Have a Happy Summer with Discovery Hotels and Resorts
March 2020 (Manila, Philippines) – Summer has begun, and Discovery Hotels and Resorts have special packages that the family and friends will definitely enjoy for a stay or two.
Whether it’s the city or the beach, there will be a place for pure relaxation and fun. Discovery Hospitality has just launched exciting summer offers for all of its properties in Manila, Palawan, and Boracay—perfect for a much-needed vacation.
Let the cool blue waters of Boracay, and the paradise that is Palawan, make summer truly an unforgettable one. Have a splashing good time with friends and family and experience memorable moments to satisfy wanderlust at Discovery Shores Boracay and Club Paradise Palawan. Enjoy daily breakfast, complimentary drinks, a hearty boodle fight feast, and more. Rates start at Php 18,000++ per night for a Junior Suite in Boracay, and Php 16,000++ for a Garden Suite in Palawan.
Stay in the city, but with a whole new escape. Discovery Primea brings dining and spa all in one stay. With rates starting at Php 9,100 nett for a Business Flat, enjoy the luxury of a gourmet breakfast, a complimentary one carafe of Summer Mocktail at Edge or Tapenade, and 20% discount on in-room dining service, select Terazi Spa treatments, and a 50% discount on the famous brick-oven pizzas of Tapenade.
The luxury of space awaits at the heart of the Ortigas Center. Escape through the city at Discovery Suites, with rates starting at Php 4,074++ for a Junior Suite, which comes with breakfast buffet for two (2) persons, access to the children’s activity every Saturday, and 10% savings on Restaurant 5 and 22 Prime.
Discovery Hotels and Resorts’ Summer Campaign is available for stays this March to June, varies per property. For bookings and inquiries, visit www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com.
A visit to Amsterdam can be a budget-friendly experience. The Netherlands’ stylish capital is home to many first-rate attractions and you can have a good time here without spending too much cash. Whether you wish to explore secret gardens, visit colorful markets, or admire world-class works of art, here are our top recommendations for the best free things to do in Amsterdam.
1. Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt)
Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, Amsterdam’s Bloemenmarkt is located right between Muntplein and Koningsplein. Visit this floating flower market and admire the beauty of blooms and bulbs like purple lilies, crimson tulips, and yellow daffodils. Popular with both tourists and locals, the market also houses stalls that sell everything from garden accessories to souvenir clogs. Amsterdam-flower-market
2. Begijnhof
There are many amazing attractions in Amsterdam is Begijnhof is definitely one of them. An inner court surrounded by historic buildings, Begijnhof was hounded back in the 14th century and used to serve as home to female members of a Catholic sisterhood also known as Beguines. Nowadays, Begijnhof is an oasis of calm and picturesque place where many tourists come to visit the lovely gardens and admire the architecture of Amsterdam’s oldest surviving houses. amsterdam-begijnhof-sightseeing
3. Civic Guard Gallery
Offering free entrance, the Civic Guard Gallery is a rather small but interesting museum in Amsterdam that focuses on the lives of the city’s wealthier residents in the times gone by. Expect to see Golden Age portraits and works of Rembrandt and Hals, as well as dozens of more recent portraits which include ordinary residents and local boxers and football players. The museum also displays the evolution of portrait painting in the country.
4. Vondelpark
Nature lovers visiting Amsterdam on a budget will want to pay a visit to the city’s most famous park, the beautiful Vondelpark. This 120-acre park is a fantastic place to spend a couple of hours. From a network of picturesque ponds and narrow waterways to the lovely rose garden, there is plenty to look forward to when visiting Vondelpark. In summer, the park hosts free concerts and theatrical performances. vondelpark
5. Albert Cuyp Market
A visit to the Albert Cuyp Market is one of our favorite free things to do in Amsterdam. The city’s largest and most popular market, Albert Cuyp in de Pijp district boasts nearly 300 stalls selling everything from jewelry and clothing to local food delicacies like syrup waffles and raw-herring sandwiches. Here, you will also find Indian, Turkish, and Surinamese restaurants that offer reasonably priced dishes.
6. Concertgebouw’s Free Concerts
Concertgebouw is an impressive arts venue well-known for its marvelous acoustics and beautiful interior. It is home to the famous Koninklijk (Royal) Concertgebouw Orchestra and many renowned musicians have performed at the concert hall. The good news is that the venue hosts Lunchtime Concerts in the Recital Hall every Wednesday from 12:30 pm to 1 pm from September to June. Keep in mind that this free concert series is hugely popular with both tourists and locals, so it’s recommended to arrive early and find a free seat.
7. Central Library
Located just a short walk from Amsterdam’s central station, this state-of-the-art library is one of the largest in Europe. It has ten floors and attracts nearly 3 million people each year. Whether you wish to browse through the books section, try some local foods at the rooftop self-service restaurant La Place, or visit the library’s recording studio and exhibition space, there are plenty of attractions to keep you entertained throughout the day.
A wedding is such a unique moment, best-part-of-our-lives. Oh, how lovely it is to speak vows in front of the altar together with your beloved person in the world. I can imagine the happiness and the sincerity especially if a person at the altar suddenly cries when delivering the vows.
But hey! Before the speaking of vows and wedding entourage, you will have to undergo planning, scheduling, ocular visits, and a lot more. Yes, it’s a lot of work for the soon to be bride and the groom. There would be engagement parties, bridal showers, meetings, and discussions about the dresses, the color motif, the invitees, and especially, the places to do all these. Initially, you would come looking for ideas for bridal shower invitations to make them more appealing, pleasant, and neat. You want everything to be perfect. Hotels in San Francisco
So, we listed some of the best hotels in San Francisco to celebrate your bridal shower or engagement party invites that can accommodate everyone!
Located in the heart of San Franciso since 1875. The Palace Hotel invites you to a luxurious experience. High ceilings filled with gorgeous timeless pieces of furniture. The hotel lobby and rooms are tastefully decorated. You could visit the Golden Gate Bridge using their public transport system, and the bus stops are on the same street outside the hotel. There are also numerous dining places to choose from near the hotel.
You can tell the hotel had established for a long time by looking at the architecture. The interior of the hotel is very well kept. China Town is also not so far away from this hotel. Well situated right in between Union Square and the Embarcado (WaterFront). Walking distance to everything and not directly on or next to any major hills.
It has a classical charm that makes it a wedding venue favorite. As soon as you walk by the reception and the dining area, your jaws would definitely drop for there is an excellent beauty in the place. Check Rates | Book Now!Check Rates | Book Now!
San Francisco has numerous iconic hotels, ain’t they? Guests of The Ritz-Carlton can enjoy exclusive amenities on The Club Level, which features all-day food and beverage services as well as a full-service concierge to assist with any requests. The Club Lounge at the Ritz is rated as exceptional.
Located in Nob Hill which is a short distance to Union Station, Little Italy, and China Town. Rooms are classically decorated and the bathrooms are huge. Service is wonderful – everyone greets you and smiles and makes you feel welcome. The gym and the spa are of outstanding service.
If you are looking for a more upscale property to bet your engagement party invites before the wedding, then you probably could not get do much better than Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Check Rates | Book Now!Check Rates | Book Now!
If you are looking for a real 5 stars luxury treat, from the moment you checked in till you check out, it is the right place in San Francisco. Stunning bedroom with beautiful deep tub and separate shower, luxurious bed and top-level service. The rooms are luxurious and well designed. The concierge provided excellent service.
It is in the heart of the SoMa area, with proximity to Union Square, the Financial District, and the Embarcadero. It is also very close to Market St, and the entire MUNI transportation system. From the St. Regis, one is close to world-class dining, and shopping and most of the popular sights around San Francisco are just a bus, or streetcar ride away – or a lovely walk, on relatively flat streets.
St. Regis also became a location for more than 100 wedding vows and pre-wedding moments. Check Rates | Book Now!Check Rates | Book Now!
Steps from Union Square, this historic yet modernized hotel features classic European charm and in-room spa services. It includes the 2 Michelin Star rated Campton Place Restaurant and a 24-hour rooftop gym. Each elegant guest room at the Taj Campton Place includes a state-of-the-art sound system. Most rooms boast cozy window seats and every bathroom is designed with limestone and features deep soaking tubs. Campton Place Bar & Bistro offers bistro-style late-night dining, wine, and specialty cocktails.
This can be your next favorite boutique hotel on the planet. Service throughout the hotel is impeccable. Right on the edge of Union Square, small, boutique hotel that fit the bill on every one of our needs. The staff at Taj knows how to make their guests feel not just important but pampered.
Here’s a personal review from Deena: Hotels in San Francisco
“We felt that the entire staff bent over backward to make everything special for us. There was chilled champagne in the bridal suite and the concierge even wrapped and refrigerated the leftover wedding cake until the couple returned from their honeymoon in Napa! The room was lovely. The location was terrific. Most importantly, this is a hotel that really extends the personal touch and how often can you say that these days! We cannot rave enough about every aspect of our experience.” Check Rates | Book Now!Check Rates | Book Now!
Ideal for fun and relaxation, Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is located in the South of Market area of San Francisco (CA). Visitors to the hotel can take pleasure in touring the city’s top attractions: True Massage & Wellness, Emporio Armani, Museum of Craft & Folk Arts. The facilities and services provided by Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco ensure a pleasant stay for guests. Guests of the hotel can enjoy on-site features like free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, facilities for disabled guests, express check-in/check-out, luggage storage. Hotels in San Francisco
The hotel offers an excellent variety of recreational facilities, including fitness center, sauna, indoor pool, spa, massage.
The Four Seasons San Francisco was built before its time but today is in the heart of San Francisco – blocks from Union Square. The staffs are well trained and attentive and the rooms were are comfortable with all of the technology you should expect in a modern luxury hotel.
