Universal Studios Singapore (USS)

“Universal Express Lane”

Reviewed July 30, 2013

This was my second time to visit USS, the first one in 2010 was not as enjoyed because there was a downpour. Anyway, there were more rides and attractions this time, definitely more visitors too.

This time, there was a drizzle still. it is July again, so this was sort of expected.

My friends got their annual passes while I have to be ok with my day pass. Day pass is at SGD 74. There was a little miscommunication with the PR discount that the guest officer gave us Universal Express stubs. This means that we can use the Express lane!

As you know, when the park is full, you have to line up and wait for more than 30 minutes to ride the popular rides and that is such a waste of time. With the Express stubs, we had a special lane and was prioritized all the time! Such a wonderful feeling!!!! (this is an additional SGD 30 if you purchase an all day express ticket)

If you can afford it, I really suggest you get this, especially during peak season. It is worth it. You will get to enjoy the park and most of the rides, instead of just queueing in line all day.

Transformers was really, really good. Other popular rides were the Mummy, Canopy, Jurassic Park and Battlestar Galactica which unfortunately was not operational at my time of visit. Of coruse there were kid-friendly rides and shows too, just like any theme park.

Food is always more expensive, but we had the pasta, pizza family meals which were good too.

Since this is located at Resorts World, there are a lot of other things you can do in the area. One day might not actually be enough.

Visited July 2013

 

Bad Chili's Experience - The Central @ Clarke Quay, SG

My actual review at Trip Advisor and Chili's management response

 

“don't go when it's an hour before closing time”

Reviewed August 3, 2013

I like the food and margaritas here, I frequent the branches in Manila, Ph. So when I decided to spend my birthday weekend at SG, my friends and I decided to just go to Chili;s too.

this was last July 28, when we finished the River Cruise, it was like 10pm already and we were hungry. We went to Chili's, the girl at the entrance did welcome and seated our group of 8 adults and 4 kids. We ordered and waited for our food.

Back ribs was good and we had mashed potato as sides. The kids opted their meals to have mashed potato too. Sadly, there was no gravy on it, so we asked. Guess what the servers said, "sorry, but since it is close to closing time, we already threw the gravy away, so none is available already." Whhhaaatttt? I understand keeping it fresh and new, but why throw it away when you still have guests?!

Since it was my birthday, my friends told the lady server (same one who greeted us at the reception), if they could have a cake or ice cream or whatever to celbrate my day. They agreed to it. When our dinner is close to over, my friends followed it up. Again, the servers said that they can no longer serve that because they were close to closing time. [--] ! What a way to spoli my already good, birthday weekend!

After a few minutes, I saw the lady server waving and saying goodbye to her colleagues. No wonder, she was all in a hurry to get rid of us.

Food was generally ok, even their promos are almost aligned to what we have here in Manila, But the service?!?!?!? So poor. Please do have some training here at the Manila branches and you will know what I am talking about.

• Visited July 2013
  • Value
  • Atmosphere
  • Service
  • Food

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

SuzanneWInk, Director of Operations at Chili's Central @ Clarke Quay, responded to this review

August 6, 2013

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and we apologise for what you experienced. I am very disappointed in what happened and we would like to make this up to you. If you could send your contact details to info@chilis.sg and I will get in touch with you.

Trip Advisor

Cookbook Kitchen, Eastwood

Cookbook Kitchen is kinda popular and made waves for being a must-try restaurant.  Their first branch is in Mandaluyong which started inconspicuously, then generated a following. 

For our team lunch, we decided to hook up at the Eastwood City branch.  For a party of 6, we ordered the CBK Italian toast and Garlic Shrimp for appetizers, then the Pesto Pasta, Vigan Pasta, Parmesan Crusted Fish and Pineapple Soy Spareribs as main courses and each had a glass of iced tea.  Our bill was P3,800, so that is roughly at P 630++ for each.  Did we get the value for the price we paid?

Vigan pasta and the parmesan crusted fish

For one, the budget of P 600/pax is not easily afforded by most of the people for an everyday lunch.  But if you have money to spare, then this is an ok place to go to.  Location is good, being in the vicinity of Eastwood Mall.  There are a lot of other things to do in Eastwood than just eating.

what i actually ate

I particularly liked the Vigan pasta for its uniqueness in taste, because you add vinegar to the pasta.  It doesn’t become strong to taste, but rather flavourful.  The others enjoyed the pesto pasta on the other hand.

pesto pasta with ciabatta

I am not sure if it’s just me being an almost-no-seafood eater, but the fish was rather icky to my taste buds.

