendo machine (also located at the ground floor).  They also have ice available at the 2nd floor. 

There is also no pool, which was a downer.  The kids would have loved that.  

Although very near Nuvali, where the action is, it is still about 10-15 minute drive (with traffic).  It would be an inconvenient commute if you are travelling by public transport.

Breakfast was served buffet style at the Umenoya.  Choices was limited, but surprisingly delicious.  We had our fill before our final check-out.    

Overall, we had a fine stay at the Microtel South Forbes.  It is a good halfway house, if you are heading to Tagaytay, which is just an hour away from the hotel.  

Microtel by Wyndham South Forbes
(near Nuvali Sta. Rosa) is located at
South Boulevard, South Forbes Golf City, Brgy. Inchican, Silang, Cavite

      (I got the following photos from the Microtel website).

For reservations and inquiries, you may contact them through the following:
Phone Number:+63(49) 543-4888
Fax Number: +63(49) 543-4800
Email: southforbes@microtel.ph   

Manila Sales Office
Phone Numbers: +63(2) 899-7171 | +63(917) 888-1800
Fax Number: +63(2) 870 0319
Email: sales@microtel.ph, reservations@microtel.ph

Fun Day with the Kiddo at Star City

 

It has been ages since my last Star City visit.  I have been wanting to go there with my children, but the distance and the traffic is quite unbearable!

 

 

I was glad, this came up as part of my son's school fieldtrip itinerary.

 

 

 

 

However, it was the last stop in our agenda and my kiddo was already tired. As I was visiting with a child we had to stick with the children's ride as some of the major ones are restricted to adult riders.

 

 

But no worries since, there are still so many rides to choose from:

 

1. Kiddie Bumper Cars (please don't mistake with the huge bumper cars ~ my son is a lot taller for his age and he passed the Adult Bumper Car ride, it was a big mistake as the Adult version was much faster and impact a lot harder).
2. Kiddie Ferris Wheel
3. Magic Tea Cups
4. Rodeo (a variety of vehicles that travel around a loop track)
5. Quack-quack (a duck carousel ride)
6. Magic Forest* (a trip around a mystical forest onboard a vintage train)

 

Other kiddie attractions, includes:

1. Little Tykes
2. Ball Pool

Rides for older kids, includes:

1. Happy Swing* (which gave me a bit of a headache)
2. Dragon Express (a roller coaster ride)
3. The Giant Ferris Wheel
4. Red Baron** (a plane ride)
5. Wacky Worm** (a mini - roller coaster)
6. Tele-combat* (a space ship ride)
7. Grand Carousel**

The ones in "*" are the my son's favorites.

 

Other Attractions we visited included:

 

The Peter Pan

 

 

 

 

 

Toy Chest

 

 

 

Admission Fee Php 65.00
Entrance inside Star City only. EXCEPT Mid-way games, coin operated machines, rides, attractions, Snow World, Lazer Blaster, Scream Avenue and Walk on Water.

 

3 Cheers Ticket Php 360.00
Three rides of your choice (Ride restrictions apply), EXCEPT mid-way games, coin operated machines, Snow World, Lazer Blaster, Scream Avenue and Walk on Water. Entrance fee included. (Ride restrictions apply)

 

Ride-All-You-Can (RAYC) Php 420.00
 

With Unlimited access to the following rides:

• KIDDIE RIDES: Quack-Quack, Kiddie Wheel, Little Tykes, Tea Cup, Kiddie Bumper Car, Rodeo, and Ball Pool.
• FAMILY RIDES: Grand Carousel, Happy Swing, Magic Forest Ride, Red Baron, Super TeleCombat, Dragon Express, Wacky Worm and Giant Star Wheel.
• OLDER KID, TEEN AND ADULT RIDES: Bumper boat, Bumper Cars 1 and 2, Jumping Star, Tornado and Blizzard
• EXTREME RIDES: Star Frisbee, Surf Dance, Jungle Splash, Star Flyer and Viking Ship
• ATTRACTIONS: Toy Chest (Coming Soon), Peter Pan, Time Tunnel, Pirate Adventure, Dungeon and Gabi ng Lagim

