HOW TO COMMUTE TO SKY RANCH

HOW TO COMMUTE TO SKY RANCH

Tagaytay City is a good place for a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila especially so since SM Land opened Sky Ranch and Sky Eye last March 2, 2013. 

The easiest way to go to Tagaytay City is via FX Van for Php 200.00 from Starmall, Shaw Blvd. Starmall is in front of Shangri-La Mall in Edsa. But you could also opt to ride the bus.

Here are the options:

Option #1: FX Van from Starmall, Shaw Boulevard
Option #2: FX Van from EDSA Pasay Rotonda to Nasugbu or Lemery route
Option #3: Buses from Harrison Plaza to Mendez-Tagaytay 
Option #4: Buses in EDSA Pasay, behind Sogo and Mcdonalds like Crow Transit and DLTB 
Option #5: Buses from TAFT BUENDIA - JAM Transit going to Batangas
Option #6: Buses from Lawton like Kirby Bus to Tagaytay

Tagaytay City is very accessible via public transport.

•  If you take the FX, you can ask the driver to drop you off at Olivarez Plaza or Tagaytay Rotonda.
• Then you can take a trike or jeepney (Php8.00) to go to Sky Ranch

TAGAYTAY SKY RANCH: My Sky Eye Experience

TAGAYTAY SKY RANCH: My Sky Eye Experience

We recently visited Tagaytay Sky Ranch. You wouldn't miss this amusement park because it is just beside Taal Vista Hotel along Aguinaldo Highway in Tagaytay City. 

The center of attention is the Sky Eye which commands a huge presence along the ridge. The Sky Eye is the tallest Ferris Wheel (also known as Observation Wheel) in the country at 63 meters (207 ft) with 32 gondolas or capsules beating the Mall of Asia (MOA) Eye at 55 meters (180 ft) with 36 gondolas and the Enchanted Kingdom's Wheel of Fate at 130 ft.   If we consider Tagaytay City's elevation of 2,000 ft. above sea level, this means we will be enjoying the highest point of the Sky Eye at 2,207 ft. wohooooooooot!

But we have to admit that the Philippines is still far from beating the tallest Ferris wheels in the world.  Way back in 2008, my brother and I tried the tallest Ferris wheel in the world - the Singapore Flyer at 165 meters (541 ft) and it was an awesome experience. Each gondola has a very wide space, comfortable seats and individual earphones where you can hear the voice of an English speaking tour-guide. There's also a video presentation before you board the gondola. We were able to see parts of Indonesia and Malaysia while aboard the gondola at or near the highest point of the Singapore Flyer.

Still on my must ride lists are:

• Star of Nanchang in China at 160 meters (525 ft.)
• London Eye at 120 meters (394 ft.). 

Aside from the entrance fee of Php50.00 (which is a promotion until May 30, 2013 based on their post at the teller's booth), you have to pay another Php150 to ride the Sky Eye. For details, see Sky Ranch.

The ride is one loop around lasting for only 10 minutes or less. Bitin! The gondolas are a bit small and can only fit 4 people. Mas matagal pa pumila kaysa yung kabuuang pagsakay. Nakaka disappoint :-( To the owners of Tagaytay Sky Ranch: Kindly make it at least three (3) loops please!

What saved the day is the view from the top. Yes, folks! As you approach the top, you'll have a 360 degree-view of Tagaytay City and you'll also see the wonderful Taal Lake and Taal Volcano.

Beside Sky Ranch, a Science Discovery Museum and a row of restaurants are being built to complete the Sky Ranch experience. Overall, we felt that the ride is not worth it for one loop, 10 minutes at Php150 per head. Yes, you have to pay separately for the rides inside the Sky Ranch Sky Fun Amusement Park.

 

Despite all that, I guess I am lucky 'coz at least I can say that I have experienced to ride in the tallest Ferris wheel in the country today. 

I just hope they make some improvements in the future.

TAGAYTAY: Sky Ranch, Sky Fun!

TAGAYTAY: Sky Ranch, Sky Fun!

The newly opened complex in Tagaytay is named "Sky Ranch," whereas the amusement park within Sky Ranch is named "Sky Fun" and the Ferris Wheel within is "Sky Eye."

