Blogger's Best Vacations, Places and Food Trips: 2012

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Know Vietnam's Currency

VND or Vietnam Dong is Vietnam's currency. Below are the images of the actual bills. Remember in my previous blog, Vietnam - The Land to Discover; I wrote that the estimate of the bill amount of Vietnam Dong are as follow: (This is just an estimate so that when we buy things we can count it faster.)

VND1,000,000.00 = PHP2,000.00
VND500,000 = PHP1,000.00
VND10,000.00 = PHP20.00

The current conversion rate of Vietnamese Dong is more or less:

1 Vietnamese Dong = 0.0020 Philippine Peso

Note: this rate may vary depending on it's rate per day.

Below, are the conversion rates of Vietnamese Dong based on the above rate.

VND500 = PHP1.00

VND1,000 = PHP2.00

VND2,000 = PHP4.00

VND5,000 = PHP10.00

VND10,000 = PHP20.00

VND20,000 = PHP40.00

VND50,000 = PHP100.00

VND100,000 = PHP200.00

VND200,000 = PHP400.00

Now, you know why they don't use coins when selling things. =) Truthfully, the whole time I've been there, I didn't see a single coin being exchanged. And now do you also know why, I said that you will feel like a millionaire when holding their money? Imagine, having VND1,000,000.00 and its only PHP2,000.00? =) It's really a very perplexing feeling. Nevertheless, it was a fun experience.

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Vietnam's Blue Diamond Hotel

Our first stop is our hotel, the Blue Diamond Hotel. Being at the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Blue Diamond Hotel provides the facilities and services that one can rarely see in a three (3) star hotel. The hotel itself is a bit narrow compared to the regular hotel we find here in the Philippines and it has only 8 floors which means it is not that tall. This is the usual hotels one can usually find in Vietnam. But the room accommodations and services it provides really compensate with this short deficiency.

Blue Diamond Hotel - 3 Star

Blue Diamond Hotel's facilities includes:

Blue Diamond Facade

Ground floor - this has a Victorian era inspired setting. Sofas and coffee tables of intricately carved gold wooden design and reception area with friendly hotel staffs.

Victorian feel Sofas and coffee table.

The lovely floral and Golden Swan decor just finish off the Victorian inspired setting and adding that touch of elegance.

Reception staffs were more than courteous and accommodating.

Restaurant - located at the ground floor, it offers buffet breakfast of variety of foods that includes Western, Asian and of course Vietnamese foods. The food spread includes breads, pastries and muffins; mixed salads, sandwiches, pastas and noodles, sausages. For congee lovers, congee comes with varieties of condiments to choose from like salted egg, spring onions, toasted garlic, fried onions, pickles, ginger, chilies and a lot more. Vietnamese food includes rice cakes, their famous spring rolls and Vietnamese noodles. I love their noodles, they use fresh ingredients of herbs which makes their noodles different but an acquired taste for some. Also, their buffet offers juice, coffee and tea. A must try is their own hotel-made yogurt! You'll definitely love it. Not too sour and it has that right consistency in your mouth. If they offer it that day, grab some because they ran out fast! And oh, they have computers for you to surf just in case you want to know something before or after your meal.

Viva Lounge - this is an ideal venue for pre-dinner, business lunches or evening cocktails. Located on the 1st level, it is suppose to transport you to an era that saw the opening of the Viva Lounge. Since we have really no prior plan to do any of the above, we hadn't really thought of even taking a peak at this area.

Business Center - this provides business travelers with high speed internet. This is located on the Lobby Level of the hotel.

Fitness Room - guests can access to training equipments; this is located on room number 105.

Meeting Room - the hotel offer meeting and event of up to 100 guests. They provide the latest multimedia services with the hotel's team of professional staff for assistance.

Foot Massage Room - they offer foot massages that doesn't require reservations.

Room Accommodations - this is really the most surprising of all, room accommodations (that is the one we stayed in) were spacious. I was expecting cramp rooms but this really exceeded my expectation. So happy with it.

Internet Service - this is the best thing for me. They offer FREE internet service that you can use within the vicinity of the hotel. You just need to ask for the password at the front desk. Compared to some hotel in advance countries which charge for the use of their internet, Blue Diamond Hotel doesn't do so. Love... Love... Love... It!

For a three (3) star hotel, this is not bad at all. All my worries the first time I stepped into the hotel vanished after experiencing the amenities though not all, but the important ones that is. It was more than pleasant... it definitely exceeded my expectation.

