« May 2008 | Main | July 2008 »

June 26, 2008

Increase on Shop&Ship Rates for Qatar

Posted by xtian001@gmail.com at 10:28 AM

Thank you for using our SHOP&SHIP service. Our aim is to continuously enhance your shopping experience with us.

Aramex has found it necessary to increase the SHOP&SHIP rates to offset the increase in fuel price and operating costs. Effective July 1st 2008, our new rates will be as follows:

  • First ½ Kg 39 QR
  • Each additional ½ Kg 31 QR

We appreciate your understanding as this situation is completely outside the scope of our direct control since fuel represents a significant variable cost in the provision of transportation services.

| Comments (5)


Ark of Avilon

Posted by xtian001@gmail.com at 08:45 AM

We went to the Ark of Avilon on the 23rd of June, after checking out of Lancaster Suites at about 10:30 a.m. . We didn't really know where it was so we asked the receptionist where it is located and found out that is was just beside Tendiesitas and Fun Ranch in Pasig.

Ark of Avilon is basically a small zoo. We found that place to be great as it was clean and the animals were well taken care of. It really wasn't that big and the animals weren't that many but the place was quite enjoyable especially that there were just 3 more families at the Ark of Avilon. Children can feed the goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and tortoises. You'll also be able to meet Colleen the Orangutan and touch the donkey and the snake. Interesting animals include the Owls, the Beaver (which we thought was an Otter till we realized later on), the albino Macaque (Philippine Monkey), and the Leopard. Entrance to Ark of Avilon costs Php200 (about 20QR). They'll stamp your wrist so you can go out and go back anytime of the day. I do recommend the place as kids would surely enjoy being close to the animals and be able to feed them.

Ark of Avilon

| Comments (0)


June 25, 2008

Lancaster Suites

Posted by xtian001@gmail.com at 01:49 PM
We stayed at Lancaster Suites, a new condotel in Metro Manila, on the 22nd of June after Xiane's party in Makati. We checked in at about 6 p.m. after narrowly escaping the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) as we turned left towards Shaw Boulevard from EDSA. We were following a car who was turning left but were unaware that it was a diplomatic car and can disregard any traffic rules at will. We didn't notice the NO LEFT TURN sign and was stopped by the MMDA Officer midway turning left. Anyway, after explaining that we were trying to follow the car in front of us who turned left and that we really were not from Manila, they let us go.

Lancaster Suites is new and is on a "soft launch" since January of this year. By "soft launch", it means that the services and the building itself is not yet finished but they're taking in people who would want to be the first to use the building. We usually stay at Astoria Plaza but I decided to stay in Lancaster Suites as it is newer than Astoria Plaza.As we found out, the basement parking isn't really finished yet and gets soaking wet when rainy. We were supposed to stay in a 3 bedroom loft but upon checking in, they told us that they were having problems with the room so they gave us a 2 bedroom loft on the 29th floor and a two-bed studio type on a lower floor. We all wanted to be together so we just asked them to give us extra beddings as the receiving area of the loft was big enough to accomodate more people. Still, the floor area of a two-bedroom suite in Astoria Plaza is bigger so we would probably stay there next time.

We went out again after checking in to eat dinner in MegaMall and buy some groceries and food. Sme of us played cards when we got back to the Condotel while the kids watched TV with their "Mamita" (grandmother) and Tita Doc (my siter, mom of Xiane's cousin). We slept late but woke up early to have breakfast. We even saw a TV shooting for a show in Channel 2, "My Girl". We were told that they do their shoot in the hotel every week.

We checked out at about 10:30 to go to Ark of Avilon in Pasig. We enjoyed our stay in LAncaster Suites just because we were with our family. Here are some photos taken from Lancaster Suites.

| Comments (0)


June 24, 2008

Xianelle's Party in Makati

Posted by xtian001@gmail.com at 01:11 PM

We’ve been planning for a small party for Xianelle since last month. Since we were going home on the 19th of June, 2 days from Xiane’s actual birthday, we decided that she’ll just have a small get-together party in Makati on the 22nd.

