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Celebrate 90 Years of Play with LEGO® at Legoland® Malaysia Resort

To mark the occasion and help visitors enjoy the benefits of playing together, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is launching a brand-new exclusive LEGO® experience: “Play Your Way.”

 

Johor Bahru – The LEGO Group is marking its 90th anniversary by celebrating the creativity of fans and the power of play as the new LEGO® Play Well Study shows play is fundamental to the wellbeing and happiness of the whole family. To mark the occasion and help visitors enjoy the benefits of playing together, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is launching a brand-new exclusive LEGO® experience: “Play Your Way”.

From 16 June to 10 August 2022, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort visitors will be invited to discover their official Play Type and take on fun LEGO® build challenges to start their journey toward play mastery.

 

Guests will receive an exclusive, limited edition lanyard upon entry from our friendly staff and a limited edition pop badge for each Play Type build challenge they complete while exploring the park while stocks last. Visitors will be challenged to explore the different activities and find out which suits their play personality best:

  • Are you a Designer? Aware of problems, these builders are focused and get ideas from asking questions. Their LEGO® creations solve problems and playtime is thoughtful.
  • Are you a Maker? Aware of objects, these builders are energetic and get ideas from trial and error. Their LEGO® creations are detailed and playtime is experimental.
  • Are you an Explorer? Aware of the environment, these builders are curious and get ideas from new discoveries. Their LEGO® creations are bold and playtime is adventurous.
  • Are you a Storyteller? Aware of others, these builders are dramatic and ideas come from fantasy. Their LEGO® creations are used to entertain and playtime is theatrical.
  • Are you a Dreamer? Aware of possibilities, these builders are imaginative and ideas come from daydreaming. Their LEGO® creations are artistic and playtime is magical.

The ‘Play Your Way’ LEGO® build challenges encourage creativity for each play type, with prompts to spark different types of play. For example, Designers will be challenged to design a secret treehouse or the ultimate dragon. Makers are more experiential, so will be challenged to make a boat fly or a bus for the moon. The adventurous Explorers will love creating a magical lion, whilst Storytellers will have more theatrical build challenges, creating a castle in the sky or an underwater kingdom. For Dreamers, their creativity will be encouraged through magical build ideas from rainbows and flowers, to spaceships and treasure chests.

Within the park, Master Players (who have mastered all five play types) will roam the park in colorful costumes to surprise and delight guests with magic tricks and storytelling.

The new “Play Your Way” experience adds to the rides, shows, and attractions all geared to families with children ages 2-12 years old at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort. The Play Your Way event will be included in Park admission along with everything that LEGOLAND® has to offer, and is hosted in the Rebuild the World area.

As part of the celebration, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort partners with LEGO for a special Imagination Playground roadshow, where visitors can enjoy a FREE RM150 F&B voucher with the purchase of four Triple-Park Pass while stocks last. The ongoing roadshow at the ground floor of Centre Court, Midvalley Megamall Kuala Lumpur, will end on 12 June 2022, before moving to its next stop from 20 July to 31 July 2022 at Midvalley Southkey Johor.

“LEGOLAND® is excited to celebrate the 90 Years of Play with the LEGO® Group – we know that play has huge benefits for the whole family, so what better way to celebrate than through playing together? Our new event allows guests the chance to uncover their play type and rediscover the joy of creating together with LEGO® bricks,” said CS Lim, Divisional Director at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort.

Play is an important part of everyday life and the LEGO® Play Well Study 2022 shows that play is fundamental to the well-being and happiness of the whole family. The LEGO Group polled more than 55,000 parents and children in over 30 countries and found that almost all parents think children strengthen their creativity (93%), communication (92%), problem-solving skills (92%), and confidence (91%) while they play. When children play, they develop skills that help them thrive in a rapidly changing world.

#LegolandMalaysiaResort #90years #Malaysia #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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Three nearby waterfall destinations you can visit this summer

Summer is always the best time to experience and create moments in your favorite waterfall sanctuaries.

