We Heart Weddings » Travel & Sightseeing

Taiwan

Marbee — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:50:06 +0000

Not many people I know know that I lived in Taiwan for two years right after college. It`s been xx years already but I still remember all the wonderful street food I ate (from fermented tofu, a.k.a stinky tofu to oyster pancake with an orange-y sauce that looks synthetic but tastes delightful) , the night markets I went to (until about 2 in the morning with my Japanese room mates), the hot spring resorts and cities we visited (via train to Hua Lien, Hsin Chu, Tainan, Tai Chung, Kao Shung), and the wonderful Taiwanese, Japanese, Latvian, South African, Korean, Russian, Slovenian, Ukrainian and British friends I made when I was there.

The picturesque Sun Moon Lake

Kenting is the site of many popular Taiwanovelas

The Taroko Gorge in Hua Lien is composed mainly metomorphic rocks, such as marble,gneiss, “schist”,etc. The name, Taroko, means the “magnificent and splendid” in the language of Truku, the aboriginal tribe who resides in the area. (source: wikipedia)

That recollection played like a sentimental movie in my head as I traveled all the way from Quezon City, to the Trader`s Hotel in Manila where the presscon of the first Taiwan Travel fair was held. Despite the bad traffic and the intense summer heat, the trip became tolerable because:

I heart, heart Taiwan, and wanted to see what was new with it, as the last time I traveled there was before I started editing Wedding Essentials magazine or, 6 years ago.

It also helped that I heart the person who invited me to the presscon
and upon arriving at the venue, I heart my seat mate (the mighty JYD, one of my 2 favorite women in media)

Going back to the Taiwan travel fair presscon, representatives of the Taiwan Tourism Board came to introduce the newest offerings of Taiwan, under it`s new tourism tagline `Touch your Heart.`

Although Taiwan is not as cosmopolitan as Hong Kong, as vibrant as Macau nor as dynamic as Singapore, my 2 years there has proved to me that it is indeed, a destination that will touch your heart. And I can`t wait to go back to Taiwan!

So newlyweds and soon-to-weds, do consider Taiwan as a honeymoon venue.

Some interesting things to do in Taiwan as a couple
1. Go on a food adventure: Explore the night markets and try all the delicious street food you can literally, stomach. Look for the candied cherry tomatoes and the oyster pancake which I mentioned above.

2. Book a couple of nights at a hot spring resort in Yangmingshan or Beitou. Google Villa 32 Resort in Beitou

3. Bring home something of the two of you that is `distinctly Taipei`. Book a session for a pre or post nup pictorial in one of Taipei`s many photo studios as what a lot of Hong Kong couples do. According to Reuters, Hong Kong couples make up half of the 250 brides and grooms who tourism officials say come to Taiwan every month for photos, taking advantage of 1,300 business-hungry studios that provide clothes, flowers, album covers and transportation to venues.

Others come from Malaysia, Singapore and Chinese communities in the United States. Read the rest of the article here.

4. Marvel at the majestic cityscape view from the observation deck on the 91st floor of the 508-meter tall Taipei 101. Designed like a stalk of bamboo, it has 8 sections of 8 floors. Views from the observatories are amazing, and the time spent there, on top of the world- romantic.

5. Enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets at Dan Shui. Danshui is best known for its sunsets on the strait of Taiwan, which can be viewed at the Fisherman’s Wharf. The city is northwest of Taipei and lies at the mouth of the Danshui River, on the shores of the Strait of Taiwan. The city has plenty to see, including historic sights and sunsets. There is also Fort San Domingo, a historic site that has seen Dutch, Spanish, Chinese, and English occupation over 350 years.

These are just few of the many sights, tastes and experiences Taiwan offers. For more information on other destinations within Taiwan, check out www.gototaiwan.net or watch Discovery Travel & Living`s Fun Taiwan show hosted by Janet Hsieh.

Cebu Pacific, Eva Air, PAL and China Airlines fly to Taiwan several times weekly. For more information on schedules, check with your favorite travel agent.

