February 4, Sri Lanka celebrated their 70th year of Independence from the British! Spotted with #srilankrewTahnee @tahneesy
and Jose @jlm747 in our hotel Heritance Kandalama #srilankanlifestyle
Lots of security in the hotel 
and Steve 🙂 also stalking haha!!
In our hotel Heritance Kandalama – awaiting the flag ceremony in the morning
By the Galle Face Hotel
As soon s we arrived it was lunch time 🙂
Lunch buffet at Kanchana of Heritance Kandalama Hotel #heritancekandalama#srilankanstyle #srilankrew
Nice idea to put leaves to cover the food and the holder for the serving utensils 
Welcome drinks at Heritance Kandalama hotel
Love the dancing glasses #heritancekandalamahotel #srilankrew#srilankanlifestyle
5 hour drive from Negombo to Kandalama. Home for 2 nights- Heritance Kandalama Hotel by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s famous architecture guru. He built around the forest so you will be surrounded by boulders, trees and views from every angle. It’s 1 kilometer long with 360 rooms. #heritancekandalama #srilankrew#srilankanlifestyle
We just got the regular room
Bathroom and shower in Heritance Kandalama Hotel. There’s nothing across you except the view but when i showered i closed the lights because I’m shy 🙂 and so i can’t be seen in case. On the second day i found out theres a curtain you can pull down haha!!
Beautiful view from the room
For our group of 13 #srilankrew we had a 45 seater bus. 6 other people joined us later on. I do not know how much our bus costs since it was a package cost. But just to give you an idea, I heard from other friends who have been to Sri Lanka that they hired their own car and driver for $ 500.00 for 6 days and from another friend, he paid US$ 500.00 per person for 6 days – not including entrance fees to the sights – for everything already including transpo and hotels. So I guess it will really depend on how you plan your adventure but it is very cheap in Sri Lanka
As Marco says, our bus is like our home more than any hotel we stayed in. We spent a lot of time in the bus going from one place to the other and so we are happy we had 2 rows each haha!! 
with Jayaweera and our driver Priyantha. 5 hour road trip! 
We have wifi, charging stations in our bus ( very important 🙂 )
bottled water and even toilet paper when we have restroom stops. All these little details are important #srilankainstyle
And most importantly we need snacks!! Brought by Kai
And me! haha!!
Make sure to stop by for some roasted cashew
and sweet fresh red king coconuts. It costs around P 5.00
First batch of #srilankrewcame from 3 different flights – CX team – SQ team and TG team
When you arrive in the airport there are local telecom companies you can get for your cellphone requirements
And banks to change money. They say the exchange rate is better in the airport than in the hotel. And it is probably more convenient to do it already in the airport 
As soon as we arrived we were greeted by our super nice tourguide Ajith 
with a welcome kit 
All flight arrive very late in the evening so we stayed at Negombo which is 30 minutes away from the airport. We just stayed overnight in Heritance Negombo before starting our trip
Typical Sri Lankan breakfast – Hoppers – Yum ! Eat it freshly cooked and crispy !
You can even have it with egg – and cheese 🙂 
Another Sri Lankan breakfast is String Hopper – same concept as the hoppers but the base is noodles. I prefer the crepe like hopper
Some tips when travelling to Sri Lanka
1.) Use Anti mosquito at all times. This is the best because it is a cologne as well 🙂 
2.) No sleeveless, shorts or short skirts in temples
3.) Look both sides when crossing the road :-O
4.) Hydrate hydrate hydrate!! To be sure, I hydrate with Izumio especially during the climb at Sigiraya
5.) Don’t look eye to eye with the monkeys 🙂
6.) Bring plenty wet wipes – cold Japanese refreshing body wipes. Bring Cold gel, Rheuma Salve or Salonpas for aching body parts haha!!
7.) Bring socks to enter the temples
8.) Do not take selfie with Buddha 🙂
10.) Bring a light raincoat in case it rains. It is a good thing I got it as a gift right before the trip
11.) Bring lots of snacks for the road trips 🙂 Thanks for all my pasalubongs I brought them all and they were wiped out haha
12.) One of my favorite shoes made it up 1,200 steps up Sigiraya rock. I only brought 2 pairs of shoes both are caminos from @adora.ph @harlanholden The latest one is weatherproof and in leather.
13.) Bring a hat to protect you from the sun
WITH SWAROVSKI’S SPRING-SUMMER 2018 COLLECTION,
COLOR IS AT ITS MOST BRILLIANT
#BrillianceForAll
Swarovski’s Spring-Summer 2018 Crystal Rainbow Collection celebrates some of the brand’s most distinctive attributes, starring color expertise, modern glamour, and multifaceted femininity.
