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This my final glimpse of Sofitel Plaza Manila 'cause they are closing their door for a major renovation next month. Answering a question I raised in my previous Sofitel Plaza Manila entry that I posted in 2012, I was able to go back in 2024. 

Sofitel Plaza Manila 12 years ago

ROOM TOUR:









Had we not know that they were renovating, we wouldn't notice the outdated details of this room. HAHAHA. When we notice, we were like, "Ahh, kaya pala kailangan na mag renovate." It's been a while since I slept in a room this cold. I was shocked for a few minutes when I woke up and left the sheets. 


Want to book your stay as well? Click here.




This part, used to be overlooking Manila Bay, was my favorite feature of this hotel. 







12 years and several pounds later... nakita ko tuloy na medyo mapayat ako before when I looked for the link of my other post. HAHAHA. Keri. Whatever.





 My favorite was the Spiral Breakfast Buffet



When reading comments of a post announcing their closure, many commenters mentioned that they'd miss Spiral's Cheese Room. I was curious and decided to get every one of these cheeses.






Want to book your stay as well? Click here.

Everything, in time. 💖

Personal Instagram | Travelling Through Food | Denden's Baking Room 

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Vietnam is one of my favorite countries to visit.

It's my top when it comes to food travel so I don't mind returning. Anyway, we just got back from our Ho Chi Minh - Da Lat trip and I was organizing/tallying my expenses when I realized that Gcash withdrawal rate costs less than I thought. I was computing the exchange rate to be .0026 when it was actually only .0023. To be fair, I was walking when I computed and came up with .0026. 😂


Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: A day at Mekong Delta with Vinh Trang Pagoda Sidetrip (Klook Booking Review)

Book your Ho Chi Minh Klook Pass Here.



I researched beforehand regarding the better banks to withdraw at and based on the answers, I got TPBank, VPBank, and NeoBank as my choices.  


We were checked in at Pham Ngu Lao area. It has always been my choice of area when it comes to booking hotels. 

From Central Market Food Court where we ate our early dinner, the TP Bank ATM, in the lobby of Vien Dong Hotel, was a few minutes walk away. Thought it was safe especially since it's inside the lobby so I headed there.

Make sure you're withdrawing inside the lobby because there are two other ATM outside. 


The exchange rate at the airport when we went there last year was terrible but we had no choice. We changed some (for fare and for midnight snack) and then changed the rest at a money changer near Benh Than Market. This year, though, I got a Gcash Card that I wanted to try. 

5,000,000 VND

Gcash Rate: 11,375.64 PHP
Google rate: 11,382.81 PHP

I got confused because Gcash Rate was lower than Google Rate but when I rechecked the other day, it really was lower and I wasn't charged an ATM transaction fee unlike what I was expecting. My mind wasn't able to comprehend why the withdrawal rate was lower. Kinda concluded that there has to be an additional charge somewhere. 😂 Turns out there's none. Ito na talaga 'yon. Ganito rin ba ang Gcash card sa Japan??

Digital Banks in the Philippines: GoTyme Bank and Seabank

My friend exchanged money in a foreign currency here in Quezon City so I had some money changed, the exchange rate was .0028, btw. I don't know which machines are available at the airport nor if those machine charge more. All I can suggest is change a few notes, enough for the grab fare, then withdraw when you're in the city since there's a huge difference between the foreign currency exchange and withdrawal rate that I'm crying in .0005. 

When we did our Indochina Trip in 2017, we didn't have VND onhand, I tried to withdraw but my ATM card was rejected so we ended up borrowing our cab fare from our hotel receptionist. This is something I don't recommend doing because not all receptionist is as kind as the one we encountered before. HAHAHA. So as a trauma response, I need to have a few VND notes as soon as I leave the airport even of that meant changing money for a higher price. lol. The next time I go there, I'd probably look around the different machines available in the airport arrivals.

Book your Ho Chi Minh Klook Pass Here.