Traveling excites a greater sense of childlike wonder in us. This summer, make sure to go out and have fun with your friends and families. You don’t need to go far to enjoy and frolic under the summer heat, pristine and relaxing beaches, and invigorating waterfalls.

We have gathered our top three recommendations for nearby and easy-to-visit waterfall destinations.

  • Daranak Falls and Resort, Tanay Rizal

 A natural resort and popular local tourist attraction in and out of the country, Daranak Falls is one of the flagship destinations of Tanay. You can swim, picnic and have a great time with your family.

It has enchanting waterfalls, ponds, and rivers cascading through elaborate tropical trees and plants. This 14-meter high falls is truly a refreshing location. Entrance Fee: P50.00 (Children below 3ft. are free of charge). Picnic Shed: P300. Picnic Table: P200. Operation Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

The author has a relaxing time at Daranak Falls.
  • Pagsanjan Falls, Laguna

Pagsanjan is known as The Tourist Capital of Laguna. It is where you can enjoy the well-known Pagsanjan Falls, and experience once in a lifetime thrilling and exciting boat ride, “Shooting the Rapids”. The town is continuously growing and attracting thousands of local and international tourists and businesses.

For more information, check the website: http://pagsanjan.gov.ph/

Natural waterfall in Pagsanjan, Laguna. Courtesy: DOT, Kathleen Mae Tugano
  • Labasin Waterfalls Tiaong, Quezon

The Labasin Waterfalls Restaurant is one of the attractions of Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort in Tiaong, Quezon. While visiting the resort, you can enjoy its traditional Filipino buffet lunch — kamayan style — while soaking your feet in the low running water.

The falls is not natural falls, but an overspill from the Labasin Dam, the Philippines’ first hydroelectric plant. Just the same, the experience is real and unique. At Villa Escudero, it is where Filipino history and culture come to life.

For more information, check the website: https://villaescudero.com.

Visitors enjoy a thundering live waterfall up close while partaking in their meals. Courtesy: Dito Sa Quezon FB page

As the saying goes, “There’s no better place to find yourself than sitting by a waterfall and listening to its music.”

Waterfalls, undoubtedly, cleanse the mind and soothe the soul. Summer is always the best time to experience and create moments in your favorite waterfall sanctuaries.

#summer #waterfalls #funtime #sun #daranakfalls #labasinwaterfalls #pagsanjanwaterfalls #itsmorefuninthephilippines #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

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A sweet escape to this vast tropical paradise

The resort provides the splendor and the ‘tranquility of an environment that truly feels away from it all.’

 

Whether you’re traveling for a family vacation or romantic getaway, for business or pleasure, Plantation Bay Resort & Spa is one of your best choices in the Philippines.

It’s a vast tropical plantation set in eleven hectares of secluded grounds. It’s a resort, a village, a playground, a respite from a stressful world.

Located in Marigondon, Mactan Island, and Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu, it has a waterfront hotel, a lagoon-style pool, and a posh spa. It offers one of the largest privately-owned waterways in the world, with the clean elegance of colonial-plantation architecture.

Courtesy: Plantation Bay Resort & Spa

This writer had the opportunity to experience staying at Plantation Bay some years back. Until now, it’s still vivid in my mind the splendor and the “tranquillity of an environment that truly feels away from it all.”

There will always be some places that will create an impact on you and are worth visiting the second or even the third time.

 

The author at the lagoon-style pool.

 

Plantation Bay offers you more facilities, more space, and more separate lounging areas. There are various things to try when you are at the resort. You will never get bored.

You can go swimming, kayaking, archery, mountain climbing, play tennis or volleyball, have a relaxing spa at Mogambo Springs (my favorite part), listen to an acoustic band in one of the fave restos, and have your future predicted by a fortune-teller, or simply enjoy your day while at the hammock amidst the lagoon pool.