Taiwan sites source: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/849d7/5d1/4/
Photos via www.gototaiwan.net

Hello Kitty Studio

Marbee — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 17:53:45 +0000

We passed by the Hello Kitty studio on Xin Hua Rd. on our way to lunch last week with family friends in Shanghai.

Entrance to the `surreal, but nice` world of Hello Kitty

The 3-story photo studio is licensed from Sanrio Japan and is the first in the world…

Exterior detail

Unique sights such as this are common in Japan,where one is bound to be pleasantly surprised here and there with Japanese ingenuity and cute-ness (after all, the Japanese Hello Kitty is supposedly, the Queen of Cute) but apparently, a week of going around Shanghai has surprised us pleasantly as well. And serendipity has become a word we seem to encounter a lot there.

Facade

Tile floor with bridal fashion window in the background

Hello Kitty!

My heart skipped a beat when we went in and saw these…

Dressing room on the second floor

Kitty mirrors: This is the make-over room

Short couch

Long couch

Stairway with Hello Kitty GM Allen and my hubby Eths

Wall lamp detail: Kawaii!!!

Stairs: According to Hello Kitty studio GM Allen, this staircase is what made them decide to make this Hello Kitty`s home.It`s beautiful isn`t it? Got quite a bit of history as well…

Bathroom mirror

Windows

Photo package samples:
With imported Hello Kitty-themed apparel, wedding gowns and costumes to get dressed in and numerous Hello Kitty inspired backgrounds to choose from, it’s understandable the place needs three floors to operate from. The first floor is where customers browse through photo options in various VIP rooms while lounging on bright pink cushions. All makeup and dressing rooms are on the second floor; children’s dressing rooms are princess-themed, while adult dressing rooms have a more regal style. The photo studio is on the third floor, where you’ll find different Hello Kitty backdrops ranging from gardens to cloud themes. Photo packages vary according to the type of shoot, whether wedding, self-portrait, children or family album, and include apparel changes, styling, and a fully embossed album. Cost ranges from 2,888 yuan (US$422.71) to 8,888 yuan.
c/o www.shanghaidaily.com

Apart from studio portraits set against Hello Kitty furniture and props, the Hello Kitty studio also does pre- and post nuptial photography around beautiful Shanghai.

Allen showed us a cool portrait of a pre-nup done in a location where a martial arts movie was filmed (see below). And unlike this set which seems too cute to some, the location pre/post nups can be thematic Hello Kitty fused with Shanghai elements. Well, still cute and sweet but not too sweet or too pink.

Kawaii Kitty honeymoon wear for naughty, but nice girls… =P

Next time you`re in Shanghai or visiting the World Expo anytime soon, do drop by and check out the Hello Kitty Studio.

Commercial Break: WE`re in Cebu

Marbee — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 09:16:04 +0000

Hi everyone, greetings from Cebu.
WE`re here with event stylist Teddy Manuel on workation mode till Sunday.

Teddy, meet Ferdinand Magellan…

Workation is a term coined by our writer Vida Gabe to make our kind of `work` (working and thinking about work even on the few vacations we take) sound more like `less work`. And since we in the team consider one another as both `friends and family` meaning, we actually like one another very much (I believe, and hope) even if we didn`t choose to be with one another. Workation works for us.

And although we still often miss our loves every time we`re out- which is most of the time ( I miss my hubby Eths, Kitten misses her daughter Sky and Tin misses her kuya and parents). We try to compensate it by finding and having fun in every work situation we face.

Scenario 1: While waiting for the sun to set for the 2nd part of our set-up pictorial, a waiting time of about 3 hours since we finished early, WE….

…Smile, and take photo-ops with style mavens who grace us with their presence and talent. Teddy Manuel with Teresin Mendezona

…Go around, explore the place, and find ways to photograph ourselves without disturbing others…

…Sit, relax, talk about current events, our blessings and most important of all, er, our next meal…

Will post scenario 2 later, after Shanghai Part 2, so stay tuned… =)

Shanghai, China (Part 1)

Marbee — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:22:37 +0000

Even without Facebook, You Tube and Twitter, I heart, heart Shanghai.

And being the anti-social that I am (although Cheryl T. will most likely disagree), the `extra` time (a.k.a time usually alloted for Face Book, You Tube and reading people`s Twitter updates) I had while workationing there sort of forced me to part with my laptop, go out, walk around, and because of that, I found in beautiful and cosmopolitan Shanghai, these wonderful discoveries…

Photo taken right outside Glismatten, a nice swiss cafe on an alley road on Taikang Rd. where we had cheese fondue, then chocolate fondue, then cheese fondue again. And this was after lunch.

The dazzling nightime view from The Vue`s 32nd floor overlooking the Bund.

The streets of Shanghai are lined with maple trees.

Interesting walls make interesting walks

At Xintiandi. The Expo is the World Expo, which opens on May 1, 2010. Google it up, =) It`s why I`m going back there in June.

Black truffle xiao-lung-pao at Xintiandi. Xintianti literally means new heaven and new earth. How did the black truffle xiao-lung pao taste like? Surreal, but nice. Very nice actually,but a bit pricey. 1 RMB is 7 pesos.

Alley to more side streets on Taikang Rd.

Cute Japanese restaurant

Marble `painting`. It will take this woman, according to her, only 2 more hours to finish hammer-painting this car onto the marble.

One of the best cheesecakes I`ve tried. Thanks Jayme C!

Yes, it was very, very good.

The Shanghai gang: Thanks to our dear friends in Shanghai who brought us around, fed us really good food and gave us a really good time by just being with us. See you again in June Carol, Inigo, Doc Mike and Jayme. =)

For newlyweds thinking of a new place to honeymoon in, do consider Shanghai. More than its beautiful streets, interesting cuisine and culture, it`s also the venue of the World Expo. Around the world in 10 days? It`s possible in Shanghai this year, =)

Incidentally, look what else we found…

Up next- The first Hello Kitty Studio outside of Japan. Emmy G. would like this very, very much. =)

Laguna Phuket`s Chapel-on-the-lagoon

Marbee — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:18:20 +0000

I remember seeing my gradschool-mate Raffy`s Thailand wedding reception in an issue of Bride and Home sometime in 2002. The venue looked like an old, teak wood-house with doors opening to the terrace on each side. Although I don`t remember seeing a lot of flowers, I recall having said it looked beautiful and romantic in the pictures.

After that, I`ve fantasized about marrying in the same old, teak wood-house in Thailand, but with lots of white, single type blooms and candles. But since I didn`t get to talk to Raffy about his venue and because my parents and in-laws wanted a more er, convenient location accessible to most guests- we held the wedding in the Metro.

But I guess it`s also because I did not see this then.

The Laguna Phuket all-white wedding chapel

Upon the invitation of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on it`s 50th anniversary, a group of Pinoy journalists, bloggers and supporters of TAT were flown in to Bangkok for a tourism conference and a tour around several sites/provinces. Our group toured Krabi and Phuket. In Krabi, we went to Phi Phi Island, or `the beach where `The Beach` starring Leonardo di Caprio was filmed (more on that island paradise later). In Phuket, we enjoyed the amazing view of the Andaman Sea and a lot of `other things` which you`ll find out in upcoming posts.

Going back to the beautiful Laguna Phuket wedding chapel- `inspired by Thailand’s waterborne culture, the charming Chapel-On-The-Lagoon on stilts above the tropical waterways of the Laguna Phuket resort complex in southern Thailand.

Centrally located within Laguna Phuket, the non-denominational chapel is only minutes from any of the five deluxe Laguna hotels.

Facing northwest, the chapel offers 360-degree panoramic views overlooking a sparkling seaside lagoon with a beach nearby. The Laguna Wedding Chapel is the perfect venue for romantic sunset weddings in tropical Phuket.

It`s beautiful isn`t it?

My friend Jan, a TVC producer for an advertising firm in Bangkok, and who attended a wedding in the Laguna Phuket wedding chapel late last year, could not produce words when asked to describe it. He just slowly closed his eyes and smiled.

