Glimpse of Supermarket in Norway

Whenever we travel, we always go to a supermarket or convenience store so we can buy foods and drinks. It is cheaper than buying snacks or drinks in tourist spots area. Visiting supermarket is a learning experience too because you can see a glimpse of their lifestyle. You will notice the similarities and difference from your home country. 

During our summer trip in Norway, we’re a frequent visitor of the supermarket. We usually go with my mom before or after her work, weekends or holiday. There are 4 supermarkets in Ørland, there is REMA 1000, Europris, Extra Coop and Bunnpris. If you are Asian, you can also go to Asiamat, I already blog about this store here.

Their supermarket is small if I will compare it to our grocery stores in the Philippines. But since I live in the province, hindi naman siya nalalayo sa size ng supermarket sa amin. Hehehe! 

12 Things I learned during our supermarket trip

1. The opening and closing time of the supermarket varies so even you are working, you can go to the grocery. Just like my mom, sometimes if she needs flowers in the office, she can go to the supermarket. There is a grocery store that is open as early as 7:30AM and there is a supermarket that is open until 10PM. 

2. Malls are closed during the holiday so make sure nakabili ka na bago magholiday. Bunnpris is open even on holidays, nakabili na kami dito ng holiday. 

3. Just like in Japan, there is no bagger so you need to pack your own grocery. 

4. Plastic bag is not FREE, you need to pay for that or just bring your own bag to save money. 

5. Grocery carts are so cool too, I saw a grocery cart where you can put your baby while shopping. There is also one grocery cart that you need to put NOK10 so you can use it, You need to return the cart so you can get your NOK10 back. It is a nice way to discipline people to return their cart. Hindi tulad sa Pinas na may kumukuha ng grocery cart sa parking. Check the video.

6. If you want to buy bread, you need to slice and pack it by yourself. 

7. There is no wet market here so most of the kinds of seafood are already cooked like shrimp and squid. 

8. Most of the fish are already cleaned and sliced according to your needs. 

9. They are selling fresh herbs too as in nakatanim pa sa small pot. 

10. Their grocery stores have an app where you can check the sale, discount, or freebies. Sometimes you will also receive flyers in your mailbox regarding the sale. 

11. Not all stores are giving the receipt, siguro para tipid sa paper. Before we went back to the Philippines, I bought pasalubong and after I paid my stuff, I asked my mom, 

Me: Ma, bakit ako wala resibo? 
Mom: Hiningi mo ba? Tinatanung niya kung gusto mo ng receipt para iprint niya. 
Me: Ganun, hindi ko naman siya naintindihan e, di naman English! Hehehe! 

That is the problem if there is a language barrier, I remember our Japan experience, the cashier is saying something about the plastic bag and I asked for two pieces. (sign language) Then I was shocked when I saw my receipt, may bayad pala yung plastic. Sana pinagkasya ko na lang sa isang bag. Hehehe! 

12. You can also withdraw from the cashier, let say your total bill is NOK200, then you will use your ATM to pay, bayad ka ng sobra then yung change ibibigay sayo.

We also visited two supermarkets in Bjugn, you can check our experience here. How about you, do you like going to the supermarket?

2-Day Trip in Camiguin

My son will be celebrating his birthday soon, and it reminded me of our memorable trip to Camiguin. We decided to skip the traditional birthday party, since we’re not really into big celebrations, and opted instead to travel to Camiguin to celebrate his second birthday. 

It was our first family trip by plane and also my son’s first time on both a plane and a boat, a milestone for all of us! 

From Boracay Plans to Camiguin Adventures 

We originally planned to go to Boracay, but didn’t like the available flight options. So we changed plans and booked a flight to Cagayan de Oro (CDO) instead, with the intention of heading to Camiguin afterwards. No regrets—we thoroughly enjoyed our trip to CDO and Camiguin! 

We flew to CDO and took a ferry to Camiguin Island. It was a fun mix of air, land, and sea travel.

A Near Miss 

At one point, I thought we’d need to postpone our trip since my husband had to be in Shanghai, China, for work. Luckily, he made it home the day before our flight. Thank God everything worked out! 