Red iced tea too sweet, we had to dilute it with water or maybe you can ask for lot of ice! (you do not have to go bottomless)

We skipped dessert and headed off to the bowling lanes instead.

 

 

Dinosaurs Island, Clark Airfield, Pampanga

“want to see more!”

Reviewed January 20, 2013

Trip Advisor

 

They are adding new attractions in Clark Airfield, Pampanga and this is one of them. We may still be far from international theme parks, but this is good enough.

From the entrance, there are already 2 dinos which a kid can ride for P50. The sound is so realistic that my 3 yr old niece did not want to go inside the park. Bummer.

But staff were too nice and accommodated us even if we did not go inside the actual park, they allowed us to peek through the big gate (ala Jurassic Park) and from there we already saw 2 life sized dinos that moves and growls. There is a sensor that triggers them to move.

Staff told us that there are also mascots that walk around. Too bad, we didn't really see them.

The dinos outside can be touched, they are made of some kind of plastic, but soft to touch.

The restroom cubicle doors are dinosaur-themed as well.

Food stalls are available for snacks. A souvenir shop too.

Parking is not a problem, but maybe just to caution, it is best if you are not wearing flip flops or open shoes, because your feet will get too dusty on your way to the entrance.

 

Visited on January 2013.

Same review posted on Trip Advisor.

 

Pino Resto Bar

“more than kare kareng bagnet !”

Reviewed January 19, 2013

Trip Advisor

 

 

I have been to this resto several times, but this is the first time i am writing it up. Yes, please try the kare kareng bagnet when you come and visit this place, but I have to tell you it is more than that! Check out their menu. You can also go veggie kare-kare by the way.

Fyi, you can also check out the menu of Pipino, the veggie resto upstairs. No worries ordering from upstairs.

I love the tofu stacked in a criss cross tower with bagnet. My dad does enjoy the crispy hito. A friend always orders the bacon and cheese stuffed chicken breast.

I tried the sisig rice once, it has a twist by having diced mangoes, it is ok, but I did not become a fan.

The iced tea at its price, is really a winner. Go for pitchers, not by the glass.

Service is a-ok. The place though is not meant for big group socials, but it is a nice place for good food and good chat with a small group of friends.

Ample parking space. If it is full, you can always park along the street..

Most of the servers are good-looking. :)

The good and bad of my Tagaytay weekend

http://www.charmaineromero.blogspot.com/2012/01/good-and-bad-of-my-tagaytay-weekend.html

Sepang Circuit, Malaysia

http://www.charmaineromero.blogspot.com/2011/04/formula-1-sepang-circuit-malaysia2007.html

Repost: Boracay

http://www.charmaineromero.blogspot.com/2011/04/boracay2008.html

Cliff jumping in Boracay

http://www.charmaineromero.blogspot.com/2011/04/bored-in-boracay-try-cliff-jumping.html

13 adventures in Bohol

http://www.charmaineromero.blogspot.com/2011/04/13-adventures-in-bohol.html

Tree Top Adventure, Camp John Hay, Baguio

“4 stars for the staff service!”

Reviewed January 15, 2013

Trip Advisor

 

First time to visit this last December. I don't remember seeing too many people inside Camp John Hay, maybe I was visiting other areas in the past. Anyway, this attraction share parking areas with the picnic ground, memorial, so it is crowded. Good thing, we hired a taxi for our personal tour that parking didn't stress us.

Several things you can do, the Tree Drop, Silver Surfer, Superman zipline, canopy ride, trekking. They even have packages designed to suit your fancy. Once you get there, a short orientation about the attractions are done. If you decide to give it a go, you register and pay. the rates are not shocking, they are fairly affordable.

I tried the silver surfer, but didn't find it too exciting. A friend tried the tree drop, but it was also not extreme.

What I like though are the staff who were assisting us, from orientation to actual rides, I felt they were all competent and really made sure about safety guidelines, they were really friendly too.

Be ready to hike a little, even if you didn't go for the trek. If you go to the silver surfer attraction, you. got to hike all the way to another area.

This goes for restrooms too, they are only near the entrance.

 

Visited on December 2012.

Same review posted on Trip Advisor.

