Yeti Resort-Shizuoka, Japan

Part of the planning stage on our Japan itinerary is to have a ski resort adventure. Since this is my first winter experience, my sister suggested to put this in the itinerary. Spoiled as we are, my mom and uncle arranged a day tour package at Yeti Resort located at Shizuoka and 2nd stage of Mt. Fuji since this is the most accessible ski resort from Yokohama. 

Since this is our very first visit to our family in Yokohama, we do not spend any single yen in all the tours, meals and hotels arranged for us (feeling lucky and spoiled di ba?) My Yokohama family ensure that we have the best, comfortable and memorable stay on our first sighting of Japan.

We were joined in a group tour of youngsters and small family. The bus picked us at the Yokohama Station and started the 2 hour (approx) drive going to the resort with 10 minute toilet stop at the expressway.

See how clean their public toilets are 

After almost 2 hours of travel, we were headed off to the ski resort. Mom brought already some beanies, goggles and gloves so we just rented the ski jackets,pants,poles, snowboard and boots (feeling ambisyosa sa pagtry ng ski :) 

and here are some of ski enthusiasts in Yeti. There was a heavy snowfall that time 

so pardon for the poor quality of the pictures for this post

there is a fire place area to keep you warm

Yeti Kitchen

Since epic fail ang first ski attempt,we just managed to have some photo ops as souvenirs :)

Over-all despite some backache and minor body pains  due to the ski attempt, we still have an awesome ski resort experience.

Date of Visit : February 2013

Yeti Resort 

Fujiwara, Suyama-aza, Susono-shi,

Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Website: http://www.yeti-resort.com/en/

Club Punta Fuego-Nasugbu, Batangas

Club Punta Fuego is a premiere residential beach resort at Nasugbu, Batangas. Managed by Landco and Fuego Hotel and Properties, Club Punta Fuego is nestled in an 88 hectare flame-shaped peninsula along the coast of Nasugbu, Batangas. The panoramic view of the sky and the pristine beaches with a scenic view of the West Philippine Sea made Punta Fuego one of the sought after beach resort in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Its exclusivity complimented by its world class facilities and modern day amenities, made Punta Fuego as one of our favorite venue for our Company’s corporate events and activities.  

An enclave within the stretch of Nasugbu coastline, Club Punta Fuego comprises three properties offering various activities that would surely surpass the resort guest’s expectations.

Peninsula de Punta Fuego

This is where the Main Club is located. It boasts a wide array of facilities such as the mini golf-course, 33 casitas, restaurants, function halls, spa, tennis court that would surely make your stay worthwhile and enjoyable. What made Peninsula truly stand out among the other properties is the signature double infinity pool with a nice view of the West Philippine Sea.

The signature double infinity pool at the Main Clubhouse

Casitas with a good view of the sea

San Diego Restaurant

Some of the dishes we tasted at the Restaurant

 

Near the Main Clubhouse is a 2-3 minute shuttle ride down the lower beach

Pool at the Lower Beach

Picturesque view at the lower beach

Kid's playground 

The Punta Fuego Yacht Club

For marina aficionados out there, a hobby which distinctly belongs to the rich and famous, The Punta Fuego Yacht Club has marina facilities with floating berth which can accommodate 30 boats and 100 boats on dry dock. It has locker rooms and bar from which it serves as a jump start of some water sports activities.Club Punta Fuego is also a host to the annual Regatta event competition.

Terrazas de Punta Fuego

About 15 minutes ride from the Main Club is the Terrazas de Punta Fuego, as guest of Peninsula, you can also use the facilities of Terrazas de Punta Fuego. It boasts a nice stretch of the beach, open-air Balinese style cabanas, multi-level pool  and some water sports facilities.

Balinese Style Cabanas

Date of Visit: November 2011

Club Punta Fuego

Balaytigue, Nasugbu, Batangas

Website: http://www.clubpuntafuego.com.ph/

A Blast from the Past @ Las Casas Filipinas de Azucar, Bagac, Bataan

With our great enthusiasm to shoot and explore our wannabe photographic “tsamba” shots, me and officemates decided to have our very first photowalk experience at Las Casas Filipinas de Azucar, Bagac, Bataan. Armed with our cameras, companions from our family as well as the Filipiniana Costume (yes since this is our very first photowalk, we decided to wear this so we could have a thematic shots for our folio, feeling professional right?) we headed up to this historical site depicting the Spanish colonial architecture.

With only about 1 ½ - 2 hour drive from Manila via NLEX and SCTEX, this heritage site is a project of New San Jose Builders. The village is a picturesque collection of Spanish colonial houses tucked in cobblestone pavements.

