HARRY POTTER LAND (UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN)

Ever since I set my eyes on the-boy-who-lived, I have always been a Harry Potter fan. Although I'm not really a scary fanatic, I've read all of the books several times and watched all of the movies several times as well. I'm so happy with how the franchise was developed and created that I know it's already a classic within our very midst. I may be even be so bold to declare that everything about the Harry Potter  universe is perfect, more so if Sir Richard Harris was able to finish the whole series. But it is what it is and I'm sure many will agree that we cannot get enough of it.

That is why when I learned that there was a WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, OSAKA, I got excited at the prospect of being in the midst of J.K. Rowling's masterpiece. Even though the boys of THE YAPPY BUNCH did not share (yet) my love for all things HARRY POTTER, they were also looking forward to going to a place filled with magic.

And that is what exactly THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER did to us all: take us to a place so enchanting, so spellbinding, so extraordinary that it wouldn't take a Gryffindor fanatic to be sucked right in stronger than Tom Riddle's diary.

Suddenly we all don't feel like ordinary muggles anymore!

Picture from the internet!

The WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER!!!! 

 

We got our tickets for UNIVERSAL STUDIOS!!!

 

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, OSAKA (JAPAN TRIP 2015)

One of the reasons why I agreed to treat THE YAPPY BUNCH to go to Japan as part of my 30th birthday is because I wanted Andrei to get his wishes -- to ride the bullet train or the Shinkansen, and go on the JAWS ride (which was not featured in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS CALIFORNIA). So instead of heading out to explore the sites and cultures of Japan, we went straight to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS OSAKA on our first official day.

Now even if we have been to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS many times, we know that we are still in for a treat going to the one that they have in Japan.  And, even if our legs got sore from walking the whole day and that we didn't understand all of the rides because it was in Japanese, it was still an unforgettable trip of the family that I will always cherish.

Because of course, it's always a special time when you're able to make your child's wishes come true. And, with the whole family at that!

The YAPPY BUNCH in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, OSAKA with Rocio!

USING THE JR PASS FOR OUR JAPAN 2015 TRIP

Whenever we have an out of the country trip, I would always want to book much ahead of time so that my family and I would be able to get the best deals. The same happened thing for our JAPAN TRIP. Since I will be paying for four, I was on the look-out for budget fares so that it wouldn't be so costly. I was able to see one online for a round trip flight for Osaka Japan and although it was not a "piso fare" in Cebu Pacific, the price was good enough for me. So since my brothers and sisters have not made their minds yet on what dates to leave, the Chinese Adonis and I went ahead with the booking.

THAT was a good AND bad move for us.

Good because we were able to get a great price for our plane to Osaka, and bad because my siblings decided that their port of exit would be in Tokyo.

BAH HUMBUG!

I'm kinda sensing that they really don't want me to tag along with them. Tee heee!!!!!!

As much as I wanted to be stubborn and just stay put in Osaka, I suddenly became jealous of their itinerary when they purposely made me overhear their plans. With that I told Yub that it would best to make the trip a fun-filled one and go with my sibs around Japan.

But how will be get there?

And THAT is how we came upon the JR PASS! 

 

The JAPAN RAIL PASS, or more popularly known as JR PASS, is a ride all you can option for tourists using their JR railways. 

What's great here is that you could make use of Japan's Shinkansen (or bullet trains) as much as you want for the same price!

Only tourists could avail of the JR PASS and you could get it online before your trip. This works very well for visitors who want to go around different cities in Japan in 21 days or less. 

GERRY'S GRILL WITH THE BP GROUP

When the YAPPY BUNCH had a staycation in SEDA NUVALI, the Chinese Adonis and I were happy to be able to take our little lords in a family getaway they truly had fun in!

I told the little lords though that when we have family staycations, it is customary already for us to take a LOT of pictures around the place. They didn't take this too well. He he he he he!

To make up, I also told the little lords that when we have family staycations, we would end it up with a delicious meal that would have their favorites. And THAT certainly lit their hungry tummies up!

With that, we came upon GERRY'S GRILL!!  

GERRY'S GRILL!!!

THE YAPPY BUNCH were with the BP Group celebrating mareng Aning's birthday in Nuvali. After taking loads of picture at SEDA, we still didn't want to split up. So it was a late lunch in GERRY'S GRILL!

IT'S YOUR CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure many times when you surf the net or read articles in the newspaper, you would encounter these "Best ofs" or "The Top 10 whatevahs" that would get you thinking...

WHO CAME UP WITH THESE @#$%???

Oh I totally get you especially if the "winners" are never heard names or are just "MEH" in our books. It gets me thinking, how did they get those winners? It reminds me of those soap commercials where 7 out of 10 users voted for it? Who were those magnificent seven?? I doubt if they have the same stature as Yul Brynner (from the Magnificent Seven of course) but still, you would like to know if they are really capable and worthy of making such countdowns.

WELL!

Fret or tantrum no further. Because THE CHOICE is coming your way!!!!

THE CHOICE!

DAN! DAN! DAAAAANNNNN!!!!!

