Frannywanny

Before anything else, I'd like to wish all of you HAPPY 2020!!! My New Year's resolutions include -- BETTER HEALTH (losing the weight and keeping it off forever, good blood tests and avoiding the flu and other illnesses this year), GOING BACK TO MY PASSION (keeping this blog alive and kicking, writing more often) , SPENDING MORE TIME WITH FAMILY  (time is flying so fast that I don't want to miss out on any moment with my twins, Paul, my parents/his parents and our siblings). It's all about keeping things simple and going back to the basic. I got to admit that with everyday's busy schedule, we have the tendency to complicate things, to lose sight on the main reason why we're doing it in the first place. I want to pull myself a step back and to see the bigger picture, to take more deep breathes and to just take each day at a time. My kids are at this stage where they're becoming their own individual selves. They're funnier, more talkative, more playful...

Here's a quick guide to help you all when planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia : Where to stay Novotel Kuala Lumpur: 2010 , 2014 Sheraton Imperial Hotel   Restaurants / Food Establishments Good Friends in Genting Highlands Madame Kwan's Marrybrown Nando's Peri-Peri ♥ ♥ ♥ SkyBar, Traders Hotel KL  ♥ ♥ ♥ Yeast Bistronomy  ♥ ♥ ♥ What to see around Kuala Lumpur Acquaria KLCC Jalan Petailing (Chinatown), Jalan Alor and Bukit Bintang Petronas Twin Towers ♥ ♥ ♥ - highly recommended

Go around the world...under the sea at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa Island  here in Singapore . That was exactly what Paul and I did a few months ago during one of our Sundates exploring the Lion City. Paul is such an animal lover that at some point I am starting to believe that he could have Dr. Dolittle 's special power too. Given how fascinated he is with all types of animals, I suggested that we check out the S.E.A. Aquarium has we have been hearing quite a lot of good things about it. True enough, the long queue that greeted us for the ticket counter was the first sign that this was indeed a must-visit spot here in Singapore. Just like everywhere else in this bustling city, the service was very efficient so we got to the front of the line in no time. We got the One Day Pass (S$38) which will allow us to visit all 10 zones inside. As you enter, you'll be able to check out the Maritime Experiential Museum  where there's a show being projected that will take yo...

Summer in Manila is just around the corner and this just means one thing : It's time to plan your summer trips! For those who are coming to Singapore in the coming months or even years, I will begin this series called Explore Singapore!  highlighting several must-visit places that you could consider to include in your itinerary. It's true. Singapore is a small country but being small doesn't mean there's not much to see. Living here for a year, I've come to realized that there are a lot of places that I have yet to visit. As Paul and I would dedicate our weekends in exploring the city, our love for the Little Red Dot grows more and more. Let me begin with the most popular one -- welcome to Universal Studios Singapore ! Since it opened about 4-5 years ago, Universal Studios Singapore or USS as we would call it, has been one of the most visited spot here in Singapore. It really just shows that theme parks are not just for kids. For example, my parents who v...

A year ago, Paul and I decided to renew our passports at the same time. This is despite the fact that my old passport actually had two years left before it expires. The reason behind this is because Paul wanted us to start having the same expiration dates for most of our legal documents as a family to lessen the chances of missing out on renewals and such. It made sense to me and so, I joined him at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office one Monday morning. Actually, the DFA has made it easier now to renew ones passport as they've set up satellite offices in malls around the city. The reason why we had to go to the Pasay DFA office was because I also had to change my surname since I haven't done so after getting married. Of all the applications that we had to do for our travels, I'd say that renewing our Philippine passports was one of the easiest. Allow me to give you a step-by-step guide on how to have a stress-free passport renewal too: #1) Make an Appoi...

We just stayed in Macau for two days yet we truly enjoyed ourselves. Being able to see the contrast between the church-filled, more laid-back Macau Peninsula and the casino haven Cotai Strip . I have yet to visit more sites in Macau such as Coloane where the famous Fernando's Restaurant is location. For first time Macau visitors like us, here are the must-see and eat places that you shouldn't miss:  Where to Stay: Hotel Sintra Macau Travel Guide A Lorcha -- the highlight of our trip! Egg Tarts in Lord Stow's Bakery and Margaret Cafe e Nata It was indeed a short trip and I can't wait to put on my traveling shoes and to visit Macau again! 

