What to do in Singapore? A travel guide to the Lion City!

Singapore has always been known to be very expensive and modern despite being a small island country. If you don't plan your trip well, it might drain your savings or worse you'll end up regretting to have traveled to this Lion City. 

Immigration Officer at times may not let you leave the country even if you already have a boarding pass or have traveled other Asian Countries in the past. This is not to scare you but to just let you know this could happen to you too. There were people who were denied and were banned from going in because they didn't pass the small talk. Some were crying and others were even mad and begging. Immigration officer might ask for some documents to make sure you are travelling for the right purpose (Hotel Confirmation, size of the bed that you reserved, credit cards, Company ID's or even itineraries). There are also times that you will be denied entry if the immigration officer thinks you are there to work. My friend was brought to the interrogation room for questioning. It took him an hour to convince them that he was there for a vacation. 

Singapore is stricter now in allowing other Asians to get in to their beautiful Garden City. Some of those who went to Singapore took advantage of the tourist pass when they were actually there to look for work. Once the 30-day pass is almost over, they would exit to neighboring countries for a day like Indonesia or Malaysia then come back again to have another 30-day pass and continue working or job hunting. 

Now let say you are already in Singapore. Here are some tips that I have for you.

1. Take the Public Transport.

Singapore is very organized and their train system is the fastest way for you to get around the city. It is also one of the cleanest in the world and has access to every part of Singapore. You have the option to buy the EZ Link Card for $12 and use $7 of its value or get a Tourist Pass pass for $20 for 3 days of unlimited rides. In my case, I just paid per trip since I only have few places to visit. 

2. Check in at a better hotel.

You don't really need to always stay in a budget hotel just to save a lot from your trip. Most of the time, being in a better hotel gives you not just the comfort and relaxation you need but also the experience of being treated well from the extra amount you allocate for accommodation. I can highly recommend Hotel Jen. It's  a 4 star hotel located in Singapore's most vibrant place, Orchardgateway. You can check my hotel review here.

3. Eat in a hawker centre.

If you are a fan of chinese or indian food then you have to go where the locals eat. Lau Pa Sat is a good choice. They have delicious noodles, chowfan, barbeques and rice meals for just around $5. If you decide to splurge some more, then you can try authentic Arabian Food at the Arab Street. 

4. Money Changer near your hotel.

Since I only had few pesos to spend, I decided to just had it changed at Changi Airport. 1 Singaporean Dollar is equivalent to more or less P36. If you have a lot change, then you better go to any bank in Singapore or at a money changer near your hotel. I'm sure there's a lot.

5. Walk and Take it easy. 

You'll enjoy Singapore more if you walk and walk. They have impeccably clean and safe streets. Tourist Spots are near each other (Merlion Park, Esplanade, Helix Bridge, Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands and Fullerton Place). You guys should try the ice cream being sold at the end of the bridge. It's really good and cheap! If you want to see the whole of Singapore, you can ride the Singapore Flyer for $25 or pay $23 to have a tour in Marina Bay Sands Skypark. I didn't pay when I was there.  All I did was go to KUDETA Club atop Marina Bay Sands and ordered a glass of beer and there I am. 

6. Bar Hop

We literally dance the night away from one bar to another in Clarke Quay. I enjoyed wiggling with the foreingers and shaking our butts together. We hopped from one bar to another and left our things at The Pump Room. I just find it amazing that even after 2 hours, they were still there, untouched. Such a good feeling knowing you are in place where people don't steal.

7. Don't spend too much on buying Souvenirs.

When you are in a vacation, think about the things that will make you happy and not about the people you left at home. This is your moment. But if you really need to buy something for them, go to Chinatown or Bugis for cheap and good souvenirs. 

8. Feel like a kid in Universal Studios (additional $55)

There are some online shops that offer the Universal Studios Ticket lesser than its actual price. Take advantage of that instead of buying it on the spot. It was raining when I arrived in Sentosa that's why we never really got the chance to try their rides. So after having a photo opp near the Universal Globe, we just spent our money buying some chocolates at the Hersheys Store. 

9. Side Trip to Bintan Island Indonesia (additional $55 for a Roundtrip Fare)

For only 55 Singaporean Dollars, you can go to a wonderful resort like Bintan Lagoon in Bintan Island Indonesia. Take the ferry from Tana Merah station. Travel time is approximately 1 hour. Enjoy some water sports activities like snorkeling and surfing More about this resort experience here. More details here.