 

Kayaking is fun!
Have a relaxing spa at Mogambo Springs.

 

Outstanding Food Choices

Plantation Bay takes pride in its kitchens and can assure you of consistently delicious, beautifully-presented dishes at reasonable prices.

It has five outstanding restaurants, namely:

  • Kilimanjaro Kafé – offers international and Filipino cuisine, terrific soup, and vegan selections;
  • Fiji – offers seafood, Asian, and Filipino. It is often full so you need to come early;
  • Palermo – offers Spanish Tapas, Italian kinds of pasta, and the most complex, nuanced char-broiled steaks on earth;
  • Route 66 Diner – offers Retro American diner with all-day breakfast, burgers, hot dogs, and deli favorites;
  • Alien Abduction – offers a soda fountain in the late afternoon, family-friendly Night Club after dinner

During our stay, we dined in Fiji, the ambiance was so relaxing. When you’re in the mood for something different, try Kilimanjaro Kafe for the light international fare; or dine at Palermo, for another different ambiance that makes you enjoy Mediterranean-Continental dishes. We also tried the delicious burgers and hotdogs served at Route 66 Diner/Savannah Grill for our afternoon snacks.

Our trip to Cebu will not be complete without paying homage to the Cross of Magellan and Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino De Cebu. Not to mention, partaking in lunch at AA BBQ, reminded me of a happy conversation with travel friends because of its funny-sounding name.

 

The Cross of Magellan.

 

Travel buddies: (standing) Ana Manansala, publisher of Experience Travel and Living magazine; (seated, from left) advertising manager Nanet Bonifacio; the author; and designer Cliff De Torres.

 

When you’re inside the resort, you will not think of going out anymore – the charm of the place remains in you and make you want to stay a little longer.

For more information, check their website: https://plantationbay.com

Main and food photos courtesy of Plantation Bay Resort & Spa

#plantationbayresortandspa #cebu #summer #preciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

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This tropical paradise offers a relaxing summer getaway

My mind craves new experiences, new adventures. By going somewhere new at least once a year, I continue to expand my horizon and my zest for travel.

Since the pandemic hit us, we have been confined to our little bubble. We stay at home most of the time, and our movement has become limited. This year, we are opening tourism destinations, and we have started to travel subject to health protocols.

If I will be given again the chance to return to the place where I was the happiest, it would be at this majestic paradise, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa located in Marigondon, Mactan Island, Cebu. It gave me new and exciting discoveries about the destination and wonderful memories of a happy and relaxing escapade.

Plantation Bay is a vast 11-hectare tropical plantation, which offers one of the largest privately-owned waterways in the world, with the clean elegance of the colonial-plantation architecture. It’s a resort, a village, a playground, a respite from a stressful world, rolled into one. The resort has a waterfront hotel, a lagoon-style pool, and a posh spa.

Kayaking is fun!

You will enjoy your stay here because it offers you more facilities, more separate lounging areas, and more things to try. You can go swimming, kayaking, archery, mountain climbing, play tennis or volleyball, have a relaxing spa at Mogambo Springs, listen to an acoustic band in one of the restaurants, have your future predicted by a fortune-teller, or simply enjoy your day while at the hammock amidst the lagoon pool.

Outstanding Dining Options

Plantation Bay takes pride in its kitchens and can assure you of consistently delicious, beautifully-presented dishes at reasonable prices.

It has five outstanding restaurants, namely:

  • Kilimanjaro Kafé – offers international and Filipino cuisine, terrific soup and vegan selections;
  • Fiji – offers seafood, Asian, and Filipino. It is often full so you need to come early;
  • Palermo – offers Spanish Tapas, Italian Pastas, and the most complex, nuanced char-broiled steaks on earth;
  • Route 66 Diner – offers Retro American diner with all-day breakfast, burgers, hot dogs, and deli favorites;
  • Alien Abduction – offers soda fountain in the late afternoon, family-friendly Night Club after dinner

During our stay, we tried some of these in-house restaurants. We dined at Fiji, the ambiance was relaxing and the food served didn’t disappoint us.

