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PNR – Bicol Express Train

February 7, 2012 in blogging, travel



bicol PNR - Naga City Station

If your going to Camarines Sur,Naga City in particular, you have the option to choose to travel via land, air or by Bicol Express Train.

bicol express

Of the three, riding the train had the longest travel time but the most inexpensive.  Even if the airplane companies offers discounted fare, the insurance and other charges can sum up to more than Php. 1,000.00 ($25.00) and even up to Php. 2,000.00 ($50.00)*** if it was a peak season. By land, you can bring your own car or vehicle but you can consume at least a full tank.

The train departs at 6:30 P.M. and expected to arrive in it’s destination by 4:30 A.M. in the morning.   (Naga – Tutuban or Tutuban-Naga)

If security is your main concern on riding the Bicol Express, you don’t need to worry because  two police wearing a police t-shirt are roving and securing the safety of every one.

You have three options to choose on what you would like to sit/stay,  there were the reclining chair or what I called a bus type because it just look like you were riding on a bus.  The seats were divided by two big reclining chairs.  A wifi television will entertain you through the night until you doze in.

 

family sleeper

If you are travelling with your family, you can choose the family sleeper wherein you and your family can lie down during the entire journey.

 There is also the executive sleeper if you are travelling alone and you wanted some privacy.  You can even choose to stay on the upper deck.  ( I wonder what it feels like to stay there)

bicol express executive sleeper

 These three options were all air conditioned and I tell you, you have to wear something that can make you warm because my body was chilling the entire trip even I was wearing a jacket and a socks. ( I told myself that I should have brought my mittens and a blanket.  I used my towel, to serve as a blanket for me)

bicol express

It’s a way new experience if this is your first time to ride the Bicol Express Train .  I felt the excitement and thrill as soon as I  heard the sound of the horn indicating that our journey will start and a big bump (noise of the rail road).

Wash room/CR

Although, it is not my first time to ride a train because I used to ride the commuter train with my grandmother going to Alabang when I was a little bit young. The memories keep rushing through my head and makes me cry a bit.  I’m a little bit nostalgic and sentimental and in the same time ecstatic because it is my first time to ride the Bicol Express Train.

PNR Tutuban Station at 4:30 a.m.

 ***$40 to Php. 1.00 conversion.

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Great Places to Spend Christmas

December 23, 2011 in food and beverage, travel, writing

Christmas is indeed a time to get merry, although it is always a routine and tradition that family gather together to celebrate the Yuletide season, some also plans their one of a kind Christmas vacation away from the own comfort of your home.

Planning a holiday vacation takes a good thinking, first, it should be memorable of course, second, considering that everybody is busy, this vacation should be stress-free, how you can do that?  Book ahead on time, it saves you the hurry and gives you time to avail special early discounts.

Christmas travelers had many great places to choose from but of course, you would not just want to go to the North Pole to experience Christmas with Santa.

Munich- a great place for Christmas Vacation

  • Munich,is one great destination where you can find best traditional Christmas crafts that will surely delight visitors and not to forget the majestic view of the Alps.
  • New Zealand Bay,  summer in december, grab your bags and don’t forget your bikinis.
  • Edinburgh, fireworks, bag-pipers singing Amazing Grace, great foods, truly a worthy Christmas treat to remember.
  • Montreal, Canada, cold, snowy, A white Christmas to remember and not to forget sweet and yummy chestnuts.

Wherever you plan to go this Holiday season, make sure you bring that extra cash, you might perhaps buy a nice souvenir for your friends.  Have a Merry Christmas to all!

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Best Deal Romantic 3-Days/2-Nights Stay in Palawan

December 19, 2011 in healthy living, travel

If given a chance, i would love to visit Palawan again and experience it’s full beauty.  Now, you can also had a chance to visit and enjoy Palawan with Metro Deal’s 3-Days/2-Nights Stay in Palawan, Roundtrip Airfare, Transfers, Underground River Tour for P5999 instead of P12000.  That’s a great deal if i may say.

If only, I had the money now, i will surely buy this deal so i can also visit my mom again.  Check out the deal for yourself.

