Day 2 in Singapore: All Over the City

Our Day 2 in Singapore was spent going around the city:
But first, photo op outside our hotel, which was really, really nice and value for money. It had free wifi, simple yet clean and comfortable rooms and had a coffee shop. The buffet breakfast was basic but very filling.

Their Tito E bought them colorful watches the night before, which they now proudly show off:

To get around, we chartered a small bus for our exclusive use the whole day:

Our first stop was Holy Mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral:

And then lunch in Food Republic at the Suntec City.

And more photo ops at several stops:

With the view of the Marina Bay Sands by the River.

At the Marina Barrage , which was very educational:

And finally at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Shoppes.

Day 1 in Singapore: Orchard Road!

It was Singapore this year for the O family's annual summer getaway. As last year, we were 18 all in all, 10 adults and 8 kids.

Upon arrival at the Changi Airport, we took pictures right away!

For this trip, we decided to hire a bus service to shuttle us throughout our visit. This is the big bus which picked us up from the airport and brought us to our hotel.

Right after lunch at our hotel (home-cooked food which we brought all the way from Manila), E and I brought the kids to Orchard Road, it was a really long walk from the hotel but we enjoyed it:

Me and the kids with their first purchases:

Not used to all the walking, the kids got so tired and hungry, as in masungit na sila! From the end of Orchard Road to Lucky Plaza very near Scotts Road, it was really a long walk, although there were all these malls that we went in and out of. Can't believe I also survived that! Their Tito E had this bright idea to bring them to McDonald's. Look at their wide smiles! Ok na sila ulit. Must tries are the Crispy Spicy Chicken Sandwich ,the Spicy wings, and the best of all, Seaweed fries. Seaweed frieds are your McDo fries with seaweed powder which you shake and mix together in a paper bag.

Finally at the corner of Scotts Road:

Ion, one of Orchard's newest malls.

Part of the tour was to ride Singapore's MRT, which we rode going back to the hotel. Pero sa totoo lang, ayaw na nilang maglakad!

Although I've been to Orchard so many times, it was so nice to see it again with the kids! E and I had so much fun with them.

Midlife at 41

I've found the best way to celebrate my birthday: spending a weekend with my family and my closest friends. For this year's birthday, it was another relaxing weekend at the MMLDC just like last year. It was very practical. What with my hectic worklife, I only had time to plan one major event -- and I don't really have to plan too hard, everyone was free to do whatever they wanted!

We missed my brother N's family this year though!

More of the Venetian

Our time at the Venetian is something that we will always remember, the place was so romantic, there were lots of shops, and the excitement of the casino definitely made the our stay unique. One night was really not enough, we have to go back!

The Venetian Macau

I stayed at The Venetian Macau three years ago on official business and absolutely loved it there. It was all so luxurious. So on this visit with E, we decided to stay here. It was still the same minus the huge crowds. I guess the controlled entry to Macau of the Mainland Chinese affected Macau's businesses.

At the lobby:

Our huge suite! There is a living room area and the sleeping area. The living room area has a sofa bed and has its own television.

The huge bathroom!

Hongkong Day 3, Macau Day 1

Our scheduled ferry trip to Macau was on our third day in Hongkong. The China Ferry Terminal was just downstairs from the hotel so it was fairly hassle-free. We waited for boarding at Starbucks.

Here we are inside the CotaiJet ferry.

That's Royal Pacific Hotel and Towers at the background:

Finally, after 1 hour of rough waters (it was raining that day!) , we were finally in Macau. Here we are waiting for the shuttle that will take us to our hotel, The Venetian.

Hongkong April 2011- Day 2

Our second day was spent mostly shopping and window shopping in our favorite stores. We spent a lot of time at H&M to buy baby clothes for Baby A and something for Mom and my sister T, also at the Bossini outlet store for my Dad. We discovered ISA Boutique which carried various European brands at discounted prices. We walked the whole length of Canton Road making sure to go to all the stores, but not without stopping for lunch at our favorite food court City Super, and our favorite stall Curry in a Hurry.

We also stopped for coffee to rest our aching feet at the agnes b. Cafe. Nothing really special with it, just an excuse to sit down, but we took a photo of the cups anyway.

Before going out to dinner, E brought me to the hotel promenade for a "romantic" stroll. What a nice view of the Hongkong harbour!

We were invited by E's friend RS and her family to have dinner with them, without mentioning that it was RS' birthday that day! They treated us to a Seafood restaurant in Tai Po. Among our dishes were the shrimps and snails below...

...and abalone!

Here's a group picture with the S family:

and outside the restaurant: