Saturday, January 28, 2012

Fleur De Sel

FLEUR DE SEL

I found this on my desk when I arrived in the office a few days ago.  I had no clue what it was  and if it was edible since the label is not written in English.  Looks like German or French to me.  My boss who is a German national came out of his room and informed me he was the one who put it on my desk.  He brought it from Germany and it is salt. Salz is salt in German language.  

The  label indicated "Fleur de Sel" and I wondered what it meant.  I found out that Fleur de Sel is "Flower of Salt" in French.  It is a type of sea salt and the world's most expensive kind of salt. Produced in several coastal areas around the world but particularly in Brittany, France, this sea salt is hand harvested by scraping the top layer of the salt before it sinks to the bottom of the salt pan. It is enriched with more minerals than ordinary table salt ~ Sodium Chloride, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron and Iodine. This is great and  interesting to know these facts. Thanks boss for your thoughtfulness ! Food will definitely taste better with this "Fleur de Sel".  Cheers !




Thursday, January 26, 2012

A Beautiful World

Elvie at 3 years old

I came to the world
Like flowers that bloom in spring
Full of life, vibrance and spirit

* Elvie *

A breathe of fresh air

Garden full of flowers
Adds beauty and colors to life
Freshness, joy and tranquility

* Elvie*


A Sweet Bird

Wake up in the morning
Hear the cute bird singing
A song of praise and thanksgiving

* Elvie *


Water ... a gift that sustains life

Water that gives life
Flows gently from heaven above
A blessing from God

* Elvie *

Trees play a vital role in our ecosystem

Lovely trees down the road
Waving its leaves as the wind blows
Giving a warm hello

* Elvie *

Refreshing view of mountains

Mountains touching the sky
peaceful, calm, reaching out to God
Feel His warm embrace

* Elvie *

Stunning fishes in the sea

 Oceans in blue and green
Majestic marine life dwells
with all shapes, color and sizes
Mysteries of the deep blue seas

* Elvie *







Monday, January 23, 2012

Chinese New Year 2012 ~ Best Wishes To All !

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR 2012

Today is a special non-working holiday in the Philippines to commemorate the Chinese New Year or "Spring Festival". Chinese New Year is considered to be the most important festival for Filipino-Chinese including ordinary Filipinos in the Philippines. It was the first time that Chinese New Year was declared a special non-working holiday throughout the country through a Presidential Proclamation.  This is a significant milestone in the Philippine-China relations.  The Chinese culture and influence had been part of the Filipino life.

The year 2012 is the Year of the Dragon which begins on Jan. 23, 2012 and ends on Feb. 9, 2013 according to the Chinese Zodiac.  The Dragon symbolizes spiritual power and the ultimate symbol for success and happiness.

WISHING YOU A HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR !
May you have abundance, peace,  good health and happiness throughout the year !


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Magical Moments at Enchanted Kingdom

The Magic lives on .... ENCHANTED KINGDOM  !


It was Christmas Eve and  I have decided to take Manang Daisy (my stepmom's sister), Darling (my stepsister) and two of our household members, Elsa and Ivan to Enchanted Kingdom.  It was a Christmas treat for them before they go back to their respective hometowns, Bohol and Bacolod.  They have not been to this park and they were very excited to see the place and have fun and relaxation.


Enchanted Kingdom is the very first and only world class theme park in the Philippines which first opened to the general public on October 19, 1995.  From that time onwards, the magic spell spread fast and it has become a popular destination among locals and tourists, young and old. 

This 15.5 hectare kingdom is the "Disney Land" of the Philippines" situated in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.  The theme park has incredible, heart-stopping thrill rides, beautiful children's playgrounds, carnival stuffs, souvenir shops, food and entertainment.  There are seven (7) park zones that takes you to a journey back in time across different eras :

VICTORIA PARK ZONE is inspired by the era of Queen Victoria's rule.  In this zone, you can meet the park's mascot, Eldar the Wizard and the main attraction is the Grand Carousel.  Other features includes XPP Extreme Paintball, Bungee Fun, Eldar’s Specialty Shoppe, Princess Victoria's Dream Shop, Victoria Souveni Carts, Victoria Photo by Trans Ocean and Thrift Shop.

Enchanted Kingdom's mascot, Eldar the Wizard


Victoria Park's main attraction ~ The Grand Carousel

Grand Carousel Ride

Soar up high and do a somersault at the Bungee Fun


MIDWAY BOARDWALK ZONE is a vibrant and colorful zone designed  after the Coney Island known as "America's Playground in the 1930's.  It features the Wheel of Fate, Anchors Away,  EKstreme Tower Ride,  Bump N' Splash, Roller Skater, Dodgem, Up, Up and Away, Enchanting Barbie Play House.  Clowns, jugglers and mimes are found in this area.

The Wheel of Fate

Roller Skater, a mini coaster

A pirate ship ride ... Anchors Away.  It moves like a pendulum at a very fast pace.