So for you who want to have a great time without the much worried financial fuss, this is a good hotel to stay and spend time in. You will not be disappointed, for you will get more than what a usual three (3) star hotel can offer.

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Thursday, October 25, 2012

Vietnam's Airport - Tan Son Nhat International Terminal

Arriving at Vietnam's Airport, the Tan Son Nhat International Terminal was one of mixtures of emotions. For one, we really don't know what to expect. Secondly, we don't know how the Vietnamese people would treat tourists like us. Nevertheless, all went well.

Just before the plane lands, you can almost touch the houses of Vietnam.

Tan Son Nhat International Terminal was simple and clean. Maybe not as vast and not as highly developed as other airport in other countries, but for a country that is recuperating from years of war... I might say it's not bad at all.

Tan Son Nhat International Terminal

And I think they do have their own flagship airline. Just by the name itself "Vietnam Airline", I presume it speaks for itself...

While walking along our airplane bridge, we see beyond the Vietnam Airline disembarking their passengers through their airplane bridge.

Upon finally getting off the airplane bridge. We were introduced to Vietnam's immigration. The vastness of the space, no fuss, all clean lines were surprisingly refreshing. Just plain and simple... and that is Vietnam!

Vietnam's immigration

Also, before we fall in line for the immigration we made a trip to their bathroom. It's not as "high-tech" as you might say compared to well-developed countries but it's fairly clean. You have a choice to choose from squatting pan water closet or the usual conventional water closet. I opted for the conventional one. The other, not really my first choice. =)

Airport's bathroom

After going through immigration and luggages in hand, we all went out to finally begin our Vietnam journey.

Outside the airport, if one doesn't really know it can pass up as one of our own airport in the Philippines, don't you think?

Finally waiting for our ride... Vietnam here we come!

Waiting for our car.

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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Vietnam - The Land to Discover

In a time of crisis like ours, everybody is tightening each of our belts just to get by. So when you say travelling out of the country, it's almost a luxury in itself and the first thing that would come up our minds is that "it's expensive"! Quite rightly so. It's takes quiet a sum of money just to travel outside our own country. Most of us could only have this same wish... "if only there's a country we can go to that doesn't require that much amount of money...?", "could there be a country we can go to that would economically fit our budget?"

Guys, here's the answer... "YES"! There is a country we can go to that's very economical, low budget and at the same time will let us enjoy the trip without that financial worry-fuss. That country is "VIETNAM"!

Vietnam... Vietnam... Vietnam...

Vietnam from above...

Oh I know what you're thinking right now, Vietnam? What can we see there? Isn't it dangerous? These might be some of the things that will cross your minds just by the mention of Vietnam. I can't blame you, for this is what I also thought when I was ask if I like to travel to Vietnam. For me Vietnam is synonymous to Saigon which is synonymous to war. Having been in quiet a number of war, slowed the progress of Vietnam's economy. But now that the "war" is out of the picture, they are open to tourists from other countries. Truthfully, I was very hesitant to visit this country, but the moment I did, I didn't regret a bit of it. And you know what? this is the best time to visit their country. When everything is economical, cheap and budget-reach for our pockets. Not only with the hotel accommodations, tickets, shopping, food... you name it, everything within reach. So what are you waiting for guys!

Finally arriving at TAN SON NHAT INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL!

There's quiet a few things you need to know before you plan to travel on this trip. It's better to be prepared than be surprised. A well-planned trip is better than none at all. Below are the few things you should be well aware of:

Search through the internet for the best ticket fare. We were able to get promo tickets through Philippine Airlines (PAL). And you can guess that we booked it immediately.
Search through Agoda or even group buying sites in the Philippines for the best accommodation. I can assure you, you can get as low as P4,000.00++ per person for room accommodations for few days already. That's really cheap compared to other countries.
Know their currency. Their currency is in Dong. VND or likewise known as Vietnam Dong. Just to give you an insight... estimately as follows...

VND1,000,000.00 = PHP2,000.00
VND500,000 = PHP1,000.00
VND10,000.00 = PHP20.00

Yes, your eyes didn't deceive you, their currency is in millions and converted to ours its in thousands only. It's like you're a millionaire there when you have only thousands of pesos! When purchasing, some of the vendors accepts U.S. dollars and even Philippine peso. It's very convenient especially when you already don't have any Vietnam Dong in hand.

