Fitflop Sling in Leather

It was love at first sight when I saw this Fitflop Sling (Tumbled Leather) in Grass Green for the first time at the Fitflop kiosk at Robinson's Manila.  First, it came in green, which is my favorite color.  Second, it is a Fitflop, and judging from my past experience with my old Fitflop, each step has always been comfortable for my feet.

At Php 4,990.00 (approx. US$ 119.00),  it certainly ain't cheap for a pair of sandals.  But in my mind,  I was thinking that it should be worth it.  So after a few days of mulling over it, I decided to buy it.

I tried it out at home and it fit perfectly.  I was looking forward to walking it out over the weekend as I was scheduled for an out-of-town overnight trip with my cousins.

My verdict:  Everything was fine and comfy as I imagined it to be except for the part near the big toe that was covered by the leather part.  Perhaps it was the leather lining that was rubbing constantly on the skin that, eventually, part of the skin was peeled off.  I couldn't walk properly on my second day of wearing it that I wanted to throw away the sandals!  But I had to remind myself of the price that I paid for the sandals.  So my only solution is to cover the area with band-aid every time I am to wear these sandals.  

Aesthetics:  100%                          Comfort:   80% (because of the peeling of the skin)

As far as Fitflop thongs are concerned, they are the best when it comes to comfort.  But as for their other designs like the Sling, I would suggest for you to think twice before buying them as they may not be as comfortable.

Noontech Power Me Polo

Don't you just hate it when your hand phone or tablet loses its juice and you have nowhere to charge it (either you don't have your charger with you or you're out at the mall and there are simply no outlets to plug into). I do! and it has happened to me on numerous occasions! Which is why, when I read about this device at yugatech.com, I decide to buy one at their sister site called Yugadeals. Priced at a discounted rate of Php 2,300 (approximately US$ 53.48), it was quite reasonable as it gives one around 4000mAh of battery juice. Just to give you an idea, here are the mAh equivalent for the following:

iPhone 4s: 1,432 mAh
Blackberry Torch 9800: 1,270 mAh
Blackberry Playbook: 5,300 mAh

So it means I can easily re-charge both hand phones using my Noontech portable battery should they run out of battery at the same time (one at a time though).

The Noontech portable battery is about the size of my blackberry torch 9800...and about the same thickness too but is a little bit lighter than the bb.

The package comes with the portable battery unit, manual, six head for different devices (blackberry, idevices, nokia, LG, HTC, Samsung, etc....see below) and the coiled connecting cord.

Blackberry Playbook being charged after unpacking the portable battery.

I can't wait to actually use this device when one my devices actually runs out of juice. I just have to remember to keep it charged at all time so I don't end up carrying another useless device in my bag!

iPhone 4s

It was never in my plans to purchase an iPhone, any iPhone model in fact. The first and last (I thought it was) iPhone that I ever bought was in 2007 and this was the first generation of the iPhone. Not that I was unhappy with it but I got hooked on Blackberrys, BBMs and email services. My plan was to wait for the Blackberry phones that were supposed to come out early 2012 with the BB10 system in place. Announcements were made and eventually, RIM mentioned that they would come out with the new phones by the end of 2012. I was still ok with this and was actually planning on purchasing a Torch 9810 in the meantime. Until I read an article here which claims that Blackberry executives have been lying to everyone about the BB10 system. Disappointment set in and I decided to go back to what was tried and tested in the past for me, ergo, the iPhone 4s.

The iPhone 4s is the latest handset to be released by Apple which includes an 8mega pixel camera, dual core A5 chip, ios5, iCloud and of course, Siri. I won't go into details anymore about the phone as I'm sure there are a million and one websites that deal with this.

Suffice to say, I am quite happy with the performance and the connectivity choices that I have with my friends who carry iPhones. I have also maintained my old Blackberry Torch 9800 for my friends who would still like to communicate with me via BBM.

My gadgets seeing red! Red is not my favorite color (its green) but its easier to find accessories in this color.

