Michi Photostory: airport

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September 08, 2026

Pasalubong from Hong Kong: Kee Wah Bakery x Don Mak Gift Set

It had been more than a decade since our last visit to Hong Kong. During that trip, I wasn't able to buy any of the popular Hong Kong pasalubong because Macau was our last destination. We did shop for a few items at Disneyland and Citygate Outlet, but those weren't really the usual food pasalubong I had in mind.

According to my research, some of the popular food pasalubong from Hong Kong include Jenny Bakery Butter Cookies, Kee Wah Bakery pastries, Bakehouse egg tarts, and Chinese tea.

So when my husband was scheduled to travel to Pune, India, with a layover in Hong Kong, I did a quick search to see what pasalubong he could buy at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

If you remember my old post, I did something similar when he traveled to Chengdu, China, and had a layover in HKIA. That time, I asked him to buy something from Kate Spade. This time, of course, I was looking for something delicious to bring home.

Fortunately, Kee Wah Bakery has a branch at HKIA. When my husband arrived in Hong Kong, he simply took photos of the cookies and gift boxes available for purchase and sent them to me. That gave me about a week to decide what I wanted him to bring home.

Kee Wah Bakery x Don Mak Hong Kong Gift Set

After looking at the options, I finally told him to buy the Kee Wah Bakery x Don Mak Hong Kong Gift Set, which cost HK$188.

Honestly, I initially thought it was quite expensive for a box of cookies. But when my husband arrived home and I finally saw the gift set in person, I understood why it cost that much. The packaging is so beautiful!

The box is sturdy and feels almost like an iPhone box; you know, the kind of packaging that is too nice to simply throw away. I will definitely be keeping the box.

The packaging features artwork from Hong Kong artist Don Mak. The paper included with the gift set describes the collaboration as:

Kee Wah Bakery x Don Mak: A Celebration of Hong Kong’s Spirit

The collaboration brings together Kee Wah Bakery's traditional treats and Don Mak's artwork, celebrating Hong Kong's character and nostalgic urban scenes while combining tradition with creativity.

What's Inside the Gift Set?

The gift box contains a sampler of several Kee Wah Bakery favorites:

· Butter Eggrolls
· Sesame Biscuits
· Desiccated Coconut Egg Albumen Cookies
· Almond Biscuits
· Panda Cookies
· Mini Walnut Cookies
· Pineapple Shortcake

One thing that helped was that my husband had taken a photo of the gift set before buying it. When I opened the box, I noticed that the cookies were individually packed, but most of the packaging was not transparent. Since the labels were written in Chinese characters, I couldn't tell which one was the almond biscuit, sesame biscuit, or the other varieties. The only one that came in transparent packaging was the pineapple shortcake.

So having the sample photo was actually useful because I could refer to it to figure out which cookie was which.

Is It a Good Hong Kong Pasalubong?

For me, yes!

I like that this gift set lets you try different pastries from Kee Wah Bakery instead of buying just one kind of cookie. It's also a nice option if you want something that feels distinctly Hong Kong and comes in attractive gift packaging.

And in my case, the box itself is part of the souvenir. I definitely won't be throwing it away!

If you're looking for a Hong Kong pasalubong that combines traditional baked treats with beautiful packaging, the Kee Wah Bakery x Don Mak Hong Kong Gift Set is worth considering.

August 25, 2026

Finally Tried Estrel’s Caramel Cake: A Birthday Treat from NAIA 3

Estrel’s Caramel Cakes has been around since 1946 and is one of those iconic Filipino cake shops that has become part of many family celebrations. Their famous caramel cake is known for its soft chiffon cake and creamy caramel icing, and it has been a favorite for birthdays and special occasions for generations.

But even though I’ve heard so many good things about Estrel’s, it took me a long time to finally try their famous caramel cake. Since we live outside Metro Manila, going all the way to Quezon City just to buy a cake felt impractical. So for the longest time, I thought, hindi ko na matatry ito.

Finally, Estrel’s at NAIA 3

Just this month, I learned that Estrel’s Caramel Cakes has a kiosk at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3).

So when my husband had a business trip, I told him to buy me a cake before coming home. I wasn’t sure what cakes were available at their kiosk, so when my husband arrived at the airport, he sent me a photo of the choices.

The cake designs were limited, and I also wasn’t sure if we could finish an entire cake. So instead, I asked him to buy two slices of caramel cake and one baked leche flan.