For something different, we also tried Kilimanjaro Kafe, famous for its light international fare. We also dined at Palermo, for another different ambiance and enjoyed Mediterranean-Continental dishes. Lastly, we enjoyed the delicious burgers and hotdogs served at Route 66 Diner/Savannah Grill for our afternoon snacks.

To complete our Cebu trip, we paid homage to the Cross of Magellan and Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino De Cebu and had a hearty lunch at AA BBQ, which reminded me of a happy conversation with travel buddies because of its funny-sounding name.

Overall, staying at Plantation Bay was a pleasant adventure. The charm of the place remains in you and makes you want to go back time and again.

For more information, visit their website: https://plantationbay.com, and FB page https://www.facebook.com/plantationbayresortandspa on its latest promotions for summer.

#plantationbayresortandspa #cebu #summer #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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Best destinations for your next overseas trip

Since countries have opened their borders and entertained visitors, people have been traveling and living their lives in the realm of adventure and wanderlust. Traveling can indeed heal and eventually lead us to places we didn’t know existed.  But now that restrictions are relatively relaxed, where do we go? You might want to consider adding these places to your bucket list! 

  • Dubai, Arab Emirates

Dubai is known worldwide for its exhilarating tourist spots. It stands proud of its Burg Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, reaching up to 2,716 feet tall. Dubai also takes great importance in its diverse culture, which is evident in its Dubai Museum.

Photo credits to Emirates

It is famously located at the Al-Fahidi Fort, which was built way back in 1787 to defend the Dubai Creek, which is also the home to gold, textile, and spice souks (marketplace). If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you may want to check out the hot air balloon over the desert dunes, or the IMG Worlds of Adventure speed rides. Dubai will take your breath away– both literally and figuratively!

  • London, United Kingdom 

Who wouldn’t want to explore the streets where Harry Potter came to life, and the roads where Sherlock Holmes walked on? London is definitely on the bucket list of pure-blooded literary fangirls.

Photo credits to Hotels.com

Aside from its regal royalty, London is famous for its London Eye, which is a giant Ferris wheel that offers a majestic view of the city–and it shines extra brightly at night. If you’re craving for the nightlife, Soho is the place to be, welcoming you with its bars and classy restaurants. Of course, the trip won’t be complete for film enthusiasts without visiting the British Film Institute. It shows different films every day, from recent blockbusters to cult classics. London will surely feed your pop culture knowledge!

  • Cancun, Mexico

Looking for a sunny, beach party vibe for your next trip? The ever-so-tropical Cancun is just the right place for you! Check out the fancy hotels located at their very own Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone), which also offers the wild nightlife and parties by the beach down at the Kulkukan Boulevard.

Photo credits to moonpalace.com

For the real Cancun food experience, drive down to the Avenida Tulum, which features their all-time favorite– authentic Mexican tacos! Diving and swimming is also something that Cancun offers through its numerous spots in the Ruta De Cenotes (Cenote Route), which are natural pools formed within limestone caves. It’s true– Cancun wakes the fun within you! 

  • Bali, Indonesia

Famous for the serenity and soul it brings to its tourists, Bali continues enticing people to rest in its lush spots. Also known as the ‘Island of the Gods,’ Bali provides people the rest they need with its seas and beaches.

It is also a haven for surfers, which the waves of Kuta Beach readily welcome. Bali is also famous for its intricate temples, such as the Ulun Danu Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess of the lakes. You may also seek enlightenment and relaxation in Yoga Barn’s famous retreats, each a more freeing session than the other. Or maybe you feel like flying– jetpacking in Tanjung Benoa must be on your list. Whether it’s for fun or relaxation, Bali has it all for you!