Recently, we had weekend discoveries in Tagaytay.  Tagaytay City is a conglomerate of fun-filled destinations. Aside from the buko pies (young coconut cream pies), bulalo (a Filipino stew made from beef shanks and marrow bones) and the unobstructed view of Taal Volcano, the city has a lot more to offer like the Puzzle Mansion and Sky Ranch. What used to be a vacant lot beside Taal Vista Hotel was turned into an amusement park complex by SM Land.  Disclaimer: This is not a paid nor sponsored post.

The Sky Eye

Sky Ranch is a leisure park that is envisioned to be one of the definitive Tagaytay City's experiences for local and foreign tourists alike.

 

The Sky Ranch Entrance Fee is Php100. It is a good thing that there is an ongoing promotion until May 30, 2013 - a whooping 50% discount. Yehey! My friend said that if you are a Taal Vista Hotel Checked-In guest, you can get in for free at Sky Ranch. Senior Citizens and our physically challenged brothers and sisters get 20% discount from the regular rates on entrance and riding loop ride. The rent for a Gazebo is Php750 from Monday to Thursday and Php1,000 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mime artist near the entrance to Sky Eye

 When we got inside the complex, we found out that we had to line up at the Sky Fun ticket booth to buy tickets for each ride individually. There are no ride-all-you-can tickets or packaged rates at the moment. It can get chaotic, especially if there's a huge crowd on weekends.

Express Train ride costs Php50.00 per head.

Mini Pirate Ship ride costs Php50.00 per head.

Super Viking ride costs Php100.00 per head.

Wonder Flight ride costs Php50.00 per head.

The kids could play here too.

 

Carousel ride costs Php50.00 per head. For sure, this carousel looks more attractive during night time.

Nessi Coaster ride which costs P50 per head is safe even for children. It gives a powerful adrenaline rush when the mini-roller coaster goes all the way to the top and goes down into a spiral loop. The spiral and turns are amazing. Weeeeeeeee!

 

Horse Back Riding (P250/30 minutes per person). The horseback riding is very expensive, considering you just go around a looped trail. I hate to compare but at Puzzle Mansion the rate for horse back riding is only Php50.00. Geeezz! Sky Ranch, what can you say about this? That is already times five.

We were a bit disappointed with our overall experience at the Sky Fun Amusement Park. Aside from difficulty in parking because of the huge weekend crowd the ongoing construction can put you and your little ones, not to mention your cars, in jeopardy. For God's sake, it is still a hard hat area. I believe the construction should first be completed before the rides are opened to the general public. Riding the Sky Eye is also a bit disappointing experience. The windows are filthy and you really can't fully appreciate the view on board the Sky Eye because of the dirty and low quality plastic windows used. But for curiosity's sake you can try to head there during weekdays when there are lesser crowd than during weekends.

 

I hope to come back in the future to see a better Sky Ranch and Sky Eye  Please make it better and please don't forget to provide ample and safe parking space for all your guests.

TRAVEL TIPS: Earn while you Travel

Earn while you Travel

One of the best ways to maintain a healthy financial forecast, when travelling, is to work while you explore the globe. Working holidays are continuing to increase in popularity, as many holidaymakers lack the funds to travel endlessly and aren’t prepared to shorten their holiday and be restricted by a firm budget. If you’re looking to travel the world, but are interested in earning while you experience some of the best destinations in the world, check out our great tips for working holiday goers.

Should I still Save Money if I’m Planning on Working

Even if you are considering working full time whilst overseas, you should always save as much money as possible. Once you have left your home country, you must be prepared for any unexpected occurrences that may require a great deal of money. Having an adequate amount of savings will allow you to rest at ease, knowing that you are covered while you travel. When organizing your holiday, try to remember that you will be paying for everyday living expenses such as accommodation, transportation and food, along with fun holiday activities such as sightseeing ventures and tours.

Teaching Jobs

Teaching jobs are incredibly popular for travellers, as they often provide a regular source of income, particularly for people who are looking to spend an extended amount of time in one particular country. Asian countries are most well-known for having international teaching jobs available, with most positions offering a contract of approximately 20 hours per week.

Casual & Backpacking Work

If you’re looking to travel amongst various destinations, never staying in one city for more than a few weeks, you will be more suited to a transient job, popular amongst backpackers. Various casual jobs are available for travellers, including fruit picking, barrister work, bartending, waitressing and cleaning jobs.

Where Can I Find Work

There are a number of options available to travellers who are in search of work. If you’re staying at a backpacker hostel, talk to your reception staff or enquire about a notice board. Fellow backpackers are also a great source for finding out about job opportunities, as they are often in similar areas of work.

