DISNEY EXPLORER'S LODGE HONG KONG (PART TWO)

ERICJAZ FOODIES are treating the little lords to a super DISNEY vacation in Hong Kong and we thought of including a staycation in our itinerary. Since it just opened the month of our trip, we decided to go for the new DISNEY EXPLORER'S LODGE and we were so glad we did. For two days we were holed up in the hotel and enjoyed going around the surroundings doing our own adventure. I know we should go out and tour HONG KONG, but we all decided to just make the most of our staycation and enjoy what they have to offer.

Check out part two of our wonderful family staycation and explorins!

We're in DISNEY EXPLORER'S LODGE!!!

DISNEY EXPLORER'S LODGE HONG KONG (PART ONE)

THE YAPPY BUNCH are in HONG KONG to have a DISNEYLAND weekend and we are all so excited! For this family trip though, the Chinese Dimpol and I are thinking what else we could do to make the vacation more fun. With that, we thought of booking a staycation at a DISNEYLAND hotel.

But which one?

At first, we thought of Disneyland Hollywood Hotel (being the more practical option) but then we saw that DISNEY EXPLORER'S LODGE will open its doors on the same month of our trip so we decided to go for that one. After all, it would be much, much, better to stay at a brand new hotel... and then mess it up. Teee Hee!

Seriously though, DISNEY EXPLORER'S LODGE is a great place for a staycation for families with kiddies who have adventurous hearts. You may not see Disney princesses here or cutesie patootsie decors but you'll really be encouraged to go out and have a different kind of hotel fun.

Check out our adventurous staycation at the new DISNEY EXPLORER'S LODGE!
 

ERICJAZ FOODIES and the little lords will have a DISNEY adventure!!!

And we're here!

DISNEY EXPLORER'S LODGE!

MIREIO OF RAFFLES MAKATI TURNS ONE!

I remember reading the book A YEAR IN PROVENCE a long time ago and it really made an impact on my not so bookworm self. The book, authored by Peter Mayle, was very memorable for many reasons: the witty love story between the main characters, the wonderful description of the French countryside, but most of all, how the main guy, also named Peter Mayle, just LOOOOOVED to eat.

And he paired off everything with wine!!!!

That is why when I saw an invite celebrating the first anniversary of MIREIO in RAFFLES MAKATI, I almost did a double take when they also called it "A YEAR IN PROVENCE." Woah! I immediately pointed out my love for the book and how it made me want to eat more (yehesssss). Now, I get a chance to eat some of the dishes that made me drool while reading, and I don't need to book a ticket to France -- it's just right here in the very heart of Makati!

Check out the first anniversary celebration of MIREIO from December 8-12, 2017, and experience French food as intricately prepared by MIREIO at a discounted price!

We were driving out from Katipunan, Quezon City but our goal tonight was to reach RAFFLES MAKATI by hook or by crook.

MCDONALD'S HONG KONG (2017)

THE YAPPY BUNCH are in HONG KONG and like what we always do when we're in another country, we check out their local MCDONALD'S because we want to see how different it would be from Manila.

We already put a space for MCDONALD'S HONG KONG in our itinerary on our second or third day -- it was our aim to have our fill of delicious Chinese food after all. BUT, lucky us we ended up in a mall because our bus going to the hotel was stationed there. And, even if we have been going around and around the place, we can't find the type of Chinese food we enjoyed before.

After about an hour of going around, the boys saw the familiar golden arches of MCDONALD'S. Immediately they asked if we could have our lunch there because they were in the mood for some fries and chicken.

NGIKS! Ha ha ha ha ha!

Oh well. I never thought that our first official meal in HONG KONG would be in an American franchise but we gave in -- we were tired and we were planning to eat here anyway. Napaaga lang! Ha ha ha! And wow, we're so glad that we did because there was something so comforting biting into hot sandwiches and drinking cold soda after a long morning. Plus, we were able to find out how deliciously different MCDONALD'S HONG KONG was from Manila.

