SINGAPORE FAM BAM (September 11-14, 2019)

With so many travel opportunities, it has become one of my biggest dreams to bring my family in one of my travels abroad. After missing them so much during my 1-year stint in Bahrain, it has become my ultimate goal. That is why when Cebu Pacific had a seat sale last February 2019, I immediately booked my whole family a flight to Singapore. We were a total of 8 adults and 1 infant. Yes, we have gotten bigger. To be honest, the price I got wasn’t as low as the usual. But since this was a must-do for me at the time, I booked it anyway.

Since the ticket was booked early, I was also able to hunt down promos for the Universal Studios tickets. We got the 3+1 offer. Amazing, right?! So we bought 6 tickets and got 2 for free.

As for accommodation, it was a bit hard to choose the perfect place for 8 adults and 1 kid.

In 2017, my travel buddies and I stayed in Serangoon. That was a good place in a quiet neighborhood near the bus stop. However, it was a little bit pricey.

In 2018, my eldest sister and I stayed in Somerset. It was actually a very nice place at a very affordable price. Not to mention that it is also just a few minutes’ walk from the Orchard Road and the Somerset MRT station. It is the best possible option for SG accommodation. However, it cannot accommodate our large number.

So— after much searching and deliberation, we chose a flat in Geylang. I heard from a friend that Geylang is not really a good place to stay. But after visiting Singapore a few times, I think it really depends on searching where in Geylang it will be. Don’t stay near the bars if you’re not into that. Luckily, we found a perfect home for all 9 of us. Apart from being near to the bus station and food establishments, the place also has a pool! We really got so lucky!

Let me share our Singapore Family Tour itinerary and cost breakdown.

Please take note that I only paid for the group’s airfare, accommodation and USS tickets. I also shared with some of my parent’s meal (My two sisters chipped in on that). But the rest of the food, shopping and other fees, they paid for their own. The food allowance could be higher or lower depending on your budget and preferences.

TOTAL PREPAID COSTS:

Airfare: Php4,084 x 8 adults = Php 32,672.00

Airbnb (5 Days/4 Nights): Php 31,185

Universal Studios Singapore via Klook:  Php2,600 x 6 = Php15,600 (plus 2 tickets)

4G 100GB sim card via Klook: Php349.00

DAY 1

Since our flight is at 5:35AM via 5J 813, our family went to the airport early despite checking in online. You know when your parents don’t want to hurry so they’d rather wait longer? Yeah it was like that. 

We arrived in Singapore at 9:35AM and went straight to pick-up our prepaid sim card from the outlet ... Read more »

Visiting any Eurasian country has never been on my travel bucketlist. As tourism major, my dream has always been to visit countries that have attractions significant to the history and stories I’ve read. Yes, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan were mentioned but why choose to be on the border of Europe and Asia when you can go to the other part since you already live in Asia? WRONG. And I thank God for giving me an opportunity to see how wrong I was.

Last January, driven by homesickness and the thirst for travel, my friend Phia and I decided to travel. Given the limited time our company allowed us to travel, we couldn’t go too far to too many places so we decided on Georgia and Armenia. Georgia and Armenia are what we called “Eurasian” countries (as well as Turkey, Russia, and Azerbaijan) because their territory is located halfway between Europe and Asia. These countries stretch along the Caucasus Mountain Range.

**Please take note that in breaking down expenses, I may use different currencies based on what we used. Estimated conversions to peso will also be included.

We booked a flight via Fly Dubai for the 23rd of February and then back on the 27th.

TOTAL FLIGHT EXPENSES (Bahrain-Tbilisi-Bahrain): BHD128.500/ PHP17,800 each

Visa is not required for Philippine passport holders going to Tbilisi. However, be prepared to pay the visa on arrival to Armenia.

ARMENIA TOURIST VISA: AMD3000/ PHP320 each

Now that ticket and visa were settled, we looked for a good place to stay in Tbilisi. We wanted to save as much as possible so we needed a place within walking distance of major attractions. It is in Airbnb that we met Tamuna. She is a college instructor who rents her flat to travelers. This flat is in Leo Kachielli Street right across Rustavelli Avenue and the Rustavelli subway station (not that we would need to ride it on this tour). It is very strategic and within reach of anything you would need such as pharmacy, restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores. Tamuna is on-call 24 hours a day: highly recommended.

AIRBNB COST (February 23-27 for 2 pax): BHD40/ PHP5,550

**Take note that this price is good for up to 4 people (although price may change based on season and demand). The entire place is yours! You may also contact Tamuna in facebook. Ask me how.

To ensure ease of travel between two countries, we also opted to get the services of Kabayans and Pinoys in Tbilisi, Georgia/ G7 Euro Travel and Tours. Please take note that apart from limited time, we also came during winter so some destinations we ... Read more »

True friendship defies time and distance. This is why my friend Jimmelyn and I promised to meet again after she moved to Hongkong. After few years of failed planning, I finally decided to book the flight. If you see my FB and IG posts, you will probably have a clue that I am a loyal Cebu Pacific seat sale getter. Last June 2017, during one of their festive seat sale, I got my ticket to Hongkong dated February 2018. This gave me a long time to prepare for my expenses.

This travel doesn’t only mark my meeting my friend after few long years but also my first solo international travel. Let’s see how it went!

TAKE NOTE: Hongkong is a visa-free country for Philippine passport holders (not exceeding 14 days of stay).

I had months to list all the places I wanted to visit as well as everything I needed financially. To make it easier, I used another travel friend I have to book destinations early: Klook. Klook prices are really affordable, not to mention that it gives you all the details that you need in order to use each of their products/services. Again, since you will be using card, it gives you the time that you need to actually pay for what you purchase.

TOTAL PREPAID EXPENSES

Airfare (Hongkong-Manila-Hongkong): PHP5,396

Hongkong Airport Express Train (Airprot-Tsing Yi-Airport): PHP550

4G Sim card (for pick up at HKG airport): PHP350

Octopus card (this is important for getting around different attractions): PHP648

Oceanpark Ticket: PHP2, 410

... Read more »

Due to public demand of how we enjoyed South Korea with the littlest budget, let me share with everyone our itinerary and budget strategies.

Following the Christmas dinner we had with our group of college friends when we talked about travelling together, Sijei gave me a phone call one January morning. There was a Cebu Pacific seat sale going to Busan, South Korea! So, fresh from sleep, I gave her my details and the ticketing was completed.

Here’s the catch! Around summer, we received an email saying our flight was cancelled due to network changes. Apparently, there will be no flights from Busan to Manila after October 23 so they had to cancel our flights and we are free to rebook with no additional charges. Thank God for miracles. Instead of our original plan to go from Manila to Busan, then train to Seoul before going back to Busan for our flight home, we got a free rebooking of our return flight from Seoul to Manila! We were also given a free travel vouchers redeemable within a year. I love Cebu Pacific!

TOTAL FLIGHT COST via Cebu Pacific: PHP4, 562.00 each

Around July, Sijei and I started to plan our tour. September, we met for visa processing. She went to the Korean Embassy to submit our request personally so we didn’t have to pay for travel agency visa processing. We also didn’t have to pay for the visa itself since it is Gratis. How to you get a Korean Visa? Prepare the following requirements:

1. Application Form (from the Korean Embassy website)

2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture ... Read more »