Klook Link: Book your  Full-Day Excursion to Mekong Delta here.

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: A day at Mekong Delta with Vinh Trang Pagoda Sidetrip (Klook Booking Review)



Everything, in time. 💖

Personal Instagram | Travelling Through Food | Denden's Baking Room 

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My summer fighters! Isntree's Onion Fresh Fluid Sun Cream and Onion Fresh Light Sunstick.

I have always been intrigued ever since Isntree launched this line mainly because all the products have Muan Onions Extract as their main ingredient. It is kinda random and something I wouldn't expect to find in my skincare products. Anyway, I've got several products from the line which I have been using for the past several days. My verdict? I love this line - Onion Newpair Line is an instant HG especially for those with oily and troubled skin.




22 Grams

*Purple solid stick form
*Handy and Travel Friendly
*Recommended for oily combination skin types
*Velvet finish and doesn't pill

I love the fuss-free application and the non-greasy formulation of this sunstick. It provides soothing and blemish care with Muan red onion extract, niacinamide and acetyl glucosamine. 

I've tried using this during a beach trip. It was humid and hot but at the end of the day, I didn't burn despite being more exposed to sunlight than usual. I reapplied quite a few times that afternoon but it didn't make my skin feel congested and sticky. Zinc PCA helps in preventing excessive oil production so this has good oil control.

Purchase yours here: Onion Fresh Light Sunstick


50 ML
SPF 50 PA++++

*chemical sunscreen
* lightweight and fluid texture that is easily absorbed by the skin
* no whitecast
* not sticky 
* not oily

My favorite out of all the products from this line.

This is infused with Muan Red Onion Extract that is rich in germanium and minerals and provides blemish care while delivering nourishment and soothing benefits. I'm really happy that Isntree has launched a line that is more suited for me. Having tried a lot of sunscreens already, I've got to say that this one is a love at first try. If I were to rate it, it's not just a 10/10 but a 100/10. It's summer and it's scorching so I'd understand if my skin becomes oilier than usual, but it didn't. I don't use blotting papers as frequent as I did before using this. Also, sweating isn't a problem because my eyes never stung as well. Last but not the least, it's easily absorbed by my skin like it just vanishes upon spreading, if you know what I mean.


Purchase yours here: Onion Fresh Fluid Sun Cream



Onion Newpair Fluid Sun Cream
 
Left photo, without fluid sun cream
Right photo, with fluid sun cream




Everything, in time. 💖

Personal Instagram | Travelling Through Food | Denden's Baking Room  

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This was my pandemic lippie. haha.

None of my lippies were mask-proof so when the pandemic struck and we had to wear face mask all the time, I gave away my lipsticks. Anyway, I think I bought this in 2022 and this was all I used until I got Maybelline Cushion Mattes in 2023.

Purchase yours here: Etude House Fixing Tint



Very easy to apply using the applicator. I don't put a lot of product on my lips to achieve a natural look.

Normally, it's weightless but really mask proof and transfer proof as long as you let it try before putting your mask on.  I love everything about this product, my only problem was on some days, it feels too drying than normal. I wasn't able to find out why though. haha. My lips are probably not too hydrated on some days. 


Color: Warm Autumn Deep

Shade name: #06 Soft Walnut


It's pigmented but light on the lips. I don't think this product leaves a stain but that's okay. Also, even if mask proof, I always have to reapply after eating. 





Everything, in time. 💖

Personal Instagram | Travelling Through Food | Denden's Baking Room  
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Looking for anything anime related in Hakata? Look no further, 'cause you'll find this store in Canal City. 

Bandai Namco Cross Store


Japan in itself is already interesting for travelers but it definitely hits different for someone who watches anime. Just a background, I only started watching anime in 2020 so I didn't feel anything seeing several anime related stuff the first time I went to Hakata. 


As someone who recently became a fan, I felt "kilig" that during our stay in Hakata, there were several time-limited One Piece exhibits there such as this Mugiwara Cross Store and the Canal Aqua Panorama. 