If you like to be prepared, you always have the option of sourcing work before you depart. A number of job agencies offer careers aboard, providing you with a guaranteed position upon arrival in your chosen country. Career opportunities can vary greatly, ranging from teaching positions and bar tending jobs to fruit picking and ski lift operators.

If you’re savings just aren’t bringing you to your travels as quickly as you’d like, consider a working holiday. Earning while you travel provides a great opportunity to see the far corners of the world, without being out of pocket and accumulating unnecessary debt.

Author Bio

Tara Blair writes for many leading news sites and blogs about personal finance and travel. She says that if you have multiple debts before you begin travelling, you should seek professional advice for debt consolidation solutions Tara says having a single repayment makes managing your debt much easier while you are traveling.

NO MORE LINING UP TO PAY TERMINAL FEES AT THE AIRPORT

Good News to all airline passengers! Starting August, 2012, passengers will no longer endure the long queue at the airport to pay terminal fees.  That's because starting August, all airport terminal fees will be charged already when you  book your domestic flights as agreed upon by the government and airline companies.

This means that senior citizens, overseas Filipino workers, and others who are exempted from paying the terminal fees will have to comply with the new system and pay the terminal fees in their plane ticket then get a refund later.

Instead of having all passengers line up to pay terminal fees, only those who are entitled to refund will line up for their reimbursements.

Philippine Travel and Tour Expo 2012

Come One, Come All to the Philippine Travel and Tour Expo 2012!

Details

• 19th Philippine Travel Expo the 3-day event is from February 17-19, 2012.
• Happening at the SMX Convention Center, Halls 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Seashell Drive Mall of Asia Complex Pasay City
• Opening Hours: February 17-18, 2012 (10:00am to 9:00pm) and on February 19, 2012 (10:00am to 7:00pm)
• Ticket booths closes 30 minutes before end of show hours.
• Entrance fee of P50 for regular visitors and P20 for senior citizens.
• Accompanying Events include Entertainment, Games, Exhibitors' Presentations & More Surprises.
• Booths are divided into Domestic, International, Food and Sponsors.
• For inquiries, call Fairs & More at 845-1324, 759-6680 or the PTAA Secretariat at 552-0026 to 29.

What to Expect?

• Around 200 local and international organizations, including airlines, cruise operators, travel agencies, and hotels and resorts.
• Participating companies offer exclusive deals, valid during the expo only, giving  huge discounted packages and promos for local and international travel. 
• Travel packages, promo rates and reservation services are only available ONSITE during the event dates.
• Raffle coupons will be given for every P5,000 worth of travel products purchased during the Expo. Qualified visitors will win exciting prizes from the exhibitors.

 

TRAVEL TIPS TO AVOID EXCESS BAGGAGE FEES

TRAVEL TIPS TO AVOID EXCESS BAGGAGE FEES 

Hi, fellow traveler! Have you ever experienced hastily re-packing your bags at the check-in counter of the airport to remove your excess baggage? 

Or wear five layers of clothes at the airport to lighten your luggage? If your answer is yes, then these tips are for you.

I am a frequent traveler here and abroad. In one of my trips to China, I thought I'd collapse when I was wearing five layers of clothes at Shanghai Airport on my return flight to the Philippines. Ha ha ha! What with all the weight of the clothes that I was wearing. Sometimes it is cheaper to just leave unnecessary items behind instead of paying for the excess baggage or of wearing several layers of clothing.

TRAVEL TIPS TO AVOID EXORBITANT BAGGAGE FEES 

Before traveling....

1.  Know your weight limits!

Always check the fine print on your airline ticket.  If anything is unclear, click straight on your airline’s website, or call them.

Ask two things:  

1. the number of pieces of luggage you’re allowed to take with you 
2. maximum weight for each luggage. 

Know what your weight allowance is for:

1. carry-on baggage
2. check-in baggage.

If you have connecting flights (of different airlines) on your trip, make sure you know the restrictions for each leg of your journey. What was fine for Airphil Express Airlines may not be fine with Cebu Pacific Airlines. So, check!

And double-check any specific restriction on sports equipment or music equipment, there may be additional handling fee charges.

If you know in advance that you are likely to exceed the limit, some airlines like Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirPhil Express, Zest Air and Air Asia will allow you to purchase an allowance for an additional bag in advance from their websites using your credit card instead of charging you for excess baggage upon check-in at the airport.