Be prepared for a fantastic experience. Four Seasons Hotel has been a home to over a hundred weddings and engagement celebrations, all going home with a big smile on their faces. Check Rates | Book Now!Check Rates | Book Now!
Known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ Dubrovnik is one of the most beautifully historic cities in the world. With white-washed beaches, amazing city walks, and some of the best food in Europe, there is something to delight everyone. We’ve put together a list of reasons why you should be booking your next trip to this stunning city. Trust us, you won’t regret it!
To Explore The Seas
The Adriatic sea stretches along the coast of Dubrovnik and is peppered with gorgeous little islands just begging to be explored. Why not pick from some of the luxurious yacht charters to hop in and out of so that you can travel in style? Head to Daksa Island, which is rich in World War II history and completely uninhabited if you feel like learning about times past. Or sail onto Lokrum Island, where Game Of Thrones fans can see where part of the series was filmed and float in the surrounding Dead Sea.
The beaches in Dubrovnik boast stretches of sand in the South at Srebreno Beach, where you can enjoy a cheap beer whilst you tan, whilst pebbly beaches can be found closer to the city center. The miles of coastline are full of restaurants and bars so you can enjoy a full day out without having to move too far from your sunning spot.
If you prefer to party, head to Coral Beach Club, where you can book a beach cabana or sunbeds with Champagne table service and dance the day away to the pumping beats from some of the cities best DJs.
Wander The Walls
The main part of the city is enclosed within a high wall, which was erected in the middle ages, much of the original structure still stands as it has been carefully preserved over time. It is around 1940 meters long and you can book a walking tour which offers an unparalleled view of the beautiful city below. The tours take around two to three hours, so remember to take some sunblock!
Sip In The Squares
The city has multiple squares lined with bars and restaurants and are fantastic spots for a little people to watch. You can while away a sunny afternoon with a few bottles of Karlovačko, one of the beers local to the area. If you’re not a big drink, check out Gundulic Square in the morning to browse the huge market, packed with fresh fruit and vegetables for some snacks during the day. You’ll also be able to pick up some great oils and spices to take home as souvenirs.
Book A Wine Tour
The Croatian wine scene is super up and coming so why not get in on the action? There are plenty of tours to help you wet your whistle and learn about the area. Pick a tour that travels through the regions and you’ll get to taste a great selection of wines. It’s 100% education whilst being 100% fun and you’ll be an expert in no time!
405 meters above sea level you can find Mount Srd, most easily reached by cable car. Take a trip up in one of the bright orange cars and watch the world fly by as you travel to the top of the hill. Once you’re at the peak you can enjoy the stunning views over the city below and count the cruise ships that sail through the Adriatic.
This truly is a must for anyone visiting as the spectacular scenery is not to be missed! If all of the beautiful landscape leaves you feeling a bit peckish, head over to the Panoramic restaurant for a bite where you can still soak up the incredible scene.
Mill Around The Monastery
If you’re looking for a break from the city’s hustle and bustle, pay a visit to the huge but tranquil Franciscan Monastery. Full of impressive Roman cloisters which are made of 1260 columns, you’ll also find the oldest garden in Dubrovnik, still home to orange trees and other greenery. It also happens to be the oldest working pharmacy in the world, with bottles and chemistry paraphernalia on display.
If you’re a book lover you can visit the vast library, which houses over 75,000 works, many of which are first editions. You’ll be hard-pressed to find more culture and history elsewhere in the city!
Traveling is really a lifetime memory of adventure and even more interesting when you get to experience going to places from one point to another, just like how it is when traveling from Cebu to Bohol in the Philippines.
Many of you might be asking about how to go to Bohol from Cebu and vice versa. Glad you clicked through the link and went here. So below are the processes on traveling to Bohol from Cebu – Cebu City to Tagbilaran.
Get Your Tickets First
Your tickets are your entrance pass to getting to Bohol from Cebu and we advise you to book your tickets online to save you from the hassle of falling in line under the scorching heat of the sun. Trust me, we went there it was bad.
We highly recommend getting tickets from KKday for your Oceanjet or Supercat Pass to Bohol. Click the link below to order your tickets and print them. Click here to order your tickets for Cebu to Bohol Link 1 – Oceanjet Link 2 – SuperCat
Be early at the Terminal
As much as possible, allow at least 1-2 hours of allowance time for your trip just like when you go to the airport. Once you are there, just present your tickets to the guard and get your boarding pass inside.
Get your Boarding Pass
The boarding pass will tell you the gate number and time of departure. Make sure to always listen to the announcements too. The last thing you don’t want to happen to you is to get left behind by your boat.
Wait for Boarding
Once you get your boarding pass, you just have to wait until boarding is open. If you feel hungry, there are plenty of stores inside the terminal and you really won’t be hungry there.