Once you come back to Singapore, don't be nervous when it's taking time for Immigration Officer to stamp your passport with another 30-day entry pass. They just wanna sure you're not back to look for work. 

10. Side Trip to Malaysia.

It will take 5-6 hours bus ride from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and will cost you less than P800 one way. You can also go the southern part of Malaysia, the Johor Bahru, in a matter of 45 minutes. From the Woodlands Train Station, Take the bus and pay around P100. Then check out the Royal Abu Bakar Museum and the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque. 

Some reminders though:

1. As much as possible travel lite. 
2. Bring your passport with you all the time.
3. Have en extra Cash or Credit Card for emergencies.
4. Buy a prepaid sim and register for a 1 week data plan.

In my case, I just registered to Smart's all day roaming for only P500 to avoid the hassle of finding a good network provider in Singapore. They now have coverage in 10 Asian Countries; Singapore (Starhub), Indonesia (Indosat), Malaysia (DiGi and CelCom), Hong Kong (via Hutchison), Japan (NTT DoCoMo), Macau (Hutchison), South Korea (KT), Thailand (True), Taiwan (FarEastOne) and Vietnam (Vinaphone). When I checked my bill, there were no unwanted data charges. This is also available to prepaid subscribers.

To register:

1. Text ROAM ON then send to 333 before leaving the country.
2. For prepaid subcribers, load P500 for a one day subscription of ALL-DAY SURF ABROAD.
3. Check your mobile network settings and Make sure you are connected to SMART’s Conexus Roaming Partner 
4. Dial *133# to access the USSD Menu. Press ANSWER then enter 5 to choose DATA ROAMING.
4. Choose your location from the list of countries and roaming partner.
5. Select the All-DAY SURF ABROAD 500. You will receive a confirmation upon successful availment. 
For more information, check out  #SmartAllDaySurfAbroad 

Budget Travel to Singapore
Affordable Travel To Singapore
Blog about Singapore

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Alberto's Pizza in Gensan

Alberto's Pizza recently opened its newest branch in General Santos City last September 20, 2014. Located at GPSS Arcade, J. Catolico Avenue, Alberto's Pizza offers more than 25 thin crust pizza flavors available in 9 and 11" sizes with either a Quickmelt Cheese or Mozarella Cheese topping.

Alberto's Pizza started 6 years ago in Cebu and has become a favorite to many because their pizzas are affordable and delicious. Prices range from P75-P200.

I find Alberto's Pizza way way better than Yellow Cab or Pizza Kaya, tastes like home-made pizza. 

They also serve Shakes, Ice Cream and Halo Halo. 

Here are some photos of their branch in Gensan. They offer free delivery with no minimum order required. Call them at 0917-309-2213 (Gobe), 0998-535-0316 (Smart), 083-878-0412 (PLDT).

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Smart Free Internet

I wasn't there when it was announced but I knew the moment I got the invite that it would be something great and beneficial for Smart's Prepaid and Postpaid Subscribers! 

And I was right! Starting yesterday, September 26, as long as you have P1 load, you be entitled to have 30MB of free internet daily until November 30, 2014.

Smart, Talk N'Text and Sun cellular currently has a total of 66 million subscribers. a little more than 1/3 of them have smart phones while 15 million of them are already experiencing mobile internet.

The free internet is not just for Facebook, unlike competition. You can use Twitter, Instagram, Skype, Viber. Amazon and even Google platforms. I can even update my blog with that offer.

 Yesterday my friend tried it while we watching Star Cinema's Maria Leonora Theresa horror film. True to its promise, it did work fine. 

To avail all you have to do is Text FREE and send it to 9999. You will have to send that daily if you would like to continue enjoying such benefit.

For more details! Check out Smart's official website!

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Unlimited Music Streaming on Spinnr for only P15

Loving Spinnr so much that I get to play Adam Levine's #LostStars every now and then. A song that can either break you down or make you emotional. If you wanna hear it and more of his songs then you better check out Spinnr! Smart Communications even has an offer for its Prepaid Subscribers. 

For only P15 a day, you don't only get unlimited music streaming on Spinnr, but also 150 text messages to all networks and 5 mins worth of airtime to Smart and Talk 'N Text. All you have to do is text CTM15 and send it to 2266. #SmartCTM15

Click the photo for more details!