 

Additional fees required for the following attractions:

• Snow World Php 150.00
  Unlimited same day entrance. (Ride restrictions apply) Entrance fee excluded.
• Star Dome: Heart of the Dragon Php 80.00
  Good for 1 (one) entry. Entrance fee excluded.
• Lazer Blaster Php 100.00
  Good for 1 (one) game only. (Ride restrictions apply) Entrance fee excluded.
• Scream Avenue Php 120.00
  Good for 1 (one) film showing only.(Ride restrictions apply) Entrance fee excluded.

 

VERDICT

• I love that most of the rides are indoor. Given the country's hot and humid, or sometimes rainy weather, air-conditioned indoors is really welcomed. 
• Price on my personal opinion is affordable, considering the number of rides and attractions to choose from. 
• The rides are also located near each other, so you would have covered the entire place without wearing your feet off.   
• There are numerous food outlet around and merchandize aren't that difficult on the budget.
• Rest rooms and common areas are clean. 

 

For a worthwhile bonding experience with the kiddo ~ consider a trip to Star City!

 

 

Please check the Star City webpage for the latest promotion and park schedule updates here:  STAR CITY ~ MORE RIDES, MORE FUN!

 

 

 

Star City Location Map

 

Ark of the Avilon Zoo

 

For a quick city edu-entertainment with you child, you might want to check out the Ark of the Avilon Zoo.

 

 

 

 

 ARK AVILON ZOO is the only indoor interactive zoo in the country.  It is two storey building resembling the biblical Noah's Ark.

I was there recently, as a chaperon to my son's school fieldtrip. It was nothing like the zoos we have visited in Singapore (you can check out our Singapore Zoo trips here: Singapore Zoo).


The Ark is quite small and you can easily tour the entire zoo in a an hour or less.  But I do appreciate that it is indoor (away from the scorching heat of the sun or otherwise monsoon weather).

 

 

The Ark Avilon's offers:

 

1. Photo opportunities with the zoo's star attractions like JENNY the Bornean Orangutan, AYLA the Palawan Bearcat, NARDO and ALEX the Cockatoos, TYSON the Burmese Python and  BUSTY the Pony;
2. Farm animals feeding at FARMLAND Fun Feeding Station;
3. Arts and crafts making using recycled materials, and
4. Venue for celebrating birthday parties and other corporate events. 

 

 

 

TIPS:

1. Bring lots of loose 20s for the animal feeding.
2. Bring insect repellant.
3. Don't expect too much from the place.  It is a bit old and requires an upkeep.
4. You can bring your own food inside the Ark, subject to P25 corkage fee per person.

 

 

Ark Avilon Zoo is located at Frontera Verde, Ortigas Avenue corner C-5, Pasig City, Philippines

(+632) 706 2992 / arkavilonzoo@gmail.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Entrance Fee is P400 (Below 3feet is P300)

20% discount for Senior Citizen and PWD (with Senior Citizen ID / PWD ID card)

Operating Hours: 9am to 6pm

 

Images of Singapore LIVE (The Real Deal)

(Unfortunately they don't allow photography inside the IOSL, succeeding pictures are photo grabs from the IOSL website)


Images of Singapore Live (IOSL) is housed in the same building as the Madame Tussaud Museum.  IOSL used to be the Images of Singapore, but was enhanced to incorporate live actors in their program.

IOSL transports guests back in time.  Here you get to see real actors, with the help of special effects and  compelling backdrop the story of how Singapore came to be one of the most powerful nation we know today.


This is a one of kind attraction, that showcase how Singapore transformed from a small fishing village to a first world country. 