Japan Travel Sim? Purchase yours here.

 Book your adventure here: Fukuoka Pass


LUCKYYYY!!

One Piece Water Spectacle 3 was totally unexpected. We went there for the Water Fountain Show and then we saw this schedule. We ate dinner in the mall (Saizeriya) then went back to the water fountain area at 21:00.

It was Doraemon that we saw in 2019.

Japan 2019: Canal City Mall, Hakata, Fukuoka (Water Fountain Show)


Anyway, back to the Bandai Namco Cross Store Photos



We saw this on our last day in Hakata.

We were just killing time after having lunch at the Ramen Stadium and before heading to the airport. I wasn't able to look at all the Gashapon and exhibits inside because we only had about an hour to spare.


 I went around a few Gashapon machines and Mugiwara Store. HAY NAKOO! Kinda missing circa 2019 when I didn't have an interest for anything anime-related. chos. HAHAHA!


When I searched the Google Map for "Gashapon," I only saw those in Parco Mall, Tenjin. We went there but there weren't a lot of options so I concluded that it's probably 'cause we weren't in Tokyo so the choices were limited not until we saw this store in Hakata. NANI?!


Places We Visited in Tokyo, Japan 2023





If you're an anime fan or someone who just like cool and cute stuff, better ready your wallet beforehand because you'll definitely find something you'd like. While these may have the coolest stuff, they may also have the weirdest and most random stuff as well. 

Whether to be ready because you're spending a lot, or to be ready because you'd have to restrain yourself a lot, up to you. 


This area was for the One Piece Card Game. I have no idea how the game is done though.






Mugiwara Cross Store was only until February 25, 2024 but watch out for new schedule. Shouldn't be the last time for them to have a One Piece Cross Store since the anime has a huge following. ehem





I don't always buy Gashapon Capsules but when I do, I always got the design I wanted. Kaya nawiwili!!! HAHA.

The only ones that got me trying my luck were Spy x Family and One Piece ones. 



A huge store for Anime Merchandise.

 This was our "Sayang naman" place out of all the places we visited. Like what I mentioned above, we were just killing time before our flight. We already spent our money shopping before this so we didn't have enough budget and luggage space to buy more stuff. HAHAHAHA. To think that Canal City was only a few minutes walk away from our hotel, really can't believe we failed to notice the store even if we passed by there on our way to Alpen during our second night in Fukuoka. 😂 There was even an escalator that leads to our hotel from this mall and we pass by that bridge/escalator on the way back to the hotel from the subway station.


Anyway, shouldn't be the last time. Hakata, Fukuoka?



Makabalik sana. <3

Japan Travel Sim? Purchase yours here.



My first love!

Shun Oguri was the reason I started watching JDoramas more than a decade ago (Hana Yori Dango, Gokusen, Hana Kimi etc.) My younger self would be elated that I am finally able to visit Japan. HAHAHA. Nakatikim na rin ng daifuku na kinain ni Makino Tsukushi bago niya makita si Hanazawa Rui tapos nahuli sila ni Dumyoji Tsukasa. 😂


Book your adventure here: Fukuoka Pass

Everything, in time. 💖

Personal Instagram | Travelling Through Food | Denden's Baking Room  






@xtintina15 While fountain show in Canal City Mall is a nightly attraction, we chanced upon a One Piece Water Spectacle that was scheduled to be shown for only a week (2/19-2/25). My Zoro fangirl heart 💚 Snippets are Zoro biased. 🤣 キャナルアクアパノラマ Canal Aqua Panorama ONE PIECE WATER SPECTACLE 3 ワノ国編 #キャナルアクアパノラマ #CanalAquaPanorama #ONEPIECEWATERSPECTACLE3 #ワノ国編 #onepiece #ronoroazoro #onepieceph #zoro #luffy #anime #hakata #fukuoka #japantravel #fountainshow #onepieceanime #strawhatpirates #strawhats ♬ original sound - xtintina
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