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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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Adventure awaits in Western Australia for a great family holiday

School holidays are the best time to bond and create new memories with your family, and for the children, a break from the mundane daily routines. If you are looking for a holiday idea where your children can explore sensory learning in a fun and enjoyable manner, look no further – Western Australia has got you covered.

Western Australia is the western gateway to Australia and is just a five-hour direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Perth. The state also shares the same time zone as Malaysia, so children and adults alike can hop right into adventure seeking without worrying about jet lags.

While Western Australia has many great adventures to offer, here are three family-friendly ones that you can do with your family for an unforgettable family holiday:

1. Meet Australia’s cutest wildlife at Caversham Wildlife Park

Australia is synonymous with wildlife and iconic animals, in which Western Australia is home to 141 of the 207 mammal species found in Australia.

Caversham Wildlife Park is just a 30-minute drive northeast of Perth and is home to about 200 species of animals, birds, and reptiles. It is a great place to bring your family to meet most of Australia’s animals in one location. Here, children can feed the animals, take photos with the koala and wombat, or play with the farm animals at the interactive Molly’s Farm located within the park.

2. Explore the paradise of Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island is a holiday haven for your family, attributed to its pristine beaches, aquamarine bays, bike tracks, and friendly animals to meet. About 19 kilometers offshore from Perth, it is a 30-minute ferry ride from the capital city, where paradise beckons.

 

Quokka at Rottnest Island

A  car-free zone, the island is a safe place for your family to travel about – on foot, with a rented bicycle or e-bike, on the island shuttle, or aboard the hop-on-hop-off the bus that loops around the 11-kilometer-long island. Its beautiful white beaches, clear water, and protected coral reefs such as Salmon Bay and Pinky Beach are perfectly safe for children to play, swim or snorkel in. Alternatively, you can cycle or go for a relaxing walk on paved riding and walking trails.

The main attraction of the island is to meet the happiest animal on earth – the Quokkas – as it is the only place in the world where you can find these adorable, furry friends. The friendly, highly photogenic marsupial always has a welcoming on its face so keep a lookout for them.

3. Experience a farm stay at Ferguson Farm

Ferguson Farmstay is located in the beautiful Ferguson Valley. Approximately 30 minutes drive from Bunbury and less than two hours’ drive from the south of Perth, the farm is situated on top of the undulating Darling ranges and offers spectacular views of the city of Perth, the farmland, and vineyards to the Bunbury coast.

A child-friendly farm, Ferguson Farmstay offers many activities for all, including feeding farm animals such as goats, ponies, kangaroos, ducks, and rabbits. Children can go on pony rides or hop onto a tractor ride to feed the bigger cows.

Ferguson Farm

With many adventures awaiting you in Western Australia, there certainly is something for everybody so do check out these destinations.

For more details and destination inspirations for your next family holidays, head over to Tourism Western Australia’s website at https://www.westernaustralia.com.

 

#WesternAustralia #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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Experience the pristine beauty of this private island as PH opens to international travelers

Guests who yearn for privacy, serenity, and tranquility in nature can now pursue their much-awaited holiday plans to explore the ultimate exclusive destination, Banwa Private Island, as The Philippines opens its shores to international travelers without any quarantine period.

There’s no better time than now to discover a luxurious hideaway gem nestled in North-eastern Palawan, one of the world’s last frontiers of natural biodiversity.  Remote yet not removed, Banwa Private Island boasts breath-taking views, flourishing flora and fauna, and powder-white sands of the turquoise Sulu Sea.  Charter flights via seaplane, private jet, or helicopter will seamlessly take guests from Manila or Clark international airports right to the doorstep of the garden island.

Guests can choose to stay in any of the contemporary-designed villas or decide on an exclusive island charter and craft a dream holiday masterpiece.

Banwa Private Island is the perfect backdrop for shared travel experiences with family and loved ones — take a plunge in the house reef, go kayaking or paddleboarding, and walk on the wild side in the lush, verdant nature trails.

Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path, hop on a boat to explore nearby islands, and say yes to unique adventures.  Embark on a deep-sea fishing excursion, take a short trek to a secret waterfall, or witness the quintessential Palawan sunset on a secluded sandbank while sipping your favorite cocktails.

Start planning now and see the world again. Revive your bucket list, journey across the oceans, and experience an escape unlike any other at Banwa Private Island.

For more information, visit www.banwaprivateisland.com        

#banwaprivateisland #palawan #philippines #rubyspreciousmoments #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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Love is in the Air at Savoy Hotel Manila

A delightful and romantic stay awaits you at Savoy Hotel Manila.  As we meet again, allow us to set your hearts aflutter and leave you love-struck with our month-long room package and seasonal dining promotions.

Sweet Escape Room Package

Celebrate the love month with that hotel stay you have been longing for.

For a rate of Php5,200 nett, you and your loved one can book an overnight stay in our standard room with complimentary breakfast for 2, a Valentine welcome amenity, a bottle of wine, and a 15% discount on SPA and Dining.

Sweet Surrender

Make Valentine’s Day dinner special with our Sweet Surrender dinner offering at Savoy Cafe.  For only Php1,300 nett per person, enjoy a three-course meal with a complimentary glass of red wine.  Available from 6 pm to 10 pm on February 14, 2022.