Inside the IOSL complex, you will see:

• Singapore Dock - Quayside Walk
• Four Winds Trading Company
• Malay Fishing Village
• Commercial Square
• Chinatown
• Jubilee Cinema (which was my favorite)
• Television shop (showing footages of Singapore in 1945 and 1965)
• the Miracle of Singapore (a visual interpretation of Singapore's success)
• the Spirit of Singapore Boat Ride (a boat tour of Singapore's best loved attractions and land marks) 

A visit to the IOSL is highly recommended.

 For ticketing and additional information on IOSL,

please visit their website at: IMAGES OF SINGAPORE LIVE.

Madame Tussaud Singapore Invasion

 

What is not to like about the Madame Tussaud Museum? 

 

We have been to the Madame Tussaud in Hongkong, and enjoyed our visit so much, that I can't let pass visiting their newest museum in Sentosa, Singapore.

 

We had so much fun, posing like stars besides country leaders, famous  athletes, rock stars and Hollywood A-lists.

 

 

It is an absolute haven for photo fanatics. 

 

 

Of the pictures we have taken, these are my favorites.

 

 

 

 


It was cool posing with the Terminator himself and pretending like famous rock stars after.


 

 

 

 

L-R/T-B: An upper-cut vs. Muhammad Ali, sit ups with David Beckhams, followed by an interview with the Queen of Talks "Ophra", a leisure biking with ET.

 

 

 L-R: Rocking it with Taylor Swift, striking a pose with Madonna and Madame Tussaud herself.

 

 

 

L-R/T-B: With his EX-girlfriend Nicole Kidman, idol Johnny Depp, taking a kick from Bruce Lee and rocking with the King "Elvis".  

 

 

 

 

L-R/T-B: Sit-ups with David Beckham, wanting to be an Artist, too cool for Arnold Schwarzenegger,

readying a punch for Muhammad Ali

 

  

Book a date with your favorite stars.

 

When in Singapore or HongKong include the  Madame Tussaud Museum in your itinerary.

 

Legoland Hotel ~ Lego fanatics Dream Hotel!

To complete the LEGOLAND Theme Park experience, we have decided to stay over night at the Legoland Hotel.




Legoland Park is located in Malaysia's Southernmost city Johor Bahru, which is an hour away by land travel from Singapore. 


THE TRAVEL

We went here via a private taxi "SGMYtaxi", I booked on-line.  SGMY is efficient and travel is convenient and hassle free.

Note: You need not pay anything right away. Payment is made in cash after reaching your destination.


The owner Mr. KY is very easy to talk to and very generous, if I may add.  Our ride was upgraded from a Toyota Innova to a Toyota Alphard.

THE HOTEL

The Legoland Hotel is located right next the Legoland Park and WaterPark. With a two days combo park and waterpark tickets, hotel guests can leave and enter both parks anytime for two consecutive days, so you are assured you get the most out your vacation.

The moment we entered the hotel confines, I immediately felt the
excitement from my boys eyes.  My youngest rushed to the lobby and started digging in a pool of Lego blocks to start building!


The hotel's lobby alone was enough reason to visit the hotel. 

The boys were pleasantly surprised to find Lego mascots and toy models.  The discotheque elevator was also a welcomed surprise.


The fun doesn't end there.  We have been upgraded to an Adventure Themed Premium Room.  The room is huge, with a separate sleeping area (which my youngest called the "double-decker couch") for the kiddos.

The room has 2 televisions, 1 in the adult room and another at the kid's sleeping area - so there is no fighting over the television remote.

All rooms invite kids and kids at heart to a Treasure Hunt.  My boys gamely took the challenge and immediately started with their treasure hunt.

Other plus:

• Each room also contains a Lego bucket to busy the kids.
• Aside from the basic amenities,  kids get to have their own bathroom sink.
• Splendid View of the LEGOLAND Park 

 

 

• Room packages also comes with a buffet breakfast for 4 at The Brick.

VERDICT 
(Warning:  My boys are Lego fans, my review can be a bit favorable).

My boys love LEGOLAND Malaysia.  They had so much fun at the Legoland Park and my youngest won't leave the Water Park.