  • Crete, Greece

The birthplace of the Olympian Gods, Crete offers a tapestry of culture, lore, and adventure. One of the most historical places in Europe, the Heraklion Archeological Museum should be your first stop to acquaint yourself with the rich culture of Crete.

Traditional street restaurants and streets of Greece – Crete island. Photo credits to iStock

Explore history through the cobblestone streets of Rethymno Old Town, the best-preserved town on the island. You might also want to visit Lake Voulismeni, famous for being seemingly bottomless– reaching down as far as 64 meters. If you’re a mythology buff, the caves of Mt. Ida might just interest you, the birthplace of Zeus himself! Crete dabbles between the past and the future, so let it be your present destination!

Traveling can be such a hassle, but the majestic destination often makes up for all the trouble. Hurry now and book your next trip–have fun and safe skies, traveler!

By Princess Friel Lontoc

Featured photo: Bali, Indonesia courtesy of Hotels.com

#worldsbesttraveldestinations #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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It’s Always Christmas at The Gingerbread House!

“Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.” – Lisa Weed

This Holiday Season is a great time to go to the Gingerbread House located at Barangay Palumlum in Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines (a few kilometers away from Tagaytay). Since its opening two years ago, GBH has become an all-year-round family destination. It’s a perfect tourist spot for kids and kids-at-heart. With a very affordable entrance fee of Ph150.00 pesos per head, it’s definitely an awesome treat for the entire family!

The Gingerbread House will give you that fairytale book setting. The jungle-like drive to Gingerbread House provides an actual feel of a Hansel and Gretel journey.  In the story, two children, Hansel and Gretel get lost in the woods. They come upon a house made of gingerbread covered in frosting and candy. Unfortunately, it’s the house of the wicked witch. She befriends the kids, fattens them up, and tries to eat them.

As for us, how did we end up at The Gingerbread House? It was Christmas Day when we all decided to visit the place and to experience its snowfall. It was our family bonding moments, apart from being near Lebajo ArtFarm, where we spent our Christmas vacation.

What to see?

Upon paying the entrance fees, guests will be greeted by a dream board and Well of Dreams, where visitors (especially kids) can write down their goals and then make a wish.

The main attraction is the snow-like theme of Gingerbread house giving you a white Christmas feels! It has a kiddie theme background and colorful Christmas decorations that are good for photo-ops.

Inside the house is a snack place on the first floor. It serves mini cakes, brownies, muffins, chocolates, and a corner filled with confection. An actual Gingerbread House can be ordered and even rice meals. One of the attractive spots inside the resto is the reception area where you can find the giant Teddy Bear lying on the sofa. It looks so cute and huggable!

The play area for the kids is located on the second floor with a veranda overlooking the greenery surrounding the area.

There are other attractions to explore like the Gingerbread field, Christmas Kubo, Mini-Forest Trail that is similar to the path ventured by Hansel and Gretel going to the Gingerbread house, the colorful Candy Village, dining al fresco areas, quaint cottage-style rooms, swing area, inflatable Christmas corner, and other instagrammable spots.

The Christmas Kubo, offering Filipino delicacies like bibingka, etc.

There’s also a museum, where you’ll see a wonderful miniature of Christmas and Candy Village. And feel at home in their family living room area. It makes a good backdrop for your family photo souvenir.

One happy family – with Nikulas and Beatrice

There’s also a souvenir shop for your last-minute shopping before leaving the place. Just like in my previous travels, I always bring home some ref magnets as mementos of my sojourn.

The Gingerbread House was definitely worth creating fun and special moments with every member of the family.

For more information, check their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/thegingerbreadhouseph/

#thegingerbreadhouseph #holiday #destination #familybonding #preciousmoments #rubyasoyph #throwbacktravel

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A memorable heritage tour

What is unique about the resort is that you get to experience and stay at the traditional houses that serve as hotel accommodation for guests and tourists who are seeking meaningful staycation.  