THE NEST (VIVERE HOTEL)

For as long as I could remember, whenever I talk to my friend, Mareng Gail, she would always make it a point to mention how delicious the carbonara is in VIVERE HOTEL:

"Oh you had a raise? We should have the carbonara in VIVERE to celebrate!"
"This truffle pasta may be good but the one they have in VIVERE is a hundred times better!!!"
"Guess what? I heard they're putting more cheese in the VIVERE carbonara! We should go there now!!!!"

 

Tee hee!

 

Actually I'm just kidding. But yes, she does rave about it ENDLESSLY that when the time came for us to actually have a taste of this much talked about carbonara, she suddenly became scared. What if we traveled all the way from Mandaluyong and did not like it? I swear I would be reimbursing the amount of that Carbonara TEN-FOLD!

So what was our verdict? Read on and find out!

 

 

THE NEST by VIVERE HOTEL!

 

It's actually my first time to dine in THE NEST and I must say that I was quite impressed!

 

The view in THE NEST was breath taking and dining here at night time would prove to be very romantic. 

 

THE NEST was very dark and was only illuminated by tivoli lights. Hmmm. This would be perfect if you don't want to be seen with someone.

Kidding!!!!!

A SWEET SUNDAY BRUNCH AT SPECTRUM (FAIRMONT HOTEL)

Growing up, my parents were very strict about our food intake that chips and junk foods were huge no-nos. We only got to eat it when we would go on trips or if we were able to save enough pesos (secretly) from our allowance. But beyond that? NO-NO. So really when I grew up and suddenly got this freedom to eat salty chips and packs of candy whenever I wanted, I was not used to it. It's like I was still "forbidden" and I would always hesitate in reaching out for a full bag. It's a good thing too because otherwise, I would've ballooned bigger than the Michelin man if I took a strong liking to it.

As for the Chinese Adonis, he's different. He thrives on chips and sweetness!!! I couldn't begin to describe how annoying he is when he's noisily eating his nachos or tortillas! You would think that Metro Manila suddenly had an iceberg attack!!!! It's THAT loud. The volume is on a stronger frequency too because he chews with his mouth open. Que horror!!!! Good thing he's handsome. Ha ha ha ha ha ha! ALSO, would you believe that he puts an extra sachet of sugar on his mocha frap??? Ew right?

Don't get me wrong. I'm still human (even if I don't look like it). There would be times where in my sweet tooth would rule overall my whale of a body. And when that happens there's no stopping me.

Fast forward to many years and ERICJAZ FOODIES received an invite from SPECTRUM of Fairmont Hotel to enjoy THE SWEET SUNDAY BRUNCH: A CANDY WONDERLAND. The first impulse for me and the hubster was that "Yes! This would be something that the little lords would enjoy!!!" Like my parents, we try to limit their junk food and candy intake. But still, there would be days when we let them indulge for good behavior and during special occasions.

And that would be THIS DAY.

But of course, looking at our dining history the Chinese Adonis and I realized that THIS would be our time too. It's been awhile since we really got loose with the grub from our childhood especially that we're older and needed to be more health conscious (blech). So for this Sunday, we were ALL excited to spend family day exploring a candy wonderland that is located in FAIRMONT HOTEL.

THE YAPPY BUNCH with the delicious food in SPECTRUM -- now that's Sundate fun that couldn't be more sweeter!

THE YAPPY BUNCH is in SPECTRUM of FAIRMONT HOTEL and check out our welcoming party?

The HARIBO bears bearing yummy tidings!!!!!

When I told the boys that they could just dig in onto the pile of HARIBO starmix packs, they cannot believe it! Look at those excited smiles!!!

  

Kiddies availing the buffet could actually get their fill from  the candies!!! Andrei got a handful but the Chinese Adonis only let him keep half of it. Ha ha ha ha!!!

KILL JOY!

NEIL'S KITCHEN

In the recent 3-day weekend celebrating the holiday of Eid'l Fitr, I was particularly excited because ERICJAZ FOODIES had a lot of activities planned with family and friends. One schedule in our busy agenda (tee hee) is to taste the new dishes of the much raved about NEIL'S KITCHEN in Westgate, Alabang. I was really psyched to go here because not only have I been hearing about all the delicious and creative food from that unique structure in Westgate, but I'll be seeing again my blogger friends, aka, The Kain Tulog Gang.

However, fate was planning something else for me as my boss called and asked me to report for work at Quezon City that very same day.  As much as I wanted to catch up after the task was done, it was impossible because JAZ and NEIL's KITCHEN will be geographically at polar opposites. So I guess it was not meant to be. Good thing that I loved my job so much that I didn't really mind and just let my pogi half enjoy the hot off the menu goodness that NEIL'S KITCHEN has to offer.

At least, now we will have a reason to come back. ASAP. 

NEIL'S KITCHEN!!!

NEIL'S KITCHEN is that commanding structure that greets you upon entrance in Westgate. It's so hard not to be tempted by its awesomeness.

Entering NEIL'S KITCHEN is just like getting free admission at your hip local art museum. There are just too many sights to ogle at and take pictures with!