Category Archives: been there

simply astoria

Posted by rob on

situated in jose escriva drive near the malls in ortigas business district is astoria plaza, a full serviced residential suites that provides its guests the modern comfort of a deluxe hotel.

i made a reservation online in their website for an overnight accommodation on a suite type one-bedroom where i was required to have a $7.50 prepayment.

two days after my reservation, i checked-in at astoria.  it is actually just walking distance from shangri-la plaza, megamall and a few steps to millenia suites where i also stayed in before.  i requested a higher floor room and was assigned at room 2803.

a one bedroom suite is about 60 to 72 sq. meters.

the dining table with a welcome fruit platter.

i would have preferred a bigger bed, but this one was okay.

another lcd tv was in the bedroom and internet connection was included in the room rate.

coffee and tea making facility, kitchen utensils and microwave.

a fridge and stove if one wishes to cook for their guests.

the toilet and shower area is inside the bedroom which is quite small.

i found a match and an ashtray which means i was in a “smoking” room.

took a picture of the classic new york cheesecake from dome cafe which is just smooth and rich.  i find it great paired with freshly brewed black coffee.

buffet breakfast is at cafe astoria.  i had some do-it-yourself congee, garlic fried rice, sunny side up eggs and dried bangus (milkfish) with spicy vinegar.  for dessert, i had ensyamada, sweet bread and fresh fruits.

astoria plaza also has a gym and swimming pool.  they also offer complimentary shuttle service to the shopping malls around the area.  private parking won’t be a problem for they have a 6-level basement parking area.

dusit thani indulgence

Posted by rob on

the last time i was on days off i made a room reservation at dusit thani manila, a five-star hotel located in the heart of makati central business district. it used to be named as hotel nikko manila before it was acquired by dusit thani, a bangkok-based hotel and resort company. i invited my blogger-friend, chyng to join me on this indulgent stay.

i did my room reservation directly on their website where they offer their best rate. as much as possible, i always reserve directly on the hotel website to avoid hidden charges that i have met on certain online hotel reservation services.

though we had to wait for a few minutes to have our room available, we stayed on the hotel lounge near the bar and had our complimentary welcome drinks served.

near the entrance to the elevators was a woman playing a traditional thai stringed musical instrument called as the khim, where it produces a soothing and dramatic sound while being played. i have seen one before when i visited bangkok last year during an open-air cruise dining at loy nava, along chao phraya river.

we then proceeded to our room at the 10th floor.

the room is spacious with russet colored wooden furnitures.

a comfortable king-sized bed awaits a restful sleep. a sofa, separate work desk and lcd flat screen television (also in the living room) are available.

there is a bar counter with fully stocked mini bar and in-room coffee and tea making facility (watch out for the P500.00 half litre evian bottled mineral water!).

here’s the immaculately clean, brightly lighted toilet and bath. there is also a small washroom near the living room.

luxurious french toiletries from l’occitane en provence.

chyng and i had dinner at basix, an all-day dining restaurant at dusit that serves asian and international cuisine. i actually have two 50% off vouchers that i purchased from cashcash pinoy that was all worth it. it wasn’t my first time to buy a discounted deal from them. i never had any problem using it, i was only required an id, a signature and off we go to the dining area.

it was my first time to dine at basix. i chose roasted chicken, aglio olio pasta and some grilled shrimps and crab in butter that i shared with chyng.

though there were many dessert choices like a variety of cakes and crepes, i resorted on having some native rice cakes and halo-halo that i miss most when i’m at work in the middle east.

the room rate includes a strong and good internet wireless connection.

divinely dusit.. using gifts of heaven to create heaven on earth.

spa service is available at devarna spa, at the second floor of the hotel.

we returned the next morning to basix restaurant for the buffet breakfast included in the grand room package.

black coffee to start up the day.

the DFiT fitness centre which is on the same floor as devarna spa provides guests a complete array of fitness equipment and facilities.

the outdoor swimming pool.

overall, dusit thani is a taste of thai hospitality at its best. more of dusit from chyng’s blog post, staycation at dusit thani manila.

indonesia chronicles: surabaya street

Posted by rob on

surabaya street is a well-known flea market in central jakarta.  after hearing mass at the cathedral, i took a cab and told the driver to drop me off at jalan surabaya.  the indonesian driver was a cheerful local who speak english started a small conversation asking where i was from:

me: well, guess where i’m from.

driver: singapore? (maybe a lot of tourists in jakarta are singaporeans?!)

me: nope.  guess once more.

driver: taiwan? (is he serious?!)

me: wrong.  i’m from the philippines.

driver: ohhh…  christian bautista! (lmao! was he that famous in indonesia?!)

we reached surabaya then i handed him idr 15,000 (was idr 11,000 in the taxi meter) for the fare and thanked him.  a few tourists were also looking for bargains as i walked beside the shops where the locals are seated at the curb either polishing brass or fixing items that they are selling.

there were a lot of items being sold like these antique-looking brass items.  my ma actually have a small collection of small brass vases but hers came from india.

i am not sure if the stuff they sell are authentic, anyway i was only there to look and take pictures.  one caucasian woman actually bought one of these supposedly world war II diving helmet made of copper and brass material.

then i passed by these wooden stick puppets which caught my attention.

i was hooked.  though i never had any plan to buy anything, these puppets are too artistically crafted that i wanted to bring one back home.

for idr 300,000 (about $30.00) i got these wooden stick puppets of rama and sita.  i think it was worth it having one for myself.