Get Inside the ferry and Settle your Things
Depending on the ticket class you booked (Economy/Tourist/Business), you will be asked to settle on your seats until the journey is finished from Cebu to Bohol. Travel time will be from around 1.5 hours to 2 hours depending on the speed of the passenger boat and the sea current. If you happen to go hungry, there’s an in-house store at the ferry.
Welcome to Bohol!
After your 1-2 hours journey, you will be stepping now at the island of Bohol. If you need tours, we also recommend you to check out KKday offerings as we also booked our tours from their website. See our recommended Bohol Tours below.
There are many things you can do in Bohol, you can rent a private car (which you can also avail via KKday) or pick the best-suited tours for you and your group.
Getting to Bohol from Cebu is now better than the previous years and with all the technologies we get to have at this time of the century, hopefully, in the future, the travel time and journey from one place to another will be as seamless as it can be.
Cagbalete Island can be located 30-45mins away from the town of Mauban in Quezon. The island is accessible via boats, may it be private or a public passenger one. Since this is an island, the primary source of living is fishing. There also are people who are using their tourism to make a living out of the island life.
What to expect in Cagbalete Island?
This island boasts of fine white sands and turquoise-blue waters. Not as fine and as white as Boracay but definitely is comparable to the other islands with white sand beaches in the Philippines. Water is defined as crystal-clear especially when out in the sun, and when the very fine white sands on the shore are exposed to the ray of sunlight. Turquoise-blue on the shallow waters and navy blue to the deepest sea.
You will notice that most of the corals and coral reefs are a distance away from its shore. That’s because Cagbalete Island has 1-2km range when low-tide and still only up until toe to neck deep. Further, its deep blue waters will come your way while corals and marine life will start to show. During high tide, it’s already neck deep on the first 6-10 meters away from the shore.
Can I spend quiet time here?
Since not all people know about the island yet, you surely will have your most quiet staycation in its resorts. Resorts are starting to show up. The island started to open itself to visitors in 2013. Since then, a few articles, photos of visits, few people who have been there, have used social media to promote the place. Why should we not? The place boasts a great opportunity for tourism and since it’s also a quiet place to go in, you would want to spend your quiet time here, reflect on yourself, sing a song with just all by yourself, stare at a distant far away from the shore, cry like there’s no one to see, hear just the waves of the ocean, or just simply have fun with yourself and friends.
Are accommodations already available?
Few resorts are already on the record as of writing. Pansacola Beach Resort, Doña Choleng Beach Resort, Villa Noe Beach Resort, Aguho Playa, Joven’s Blue Water Resort, Villa Cleofas, MVT Sto. Niño Beach Resort, and Nilandingan Cove. Recently, there’s a newly established resort nearby Sabang Port that can only be booked via prior reservation. Yes, it has its own pool too. I think it has the name Aquazul.
From Nipa Huts to Air-conditioned rooms, they have that. You may also opt to pitch a tent if you have one for a little price of using the land. Tents are my option, for me, it’s more fun when camping especially with friends or if you are alone and you get to use up the limited space you have. Camping also is known to be the billion-star accommodation as you will be sleeping under the roof of the sky with brightly-shining billions of stars above you. It’s just a very wonderful view. Additional is, tents are cheap.
How to get there from Manila?
First, you have to know how to get to Mauban, Quezon.
Option 1: There is a terminal available that directly caters passengers to Mauban. Located in JAC Liner, Cubao Terminal. There only are 2 buses for the day. First trip departs at 4 am and the last trip is at 1 pm. The bus will leave if the bus is full even though it’s not yet time for departure, so be early. It’s a 5-hour journey from Cubao so ready your kidneys and stomach. The cost is 277 per person and minus 20% for students, senior citizens and people with challenged capabilities.
Option 2: If your schedule could not cater the 4 am and 1 pm bus schedule. Do not worry, there are other ways to go to Mauban. Go to terminals with buses bound for Lucena. This will cost about 240 Php. They will drop you off at Lucena Grand Terminal. Walk further away from the dining hall (across the pasalubong center) and you will see NCR Lines buses bound for Mauban and Unisan. Obviously, line up for the bus bound to Mauban. This is the cheaper option. Only costs about 20-40 Php (I am not quite sure about the price but is definitely cheaper than the van).
If you happen to miss the NCR Lines bus for Mauban, do not worry. You still have the van service for that. This will cost you about 70 Php per person.
Now, you may want to know how to get to the Island.
After being dropped off by the bus, take a tricycle to the registration office. This will cost you 10 Php per person.
At the registration office, prepare 50 Php for the environmental fee. They will also tell the schedule of the next passenger boat’s departure and private boatmen are also available there for service.
You will also need another 10 Php for the tricycle from Registration Office to Mauban Port.
Cheaper Option to the Island:
Passenger boats are available and are definitely cheaper than hiring private ones but they aren’t available 24 hours a day. These boats are also known as cargo vessels, but definitely, are not used for fishing activities. As of writing, there are 3 available boats going to the island.