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Seafood Island gives back to community

Seafood Island now has a total of 28 branches nationwide and is now opening new restaurant concepts. 

One of them is The BIKERS' CAFE that doesn't only offer balanced and healthy food choices but also Bike Parking and Shower. 

Another one is the cowboy inspired BONE and BARREL Bistro that serves steaks and shank redemption. I've been to their branch in Eastwood Libis and have tried their tapas, salads, bulalo and their specialty and flavoured beers.

And the soon to open CHOPSEUY which will offer Filipino-Chinese style comfort food.

As part of Seafood Island's advocacy and in celebration of their 10th year, they will be launching their BATANG TRI GRASSROOTS Program to give back something to the community. 

The program will train children to be good at sports under Coach Jojo Macalintal. For every purchase of the Jomac Boodle at any Seafood Island, P300 of P1450 will be donated to the program to provide grants in terms of race fees, equipments, clothing allowance, accommodation, food and other need of the aspiring triathletes

For more details, you can check Blackbeard's Seafood Island official Facebook and on Twitter:  @SeafoodIsland and on Instagram: SeafoodIsland

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Blink App now accessible to SMART and SUN Subscribers

Movie geeks out there will definitely love Smart Communications latest campaign as they partnered with Solar Entertainment to give their subscribers instant access to the largest video-on-demand streaming service, the Blink App. 

The Blink App is available both in iOS and Android phones. Other than than free live cable TV, it also has a large library of Hollywood movies, and TV series. 

The Blink app will also let you watch the upcoming Pacquiao-Algieri fight this coming November 23! For busy people like me who is always on the go, this feature is a big help. I get to watch the live broadcast on my phone without commercial break thus being able to write the event real time.

You no longer need a credit card! As long as you have a Smart or Sun load then you're all good and ready to stream. For postpaid subscribers like me, we can just charge it to our bill.

To subscribe, Just text Blinksports 199 to 3161 or 2354 for Sun.

You can also try these other categories:

KEYWORD CATEGORY                  Rate

BLINK 60                 Catalog Movie P 60.00
BLINK 99                 New Movie Release P 99.00
BLINK 250               Unlimited access P 250.00
                                  to all TV series 

After sending the keyword, you’ll receive an SMS with the purchase confirmation and the ePIN. Then log-in to www.blink-now.com and enter your ePIN as a promo code

Imagine not missing your favorite TV shows when you are still in the office or stuck in traffic or at the airport. You have something to do! 

Check the Blink webpage for more details: http://smart.com.ph/blink

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Plateno Hotels Group collaborates with Tune Hotels

Plateno Hotels Group partners with international value hotel group Tune Hotels last September 23 2014. This partnership brings travellers China a direct and easy access to hotel reservation. 

The agreement came with a marketing collaboration that will feature 14 Tune Hotels' properties in Australia, Asia, Scotland and London in Plateno's booking platform.

Plateno's office in Guangzhou operates 2,000 hotels under 5 different brands for more than 300 cities. Plateno has the largest customers who travel for leisure and business and currently has more than 80 million members. 
  
In line with this partnership, Tune Hotels will have a special promotion exclusively for members of the Plateno Group. They can book hotel rooms through www.plateno.com for as low as RMB61 net.

CEO of Tune Hotels Mark Lankester is delighted to be with working with Plateno Group. The collaboration will increase market and trading in Mainland China and will give travellers more comfort when they check in at trusted value hotel. Plateno is looking forward to building a new business concept that will benefit both companies. 

Ninety seven million Chinese traveled overseas last year which was 16.8% increase from 2012's record. As of 3rd quarter this year, it is already reaching the 17% goal giving showing growth of the travel industry in mainland China.

For more details about Tune Hotels, you can read here. For reservation and booking, you may visit www.tunehotels.com.

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Honda Brio and Honda Brio Amaze

Honda releases its most affordable vehicles, the Honda Brio and the Honda Brio Amaze.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. recently launched its newest line of vehicles, the Hatchback Brio and the Sedan Brio Amaze. These models are currently priced at P599,000 for the 1.3 Brio S Manual Transmisson and P629,000 for the 1.3 Brio Amaze E Manual Transmission. Both models are available in automatic variant and still project Honda's high level durability, quality and reliability.