Toy Story Land

I was able to attend yesterday's event at The Peninsula Manila's Rigodon Ballroom called "Toy Story Land Trade Launch Event: It's Playtime Challenge" courtesy of Hong Kong Disneyland. A launch like this is annual activity of Hong Kong Disneyland where they host lunch for select travel agents so as to promote a new attraction/ride/event at the Hong Kong Disneyland.

As the title of the event suggests, this was going to be all about the new Toy Story Land opening in November 2011. The concept of the Toy Story Land is set on Andy's backyard wherein his toys are scattered all over. Everyone who is someone in Toy Story is included in the concept such as Woody, Jessie, Rex and Slinky Dog (Buzz Lightyear already has an existing ride at one of the other lands inside Disneyland which is why he is not present in any of the hand-outs for Toy Story Land).


Some of the travel agents waiting at the foyer of the Rigodon Ballroom. The invitation stated 1130H but the doors did not open until 1230H. Luckily, I came in late at 12noon so I didn't have to wait that long.


The stage set-up before the start of the program.


Simple yet creative center piece set up on each table. Very theme appropriate! (I got to take home four of those blocks)


Each table was equipped with these devices. It turned out this was to be used for the game during the duration of the program (we lost at a pathetic ranking of 20). The game also took so long that lunch was served at 1400H.


The toy soldiers reporting! They were clad in green from head to toe and it was as if the toy soldiers really grew and came alive!


The winning teams posing with Woody and Jessie as well as claiming their medals and prizes...I actually felt a tiny tiny tiny pang of jealousy :( I should be on the stage too claiming my prize (sore loser hehe)


Our late lunch started with Caesar Salad. Good but nothing extra ordinary.


Cajun roasted chicken roulade with grilled peppers, vegetable bouquet and steamed rice. Taste was good but the chicken was a bit tough. The hotel, I guess, is not to be blamed for this since they were told that lunch was to be served at 12noon but instead, delayed to an acid-inducing-in-your-tummy hour of 1400H.


Vanilla mille feuille with fruit coulis. Don't ask me what it means but this did not disappoint. Sweet that goes well with tea. Each dessert was presented alongside an edible Toy Story themed white chocolate 'picture' stand.



As with any Hong Kong Disneyland organized activity, this was well thought of and well prepared. All the key sales and marketing people were there to answer any queries by the travel agents. Plus the game was very engaging and fun although hunger pangs still haunt me up to this day. I look forward to personally visiting the Toy Story Land on my next visit to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Emporio Armani Caffe

On my recent trip to Ho Chi Minh city (my last visit was in 2009), I saw several improvements already. New malls were starting to pop up like Vincom Centre (office/mall combination). District 7 is fast developing and becoming an urbanized area.

My first visit was actually a leisure trip so I was able to visit the usual tourist spots like Cu chi Tunnel (a must), Notre Dame Cathedral, Hall of Reunification, Central Post Office, etc. This trip was a business trip (I was there to attend the 7th Vietnam ITE, more of this on another post) so I limited my free time to visiting some malls and dining out. One of the restaurants that I knew I had to try was the Emporio Armani Caffe which is located inside Vincom Centre. Opened sometime in July 2010, this is the first and only Emporio Armani Caffe in the Asia Pacific region.

One of the two entrances to the cafe. It is a 2 story establishment and it is beside an Emporio Armani boutique.

Black flooring and walls makes a dark and sombre interior.





Unlimited return to the salad bar is included for the Entree during lunch time. Salad bar includes couscous, pesto penne, veggies and others.


My salad platter. I only had a serving as I didn't want to stuff myself before partaking of the entree.



I decided to order the Chicken Milanese with the delicious Arugula salad since this was one of the cheaper items at 226,000 dong (US$ 11.30 or Php 499)


Saigon Special beer to wash down the food. 66,000 dong (US$ 3.3 or Php 148) for a bottle.


My friend, Ana, ordered the Pork Escalop at 216,000 dong (US$ 10.80 or Php 477)

My other friend, Charmaine, order the Veal Fillet priced at 376,000 dong (US$ 18.80 or Php 831).