Our 5:00 AM flight was rescheduled to 6:05 AM due to a Philippine Airlines issue. I was anxious because we had to catch an 8:30 AM ferry to Camiguin. Our plane landed at 7:45 AM—cue the Amazing Race mode! We took a cab and managed to haggle the fare down from P350 to P300. 

There was a bit of traffic, and I prayed hard that we’d make it in time because I didn’t want to go with the backup plan. Thankfully, we made it! We took the Para Sea Cat Ferry, which had a two-hour travel time to Camiguin Island. (I’m not sure if they’re still operating today.) 

2010 Ferry Rates: 

Deck: Php 400.00 

View Deck: Php 400.00 

Business Class: Php 600.00 

Alternate Route (2010):

Ride a taxi to Agora Market (P350, travel time: 30–45 mins) 

From Agora, take a Rural Transit (Yellow Bus) to Balingoan Port (P130, 1.5–2 hours) 

At Balingoan terminal, ride a multi-tricycle (P7) or walk ~100 meters to the port 

Take the ferry to Benoni Wharf (P135, ~1 hour 20 minutes) 

Where We Stayed: Secret Cove Resort

We stayed at Secret Cove Resort, located just 15 minutes from White Island. Camiguin offers many accommodation options, but choosing the right one can be overwhelming. I booked our stay one month in advance—all done through email, no reservation fee required. 

Why Secret Cove? 

Affordable rates 

Close to White Island 

Great food – I read so many good reviews, and they didn’t disappoint. The servings were large, delicious, and reasonably priced. 

Address: Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin 

Tel: (+63) (88) 387-9084 Fax: (+63) (88) 387-9184 

Email: tomsolski@fastmail.fm 

Day 1: Exploring Camiguin Island 

We were surprised by the number of tourists—probably because it was close to the Lanzones Festival. Thankfully, I booked a tour guide in advance, and he also recommended the boatman for our White Island trip.  After lunch, we began our island tour.

Day 1 itinerary: 

Tres Marias Volcano (photo stop) 

Walkway to the Old Volcano 

Ruins of Gui-ob Church 

Sunken Cemetery 

Sto. Niño Cold Spring 

Soda Swimming Pool 

Ardent Hot Spring 

We passed by Tres Marias Volcano and took some photos before heading to the Walkway to the Old Volcano. Since we had kids with us, we didn’t climb the stairs and went directly to the Sunken Cemetery. 

You can ride a boat to the big cross (P100/person), but due to strong winds, we decided to skip it. 

Next stop: the Ruins of Gui-ob Church. A kind local offered to take our photos and directed us where to pose—he said his shots were "pang-Facebook," and they actually turned out great! There’s a massive tree nearby, said to be over 100 years old. 

We made a quick stop to see a lanzones tree—my first time seeing one! Then we visited the Soda Swimming Pool. I didn’t taste the water to verify the "soda" claim, but it was really cold. 

 At the Sto. Niño Cold Spring, the water was again too cold, so hubby and my son didn’t enjoy swimming. 

Our last stop was the Ardent Hot Spring. Finally, warm water! It was the perfect way to relax after a full day of touring, though we didn’t stay too long because of the insects. 

Entrance Fees: 

Sunken Cemetery (P100/boat to the cross) 

Walkway to the Old Volcano & Via Cruces – P5 

Sto. Niño Cold Spring – P20 (P50 cottage) 

Soda Swimming Pool – P20 (P50 cottage) 

Ardent Hot Spring – P30 adults / P15 kids (P70 cottage) 

Day 2: White Island and Final Tour  

When you say Camiguin, White Island instantly comes to mind—it’s known for its pristine sandbar. Just 2 kilometers off Mambajao, it’s best to visit early morning or late afternoon. 

The shape of the sandbar changes depending on the tide—sometimes it looks like a letter C, sometimes letter I.

We waited by the shore as early as 5:30 AM, and our boat fetched us for the 15–20 minute ride. The round-trip fare was P450, and you can stay as long as you like—just coordinate with your boatman. We stayed until 7:00 AM. Entrance fee: P20/person. 

