sam heart travel

✨ Finally Witnessed The Legend – Mariah Carey: Celebration of Mimi Manila 🎤   Date: October 14, 2025 Venue: SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City   Some moments feel like they were meant to stay only in dreams — and watching Mariah Carey live was one of those for me. But last October 14, together with Patty, I finally got to experience her Celebration of Mimi tour right here at SM MOA Arena! 🦋   It’s hard to put into words how surreal this night felt. I still remember her very first concert in Manila, held way back in BGC. Back then, my family and I were renting a place in South Cembo, Makati — and even from our home, we could clearly hear her iconic voice echoing through the neighborhood. I never thought that years later, I wouldn’t just hear her from a distance… I’d be sitting right there, watching her shine on stage, feeling every note live. That full-circle feeling? Absolutely priceless. 🥹   Mariah was everything we hoped for — her legendar...

🏳️‍🌈 Love Laban: My First Pride at UP Diliman 2026 It’s been ages since I last attended a Pride event here in Manila, and this time, thanks to GSM, I finally got the chance to join again! The celebration was held at UP Diliman — a location that turned out to be so convenient and welcoming, even for first‑timers like me. The event was organized by our company’s very own Pride Group, and they really took care of every detail.   We gathered at BGC at 12:00 noon, where a warm spread was waiting for us: lunch, merienda, bottled water, and awesome goodie bags! Inside were a knapsack bag, a soft Pride shirt, a towel, and a Pride ID lace — all useful and meaningful. It truly shows how generous and supportive our company has always been toward the LGBTQIA+ community.   After a quick meal at 12:30 PM, we boarded the shuttle bus provided by GSM and headed toward Quezon City. The usual traffic along EDSA was heavy, so we took a detour via C5 instead. ...

✨ SPA / BATHHOUSE REVIEW: W Onsen & Spa 📍 Location: Ortigas, Pasig City (newly opened May 2026) 📅 Date visited: June 2026 (weekday) ⏰ Business hours: 2:30 PM – 2:00 AM ✅ First Impression & Vibe Japan!!! Simple, functional, and calm — not overly fancy, but quiet and purpose-built for men. Lighting is warm and dim; it never feels crowded, so it offers plenty of privac The reception area is welcoming, and the staff are pleasant, accommodating, and polite. They clearly explain everything for first-time visitors, walk you through the facility layout, and even offer to take photos.   - Secure keypad lockers, towels, slippers, and Yukata robes are provided - Separate lockers for footwear — you enter the spa barefoot - Main lockers line the hallway leading to the wet area; ventilation is good, with no stale odors - Separate toilet and vanity rooms are available - The dining area is spacious, designed like a Japanese restaurant, and has a premiu...

★★★★★ BEST WINTER FAIRYTALE DESTINATION!   Review Title: Pure Magic – Shirakawa-go in Winter is Unforgettable   Visited Shirakawa-go in January and it was hands down the best winter experience of my life! The entire village is like something out of a storybook – rows of traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses blanketed in thick, pristine snow, with smoke curling gently from chimneys against crisp blue skies.   The evening light-up event was absolutely breathtaking – thousands of warm lights illuminate the snow-covered roofs, turning the village into a glowing wonderland. We took a guided walking tour to learn about the area’s history and how locals adapt to harsh winters, and stopped at a family-run guesthouse for hot miso soup and grilled mochi – so cozy and delicious!   Pro tip: Dress in layers and wear waterproof boots (the snow can be deep!), and book accommodations well in advance if you want to stay overnight – waking up to the quiet, snow-...

Hanoi to Home: A Bittersweet Farewell to Vietnam Day 6: Hanoi to Manila  The final day of our Vietnam adventure dawned with a familiar mix of excitement and the creeping melancholy of "sep_anx" – that uniquely Filipino feeling of separation anxiety. Our beautiful Hanoi hotel, which had been our cozy sanctuary, was checked out at 9 PM, and a Grab car whisked us away to Noi Bai International Airport, marking the official end of our incredible journey. The airport at 10 PM was bustling, but we efficiently navigated the check-in counter to secure our boarding passes. By 11 PM, our luggage was checked, and we breezed through immigration and security. With some time to spare before our flight, a late dinner was in order. We found ourselves at Bamboo restaurant around midnight, where the combo burgers were unexpectedly priced in dollars – a little taste of home before heading back. The boarding procedure commenced at 2 AM, and by 2:30 AM, we were airborne, leaving the vibrant lights...

Day 5 - Hanoi: A Mix of Culture and Comfort  Today was supposed to be a chill day, a much-needed break from all the walking tours we've had. But the Hanoi weather was just too good to pass up, so we decided to squeeze in one more tourist spot! At 9 AM, I woke up to the delicious aroma of banh mi and pho for breakfast. After savoring every bite and resting a while, I freshened up around noon, ready for whatever the day held. By 1 PM, we had booked a Grab and were off to the Temple of Literature. This ancient temple, dedicated to Confucius, is Vietnam's first national university. Walking through its serene courtyards and admiring the intricate architecture was a beautiful experience, a peaceful step back in time. After soaking in all that history, our stomachs started rumbling. All those days of pho and banh mi had me craving something different – fried chicken! And where else to find the best fried chicken in town but Jollibee Hanoi? So, at 2 PM, we embarked on a 10-minute walk ...

TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 4 – HANOI CITY TOUR  Date: 01/08/2026 | Weather: Sunny with clear skies 9:00 AM – MORNING START  Kicked off Day 4 with a hearty breakfast – though we’d planned to try Bánh Xèo (a crispy, sizzling Vietnamese pancake made with rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, typically wrapped in lettuce and herbs with nuoc cham sauce), we stumbled upon a bustling street stall serving incredible bánh mì first! The flaky baguette stuffed with grilled pork, pickled veggies, and fresh cilantro was the perfect fuel. After eating, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up for the day’s packed itinerary. 12:00 NN – CITY TOUR BEGINS The sun was shining bright as we officially launched our Hanoi city tour – a day dedicated to diving into the capital’s history and culture, with food and museums as our guides. 1:00 PM – LUNCH AT TUNG’S KITCHEN By noon, our stomachs were calling, so we made our way to Tung’s Kitchen. The cozy spot served ...

DAY 3 - HALONG BAY: WHERE SUNSHINE MEETS EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURE  Our day started with the warmest greeting of the Sun – after 6 days in Vietnam, the sun finally showed up with its friendly sunlight, and we knew the trip would be lovely. The reality of our Halong Bay tour exceeded our expectations. Sometimes we can never really assume everything that is written on the web. We waited for our pickup at 8am, then departed from the old headquarters at 9am heading north. Our first comfort stop was at Tram Vic Du - 23 by 10am, followed by a quick visit to a pearl farm at 11am before continuing on our way. By noon, we’d arrived at the Halong Bay port, bought our tickets, and boarded our cruise ship. Lunch was served at 12:30pm as the cruise set sail, and we were already mesmerized by the limestone karsts rising from the emerald waters. At 1:30pm, we visited three caves – Sung Sot Cave was the highlight, surprisingly accessible and tourist-friendly. Best of all, there were so few visitors that...