where elle is exploring

Saturday, June 4, 2022

Walking to Walmart/Uptown mall in 30 minutes!

When we feel like taking a walk in Victoria, we usually take the Galloping Goose trail. There is an access road near our place.

Galloping Goose Trail is a 55 km trail stretch from Victoria to Sooke. You can walk, bike, and run on this trail. Since there are access points every few meters, we sometimes use this to walk to Walmart, Uptown mall, or Mayfair Mall. Very quiet and picturesque. There are waterways, rose bushes, and other interesting sights. There are parking lots along with the access points and anyone can start or end their walk. Source:https://www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreatio...

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Experiencing West Coast Amusement Carnival

theelleswhere 11:02:00 AM

We attended our first carnival here in Victoria BC!

It was actually spur-of-the-moment. We left the house at 8 pm and figured 2 hours will be enough to enjoy everything. Since it was almost summer, the sun was just about to set at 8pm!

We arrived at around 8:30 and a kind soul gave us a booklet of tickets for the rides, amounting to $45! Bless their kind hearts. Still, we weren't able to go to any of the rides with the long lines. We gave the tickets to friends the following day when we accompanied them.

Two ladies also gave us a toy while we were lining up for some popcorn!

Now, about the fair itself? Perya 😁 Pinoys know this and it reminded us of a lot of things back home. Kulang na lang ang sirena at kuneho 😁

Overall an enjoyable experience!

# Buhay Canada # Canada

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Jabbed!

theelleswhere 7:33:00 AM

Jabbed and we are so glad!

We are just so happy that we have completed our doses.

After all this time, learning who has gone and with our family being personally affected by this disease, it is a privilege and a blessing to receive our vaccines. A lot are still waiting and enduring the lines, hoping for their protection.

The brands do not matter this time. The important thing is to have the hope to continue to be strong and to fight what we are facing.

And, continue to pray.

The Lord still has something great in store for all of us.

# Captured # pandemic

Friday, February 26, 2021

Rainbow cake by Mitch Naza

theelleswhere 2:09:00 PM

Troll surprise and a rainbow of happiness for JE's 4th birthday!

Ordered the cake specifically because it is layers of chocolate cake and carrot cake. 😍

Cake by Sweet Cakes by Mitch Naza

Cake toppers and other troll decors by Shopee

Mission accomplished for JE 💝💞😘

# cakes # MomMoments

Friday, November 20, 2020

Blueberry Cheesecake by Susan

theelleswhere 7:44:00 AM

I received this as a surprise birthday gift from a family friend.

Totally unexpected but really made my day 😀

I will let the pictures speak for itself.

Just the right amount of sweetness. Made from real Philadelphia cheese!

Di nakakasuya.

Each tub costs Php 700.

You may order here: Blueberry Cheesecake by Susan

Thanks @eezbp for introducing this to us. 👌👍😋

# Blueberry Cheesecake by Susan # cakes

Friday, April 24, 2020

Disneyland Christmas Parade

theelleswhere 8:18:00 PM

I know, I know. This is super late. 😅

I have so many more videos and I am just trying to find the time to upload. This quarantine has given me a little time to (learn to) edit and upload as well.
Pasensya na 😉
This parade was the first time for Elora and my mother. We hope to go back real soon.
So, here's sharing the beauty and wonder that is Disney 😊
Hopefully, the park opens soon so it can continue to share the magic and wonder.

# Anaheim # Christmas parade

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Our adventures

theelleswhere 8:57:00 PM

It's been how many days since the ECQ? A month, I think.
My weekday has been busy cooping up in a room as me and hubby try to work from home. It sure was busy.
Fortunately, we still have the weekends to play with Elora, and for me to try to learn how to do other stuff. This time its creating videos.
Below is my first project as I try to create a summary of our first few adventures. (Please be gentle with my attempt 😅 ).
Hopefully, I will get the time to sustain this as we wait the ECQ out.

# #JIeElleTravels # Disneyland

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Eat Fresh Hongkong Famous Street Food

theelleswhere 6:36:00 PM

I think this place has been existing for a long while now. So we really do not know why we have just recently tried it.

If you are familiar with the B.F. Paranaque area, the place is just along President's Ave., after Conti's, and right before a branch of Rib Shack.

From the street, Eat Fresh looks like a small place but upon entering the side entrance, we were pleasantly surprised that it was big.

View along President's Ave., BF

Side entrance, fronting Rib Shack

It was our first time there and we can't wait to try their dishes! They actually have a lot of choices, from street food to actual meals.

We decided on the ones below.

Seafood hotpot with tofu Php 265

Cold Cuts Php 295

Special fried rice Php 100

3 kinds mushroom with vegetables Php 225

The rice arrived in a small bowl. We initially thought that it was just enough for one person but surprisingly, it was actually enough for 2 to 3 people, depending of course on your appetite 😁

My mother liked the seafood hotpot, while I liked their cold cuts. Their 3 kinds mushroom was so-so. I felt like i just opened a can of mushroom and put sauce on it. We would not order that again.