Stay in a hotel that's conveniently near to some of the place you would like to see. It's gives you the time to go back anytime you like. Like ours, our hotel is near Ben Thanh Market. We just go back there whenever we have the urge to do so.
Research about the tours that you want to enjoy. This I know is quiet a big question mark to us who's only going there for the first time. We can't really envision fully what we are about to discover. On my next blogs are some of the tours that we've been to. You might want to get some ideas there.
What and where to eat? This will be the on some of our minds. Don't worry, there are quiet a number of good restaurants to eat. It's not as bad as we are trying to imagine. It's not all side walk restaurants if that's what you are worried about. Some of them are like the restaurant that we are used to here. And the people are quiet accommodating. I will write about some of the must-dine-in restaurants in another blog.
Safety. You might probably be wondering how's the safety in Vietnam? Surprisingly, it is quiet safe. We even enjoyed walking at night looking for our restaurant and the mall we decide to have a look at. There are also quiet a number of tourists from other countries like Americans, Europeans, Asians to name a few. They just walk the streets during day and night time. That's how you gauge the safeness of the place. Although of course, don't dismiss caution with everything you do. Although it's quiet safe, still be careful with your things and take full caution with the people you are going to encounter. There might still be some bad eggs out there just waiting to pounce specially when our guards are down .
Enjoy! enjoy! enjoy! This is the most important thing that you must not forget to do. That is to enjoy. Whatever you discover, whether it's up to par with our standards or not take it as a beautiful learning experience and a blessing we had the pleasure of enjoying. It makes the trip more fun and exciting to look forward to.

Note to my readers and thanks to Christina YY:

Please pardon me for being silent for quiet sometime. I had unfortunately used up my 1GB quota for photos in Picasa and was very worried I won't be able to produce a "photo-filled" blogs for you to enjoy. Finally, I found out a way to do so again through Flickr. Thanks to a blogger I followed, she told me I can do this through Flickr. Thank you Christina YY! =) It just took me quiet awhile though... =)

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Friday, April 20, 2012

Canyon Cove Resort Batangas - Room Accommodation

Canyon Cove Resort Batangas have Superior rooms, Deluxe rooms and Suites to choose from. We got the Deluxe room fully furnished with a bathroom, flat screen television, mini refrigerator, kettle, electronic safe, bathrobes and slippers.

The deluxe room has a balcony overlooking the sea. This is anybody's chance to witness how the sky turns to dusk. A lovely sight to behold.

Canyon Cove Resort's Deluxe room

I know what's in your minds right now. Why is the bed crumpled? Right? That's really amiss in my part because the moment we opened the door our kid rushed into the room and what else was the first thing he did was to try out the bed by jumping from one bed to the other that it was too late for me to stop him. He only stopped when I shooed him down with the reason to take some pictures first before he can continue his escapade of bed-jumping. =)

Small bed beside the window

This small bed beside the window is perfect for your little ones to sleep in or just to play around on. The three walls serve as protection for them not to fall off the bed that easily. =)

Desk top, mirror, television, mini refrigerator and closet with electronic safe and bathrobes

Kettle, 2 mugs, 2 wine glasses and 2 complimentary coffee

Mini refrigerator contains 2 complimentary bottled water

Closet, bathroom and the room's door

These three (3) doors are: Left - the closet door, Middle - the bathroom door, Right - the deluxe room's door.

Closet

This is the one feature that I really don't appreciate. For one, the closet is too small and narrow for a family to put their clothes in. And secondly, the table beside it is blocking the closet door making it hard for you to fix or get your clothes. Maybe because they know most of the guests who take their vacation comes only for a day or two that it really doesn't matter. But still, I think they could have made it a little bit bigger. =)

Bathroom

Upon entering the bathroom is the lavatory. The bathroom is very spacious. It definitely made up for the smallness of the closet. The whole family can fit in the bathroom and it can save you time. Each family member can do his or her own thing at the same time.

Water closet

Upon entering the bathroom, the water closet is located on the left side (see picture above); and the shower area is located on the right side (see picture below).

Shower area

Entrance to the balcony

Balcony overlooking the sea

The balcony has this fantastic view of the sea. The sky changes from this bright hues of white, blue and purple to the darkness of dusk. It's an amazing feeling specially when you have your love ones beside you. A simple chat with a glass of champagne would be most romantic. That's why it always pays to have a positive outlook when having vacations because it would start your whole trip in a bright light that will end giving you that satisfaction of a well worth relaxing trip.