Macau is such a small city with a total of 29.5 km 2 land area. Just to put things into perspective, Metro Manila has a total land area of 683.6 km 2 and Singapore is just slightly bigger at 710 km 2 . So in essence, Macau is about the same size of Mandaluyong City (21km 2 ) and San Juan City (7km 2 ) combined. That said, it is indeed possible to tour around this city in a day. However, I recommend that you stay overnight as the night life (light) scene here is really amazing! With two days in Macau, here are some things that you should not miss: 1) Senado Square  (Largo de Leal Senado) I've seen a number of Asian soap operas that have been filmed in this iconic square. I'll be honest in saying that I was really expecting a beautiful Spanish-like city square where kids play, people hang out and entertainers do short performances. Somehow, what I saw fell short of my expectations. No, it's not ugly as I truly adored the artsy floor tiles but it was just extremely c...

This is a continuation of my sister Pan's 10 must-visit places in Tokyo, Japan. In case you missed the first part, please click here . “Sugoi Japan!” Exploring the Rising Sun’s Capital: Tokyo Prefecture #6 Meiji Shrine Stepping out of busy Harajuku station , it surprised me to find the tranquil Meiji Shrine a stone’s throw away from a highly populated shopping district. The shrine is nestled in a forested area in this bustling location and can be accessed through a massive Torii Gate , a usual symbol of a traditional Japanese gate for Shinto shrines. Beyond these gates is like entering straight into nature and away from the city. The shrine itself is found after several minutes a leisure stroll along a graveled path surrounded by trees. During my visit, I chanced upon a Shinto wedding ceremony taking place in the Meiji shrine with the couple and their entourage in elaborate wedding garments, it was like something out of a Discovery Channel episode. Tokyo has two well-...

Happy Holidays !! I know it has been months since my trip to Korea and yet I always get to remember it every time someone comes up to me asking for Seoul travel tips . That was definitely one of the best trips I've had this year and Paul and I are will hopeful that we can go back to Korea SOON! I realized also that I failed to create a summary to better guide you in going through all my Korea travel entries . First and foremost, here's a guide on how to apply for a Korean Visa for all Philippine Passport holders . Next step is to look for a place to stay. I highly recommend our hotel: Hotel Skypark 1 in Myeongdong, Korea . Here's also a quick 101 for all Korea newbie s. Be tourist-y and visit these places: Myeongdong for all out shopping (all the beauty brands are here!) and eating Gyeongbokgung Palace COEX Mall and Aquarium (although I don't recommend the aquarium) Everland Theme Park N Seoul Tower   Remember this: must watch the Cookin Nanta S...

In every country, there is a particular district that I have grown fond of. There's Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong and Raffles City in Singapore. As a result, I would tend to book hotels within these areas as I find myself most comfortable and at ease when staying in these places. Both districts are considered highly commercial areas as they are filled with lots of shops and restaurants making it so convenient for Paul and I to eat, shop and walk around at any given time of the day. After all, being in a foreign land, it's important to still feel safe to be able to fully enjoy and maximize the trip. As we got to our hotel in Korea , I immediately fell in love with Myeongdong . I love the fact that the entire place is filled with retail shops, food establishments and a lot more. There are a number of malls present such as the Lotte Young Plaza , Migliore and the huge high-end department store called Shinsegae . Just around our hotel, there are a lot of beauty shops which wer...

I've always been a flip-flop loving girl. My weekend get-up consists of my comfy denim shorts, cotton shirt and my favorite pair of flipflops. I love heading to the mall or my favorite weekend market in this attire. Rarely do I get to wear heels during the weekend as I try to make my feet and lower back rest as wearing heels from Mondays to Fridays can really put a strain on them. In fact, I also keep a pair of flip-flops in my office cabinet just in case my feet are loudly calling out for help. Most of the time though, as comfy as my flipflops can be, I know I always have to keep a proper look and flipflops is totally a no-no when trying to look professional in the office. How I wish there are really nice flats that goes well with my dressy top or skinny cut jeans. Then came a tiny black bag that was delivered to my doorstep. In front reads the name Yosi Samra and after much research, I found out that it's the name of a very talented shoe designer who has created the...

Hong Kong remains to be one of my favorite destinations in Asia. Aside from the fact that it's just an hour and 50 minutes away from Manila, entering Hong Kong does not require a visa and while I've been there so many times since I was 7 that I know the country by heart, each visit still surprises me with new discoveries and finds that I get to take home and remember forever. For those who are planning a trip to Hong Kong , here's my easy travel guide to help you make the most of your stay in this amazing Asian food and shopping destination: First and foremost, a little 101 on Hong Kong -- how to get there and how to navigate your way around. When looking for a place to stay, I highly recommend Cosmo Kowloon Hotel for its reasonable rates and strategic location. I also love Butterfly on Prat which is located right at the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon as well. However, if you're traveling with kids, why not spend the night at the enchanting Hong Kong Disn...