I also tried their big isaw (pig intestine) and pig ears. The pig ears could be crunchier, I think.

Pig ears Php 45
Big isaw Php 45

Something new (for us at least) with lots of options. We will definitely go back to check the others. 👍😃
You can check their menu here.

# BF Paranaque # Chinese food

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Del Sol Inn, Anaheim (across Disneyland!!!!)

theelleswhere 2:55:00 AM 0 Comments

Yup! It was right across Disneyland! That was the major reason why we booked it for our trip early this year. Since we were travelling with a one-year-old, we do not want the hassle of walking far. Walking inside Disneyland Resort was tiring enough. 🏃‍♀️🏃

Google Maps: From Del Sol to Disney Resort

As a perspective, we are not frequent travelers. Our trip to the USA was spur-of-the-moment simply because my mom and JE got their visas approved! Yey! We were trying to avail of the kids-fly-free-if-they-are-less-than-2-years-old. I am not sure we really got savings since we flew on a peak season.... But anyway, we just wanted to maximize the trip, and a US trip would not be complete without a visit to the happiest place on earth!

But this post was really for the hotel we chose. Hahaha! (Really need to focus!) 😵

In our (very) few US trips, my tools were always Agoda, Booking.com and google maps. The booking sites for the price and reviews and google maps to ensure that I was looking at the right place. 😁

Hotel name at the entrance. That's my mom! 😁

I was not wrong in choosing Del Sol Inn. The place has excellent location, so it is easy to cross to Disneyland. There was also Denny's near the entry way and about 2 blocks away, there was Panda Express (yum!), Subway and Pizza Express.

The room was okay with its 2 double sized beds, considering we were 3 adults and 1 baby. They also have the following:

free wifi
room came with free breakfast

though breakfast area was quite small. There were times that we took our breakfast and brought it to our rooms.
Not that many selection

pool though it was winter when we were there
friendly staff
laundry machines. We were able to do ours before we moved to our next stop
coffee making facility

We also bought our Disney entrance tickets from the hotel so it was very convenient for us.

I booked through Booking.com and they held my reservation. But I paid directly to the hotel. Below was the quote of Booking.com for 3 nights. But actual cost was Php 1,000 cheaper.

I know it was quite pricey but considering it is peak season and the convenience of being so near to Disneyland, I know we would consider staying in the place again.

# #JIeElleTravels # Anaheim

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Manmaru - Makati Central Square

theelleswhere 6:09:00 PM

Have you recently been to MCS (formerly Makati Cinema Square)?

If you are not a regular Makati person, you may not have known that MCS has undergone a lot of changes since start of this year. It is still known as MCS but it now stands for Makati Central Square.

One of the changes that I like is their new set of restaurants. Along Fernando St, fronting Little Tokyo, MCS now has Samgyupsalamat, JT's, Akitaya and our recent go-to place for Japanese food, and new favorite Japanese place, Manmaru.

Manmaru is beside the entrance to the underground parking pf MCS. I think it is also the most well lit in the area so it is hard to miss the place.

The place is also usually full but they have ample space and lots of tables so it is easy to get a seat if you are not part of a big group. So far, we have not been asked to wait. We also like that it is so bright and clean inside. Servers were also quite attentive.

I find their price quite affordable given that it is a Japanese place. Servings of those we have ordered so far were also quite generous.

There is a lot on their menu that it is hard to choose! Good thing that it has pictures 😝😁 so we get an idea of those we are not familiar with. Super plus points that their menu pictures do not disappoint when the actual order comes.

Nikusai Itame Php 169

Gyu Karubi Beef Php 299

Hiyashichuka Php 249

So far, these are the must-trys, or at least what makes us go back several times:

Aburi Salmon roll (8 pieces) - Php 199
Spicy Crunch Salmon Roll - Php 199
Hiyashichuka (cold noodles) - Php 249

Those are the faves but all that we have ordered so far were good!

Their server informed us that they also have individual rooms for groups. But you may need to come ahead of the lunch or dinner rush as the place gets filled quickly.

Would definitely go back! 😉👍

Read more about how MCS has transformed from here.

# food # Hiyasichuka

Friday, October 11, 2019

Japan Fudo - Ayala Malls Manila Bay

theelleswhere 2:52:00 AM

Ayala Malls Manila Bay opened last September 26, and we found our curious selves at the mall 2 days after, on September 28.

There were still a lot of unused spaces, and not many restaurants were opened. After checking some of the food stalls in their China town section, we were drawn to Japan Fudo. Located at the 4th floor near the escalators going to the cinemas, Japan Fudo is within the Japanese-inspired section of the mall.