Important Note:

There are no cottages, no shade, no restrooms—just pure white sand and a beautiful view of Mt. Hibok-Hibok and the Old Volcano. The water wasn’t too cold, and we were able to swim and snorkel. It was incredibly peaceful—a perfect spot to relax and take stunning photos. 

More Camiguin Highlights 

After breakfast and packing up at Secret Cove, we started our Day 2 itinerary: 

Buy pasalubong (pastel & lanzones) 

Katibawasan Falls 

Camiguin Animal Breeding & Ostrich Center

Giant Clam Culture 

Lunch at J&A Fish Pen Restaurant 

We skipped Mantigue Island, having already experienced White Island. 

Unfortunately, pastel wasn’t available at their store yet, so we planned to buy it at the port later. (Tip: You can find pastel everywhere, but prices vary.) 

At Katibawasan Falls, I saw the tallest waterfall I’ve ever seen! Since we were heading back to CDO later that day, we didn’t swim—just took some photos and moved on. 

We visited the Camiguin Animal Breeding & Ostrich Center, then headed to the Giant Clam Culture Center. Sadly, we couldn’t snorkel due to high waves, and I didn’t want to risk it since I’m not a strong swimmer. 

Still, you can see a variety of clams up close, and local kids guide and educate visitors. They were so friendly and knowledgeable—it was refreshing to see their passion for marine conservation! 

Fun Fact: The clams here came from the UPMSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory! 

Entrance Fees: 

Katibawasan Falls – P15 adults / P6 children 

Giant Clam Culture – P25/pax (P150 for tour guide) 

Mantigue Island (not visited) – P550/boat + P20 entrance + P50 snorkeling fee

Lunch at J&A Fishpen  

Before heading back to CDO, we had lunch at the famous J&A Fishpen Restaurant, located near Benoni Port. 

Everything here is fresh—you can pick your seafood from their fish pens and have it cooked to your liking. They also offer non-seafood dishes, and prices are budget-friendly. 

We were too hungry to take photos, but we ordered grilled bangus, grilled liempo, and steamed halaan. Highly recommended! 

Pasalubong Shopping 

Don’t forget to bring home lanzones and pastel! Since we visited during Lanzones Festival month, we bought plenty of both to share with family and friends. 

Back to Cagayan de Oro

It was finally time to say goodbye to beautiful Camiguin and head back to Cagayan de Oro. The Paras Sea Cat ferry was scheduled to depart at 4:30 PM, so we had to wait at the port for more than three hours, followed by another two-hour sea journey. 

From the CDO port, we took a cab to Pearlmont Hotel, our accommodation in the city. It’s quite near the port, and the taxi fare was only P70. 

After checking in, we headed to Limketkai Mall for dinner at Bigby’s and picked up some bottled water. We originally planned to visit the Night Market in Divisoria, but we were all too tired—especially our two-year-old son—so we just went back to the hotel to rest. 

Pearlmont Hotel 

Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro 

(8822) 72-9455 / 72-9111 / 72-7477 

(88) 856-2653 to 55 (8822) 72-8913 

Have You Been to Camiguin? 

Camiguin may be a small island, but it's packed with hidden gems, natural wonders, and warm, welcoming locals. If you’re looking for a peaceful escape from the busy city, Camiguin is a destination worth exploring. 

From volcanoes and hot springs to sandbars and waterfalls, every part of the island offers something unique. I’ll always cherish this trip—not just for the scenic spots, but for the memories we created as a family.

Ice Cream in Norway

One of the reasons why I gained weight last summer is because I always eat cakes and ice cream. My mom always bakes a cake every weekend, I already shared my two favorite cakes in Norway, the World’s Best Cake and Pavlova. Not only that, she also buys ice cream because my son and I love ice cream. There are also cake that you need to put ice cream on top para mas masarap. Magdiet ka pa ba?

Yes, even we are freezing cold during our stay, we can’t help but eat their ice cream. Is or ice cream in Norway are really yummy. Though I’ve seen popular brands like Ben & Jerry and Haagen Daaz in their supermarket, we still prefer other brands because it is cheaper din. I can eat those ice cream here in the Philippines but the ice cream of Norway, bihira. As of this writing, I'm missing these foods, so for now, Arce Dairy muna kami. Hehehe!