Honda Brio has a similarity with the Honda Jazz measuring 3610mm (length) 1680mm (width) 1485mm (height) with 2345 mm wheelbase while the Brio Amaze was designed in line with the City's concept, a longer hatchback version. 

Honda is settin a new standard in the small car segment with the launch of these new models and making it the most affordable from their vehicle line up.

Brio has a sporty black interior while Brio Amaze has the beige interior (those that you normally see in luxury cars). Both models have fog lights and chrome grilles features and comes with a 7-inch capacitive touch screen functions including Wifi Connectivity. 

Brio is an italian word for cheerful and energetic.

To know more details check out www.hondaphil.com Photos courtesy of AutoIndustriya.com

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Ed Sheeran and One Direction Live in Manila

 

4 of the popular names in BRIT music are coming to Manila next year, The 1975 on January 24, 2015, The Vamps on February 1, 2015, Ed Sheeran on March 12, 2015 and One Direction on March 21 & 22, 2015.

Manchester art-pop four-piece THE 1975 is returning to Philippines after a series of mall shows earlier this year in Manila, Their hit singles led to being “Britain’s biggest new band.”

THE VAMPS will take the stage on February 1, 2015 at SM MOA Arena. This group released their maiden effort 'Meet The Vamps' in the UK and became #2 on the charts April of 2014. The album includs 3 singles, “Wild Heart”, “Can We Dance” and “Last Night,”.

British singer/songwriter ED SHEERAN, will perform his hit singles at the SM MOA Arena on March 12 next year. His music has been dubbed as an authentic blend of soulful folk undertones with a mix of hip-hop/R&B hooks. Ed Sheeran’s 1st album “+” had multi-platinum sales around the world, and made him a nominee as British singer-songwriter of the year at the Grammy including “Song Of The Year” and “Best New Artist.”

Ending this British Invasion is a two night concert by ONE DIRECTION at the SM Concert Grounds on March 21-22, 2015. Tickets of this concert has been announced as early as May of this year to promote 1D's “On the Road Again Tour 2015". Tickets were sold out few hours after it was announced pressuring the promoters to have another day to give chance to other fans who haven't gotten any ticket.

One Direction is anticipating it's fourth studio album titled 'Four' to be released in November 2014. 

The event is brought to you by http://www.mmilive.com. Check them out for more details

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Meet and Greet ALLEN IVERSON in Manila

NBA superstar Allen Iverson is coming to Manila this November 5 for a charity basketball event at the Mall of Asia Arena. Funds raised will be for the Gawad Kalinga to build homes for impoverished families. Tickets will go on sale starting today until October 9, 2014. You can buy the tickets at any PCWorx branches (02-6232877) or online thru www.SmTickets.com (02-470-2222). 

General Admission - P600

Upper Box - P2000

Lower Box - P4500

Patron - P5500

VIP - P6500

First 500 buyers of any section will be invited to a closed door Ball up event and 40 of them will be randomly selected for photo ops and autograph signing with Allen Iverson and his team DerMarr Johnson, Gilbert Arenas and Eddy Curry. 

Announcement of winners will be on October 13, 2014 on PCWorx official Facebook and Twitter Accounts. 

This Meet and Greet Allen Iverson event is organized by I-Kurot and supported by Fox International Channels, NBA Cafe, Samsung, Accel, Rapoo, Solaire Resort and Casino and AOC and presented by PCWorx.

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Blackbeard Seafood Island celebrates 10 Years of Extreme Bonding #NationalBoodleDay

Blackbeard’s Seafood Island is celebrating 10 Years of Extreme Seafood Bonding this September 16, 2014.

Blackbeard’s Seafood Island has innovated the Filipino casual grill dining experience by bringing to the market the first and the original ‘Boodle Feasts’.

The Seafood Island Boodle Feast is creatively re-inventing the way ‘Filipino food bundles for groups’ are created and presented – a trend adapted by most of the other Filipino grill concepts soon thereafter.

Seafood Island’s Boodle Feasts provide customers with a wide array of Island-Inspired Filipino dishes in a food setting that is perfect for sharing and bonding experience. Eating with one hand directly from the big banana leaf with grilled meat and rice on it is what Boodle Feast is.

Seafood Island offers the best seafood dining experience and tries to stay true to its core values of Seafood, Sarap, Saya! It also offers live Seafood choices through “Paluto”.

