Travel Tuesday – Page 2 – Rich Cervales Blog

Las Vegas Newbie

July 23, 2014Uncategorized4 Comments

We had this trip last year, a day after Halloween. My sister-in-law Jaina and her husband came for a visit. My other sis-in-law Marilou planned a short getaway to Las Vegas to make their stay worthwhile. As for me, this was my first out-of-state trip.

It was a smooth 6 hours drive from Chula Vista. With mandatory stops for snacks, restroom use and coffee break. We arrived around 2 AM at The Strip. We checked-in at The Quad. Here\’s the view from our window.

The Quad is in the middle of everything! It\’s just a matter of choice to go from left or right. We opted to sleep through the night so we could conserve our energy for tomorrow\’s walk.

The next day…

The weather was conducive for walking and I love it!

Missed a Cirque show…Maybe next time.

This place is an architectural delight! I can\’t help but admire the structures.

The ceiling of The Venetian.

I have to say this, it looks glorious.

Breakfast time! Opted for a Chinese meal. Thanks Jaina!

The restrooms are so clean! I love the mirrors.

With my in-laws

I love the \”sky\” ceiling. It looks real.

After frolicking inside The Venetian, time to go out.

If you want to have your pics taken with them, you have to give a tip. It\’s a must. Same thing with the other costumed people along the road.

I forgot the name of this mall. It feels like you\’re inside an ancient city.

Check-out the spiral/curved escalator.

3 floors of H&M goodies

In Vegas, photobombers are everywhere. Seriously! But for me, every time someone does that I simply ask them to join me. They will oblige of course. Especially if they had a few glasses of \”spirits.\”

My husband thinks this guy is in the military. Look at the haircut. And there\’s a military base near Las Vegas.

My pogi na brother in law.

Only one thing comes to my mind about Caesar\’s Palace…THE HANGOVER!

I find each hotel has their unique gimmicks to attract people. Nowadays, Instagram-worthy interior and decorations are a must. People flock in to take pictures. You don\’t have to pay a dime for it. Just remember: No photo-taking at the casino area.

I forgot the name of this hotel. I love spacious lobbies.

They have a Halloween-themed garden.

The strip at daytime.

To be continued…

Things To Do In Phuket

March 19, 2014Uncategorized6 Comments

There are lots of activites to do in Phuket. It will highly depend on your interests. Here\’s what we had.

1. Participate in local festivities

We arrived during the Loi Krathong Festival. Too bad we were not able to witness the floating lanterns (darn!). Performances along the beach and Bangla road are available to entertain. Not to mention the colorful decorations all over town were beautiful. Take note: we didn\’t pay anything at all.

2. Thai Massage

I\’m a sucker for a good relaxing massage. There are lots of spa nearby the beach. Prices starts from 250 Baht. It also depends on what kind of massage that you will be having.

A complimentary foot scrub was done before starting.

3. Food Trip!

This was the shopping and food bazaar in Bangla road during Loi Krathong.

My all time favorite Thai dessert: Mango with sticky rice – 80 Baht

Reminds me of gulaman and buko pandan.

One of the random food joints that we stumbled upon…

Hindi sulit! Ang konti ng serving

4. Elephant Trekking

5. Night Clubs

Night life in Patong is ALIVE and WILD!

While roaming the streets, we chanced upon this bar in Bangla Road that hosted the ship that my husband served before he retired.

6. Island Hopping

Two of the most popular island hopping destination is James Bond Island and Maya Bay (\”The Beach\”) . I opted for the latter, I\’m more of a Leo fan.

Little did I know, our boat won\’t be exactly docking in the island. And even if we do, Maya Bay is congested with boats and people.

Make sure when booking a day trip of island hopping, know the exact details.

If you have your own snorkeling gear, bring it. Tours charge it per hour.

I have to admit, this place is beautiful. I could just imagine, it could have been more serene, peaceful and pristine pre-production of the movie.

7. Hammertime

I just made up the name. I saw this in one area of the mini bars in Patong. It\’s like you strike the nail hard, the deeper it goes through the wood, you win (?!) If anyone knows how this game goes, I stand corrected.

8. Pingpong Show

Curiosity killed the cat (I\’m the cat).
Just google search it. And if you do, these are the critters that came out of the V.

There are lots of activities to choose from, really! There\’s go-kart racing, ATV trekking, para-sailing, jet ski and speed boat rentals. If you want a tailor-made yet affordable suits and formal dresses that will be ready within 24 hours, they have it. My husband got his pants and shirt there.

Phuket is nice but, I didn\’t like it that much. It\’s tiring to go from one place to another. Much of the attractions and must-see places are far. Though I can still see myself coming back, because I want to see James Bond Island but I\’m not in a hurry. I suggest to those who wants to go, research a lot about the place and match it with the kind of vacation you want.