Caramel Cake Slice – PHP 220
Baked Leche Flan – PHP 360

My First Taste of Estrel’s Caramel Cake

My husband arrived just in time for my birthday, so yes, may birthday cake na agad ako! I was already happy because my husband was home for my birthday, but I was even more excited to finally try Estrel’s famous caramel cake.

And after finally tasting it, I understood why this cake has been a Filipino favorite for so many years. The caramel cake was soft and light, with creamy caramel frosting. What I really liked was that it wasn’t overly sweet. The sweetness was just right for us, and everyone enjoyed it.

We also loved the baked leche flan. It was creamy, rich, and delicious without being overwhelmingly sweet.

Honestly, I was happy that we bought two slices of the caramel cake because one slice would probably not have been enough for me!

Why Estrel’s Caramel Cake Is So Famous

Estrel’s has been making cakes since 1946, and its caramel cake has become especially associated with Filipino birthdays and family celebrations. For many people, Estrel’s is more than just a cake shop; it’s a nostalgic part of their celebrations.

The classic look of their cakes, especially the caramel icing and traditional decorations, is instantly recognizable. It’s the kind of cake that many Filipinos grew up seeing at birthday parties, which is probably one reason it continues to be so beloved.

For someone like me who had never tried it before, it was nice to finally experience what all the fuss was about.

Would I Buy Estrel’s Again?

Definitely!

I’m glad that I finally got to try Estrel’s caramel cake, and discovering their NAIA 3 kiosk made it even better for us.

Since we live outside Metro Manila, having an airport location means I don’t have to make a special trip to Quezon City just to satisfy my caramel cake craving.

So now, may birthday or wala, I already told my husband: if you have another business trip and you’re flying through NAIA 3, please bring home some Estrel’s caramel cake and baked leche flan!

It took me years to finally try Estrel’s famous caramel cake, but I’m happy to say that it was worth the wait.

August 18, 2026

Day 1: Flying from Manila to Singapore + An Unexpected Sentosa Upgrade

Time flies! I can’t believe it’s been almost a decade since our last family trip to Singapore. My husband frequently visits Singapore for work, but for my son and me, it had been nearly ten years since our last visit. So, I was really excited to have the chance to revisit the country as a family.

Exactly a year ago, I started planning this trip. After eight months of waiting, the day finally came; it was time to explore Singapore for nine days!

From Manila to Singapore

We had an afternoon flight, so we left home after breakfast and headed to the airport. We parked our car at Park N Fly, paid the travel tax, checked in, and exchanged some Singapore Dollars and Indonesian Rupiah.

While waiting for our flight, we stayed at the Marhaba Lounge. This was also our first time flying with Singapore Airlines, and thankfully, our flight was right on schedule.

We arrived at Changi Airport earlier than expected. After collecting our luggage, we decided to take a taxi to our hotel. We had three pieces of luggage, and since it was already rush hour, taking a taxi was the most convenient option for us. Taxi fare from Changi Airport: SGD 40.84

An Unexpected Upgrade to Sentosa

Our original plan was to stay at Robertson Quay Hotel. I booked three nights in total, but for our first night, something unexpected happened.

The hotel staff offered us a promo: instead of staying at Robertson Quay Hotel for our first night, we could stay at their four-star resort in Sentosa, Siloso Beach Resort.

Of course, we said YES! The only downside? I had to give up my planned food trip to Lau Pa Sat that evening.

Since we would be returning to Robertson Quay Hotel after our Batam, Indonesia trip, we left our two pieces of luggage there and brought only what we needed for 2 nights.

We then took a Grab from Robertson Quay Hotel to Siloso Beach Resort. Grab fare from Robertson Quay Hotel to Siloso Beach Resort: SGD 24.58

Our First Night at Siloso Beach Resort

Check-in was smooth. I simply showed the paper provided by Robertson Quay Hotel, and we were given our room keys.

After all the traveling and transfers, we were already tired. But since we were already in Sentosa, we decided to step outside and check out Siloso Beach. And the best part? The beach was literally just in front of the resort!

My husband suggested that we walk around a little farther since there were more restaurants in Sentosa. But I was too lazy, and honestly, I wasn’t really in the mood to eat anymore. So, we decided to just have dinner at the resort.

We ordered only two dishes because I wasn’t very hungry. I told them I would just take a few bites from their food.

We ordered:
· Fish and Chips – SGD 19.90
· Grilled Chicken Chop – SGD 19.90
· Plus service charge and GST

The food was just okay. Nothing particularly memorable, but it was convenient since we were already tired from the journey.

Watching the Wings of Time Fireworks

After dinner, we went up to the rooftop to see if we could catch a glimpse of the Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony at 7:40 PM.