Cebu branch also has a great selection of Crab dishes that will surely satisfy your craving from Szechuan crab to Thai Chili crab, Crab Maritess and many more.

In line with Seafood Island’s 10^th Anniversary and #NationalBoodleDay, all branches nationwide will offer the famous Mt. Apo Boodle for only P1,010 (originally P1,650) on September 16, 2014. Dine in with your family and friends and share your extreme bonding experience online. 

Seafood Island will also be giving away 5 gift certificates worth P1,000 each to those who will follow and like Seafood Island's Social Media Account and will share this article to their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Accounts and use the hashtag #NationalBoodleDay. Random winners be chosen and will be announced on September 30, 2014.

Twitter: @SeafoodIsland 

Instagram: @SeafoodIsland

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackbeards.Seafood.Island

Blackbeard’s Seafood Island

Seafood Island Branches
Seafood Island

Boodle Feast

Boodle Fight

#BoodleFight

#BoodleFeast

#SeaFoodIsland
#NationalBoodleDay

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Protect Sarangani Keep its beauty

Exactly a year from now, P13 Billion Coal-Fired Power Plant by Alsons Consolidated Resources will be partially operational and will start distributing 105 MW of electricity to Southern and Central Mindanao. This plant was put up to alleviate the power shortage.   

But I don't think the people here specifically the locals of Sarangani will benefit from this coal-fired power plant. You cannot and should not end the shortage of electicity by compromising the health of the living both in land and in water. Electricity produced from coal-fired generators belch mercury, carbon dioxide, and sulfur into the air. For sure, due to pollution emitted by this plant, people and environment will suffer. No coal is clean! 

Sarangani is a Dive Haven and a portion of its municipal water has been proclaimed a protected area already by Presidential Proclamation No. 756, s. 1996. The coal-fired power plant located in Barangay Kamanga is just few meters away from the diverse marine life of Maasim. Sarangani Bay in general is rich in coastal resources which will be threatened by pollution from the plant.

Both natural and artificially grown corals were already destroyed due to the ongoing construction of this coal-fired power plant. The area is home to some of the best coral reefs. The Tinoto Wall is also one of the best and unspoiled dive spots in Mindanao that will slowly be destroyed if this construction continues. 

Currently, Environment Team from Region 12 are pushing for the passage of a proposed law that would establish the whole coastal waters of Sarangani Province as a protected seascape and not just part of it.

The bill, if approved, will make the entire 211,913-hectare Sarangani Bay as a protected seascape and will get appropriate funds from the national government yearly which will cover the management, protection, and conservation of the entire Sarangani Bay. 

I really hope this bill pushes through so as to have a formal organizational structure with a nearby office that will manage everything to protect the beautiful island of Sarangani. 

I believe the government of Sarangani and DENR are continuously monitoring this coal plant. They can work hand in hand with local and international divers to make sure no further harm is done. 

Protect Sarangani, Keep its beauty!

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Scuba Diving in Sarangani

Scuba Diving in Sarangani

I have always wanted to try Scuba Diving not only because I was a merman in my past life but also because of the many underwater adventures I heard from my celebrity friend and certified open sea diver Luis Manzano. So when my Geologist friend Djohanne invited me to go and dive with her in Sarangani, I didn't hesitate and hurriedly withdrew P2,000 from my savings account. 

The best time to go to a dive point is around 8am when the sun is just a quarter up. For first timers like me, you just have to pay a dive master P1500 for a 30-minute orientation and an hour actual dive. The P1500 already covers the professional fee and intro training, gears to use underwater as well as assistance all through out the dive. For beginners, You can go to as deep as 30-40 feet. No need to worry if you don't know how to swim. 

All you need is the will to do it and just breathe from your mouth. Don't panic when you think something is wrong. They will teach you the proper hand signals so they can assist you on your way up and after bring you back 20 feet deep.

There a lot of diving spots in Sarangani. There is a long stretch of marine protected sanctuary in Sarangani that you can enjoy. Also a wide variety of corals both hard and soft, sponges and nemos, gorgonians, and an endless array of reef life. When I was there I was lucky to have seen a turtle and other types of underwater species that I only see in books and encyclopedia. I also heard from other divers that there are snappers, groupers and patrols of sergeant majors swimming around the area.