A sudden drop at the Ekstreme Tower Ride

JUNGLE OUTPOST ZONE is conceptualized after the Amazon jungle.  Experience  the exciting  Jungle Log  Jam and Swan Lake as its main attractions so be ready to get wet.

The Jungle Log Jam

A breathtaking experience riding the log jam and sliding from a tall slide

A calm and tranquil ride at the Swan Lake

BROOKLYN PLACE ZONE is a theater and shopping zone that takes you to a time travel down the street of Brooklyn, New York in the 1940s.  It gives you a recollection of slapstick comedies and silent movies during the era.  The main attraction is the "Rialto", Brooklyn's motion simulator theater which combines sight, sound and movement.  You are not just watching the movie but you feel you are in the movie.

RIALTO's "Journey to the Center of the Earth". The main film is a montage of clips from the 2008 film Journey to the Center of the Earth. The 15 minute film takes guests on a journey through a never-before-seen world where they discover creatures and objects that are unimaginable.

Inside Rialto

In front of Rialto with a snowman

A dance presentation

The Chorale singing Christmas carols

 PORTABELLO ZONE  has a colorful carribean atmosphere.  It is a  place in Panama in the Carribean Sea where the riches of the Incas were shipped by the Spaniards.  This zone houses the largest attraction in the Enchanted Kingdom, the "Rio Grande", a wet and wild adventure.  It also features the Flying Fiesta, a giant rotating swing and the 4D Discovery Theater that will make you experience thrill and action while watching the movie.

RIO GRANDE RAPIDS

An inflatable rubber boat rides in an artificial man-made river with big waves and waterfalls along the way  

Expect to get wet (like taking a bath) in this rides so bring extra clothes

FLYING FIESTA

A high revolving swing ~ The Flying Fiesta

4D DISCOVERY THEATER ~ An action motion simulator theater that gives you a visual and sensory experience

SPACEPORT ZONE inspired by sci-fi films and the NASA space program of the 1960s with the 11 storey high Space Shuttle Max as its main attraction.  Other features are Kart Trak, Eldar's Tent, Zorb Ball and Lazer Mission.

SPACE SHUTTLE
The country's first and only triple loop coaster turns riders upside down six times - 3 times forward and 3 times backwards

KART TRAK has a 600 m. Go Kart Track. It was built according to international standards for performance and safety by the  Carmona Racing Circuit

ZORB WATER BALLS... Experience walking on the water
 
BOULDERVILLE PARK ZONE has a prehistoric cartoon look, an era ruled by dinosaurs. It has dinosaur mascot, puppet shows, stone age souvenir shop and offers kiddie rides and play facilities likeAir Pterodactyl, Boulderville Express, Bumbling Boulders, Dinosaurus, Triassic Tag, Petreefied House, Rock Quarry, Stone Eggs.

BOULDERVILLE EXPRESS

DINOSAURS

STONE EGGS

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. - Norman Vincent Peale

A beautiful "Belen", a diorama of the nativity of Jesus Christ

There was a Nativity play at that time and here I am with some of the casts

Santa Claus is coming to town so better be nice !

We had a great time at Enchanted Kingdom !

TICKET PRICE
Carousel Ticket:

Weekend / Holiday Rate: Php 150.00
Weekday Rate: Php 150.00

Descriptions: Free admission to the park grounds and unlimited access to the Grand Carousel, Bumbling Boulders, and Boulderville Express.


Regular Day Pass:

Weekend / Holiday Rate: Php 500.00
Weekday Rate: Php 400.00

Descriptions: Enjoy unlimited use of all the Park’s rides: Space Shuttle, Jungle Log Jam, Swan Lake, Up, Up & Away, Roller Skater, Dodgem, Wheel of Fate, Anchor's Away, Bump n’ Splash, Rialto, Rio Grande Rapids, Flying Fiesta, Grand Carousel, Bumbling Boulders, Boulderville Express, Air Pterodactyl, Stone Eggs, and Dinosaurus.


Junior Day Pass:

Weekend / Holiday Rate: Php 320.00
Weekday Rate: Php 250.00

Descriptions: Applicable to children between 36” to 47” tall. Children 35” and under are FREE. Enjoy unlimited use of all the Park’s rides: Space Shuttle, Jungle Log Jam, Swan Lake, Up, Up & Away, Roller Skater, Dodgem, Wheel of Fate, Anchor's Away, Bump n’ Splash, Rialto, Rio Grande Rapids, Flying Fiesta, Grand Carousel, Bumbling Boulders, Boulderville Express, Air Pterodactyl, Stone Eggs, and Dinosuarus.

ENCHANTED KINGDOM OFFICES
Sta.Rosa Main Office
San Lorenzo South, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Tel . No. : (02)584-3535
Tel . No. : (02)584-4326  to 29
Fax No. : (02)584-4332


Makati Sales Office
Unit 1B Ground Floor, The Biltmore Condominium,
102 Aguirre Street, Legaspi Village,
Makati City
Tel . No. : (02) 830-3535
Tel . No. : (02) 830-2112 to 16
Fax No. : (02) 812-7118
Sales Direct Line: (02) 812-7291