On the day itself, the weather was really bad as there was a typhoon rampaging and signal no. 3 was raised in Manila. We had to take the 1 ½ hour trip so we were really hesitant if we were going to push through or not. We were to leave at 6:30 a.m. but pushed it to 11 as the winds were quite scary. By 11, the winds have gone down and so we braved the storm. We got to Manila at 1:00 as I had to drive slowly than usual as the winds and rain on the highway was terrible. Some of our guests (our relatives) have already eaten, which was good as it was way past our expected start. We had a cake for Xiane, spaghetti, morcon, ice cream, pansit and more. The kids played while the adults chatted. It’s seldom that we get together for occasions like this so we try to make the most of it. Even though the weather didn't really cooperate, everyone came and stayed. By 5 p.m., we had to say goodbye as we still need to find Lancaster Suites in Shaw Boulevard, where we were to spend the night, as we planned to go round Manila the next day.

| Comments (0)


Going Home 2008

Posted by xtian001@gmail.com at 06:28 AM

10:00 to 11 a.m. – We take Xiane to the dentist for her appointment. I finish all office necessities and handovers before leaving work early. We get home to make sure all appliances are turned-off and that we didn’t forget anything that should be included in our luggage.

11:00 to 12 noon – I bring down our baggage (all 7 of them!) from the 3 floor to the building door. Had to take a quick shower and change clothes. The airport taxi comes at exactly 30 minutes before 12 noon. Experienced no traffic delays going to the airport.

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – We get to check in easily and bought some DV tapes in Duty Free. Was tempted to buy a ticket to win 1 Million Dollars but decided against it as the ticket costs 950QR. We got hungry and ate at the food center. Mavis bought water which was 10QR each! Check-in was at 1:45 and again, no delays.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m. - We had to ride a bus to get to our plane. We got seated on seats 18D (aisle), 18E, 18F which was close to the exit. Flight QR/PR644 took off on time.

3 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Xiane’s AVOD (Audio Video on Demand) remote was acting up. Took me some minutes before she got to watch Garfield. I looked at the other movies being shown but already watched most of them (jumper, 27 Dresses, Spiderwick Chronicles) so I settled to watching reruns of FRIENDS. Mavis slept as her AVOD system was not working properly. We’re really disappointed with Qatar Airways for not making sure their AVOD works properly.

Food is served! I had beef with rice while Xiane and Mavis had chicken. Food was ok as we were all hungry.

4 p.m. to 10 p.m. – After Xiane finishes her film in the AVOD and one from the Archos, we all slept. We woke up some hours later to pee and freshen up. My AVOD is now completely dead so no more FRIENDS for me. Xiane’s AVOD also conks out. We were faced with blank screens! So off to wonderland again hoping to forget the pain that I’m starting to feel on my butt.

10 p.m. (3 a.m. Manila Time) – We were served our breakfast of Fish Fillet and Garlic Rice. I kept asking Mavis the time and when we expect to land.

11:45 p.m. (4:45 a.m. Manila Time) – Our plane lands smoothly. We pass the immigration counter without hassle and wait for 30 minutes more to get our bags. We see my mom, dad and sis walking towards us as we descend the walkway towards the exit. We head off for breakfast again!

2 p.m. (7 a.m. Manila Time) - We went to Mavis’ aunt in JP Rizal to give her some dates the Mavs brought her. We went to Duty Free Fiesta to buy some stuff for my aunts in Makati as for our own family as well.

7 p.m. (12 noon Manila Time) -  We were eating (again) lunch at my grandfather’s (dad’s side) in Makati. We left at around 1:15 p.m. for our supposed to be 1 ½ hour trip to Angeles, a city north of Manila, where we will be staying with my parents for the next few weeks.

| Comments (2)