Overall, our bill came down to 1,173,480 dong (US$ 58.67 or Php 2,600) or approximately US$ 20 per person for entree, salad and a bottle of local beer.

Personally, as with most branded/signature items, I feel that the pricing is a bit overpriced. You are paying for the brand name obviously which is also an experience by itself. But the taste falls short and is a bit 'bleh' if you ask me. Given a chance, would I go back and dine at Emporio Armani Caffe?...your treat, I definitely would! hehehe but if I had to pay for it, I'd opt for the other cheaper yet better tasting restaurants around town.

Emporio Armani Caffe
70-72 Thanh Ton Street
Ben Nghe Ward
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Tel (84 8 ) 38247055

Bantayan Island

Admittedly a big big big fan of Cebu, I have yet to discover places outside of the city and its nearby surroundings. Luckily, I got the chance to visit Bantayan Island last August with a couple of my good friends who are all based in Cebu.

Bantayan is an island in the Philippines located at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu Island. It is politically a part of the Province of Cebu. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantayan_Island)

How to get to Bantayan:

From Cebu City, you can take a public bus to Hagnaya Wharf (takes about 2.5 to 3 hours). Or, you can do it like me and hitch a ride with your friends who abhor taking the public transport hehehe.

From the Wharf, you will have to take a one-hour or so ferry to Bantayan Island. The cost is very minimal for the ferry ride...only Php 180 (US$ 4) per way (non airconditioned which is fine since it is very breezy on the passenger deck). To book a hotel, you can either book through one of the numerous websites available (just google it) or just go there first to check out the hotel and book on the spot (do not do this during Easter Week as it is impossible for one to get a room during this period unless you pre book)

Bantayan Island, to me, is how I imagine what Boracay Island looked like in its early years before commercialism took over the Island. As they say, pictures paint a thousand words...

Ferry Schedules posted on the board

The Ro-ro (ferry) which can accommodate cargo and vehicles on its berth and passengers on the upper deck.

The postcard worthy scene that welcomes you as you approach Bantayan Island.

The resort where we stayed at. An air-conditioned room for four would cost like Php 1,800 (US$ 40) per night (includes 2 double beds and a day bed). My apologies as I forgot to take pictures of the room.

You can arrange with the resort to prepare you your meals and taken at one of the numerous beach front huts that surround the resort. We were spending like Php 1,000 (US$ 22) per meal for a group of 8 people.

Perfect for strolling alone on the beach...

....or with your special someone!

If you want a no fuss, low cost vacation in one of the cleanest and safest beaches in the Philippines, then go to Bantayan Island where people's smiles are still at its sincerest form.

Hotel Kimberly Manila

If you're looking for an affordable, clean, decent and conveniently-located hotel in Manila, then you don't have to look further than Hotel Kimberly. Less than a 5-minute walk away from a mall (Robinson's Place Ermita) and several dining and night entertainment options, the hotel is situated in the heart of Manila (Ermita/Malate area).

Rooms cost around Php 2000++ (US$ 45++) which includes buffet breakfast for two.

Simple yet functional hotel lobby.

I personally stayed for a night in this hotel last June (my room was upgraded though) and I must say I did have a pleasant stay.

My room was quite spacious and even featured a LCD TV which even some 4-star hotel don't offer. The hotel also offers free Wi-fi in all guest rooms! (which hopefully will become a standard in all hotels all over the world)

The bathroom included a bath tub (not included in the picture and is quite spacious.

The main and only dining area serves buffet breakfast. As with the rest of the hotel, menu selection is very basic...you have your egg station, bread, cereal, fruits, juice, 2 or 3 hot items, rice and bread. Nothing exceptional but enough to fill one's tummy and start of the day right. Dining area is also noticeably clean, a huge plus.

Hotel Kimberly Manila

770 Pedro Gil Street

Malate, Manila, Philippines

Tel (63 2) 5211888

Fax (63 2) 5267270

Website: http://manila.hotelkimberly.com/index