So if you are going to Norway, don’t forget to try this ice cream. 

Diplom-Is is owned by Tine, a Norwegian manufacturer of ice cream and other dairy products. We tried their Krokan, Vanilla, 3 in 1 flavor and cone ice cream. 

Krokan is a caramelized sugar mixed with butter and almonds, it is similar to brittle that we know here in the Philippines, maybe ito yung sosyal na version. Hehehe! They have Krokan ice cream flavor too and it is my stepdads favorite flavor. 

Sometimes, my mom will buy the 3 in 1 ice cream pero naiiwan lang lagi yung strawberry flavor. So we made strawberry-banana smoothie para hindi sayang.  

My most favorite ice cream brand is Royal (Diplom-Is) because it is creamy and I like their flavor, so far we have tried Vanilla, Kaffe Mocca, Skjokalade and Skogsbaer and Skjokolade flavor. 

My son likes the cone ice cream of Diplom-Is and Hennig-Olsen. Hennig-Olsen Is is another brand of ice cream in Norway. It is a family-owned ice cream factory in Kristiansand, Norway. 

What is your favorite ice cream in Norway?

Car Insurance Benefits That You Need to Consider When Buying an Auto Insurance

Some say that having a car is not an investment because the value of the car depreciates from the moment it leaves the car shop. Aside from that, there are so many expenses that you need to consider if you have a car like fuel, parking fees, toll fees, maintenance fees, and car insurance.

Read: 5 Things To Consider When Buying a Family Car

Yes, having car insurance is very important because we cannot predict the future and no matter how careful we are, accidents happen on the road. It is an additional cost in your pocket but you never know when you need so it is better to invest in insurance. There are so many auto insurances in the market, in fact, whenever you register your car you need to pay for insurance. But of course, the coverage is very limited so you get what you pay for.

Read: Car Insurance 101

Buying car insurance is not cheap, it depends on the coverage and also on your car. If you ask me if the insurance fee is worth it, my answer is yes, because when my husband had an accident several years ago we did not pay anything for the repair. We only paid for the towing fee. Good thing my husband was safe but it took them 2 months to repair the car. We’ve experienced two minor accidents and the insurance company shouldered everything.

If you are planning to buy car insurance, it is very important that the insurance covers the “Acts of God Protection”, I remember the typhoon Ondoy, we attended an event and on our way home, the SLEX was already flooded but my husband tried to cross the flood. We were able to pass the flood but when we arrived home, my husband checked the car mat, it was damp. The car had been checked and fixed and paid for by the insurance company.

Anyway, if you still remember my post about my Schengen Visa Application. I bought our travel medical insurance online. While browsing Malayan Insurance site, I noticed that they are also offering other insurances including car insurance. Just like the travel medical insurance, you can get a quotation online and you can also buy it online. Check it here.

Read: Where to Buy Travel Medical Insurance for Schengen Visa Application

If you want to invest in auto insurance, make sure that you have these benefits. These are the car insurance & car insurance policy coverage of Malayan Insurance

1. Automobile Loss/Own Damage
2. Third Party Liability
3. Auto Personal Accident
4. Acts of God Protection or Acts of Nature
5. Riots, Strikes, & Civil Commotion Coverage
6. Standard Automobile Accessories Protection
7. Optional Valuable Accessories Protection
8. Loss of Use
9. 160 Accredited Repair Shops

Malayan Insurance Facebook Instagram Website 

Things You Should Know Before Buying a Wig

Sponsored post

Nowadays, wearing a wig became a popular trend and a lot of people are now using a wig for different reasons. One reason is if you have a medical condition like alopecia or suffering from hair loss because of stress or chemotherapy. Second, if you are tired of your look and you want to improve your hairstyle. The third reason is for fun and entertainment; singers, models, actors, actress and even cosplayers use wigs to change their hairstyle. 

Getting a new look is easy by wearing a wig but of course, there are few things that you should know before buying a wig. 

1. Do your homework 

It is very important to do your homework. Take time to research, read and ask for suggestions and recommendations from your friends or family. Buying wig is like buying clothes, there are sizes that you need to consider so know your head circumference. Think for your hair type, cap type, hairstyle and even color of wigs that you need to purchase.

