Tigerairways and Seair BoardMeFirst

Just to compare the rates of different low cost airlines, I usually do the dummy booking. And Seair caught my attention because of the service which other airlines don't have ( I assumed..hehe).

Aside from baggage selection, sports equipment, and seat selector, Seair and Tigerairways are also offering the service  BoardMeFirst. 

But I'm wondering.. what if all passengers availed that service, who will be the priority in boarding the plane? the first passenger who availed that service?..lol.

Is that service really essential? hmmm.. for me its not.

Resorts World Manila Free Shuttle Service

 I was invited by my former officemate  to attend their wedding which rites will be held at Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus - a church within Resorts World Manila. Since I don't have car, I was thinking of just riding a taxi cab going to RWM from Mandaluyong. Until morning of that day, I passed by at California Garden Square to buy my favorite milk tea when I saw the tarpaulin and learned that RWM is offering a free shuttle service from CGS to RWM and vice versa. I checked the ETD and ETA.. and perfect! ETD coincide with the wedding rites sched.

I availed the 1:45PM ETD from mandaluyong. Upon riding the shuttle van, the driver ask for my RWM membership card then I told him I don't have a membership card yet. He told me that shuttle van is only for those who are RWM members (nakakahiya! super formal pa naman ang suot ko tapos mapapababa lang sa van. :-(.. ). At the end, he still allow me to ride the shuttle provided that I will be applying for a membership at the RWM..(yehey!.. successful pa rin.)

For other pickup and drop-off points within Metro Manila, please refer to this link
http://www.rwmanila.com/contact-details/getting-here

My AirAsia Experience

As a certified airline promo abanger I got the chance to avail a promo seat offered by Airasia.

  

June 2012,  I excitedly book for an openjaw flight of Clark– Hongkong and Macau-Clark for December which only cost P9,979.96 and that’s already for 3 adults and 1 3yr old kid.

October 2012, since our trip is already approaching we decided then to book for our accommodation. With Adamant Travel and tours we easily accommodation both for Hongkong and Macau.

Aside from booking a hotel, my wife and I already filed for vacation leave – a long negotiation with our boss, and luckily, VL application… approved.

October 22, we received a text message and an email from Airasia and that’s the start of our trouble.

Airasia informed us that they are implementing a flight changes (or re-alignment) and our flight schedule is affected with the flight re-alignment or whatsoever.

Though they are offering options to address the issue but I think with the option they provided, we are still the one who's at a disadvantage.

•     One-time free move of flight to another date before 01 December, 2012

       - if we are taking this option, we have to re-apply for vacation leave, and to change our hotel   bookings with fees, possibly!

•     Cancel guest’s flight and convert the fare into a 90-day Online Credit Shell –  

      - if we are taking this option – we have to cancel our hotel booking and let our deposit to be forfeited, and have to rebook a flight in any destination we choose but no guarantee to having the same rate as we availed. In short, more likely we have to shell out money again for the next booking.

•     Cancel guest’s flight and refund fare –

      - if we are taking this option, we have to cancel our booking and let go our deposit and of course disappointment because this trip supposedly my Christmas gift for my mom – her first flight outside the country if ever.

Imagine, with all options, dehado at argabyado talaga kami. Then I call their hotline and explain everything, including the consequence in our part of the flight changes they implemented. But unfortunately, the agent told me that she has nothing to do.

I explained the case to my wife, and we decided to pursue the trip or else my mom gets disappointed, to end the story short, we take the first option.

 So, what we did...

• re-apply vacation leave and set a trip before December 1
• Rebooked for our hotel accommodation and luckily there are still available rooms for the date we chose.
• Call airasia again and chose a flight, it was a bit pressure to select a flight because once you choose a flight it is still depending on availability. Hay! Dagdag pressure si agent. Finally, we got Nov 28 Clark-Hongkong flight and Nov 30 Macau-Clark.

November 16, we received again a text message from airasia informing that our flight schedule from Macau-Clark has minor adjustment. Flight will be earlier than the schedule.. The consequence?? We have to shorten our planned Macau trip in order to arrive at the airport earlier.

Hindi ba hassle kung sa inyo nangyari yung ganito? Kahit naman siguro promo fare lang yun, still they have to treat us as a valuable client. Tama ba?

And I remember when Jetstar implemented also a flight changes, they offered a 500JPY voucher to use on in flight food, drink, entertainment as a form of apologizing with the inconvenienced they caused.

But with Airasia, we got nothing out of the inconvenience and extra cost we had because of their implemented flight changes.

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa

September 1 - 3, 2012

Marinduque - so called as the heart of the Philippines laid the Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa, a perfectly designed resort at the sands of Elefante Island. 

Together with my wife and son, we take an escape from the city's busy atmosphere. And we were lucky to have a 3days/2nights stay at the resort through asiatravel.com  promo. We paid only 7,500 pesos per night compared to the regular rate of 28,000 pesos per night. 

