First Class Baguio-Manila Trip via Victory Liner Bus

I wanted to try Victory Liner's First Class (aka De Luxe) ride to and from Baguio. Unfortunately, taking the ride to Baguio conflicted with our plans so we opted to try it on our way back to Manila. The Baguio-Manila first class ride only stops at the Cubao and Pasay terminals but we went ahead even though the most convenient terminal for us was Monumento.

Soon after arriving in Baguio (and enjoying several cups of regular and strawberry taho from the vendors right outside the terminal), we went upstairs to buy our return tickets. The cashier showed us a seat plan so we could choose our seats. Outside, the sun was just beginning to rise so while bf was paying for the tickets, I snuck out and took a picture.

view from the second floor of the Victory Liner terminal in Baguio City

Davao City Series: Tumbling Inside a Giant Ball at Davao Zorv Park

Crocodile Park is one of the popular tourist destinations in Davao City. However, we were a bit short on time and the place sounded similar to Zoobic Safari in Subic so we decided to just skip the zoo and head straight to two other attractions located in the Crocodile Park compound: Davao Zorv Park and Walk n' Water Ball Park.

Zorbing (also called sphereing, orbing or globe riding) involves being strapped inside a giant ball which is then rolled down a gentle slope.

Bohol Tour via Vest Pension House / Paul Julapong

Upon arrival at Vest Pension House, I arranged our Bohol countryside tour. According to Vest's Web site, the tour costs P3000 if via car, P3500 if via van. I paid P3000 since there were only 4 of us and we would fit in a car, but it was a van that serviced us the next day, so we were much more comfortable during the tour. The entrance fees and other miscellaneous fees were paid directly upon arrival at the different tourist spots.

The countryside tour would last for 9 hours (7am-4pm). We were advised by the Vest receptionist to call the front desk at 6am to have our breakfast prepared early. The following morning after breakfast, our tour operator arrived and we were off to see the sites.

From Vest Pension House, it took about an hour of traffic-free ride before we began seeing Chocolate Hills. The Hills looked magnificent when viewed on a high area, but driving close to individual mounds was exhilarating.

The tour's destinations:

1. Sagbayan Peak
Here you can have your pictures taken with a T. Rex dinosaur, Ironman, and several Disney characters. You also get a good view of the surrounding area, including the Chocolate Hills.
Entrance fee: P30/pax

White Knight e-Chariot Tours in Intramuros

One item on my bucket list is to ride a Segway, so when I found out about the White Knight electric chariot tours in Intramuros, I was thrilled. The tour is provided by White Knight Hotel Intramuros which is in Plaza San Luis (same complex where Barbara's Restaurant is located).

On the way to the tour, it suddenly rained and since we were scheduled at the last tour of the day, I was worried that our tour would be rescheduled. When we arrived at White Knight though, thankfully, the rain had stopped. The skies were still cloudy and there was a slight drizzle during our tour but the light rain was manageable and White Knight was equipped to handle that.

Aside from the tour fees, there is a P100 insurance fee for each person and you will also have to sign a waiver. Small sling bags are allowed but since the e-chariots are controlled by the rider balancing his weight, heavy bags have to be left at the White Knight Hotel's front desk.

geared up and ready to go

Manila Bay Cruise by Sun Cruises Inc.

Pakyaw held a widely-popular promo for Sun Cruises' Manila Bay Cruise (Regular price: P550, discounted price: P188). It was for a 1 hour and 15mins cruise of the Manila Bay waters, with live music and a set dinner included.

A lot of people availed the promo (13805 vouchers were sold) but there were three sailing schedules everyday from Sept 23, 2011-Jan 31, 2012 (excluding holidays) so everyone could be accommodated. A month after purchase, Pakyaw sent emails to the voucher holders, informing us that for safety and legal reasons, pregnant women on their 4th month and up would not be allowed to take the trip unless they had a medical certificate and were willing to sign a waiver. It would have been better if that info was posted in the deal's terms so that such pregnant women would have known that limitation before they bought vouchers, but it was good that Pakyaw took the time to email that update to the buyers.