We all deserve relaxing vacations. Good Luck!

xOxO

Duxton Road

October 30, 2013UncategorizedLeave a Comment

In one of my photowalks for the Mid- Autumn Festival in Singapore 2012, I encountered Duxton Road in Tanjong Pagar. It\’s one hidden gem for dining that I wasn\’t able to experience at all. It\’s either I was too busy to remember or too stingy to give in. Pfft! So here I am checking my old photos sour-graping.

Anyway, there\’s always a next time and I\’m posting so everybody can come and see what it has offer.

There\’s this quaint little bookstore along the way called Littered With Books. The cozy two storey high haven makes me want to stay there the whole day and just read books!

At the time that I was there, they don\’t allow photo-taking. According to customers who reviewed them in yelp. Their book prices are cheaper than other bookstores that gives you reason to come back over and over. The staff are very courteous and helpful.

After exiting the store, I was doing some shots when this guy just came out of nowhere. He asked for to be photographed, quickly said thanks and walked off.

They appear to be looking for something…hhmmmm

Further into the streets are some offices

I think Clarence worked here, if my memory serves me right.

Bistros, pub, winery…I see most of the people in this side of town are yuppies.

The former Berjaya Hotel now called The Duxton for they have changed management. I like the rustic charm of it. Who would have now a shop house can effectively be a hotel structure.

An architectural heritage

Too bad I wasn\’t able to come back at all. Duxton Hill has also an interesting wine and dine vibe. This place is excellent for after work hours chillaxing and hang-out.

Till next time

XOXO

Around San Diego

October 22, 2013UncategorizedLeave a Comment

I\’ve been here in Chula Vista for more than 2 months. If anybody asks me how\’s my stay, my quick reply \”Love the weather!\” Seriously the weather here is awesome! No wonder my husband is proud of himself for retiring here. It\’s fall season now. The sweater weather makes me excited of wearing jackets, boots and thermal tights.

Here\’s some snapshots of some of the places I\’ve been to. San Diego is huge! It may take me a lifetime.

In National City there\’s Jolibee. There are lots of Pinoys residing here. That\’s why Seafood City, Red Ribbon and point-point (turo-turo) joints are everywhere.

I just want to emphasize on what is going on the side. According to Seff, the ongoing construction is one of the governments efforts to decrease traffic due to increasing population.

There\’s one highway that they name Filipino-American Highway. I think it\’s near National City. But it\’s not this freeway.

The Iconic Rooftop of Hotel Del Rey in Coronado Island

Breaker\’s Beach. The quiet and secured part of the Coronado Beach inside the Naval Base.

Hikers and cyclists paradise. The mountain range near our home.

Of course! How will I forget SHOPPING. I will post a separate entry for it. I\’m with my sister-in-law Ate Marilou. She accompanied me for some good old bargain hunting.

I\’m looking forward for more food trip, hiking and sight-seeing in San Diego. I\’m taking my time.

XOXO

Mid Autumn Festival

October 3, 2013UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Mid-Autumn Festival in SG was about to finish this October 4. Too bad my eyes can\’t feast on the colorful decorations for this year\’s festival. Last year, I decided to go for a photowalk for some sensory overload of colors and lights. This is one of the perks living in Everton Park, I get to enjoy Chinatown anytime that I want.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Lanterns are all over the temple premises.

From a nearby store. Reminds me of Mr. Shooli of the 90\’s show Mongolian Barbecue

I remember one Feng-shui expert said, this cat is waving to attract luck to \”to come into the business\”.

The stretch of South Bridge Road. The lanterns are like little candies hanging.

Northeast Line MRT Chinatown exit

This looks like a school project of some kiddos.

Along Eu Ton Sen street. They have longer garlands of lanterns

Porcelain Hotel made a huge canvas out of their \”side wall\”

It\’s like a design out of a china plate.

These are delicious but very expensive! I\’m not sure if these are the bakkwa.

Giant Fruits

You could also check-out the Clarke Quay decorations for MAF. They have more designs pertaining to houses, animals, flowers/plants. They are located along the bridge and the riverside very suitable for photo taking together with decors.

XOXO

Malacca, Malaysia Part 2

October 2, 2013UncategorizedLeave a Comment

More of Jonker Street sights…

This sign is just outside Jonker Street

Father of Bodybuilders in Malaysia

On my way to Melaka Sentral, the bus passed on a huge golden statue of Datuk Wira. He\’s still very active and prominent even at the age of 85.

Started my sightseeing trail from the Dutch Square by hiring a tricycle rickshaw. Bad move for me. But my pedicab driver is nice if I look at it on the bright side ( and I forgot his name…shoot!). Malacca is his bread and butter. Been working for 30 years as a rickshaw driver.

The Flamboyant Pedicabs – my own term for this colorful bunch.

My Pedicab Driver

Riverside Sights…

Too bad I wasn\’t able to avail of the Melaka River Cruise. I heard that the sunset-dusk-early evening ride are the best. You get to see everything at sunset then just enough to see the lights of the establishments in the evening.