Accordingly some of the colonial houses were uprooted from different parts of the country and were restored and rebuild to its original perfection.

Aside from the living museum of Spanish colonial houses, it is also a heritage resort with a good view of the West Philippine Sea.  

a "batis" concept pool

batis pool with a view of the West Philippine Sea

You can also ride a cartela to roam around the complex.

We stayed in Paseo de Escolta which offers modern amenities, comfy bed and a veranda with a good view of the complex.

nice facade of the exterior of Paseo de Escolta 

and here is the interior, a comfy bed with immaculate linen and mattresses with big bathroom

                       

A cultural show at night will make your dining experience even more special and entertaining.

see my kids in their Filipiniana costume

A visit to this place will surely transport you to the Philippine Spanish era or even transformed yourself as one of the characters in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Vamonos!!! and have a blast from the past at Las Casas Filipinas de Azucar.

Date of Visit : March 2010

Las Casas Filipinas de Azucar

Bo. Pag-asa, Bagac, Bataan

For reservations contact their Manila sales and reservations office at 332-5338; 355-3032 or visit their website @  http://lascasasfilipinas.com

Eat like a Viking for Free @ Vikings The Block, SM North Edsa, QC

This is a famish post again. Choosing the photos to include here is also salivating..  errh not in my vocabulary this time. I have just started my low carb diet and to satisfy the craving, let me just blog our family buffet dining experience at Vikings, The Block, SM North Edsa.  

    

Celebrating your natal day and dining-in for free is truly one the best thing to spend your day with your Family. We are one of the early patrons of Vikings SM North Edsa during its opening last February of this year. Admittedly,  I am a type of mom who is always after the freebies (rephrasing the budget-conscious type as many of my friends would surely disagree J ), we availed the birthday promo from which the celebrant will be charged free provided he or she is accompanied by one full paying adult. You should dine-in on the exact day of your birthday and need to present any government issued IDs to avail the promotion.

Before, we only have Kamayan’s Dad and Saisaki, Cabalen, Chinatown, Tong Yang etc as one of the restaurants who has first ventured into the buffet feast offers .(Of course with exceptions to the luxurious hotel buffet feast of Spiral and Heat with their exemplary world array of dishes).  

With the gastronomic and the love of food attitude innate in every Filipinos, comes the opening of different Buffet Restaurants in Manila. Everyone is raving for buffet restaurant as a practical option for family celebrations.

Let me just show you our  "eat like a viking" experience at this newest branch of Vikings located at SM North Edsa. 

Hubby and I, tried first the steak section, this is the most block-buster corner as many were already lined up on this section. Here are some of the steaks spread out in this corner. You can choose your preferred steak and tell the chef how you wanted it done. There are a lot of choices of side dishes and gravies placed here too for your selection.  

and here is the birthday girl plate choice of tenderloin and hickory baby back ribs 

with buttered vegetables :) 

I like the cozy ambiance and the interiors. Everything is placed accordingly, food stations are in every corner to maximize the mall space restrictions.

See this  wine rack near the steak corner. It accentuate the plain glass wall. Unique isn't it?

dining section

Above photos are only stopper, let's proceed with the salivating foodies :)  

Seafood grill station.  You can see here bounty catch of fishes, squids, shrimps etc and some meat grillers. Our choice here is only 1 grilled pampano and some pink salmon. 

 of course, we have also some oyster rockafeller

sushi bar and the Japanese station one of my fave too.

Our choices here are tuna and salmon sashimi, mixed makis and of course the tempura. 

For the Chinese dishes section we only get here some yang chow fried and steamed fish fillet for the kids

There are really a lot in the selections. We haven't tried the pasta and pizza corner, salad and cold-cuts stations as well as the other pastries and sweets  in the desserts section as there is no available space in our satisfied tummy.

Let me show you the kid's favorite corner

oops caught someone busy  at the chocolate station :)

It was indeed a tummy filled birthday celebration with my family. I love this promo I save almost Php688+  (weekday rate) in my pocket. Thanks Vikings hope you'll include wedding anniversaries too :) 

For a group of 2 adults and 2 kids, we were able to spend I think almost Php1,700+ 

good peso value right? :)

This is the buffet rate seen during our visit. For their updated rate and other promotions, 

you may try to check their site.   

Advance booking is recommended for guaranteed seats.

Date of Visit : February 2013

Vikings SM North EDSA

4th Floor The Block, SM City North Edsa, QC

Contact Number:376-3888, 376-4888

Website: http://www.vikings.ph