Voucher holders were asked to call for reservations at least 3 days in advance (6 numbers were given - 5 landline numbers and 1 cellphone number) but the reservation was not without hassle. I texted the cellphone number and got no reply. I called around 4:30pm to confirm if my text reservation was scheduled but the person who answered the phone told me that reservations were handled by another department and were only entertained before 4pm. I called again the next day to reserve two slots, but the reservations agent gave me their email address and asked me to email our voucher numbers, order number, and our names, ages, and nationalities. Then why did they bother to post a lot of numbers in the deal's terms? They should have spared the buyers as well as their staff the hassle and just posted that buyers should email them the needed info to book for reservations. I also wondered why they asked for our nationalities, but bf said that it could be for statistics or marketing purposes. Fine!

Sailing schedule was as follows: 1st sailing 4:30pm-5:45pm, 2nd sailing 6:15pm-7:30pm, and 3rd sailing 8:00pm-9:15pm. Buyers should be at the docking area behind Folk Arts Theater at least 30 minutes before sailing time. We arrived around 4:30 and since it was such a beautiful day, we used the extra time to walk around the area - stalking cats, eating barbecue, and taking pictures of plants and the surroundings.

4D Mega Rider Virtual Reality Rides at Tutuban Mall

We tried three 4D virtual reality simulators at the 4D Mega Rider at Tutuban Mall: Snow Rider, Amazing Deep Sea, and Bermuda Triangle. They were enjoyable (Snow Rider would be great during summer!) but riding three rides one after the other was a bit overwhelming, especially for my bf who ended up sniffing White Flower afterwards to calm his innards.

For some reason, we found the Tutuban Mega Rider to be more dizzying than the 4D Max Rider in SM Manila, even during our first ride. I'm not sure if it was just because of our nervous anticipation or if it was because of the difference in the quality of the graphics or the machines. I don't think the 4D riders at Tutuban and SM Manila are owned by the same company (if I'm wrong, please correct me). I checked online and it seems that Mega Rider machines use a pneumatic system while Max Rider machines use electric servomotors. Mega Rider in Tutuban had fewer themes to choose from but were a lot more affordable (P80/ride while the one in SM Manila cost P120/ride).

the available themes

A TV screen by the booth entrance showed the people during their rides. It was a little embarrassing to know that others would be seeing your freaked-out face but at the same time, it was also reassuring to know that the staff would be aware if the customers needed assistance during the rides.

After our rides, I was thinking that I couldn't recommend the mega rider to kids. Upon exiting the virtual reality booth, however, I saw a couple of kids in the waiting area. One guy rode with his kid and the kid looked fine on the screen. Afterwards, two young girls went inside for their ride as their father (or guardian) waited outside and watched them via the TV screen. These two kids also looked perfectly okay, not scared or agitated in any way.

Star 4D Mega Rider
Center II Building
Ground Floor Unit M2-G017
Tutuban Mall
Manila, Metro Manila
Web site
Facebook page

4D Super Max Rider Virtual Reality Rides

We tried the 4D Super Max Rider in SM Manila. I hadn't heard of it before but it sure was intriguing. I've always wanted to try virtual reality. Why 4D? The rides combine 3D videos with moving seats, that's why! So you not only see and hear what's happening onscreen, but you also experience every twist and turn.

We were the only customers that time, but if I'm not mistaken, 4D Rider Max is a Korean technology introduced in the Philippines just last year. So with a little more publicity, I'm sure it will become more popular.

There were more than 20 themes to choose from. Choosing was a bit hard, since all the choices seemed interesting. After a few minutes, we decided to try the roller coaster ride and an outer space ride. Each ride lasted for 10 minutes.

The staff were accommodating and helpful. Upon learning that we were first-timers to 4D Max Rider, they suggested their popular rides, helped us to our seats, and even assisted me in getting off the platform since I looked a little disoriented hehe.

The rides were very enjoyable. Compared to a real roller coaster ride, this was obviously a lot safer. I usually shy away from roller coaster rides due to safety concerns but knowing that I was sitting just a few feet above the ground, with the staff standing by, made me enjoy the 4D Max Rider rides. Surprisingly, I found the outer space ride wilder than the roller coaster one. I had to really hold on tight for that one.

In case you get nauseous during the ride, you can hit the stop button to stop the ride before you embarrass yourself. :D

(Update: For my review of the Mega Rider in Tutuban, click here.)




4D Super Max Rider
3rd Level
SM City Manila
Manila
4D Super Max Rider Facebook page