That being said I think there are still room for improvements, especially on the following areas:

• Food - they serve mostly Malaysian and Indian food, which were quite spicy to for our liking. If the hotel food was a miss, you may try Medini Mall  located right next to Legoland Hotel. There are a number of Western Restaurants at Medini - we were able to try Secret Recipe.
• Check-in is at 4pm, while Check-out is at 11am. Early check-in is highly appreciated. 

Staying at the Legoland Hotel (LH) is more costly than staying at nearby hotels, but we find it more convenient staying at LH.

• LH is just a few hops away the Theme park and the Water park.
• The 2 days combo ticket is  exclusive to hotel guests.
• Guests can enter the park 30minutes earlier than other patrons.

And the experience staying in a Lego themed hotel, is really priceless.

For Legoland Hotel bookings and inquiries, please visit their webpage: LEGOLAND MALAYSIA

The Singapore Flyer (View from the TOP)

The Singapore Flyer is a towering 165 meters structure above an extensive spread of water, with an outstanding view of Singapore's fascinating cityscape. It gives a 30 minutes glimpse of Singapore's perfect skyline,  especially during a clear weather.

The Singapore Flyer experience starts with the Journey of Dreams Interactive Gallery. It is a multi-media showcase that gives visitors a better appreciation of the Singapore Flyer.

VISITORS INFORMATION

(As of December 2014)

Opening Hours: 9am to 10pm (last service at 9:30pm)

Ticket prices: Adult SGD33 / Child SGD21

(Note that you also can get discounted tickets by buying combo attractions.  We bought ours via Asia Travel and availed of a 3 in 1 combo which included: Singapore Flyer, DUCKtours and Gardens by the Bay). 

To reach Singapore Flyer: 

• Nearest MRT - Promenade Station (CC4 on Circle Line / DT15 on Downtown Line) - about 5 minutes walk to Singapore Flyer (Exit A)

OR

• Take a Taxi (SGD15) from the Orchard Area.  It drops you right in front of the Singapore Flyer building.

For more information and inquiries please visit Singapore Flyer website: www.singaporeflyer.com 

SINGAPORE DAY 8 (SEA Aquarium)

Day 8.  Our last day in Singapore is a visit to the South East Asia Aquarium (more popularly known as SEA Aquarium).

Our journey started with a tour of Asian maritime heritage at the Maritime Experiential Museum.

The SEA Aquarium is home to over 100,000 marine animals of over 800 species, across 49 different habitats.  

My boys were so enthralled with the multitude of marine animals present in the park. 

SEA Aquarium has 6 major attractions:

• Maritime Experiential Museum
• Typhoon Theatre
• Shipwreck Habitat
• Ocean Gallery
• Ocean Dome
• Shark Seas

My family's favorite attraction was the Ocean Dome. The Ocean Dome gives guests a 180 degrees vista of the Open Ocean habitat through the largest underwater acrylic dome 9m in diameter.

My boys occupied a window nook at the Ocean Dome and spent time admiring the marine animals.

VISITORS INFORMATION

(As of  December 2014)

(Operating Hours: 10am to 7pm)

Ticket Type: One Day Pass - Adult SGD38 / Child SGD28

The SEA Aquarium One Day Pass allows admission into Typhoon Theatre except weekends and during holidays.  An additional SGD5 will be charged during these dates.

SEA Aquarium is located in Resorts World Sentosa.

  

From the SEA Aquarium we went to Vivo Mall via the Sentosa Express, for lunch and last minute "pasalubong" shopping. 

Lunch was at Food Republic.   

Meals were cheaper here than inside Resorts World. Total food bill for all these was less than SGD20. 

Check out the rest of our Singapore-Malaysia escapade here:

Day 1 - Singapore City
Day 2 and 3 - LEGOLAND Malaysia
Day 4 - Jurong Bird Park and Science Center
Day 5 - Singapore Zoo (with breakfast with the Orangutans)
Day 6 - Sentosa Island
Day 7 - Universal Studio Singapore 
Day 8 - SEA Aquarium and Vivo City