Love > Distance

We may be thousands of miles apart today but it was never a hindrance for you to make me happy and feel very special. Thank you for the much-desired pampering, just what I needed to recuperate my tired mind and body ♥ ♥ ♥

All of Me by John Legend

What would I do without your smart mouth
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
Got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down

What's going on in that beautiful mind
I'm on your magical mystery ride
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright

My head's underwater
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind

Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you

How many times do I have to tell you
Even when you're crying you're beautiful too
The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood

You're my downfall, you're my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can't stop singing, it's ringing in my head for you

My head's underwater
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind

Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you

Give me all of you

Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts
Risking it all, though it's hard

Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you

I give you all of me
And you give me all of you

Ultimate Spa Experience at SPA La Mer

Stressed.

A word that best describes my mental and emotional state in the past few weeks. On normal circumstances, DB and I would usually spend the weekend in an out of town location to rest and renew our sore mind and body. But since it had been a busy time with work and school for me has started, we agreed on taking a staycation in the Metro last Independence Day holiday.

Since his work schedule is bound to change from time to time, our plan also needs to adapt to the time we had left for the day. So after having a very filling and delicious dinner at Miyabi Express in Pan Pacific Hotel, we proceeded to SPA La Mer in HK Sun Plaza along Macapagal Avenue for the much-needed and well-deserved massage and spa.

SPA La Mer, the newest and the most gorgeous spa in the city, opened its doors last March 14, 2013 to cater both Filipino and foreign markets. In fact, according to the very friendly Korean owner who attended to us personally, more and more Chinese and Korean tourists are visiting the spa as part of their itinerary in Manila. We even saw a couple of them when we arrived.

Now, let me validate the word gorgeous as an apt description of SPA La Mer.

Lovely chairs! Can I take one home? *wink*

Fresh roses everywhere!

I really felt like a Princess just by sitting there and waiting for our room to become available. Hot tea was served to us while the owner-couple explained the services they are currently offering. The voucher we bought through Metrodeal at Php749 per person treats us to an 80-minute full body Swedish or Shiatsu massage with Foot Bath in a private room.

But DB thought we deserve something more special so we paid an additional Php1500 (for the two of us) for the upgraded service package of an 80-minute Hot Stone Massage, Bubble Bath and use of the private room for three hours!

As I was checking out the place, the lady owner showed me their equally beautiful corridor with dried roses on the floor and ceiling. What a brilliant idea!

A good few minutes later, one of the staff asked us to remove our shoes and provided us with their reflexology massage slippers. After that, we were ushered to one of the private rooms and were told to change clothes as well.

It took me sometime before I was able to speak and finally blurt out, "Wow! This is a nice place!"

Except for the two massage beds, this could easily pass for a five-star hotel room!

Our ultimate Spa experience started off with a 5-minute foot massage then followed by a very relaxing and totally rejuvenating 80-minute Hot Stone massage. The smell of the lavender oil, the soothing background music and the expert hands of my therapist made doze off for almost the entire time! I don't usually like falling asleep while having a massage but the combination of those three factors made it so hard for me to stay awake!

Apparently, so is DB who's lying down on the bed beside me. *wink*

After the massage, we were given the privacy of the room for the finale of the night -- Bubble Bath! The soap, along with most of the products that they use here are imported from Korea.

Complimentary wine with biscuits and cheese were also given before our therapists left us.

We spent our time in the tub making sure the bubbles does not pop easily while talking about anything and everything under the sun! It was indeed a fun, delightful and relaxing night that DB and I sorely missed and have been dreaming of for quite a while now.

Thanks to SPA La Mer, our newfound haven is just a 10-minute drive away from work!

Note: From now until end of the month, there's a 30% discount being offered for all their services. So what are you waiting for? Go now and experience the ultimate indulgence for your mind and body and I assure you, it's worth every Peso!

~o~o~o~

SPA La Mer
8001 HK Sun Plaza, Macapagal Avenue

Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 551-1672 / 403-4205

Plantation Bay -- Things To Do

Its not a surprise that guests spent their entire vacation swimming, getting a tan or just lounging in the saltwater lagoon, freshwater pools or the beach. I mean, who can resist this?