From Mauban Port to Cagbalete Island, Sabang Port:
The first boat departs at 9am. The second boat departs at 11am. The third boat departs at 1pm. The first and second boats are only 50 Php per passenger whilst the third one is 100 Php per passenger.
Upon arrival at the port, there will be guides who will accompany you to the resort of your choice. Of course, they are not for free, just give them 20 or 50 Php and they are happy.
If you happen to miss the passenger boats, you have the option to hire a private boat going directly to your resort of choice for a fixed price. You could either hire a one-way or a round-trip ride. Do not forget to get their contact information or ask if they have contact cards. They could cater you from morning up until 6 or 7pm only if permitted by the coast guard.
How can we go back from Cagbalete Island to Manila?
Alright, calm down.
From Cagbalete Island, Sabang Port to Mauban Port:
The first boat departs at 7am. The second boat departs at 1pm. The third boat departs at 4pm. The first and second boats are only 50 Php per passenger whilst the third one is 100 Php per passenger.
Upon arrival to Mauban Port, hire a tricycle to van terminals bound for Lucena, 10 Php.
Van to Lucena from Mauban will cost you about 60 or 70 (depende sa kapal ng mukha ng driver). They will mostly incur 70 Php but there are some 60 Php ones.
Arrival at the Lucena Grand Terminal:
There are lots of options to choose from. Buses either bound for Pasay or Cubao or Buendia. Also, van service to other provinces are available and they are located beside the dining hall.
Expenses for the cheaper option coming from Manila/Makati to Cagbalete Island (per person):
Bus from Cubao Terminal to Mauban: 277 (Student/PWD/Senior minus 20%)
Tricycle from Mauban bus drops off to Registration office: 10
Registration Fee: 50
Tricycle from Registration Office to Mauban Port: 10
Passenger boat from Mauban Port to Cagbalete Island Sabang Port: 50 (Remember: 50 Php for the first two boats)
Total Cost: 397 Php
For the other expenses, you would want to compute it yourself. If you happen to get the cheaper option, congratulations! You had your island getaway for less than 1,000 Php!
If you have questions, feel free to comment below or send me a message!
Eyeing to learn a new language? From being able to hold conversations with more people to securing better job prospects, learning another language is beneficial for many reasons. Sure, while the process of picking up words that are foreign to you might be daunting at first, carrying out the feat is not impossible.
In fact, there now comes a ton of ways on how you can make your educational journey easier. From books, CDs, to foreign series, you’ll never run out of options to choose from. However, if you’re after optimal convenience, portability, and interactive engagement, turning to mobile apps might be your best bet.
Here, we have rounded up the best apps you can download for your foreign language studies. From their features, prices, to how they can be downloaded, here are everything you need to know about each of them. Read on.
Best Language Learning Apps
Duolingo
It’s hard to discuss the best language learning apps without the mention of the popular app Duolingo. After all, the platform has managed to maintain its status as the most downloaded mobile language learning app for years now.
Combining gamification with learning, Duolingo helps users expand their vocabulary and ultimately learn new languages by engaging in fun and competitive mobile games and activities.
To make the platform more effective, it educates its users by starting with short and fun discussions on basic verbs, phrases, and sentences, which gradually move to more complex subjects, including correct pronunciation and accent. To help users stay motivated, the app comes with tons of interactive activities that let individuals earn virtual coins and unlock new levels as they progress through their educational journey.
To date, Duolingo is available for both iOS and Android users. Therefore, anyone can get it by simply downloading the app from the Apple Store or Google Play. On top of that, the app is totally free! However, if you want to ditch the ads and download lessons in the app for offline use, you are free to subscribe to Duolingo Plus at a price of $9.99 a month.
Memrise
If you’re the type who prefers to learn using flashcards, Memrise is the perfect app you should not miss to check out. Similar to Duolingo, the platform also blends lessons with fun games and activities. However, while the former offers a diverse set of random tests, Memrise uses a science-backed spaced repetition learning style to secure faster learning and memorization of new words.
On top of that, the app even comes with memes and uses hilarious associations with the studied words to help make your educational journey more fun and effective. Through the said platform, users can also watch video clips and real conversational language from native speakers themselves!
Fortunately, Memrise is also available in both Apple Store and Google Play. However, although it does offer a standard version for free, you will need to avail its paid subscription if you want to access all its courses and features, which costs $9 per month.
Busuu
Another worthy mobile software you should take a look at is the Busuu app. Working as an Al-powered language learning platform, this spectacular app comes complete with full courses in 12 languages.
To ensure that users will be able to learn at their own pace and level, Busuu lets them begin with a placement test. Basing on the results of that initial activity, the app will determine the appropriate arrangement that will help users enjoy discussions that are suitable to their current level.
