After we arrived at Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (MNL) on September 23, 2015 at 4:00am, my
relatives like my aunts Leonila Magtalas and Estelita Zapanta and my
cousin Rodelio Magtalas gave us a tour ride after they picked up us from
the airport. Thanks God that our flight was good although there's a
rain with thunderstorms during our landing. The rain finally stopped
when we arrived at NAIA. Thanks God also that my luggage and my mom's
luggage are passed the X-ray inspection after we gave the Declaration
Form at the Immigration Department.
Well, from NAIA airport,
the traffic begins at Airport Avenue, Domestic Avenue, Tramo Avenue, and
then Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). After 6 years since my last
visit in 2009, the traffic conditions are worse than before and there
are more vehicles as well. While driving along EDSA, there are more
buildings, malls, and new establishments. There are many billboards
along EDSA also.
When we reached to Balintawak Cloverleaf, the
area is also congested in traffic especially along A. Bonifacio Avenue,
Quirino Hi-way, and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). The NLEX is better
now than before because the highways are repaired and the systems of
paying at the toll gates are now different also. The traffic there is
lesser and faster.
When we exit at Santa Rita exit in
Guiguinto, Bulacan, the roads are now crowded with many vehicles like
jeepneys and trycycles. The province of Bulacan is now crowded also
because there are many factories, industries, subdivisions, and shopping
malls. It is also close to Manila.
Once we reached to
Baliuag, Bulacan, we went first to Baliuag Memorial Park to visit the
grave of my grandparents and my uncles at their mausoleum. My mother
didn't see the grave of her parents and her brothers for 12 years. The
memorial park is expensive and most of the graves there are came from
the rich and business families. We made a promise that we will improve
the mausoleum of my grandparents and my uncles later.
Our
hometown in Baliuag, Bulacan is also crowded. There are many
subdivisions as well as shopping malls like SM Baliuag. The traffic is
also congested especially during rush hours and raining. I almost got
lost there in finding my grandparents' residence because the
surrounding is now different than the last time that I visited in 2009.
They put blue gates at my grandparents' residence. The caimito trees
that we planted since 1975 are still there at the backyard.
After this, we sleep for few hours because we have jet lag. The time in
Philippines is 15 hours ahead from California. The weather here in
Philippines is warm right now like 95*F during daylight and 85*F during
nighttime. We experienced sweating all the time because it is humid.
#MNL #Parañaque #Rizal #EDSA #NLEX #Baliuag #Bulacan
On September 21, 2015, I went to
Philippines with my mother, Rosario Magtalas Balajadia to have a
vacation there and to visit our relatives and friends.
My
younger brother, Addison Magtalas Balajadia gave us a ride and dropped
off at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in Millbrae,
California.
Later, my other brother, Alfredo Magtalas
Balajadia, Jr. and his family as well as his mother in law visited us at
the lobby of SFO before we checked in at the Departure Area.
Thanks God that everything was alright and no problems with the weight of our baggage as well as our hand carry bags.
The plane, Philippine Airlines FL 105 departed on September 21, 2015 at
11:30pm. The flight stewards and stewardess are very friendly and
approachable. Our flight took about 14 hours and no stop over.
Finally, we arrived on September 23, 2015 at 4:00am at Terminal 2 of
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Parañaque City, Philippines.
Thanks God that the rain and thunderstorms are stopped during the
landing at MNL.
Thanks God also that we don't have problems
also with our baggage and hand carry bags at the immigration officers
after we gave our declaration forms.
My aunts, Leonila Magtalas
and Estelita Zapanta as well as my cousin, Rodelio Magtalas picked up
us at the Arrival Area of MNL. After this, we went straight to our
hometown in Baliuag, Bulacan to have our rest because of jet lag.
Philippines is 15 hours ahead from California.
#SFO #Millbrae #California #MNL #Parañaque #Rizal
I went to Boomtown Hotel and Casino on September 6, 2015 to have a
lobster buffet there. Boomtown Hotel and Casino is now a popular
restaurant for serving lobster buffet. The lobster buffet is available
every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 2:00pm to 9:00pm.
I drove from Vacaville, California to Verdi, Nevada thru I-80 East. Thanks God that there's no traffic.
They have a promotion right now. They have also lobster buffet on Labor Day (Monday). The price per person is $34.95 including drinks.
For more information, you can visit their website at http://boomtownreno.com/famous-lobster-buffet/
Thanks God that I was able to have a lobster buffet. I was so
disappointed at Jackson Rancheria Hotel and Casino because all coupons
and stubs are sold out. Unlike at Boomtown Hotel and Casino, no need for
the coupons and stubs.
I ate five lobsters in the buffet but it
is worth full. Imagine at any supermarket, the price of fresh lobster
is $14 per pound and it depends with the market price and season.
If you will eat lobsters and Alaskan crab legs, try to put squeezed
lemon in order to neutralize the fishy taste. Also, they are best to eat
with melted butter preferably with garlic.
If you will plan to visit at Boomtown Hotel and Casino, try to arrive early as much as you can because the line is also long.
#lobster #LobsterBuffet #BoomtownReno #Nevada