Yup! So even in HONG KONG, we would profess our love for MCDONALD'S. And like their ad declares, "Love namin to!"  

The place with the golden arches!

HONG KONG TRIP 2017 (PART TWO)

THE YAPPY BUNCH are in Hong Kong, and even if we've been here before, we were still having an uber great time! I guess a big part why this trip was another epic one for us was because our only goal was to have as much family time as we can in DISNEYLAND and just having fun with the kids (meaning no shopping {where they get bored ha ha}, no going to tourist places they wouldn't enjoy, no exotic food-tripping, etc., etc.,). This family getaway really proved to us that seeing your kiddies laughing and having a great time would give you a different kind of happiness.

And we definitely had a lot of that -- many, many, many times over.

Yup! This trip was really for you Master Mati and bunsoy Andrei. Mommy and Daddy love you both so much!

Now here's part TWO of our HONG KONG Yappy trip! 

Good morning!!! It's day 3 for us in HONG KONG and THE YAPPY BUNCH are in BEST WESTERN HOTEL for the rest of our stay.

HONG KONG TRIP 2017 (PART ONE)

We're going to HONG KONG! Yay!

Well we we're not really planning on having an out of the country trip this year but a promise is a promise. I told Master Mati that if he gets this certain grade, I will treat him to HONG KONG  as his reward. I know we could've just went for an out of town trip, or a gadget, but we gave him a sort of "impossible" or outrageous gift so that he'll really aim high. And as expected, he worked really hard then did it! Yayyy!! We were all so proud and excited for him. But of course, we're superkaduper looking forward to our summer family trip as well!

Now why HONG KONG?

These days, it's always Japan, Korea, or US for the Filipino tourists that HONG KONG is like this ordinary option compared to those flashy and popular destinations. But not for us! We always find something fun and exciting wherever we go anyways, so HONG KONG would still be something SO worth going to.

Also, besides being the cheaper and instant option (meaning: no Visa), the boys would like to try out the new Ironman Experience in HONG KONG Disneyland. Now that's so fine with us because we could never have enough trips to Disneyland that's for sure.

So before our trip, people have been asking us, "Are you going shopping?", "Are you going to Macau?", "Are you going to Ocean Park?" -- Nope! We are just going to HONG KONG for some DISNEYLAND fun with the boys. That's what they wanted, that's what they worked hard for, now that's what they'll get. They're the real reason we're going on this trip anyway.

And as expected, we had uber loads of fun. Of course, other people have their own way of going on vacations. But for THE YAPPY BUNCH, when we're just focused on giving the kids the time of their lives (seeing them happy makes us ultra happy anyway) and do some serious family time, it will surely be another unforgettable YAPPY getaway! 

We booked a very early flight so no traffic for us.

Checking in!

A HOTEL JEN MANILA CHRISTMAS

Christmas is DEFINITELY in the air!!  Besides the chilly mornings, what marks the official arrival of the holiday season are the yuletide decorations, bright twinkly lights, the nostalgic songs, and of course, THE FOOD!

Most recently, we dropped by HOTEL JEN to experience ALL OF THAT during their Christmas tree lighting. 

The tree stood quietly near the staircase and it was indeed lovely.




It was a fun place to have Christmas pictures!

CAFE PRONTO - MARCO POLO ORTIGAS

The YAPPY BUNCH just checked out from our awesome 5-star staycation in MARCO POLO HOTEL and we were feeling a bit hungry. Good thing that CAFE PRONTO was just downstairs and it was perfect for that "something light" that we were craving for. This was good news especially to hotel guests because they don't have to go to a fast food joint or a convenience store -- CAFE PRONTO is just there to make our tummies happy.

Not only that, it also meant that we could somehow "extend" our experience in Forbes Travel Guide's 5-star awardee while munching on delicious snacks. I couldn't think of a better way to spend a lazy afternoon.

Well, sleeping is the best of course. But we'll do THAT after we get ourselves full from CAFE PRONTO!!! He he he he!

CAFE PRONTO!

The chic cafe could be found beside the main entrance of MARCO POLO HOTEL.