2. Budget 

There are different types of wigs in the market and prices vary depending on the type of wig that you will purchase. You can choose synthetic, heat friendly synthetic hair or natural hair, synthetic is more affordable compared to human hair. 

3. How to Put On your Wig 

Putting on your wig varies, it depends on your hair condition. If you have hair, you might need to use a cap to flatten the hair. Some use bonding wig, double sided-tape or hair clip to secure the wig on the head. 

4. Taking Care of yout Wig

If this is your first time to buy a wig, it is best to read articles on how to take care of your wig. You need to know how to maintain the shape, how to store it properly or if you need beauty tools in order to protect your wig. 

Looking for wigs is not a problem because you can buy wigs online. You can browse different styles of wigs according to color, hairstyle, and types without leaving your home. Not only that, e-commerce site like Divatress sells hair care products for your wigs and you can even read “hair care and wig care” instructions. 

How to Make Coconut Oil

I love making palitaw for merienda because it is so easy to make. All you need is glutinous rice, water, shredded coconut, sugar and sesame seeds. You can check here the recipe. Since we are just a family of three, I only make a dozen of palitaw and because of that, I have a lot of leftover shredded coconut.

I really don’t know what to do with the leftover. If I will make a meal with coconut milk, masyado naman siya konti. So last month, I made my very first homemade coconut oil. I watch some YouTube videos to give me an idea. Some use blender but I only use my hand to squeeze it. Anyway, here are the steps. 

1. Boil water.
2. I place the shredded coconut in a strainer then pour the warm water.
3. I let it rest for few minutes and I squeeze the coconut milk. Repeat the process. 
4. I place the coconut milk in a bowl with cover.
5 .Refrigerate the coconut milk until coconut oil solidifies.
6. The following day, I remove the first layer (solid coconut oil) and put it in a pot and cook in low heat. 

7. Check from time to time. It is done when you see some toasted coconut bits. 
8. If you want a clear coconut oil, strain it using paper towel or cheese cloth to remove the toasted coconut bits. But since this is just for personal use, I did not use any cheese cloth. I transfer it in a jar.
9. Store and use it for cooking or beauty regimen. 

Not bad for my first time try. I’m planning to use it for hair or body. 

Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok Thailand

My husband was back in Bangkok Thailand last week and he stayed in Four Points by Sheraton Hotel which is also a sister company of Sheraton Grande and part of Starwood Hotel and Resort so you can still earn points here if you have SPG card.

It is located in Sukhumvit area which is a few minutes walk away from the subway, skytrain and Terminal 21 Shopping mall. Though it is just a walking distance from the mall, they do not have a connecting bridge to Terminal 21. This is one thing that my husband likes in Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel because they have a sky bridge so going to the mall is easy.

This is the room, this room reminds me of our stay in Crimson Mactan Resort and Spa. The room is quite similar because you can open the divider of the room and bathroom.

There are desk table and couch. There is complimentary water but no complimentary fruits. My husband appreciates complimentary fruits because you have something to eat after your flight or work.

There is a bathtub so +1 for those who have kids in tow. According to my husband, they have free laundry per day but one piece of cloth only. So if you run out of clothes or if you will swim and you don’t want to bring wet clothes, you can take advantage of this. Though my husband did not avail this offer since he stayed for few days only.

This is the restaurant where you can eat your breakfast buffet. It is not that big and the spread is just enough, medyo konti daw compared to Sheraton Grande Hotel. But they have honeycomb in their buffet spread. It may not be grand but it is enough to satisfy your morning breakfast.

The hotel has swimming pool and gym too. This is the pool that my husband saw when he stayed in Sheraton Grande and Westin Grande, as you can see in the picture, tabi-tabi lang sila. You can check my review of other hotels in Bangkok below.

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel
Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel
Louis Tavern Transit Hotel

Update November 2017 

My husband went back to Thailand and he stayed again at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel and he was surprised when he saw this complimentary snacks in his room.

Four Points by Sheraton Hotel 
4 Sukhumvit Soi 15,
Sukhumvit Road, Wattana,
Bangkok, Thailand