Sta Ana, Cagayan

Last year, when Neo first visited his Papa’s province, we were given a tour at Sta Ana Cagayan to explore the beaches.  This is the northern tip you will see in the map (Batanes not included hehe). 

From city proper at Tuguegarao, with smooth roads (per 2013 Senatoriable Jack Enrile, he made sure that the farm to market roads were good), it took us 4 straight hours (van running at 60-80kph) to arrive at Sta Ana, Cagayan.  The nice palayans made the journey bearable.  We stayed at Avalon Beach Club.  The rooms were so nice (this is a newly built resort during that time, 2012).  But don’t expect too much on the beach as it is not a white sand beach.

We stayed there overnight.  Cost of two rooms (one sea-view) at around Php6000.  The room can accommodate 4-5 people.  It is very spacious – with LCD TV, split-type air-conditioning, mini-ref, and its own toilet and bath.  Aside from the king size bed, the room also has a sofa-bed (I don’t know what is called if it’s made of wood, sorry).

After that, we tried to go to the famed “Boracay of the North” – the Anguib Beach, but we weren’t able to go there as the roads were blocked by some construction.  Instead we went to Nangaramoan Beach – and this looks nice as well.  The sand is not smooth, but it looks so pristine.   

Being a beach lover, we can’t resist having Neo try dipping on the beach – of course, with umbrella (it was noontime, when we arrived there). 

Take note, there are no overnight accommodations in here.  You have to go home by afternoon :)

Ciao!

Baby Neo’s Mama

Saturday is Neo Day

We spent last Saturday at SM Mall of Asia.  There was an event that we pre-registered for Neo to participate.  This is the Breeze SigeLand.  Actually, there were 2 activities we wanted Neo to participate, but due to lack of time, we weren’t able to use the other activity.  The other activity is for Vitapops Inventor’s Lab.  Next time na lang siguro.

At Breeze SigeLand, kids were given free toys (one toy per kid), no need to pay.  Mommies just have to sign a waiver that they will agree to let their kids learn even if it leads to stains.  They were giving out 4 toy varieties: Bike to Courage, Paintings for Creativity, Balls for Sportsmanship, and Swimming pools for Confidence.

Since, we were late in arriving and it’s a first come first serve activity, when it was our time to choose our toy, only paintings and swimming pools are available.  Neo already has his own swimming pool.  So we got the painting set – though my heart was really set on a bike. Luckily, when we were doing our cashless payment, a kiddie bike appeared out of nowhere.  So we grabbed it and Neo now has his own bike.  For free!

We then head to the grocery.  After that, we decided to go to Vitapops Inventor’s Lab as Neo also has his ticket for that activity.  However, Papa Leo and I decided not to let Neo play in there.  Neo was sick the whole week and 2 activities for a day might make him experience binat.  So when we were about to go home, we passed by a family holding this dog:

NEO: cat!

Me: Anak, that’s a dog.

Aw!  That too cute dog confused my baby.  For the record, it was a Japanese Spitz.

Hope you had a happy weekend as well.

Ciao

Baby Neo’s Mama

Tipid Tip: Online Booking 101

Leo and I are very fond of promo fares.  In all the times we rode an airplane, it was only 1 time that we paid it in full – all the time it was promo fare.  This is not a secret to our family.  So when my cousin wanted to try booking a flight to Cebu (she’ll be treating her family), it was me she asked.

So here are my tips for those people who want to book an online ticket for a low cost.

·         Wait for online promos (well this is a no-brainer tip hehe) – Sign in to online promos alert, as well as facebook page of airline websites to get email alerts for promos.

·         Is insurance a must? – For us, who already have insurances in our respective works, we don’t use this add ons

·         Do I need to select seat? – This is not a must for us.  For first timers you can select the seat closest to the window as this will give you a good view.  But for those travelling in groups, during check in, you will be given a seat side by side of each other, so tendencies are one of you will be seating on the window side.  If you’re the one sitting at the middle and wants to enjoy the view – well, you can lean hehe.

·         Do I need a check-in baggage? – When we were still childless, we can be backpackers.  5-7kilos as hand carry baggage is enough for us.  But when we had Neo, we always book check-in baggage for him.  When you have a baby and you travel, it seems like you are packing the whole house to ensure you need everything at hand.

·         If you could look for a promo fare that doesn’t include taxes, fuel surcharges – so much the better J

·         Wait – You have to be patient.  Normally, online promo fares need to be booked 6months before the actual travel date.

We always wait patiently for promo fares of airline companies – this will help us save travel time, for a low cost, and this will save us having a grumpy baby while travelling.  Just take note that online promo fares are usually non-refundable, non-transferrable, non-reroutable, non-rebookable, non-commisionable, non-endorsable, and all the nons. Hahahaha :D

So my last tip will be, when you book online, be sure, be really really sure that you will be using that online promo you booked.  It doesn’t make sense to book a promo fare thinking you were able to save some bucks when you will not be enjoying the travel. 

We were okay with all the tips above, except for this last one.  I am an impulsive buyer of online promos.  We were able to use most of the tickets, except for 2 flights.  The 2 most expensive (for promo standards) flights outside of the country.  Reason: we weren’t able to plan it with Neo.  I’d rather do away the ticket cost than travel without my baby.

Hope this helps you too!