Hey not me, the beach at my back!

But I tell you, there's still a lot more to do in Plantation Bay Resort and Spa aside from the obvious:

Hobie Cat Sailing. When I went to Misibis Bay last January, I had a fun time riding the Hobie Cat so when I learned that it is also offered here, I made sure to check it out again and relive the great time being hampered by the giant waves. A 30-minute rental costs Php400, not bad he said, so we signed the waiver and wore our life jackets. The guide initially agreed for us to take the Hobie Cat by ourselves but after checking out the waves, he decided to join us instead. And I am so glad that he did! It was fun at first, but after seeing how the waves here can easily capsize our boat, I really got scared. This wasn't anything I was expecting! I was not laughing at all (compared to the Misibis Bay experience) and just hold on the the ropes for my dear life. Thank goodness we made it to the shores just wet but in one piece.

Get a tattoo. Whether its henna or a real tattoo, it became almost a tradition to get one if you're coming from a beach vacation. I'm scared of needles so a henna tattoo will do for me.

Have fresh coconut while you people watch. I'm guilty of this and having a fresh coconut on your hand will give people the idea that you're just lazing around.

Massage by the lagoon. Mogambo Springs, the Spa in Plantation Bay, is considered the best not only in the country but the whole of Asia. But upon seeing the price list which ranges from Php1,000 for a 30-minute full-body massage up to a staggering Php11,000 for the Ultimate Mogambo Springs Experience, which lasts for 6 hours and 30 minutes, I backed off. Well, I can only afford the 30-minute body massage which I'm sure will be great but I knew that it won't be enough and I would definitely ask for more which would cost more than a thousand pesos. Good thing there's a Massage by the Beach at the Open Air Shops.

For only Php200 for a foot or back massage and with a view like this, not bad noh?

Ride a horse carriage. Just like the old days. You will see foreigners having a blast riding this.

Tour the village on a bike. For one hour everyday, all guests can borrow the bike for free.

Play video games. For the kids and kids at heart. Available for a minimal fee only.

Play billiards, air hockey or table football. Free usage until 6pm only. Beyond that, you will be charged per hour at very minimal price.

Savannah Park. Where you can find the more adventurous activities.

One of the numerous pools around the resort, the shallow Savannah pool is perfect for kids with its erupting volcano, waterfall mist cave and bubble bench.

The best things in life are free!

Among the activities that you can do in the park for free include: tennis, golf pitch and putt, archery and wall climbing. You can also practice your shooting skills in the indoor firing range. I bet you'll be shocked by how overpriced the ammo here is so let's pass on that.

Romantic dinner by the beach. For couples who want to dine under the stars and overlooking the sea, you can book the Lover's Rock at Fiji Restaurant. A minimum order of Php3500 per couple is required.

Shopping. You can buy souvenirs, food, swimsuit if you need one and other novelty items in their souvenir shop. Wearing a shirt is not required as seen on the guy right there.

Of course you'd see me in the food section!

Three days may not be enough to do all the great and exciting things in the resort. But for now, that's the best we can do and I'm happy to say that I had a wonderful Plantation Bay experience!

Ton Ton Thai Massage

Tonton Thai Massage is a natural, holistic approach to health and well-being, developed over thousands of years, which includes proper nutrition, physical exercise, the use of medicinal herbs and Thai Therapeutic Massage.

Some people call Traditional Thai Massage as "Lazy man's Yoga", because the therapists skilled at supporting the client in stretches that are yoga poses. In many cases the client can experience the benefit of poses that would be difficult to achieve unassisted, because it can take years to develop the requisite strength, balance and flexibility to achieve the poses in a solo yoga practice.

My good friend C was generous enough to treat DB and I for a night of relaxation courtesy of Ton Ton Thai Massage.

C told me that their Tramo branch is really meant for the bosses and employees only, but since this one's the closest to us, she (I guess) after pulling some strings, got us a slot!

For Php250, you got to have a one-hour full body massage.
Read: Real Value for Money

We arrived on the dot (I was overly excited) and the receptionist showed us the massage area right away.

Room was basic but very clean and well-kept, and the music is so relaxing!