Imagine you and your beloved in place of this couple

The airy, light interior evokes an atmosphere of reverence. The chapel’s contemporary décor features a crisp white color scheme with elegant silk-covered seating atop gleaming creamy floor tiles.

Flooded by natural sunlight, the chapel’s side walls comprise of sliding glass doors that can be opened for an al fresco ambiance, or closed to enjoy air-conditioned comfort without interrupting the stunning lake view. With its lofty ceiling, glass walls, watery backdrop, lush tropical gardens and nearby beach, the Laguna Wedding Chapel offers countless memorable photo opportunities.

WE heart white!

Measuring 79 square meters, the wedding chapel seats up to 50 guests in air-conditioned comfort. There is additional function space available on the 45 square meter chapel deck – the ideal venue for sunset cocktails and cake cutting ceremony.

Getting married abroad is the perfect excuse to choose a truly beautiful wedding location and then continue to enjoy the destination for your honeymoon.

Laguna Phuket has exclusive wedding packages especially designed for ceremonies conducted in the unique Chapel-on-the-Lagoon. Laguna’s dedicated Wedding Chapel is reserved exclusively for guests of the Laguna Phuket hotels: Banyan Tree Phuket, Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Laguna Beach Resort, Laguna Holiday Club Phuket Resort and Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort And Villas.

For more information on weddings at the Laguna Phuket, click here

Bellarocca Resort, Marinduque

Marbee — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:31:36 +0000

Hi everyone! Greetings from Bellarocca Resort in Marinduque.

Photo by Aldwin Aspillera

If you`ve seen photos of this beautiful Santorini, Greece- inspired resort in magazines and newspapers, and are wondering if the resort really is as nice as it looks- take it from us- it`s even more beautiful!

Here are some photos of the resort

The villa where our event stylists stayed in

Every villa has an infinity pool. Taken at 530pm, just before sunset.
Photo by Aldwin Aspillera

To be continued…

Seoul Pop Cosmic Love

Marbee — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:08:20 +0000

One often chooses honeymoon destinations based on what one deems exotic, dreamy, or perhaps just memorable. Choices usually revolve around landscapes couples want to capture with their senses and memories, irretrievably associating the place with the first voyage their married life brings. It is easy to soak in places so far removed from civilization that it almost seems as if the world was created for both of you, alone.

Honeymoon time is `you and me` only in this world. Just like the `Winter Sonata` couple here.

But on the other hand, a tour of the various melting pots of old-world culture and art can bring about a revival of your aesthetic sense, setting your newly bonded life together in context even as you embark on the journey back home.

Seoul, for many, may not be the first city that comes to mind but it manages to fulfill all honeymoon expectations, albeit in a way you will least expect.

Bike along beautiful Nami Island just like Yu-jin and Kang Joon Sang a.k.a Janice and Joseph (who shared one bike in the k-drama)

Photos from www.crunchyroll.com

Imagine walking hand in hand down this beautiful tree- lined pathway…

The city is bursting with activity, bombarding the senses with experiences unlike any other. A walk down the streets of Seoul produces a plethora of sensations: the sweet scent of cherry blossoms in April;

A very good time to visit Korea is during cherry blossom season

The uniquely designed store windows selling wares of all shapes and purposes; the delicate flavor of the elaborate cakes in the open displays of a pastry shop; the alternating textures of glass in the most high-tech skyscrapers you can find standing amid the wood and clay heritage houses that still survive in the city.

Exploring Seoul is like, pardon the pun, exploring a complete soul. It exists for the sensory aesthetes – perfect for couples who desire exoticism, harbor a love for culture, and feel a deep longing for an adventure that will set the pace of their married life.

Cheonggyecheon. A favorite hang-out of Korean couples and Korean men about to pop a very important question to their girlfriends

Finding yourself in the heart of Seoul (again, pardon the pun), and then realizing that you’re now half of a whole with your spouse is an ineffable thrill in itself.

The spirit of Seoul is something that is hard to grasp, but is remarkable, once experienced. It is a place where you can lose your sense of self and, in the end, manage to find yourselves as part of each other.