Similar to Memrise, Busuu also lets individuals connect with native speakers via the platform. However, what made it even more special is its promise of optimal interactivity. Specifically, using the app, individuals can learn their preferred language by taking personalized study plans, receiving instant feedback on written and spoken lessons, and turning to the app’s in-built AI-powered grammar tool.
Busuu can be downloaded straight from the Apple Store or Google Play for free. However, it is only by availing its premium version, which is available at $9.99 per month, that you can have offline access, grammar tips, and official certificates from language instructors.
The Bottom Line
Have you determined which among these apps suit you best? Whether you’re a frequent traveller who loves connecting with new people or a student who needs to study for an upcoming language exam, turning to these best language learning apps can help make your educational journey faster, easier, and more effective.
So it was my big day when we went to Coco Valley Richnez Waterpark (or Coco Valley Resort – as some people call it). My girlfriend set this up for me (yes, I’m lucky blessed!) for my birthday. She said it was a surprise but later told me where we would go because she doesn’t know how to get to the resort.
Coco Valley Richnez Waterpark
Our home is like 45 mins from the location and I’m quite familiar with the place. From my home to the resort, it was only less than 80 pesos for both of us.
It was around 8 pm when we got there. After paying our entrance and cottage fee, we looked around to check a good spot to spend the night. The first cottage we head to, the one that the staff designated for us, was okay but the people beside our cottage was too loud. They were all boys with loud music and they keep on shouting. Actually, both sides had their speakers’ volume maxed. It was a goog location but our neighboring cottages are a mess.
We asked for a change of location. I think it was cottage number 25. At least, there was lesser noise this time and we’re near the shower area.
Now let’s talk about the pool and the waterpark. The pool’s infinite river is surrounded by colorful lights which make the resort special and known for. The lights change every now and then from blue to violet to red to green and since it’s light is in the water, it blends to different more colors.
They also have a kiddie pool and a regular pool equipped with fun stuff (play area, slides) for kids and adults. You’d definitely want to take a photo of their facilities especially the night lights underneath the pool.
They only have the colorful lights on the infinite river and regular lights on the regular and kiddie pools.
By the way, if you’re going to bring a laptop, they would require you to pay 50 pesos if you want to bring it in. This is if you would not want to leave it at the counter.
How to get to Coco Valley Richnez Waterpark?
If you’re coming from Manila, just ride a van heading to Paliparan (Dasmariñas, Cavite). Bus terminals are everywhere. There’s one in MoA, Ayala, Buendia, Pasay Rotonda, Baclaran, Lawton, etc.
Fare from: Ayala (75 Php), MoA & Pasay Rotonda (55 Php), Baclaran (45 Php)
Note: Fare price may vary. Travel time is around 45 mins to 1.5 hours depending on the traffic.
Drop off at JETTI GAS STATION (last stop). From the gas station, just walk towards the resort. It’s only 5 mins away.
Rates at Coco Valley Richnez Waterpark
Day Swimming (8AM-5PM)
Adult: P180
Children: P160
Senior/PWD: P140 Night Swimming (6PM-4AM)
Adult: P200
Children: P180
Senior/PWD: P160
*Children below 2.5 feet are free of charge
*Cottages Rates ranges from P500 to P1800
*They also offer air-conditioned room accommodation with in-house bathroom good for 2 pax P2000 (10hours) P3500 (22hours) + P250 for every succeeding hours + P300 per pax
*”Salbabida” Rental P150
*Reservation is not required but if you’re a large group, better call them to reserve your cottage.
Amenities and Facilities
Kiddie Pool (Park Pool)
Regular Pool
Lazy Pool (Infinite River) – this is the one with the cave thingy. Note: It’s really not a cave pool.
Snack Bar
Air-Conditioned Rooms
Buoy Rental
UPDATE: They now have live bands.
Honest Review about Coco Valley Resort
CONS
-Don’t expect too much. The area is small which could get crowded during peak season.
-The regular cottages are a small nipa hut (Php 500), but they have regular and little larger cabanas, though.
-The cottages are beside one another. You better look after your belongings when going around.
-There was some slimy thingy on the pool (all pools) when we got there so we opted not to goof and swim for long. I don’t know, maybe those are mucus from colds (sipon) or (hopefully not) sperm. Probably from the first people who swam for the day.
-No control over loud music coming from neighboring cottages.
-Kinda pricey items from the Snack Bar.
-Not so much coconut trees in the area (it’s just a name anyway. LOL). PROS
-They said that the staff was kind and approachable. Maybe yes, because they let us change the cottage. 🙂
-The infinite river was great! The pool lights made this resort so popular.
-Kid-friendly and family friendly resort.
-Snack Bar is 24 hours. You may order food or buy liquors as well.
-Operates 24 hours. There was even a group who checked-in at 2 am.
Your body is mostly made up of water and so staying hydrated is super important and that’s why you should track how much water you drink. And thankfully you can track your water intake with an app. Aside from food, water is also essential to keep the body strong and healthy.