We could see (a little) and hear some of the fireworks from the resort, which was nice. However, if you really want to enjoy the full show, you’ll need to purchase tickets and watch it from the designated viewing area.

After that, we headed back to our room to freshen up and prepare for the next part of our trip, Batam, Indonesia!

Filipino passport holders can visit Indonesia visa-free for short stays, but we still needed to complete the required Indonesia Arrival Card and the visa-related form before our trip. So, we spent some time filling out the forms and making sure everything was ready for our Batam trip the next day.

It had been a long day, from leaving Manila, flying to Singapore, traveling to Sentosa, and unexpectedly getting upgraded to a resort. We were tired, but excited for what was coming next. And just like that, Day 1 of our Singapore adventure came to an end.

August 07, 2026

9 Days in Singapore, Batam & Disney Cruise Adventure: How a Canceled Cruise Turned Into an Even Better Trip

I previously shared our experience at the Marhaba Lounge before our flight to Singapore, so now it's time to begin a new travel series featuring our 9 Days in Singapore, Batam, Indonesia, and Disney Cruise Adventure.

This trip was originally planned to celebrate our wedding anniversary. However, things didn't go exactly as planned. Disney Cruise Adventure moved its Maiden Voyage sailing date to March, which meant our original booking was canceled and we had to rebook our cruise.

I was honestly disappointed at first. It was supposed to be our very first cruise experience and our anniversary celebration, so receiving that cancellation email wasn't exactly the news we wanted. Looking back, though, everything worked out for the better.

Thankfully, I hadn't booked our flights yet, so only the cruise dates had to be changed. Disney Cruise also offered a 50% discount for affected guests who rebooked, and because I booked through a travel agency, the entire rebooking process was smooth and hassle-free.

The unexpected discount even allowed us to extend our vacation to nine days instead of our original plan. The only downside was that my son had to miss a few days of school after their academic calendar was extended. Fortunately, we arrived home just in time for his final exams.

Sometimes, travel plans don't go as expected, but they can still turn into something even better.

Our Planned Itinerary

Day 1
· Manila to Singapore
· Check in at Robertson Quay Hotel
· Dinner at Lau Pa Sat

Day 2
· Singapore to Batam, Indonesia
· Check in at Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam

Day 3
· Batam Private Tour
· Return to Singapore
· Check in at Robertson Quay Hotel

Day 4
· Skyline Luge Singapore
· Universal Studios Singapore

Day 5
· Fort Canning Park
· Disney Cruise Adventure Embarkation

Day 6–8
· Disney Cruise Adventure

Day 9
· Disney Cruise Adventure Disembarkation
· Gardens by the Bay
· Flight back to Manila

Planned vs. Reality

As with most trips, not everything went according to plan.

We skipped our dinner at Lau Pa Sat after receiving a complimentary one-night upgrade to Siloso Beach Resort in Sentosa. Instead of heading to the hawker center, we decided to make the most of our unexpected beach stay.

We also missed Fort Canning Park because my son needed to attend his morning online classes. On our last day, we decided to skip Gardens by the Bay and head straight to Changi Airport, hoping we could change to an earlier flight. Unfortunately, all flights were already fully booked, so we simply enjoyed exploring the airport instead.

Despite these changes, our trip was still packed with wonderful experiences and unforgettable memories.

Day 1: Manila to Singapore

After eight months of waiting, our Singapore adventure had finally arrived.

Before leaving the Philippines, we made sure everything was ready, including our Singapore Arrival Card, eTravel registration, Singapore Airlines online check-in, and our Park N Fly reservation.

It had been years since my son and I last visited Singapore, so we were excited to experience the city again as a family. We booked our flights with Singapore Airlines during one of their travel sales the previous year, which gave us a great airfare deal.

Since travel tax wasn't included in our ticket, we paid it at the airport before check-in. We also exchanged some cash for both Singapore and Indonesia before relaxing at the Marhaba Lounge while waiting for our flight.

Our flight landed ahead of schedule, and we took a taxi from Changi Airport to Robertson Quay Hotel, where I had originally booked three nights. To our surprise, the hotel staff offered us a complimentary one-night upgrade to Siloso Beach Resort in Sentosa. Of course, we couldn't say no!

Because of the last-minute change, we skipped our planned dinner at Lau Pa Sat and headed straight to Sentosa instead. It was a bit of a shame because we arrived in Singapore late in the day, and our ferry to Batam was scheduled early the next morning, leaving us very little time to enjoy the resort.