DB's side

After changing to my massage clothes, the therapist expertly worked her wonders for me to have the best Thai massage I had in ages! I forgot to take a photo of our therapists but it was quite amusing to see how their petite frames could assist me and DB for that matter, on some positions that worked well on our pressure points.

I look so relaxed here but during the stretching (which was really good by the way)
I did not expect I can be so flexible and bend like a yoga master! *wink*

I fell asleep for a couple of minutes especially during the head massage.
Oh this is the life!

Thanks so much C! We will definitely be back again soon. Promise!

~o~o~o~

BRANCHES :

1. TRAMO BRANCH
    2253 Aurora Boulevard Pasay City

    Tel. No.: 852-8357

    Open Daily 4PM to 2AM

2. BF HOMES BRANCH
    273 Aguirre St., BF Homes, Paranaque City
    Tel. No. : 829-6468
    Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

3. LEVISTE ROAD MAKATI
    110 Plaza Royale Bldg. L.P. Leviste Rd. Salcedo Village, Makati City
    Tel. No. : 812-1089
    Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

4. SUBIC BRANCH
    Bldg. 1143 Rizal Arcade Argonaut Highway Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, Zambales
    Tel. No. : (047) 250-2292
    Open Daily 11AM to 1AM

5. SHAW BRANCH
    EMS Bldg. 2nd Floor Brgy. San Antonio Village, Pasig City
    Tel. No. : 635-0152
    Open Daily 12NN to 1AM

6. TOMAS MORATO BRANCH
    303 Tomas Morato Avenue Quezon City
    Tel. No. : 352-0049
    Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

7. ANNAPOLIS BRANCH
    25 Greenhills Court Condo Annapolis St., San Juan City
    Tel. No. : 722-1227
    Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

8. PASAY ROAD BRANCH
    910 Colbella Arcade, Pasay Road Makati City
    Tel. No. : 813-2191
    Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

9. V.LUNA BRANCH
    No. 18 East Avenue corner V.Luna Road, Quezon City
    Tel. No. : 927-5171
    Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

10. PEREA BRANCH
     109 Maripola Bdg. Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City
     Tel. No. : 817-7155
     Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

11. BANAWE BRANCH
      Goldland Building No. 528 Banawe St., corner No. 118 Calamba St., Quezon City
      Tel. No. : 742-7559
      Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

12. TAGAYTAY BRANCH
      2B 12 Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway Silang Junction, North Tagaytay, Cavite
      Tel. No. : (046) 544-0082
      Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

13. NEW MANILA BRANCH
      Mariwasa Bldg., 717 Aurora Blvd., Quezon City
      Tel. No. 725-9645
      Open Daily 2Pm to 2AM

14. URCI LAS PINAS BRANCH
      Unit 20-C Bldg., URCI Townhomes National Road, Pamplona, Las Pinas City
      Tel. No. : 403-2397
      Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

15. CONGRESSIONAL BRANCH
      2nd Floor 1 Joroma Place Congressional Avenue, Ext. cor San Beda St., Quezon City
      Tel. No. : 929-4201
      Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

16. LIBIS BRANCH
      Unit 9A & 10M Club Sixfifty 150 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Libis, Quezon City
      Tel. No. : 637-5610
      Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

17. STA. ROSA BRANCH
      Unit 3A & 3B 3rd Floor PCC Bldg. Balibago Tagaytay Road., Sta, Rosa Laguna
      Tel. No. : (049) 502-5554

18. KATIPUNAN BRANCH
      3rd Floor YDG Bldg., No. 219 Katipunan Avenue Blueridge, Quezon City
      Tel. No. : 913-5640
      Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

19. CONCORDE MAKATI BRANCH
      200 Concorde Condominium cor. Salcedo Benavidez St., Legaspi Village, Makati City
      Tel. No. : 869-1609
      Open Daily 12NN to 2AM

20. MALABON BRANCH
      RNL Ent. Centre 2nd Floor #153 Governor Pascual Avenue, cor. MH del Pilar Tinajeros, Malabon
      Tel. No. : 352-7910
      Open Daily 3PM to 2AM

21. FORT BONIFACIO BRANCH
      2F Unit A Sapphire Residence, Crescent Park West Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
      Tel. No. : 519-7424
      Open Daily 12NN to 2AM