Drinking enough water daily maintains the balance of body fluids and flushes out waste. Despite how easy it is to drink a few glasses of water a day, some people simply forget to sip enough water. Staying hydrated is crucial especially during the hot season.
If you always forget to drink water, there are mobile apps like My Water Balance you can download. This app provides notification so you can never forget to drink water. Get to know the features and functions of the My Water Balance app. Read on to know how to download and use the app. Aside from notifications, the app also has an enormous selection of functions that can improve your health.
Importance Of Drinking Water
The human body is composed of about 60 percent water. Aside from this, it also makes up for 90 percent of your blood, leaving protein molecules, vitamins, and hormones with 10 percent. By simply looking at these figures, you can easily tell how important water is to the body.
The truth is, humans can survive without food intake for up to three weeks but only three to four days without water can destroy the body. While there is no universally agreed quantity of water to be consumed daily, health experts say two liters of water a day is recommended.
One of the most significant functions of water is forming the saliva. Saliva keeps nose, eyes, and mouth moist, and helps digest food. Moreover, water also enhances brain function and structure, supporting the production of hormones and neurotransmitters.
If you don’t exercise regularly, drinking enough water flushes out toxins. Water is essential in the processes of sweating and removing urine and feces. Failing to drink enough water can cause kidney stones and permanent kidney damage.
How Much Water To Drink?
Prevent dehydration by drinking eight glasses of water a day or in other words, 2 liters. Just remember that drinking beyond this quantity can also cause health issues. Hyponatremia is a condition that results from low sodium concentration in the blood.
And that can happen if you’re drinking too much water. Make sure to drink the right quantity per day to hydrate the body and avoid health conditions. Using a mobile app can help track your water intake and remind you to drink enough daily.
My Water Balance App
Downloading the My Water Balance app to your smartphone is one way of tracking your water intake. This app provides a glimpse of your water intake activities and provides statistics on your consumption.
One great feature of the app is the ability to select drink and log to your daily liquid intake. Choose from a variety of liquids like coffee, alcohol, juices, milk, soda, and others. The interface is user-friendly and the animation is simply good.
The My Water Balance app provides the total water percentage on the screen to let you know if you are doing good or not. Additionally, the app also provides achievements and words of encouragement if you hit the standard water intake goal.
All you do is tap Add a Drink and select the type of liquid to take and the amount. Once you’ve added a drink, the app lets you know of the overall percentage you’ve had. This will make it easier for you to monitor your intake despite busy days.
Other features of the app include useful tips about water, water requirement calculator, motivational rewards, graphs, and metric and fl oz units for accuracy.
How To Download The App
My Water Balance is free but this version has limits. If you go Premium, which costs $3.07/month or $17.85 a year, you can use extended features like different beverages, detailed statistics, and more.
Use the following steps to download the app.
Search for My Water Balance in Google Play or Apple Store.
Tap Download or Get.
Create an account and input personal information.
To go Premium, tap to extended features until a pop-up appears.
Choose Go Premium.
Conclusion
Tracking your water intake is made simple and easy using a mobile application. My Water Balance app can help you track how much water you drink so you can make sure you are hydrated and performing to your best ability.
During our stay at Nest at The Trees in Niseko, we surely wouldn’t want to miss the activities we could do while in the area. Niseko has been quite known for the quality of its powder white snow that makes it very ideal for amateur and pro-skiers and snowboarders to play with.
With the help of Niseko Tourism, we are able to experience a few activities that we could do for a day, including snow tubing and a beginner’s class for skiing with Hanazono Niseko and Niseko International Snowsports School (NISS). We also get to have a one-day mountain pass to get thru Grand Hirafu’s summit and to other parts where a lift is available.
Hanazono Niseko
Hanazono Niseko or Hanazono 308 is the base of all activities within Hanazono. It’s also a family-friendly resort with a large area for all the snow activities including snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snow tubing, and a whole lot more. It also includes a large dining area, rental shop, and retail shop and also is home to the NISS or Niseko International Snowsports School, where we enrolled for the day to teach us the basics of skiing.
We woke up earlier than usual for the beginner’s lessons for skiing to be conducted at Hanazono Niseko. Had our breakfast at the Black Wood Grill at Nest at The Trees and prepared ourselves for a 10 mins shuttle ride to Hanazono Niseko. We need to be there by 9 am.
Skiing Lessons with NISS (Niseko International Snowsports School)
Skiing is a popular extreme sport especially to countries that are frequented of snow. As a beginner, it’s a recreational sport, but for professional skiers, it’s a competitive sport. Since we know nothing yet about Skiing, we are to be taught beginner’s lessons for this sport.
Upon arriving at Hanazono Niseko, we went ahead to the counter to check-in for our activity. After verification, we filled out an online form to determine what lessons we are going to get, what are our feet sizes, and height, and then proceeded to go the rental counter.