Still, I was grateful for the opportunity to experience staying in Sentosa, something we hadn't originally planned.

Day 2: Singapore to Batam, Indonesia

Since we've already visited Singapore several times, we thought it would be fun to add a side trip to Batam, Indonesia.

The ferry ride takes only about an hour, making Batam an easy day trip from Singapore. However, because ferry tickets aren't exactly cheap, we decided to stay overnight instead.

For our stay, we chose Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam.

Preparing for this part of the trip required a bit more work since we had to arrange our Indonesia visa along with the arrival cards for both Indonesia and Singapore.

Day 3: Batam Private Tour

There are several Batam tours available through Klook, but I chose a private tour so we could visit only the places we were interested in.

Interestingly, I changed our itinerary the night before. Instead of squeezing in as many tourist spots as possible, I decided I would rather spend more time shopping and relaxing.

Our final itinerary included:

· Barelang Bridge
· Welcome to Batam Sign
· A local temple
· A souvenir shop
· Nagoya Mall

Our driver even joked that our itinerary was one of the easiest he'd ever handled.

The private tour usually lasted up to ten hours, but since we visited only a few attractions, we reached Nagoya Mall after just two hours. We spent around three hours shopping before our driver picked us up and brought us back to the hotel.

After resting for a while in the hotel lobby, we headed to the ferry terminal for our trip back to Singapore.

Day 4: Skyline Luge Singapore & Universal Studios Singapore

Since Universal Studios Singapore isn't very large, I knew we wouldn't need an entire day inside the park. To maximize our time, I added Skyline Luge Singapore to our itinerary.

We rode the luge first before spending the rest of the day enjoying the rides and attractions at Universal Studios Singapore.

Days 5–9: Disney Cruise Adventure

Finally, it was time for the highlight of our entire trip, Disney Cruise Adventure.

This cruise had been on my travel bucket list for years, so finally experiencing it felt surreal. I never imagined Disney Cruise would become accessible from Asia. With no visa required, reasonably priced flights to Singapore, and shorter cruise itineraries, it has become much easier for families in our region to experience a Disney cruise.

We booked the 5-day, 4-night sailing. Honestly? Even after five days, it still wasn't enough. There were so many activities, shows, character experiences, and dining options that we couldn't fit everything into one sailing.

Our first cruise exceeded our expectations, and I can already tell this won't be our last.

Day 9: Singapore to Manila

After disembarking from the cruise, we originally planned to visit Gardens by the Bay before our flight home. Instead, we headed straight to Changi Airport and tried to move to an earlier flight. Unfortunately, every flight was already full.

Since there wasn't much we could do, we simply made the most of our remaining time by exploring one of our favorite airports in the world before flying back to Manila.

Looking back, this trip didn't go exactly according to plan, and that's perfectly okay. Some attractions were skipped, our anniversary cruise was postponed, and our itinerary changed more than once. Yet somehow, everything still came together into one unforgettable family adventure.

Sometimes the best trips aren't the ones that go perfectly; they're the ones filled with unexpected moments that become your favorite memories.

This is just the beginning of my travel series. In the next posts, I'll be sharing detailed guides, hotel reviews, Batam travel tips, and, of course, our complete Disney Cruise Adventure experience.

August 06, 2026

A Glimpse of Marhaba Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 (Now Closed)

A few months ago, I received an SMS informing me that Marhaba Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 would be closing.

"Effective May 1, 2026, the Marhaba Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 will be closed until further notice.
Your unlimited local lounge access remains available at PAGSS Lounge, NAIA Terminal 1, and will soon be extended to other partner lounges in Terminal 3. T&Cs apply."

As of this writing, there are still no partner lounges available at NAIA Terminal 3. My husband recently traveled for a business trip, and unfortunately, he no longer had lounge access before his flight.

Thankfully, we were able to visit Marhaba Lounge during our Singapore trip last April, so this has become a little throwback post. I thought it would be nice to share our experience and some photos from our visit before the lounge closed.

The lounge itself was relatively small, but it wasn't crowded during our visit, making it a comfortable place to relax before boarding. The food selection wasn't extensive, but there was enough variety to enjoy a satisfying meal. We particularly liked the buffet spread that day. My son had fun making and eating chips with cheese, while I enjoyed one of the rice meals, which was filling and tasty before our flight.

Although Marhaba Lounge is no longer operating at NAIA Terminal 3, I'm glad we had the chance to experience it. It may not have been the biggest or most luxurious airport lounge, but it provided a quiet space to rest, enjoy a meal, and start our trip on a pleasant note.

Here are some photos from our visit.