For more interesting pictures of Seoul, check out www.nikdaum.com

For more information on honeymoon packages to Korea, check out Korea travel specialist Rakso Travel

More to see in the upcoming WE

Cynthia — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:56:00 +0000

Here`s more…

1. Yes, there is such a place like this in the Philippines. WE found shangri-la in Mactan Shang. Initially, we only alloted a few pages for this special segment thinking well, there`s just the beach and the function rooms…. but, were we blown away with this beautiful, beautiful ceremony set-up conceptualized by Cebu`s grand styling dame, Teresin Mendezona, in collaboration with florist Pinky Chang (assisted by Jun), planner Stanz Catalan and Mactan Shang`s efficient team led by events director Christina Gutierrez- Dumaraos. Ahhh, it`s beautiful…

2. If you and hubby-to-be are foodies, this place in New Manila might interest you… The restaurant that operates the venue, Lemuria, serves French- Mediterranean cuisine. Apart from the food, stepping inside the Lemuria compound is like stepping into a very romantic set- and that makes it a perfect wedding venue.

3. Normally for lauriat weddings (for readers who haven`t experienced it yet), only a short, round centerpiece is used due to lack of space (they don`t call it lauriat for nothing), and that makes the table set-up quite plain and ordinary. High floral arrangments make it hard, and awkward for people in the table to see one another, more so talk to one another. One smart and interesting solution? Make it higher, and bolder, =) Form and function achieved!

Paradise

Marbee — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:28:00 +0000

Just got back from Busuanga, Palawan 6 hours ago- the place is breathtaking!

Will post a little of each of the places we went to with the Havaianas Busuanga team (composed of Mar, one of the winners of the Havaianas Flippin` for the Beach contest (with his sister Cecile), Anton Diaz (with wife Rache) of the popular Our Awesome Planet blog, photographer Jake Verzosa, Havaianas` brand manager Ammiel, writer Annabs, Creative Juice`s Ria and Studio 23 news manager Vince Rodriguez with his team) over the next few days.

1. Kayangan Lake, Coron

I know this photo I took is a common postcard shot but I still love it because it`s as real as I remember it to be.

According to our guide Alexine of El Rio Y Mar- Kayangan Lake is the cleanest lake in the Philippines twice or thrice over- depending on which site you check. I believe her. Regardless of where you check, seeing in a way, is believing- who wants to swim with this school of needle fish?

Here`s Annabs- who was initially afraid of the water- braving it to experience the bliss of it after

but to get to this…

you have to go through this…

I`d like to say it`s not as tiring as it looks to climb up to where the picture perfect scenery is-but it is. But it`s worth it. The awe will last a lifetime.

Till tomorrow`s post!
Cheers!

Colin Cowie for Hong Kong`s Hotel Miramar

Marbee — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:23:00 +0000

You got that right. Celebrated event stylist to the stars Colin Cowie is Hotel Miramar HK`s creative director for it`s ballroom renovation.

The very hotel where we slept in has this incredible newly renovated ballroom design-directed by the person who planned and styled the parties of Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Elton John, Nicole Kidman, Kenny G, JLo, and well,
Hugh Hefner.

Sorry, to say I`m a fan is an understatement. Of Colin Cowie`s 8 published books- I have 4. I stood in awe looking at the chandeliers Colin Cowie helped design for the ballroom and can`t help but gush- Isn`t that wedding serendipity or what?

How do I begin describing how wonderful the ballroom is?

See for yourself.

Blue

Red

Green

Pearl

Gold

Beautiful! Which is your favorite?

`Under Colin Cowie`s direction, the Ballroom entrance is now adorned with a vibrant white manifold fins; a stunning visual welcome for guests.

There are also 18 distinctive custom-made chandeliers in 4 different sizes set against an exquisite silver and grey backdrop.`

Want more of Colin Cowie`s Miramar masterpiece?
Check out this feature on HK`s Dolce Vita TV segment- it`s about 6 something minutes- but in English! Enjoy and try not to mind the voice-over- it sounds very spy movie…

We *Heart* Weddings » Travel & Sightseeing