Taking part in a heritage tour one fine weekend gave me a glimpse of the past — reliving the age-old yet distinctive Filipino heritage while offering discerning visitors a unique experience.

The moment you enter the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan you are transported back to the 18th-century Philippines in the blink of an eye. The Filipino-Spanish influences are very evident in the architectural pieces from different parts of the country transferred and reconstructed in the resort to create a heritage community for everyone to experience and take inspiration from.

What is unique about the resort is that you get to experience and stay at the traditional houses that serve as hotel accommodation for guests and tourists who are seeking meaningful staycation.

Our group had the opportunity to stay in Casa San Miguel, the old home of an ilustrado family during the Spanish era. It is huge with its two big rooms and a very spacious sala where you can play games or relax during siesta with your loved ones.

There are so many things you can do at the resort from going on a heritage walk. You can ride a kalesa, or tramvia to admire up close the impressive noble-class mansions, wooden stilt houses, the main building made of stone which stands proudly in a village of cobblestone streets.

You can also promenade along La Playa beach, enjoy the Batis, its version of a swimming pool located next to Casa Cagayan, walk down Tulay ni Lola Basyang, and dine at Hotel de Oriente where we were served a sumptuous breakfast and dinner. The Hotel de Oriente, which originally stood in Binondo, Manila, is believed to be the first hotel built in the country.

Those who want a quiet moment alone, can pray and give thanks at Santuario de San Jose, located near Plaza Mayor de Tobias and Casa Biñan.

There’s so much more to discover at this rare heritage resort in Bataan. A second visit is a must to see how this fascinating place will develop in the future.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a New San Jose Builders project. It is managed by Asian Grand Legacy Hotels Corp. For more information, visit http://www.lascasasfilipinas.com/, https://www.facebook.com/LasCasasBataan

(Text and photos by Ruby Asoy-Lebajo)

 #mylascasasstory #lascasasfilipinasdeacuzar #bataan #philippines #itsmorefuninthephilippines #preciousmoments #rubyasoyph

(Based on the article published in Experience Travel and Living magazine by the same author)

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Baler Adventure

The fascinating Sabang beach became our playground for three days. We enjoyed immensely playing with the waves. How many times did we fall but returned and continued to play with the waves?

I’ve always wanted to go to Baler in Aurora Quezon. I’ve been interested in the stories shared about the place. Back of my mind, “I’m not a surfer, not even an excellent swimmer. So, why the eagerness to go there?”

Baler is the capital of Aurora, a province popular for its natural wonders, pristine beaches, and surf-worthy waves, as well as its place in Philippine history and world cinema.

Without much planning, my family headed on a journey to Baler during the Holy Week break some years back. We traveled by land. First, we stayed overnight at the Harvest Hotel in Cabanatuan City. Then, from Cabanatuan City, we traversed the roads with the aid of GPS (geographical positioning system).

However, the GPS led us to the rough roads of Nueva Ecija and Aurora Province, crossed the shallow river to be able to hit the cemented roads leading to Baler proper. Indeed, the four and a half drive turned out to be an adventure! We were told that we should have taken the Pantabangan roads going to Baler.

Beautiful waves at Sabang beach.

The second challenge we faced was how to get a place to stay since most of the hotels and resorts were fully occupied by tourists. We continued to ask around until one gracious lady from the souvenir store referred us to her relative who has a transient house. In short, we were taken in for overnight accommodation.

Baler Boardwalk

After only 30 minutes of interval, the other nice lady from a transient house texted me that there was already an available air-conditioned room. So, we decided to transfer the next morning. We liked it there better since it was located on the beachfront, very convenient when we go swimming. We were truly lucky to get a decent place, and most importantly, we immensely enjoyed the fascinating Sabang beach!

Sabang beach is popular for being the surfers’ paradise.

Local and international travelers (surfers and non-surfers) are always captivated by the charm of Sabang beach. At first, you had this inner fear of being drowned.

