Manila Bay Cruise-Manila, Philippines

It’s the second time that we booked a cruise from Sun Cruises. The first one was when we visited the island of Corregidor. Cruising Manila Bay at night was relaxing specially if being serenade by the live band. The food was great by there were few choices but nevertheless we enjoyed the cruise. It’s worth the time and effort of booking the cruise. View of Manila at night is a great way of enjoying the night.

Sampaguita Gardens Resort-New Washington, Aklan, Philippines

My sister was in Aklan years ago but she didn’t visit Sampaguita Garden Resort because she and her group’s schedule were too hectic. That’s why when we planned to go to Boracay, we took the flight going in and out of Kalibo. Before going back to Manila we dropped by in Sampaguita Garden Resort. It was a nice experience because Christmas Carols greeted us as we enter the gate to think that it was not Christmas, the song was Silent Night. I love the merriment of Christmas even it’s already commercialized.

The resort theme is a year round Christmas. It was conceptualized by Samuel John Butcher, an American artist and creator of Precious Moments artworks. When I was teenager I used to buy precious moments greeting cards. Everywhere I could see Christmas ornaments. The entrance was 50 pesos consumable, which can be used to buy souvenirs and there was an entrance fee of 10 pesos to visit the Jojos’s Chistmas Cottage Museum of Christmas, where there were display of different sizes of Christmas trees, Santa Claus, Christmas wreath and many more. My eyes were mesmerized by the Christmas ornaments and decorations.

I love the view of the sea from the back of the building of the resort. The sound of the waves made me calmed and relaxed. There is a spa inside the resort to enjoy more one’s stay. And the one that caught my attention was the Sampaguita Gardens Academy, which offers practical short terms courses like housekeeping, household services, barista course. This academy has TESDA accreditation.