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Manila Bay Cruise by Sun Cruises

December 2, 2011 in food and beverage, travel

Just around the Metro, you can find a bliss.  It’s time for you to get out and feel the warmth breeze of the sea.  Go on a sail with Manila Bay Cruise from Sun cruise M/V Spirit of Manila and have a romantic dinner with your family and friends.

Sun Cruises offers a very affordable but romantic dinner while sailing around the Manila Bay.  For just Php. 550.00, you can have the feeling of how to dine in a cruise.

When I saw the deal at Pakyaw.com, i know, i should not missed the chance.  I instantly bought two tickets for me and to treat my step-mom.  I wanted to buy more for my other sibling but I was short of money that time, so i told myself that I would just buy one ticket on that day for my other sister.  I have no idea if you need to make a booking for atleast 3 days but that’s what was posted in the coupon, so I made prior bookings but i guess you can just go there and buy your ticket.

There are three cruising time, the first one starts at around 4:30 but you need atleast 30 minutes earlier at the docking site. The docking place of Sun Cruises is not hard to find, there’s a big signage near the Folk Art’s Theater, so you don’t need to worry looking for it.

If you are coming with your own car and you have to leave it, you have to pay 35.00 for the parking fee but of course, you get an assurance that you can safely leave your car instead of parking just anywhere.

dine at sun cruise

Although the food is kind  a little.  I have no idea if they have different menu for the day.  But the food is a combination of fish fillet,  a small pork, a small quantity of  vegetable, a little dessert and unlimited water , just enough to satisfy your hunger.

The food is not as grand as I imagined but i guess what I looked forward is the view of the surroundings and the feeling of course.  Not to forget the beautiful voice of the singers that will serenade you while on board the cruise. You get a chance to request for your favorite songs too.

I choose the 4:30 because I wanted to see the sunset and I still need to go to Resort’s World to attend the Celebrity Screening of “The Road” at 7:00 in the evening.

I thought the place was best for celebrating a different birthday or for a romantic proposal for your girlfriend or maybe just to celebrate something special with your family and friends.   But if there is one thing that I know you will agree with me is the feeling of “bitin”, 1 hour and 15 minutes is really fast.

(First sailing)

4:30PM to 5:45P

(Second sailing)

6:15PM to 7:30PM

(Third sailing)

8:00PM to 9:15PM

Sun Cruises also offers  day and overnight tour at the famous Corregidor, package starts at Php. 1,999.00]

My RATING;  3 stars out of 5

I am definitely coming back.  Although, the food is very limited the feeling is somehow extra wonderful and that’s what matter most.

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Avenue Plaza Hotel, Naga City, Camarines Sur

November 19, 2011 in Food & Travel Blogs, Hotels & Restaurant, travel

The Avenue Plaza Hotel is one of the newest first class hotel in the metropolis of Naga City, Camarines Sur.  It can be found on the busy area of Magsaysay Ave., It has a 6,000 square meter area with facility that offers a innovative, state of the art equipments and world-class accommodation.

Avenue Plaza Hotel

You don’t need to go far to find good food, Cafe Plazuela is open 26 hours and you can find ala carte and buffet dish as low as Php. 100.00 or $3.00 but of course, you need to try their specialties. They offer different dishes that will satisfy even the discriminating palate.

Cafe Plazuela

You can choose to eat inside or outside with the view of the infinity pool.

If your done, visiting the Centro, a refreshing swim in their two level infinity pool would just be awesome but of course, you can also prefer to have a massage which is also included in their service if your a guest in the hotel.

Avenue Plaza Hotel, Infinity Pool

Current rates of the rooms as per Tariff (Effective September 01 to December 31, 2011) (Rates are subject to change without prior notice, so it is always safe to inquire)

Spazio (Superior

Double  - Php. 3,892.86

Spazio (Superior Double)

Twin – Php. 4,053.57

Spazio Superior Twin

Spazio Grande (Deluxe)

Double – Php. 4,919.64

Twin – Php. 5,080.36

Palazzio (Executive Suite)

Php. 7,410.71

Presidential Suite – Php. 12,733.21

Extra Bed/ Person – Php. 800.00

This is inclusive of breakfast for two at Cafe Plazuela, amenities includes free use of sauna, pool and gym.