You can get to Marinduque by:

•  Airplane- Zest Airways
• approximately 45 minutes from Manila-Marinduque
• Bus and Sea Vessel - Jac Liner and Jam Liner which both have terminal in Kamias, QC and Buendia Pasay are offering a daily operation going to Dalahican, Lucena. From Dalahican Port, there are sea vessel going to to Balanacan, Cawit, or Buyabod Port.Cawit Port is the nearest to the resort. Among the ships bound to Marinduque are Montenegro Lines and Starhorse Shipping Lines.
• approximately 9hrs travel from Manila-Marinduque  

And we choose the latter option, Aside from being more affordable compared to a regular airfare, we feel more comfortable than taking a zestair flight-a well-known airline for their often cancelled/delayed flights. 

We started our travel at 9PM of August 30 and we reached Marinduque 6AM of September 1. 

From Shipping Port, we travelled again for another 40minutes going to Lipata, Buenavista with a pre-arranged shuttle van of Bellarocca. Indeed, a long and tiring travel, but our tiredness suddenly waned as we feel the calmness and simplicity of the surroundings - Fresh air, lush valley.

But wait there's more, we then transferred to a rubber speedboat for another 10min ride going to the island. Pagod na ako! Kami!

Shuttle Van - My Son and I

As the speedboat docked at the island port, some of the resort's staffs patiently waited for us, under the extreme heat of the sun handing a garland, which is hung round to each guest's neck upon arrival. A luscious scent of the garland -made of kalachuchi flower and leaves, gives as a refreshing feeling. Ang bango-bango ng bulaklak!(sabi sa kanta ng Viva hotbabes).

Speedboat ride to Island - My Wife and son

The Marina - Island port

Few of the staff who welcomed us.. Sweet. :)

Golf Cart Ride from Marina to Reception Area

  

Resort's General Manager at Head Chef welcomed us as we reached the reception area.A short orientation was conducted to discuss do's and dont's in the island, Menu selection was also discussed. 

Our Room - Deluxe

An approximately 42sqm studio type unit located at the second floor of the hotel building, it has a balcony which gives us a stunning view of open sea and Mt. Malindig. For a couple like us with 1 kid, room size is perfect. 
Safety vault, personal Ref, flat screen TV, iPod dock, home theater, and lined internet are among the appliance/gadget available for pleasure inside the room.

Other accommodation types are Junior Suite, Terrazas, Villa, and Glass house. You may visit their web site for details. http://www.bellaroccaresorts.com/

My kid playing in bed.. natuwa sa lambot at bango ng kama.. hahaha

view from our room

View from our room - infinity pool below

 For a five star resort like bellarocca, expected naman siguro na yung bathtub with branded toiletries.

Activities

Picture Opportunity - while your in the island, wala kang itatapong view, lahat ng anggulo picture perfect especially with the Mt. Malindig as background. Tip ko lang, bring an extra data storage such as usb drive, memory card or external HD..hehe

Island Tour - they provide island tour for free, this is an opportunity to see different type of accommodation and different area of the island - the chapel, tea house, villas, terrazas, and etc. You just have to ask for your sched. :)

 Kayaking and Snorkeling- complimentary activity for guest..
   Windsurfing, Hobie cat sailing can also be experienced for a minimal fee.. Jet ski, Banana   boat is also available

Entertainment - library and entertainment room is always open for all guest, at night, videoke room is also open.

Marinduque Tour - for a minimal fee also..

Pictures while enjoying the beauty of the island and a luxury service. :)

The Food

Before our stay in Bellarocca nagbasa na rin kami ng ilang reviews and we agree na may kamahalan talaga ang food pero expected naman knowing na separate island sya. Idagdag pa natin yung excellent service nila.. sulit na rin yung ibabayad mo sa food. Sa selection ng food, nothing is special sa menu na inooffer nila, most of the menu are also offered sa mga restaurant sa Manila at ibang resort. What something special is the restaurant itself and the service of staff during dining.

Expenses

(For 2Adult and 1kid(3yrs old))

Manila-Marinduque Transfer
                                                 Bus      =      900.00(roundtrip)
                                                 Barko   =   1,400.00(roundtrip)
Resort Accommodation                Deluxe  =  15,000.00(for 2nights, normal rate is 28,000/night)
Food                                                     =    6,000.00(for 3days, tipid eh. :))
Activities (kayak, snorkeling, island tour)  =   Free
Golf Course Tour                                    =       600.00
TOTAL EXPENSES                                    =  P23,900


other pics.. the view..

Overall experience, bitin ang 3days of stay. For those people who are seeking a serene surroundings, luxury service and amenities, Bellarocca is a perfect place. Recommended also for a newly wed couple for their honeymoon. And for a wedding rites, island is a great option.. how I wish na maulit ung kasal namin dito. hehe..

At babalik kami dito.. promise! kahit walang promo..hahaha