 

where the adventure begins

orientation

tree drop

silver surfer

 

Tam-awan Village, Baguio

“must see, but not must return”

Reviewed January 14, 2013

Trip Advisor

 

I find this attraction as a must-go place in Baguio in several travel advisories. Why? Maybe because it is different in a way.

It is the first place the group went to after breakfast so that was around 9am of a Saturday in December. At that time, I felt we were the first group of visitors.
You need to climb up stairs, man made or otherwise to see the artworks. If you are more senior in years and not made for the hike, I do not suggest this. There are no elevators or disabled-friendly access.

Art from Ifugao houses, paintings, clothes, wood carving, etc. abound. But the other attraction here is the trail hike. Again, see my comment about the stairs. If you plan to hike up to the summit, make sure you got comfy footwear, best if you have hiking shoes. We survived with what we have though, some wearing slippers, toms, converse chucks... Get ready to get some mud or soil in your footsies with all that hiking. They have restrooms where you can wash your feet after.

They have a small café which my group did not bother to try.

They also have several artists who can do your portrait in 15 minutesfor PhP100. I can't say though that the portrait is close to a mirror image.

 

Visited on December 2012.

Same review posted on Trip Advisor.

 

 

 

 

 

Oh My Gulay, Baguio City

“oh my, ang sarap”

Reviewed January 11, 2013

Trip Advisor

 

At the penthouse, 4 flights up. No elevator, not disabled - friendly. But when you get up, ang ganda ng set up!
Must try is the Oh my gulay rice! There were 8 of us in the group and only one ordered pasta! no regrets. 10 kinds of veggies i think over rice, served mongolian grill style. Budget friendly, puede na P 150/pax if you are getting the omg rice and a drink lang.
Clean restrooms.

 

Visited on December 2012.

Same review on Trip Advisor.

 

the drinks

interior

OMG rice

of course, this is gulay

natural lighting background

a pond inside

choose wisely

 

BenCab Museum, Baguio

“worth the trip”

Reviewed January 10, 2013

Trip Advisor

 

The museum is not within the commercial or downtown area of Baguio city, but it is worth the trip. Public transport is rare in this area so I suggest you take your own car or contract a taxi.

The museum is full of art! Paintings, sculpture, etc. There will be something to catch anybody's eye.
There is the cafe at the basement that serves good food, complete with a view!

The staff who was guiding us through the museum, Strawberry, did an awesome job!

Aside from the art pieces, I find the architecture of the musuem itself worth the visit.

 

Visited on December 2012.

Same review posted on Trip Advisor.

 

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museum facade

graffiti wall

part of the gallery

with the bul-ols



Cafe Sabel interior

view deck

BenCab's muse:  Sabel

 

Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center

“I do not know what to feel about the animals”

Reviewed January 13, 2013

Trip Advisor

 

I like visitng parks but feel weird about caged animals. I feel sorry for them being trapped and locked-in. Anyway, this is another part of the city tour and likely a must-go place for tourists. You will see crocodiles up close and they are being bred here. When we got here, so many tourist vans and coasters crowd the parking lot ! As this was part of the booked tour, we did not have to worry about paying for anything here, except for personal souvenirs or snacks.

Though there is much to see here, I felt it is not properly maintained and can still be better. If you enter the nature park, you will see lots of caged animals like the bearded pig, eagles, bearcat, etc. Event he flora and fauna is something for the nature lovers. But just to caution, for those who attract mosquitoes and other bugs, please do put on insect repellant! I put some on too late and got insect bites. :(

There are souvenir shops outside, feel free to get something to tickle your fancy.

Also in the gazebos, they have baby crocs whch you can carry and have souvenir photos taken. You pay P 30 per person for holding the croc and your picture taken, bringing home the souvenir photo will cost you the extra P 150!

If you have young children, most of them will enjoy this place, seeing the different animals up close and being able to touch some of them.

 

 

Visited on December 2012

Same review posted on Trip Advisor

 

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Excerpt from http://www.charmaineromero.blogspot.com/2013/01/puerto-princesa-first-time.html

 

Crocodile Farm – now this is always a part of the city tour or a Palawan tour for that matter. Aside from the crocodile breeding farm, there is also a nature conservation park where one can see other animals. The park is like a mini-forest, but the animals are caged. Make sure you have some anti-insect/bug repellent on you. For people like me who attracts bugs, you will surely be a hit here!

We got the chance to hold/pet a baby croc, a bearcat, a hornbill and more, with souvenir photos to boot!

Since there was more to see here, we spent around 2 hours here.