Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Cloud Forest - Gardens by the Bay

ABBEY: This dome was still under construction when Singapore hosted the Orchid Convention. This is one of the glass domes in Gardens by the Bay. It showcases plants that lives in higher altitudes. At the entrance, we were welcomed by drizzles from a 6-storey man-made waterfall. 

Next level are the crystals. The exhibition of stalactites and stalagmites is amazing. As we go on to the upper levels species of plants became more of the "shrubby" type. That's how the plants grow on different altitudes. We cane to see large pitcher plants and colorful orchids. 

The dome also have skywalk and platform to have a good snap of the waterfalls. For 18sgd you can visit Cloud forest and flower domes with a free show of OCBC Rhapsody.












WILL: Got the free chance to explore the Flower Dome last 2011 before the grand opening of Gardens by the Bay, I am so excited to check out the Cloud Forest but its not done yet. 
      Ate Abigail and Kuya Victory went here in Singapore, Abbey and I decided to buy ticket of this World's Building of the Year at Groupon. We bought three, myself was not included, I am assuming that I'll be going back from office quite late then, but 6pm, I am on feet to check them out. 
     In this dome lies a gigantic manmade waterfall. Mist and cool air will greet you. Well, this really gives the right feeling once people climbed up a fog forest. Flora here is very different. Moss is all over. There's also a zone that showcases the crystals formed in thousands years. 
    A nice experience to hold on to. :) Thanks Sis Gail and Bro Victory for sharing this great time to explore this dome 



Saturday, February 2, 2013

Cocoon Boutique Hotel – Where Luxury is Responsible

ABBEY: This was tagged as eco-hotel in a city. It is located at Scout Tobias corner Scout Rallos in Quezon city. An overnight stay in a twin bed room costs . It has a tub (Wilma was ecstatic knowing it), a comfy twin bed and fragrant toiletries. Buffet pastry breakfast is being served at the top-most floor where the outdoor swimming pool is also located. Priced at 350 per person, you can enjoy on freshly baked bread, cereal and soup. It also includes an order of one rice meal (longsilog, tosilog, tapsilog, american breakfast etc). Lift lobbies were ornamented with big blocks of wood while small blocks were used to design walls of the room. An old grand piano was exhibited in the hotel lobby; maybe if it can be tuned up it would be better. Hotel staffs were very helpful and attends to the needs of the guests specially when the lift broke down. Other thing to improve though with the chubby chef in the breakfast buffet; it would be better to keep his rant to his teammate to himself. Its disturbing and annoying to hear him whine when I'm enjoying the most important meal of the day.



















WILL: RJ and Jhen's wedding is coming and I asked Jhen where we will stay. They told us that they will be staying at Cocoon Boutique Hotel. We have two options, to stay at my parents' house or to book for a room in this hotel. Well, after some calculations we chose the latter. 
      Urgently we start to send email to info@thecocoonhotel.com and Ms Annie immediately accommodated our queries, P4200 per night, breakfast is included for two pax. As time goes by, we requested two more pax to avail the breakfast but it ended 3, my Ate Sol, Kuya Laleng, Hannah & Baste(2child but counted as 1 adult)were added which is P350 per person. Until now nit yet paid, Sorry Ms Annie. Later this month I will deposit it to you. Don't get us wrong, their staffs forgot to bill us and we forgot also as we never checked the bill upon checking out. 
     Their room is so spacious and what I really love is their bathtub that can be viewed the tv, but I don't have the chance to soak my tired body because Hannah and Baste do that for me. Oh, Baste asked me to put a slide in our bathtub in home. Hehe. 
     Their P350 breakfast is just a simple one. Nothing to linger and stay for more. After a plate we decided to go back in our room for the wedding preparation since the pool is way too cool for the kids to handle. 
     Indeed this is the most valuable and newest hotel around the Quezon City. Worthy for weddings, birthdays or for romantic escapade. 
     Thanks Ms Annie for accommodating our request. Free to communicate with them through email, their responses were never delayed. 

Friday, February 1, 2013

Marché Bar & Bistro

ABBEY: We had tried to dine in Marche's restaurant but this is the first time with their bar and bistro. This one is located outside Raffles City mall. I ordered grilled chicken pizza and the staff told me that its really big; enough for 2 persons to share. Not knowing that the "threat" is serious, I was surprised when I saw it being served in a large plate and has its own stand as it will occupy our whole table. It is like a super-sized Turkish pide (an oval-shaped thin crust bread with toppings). For 18++ SGD, this delight has a reasonable price. I was already full finishing only half of the pie. It was delicious and full of aroma. The ambiance is good as well; fit to meet with friends after a day's work.





WILL: We watched "The Impossible" movie premiere at the Shaw Lido and Abbey's schedule was on NA shift then, so I decided to stat and accompany him until the 11pm hits the clock. 
      We went to Chijmes to have some pica-pica but he don't like the ambiance of the place, so we went out, in that we saw the Marche Bar and Bistro waving on us. 
      We sat down and I scanned the menu as I am starving that time, whoah, this chicken wrap caught my attention and immediately ordered for it. Abbey went for pizza. The taste of the roasted chicken wrap is nice but better when the yogurt was poured all over it. Pizza is huge to its price, so huge we cannot finish, we just tapao it. After a day, I ate it, yes I, all alone for me to eat it. Ha! 
      This is a great place to unwind while sipping wine. Thanks Abbey for asking me to dine with you here. Definitely we will be coming back.