PR now flies direct to Bali!

Okay, after some bad experience with PR, it's refreshing to hear a good news from a friend recently - that Philippine Airlines is now flying direct to Bali via Denpasar International Airport. Previously from Manila, you have to connect either via Singapore, Jakarta or some flights via Bangkok.

Flights will be every Wednesday and Saturday (late evening, arriving early morning in Bali) and back to Manila every Sunday and Thursday (very early morning, turn-around flight)

Now that there's a direct flight, things will be easier for us! Hope to catch it soon when budget allows!

Last hurrah - The Grand Palace

Before we took off and leave for Manila today, I know I just had to show Roshie at least one place in Bangkok as she hasn't see any of those spots all these days and our free day was spent mostly for Ethan's liking. Early in the morning we had breakfast for the last time at Café@2 before going to our next destination.

Where else could I bring her to at least have a taste of Thailand culture and enjoy the beauty of its architecture but at the Grand Palace? The Grand Palace has been home to royalties of Thailand (or Siam back then) from 1782-1925. Today the palace is made up of a number of buildings and halls that were built by the different kings that lived in the palace throughout the period.

Entrance to the palace is at THB400 per person for non-Thai citizens. Thai citizens allegedly get in for free. Upon entering the gate, one will be mesmerized by the beautiful architectures of the different buildings and structures built on the palace grounds.

 

Phra Sri Rattana Chedi

 

me and Ethan

Roshie

 

Angkor Wat model

 

 

 Phra Mondop

 

Javanese Buddha

 

 

 Kinnon, a mythological creature of half-bird and half-man

 

guardian statues

 

Inside the palace grounds is Wat Phra Kaew or The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It is actually considered as a royal chapel.

  

gate to inner palace

 

Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat or the throne hall

Ethan

Roshie and Ethan

 

troops lined up 

Ethan watching the troop parade

parade of troops

Roshie and Ethan

We didn't stay that long as we have a flight to catch and I know traffic will be worse going back. After reaching the hotel, we checked out stuffs last minute to make sure they were all packed well before checking out and leave for the airport.

We had our quick lunch at the airport - burgers, chicken nuggets and fries at Burger King.

Ethan eating fries

We waited at the gate for some time and later on, it's boarding time. Yey Manila-bound at last! We arrived in Manila around 6:20PM tonight..

food served in-flight 

Roshie and Ethan were so tired that as soon as we were picked up from the airport on the way home, they both fell asleep in the car. This also ends Roshie's leave from work as she has to be back for duty by next week. As for me, I'm sure I'll be back in the city soon and hopeful that next time, there will be new things in store for me.

Family day in Thailand

As mentioned yesterday, I am today on leave for a 1-day extension in Thailand to be with my family. We had breakfast in the morning at Café@2 before heading out of the hotel. 

Today is reserved for our trip to Dream World, at the request of Roshie to have a tour for Ethan instead of going around the cultural and tourist spots in Thailand. I still remember the time I went to Dream World with my mom and Julie, and we sure had loads of fun back then. We were picked-up from our hotel lobby minutes past 9AM. Like last time, we took advantage of their package that included entrances to Dream World (unlimited rides) and Snow Town, buffet lunch and roundtrip transfers to/from our hotel all for THB1000. As Ethan was below 90cm, he got in for free. The theme park is located north of Bangkok.

The park was still closed when we arrived at the theme park, which is about 40 or so minutes Bangkok. Luckily, Ethan was still asleep then as he grew tired playing with another kid on-board the van.

He wasn't very happy either as just 30 minutes after, he was already awake!

Like before, one can notice that a lot of areas inside the park is actually good for posing ant taking pictures.

Love Garden

We took the cable car first to bring us further inside the park.

view from the cable car ride

Whenever you see a sign similar to this, that means a toilet (or comfort room) is nearby. It just looks so cute specially the facial expression of the baby statue.

Ethan and the toilet boy

Walking further we happened to pass by the signage leading to the dining area. Ethan must have thought the bee character is Jollibee so he stopped to play with the statue.

Then we went inside the Giant's House, where everything is so massive! From the chair, to the bed and other household items, only a giant can fit to use all these!

giant chair

the giant, spleeping at his bed

giant table

the kitchen area

inside the giant's shoes

 

vases

matches

spoon

eggs?

me, with the giant's slippers

 

Roshie

sleeping giant.. zzz...

Outside is a (fictional) small tree with a large apple fruit.

Elephant

me and Ethan at a sunflower garden

Dream World drink

 

Fairy Tale Land

waterfalls

 

We literally have walked back and forth that we reached the cable car station again. We had another ride back to the inner grounds.

There was an Animal Show too at Uncle Tom's Farm during lunch hour.

Ethan focused, watching the show

Then we walked around some more, passing and getting inside different attractions inside the park.

Around 1PM, we grew hungry and went to the Food Pavilion where the buffet lunch included in our package was served. Drinks is not included however, but they had enough hot meat and vegetable selections, as well as a noodle and salad station. There were a few rice cakes and sweets for desert too.

  

After this, we continued to roam around and Roshie had her try on some of the thrill rides like the Flying Carpet ride while me and Ethan posed for some photos.

Next, we went to Snow Town. It's like winter inside and they have snow machines and indeed it was cold that we have to wear winter jackets and boots.

Ethan, all geared up!

all smiles with the penguins!

Roshie and Ethan at the igloo

me and Ethan and the snow bear

feeling too cold!!

Roshie went for the "slide" where she carried a tube and glided down along the snowy slide to the bottom.

sleigh ride

with the snowman

I think Ethan was shocked inside Snow Town as just a few minutes after we got in he became quiet and wasn't moving a lot so we immediately left the place after just taking a few photos. We had him under the sun so he can "melt" the coldness inside and found this spot. He looks serious playing cards with the skeletons!

me and Ethan

pulling out the sword

Ethan and Roshie

Then roamed around the Seven Wonders of the World but my camera went out of battery. Anyway, we heard our names being paged so we immediately went to the entrance area. It was time to leave as we were scheduled to be brought by the van back at 3:30PM. By 4:30PM today, we were already in our hotel room, taking some rest from the whole filled day under the sun.

me and Roshie, with our couple shirts

Playing with Ethan, I also hit the tub so I can relax and wash myself after the long hot day outside.

After the tub, as if he wasn't tired yet, we headed for the Jacuzzi and pool at the 7th floor of the hotel.

 

boy, isn't he so happy?

Roshie and Ethan, swimming together

 

pool area

 

playing by the poolside

happy baby! 

 

We had dinner at Super Bowl after this dip, located just downstairs at the adjacent mall before we pack our stuff for tomorrow's flight and prepared ourselves to go for sleep tonight