Indulge in our healthy starters, Beetroot and Feta Cheese Salad or Carrot and Red Bell Pepper Cappuccino.  Followed by our main course, a choice of either Fettucine ala Vongole or Roasted Baby Back Ribs, and finally cap it with a sweet ending featuring our Blushing Strawberry Cake dessert.

Love in the Moonlight

 For those who love al fresco dining, experience our 3-course pre-Valentine dinner from February 12 to 13, 2022 by our poolside for only Php1,300 nett.

  • Savoy Hotel Manila is an accredited Multiple Use Hotel with a Certificate of Authority to Operate for Staycation (CAOS) by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).
  • Vaccination card is required for fully vaccinated guests.
  • For non-vaccinated guests, a negative RT-PCR test valid 48 hours before check-in is required.
  • Children below 11 years old are allowed to check-in if their companion will have either one of the abovementioned requirements.

For more details, please call (02) 5317-2869 or email dine@savoymanila.com (for our dining offers) and stay@savoymanila.com (for our room offerings).  Visit our website, www.savoyhotelmanila.com.ph for details on other packages and promotions.

#savoyhotelmanila #lovemonth #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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This Wellness Resort in Bangkok helps loved ones to relax and reconnect with Secret Garden Afternoon Tea

Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok, the holistic health-focused retreat in the heart of the Thai capital, is inviting guests and local residents to enter its idyllic urban sanctuary and unwind with a wholesome new high tea experience, expertly crafted by Executive Chef Christoph Trocker using the finest and freshest ingredients.

The “Secret Garden Afternoon Tea” is hosted by Rim Klong Café, the elegant eatery that overlooks Bangkok’s Saen Saeb Canal. Inspired by the bounty of nature, this spectacular set of sweet and savory treats embraces local and seasonal produce, including proven superfoods, gluten- and dairy-free options, and vegetarian or vegan items. Every dish is clearly labeled with icons to let the diner know exactly what they are eating.

This salubrious set menu includes “The Savories”, six sumptuous bite-sized snacks such as smoked salmon tartare with avocado and beetroot caviar, wild forest mushroom pâté with truffle oil, green pea & buckwheat blinis with organic chicken, spiced purple sweet potato and organic cress, sundried tomato hummus with pumpernickel bread, beetroot quinoa salad with quail’s egg, pickled crunchy vegetables and microgreens, and gluten-free ‘Flowerpot’ bread.

These are accompanied by “The Sweets”, a sublime selection of treats served on a bed of edible chocolate soil. These delicacies include butterfly pea with lemon jelly, dark chocolate & blueberry tart, pumpkin pie, Swiss carrot cake, tomato ‘energy ball’ (muesli, almond, pumpkin & chia seeds), truffle walnut choux cream, flower chocolate pralines of the day, mini sago exotic delight, matcha scones, classic scones, and maple syrup Chantilly cream.

Naturally, these delights are accompanied by a pot of freshly-brewed coffee, premium tea, or a herbal infusion. The aim is to add a splash of color and fun to the concept of healthy eating while providing friends, family members, and couples with the perfect opportunity to reconnect with each other after a challenging few months.

New Executive Chef

Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok’s recently-appointed Executive Chef, Christoph Trocker hails from Austria and has enjoyed an impressive 16-year career at some of Asia’s leading hotels and resorts. His philosophy is to harmonize local ingredients and international flavors to create highly original yet authentic cuisine. Having wowed diners in Dubai, China, and Thailand, he is now bringing a lifetime of experience and expertise to the guests and diners in Bangkok.

Executive Chef Christoph Trocker oversees the resort’s health-focused culinary concept.

“Afternoon tea is a charming tradition; it provides a unique opportunity for people – mothers, daughters, best friends, couples – to come together and share deeply personal moments. After the upheaval of the last two years, this sense of reconnecting with loved ones is more important than ever before, so I am thrilled to introduce our new Secret Garden Afton Tea at Rim Klong Café, which will provide a wonderful way for people to share the timeless pleasures of fine food and great company,” commented Chef Christoph.

Nestled among 1.2 acres of lush gardens, with sparkling ponds, rippling waterfalls, and century-old trees, Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok is a serene setting in which to unwind. While it is located in the heart of downtown Bangkok, it retains an enchanting ambiance that feels a million miles away from the busy city streets. Reflecting this tranquil vibe, the resort’s wholesome menus focus on fresh, high-quality produce, prepared in innovative ways to deliver delicious dishes that are great for the body. This innovative approach to F&B forms a key part of the resort’s holistic wellness concept, which also incorporates personal fitness, mindfulness, professional medical services, and more.

The Secret Garden Afternoon Tea is available daily from 2 pm to 5 pm at Rim Klong Café, priced at just THB 999++ (THB 1,176 net) per set for two people. Accor Plus members will enjoy a 20% discount! Advanced reservations are strongly recommended.

For more information about Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok and to book your Secret Garden Afternoon Tea, please visit www.movenpickbdmsbangkok.com or connect with the hotel on LINE, @movenpickbdms.

#MövenpickBDMSWellnessResortBangkok #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/

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