Through this collection that ensures #BrillianceforAll, Creative Director Nathalie Colin explores the range of emotions that color elicits. She has taken the theme of “Rainbow Paradise” as her starting point for a versatile collection that highlights Swarovski’s cut crystals’ ability to enhance gradations, tone-on-tone and color blocks of all kinds, from soft, delicate pastels to vivid and uplifting bright shades.
“Each and every collection starts with a blank page and this season it is beautifully turned into a brilliant rainbow of colors. Vibrant, luminous, surprising, daring… color is a strong creative trigger for Swarovski. It is deeply rooted in our DNA and reflects notably in our extraordinary range of exclusive shades,” explains Colin.
Introduced this season, the Creative Director’s Collection epitomizes the brand’s know-how, infusing the whole SS18 Collection with its creative essence. Characterized by strong crystal appeal, bold silhouettes and impeccable craftsmanship, the Creative Director’s Collection features an eye-catching level of intricacy including spectacular stone setting, origami shaped flower, or multi-colored 3D orchids.
Alongside the Creative Director’s Collection, Swarovski keeps proposing easy-to-wear pieces that can dial up a woman’s look from every day to pure glamour in an instant. Cleverly editing trends, these pieces reflect the seasonal inspiration in a way women can easily curate to express their style, be it daring, timeless, romantic, or fashion-forward. Like in the Creative Director’s Collection, colors shine bright in brilliant rainbow hues, with eye-popping fuchsia, luminous yellow, tropical green, and true blue that set the rule for spring and summer.
While bold pieces and cocktail rings continue to make their mark, ultra-feminine jewelry is having its time. The accumulation of lots of small, delicate pieces worn together not only looks sleek, it feels very now. The SS18 “Rainbow Paradise” Collection is also marked by a contemporary balance of stylized natural motifs — butterflies’ accumulation in radiant color harmonies, dainty figurative bees, mysterious snakes — and more sleek, fluid, organic lines with fringes and asymmetry.
The game-changing Swarovski Remix Collection continues to offer endless possibilities for self-expression and receives a seasonal update with new motifs inspired by nature and symbolism, in golden and silver metal tones ideal for layering.
“Color has this magical power to send a message to your entourage, to inform about an emotion or on the contrary, to lift a dull mood, as a pop of red lipstick would. To me, wearing colorful jewelry is a way to express your personality and stand out. Somehow, it is a personal way to spread joy and positive vibes all around,” concludes Colin.
ABOUT SWAROVSKI
Swarovski delivers a diverse portfolio of unmatched quality, craftsmanship, and creativity. Founded in 1895 in Austria, the company designs, manufactures, and markets high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones, and created stones as well as finished products such as jewellery, accessories, and lighting. The Swarovski Crystal Business is run by the fifth generation of family members and has a global reach with approximately 2,800 stores in around 170 countries, more than 27,000 employees, and revenue of about 2.6 billion euros in 2016.
Together with its sister companies Swarovski Optik (optical devices) and Tyrolit (abrasives), Swarovski Crystal Business forms the Swarovski Group. In 2016, the Group generated revenue of about 3.37 billion euros and employed more than 32,000 people.
A responsible relationship with people and the planet is an integral part of Swarovski’s heritage. The global Swarovski Waterschool education programme has reached 461,000 children on the world’s greatest rivers, and the Swarovski Foundation, set up in 2013, works to support culture and creativity, promote wellbeing, and conserve natural resources to achieve positive social impact.
In the Philippines, Swarovski is available in Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Alabang Town Center, and Rustan’s Ayala Cebu. Swarovski is also available through boutiques owned and operated by Stores Specialists, Inc.located at Newport Mall, Robinson’s Magnolia and TriNoma Mall, and The Podium Mall. Follow @ssilifeph and@rustansph on Instagram for more information.
A few weeks ago i visited this new place – New Lasema. Thank you to Gloria @its.gloriadiaz for the tip. It’s an 11 year old spa but it transferred from Malugay to a new location, new building (3 floors) and now with newer additions to its offering. It’s owned by a Korean who is there Which is maybe why the staff are attentive. Mean in the reception is also very nice and strict. I had no cash and couldnt pay using credit card – it’s a good thing my driver had cash ! Check it out while it’s still new. 