Jane and I started to change to a snowsports attire with the assistance of the staff at the rental counter. If you have large things with you, you may opt to use your coin lockers that are available near the changing rooms for a fee. The largest coin locker is 400 yen. Small items can be put inside the pockets of your snowsport jacket and pants. Note: If you are to get things in the locker, you can use the small window. If you opened the locker and wanted to lock it again, you will have to pay another fee.
Of all the things we needed to wear, the bulkiest and heaviest is the ski shoes. The ski shoes need to be a good fit for you in order to enjoy the lessons especially when it’s your first time to try the sport. Your feet and legs will be your primary weapon when doing skiing even as a recreational sport.
We were both excited since it’s going to be our first time playing in the snow with skis. Niseko definitely gave us many firsts, just like when we did when we were in Kyoto. When we were both ready, Myuki, our instructor led us to the field. Together with us is another lesson taker, Tia, from South Korea.
Start of Skiing Beginners’ Lesson
The lesson started with how to wear or put on the ski. Next, we were taught about how to walk in the snowfield on a flat surface and when Myuki thinks we did good, we moved on to walking in steeper slopes. There were different techniques and of course, you can walk with what’s comfortable with you. There will be times you will fall down but there is no other way to move on but to get up first.
Next, she taught us about how to slide in the snow using the ski. It was really fun and the first time we did it, it was like a dream come true. All of us got to fall down during the exercises so it felt like it was okay, but it was really fun. Jane keeps on falling down as she cannot balance herself well with the shoes on and said that it’s already hurting. We kept on adjusting the shoes and moved on to the next lesson.
After balancing ourselves while skiing in the snow, we were then taught how to move left and move right or how to maneuver yourself when skiing. It was so much fun this time since we are able to move from one place to another. Again, there are many fall downs but that is all a part of the lesson. We were given plenty of tries so we could practice.
However, Jane’s really getting uncomfortable with the shoes she has and she feels like hurting already. So opted to take an early lunch and come to the lesson again at 1:00 pm.
After a good lunch, we then proceeded again to continue the lessons with Myuki. This time, we will be balancing at a higher slope. Jane tried to keep up with the lessons but her feet were really hurting then so she opted to be out of the lesson for the day. She still managed to progress to balancing while going down but that’s it. She said she was happy about the experience and may want to do it the next time. This is what they call a magic carpet
Tubing with Snowmobile
So we asked her to wait for us until we are back from the higher slope. Little did I know, we will be snow tubing going up the hill with a snowmobile. Jane wasn’t with us on the first time we did it so I made sure she will also experience riding it when we got back.
To get to the higher slope, we will be riding a conveyor machine they called Magic Carpet. Up the hill was a great view, yet we cannot advance anymore since the weather wasn’t really good. Myuki said it was really windy up there and as beginners, we will be having a hard time navigating while going down. From that higher slope, we tested how we did by going down slowly, copying Myuki’s movements. She does it really good like totally effortless. I could understand since she’s skiing when she was just a child but it’s really amazing to see someone being so good with the sport.
After heading down, we immediately look for Jane. When we can’t find her anywhere in the field, we went back inside Hanazono 308, and she was there in the comfort room. I asked her if she could try skiing again but she’s firm that she won’t anymore so I asked her to come with us instead so she can experience snow tubing up the hill. I bet it was also a good experience for her, riding at an inflatable while being pulled by the snowmobile and then riding the snowmobile to get back to the magic carpet.
We then proceeded to get better at maneuvering ourselves using the ski. That time, it was easier for us to move left and right, to maintain speed, and move slow or fast. I could even take photos by that time while on going down motion from the slope. It was really a great experience and I thought of doing it again. Unfortunately, the lessons are only until 3:30 pm and we have to get going for the snow tubing experience.
We really thank Myuki of NISS for being a great teacher and for having the patience to teach the basics to people who basically just had the first time experience with snow, especially that we came from the Philippines where no snow can be seen but only cold and dry winds.
Snow Tubing
One of the most fun and easiest activities you can do in Hanazono if you don’t want to go skiing or snowboarding is snow tubing.
Snow Tubing makes use of an inflatable buoy that is thick enough so that hard snow cannot penetrate, and the experience is kind of similar to sliding at a waterpark with a buoy or life vest on except that this activity is perfectly safe even for kids.
You will ride a buoy without assistance and rush through the slope. Feel the adrenaline rush when you are in the middle and shout your heart full of joy and excitement as you go through the course of the slide. It’s a fast journey to the flat surface but is definitely a heart pumping one as well. You can ride with your partner with your buoys tangled together so you won’t get bumped with one another.
This activity is for all ages and you can do it for more than once! It’s really exciting, I tell you! You must not miss doing this activity, especially while in Niseko! We’ll upload our videos soon so you could get a better idea of everything!
Now, if you want to enjoy your winter holiday in Niseko, make sure to coordinate with Niseko Tourism for the latest updates and guides or download the Niseko Guide App straight to your mobile phone so you can get the guide on the go!