All rooms has it’s own mini refrigerator, a built-in vault and a free coffee.

Whether your going on a business trip or a family holiday vacation, Avenue Plaza Hotel in Naga City is simply one of the best in the South.  Experience the good life.

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Bicol Express – PNR Naga Train

November 8, 2011 in travel

After a period of time that the Bicol Express was out of sight, last June 30, 2011, a brand new and improved Bicol Express Train was inaugurated by PNR.  Although, the first ride was not smooth at all, succeeding rides eventually turns good.

Blast from the Past

Seeing a train makes me nostalgic and bringing back good memories of my childhood. I used to remember walking from San Andres to Vito Cruz to get a ride on the train to go to Cupang, Alabang. The walk is tiring but the ride is really thrilling.

PNR Naga City, Camarines Sur

I can still recall the PNR stations we passed through, Vito Cruz, Buendia,Pasay Road, edsa, nichols, fti, bicutan, sucat, (sometimes we stop here when we visit Lola Mac) and finally Alabang station. The journey is bumpy and tiring but it’s cheaper and no traffic.

I have heard many goods review about their PNR train experience coming from Naga City to Manila and vice versa  that makes me excited to try it for myself.

Here are the rates i have found on the net:

Sleeper Coach – Php 970.00  - 650 as promo fare

Reclining Seats – Php 548.00
Executive Coach – Php 1,400.00 – 997.50 (with 25% discount)
*Rates are subject to change without prior notice please contact PNR Operations  at 319-0041 loc. 122 for updates. Visit their facebook  account to learn more : PNR

Via Facebook

Bicol Express Schedules:
Departure at Tutuban: 6:15 PM
Pasay Road: 6:43 – 6:44 PM
Alabang: 7:09 PM
Departure at Naga: 7:00 PM

But I believe time schedules can be changed.  So, it is still best to inquire at the nearest PNR station or you can also call these numbers to reserve a seat.

Manila -(02) 319-0048

Lucena – (042) 661-2990

Naga – (054) 698-2132

Approved Baggage Allowance:

via PNR (facebook)

A friend of mine working in the PNR informed me that there are many travelers, so you need to booked prior to your date of preferred travel.

So, watch out for my next post regarding my first experience on the Bicol Express.

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Canada- a place of many dreams

October 15, 2011 in blogging, Food & Travel Blogs, travel

It’s been six months since my M-I-L went to Canada to be with her canadian boyfriend and we have heard so much good things about Canada.  How peaceful and beautiful it was.

canada

Hubby and I decided that he would go to Canada and find work and hopefully by next year that will come into fruition. It would be a lonely journey for him and for the whole family but the benefits of having a good paying job could really help us pay our house dues and prepare for the schooling of the kids.

Although, there might be complications along the way, we know that Canada would be a great place for us and we hope in God’s will, this will come to be realized.

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Dream Travel

June 3, 2011 in blogging, contest, travel

It’s always my dream to travel around the world and if i will be given a chance i wanted to travel even everyday for 365 days.  It would be very hectic and tiresome but just wondering that i would be going to places that i only visit in my dreams would be so perfect.  But come to think of it, it’s really all a dream and perhaps i need to wake up on that dream before i get bumped by a cab or something.

Now, i was wondering if ever i was the one who wins the 300+++ million Lotto Jackpot last June 1, 2011, probably by now, i’m already planning  enrolling some visa to all the places i want to go.  Ooh, how i wish it was all true.  They say that the lucky millionaire is from Bicol , ooh, I might be his long lost niece afterall and he would be knocking in my door tomorrow and will be giving my first million! LOL.

Dream, dream, dream.  Hope everything will not just a dream.  But hey, this one is not a dream, Dream World Traveler is giving away a personalized sports bottle and a personalized luggage tag, that one would come handy on your next travel.  It’s easy, you don’t need to dream to win this prizes.  Just guess her favorite dream tour and you win!

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