Baguio City is Insanely Cold
Baguio City. The houses are all scattered.
It was always my dream to visit Baguio City someday. Since my elementary days, the place has always been the subject being one of the most favorite travel destinations among Filipinos. We had this exam before in our Civics and Culture where it asked “What city is the Summer Capital of the Philippines?” Of course, I know the correct answer. Baguio City.
When we had our trip to Manila last September 2012, Baguio City was part of the itinerary. We did not really prepare before we got there. We did not book any room accommodation. We did not hire a van or a driver. We just went there unprepared.
Exploring Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park is the only oceanarium in the Philippines. Having already visited the Underwater World in Sentosa Island, Singapore for the first time it was no longer new to me to visit such oceanarium. My visit to Manila last September 2012 brought me into exploring the wonderful Manila Ocean Park. I intended to go there just to compare between the two oceanarium. My friends told me that Manila Ocean Park is larger than Singapore Underwater World. So I had to visit Manila Ocean Park to prove them right.
Manila Ocean Park is stragetically located near the famous landmarks in Manila – Rizal Park and Quirino Grandstand. Basically if you plan to visit Rizal Park, never forget to drop by in Manila Ocean Park which is just a walking distance from Rizal Park.
Entrance to Manila Ocean Park
It was rainy when we went there. We just came from Manila Divisoria and just took a trike. If you are not sure how to get there, you can ask help from Google. 
Or better, take a taxi.
By just getting in the entrance, I can already say that Manila Ocean Park is more spacious than Singapore Underwater World. We walked a few distance from the entrance gate to the main hall.
Excited crowd at the main hall of Manila Ocean Park
Afternoon Delight in Lalimar Beach Resort, Negros Oriental
The infinity pool of Lalimar Beach Resort. The view of Tanon Strait right from the pool is just magnificent.
While we were in Guihulngan City to celebrate the birthday of my friend’s mom, we went to a nearby resort located in La Libertad to spend the rest of the afternoon. The resort’s name is Lalimar Beach Resort, it is operated and owned by the Local Government Unit.
Getting to Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental
Okay. I love to travel and get into some adventure. I love to visit new places. Being a Visayan (Bisaya) by blood, I haven’t stepped into the island of Negros.
My friend Joe who hails from Negros Oriental happened to go home that day to celebrate her mother’s birthday. I, being a travel junkie, asked him if we can go with him. We were not invited but I (on behalf of the group) asked Joe to invite us to his place. See how crazy I am. Good thing, Joe is so kind that he agreed.
This is the ferry boat about to dock in the temporary port of Guihulngan. The original port stopped operating after it was damaged by the Feb 2012 earthquake.
Universal Studios Singapore – All Day Fun
The 2nd day of our trip in Singapore was spent in Universal Studios, still located in Sentosa Island.
People rushed into this Universal Studios icon to take a picture of themselves. This spinning globe icon is a landmark in every Universal Studios themed parks. On this picture, many people surrounds the landmark that it is so hard to take a picture of yourself alone.
We spent the whole day there. I tell you spending like half a day is not enough. Of course the entrance fee to Universal Studios Singapore is quite expensive for me. Yeah. It is SG $74.00/head, that is whole day entrance with unlimited rides. We purchased the ticket in advanced online through their website: http://www.rwsentosa.com/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore
For us first timers in Singapore, the Universal Studios was the main highlight of our trip. The park is famous and only a few of them exist in the whole world.
Finally, I conquered Universal Studios Singapore and I felt like I was a kid again.
Being in Universal Studios was like being a kid again. How I wished I visited the park when I was a kid (perhaps when I was 10 years old) so I could have the best experience in my childhood life. But whatever, I still did enjoy my time there. But just saying, it would totally be a different experience for young kids out there. You know what I mean?
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
After our short Sentosa Island tour, we proceeded to Marina Bay to visit the newly opened Gardens by the Bay. We just explored the Underwater world and it was time to visit the kingdom plantae. You know what I mean?
Mother Nature must be glad about the creation of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay.
Garden’s by the Bay is a newly opened park aiming to place Singapore in a garden city. With more than 100,000 visitors after 2 days of its opening, no doubt Gardens by the Bay is one of the famous parks in the whole world.