On the ground floor is a nice bakery and cafe, salon and nail spa, laundry, bank. 2nd floor is the reception, lockers and wet spa – pools.
Patricia in the ladies locker was very helpful – i like her.
Entrance to the wet area/spa and pools. Just like in Japan you have to be naked so I hope i don’t bump into any of you while I am there haha!!
Shower before using the pools is etiquette. They also have enclosed showers in case you are shy like me:-) Though I have gotten used to it after doing this always in onsens in Japan
Interesting 🙂 I have never done this before but there is a spa for your private part 😉 
3rd floor is the Jjimjilbang – dry spa – sauna and ice room.
Steps on how to enjoy at a Jjimjilbang – Korean Sauna and Spa #jjijilbang#lasemaspa #newlasemaspa #h2hspa#h2honsen
They have sleeping caves for single or families. I think maybe some people use it like a hotel since its open 24 hours and you can check in anytime. It’s cheaper than a hotel and you can use the Jjimjilbang
Family cave rooms
They have no website or instagram – just facebook. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends and ofcourse is more peaceful ( though i find it busy already even during weekdays). I did a full package for P 841.50 ( P990) for full package since they had an opening promo of less 15% til jan 31. That was good for 12 hours – use of jiljimbang, massage and wet sauna. #newlasemaspa #lasemaspa#h2hspa #h2honsen
On the second floor outside the ladies locker and Men’s locker-
there are some rooms here before going up to the 3rd floor
Going up to the 3rd floor
On the third floor there is an eating are
This would be my eating spot if ever I am alone and just want to relax and be peaceful while eating – it has a fountain/water feature and korean art on the wall
Simple menu
This is the best sauna place I have been to. There are 4 different sauna rooms and an ice room. Each with its own healing benefits but mostly in general ….to relax your muscles. You can go in and out – hot, cold, hot – have a massage etc but i suggest to end in the ice room to close your pores. This is a unisex area so everyone is given a tshirt and shorts to wear in this area and in all other common areas. 
These are the mats for sleeping which are provided – I don’t find them to clean so I suggest you bring your own mat ( i do not know if this is allowed ) or you bring bedsheets to cover them if you plan to use one of the caves
These are for sitting I guess in the rooms and in the dining area
At the New Lasema Spa ( mkti) #lasemaspa #newlasemaspa #h2hspa #h2hhealth This is the hottest room at 85 degrees. I did not enter here anymore
Yellow Soil with Amethyst room
Who would have thought that Himalayan salt is not only for cooking and eating!!! Love this room. I lay down on the salt just like Gloria did
End with the ice room to close your pores. And believe me from all the heat – you will want to stay here 
Aside from all that there is a Karaoke room which you can rent. Gloria says it is the best 🙂 though I have not been able to go in to look inside nor try it
There is s kiddie area so you can leave your kids here while enjoying your spa 🙂
An Aqua Area – not really a room – but there is a chair where you can sit across the aquarium and just watch the fish and relax your mind 🙂 
There’s a gym! A small one but at least there is one
Viewing area where you can also just sit and relax
Spa area- I got a massage included with my package so one hour massage for me but in a common room with 2 other people. You can pay more to have your own private room. Gloria says the body scrub is a must try so I will try that next time
Click below to go to their Facebook page
Beautiful venue at ACCP’s @asianculturalcouncil preview #h2hinteriors
This year’s ACCP @asianculturalcouncil of the Philippines’ auction lineup is led by Jose Joya’s 1959 Art Association of the Philippines-winning piece “Space Transfiguration.”, 
We will also have other outstanding works by National Artists Ang Kiukok
and Vicente Manansala,
stunning pieces by Anita Magsaysay-Ho and other top contemporary visual artists and ACC alumni at this year’s Auction. Adding to the excitement is the highly-anticipated showcase of “explosive” letters written by Andres Bonifacio to Emilio Jacinto on the controversial Tejeros convention that ousted the Katipunan founder in 1897. The auction will be held on March 3, Saturday at @leongallerymakati at 2pm #accp #asianculturalcouncilphilippines#h2hphilippineart #h2hart #h2hgivingback
Click below to the website of Leon Gallery for the preview of items on auction
Click below to go to their website
We invited our nieces and nephews for dinner while their parents are away. It’s a good thing they eat simple food we can cook at home – fried chicken and carbonara haha!! I introduced them to @quornphnuggets and they loved it 🙂 @shellanedy@chefflorabel We opened a Mystery Oreo and we played the @mentosph game 🙂 Enjoy these kids so much!! #h2hkids
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