On that dive is when I first met the wife of Governor Steve Solon, the talkative and charming Michele Solon. The moment she opens her mouth, you'll find yourself listening to all the wonderful stories she has about Sarangani. We took the boat and went to the middle of the sea and jumped into that 60-80 feet deep sanctuary! 

While they were busy swimming with the reef critters, clown fish, angel fish, parrot fish, small jelly fish and many shell fish, I was snorkeling around the boat since I was the only one who wasn't certified yet. 

Maasim is one of the municipalities of Sarangani where you get to try Scuba Diving. It is just 45 minutes away from Gensan. Sarangani is a Dive Haven for certified divers and a home to South Point Divers. It is so beautiful and breath-taking! Lemlunay Resort is just one spot from the many areas where you can dive. It has a seawall with a drop of unidentifiable deep. Others claimed it is around 1500 feet deep. 

The resort is situated on a cliff over looking the marvelous sea of Sarangani and good for intro-divers since they offer diving course. If you decide not to dive and just want to snorkel, go ahead and just pay P250 for a complete set of snorkeling gears. Entrance to the resort and the use of wifi will cost you P100. If you want to swim in their infinity pool, it will cost you another P100. Food in their restaurant ranges from P150-P300 per head. 

If you decide to be certified by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) You may contact Dive Master Joel Sarenas at 0915-991-0800.

I had been to this Lemlunay Resort around 10 times already and twice I did Scuba Diving and thrice Snorkeling.

Scuba Diving in Sarangani

Diving in Sarangani

Here are some video clips I wanna share to you guys! 

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Harry Potter Park in Japan

Harry Potter Park in Japan

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

(photo courtesy of www.telegraph.co.uk)

Universal Studios recently opened its long-awaited Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Osaka Japan to millions of Asian Fans.

This is Universal Studios second park, 4 years after it first opened in Florida. Slytherin Draco Malfoy and Ravenclaw's Luna Lovegood attended the opening ceremony last July 15 wearing their respective scarves.

What Harry Potter Park in Japan has that the Florida doesn't have is the Black Lake which was shown in the first installment of the film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. 

For a fan like me who grew up watching the magical story of Harry Potter, no words can describe the feeling I have now that in the next few months I will know how it is like experiencing the magical world of Harry Potter.

There are a lot of attractions at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

1. The Hogwarts Castle

- You'll be able to explore the classrooms and corridors of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You can also tour in Dumbledore's Office as well as the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. The famous Sorting Hat and Moving Portraits will also greet you as you journey the castle.

2. Dining at The Three Broomsticks and the Hog's Head

- Try the delicious and popular Butterbeer, a sweet, non-alcoholic beverage, reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch (which Starbucks has copied). 

3. Shop at Hogsmeade

Choose your own wand or if you like you can even get a replica of Harry Potter's wand. Then continue shopping and you'll find sweets like Chocolate Frogs and Flavour Beans.

4. Street Entertainment

Students from different houses of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw will greet you with wizarding songs while you walk along the streets of the park. You can even meet the powerful students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang who competed for the Triwizard Tournament.

Here is the complete list of attractions found in Universal Studios Japan - Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

· Hogwarts Castle 

· "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride 

· Flight of the Hippogriff ride 

· The Three Broomsticks restaurant 

· Hog's Head Bar 

· Honeyduke's Sweets Shop 

· Ollivander's Wand Shop 

· Zonko's Joke Shop 

· Dervish and Banges 

· Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods 

· Owl Post (with live owls - new for Japan) 

· Hogwarts Express train (prop, not a ride)

· Gladrags Wizard Wear 

· Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment (a Diagon Alley shop in Orlando) 

· Hogwarts' Black Lake

1-day pass to the Harry Potter Park will cost you $65 while 2-day pass will be $100. This includes admission ticket and the use of all attractions in the park.

This Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Osaka Japan cost $442.2 million to construct.

Credits: Photos used courtesy of Themeparx.com

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Trump Entertainment files for Bankruptcy

Trump Entertainment Resorts filed for bankruptcy last Tuesday and warned to close Taj Mahal Casino making it the fifth casino to shut down in Atlantic City this 2014.

Trump Entertainment Resorts has less assets of no more than $50,000 and more liabilities between $100 Million and $500 million. The company also missed its quarterly tax payment due last August 2014 and said it didn't have enough cash to make payments to lenders payable by the end of the month. 