But lo and behold, my daughter and I found ourselves playing with the waves. The vast beach shorelines became our playground. We laughed and anticipated every approaching wave to hit us. How many times did we fall but returned and continued to play with the waves?

Now, I understand, why surfers like it here; they are after the waves. They want to surf the waves! Thus, Sabang beach became the surfers’ paradise.

At the Manuel L. Quezon Monument.
Museo de Baler
The Baler Monument symbolizes the 400th Anniversary of Baler township, created by foremost installation artist Junyee. His design is composed of four pillars — representing Baler’s 400 years of history interconnected by horizontal bars.

Traveling creates new discoveries – from within yourself, the places you have been, the people you met along the way – all these make our journey truly a memorable one.

#TravelMoments #Baler #AuroraQuezonProvince #Philippines #ItsMoreFuninthePhilippines #travel #familybonding #HolyWeek #Lentenbreak #flashbackfriday #preciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

 

 

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The best travel buddies

Priscilla and Sammanta Anechka Estrada have become the best travel buddies.

Traveling has become celebrity mom Priscilla Meirelles de Almeida-Estrada’s favorite way of bonding with daughter Sammanta Anechka. The Brazilian beauty queen believes she is forming a strong friendship that will become milestones in their lives.

“I like bringing her around as much as possible,” Meirelles shares during a shoot at Lio Tourism Estate in El Nido, Palawan. “She’s got great energy, is fun to be with, and likes to explore things. I also love to take pictures of her. She’s like my baby best friend.”

Anechka, now 6 years old, her daughter with husband actor John Estrada, is bubbly, adorable and the life in any group. During the pictorial, she liked to crack jokes every now and then to the delight of the crew.

“Family is like the closest,” says the young girl. “I like playing with Mommy. Meirelles prefers seeing her daughter possess a vivacious persona, because, “I’m afraid if she’s quiet, there might be something wrong with her.” Nowadays, she counts her own mother and Anechka as her top travel companions.

The Estradas started going on trips when Anechka was just a year old. Back then, the little girl would often get airsick—but not anymore: “That never stopped us from going places,” she explains.

The family has gone to the United States, Australia, Japan, and China. Now, they are exploring the Philippines, having visited provinces such as Cebu, Bataan, and Palawan. They like going on road trips whenever time permits, and they stay frequently at their property in Anvaya Cove in Morong, Bataan. Their dream vacation is a European tour.

Priscilla’s bucket list

Now that she often travels with her daughter, she has become mindful of her child’s needs: “I always bring medicines. I make sure to have travel insurance as well. It covers everything; you’ll never know what will happen. I make her drink safe water always.”

When she used to travel alone, she was more spontaneous and had a totally different rhythm. “I didn’t observe proper meals, because I didn’t want to waste time,” says the articulate mother, who can speak four languages, namely English, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. She’s now even learning French.

Enjoying the scenery at El Nido Cove

“I love traveling. I believe it’s the best way to learn about, to adapt to people, their culture, and their situation. It allows you to grow as a person. It’s also the best way to spend your hard-earned money. It brings the learnings with you,” she explains.

Top destinations

For Priscilla, her top five destinations in terms of nature and beauty are Palawan, Boracay, Batanes, the Ilocos region, and La Union. In terms of cityscapes, her top choices are Brazil, Australia, Austria, Florida, and Japan.

Priscilla at Lio Beach

Her travel bucket list includes Greece, Rome, Egypt, the Caribbean, countries where you can experience the Northern Lights—such as Alaska, parts of Canada, the southern half of Greenland, Iceland, northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland— and the Holy Land.

Motherhood becomes her

Priscilla admits that motherhood was the best thing that ever happened to her: “As a woman, it made me kinder and more aware of people’s feelings. It also made me more patient, more tolerant, and more compassionate toward others. And the best part of all, it made me a mom.”