2. Weigh your bags before your trip!

If you need to re-pack to adjust your baggage weight, it is best done at home. Avoid exposing your undies and brassieres in front of everybody at the terminal.

If you travel a lot, it might be worth investing in a mechanical or digital luggage scale. Just like this one. I bought mine from True-Value in Cubao for P600 plus. I don't really remember the exact amount. But I still have the luggage scale up to now. ( Note: This is not a sponsored post. I am just relating my personal experience.)

I saw this @ CD-R KING and it only costs between P100 to P150.00. I don't know why mine costs 6 times more. So you decide. 

 Mine looks like this one but with a button so you could reset it.

 

This digital scale below will cost you Php 280 at CD-R KING. I just don't know if they're durable or accurate. Well, I bought mine at around Php 600 plus but it is durable. So I guess, I made the right choice.

If you don't want to buy a portable luggage scale, weigh your luggage on a bathroom scale. 

And if your digital bathroom scale doesn’t register lighter weights you could weigh yourself and clutch the suitcase on one hand so you could see the registered weight in the digital scale.  If the weight of your luggage falls within your allowance then you should rejoice. Just be aware of the risks of adding last-minute items to your case if you are already close to the weight limit.

3.  Size does Matter!

Take the sizes of your luggage into consideration, too! Don’t forget about the sizes too aside from the weight of your luggage. A good number of airlines particularly budget carriers like Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, etc. have specific measurements for carry-on luggage and take pleasure in measuring your bags as you prepare to board. 

I hate it when Cebu Pacific ground personnel almost always reprimand me about my luggage when in fact it could easily fit in the metal size guide. Pahiya sila. Ha ha ha! And yes you are only allowed up to seven (7) kilos of carry-on luggage and up to 1 to 2 bags per passenger depending on the airlines. That excludes camera bags, shoulder bags and laptop bags.

Don’t be the passenger holding up the line, attempting to pummel a weighty knapsack into the baggage metal size guide (a measuring contraption designed to catch out big bags). ( Guilty as charged eh! lol I did that in Hong Kong! It's a good thing Cathay Pacific personnel are so considerate. Kaka-try, napasok ko din! Lusot!

Please note that you could incur a fine or cause delay while your large luggage is sent to the hold. And if you are not used to carrying up to 7 kilos of weight, be aware that many airlines require you to be able to lift your own bags easily to the overhead bins.

4. Know the cost of going over the limit

Miscalculations happen, and last-minute shampoo bottles get stuffed into suitcases. If your suitcase tips over the weight limit, it’s good to know in advance how much you’ll have to pay. Save yourself time and tears and head straight to your carrier’s website to get the most up-to-date information about how much excess baggage is going to cost you.

5. The return journey

Yes, you made it to your destination without incurring extra luggage charges. But a bottle of perfume, wood carving, portraits, ceramic jars and figurines later, and things won’t be quite so lightweight.

Be aware of the potential weight difference after your holiday shopping sprees, and please be honest. Being in the state of denial won't help you solve your luggage problem.

Know what’s worth taking home and what you can live without. Because sometimes it is better to leave them behind than pay the excess baggage fee.

6. Ship your luggage

Can’t bear to leave anything? If you’re still not under your allowance, consider shipping items back home.

In most developed countries, a post office is your first choice.

Spend some time working out whether it’s better value to send a number of smaller packets, rather than one massive box.

If standing in line at the post office isn’t your idea of a good time, consider using a freight forwarding service to send your excess baggage home. You may arrive back well before your extra luggage does, but that’s a small price to pay to sail through check-in, don't you think?

Ow, don't forget to consider the customs charges that will be imposed on the items you will send through the post or courier. They might be higher than the costs of the items that you will ship through the post or courier.

7.   Choose lightweight Clothings

If you are going to a tropical country.  Choose cotton shirts, silk blouses or sleeveless shirts. If you are going on a five (5)-day holiday, just bring clothes good for three (3) days and buy the rest from your country of destination so you will have souvenir shirts from that country. That way you will not incur excess baggage.

8. Don't be Imeldific

Just bring one to two pairs of shoes and leave the rest of your collections behind. I remember bringing six pairs of shoes during my Thailand trip and ending up paying for excess baggage because of my being a shoe addict.

 

Good Luck! Enjoy your trip!