View of the bedroom from outside the balcony

Canyon Cove Resort Batangas:

Address: Far East Road, Piloto Wawa Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines
Mobile: +632-908-1111
Email: reservation_canyoncove@g2globalinc.com
Website: www.canyoncove.com.ph

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Monday, April 16, 2012

Canyon Cove Resort Batangas - A Family Vacation-Destination

We ride our cars all the way to Canyon Cove Resort Batangas. This is one of those trips that gives you absolute excitement in awaiting what's in store for you. It's like that anticipation when you have this special gift that you want to open and that day finally came for you to open it? This is exactly how it feels.

Canyon Cove Resort Batangas

Canyon Cove Resort Batangas is a beachfront resort that we city people always look for. We admit to ourselves the fact that the city in itself is very polluted already that's why almost everybody especially the kids, one way or the other has allergies or asthma. The beach is almost always a good alternative for this kind of condition. The beach in itself is very therapeutic and basically nature has its own magic that's good for our health.

So we had the chance to get a good deal in one of the group buying sites, which by the way is the popular way to get good deals nowadays; for an overnight stay here. So of course we grabbed the chance.

Canyon Cove Resort comes with it facilities and services that would fit any sport-inclined person or just any ordinary person who wants to just leisurely spend their vacation with the art of doing absolutely nothing! =)

Room accommodations comes in choices of Superior rooms, Deluxe rooms and Suites. All features quality and comfort in every detail. Resort activities includes; swimming pool with adjoining bar and kiddie pool, children's playground; game room with billiard tables, air hockey and videoke. Beach activities includes; beach volley area, water sports like kayak, snorkeling, pedal boat, skim board, jet ski, banana boat and scuba diving with lessons; also there's island hopping, sunset cruise and a lot more. All these with corresponding fees for those that needs rental of equipment and gears.

Truthfully, the swimming pool and the beach itself will occupy your time already that renting other sporting equipment will come secondary to your mind. =)

Canyon Cove Resort Lobby

Canyon Cove Resort Facilities

Here are some of the facilities of Canyon Cove:

Boutique and gift shop

Canyon Cove Resort Directory

Elevators / lifts to our rooms

Lobby restrooms

Children's Playground

Worried that you will not have enough activities for your kids? Fear not, the children's playground will occupy most of your kid's time beside the swimming pool of course. Another plus is the white sand surrounding the playground. Feeling of the sand on the feet and hands are good for the sensory feelings of your kids. =)

Swimming pool

The swimming pool of course, are for the adults and the kids. The lagoon-shaped pools gives you that paradise-feeling on a man-made pool.

Island Cafe Restaurant

Island Cafe Restaurant, this is were we ate our breakfast buffet. The buffet was really simple with fruits, pancakes, scrambled eggs, cereals, coffee... to name a few but nevertheless we had a wonderful time. I think the aura the beach offers gives you that laid back feeling of relaxation and a doze of that happiness, that everything seems to feel just perfect the way they are.

Nighttime photos

Children's playground at night

Canyon Cove at night

Swimming pool at night

This picturesque swimming pool is what greeted us when we decided to take a stroll along the beachfront at night. It was a romantically-lovely sight to look upon don't you think?

Wooden shed on the beachfront

The beachfront at night

It was already dark when we took off our slippers and walk along the sandy beach. The roughness of the sand has that soothing effect on our senses. And guess what, we were not the only ones who took the time to do so. We had the chance to let loose and just walk along the shoreline and soaked our feet on the salt water. Our kid was drenched in salt water and covered with sand but we didn't hear a single complain, I guess he just loved playing too much to mind that he is sticky all over with salt water and sand.

Canyon Cove Resort facade at night

The night ended with us rejuvenated and somewhat vacation-fulfilled. I guess city life does take its toll on us and having this once-in-awhile vacations is definitely a must!

Canyon Cove Resort Batangas:

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Sunday, October 28, 2012

Know Vietnam's Currency

Vietnam's Blue Diamond Hotel

Blue Diamond Hotel - 3 Star

Blue Diamond Facade

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Vietnam's Airport - Tan Son Nhat International Terminal

Just before the plane lands, you can almost touch the houses of Vietnam.

Tan Son Nhat International Terminal

While walking along our airplane bridge, we see beyond the Vietnam Airline disembarking their passengers through their airplane bridge.

Vietnam's immigration

Airport's bathroom

Outside the airport, if one doesn't really know it can pass up as one of our own airport in the Philippines, don't you think?

Waiting for our car.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Vietnam - The Land to Discover

Vietnam... Vietnam... Vietnam...

Vietnam from above...

Finally arriving at TAN SON NHAT INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Canyon Cove Resort Batangas - Room Accommodation

Monday, April 16, 2012

Canyon Cove Resort Batangas - A Family Vacation-Destination