The company filed the bankruptcy in US Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington Delaware. 

The last time Trump Entertainment filed bankruptcy was in 2010 with $350 million in debt.

Donald Trump does not control or has any involvement in it and only owns 9 percent stake in the firm. 

Trump Entertainment who also own Taj Mahal Casino would have no remaining properties if and when this closes and doesn't win salary concessions from union employees by November 2014. 

The company has around 2800 workers as of July 2014. 

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Should You Buy the iPhone 6? Reasons to Buy and Why you shouldn't yet!

I am pretty much contented with the iPhone 5s. It's classy, lighter and has a better grip compared to other phones. Interface works well especially to a social media person like me. Easy to navigate and produces quality photos and videos for blogging and sharing. Everything that I need in a phone is there.

As Apple launches the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Would we still need to upgrade our phone or just wait for another year for the iPhone 7 to come out? Do we really need a bigger iPhone like the Samsung?

Here some reasons to buy and why you should not! You decide:

1. Higher Resolution Display
- iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus comes with a Retina HD Displays. It has a 4.7 and 5.5-inch diagonal screens respectively. This means higher resolution, 1334 by 750 pixels for the iPhone 6 and 1920 by 1080 pixels for the iPhone 6 Plus. The new screen will also have a more dramatic contrast without the need of any application. Larger screen is usually for better viewing of photos and websites. Also if you are a movie geek and will get the 128gb then start pre-ordering now. 

2. Better Battery Life
- iPhone 6 will have the ability to do 60 hours of audio/music and 11 hours of video. Enough to keep you away for a flight from the US to ASIA. iPhone 6 Plus will have 80 hours or audio and 14 hours of video. These new iPhones will also have a longer talk time and standby mode.

3. If you like thin and curves
- Apple said these 2 new iPhones are the thinnest they produced yet, 0.27 inches. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus followed the design of the original frame, seamless and continuos.

4. Faster Processors
- iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus comes with the 2nd generation 64 bit A8 chip which has faster processing power.

5. New Features
The iSight and facetime camera have been improved with a new sensor Focus Pixel that enhances autofocus. Image and Video stabilization now include Optical and no longer digital. Panorama shots now have 43 pixels which is way way better than the previous phones. These new iPhones come with a barometer to measure elevation and check air pressure. 

6. Bigger Storage
If you want a phone with bigger storage, then you'll never go wrong with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus having as much as 128gb space. 

7. Voice Over LTE
- The new iPhones support Voice over LTE and 20 bands. They have improved voice audio quality and can do 150 mbps LTE. 

Why should you not upgrade yet:

1. That's why you chose iPhones in the past not only because they are the best phones but simply because you like it just how it was designed, sleek and can be used with one hand. The new ones will stress you out unless you have extremely big hands. 

2. You still have a contract with your existing iPhone and getting a new one will extend your contract and end up selling your phones at a much lesser price since iPhone 5s and 5c are now on Sale.

3. It's more expensive than usual. Few months after launch, the prices would drop, You may want to wait til Thanksgiving or Christmas to avail the new iPhones at a discounted rate, perhaps $50 - $100 off. 

4. You want the Apple Watch but you only have an iPhone 4s or lower. Buying the iWatch and iPhone 6 will set you back quite a bit more than you might otherwise have alloted for just a phone.

5. Do you really need it that much? If you have an iPhone 5c or 5s, you are pretty much okay until the iPhone 7 comes out. 

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What you need to know about the Apple Watch

Apple also revealed its long awaited watch when they launched the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus yesterday. The Apple Watch retails at $349 and will have two other designs; the Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition (Price not yet available for these 2) and will be available early next year.

The Apple Watch will require an iPhone 5 or later to function. The screen works much like a display on iPhones or iPads and can sense force. The back part of the watch can measure heart rate and has a wireless inductive changing mechanism. This is also where you attach the charger via a magnet. 

Moving your wrist activates the display of the watch. The device's functionality relies on the crown of the watch. You can change and customize the colors and themes.  There's also the famous Siri which will answer your basic questions. 

The Apple Watch can also notify you with friend request on facebook and even reply to tweets. 

Cook said during the launch that the Apple Watch is the company's most personal product yet. It doesn't only come with technology but also with style. Fashionistas can change the watch straps to match their outfits of the day.  

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