Category Archives: Travel

Guam may not be such a “hot” destination based on what I have heard from many…but I liked it! I guess it is all about expectations…and managing those expectations and just simply trying to appreciate the charm of a place.  I enjoy seeing new places, observing different cities and cultures and just getting away once in awhile from home.

It is only 3 1/2 hours from Manila and you are already in the USA.  The place is small and manageable.  There is no traffic. Streets are not crowded.  There is enough shopping for every member of the family to bring home.  The food places we went to were very good!  My kids enjoyed the beach, the pool and the waterpark.  What more can I ask for?

30% of the population are Filipinos- you will see them in almost all restaurants, hotels, stores and everywhere.  Almost all of the tourists are Japanese and they are in all the hotels and resorts which are fully booked! Mom and Quito say it reminds them of Daly City.  As we drove around the island which will take probably an hour and a half or so – it reminds me of Subic where you drive around the coast line- and there are several beaches you can stop by and have picnics and swim.  There are nice golf courses I heard.  

Soon, the Okinawa troops are coming over and 9,000 families will be moving to Guam.

I will enjoy the city while it is still not as busy- it is quiet, peaceful, relaxing and definitely a nice family vacation where everyone can enjoy.  

The main part of Guam for tourists is the town of Tumon where all the resorts are surrounding the beach

We stayed at the Hyatt Hotel

Love the view from the balcony of the room!!!  

You can see the pools of the hotel, there are several of them. I like the hotel because though it was full, it did not seem crowded whether at the pool or at the beach

We went to the beach at around 4 pm 

View of the beach on the left side from the beachfront of the Hyatt hotel 

View on the right – hardly anyone on the beach!   We had the beach all to ourselves!!!! Next time, we have to walk the whole beach from end to end!

The beach is not as nice as Boracay since everyone tends to compare to our beaches, but they are okay and very clean…with weeds/moss but relatively clean! 

websites:  Guam 

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I recently found out from my good friend, Michele, about this house in Boracay which you can rent out!  It is located in Station 1 which is the more private part of the island.  Chalet Y is owned by a friend, Bernice Palanca-Go.  I have never seen it personally, but I think sounds like a very nice vacation getaway for a big family or a big group of friends. She even has a cook in the house to do home cooking if you prefer. 

Rates are quoted in US dollars net of tax and subject to change without prior notice. Maximum number of persons for the whole house is a total of 12 persons, adults & children. Extra person and/or extra mattress will be charged accordingly.

EFFECTIVE 2009

Low Season (July 1 to Oct. 14)

Whole House P 10,500/night

Deluxe Room 1 P 3,500

Deluxe Room 2 P 3,500

Suite P 4,000

High Season (Oct.15 to June 30)

Whole House P 17,000/night

Deluxe Room 1 P 5,500

Deluxe Room 2 P 5,500

Suite P 6,000

Peak Season Christmas & New Year (Dec 1 to Jan 10)

Chinese New Year

Easter Week

Whole House P 20,000/night

Deluxe Room 1 P 6,500

Deluxe Room 2 P 6,500

Suite P 7,000

Extra person/Extra Mattress:

Php 500.00 per person/mattress per night

Other charges

Transportation:

• Round-trip Airport Transfers via Kalibo – Php 1000/per person

• Round-trip Airport Transfers via Caticlan – Php 800/person

Cooking Facility:

• Cooking Charge – Php125 per dish

• Marketing Service and Cooking Charge – Php 175 per dish

• Market list will vary according to the daily market price and will be charged to the personal account of the guest. Advance payment on a daily basis is required

Above rates apply for a maximum of 12 persons. Additional persons will be charged a cost of Php 75.00 per person.

Reservations/Cancellation and No-show Policies:

•All reservations must be finalized 15 days prior to check-in date on regular days and 20 days prior to check-in date on peak season.

• Reservations made in less than 7 days prior to arrival date shall be considered urgent and Chalet Y will set cut-off date to finalize.

• Once finalized, cancellations charges shall only be waived on cases of force majeur; otherwise the following policies will apply:

   1.      50% of the total bill on regular days &

   2.      Full amount on Peak season

   3.      No show will be charged the following:

    * 50% of the total bill on regular days &

    * Full amount on Peak season

Terms and Conditions

 • Rates are quoted in US dollars and subject to change without prior notice. If paying in Philippine peso, applicable foreign exchange rates will apply.

• Maximum number of persons for the whole house is 12 persons, adults and children.

• Check-out time is 12:00 noon. Check-in time is 2:00 pm. Kindly contact management the day before your departure for transportation or late check-out arrangements.

• Advanced prepaid booking is required prior to check-in date.

• Management shall not be held liable for any injury or accident arising out of guests’ stay in Chalet Y, loss of property and also injury or accident arising out of the transport operators’ activities such as land and sea transfers, island tour, etc.

website:  Chalet Y  

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We were very tired already from our Sydney trip that when we got to Melbourne, we just wanted to relax.   We just walked around the nearby sights to our hotel which was already so beautiful!  And of course we took the bus that took us around the city and we saw a lot of beautiful buildings which were very “artsy.”  They say this is the most European part of Australia.  

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On the way home, we stopped by Melbourne for 2 nights. Our hotel was beautiful

and location was perfect for us – near the Finders st. Station and near the Yarra River 

Website:  Westin Melbourne 

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