What could be the best part of being a mother? “The best part of being a mom is to be able to love with all my heart, unconditionally, without being scared of getting hurt, because for the first time, it’s not about me—it’s all about her and for her.”

After seven years of marriage, she believes that “putting God in the center of the marriage and respecting each other is the secret of a happy married life.” And their favorite way of bonding together is playing golf.

What is her dream for Anechka? “I dream that in spite of whatever path in life she chooses to take, she is certain of always putting God first, never forget to smile, and have fun along the way because the best part of a journey is not the destination, but the journey itself.”

Indeed, since her first embrace, Anechka has experienced love, joy, nurturing, and protection that are beyond explanation. In fact, she named her daughter Anechka because it means “God’s grace,” while the Sammanta is a Brazilian name.

Travel offers people a chance to shed off their normal, everyday selves. When this mother and daughter head out together, they deepen their relationship with an adventure they can share together. Definitely, Priscilla Meirelles de Almeida-Estrada and her beloved Sammanta Anechka always have a blast.

(The writer went on a trip to Lio Beach with the Experience Travel and Living magazine team. Photos By Phillip Caesar Salting And Winstone Arradaza)

#LioBeach #momanddaughter #PriscillaandAnechkaEstrada #ElNidoPalawan #Philippines #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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Are you craving for Hainanese chicken rice?

Here are our food discoveries on this popular dish here and abroad.

In terms of chicken dishes, one of the most widely known is Hainanese chicken rice. What makes this dish so special is its delectable taste – the poached chicken meat and seasoned rice. No wonder travelers from around the world have all the rage for this iconic dish.

  • Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice

If you’re planning a trip to Singapore, post-pandemic world, make it part of your itinerary to experience Singaporean cuisine. This small, but progressive and important island nation located just south of Malaysia not only offers modern tourist attractions, and impressive skyscrapers, but is also famous for Hainanese chicken rice, one of the national dishes of Singapore. It is being widely available in most food courts and hawker centers around the country.

“Variants of the dish are also seen throughout Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, where it remains a culinary staple,” according to an online source.

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice stall. Personal photo during our previous trip to Singapore.

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is probably Singapore’s most famous chicken rice stall located at Maxwell Food Centre. As seen from our last visit in past years, it had more tourists than locals queuing up for a plate of this popular dish. You just need to be patient, and in no time, it will be your turn to order.

It was worth the visit because the dish was really delicious – both the chicken meat and the rice were cooked to perfection. Per order of the dish was like Php250.00 – Ph350.00 in our local currency.

Even the late Anthony Bourdain said that the chicken rice was so fragrant and delicious that it could be eaten on its own.

  • Homeboy Hainanese

The pandemic may have restricted our movement, and planning a trip to Singapore may not be ideal at the moment. But this won’t stop us from tasting this dish in Manila, and at the comforts of our home.

An interesting discovery is Homeboy Hainanese, which offers and delivers Hainanese chicken rice. Though, still new in the food business, it’s getting a significant following for its quality and healthier take on the famous dish.

The sauces are made from scratch and are very flavorful – soy sauce, ginger, and chili. Courtesy: Homeboy Hainanese

It was a delight to have discovered it through a lady client. The delivery came just in time for lunch and was freshly packed. The food pack consisted of chicken fillet which was very tender; rice (an Oh Crop Adlai rice best for dieters as well); and the sauces are made from scratch and are very flavorful – soy sauce, ginger, and chili.

To fully enjoy the dish, I dabbed all three sauces in one bite of chicken meat and rice. I was very satisfied with how the dish was cooked. Indeed, it was a tummy-filling Hainanese experience! You need not go to Singapore to try it. If you want your order to be consumed later, you can store it in the refrigerator, then, reheat it in the microwave at 600w for 30 seconds.

For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/homeboyhainanese

A mouth-watering dish and satisfying dining experience can definitely fulfill any food cravings.

Featured photo: Homeboy Hainanese

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