Japan Fudo was still on its soft opening but there were already a lot of people dining at the time. Now, we have not been to the Japan Fudo branch in Ayala Vertis North, so we really don't know what to expect. But since both of us love Japanese, then I don't think we would be disappointed.

We ordered the usual yasaitame. And their version is, well, the usual. Nothing much except bean sprouts.

Both Jie and I decided on bento boxes. He order tonkatsu while I got their torikatsu. I ordered the vegetable tempura for Elora.

There really is nothing much to say about the bento boxes except it is an affordable option. The serving and taste was as expected with any other bento box.

Torikatsu Bento Box Php280

Tonkatsu Bento Box Php280

The vegetable tempura which, unfortunately did not get any photo opportunity (haha!) 😁 was actually 6 pieces of mushroom, carrots and egg plant. Quite good actually since I tricked Elora to eating it. 😏

My overall verdict ? Quite okay. Most likely we would go back to try the other dishes. But so far, nothing to be excited about. 😏🤔

# Ayala Malls Manila Bay # Japanese food

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Crimson Hotel - Crimson Posh Membership

theelleswhere 7:16:00 AM

I have not told you about our Crimson Posh membership, Crimson Hotel in Filinvest Alabang and Cebu.

We actually availed of this around October last year. It was really a spur-of-the-moment decision (aka napilitan) when an agent called Jie and asked him to become a member.

He availed of it simply because it was just P6,600, more affordable than the recently availed Manila Peninsula membership. I was not actually too hot about it. Until I check the vouchers and we availed some of the discounts.

Unlike Manila Peninsula where they send a black leather case full of vouchers, we got an email with instructions on how to download their app. Once downloaded, the app automatically showed all the available vouchers. It was very convenient because one never leaves without his cellphone. The app showed exactly what vouchers were still available and were consumed.

Aside from the usual dining discounts, Crimson Posh member gets a lot of other perks. We were informed that total amount of discount is at the 100,000+ thousand. I listed most below so judge for yourself:

50% discount on total food bill for 6 - 10 diners at Café Eight.
one (1) certificate on total beverage bill for Php 750.
one (1) certificate on total food bill for Php 300 at Sandwich and Pastry Corner.
one (1) certificate for complimentary buffet for two at Café Eight during the week of member’s birthday or anniversary.
complimentary bottle of house wine when dining with at least one guest
two (2) certificates for 50% discount on the food bill for a maximum of 12 diners at Café Eight.
Member will receive four (4) cash certificates valued at Php 500 each to off-set against food bill. One certificate per dining visit

Accommodation Benefits:

15% discount to 50% discount on Best Available Rates for all room types
Member will receive one (1) certificate for a complimentary night stay in a Deluxe Room, excluding breakfast.
two (2) certificates to a special room rate of Php 3,800 net including breakfast for two in a Deluxe Room
two (2) certificates to a special room rate of Php 8,100 net including breakfast for two at Crimson Resort and Spa Cebu.
two (2) certificates to a special room rate of Php 3,500 net including breakfast for two in a Deluxe Room at Quest Hotel Cebu. Non-Transferable.
Dine and Stay Weekend Package: entitles member to a two-night stay in a Deluxe Room for Php 8,888 net inclusive of daily buffet breakfast and one dinner for two persons at Café Eight when checking-in on a Friday or a Saturday.
Executive Lounge Access: Member will receive two (2) certificates that entitle bearer to Crimson Club Lounge access.

Dining Benefits:

30% for member and up to 19 guests on food and beverage
20% for member dining alone
15% discount for beverage in all outlets
10% discount during special promotions

There were actually a lot more discounts including those for banquet services. But it is easy to check that once you have the app as everything is written there.

So far, we have availed of the following:

Room accommodation for 2 with breakfast with published rate of 13,000
Complimentary bottle of wine. We chose the red Santa Luz cabernet sauvignon. Hotel price possibly at 1,500 to 2,000.
Executive lounge access for the whole day with buffet dinner and unlimited drinks/ cocktails : 1,800 each for 2 persons possibly
Buffet dinner for 2 on the members birthday or anniversary: 3600 for 2 persons
We have also availed of several automatic cash discounts when we dined at the lobby lounge.

Executive Lounge which offers free snack the whole day for members

At night, the Lounge offered dinner and unlimited drinks for members. Sorry, no kids allowed.

Even just for the free overnight stay, the membership was already worth it since published rate was at Php 13,000. As early as now, Jie already mentioned that he would renew the membership, and we were already planning our next visits.

For the price, Crimson Posh Membership was a welcome treat especially for celebrations. In our visits there too, servers were very pleasant and friendly. Special shout out to Len of Lobby Lounge who was very friendly and welcoming during Jie’s recent birthday celebration. She ensured that we were having a good time and made us feel at home.

Yup, we will definitely renew this membership.